Bulwark

Bulwark Anthology #0.5

by Brit Lunden

Librarian note: An older cover for this edition can be found here: 31-Jul-2017.

Clay Finnes is the sheriff of a small town in Georgia called Bulwark. Recently separated from his wife, all he can think about is what went wrong, and will Jenna ever come back to him. He's troubled by a bothersome reporter trying to build a story from what he thinks is a normal day in his life. Clay has to admit that the fantastical stories, told by an accident victim as well as unusual sightings of wolves, things are getting a bit strange. A visit to the ominous Gingerbread House makes him realize that his life as he knows it will never be the same.

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook

ebook

First published July 31, 2017

About the author

Brit Lunden is a prolific author who’s written over 50 books in assorted genres under different pen names. Bulwark was her first effort in adult fiction and was chosen by several of her fellow authors as the basis for a new series, A Bulwark Anthology. Using her characters, they are creating new denizens in spin-off stories to this bizarre town. Brit Lunden lives on Long Island in a house full of helpful ghosts.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Who told you about Linden Lane?" Her voice quivered a bit. "You don't need to go to Linden Lane. Forget you ever heard about it."

The town of Bulwark is going crazy and Sheriff Clay Finnes is at the center.

He's still reeling from his missing child, the loss of a close friend and to top it all, the town reporter circling his crumbling marriage like a shark.

Add in the downright weird sh*t going down and he's more than a little overwhelmed.

People are suffering from strange accidents, wolves have made a reappearance and everything seems to center around a mysterious and malevolent Gingerbread House.

Something was wrong, Clay wasn't sure what, but a feeling of unease enveloped him until his body fairly vibrated with it.

And despite living in the town for practically forever, Clay is realizing that there's actually a lot that he doesn't know about it.

"Not many people travel the back roads around here."

And the more he investigates, the weirder things get.

She was just an old woman, one part of his brain assured him. The other half told him to get the hell out of there.

Soon he will have to decide whether it's more important to solve this mystery...or stay alive.

Extremely entertaining!

This is my first by Brit Lunden and wow, I am impressed. Such an incredible page turner - absolutely addicting!

I am a HUGE fan of fairytale rewrites and this one was no exception.

Honestly, there is something about the old-timey fairytales that lends itself perfectly to horror/mystery and Lunden truly captured that aspect.

I quite enjoyed the character of Clay and his wife, but a few of the side characters felt a little flat (likely because the book was so short - not much page space for in depth developments).

I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue surrounding the town's secrets though I really wish this was played up a bit more.

I'm looking forward to reading more into this series!

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

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[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

A Modern-day re-telling of Hansel and Gretel. It was fun, creepy, and entertaining!

"There's things out there in the middle of them woods
That'd make a strong man die from fright
There's things that crawl and things that fly
And things that creep around on the ground" - Charlie Daniels Band

I often have a soundtrack going through my head when I read certain books and for some reason, with the green expanding muck and things that went bump in the night in this book --- I kept hearing "The Legend of Wooley Swamp" in my mind.

Clay Finnes is the sheriff in the small southern town of Bulwark, Georgia. He has recently separated from his wife and both are coping with the kidnapping of their infant daughter months ago. Trying to get through his day, he gets a call about a couple who have an accident in the growing green puddle/muck/pond (just what the heck is this anyway?) and they are not making sense at all. They are making outrageous claims about their children being stolen, others in town are hearing the howling of wolves, and everyone seems to be acting strange today. Clay goes to investigate the disappearance on Linden Lane - a street he has never heard of and ends up at the Gingerbread house.

This is a short book but heavy on action, chills, thrills and creepy happenings. There are quite a few characters, but it is easy to keep track of them. The author kept me guessing as to who would make it out alive, what was really going on and how would the story end.

Speaking of endings.... shhh don't tell anyone...but he gives us two alternative endings....decide for yourself which you like better.

This can easily be read in one sitting and doesn't disappoint. If you enjoy re-tellings and don't mind a little scariness, then this book might be just up your alley as it was mine.

This book was fun, creepy, chilling and very entertaining. I really enjoyed this retelling and look forward to more books by this Author!

