Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Much like Stephen King, John Gilstrap has a knack for making the unbelievable all too believable. He puts his characters into amazingly challenging situations and we watch them navigate them just as any other person might - very, very credible and interesting to consider how humans react to the unexpected. The story itself is worryingly realistic, too, and I can see a few conspiracy theorists grabbing onto this idea! Really enjoyed this and can’t wait to read more by this author.

I have long been a fan of John Gilstrap - especially of his stand-alone thrillers about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. His long-running series Jonathan Graves has turned into a little of the same from book to book, so I was thrilled by Gilstrap started a new series about Victoria Emerson, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The new series is very different from Gilstrap's Grave series that had much testosterone bravado and gun talk. The book is a dystopian, post-apocalyptic story about multiple nuclear attacks all over the U.S. and members of Congress being taking into a shelter complex for the continuity of government set in place in the case of such an event. The story shifts between parts inside the shelter and parts outside the shelter - the weakest parts being the former, as the egos and political bickering inside the shelter seem a little predictable and too much. The shifts, however, add energy and drive to the story. The strong parts of the book are therefore about the survivors outside in the country that to a large degree has been destroyed due to the nuclear shockwaves destroying most electronic items because of fried microchips. Gilstrap seasons the story with the unpredictability of personalities due to pride, shame, meanness, ambition and raw survival instincts.
I am usually too interested in post-apocalyptic books, but I loved the simplicity of the classic in the genre, The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Gilstrap is not going for the same simplicity in this book and maybe that is one of its problems. However, he is a fantastic storyteller, and I was much entertained reading this book. 4 stars.

First in a series can either be terrific or hesitant, this book was terrific. Extremely well plotted, memorable characters, and gripping story.

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

Book Review - John Gilstrap introduces a new post apocalyptic thriller entitled Crimson Phoenix that is surprisingly good. It’s a new series about the aftermath of nuclear war, specifically in West Virginia and centered around an ex-Congresswoman and her three sons. The protagonist, Victoria Emerson, abruptly resigns from Congress when she was unable to bring her two teenaged boys into the Congressional-leaders only bomb shelter (no family members allowed). Preset for recovery of the government for after a nuclear strike, this caused tremendous angst for those who never read the ‘what-to-do’ material during code Crimson Phoenix. Emerson’s apparent lack of knowledge of Crimson Phoenix procedures caused her to walk away from the safe-haven bunker with two of her three boys and to start utilizing her "prep-per" skills in the West Virginia mountains. Vicky Emerson is a politician prone to getting her way and occasionally making impulsive decisions, but who also seems to grow into a true leader role as a survivalist in the aftermath of the nuclear attack. This is not a book so much about the terrible effects of multiple nuclear strikes across America, though it certainly doesn't shy away from it, as much as it is about the need for all different classes of people to find ways to regroup and cope during a nuclear holocaust. The only enemies that appear in the book are fellow Americans who try to seize the moment for their own personal gain even though every thing as been destroyed. Gilstrap’s storyline and plot are well written and are very believable.. The characters are strongly developed and characteristically spot on. His knowledge, details and explanations of the survivalist community is also remarkable! Although there are three distinct stories taking place in this one novel, they’re all relevant to each other and complete the overall storyline. Overall, this book was riveting, fast-paced, action-oriented, and scary to think about. As a first in a series, I can’t wait to find out what happens next for Vicky, her sons as well as the two military escorts that were tasked with delivering the former Congresswoman to the Congressional bomb shelter but were not allowed in as well, thus left to die in the nuclear attack. Gilstrap has an exciting new thriller series that is sure to please - from 'prep-pers', to politicians and elected officials, to thriller book readers, to gun ethicists, to even wild game hunters, this one is a must read...

I am so glad that I waited to read this book during the current presidential administration. At least part of what terrified Democrats last year was the worry that the previous President would finish his term with a bang! That bang happens in the Crimson Phoenix.

U.S. Congressperson Vicky Emerson is hustled to a nuclear shelter in the wake of global nuclear disaster. However, when her sons are not allowed admittance, she decides to take her chances outside. What her family sees is a nation in ruins. Can she help build the country back? Or will the selfish and greedy rule again? How will the experience change her family? Will anything ever be the same again?

I really enjoyed this rousing book! I love disaster movies—especially if they have a patriotic component. My favorite is Independence Day. The Crimson Phoenix gave me all the plot twists and “feels” from that movie while carrying a completely different plot. It’s a great story. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars!

