Since my last post I’ve had a
new release. Finding Mercy was released on December 22nd, and the story takes
place in the fictional town of Evans Point Wyoming. The story is one of
courage, change and disaster preparedness. Two other stories follow Finding
Mercy, The Princess and the Prepper by Barbara Elsborg and Falling For Water by
Arlene Webb. So if you’re looking for something a little different, give the
new Prepper series published by Decadent Publishing a try.
What’s a bug out bag?
Before writing Finding Mercy, I knew what a bug out bag was,
just not what should go in it.
For instance, you should have emergency supplies packed and
ready for 72 hours, the average time it takes to get situated in a shelter or
to a safe location. Many preppers keep these bags in their vehicles, while
others have them both at home and in their vehicles. Some practice hiking with
them, so they are able to carry them in the event of a disaster and an
evacuation is needed.
Here are a few items you might want to include in your bag.
·
Important documents and photographs backed up on
flash drives or disks. These can include birth certificates, banking documents,
deeds and titles. Insurance contact information is also important to include,
as you might not be able to go back and retrieve the data and might have to
file a claim from a distance.
·
Credit cards, debit cards and a means to access
you bank accounts.
·
Change of clothes for 72 hours.
·
Basic first aid kit.
·
Water. Food for 72 hours.
·
Any prescription medications.
·
Charger for your cell phone. You can get solar
arrays fairly cheap online and they will provide enough power to charge laptops
and cell phones in the event of an emergency.
·
Flashlights
·
Radios—for communicating and a small radio to
listen to weather reports if you don’t have a cell phone that is accessible.
·
Sturdy walking shoes or boots.
·
Cold weather clothing like hats and mittens, or
bug repellant for summer weather.
·
A tooth brush, toothpaste, brush, baby wipes and
wash cloth. Small children may require
additional items like diapers.
·
Phone numbers for family members, physicians and
anyone else you may need to contact. This is important if you can’t get your
phone to work. At least you can contact them to let them know you are okay when
you get to safety and can get access to a phone.
There are so many various items that you might need, that
are not on this list, but each individual is different. A small child may have
a favorite blanket or toys that you might want to include to keep them calm, or
an elderly adult may have needs not addressed above. Try to think of what you
can’t live without for 72 hours, and pack it. Assist family members in putting
together their packs, to make sure they are not forgetting anything.
This year, hurricane Sandy brought home the importance of
preparing for emergencies. Too many, “this will never happen to me’s,” did, and
those affected continue to struggle in the wake of the storm, weeks after Sandy
crippled the eastern seaboard. Disaster can strike anywhere, anytime. Are you
prepared?
In Finding Mercy, the town of Evan’s Point Wyoming is
flattened by tornados. In the wake of the disaster, those that chose to stay
and rebuild, ban together and form a prepping community, so that lives would
not be lost again in the future because they were unprepared.
My hopes are that I have brought you a story you’ll enjoy,
and something to think about, and perhaps act on, if you haven’t already.
Blurb:
You’ll
die in three minutes without oxygen. Three hours without shelter. Three days
without water. Three weeks without food. But could you live a lifetime with a
broken heart?
Mercy Evans has come to Evans Point hoping to collect
herself and find a way to resurrect her career as an anchorwoman for Cheyenne’s
news station. Sergeant Justin Redway has come to Evans Point to try to forget
his past and survive what he’s done.
When two worlds collide, one of a battle damaged veteran,
the other of a desperate woman who will go to any extreme to get his story,
sparks fly and old wounds open. When the chasm between the fated lovers finally
opens, it might be too big to cross.
One town, two lovers,
and a second chance at finding mercy.
Excerpt:
Evans Point, Wyoming
June 28th, 2010
If he didn’t know better, he’d think the end of the world had arrived.
Will Evans tightened his grip on Bear’s and Sadie’s leashes and tuned in for
any cries for help. The fresh smell of rain mixed with the industrial stink of
spilled fuel and the ozone from a nearby lightning strike pounded reality home.
Even though they’d merely begun, his bones ached. Fifteen
years before, he would’ve torn through the wreckage and pulled out survivors
without hesitation. Now, he could only survey the destruction and fight the
tears that tugged on his eyes. The scene brought back another time he couldn’t
stomach, when he’d seen the Grim Reaper rip a hole between life and death, as
he’d done this day.
The storms had hit with ferocity, in the middle of the night,
without warning. The roaring of the beast had woken some, but not all. Those
alerted had rushed for cover in their basements and cellars and now searched
for those who were not as lucky. This was all that remained of the downtown
after six tornadoes had torn through Evans Point. In all his eighty-four years,
Will had seen only one other battlefield like it.
He swallowed and searched his soul for courage. There would be
bodies among the rubble, but hopefully, there would also be living. He had to
believe to continue, even though he found his faith tested.
So much carnage. Scanning the brightening horizon, he took
in the destruction. Brick buildings were blown apart. Vehicles lay on their
rooftops, dripping gasoline and other fluids. Even a pickup had been skewered
on a flagpole like one of the carousel horses he’d ridden as a child at the
fairground. A toy truck lay at his feet, its red paint bright and clean like it
was fresh from the box.
Buy Links
Amazon: KindleBuy Links
Barnes and Noble: Nook
Publisher: All e-Formats
So I hope you'll check out my latest release. For more information on Finding Mercy and my available published work, please stop by my website, www.authordljackson.com
Thanks for stopping by,
D L
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