Published: April 04, 2010
Words: 112889 (approximate)
Language: English

Short description

Jimmy Logan wakes up to find that the dollar has crashed. There is a run on the banks and they quickly close their doors. People panic as other businesses follow suit. Fortunately, Jimmy has friends who have built their "house of bricks" and have invited him to stay with them. They soon learn that the woods is full of wolves; desperate people, prepared to do anything to feed their families.

Extended description

The present: Black Friday arrives as an economic hurricane that sweeps the country in a single day. There is a run on dry goods where store shelves are swept bare and soon even the gas pumps have run dry. Very few people have prepared for this cataclysmic event and chaos ensues.

Ken and Patty Dahlgren have vigilantly planned for this scenario. Ken saw this coming a long time ago and has been stocking their summer-home with the supplies he believes they will need to ride out such a storm. When the dreaded day arrives, Ken is shocked to find out that Patty has invited nearly everyone she knows, including her hairdresser. Ken is angry and there is an argument, but Patty is a strong woman with a kind heart and a mind of her own. The result is a diverse caravan of refugees who quickly find out that everyone desperately wants what they have.

Jimmy Logan reports for work at Dahlgren Industries that morning, never suspecting that his world has spun out of control and is about to crash. Ji... (Read more) The present: Black Friday arrives as an economic hurricane that sweeps the country in a single day. There is a run on dry goods where store shelves are swept bare and soon even the gas pumps have run dry. Very few people have prepared for this cataclysmic event and chaos ensues.

Ken and Patty Dahlgren have vigilantly planned for this scenario. Ken saw this coming a long time ago and has been stocking their summer-home with the supplies he believes they will need to ride out such a storm. When the dreaded day arrives, Ken is shocked to find out that Patty has invited nearly everyone she knows, including her hairdresser. Ken is angry and there is an argument, but Patty is a strong woman with a kind heart and a mind of her own. The result is a diverse caravan of refugees who quickly find out that everyone desperately wants what they have.

Jimmy Logan reports for work at Dahlgren Industries that morning, never suspecting that his world has spun out of control and is about to crash. Jimmy suddenly finds himself struggling with decisions of his own. Bill Huggins is Jimmy's neighbor, Bill is unemployed, recently divorced, and has a teenage daughter to look after. It slowly dawns upon Jimmy that he can't leave them behind. Reluctantly, he invites them along. Bill has no social skills and is regarded by many to be a complaining wind-bag, responsible for his own troubles.

Paula Peterson is Jimmy's girlfriend. She has the good looks of a runway model and the attitude of a spoiled princess. Paula hasn't been happy for a long time and her wealthy family would like nothing better than to separate the two of them. Julie Hartman is Jimmy's old flame. Julie is everything that Paula isn't and sparks are rekindled as things heat up.

Days pass and for a short time things are quiet. There is a resort next to Ken's where despite all that has happened, everyone seems to be on vacation. Ken has his people out working from sunrise to sunset, painstakingly preparing for the worst, while the group at the resort spend their days living the high-life. There is soon dissension. Some of Ken's people are lured across the fence by their leisurely lifestyle, only to find out that the other group is nearly out of provisions.

Desperate Times is a realistic look at an economic apocalypse and is ultimately the dramatic story of one man's survival. These are everyday, ordinary people and the premise could have been lifted from today's headlines. The result is a thought-provoking, entertaining read with a powerful message.
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Tags

adventure, government, economics, survival, anarchy, adventures, adventure books, current events, adventure action, economic collapse, current, survivalist, adventure fantasy, survivalists, adventure novel, survivalism, adventure thriller, defense, adventure fiction, economic freedom, adventure story, government collapse

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Reviews

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Review by: oldcar on April 09, 2011 :
Excellent book. A must read.
(review of free book)

Review by: jackie mee on March 18, 2011 :
Wow, this is a real page turner! It makes you wonder what you would do if you were put into this situation. Let's just hope we never are.
(review of free book)

Review by: Lisa Turner on March 17, 2011 :
There are a few times when you open a book and realize within the first few pages that you have stumbled onto a fabulous read. This was definately one of those times. It makes you think and makes you want to act, to be prepared, just in case. The characters were well thought out and finding the prequels was just icing on cake. This is a must read. I cant imagine any one not liking it. Praying for a sequel, I want more!
(review of free book)

Review by: Patricia Crosswait on March 15, 2011 :
This novel definitely makes you think which I personally really like. It makes you think about the what if's and how people would respond to them. I really like the characters and how there developed. The prequels really gave me more insight into the characters, of course I did read those after I read the novel. I really like how the author describes the scene and feelings of the characters. I really felt like I was experiencing what was happening in the novel which I really like also. It has something for everyone. I especially like the love struggle with Jimmy and Julie, but that's just a very small part of what the novel has to offer.
(review of free book)

Review by: jezebeljones on Feb. 21, 2011 :
Preposterous! I can't wait for the sequel.
(review of free book)

Review by: Deb7680 on Dec. 08, 2010 :
Desperate Times was a fun, engrossing read. I don't know if there will be sequels but the prequels are fantastic! I always find myself wanting to know more about the characters; to have some insight into who they are. The prequels for this novel gave fabulous insight into the well-developed characters. They made you want to read the novel, to find out what happened in their lives.

The novel itself has something for everyone. It has adventure, romance, loss, and some measure of hope. Nice ending too! It's a great read.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Sharon Mc Govern on Sep. 12, 2010 : (no rating)
I'm an appoliptic novel addict. Why? Because I really think "end times" are not that far in the future. This novel was a good one. Surely there will be a sequel! R. Sharon Mc Govern rsmquilts@aol.com
(review of free book)

Review by: eb on May 07, 2010 : (no rating)
Good story! There were a few grammatical/typographical errors that may have just been in my Kindle edition -- but they didn't detract from the story at all. However, I'm waiting for the sequel!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Ann Linz-Olson on April 24, 2010 :
Fast – paced & exciting! I found myself falling fast into this great story, caring about the characters and the situations they faced. It made me think, what would I do in “Desperate Times”?
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

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