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Oh my gosh...a new series by John Gilstrap. I was enthralled from the first page!

A widowed mother of three teen boys, Congresswoman Victoria Emerson hears the words she never thought she would, Crimson Phoenix. On the verge of nuclear war, the congresswoman is taken to a bunker but her boys are not allowed entrance. She resigns and heads out with two of her boys to pick up the third. What was is not important anymore. What is, is what's important now.

The Emerson family have hunting, scavaging, and some prepper skills. They've made a plan for a place to meet if something happens. Everyone should have a plan. With no communication, police, and pretty much an everyone for themselves mentality, Vicky and her family, along with the military men who came to take her to the bunker, work together with others for the benfit of them all.

This can be a very dark read, but I can't wait for more in this series. It was a 'can't put it down' book for me.

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley for my unbiased review.

Thank you to the author, Kensington Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Although dystopia is not my preferred genre, this book had me on the edge of my sofa until I finished it. The premise is almost too close to reality for comfort - an outbreak of nuclear war, inept and irrelevant political leadership, and violence and greed toward others among the survivors. A member of the House of Representatives, Victoria is a single mother with three sons. She should have been sequestered in a secret bunker with the rest of the government, but refuses when it becomes clear that no protection will be provided to her sons. They strike out across the countryside, together with the two military men who were initially charged with escorting her to the secret bunker. This then becomes a story of bringing order into chaos, in a situation where everything that we take for granted is gone. New rules have to be created, and there is no guarantee that any of the players will come out alive. I found the alternating POVs - Victoria and her hardy group of survivors, the sequestered government, and Victoria's oldest son (who is at a military boarding school) - especially effective in illustrating the sense of disconnect that would surely prevail in such a situation.

Yes, there were obviously gaps and slight flubs, but overall this was riveting and I look forward to reading the next installment.

5 out of 5 stars
I did not intend to read this book in one sitting, but once I started it I could not stop. I am now impatient for the next in this series!
Victoria Emerson has to make a lot of tough decisions, starting with refusing to accept the shelter offered to her as a Congresswoman. When she learns that she cannot bring her sons with her into the Annex, a top secret bunker designed for the members of Congress and one member each of their staffs to shelter in for 60 days, she resigns from the House immediately and leaves with her sons. Major Joe McCrea and First Sergeant Paul Copley, the soldiers tasked with getting her safely to the bunker, accompany her and lead her to a mine where they wait out the blasts. Vicky wants to get to Top Hat Mountain, where she should be able to meet up with her oldest son, Adam. The family agreed long ago that if a disaster should strike, they would meet up there. But Vicky can't stop herself from trying to help the people she meets, and her natural leadership puts her in charge whether she wants to be or not.
The subject matter could be dark and depressing but it isn't. Vicky refuses to give up and you can't help but root for her and the other good people she finds along the way, even as you are disgusted by the evil ones who threaten them. In the end, there are more good people than bad ones and you are left feeling confident that, no matter what else befalls them, the Emerson clan will find a way through it.

Crimson Phoenix by John Gilstrap is shocking, disturbing at times, suspenseful, and definitely heart-pounding. I’ve seen it classified as dystopian and post-apocalyptic and it has aspects of both.

Victoria (Vicky) Emerson is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for the state of West Virginia. When Major Joseph McCrea and First Sergeant Paul Copley Show up at her doorstep and uses the code phrase ‘Crimson Phoenix’, Vicky knows that the United States is on the verge of a nuclear war. She yells at her sons Caleb and Luke to get dressed and get their go-bags. They’ve prepped for this all of their lives. McCrea and Copley are to take her to a secure bunker in West Virginia. When they get there and she finds out her sons can’t come in, she resigns. They head west towards the military academy where her third son is attending school.

Vicky’s goal of protecting her family is clear. She certainly isn’t perfect and that adds realism to the story. The secondary characters have varying degrees of depth, but Caleb seems to have grown the most during the course of the book. We also get insights into other characters as the points of view occasionally shift to Vicky’s third son, Adam, to the Congressional bunker, and to Caleb.

This book is exactly what one would expect from a well-written post-apocalyptic thriller with lots of concern over how to survive and protect one’s family, but it is so much more than that. It raises a lot of questions about justice, cooperation, leadership, desperation, political infighting, having to deal with the loss of all of the electronics we rely upon, and much more.

