Crimson Phoenix: An Action-Packed & Thrilling Novel

John Gilstrap

Feb 2021 · A Victoria Emerson Thriller Book 1 · Kensington Books

About this ebook

The nightmare scenario has come to pass. America has fallen. In the aftermath, one woman becomes the last hope of a nation and its people in New York Times bestselling author John Gilstrap’s electrifying new Victoria Emerson thriller series.

West Virginia Congresswoman Victoria Emerson has always put the needs of her community before the power games of Washington, D.C. Then an Army officer appears on her doorstep, deploying the code words “Crimson Phoenix”—meaning this is not a drill. The United States is on the brink of nuclear disaster. The major will escort her to a secure bunker. She cannot bring her family.
 
A single mother, Victoria refuses to abandon her teenage sons. Denied entry to the bunker, the family somehow survives the unthinkable. In the aftermath, the nation is in chaos. The grid is gone. Food is scarce. Civility gives way to desperate survival. Against this total collapse, Victoria creates a new home in a small Appalachian mountain town. The community she builds around her shines like a beacon in a dark wasteland. Now she must defend it with her life—to give hope to a new America.

“A gripping page-turner.”
—Taylor Stevens, New York Times bestselling author of Liars’ Legacy

“An explosive story that locks you into your chair until the final page.”
—Jamie Freveletti, international bestselling author of Running from the Devil and Robert Ludlum’s The Janus Reprisal

“Snaps with action from the very first page. It's certain to hit the 10-ring with old and new readers alike.”
—Marc Cameron, New York Times bestselling author ofBone Rattleand Tom Clancy’s Chain of Command
 

Ratings and reviews

I wanted to love it. Really. I did. The first hundred pages were really riveting but then took a 'deliverence' turn and never got back on track. This was definitely a beginning but not sure if I'm interested in following.

Crimson Phoenix by John Gilstrap Victoria Emerson #1 I started reading and could not stop and after reading the first few pages I contacted my sister by email telling her to look for this book in her lending library, sent her the book description, and since it was not listed, she requested they purchase it. I read her email response and kept reading until the wee hours of the morning and then tried to sleep although I first looked to see how soon book two in the series might be coming out. I never did find that information but know I will be reading it when it is published. What I liked: * Victoria “Vicky” Emerson: strong, independent, resourceful, tough, leader, intelligent, mother, and more. I am eager to see what she will do in book two. * Vicky’s sons: Adam, Caleb, and Luke. Need to know more about this trio of intriguing young men. * Major Joe McCrae: professional, dedicated, loyal, strong, capable, interesting. * 1st Lieutenant Paul Copley * The three threads of the story: The political group in the bunker, Adam and his girlfriend, and Vicky with her two younger sons and the two military men. * The dystopian world created by a scenario I hope never occurs in real time. * The plot and writing * The pace and action. * The character development * That I felt I was there, and all senses were engaged. * Thinking about what I would do if in a similar situation. * Being reminded of books by Wyndham, Shute, and others borrowed long ago from my father’s library. * The gritty feel of it – no sugar coating – tough decisions made. * The concentric circles theory and how it applied to the situation. * The Vicky had prepared her sons so well. * All of it really except… What I didn’t like: * The Grubbs Gang * More than one of the politicians * The group overseeing the bunker * Having to wait for the next book. Did I like this book? Definitely! Would I read more in this series? As soon as possible! Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review. 5 Stars

too slow paced was waiting for Jonathan or Boxers to show up!!.. not what I expected from him so I'll pass on this series..

About the author

John Gilstrap is the New York Times bestselling author of award-winning action novels including the Jonathan Grave Thrillers and the Victoria Emerson series. A master of action-driven suspense, he’s touted as one of the most accomplished thriller writers on the planet and his books have been translated into more than 20 languages. He is the recipient of an International Thriller Writers’ Award for Against All Enemies and a two-time ITW Award finalist. He also won the ALA Alex Award for Nathan’s Run, which was optioned for film by Warner Bros. A nationally recognized weaponry and explosives safety expert, John Gilstrap frequently speaks at conferences, events, clubs, youth programs, and military bases. He is a former firefighter and EMT with a master’s degree in safety from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. John lives in Fairfax, Virginia and can be found online at JohnGilstrap.com.