The author brought a strong sense of time and place to the events in the book. I felt as though I had been transplanted to West Virginia and was living through the events. Additionally, the triggers for this book felt all too real. Two phrases have stuck with me: concentric circles and actions have consequences. Are you intrigued? Then, I recommend that you read the novel.

Overall, this book was riveting, fast-paced, action-oriented, and scary to think about. This is the first book that I have read by this author and the first in this series. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Vicky and her sons as well as Joe and Paul. I also want to read his Jonathan Grave series.

Kensington Books and John Gilstrap provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 23, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

Wow, this was a pleasant surprise. The first book in a new series about Victoria Emerson, a member of the US House of Representatives. The world is on the verge of nuclear war and Victoria is about to be relocated to a secure bunker. She refuses since she's not allowed to bring her kids and in the aftermath of the nuclear war we follow Victoria and her kids on her journey to survive in a post apocalyptic world where nothing is normal anymore. As Victoria said to her kids, "Everything that made sense yesterday seems wrong today, and much of what seemed wrong has become okay. This is a gripping page-turner that is impossible to put down. It's filled with action, interesting characters and moral dilemmas. From the first page you are thrown into the story and you are desperate to find out what happens. The book is a bit uneven and some questions are left unanswered but this series have huge potential and I'll definitely read the next book. I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Kensington Books, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and share my honest review,.

The premise of this book had all the makings of great dystopian novel. When the story opens we meet Victoria who is a congresswoman, and she is being escorted with two of her sons to a secure location, because the world is on the verge of nuclear war.

The setup for this story, sounds great, however the story fall short of the high level I was expecting. For the majority of the book, I felt like I had more questions than answers the entire time I was reading. It was confusing with multiple characters, and we were never really told how this war even starts.

This is the start to a new series, maybe it will get better, however, I will not be continuing on, as I actually don’t really care to find the answers to questions the author left with us.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have read Crimson Phoenix by John Gilstrap. It is a somewhat apocalyptic story about Victoria Emerson and her struggles after some bombs exploded. This is one of the best stories in it's genre I have ever read. The author manages to describe some of the struggles like no one else. Gilstrap describes some of the struggles from a viewpoint I have never seen before and it makes the story really good. It is a book that is hard to put down. Ihave to thank @KensingtonBooks #Netgalley and #Kensington for giving me this arc.

Amazing book that hooked me from the beginning! I heard theres a second book and I cannot wait to read it! The heroine character is amazing!

Hmm this story is about our country being on the brink of destruction of a nuclear war.
Yikes mot really a good idea while we are still trying to make it through what is nearly a year-long pandemic. It has been terrible; in fact, we learned NOT to say “What’s next?” As too many times what’s next would happen.
In this story Congresswoman Victoria Emerson from West Virginia (my home state) is a congressional member of the U.S. House of Representatives. She is awaken at night and as a member of Congress is being rushed to a safe bunker. She is a widow with three boys, two are teenagers at home and she insists they go with her. She is told no family members! She again insists but once they arrive at the “Hilltop Manor Resort of Crimson Phoenix the no family member rule is enforced.
Congresswoman Victoria Emerson has a goal of being helpful to her community and not let the ambitious Washington politicians who are more interested in themselves and are ambitious in power plays. NOTE: This reminds of Joe Manchin a current Senator from West Virginia as he certainly is the voice of reason!

Situation is really very freighting. I did read and/or saw “On the Beach” It had me glued to my seat. This story had me interested but it really cannot say I like it! ⭐⭐⭐.4 STARS
This is the first in the Victoria Emerson Series so I knew she was going to make it for Book #2.

The other thing that interest me about this story since I am from West Virginia; I was familiar that
There was a real-life US Governments Relocation Facility located at the majestic 5-Star Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. It was a secret until the Washington Post revealed its location in 1992.
The hotel is still majestic and actually has tours available to the public of the bunkers.

I did enjoy reading John Gilstrap’s “Author’s Note” I always find this information interesting and he did not disappoint!

Want to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for this early release granted to me for an honest professional review. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 23, 2021

Picked this book up because I've liked several of John Gilstrap's previous books - and the cover was eye-catching. I wasn't disappointed.

The first in a new series featuring Victoria Emerson, the book covers a political decision that perpetuates a devastating, worldwide nuclear war. Victoria is a member of the House of Representatives and gets shuttled to a bunker in case of nuclear war. However, when they refuse to admit her son - no family members allowed in the bunker; not enough room - Victoria makes the decision to leave and goes searching for safety elsewhere. Victoria has had survival training and is somewhat of a prepper - something she has also instilled in her sons. This is a story of survival and of bringing some semblance of order out of chaos. New decisions have to be made as to what is right and wrong in a new world. It was a fast-paced story and full of action and building tension.

Thanks to Kensington Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Crimson Phoenix introduces a new series from John Gilstrap - Victoria Emerson.

"Victoria Emerson is a member of the US House of Representatives. When Major McCrea shows up at her door and uses the code word, Crimson Phoenix, she knows that the US is on the verge of nuclear war and she is to be escorted to a hidden bunker with the rest of the House. When she realizes her family is not allowed in the bunker, she resigns and heads to West Virginia in search of saftey and her other son. Along the way she realizes there are things more dangerous than nuclear bombs..."

If you've read any books about Nuclear Armageddon, much will sound familiar. People are scared - they easily turn into a mob - no electonics work - everything is chaotic. What Gilstrap adds is that he takes you directly into the bunker that is responsible for continuance of government. What happens when politicians must make hard choices? Does partisan rhetoric ever end? Who does the private security contractor report to? The dynamics are interesting...and deadly.

Victoria Emerson is a bit of a prepper, which comes in handy when you're fleeing for your life and other people want to take what you have. As a parent, there are some scary moments when you see what she is having to tell her young son what to do to protect himself and the family.

There's a great scene where Gilstrap shows what happens when people must decide between justice and truth - innocent and not guilty.

Gilstrap does not spend much time on the big picture but chooses to focus on small groups. There is still plenty of his outstanding action.

Fast-paced read from Gilstrap. There are many open story lines so it sets up for the next book. Fans of Gilstrap and strong female characters will enjoy this one.

John Gilstrap is a writer of popular thrillers that are we rratuc in quality; some are truly thrilling, with well-developed characters and strong narrative drives. Unfortunately, this formulaic and unoriginal novel isn'tb one of them.. The only suspense derived from the premise - is this threat of nuclear war that's telegraphed by the sudden evacuation of the entire US Congress to a bunker in the West Vlirginia mountains real, or is the eponymous code name of the title merely a very realistic drill? It doesn't initially matter to Congresswoman Victoria Emerson a single parent who refuses to abandon her son's, even to save her own life.. Besides, she and her boys are highly skilled survivalists who feel capable of finding for themselves if need be. She, managed to convince the U.S. Marshall detailed to deliver her to the compound where her colleagues and staff have been resettled to accompany her on her search for her eldest son, a cadet at a nearby military academy, even after they realize that the worst has indeed happened. What follows - battles with other survivors over scarce resources, depictions of countless dead and wounded , everything you expect of a nuclear Armageddon, makes for from reading with few possibilities for any denouement except the only possible one.

I received an ARC of Crimson Phoenix by John Gilstrap in exchange for my review. I did not read any reviews prior to drafting my review.

I was eager to read Crimson Phoenix as John Gilstrap has written many books in a different series which seem to have been very favorably reviewed.

Crimson Phoenix is the first book in a new series featuring Victoria Emerson. Victoria is a member of the House of Representatives. She is also a widow with three sons. A knock on the door quickly leads to the use of the code phrase Crimson Phoenix, which is used to trigger a retreat for the elected leadership to a secret bunker in case of a nuclear attack. When she gets to the bunker she is disappointed to learn that only the elected officials and one staffer each are allowed in to the facility. Victoria decides she will not go in without her children and decides to seek shelter elsewhere.

The novel takes a dystopian bent as the country gets hit by numerous nuclear weapons. No more electricity. No more police. It is like living as they did before the industrial revolution. You know you are having a good day if you are still alive. A once orderly society quickly devolves into a cutthroat situation where there is little , if any, law and order and people have very different ideas of what qualifies as justice.

The novel sort of rotates through the congressmen who made it to the bunker and their essentially futile efforts to gather information and take effective leadership action, Victoria's travels and encounters, and events related to her her third son who was at a private school and his trials and tribulations. The primary focus is on Victoria and her leadership in a small town she and her two younger sons settle in. She is pretty effective but often greatly resented.

Given the circumstances I found the overtones to be rather dark. I thought the book was fine, but a little bit gloomy. It makes me realize that I take an awful lot for granted.