I received a copy of this book from Chelshire, Inc., and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Julia Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

BULWARK by Brit Lunden is a Hansel and Gretel style retelling which earned 3.5 stars from me!

Clay Finnes, Bulwark’s small-town sheriff, is emotionally struggling to survive his worst nightmare. Several months before, his baby was kidnapped—snatched without a trace. His wife Jenna became understandably inconsolable until the distance between them grew to separation and an impending divorce.

The nightmare, though, was only ramping up.

An out-of-town family gets lost on a remote backroad in Bulwark. And when they encounter water laying across the road, they underestimate the “puddle’s” depth, sending their car skidding, crashing, and stalling in the water. However, the accident isn’t what triggers memories of the sheriff’s missing baby. The delirious out-of-town parents claim that their children were stolen from the crash site, taken to the “gingerbread house” on Linden Lane.

Only, the sheriff has never heard of Linden Lane or the mysterious house. They exist all right, and he’s about to find out their hidden secrets—secrets that some townspeople don’t want to talk about. Secrets that hit very close to home for Sheriff Clay Finnes.

I love the atmospheric vibe of this book! Here’s an example:

The wind picked up, scattering leaves and other debris around the abandoned building. A gate swung, the screeching metal electrifyingly loud in the silence.

My enthusiasm, however, started to stall simply because the fantastical takes a turn toward the farcical in the last half of the book, at least for me.

Case in point: When the sheriff encounters a demon witch, he’s got an ax in his hand and plans on using it to kill her. The witch toys with him, changing her appearance several times before morphing her looks to resemble the sheriff’s wife Jenna. Here’s what happens next:

Clay shook his head as if to clear it. He swayed dizzily. Jacob grabbed the ax, and when he raised it to strike the witch, Clay held out his arms. “It’s my wife!” Clay took the ax and threw it at the wall. It thudded into the plaster.

It’s rather silly that the sheriff would suddenly believe that the demon actually became his wife! The implausibility of this deepens because Sheriff Clay Finnes, the narrator, even identifies his wife’s look-alike as the witch in the passage above.

Missteps like this dampened the thrill that I felt for the first half of the book, though BULWARK was still an enjoyable fast read! The book’s cover is also stunning!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute re-telling of the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale which was a favorite of mine when I was a child. A quick read at just under 150 pages perfectly filled a couple hours today. Two alternate endings are provided and I personally preferred the 2nd. 3.5 stars!

Thank you to Edelweiss and Chelshire, Inc. for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolves roaming the town, eerie greenish water flooding a street, a dying woman’s declaration about a witch, a street and an address that never existed, until now. Small town sheriff Clay Finnes is about to enter another reality as he discovers there is more to his town than meets the eye and it will change his perceptions of the impossible forever.

Welcome to BULWARK, quite possibly a horrific real life Hansel and Gretel story, complete with a mysterious Gingerbread House on a street that doesn’t exist, or does it? Clay has enough on his plate, a broken marriage, his daughter long missing and now things are happening in his town that verge on those paranormal stories so many people are drawn to.

Yes, there is evil afoot in Bulwark and Clay is about to discover how close to home it truly hits and how deadly it can become…is there a witch among the townsfolk? Someone has the answers, but time is running short…

Quick, down and dirty, Brit Lunden gives us a simple reading pleasure that is perfect to satisfy the need to escape into a different reality! She has done a marvelous job of setting the stage for things that go bump in the night, adding just a dash of romantic tension for flavor while stirring a cauldron of suspense into a slightly dark, yet intriguing read! No matter your reading tastes, you will not be bored or need to sleep with the lights on at night, but you will be hooked! This little thriller even has an ending that you won’t see coming!

I received a complimentary copy from Brit Lunden!

Publication Date: January 24, 2018
Publisher: Chelshire Inc.
Genre: Paranormal
Print Length: 114 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hanzel and Gretel’s story has nothing on Bulwark and the Gingerbread House.

It all started with and accident and a large puddle of water appearing from nowhere…and the town went to hell.

Clay is the small town sheriff and is prime marriage material. Dayna is the local reporter and dogging his every step, causing many personal problems for Clay.

It had been fifty years since the ‘unusual’ killings.

There are plenty of scary moments when I wondered who would survive and, of the ones who would bite the dust, how it would happen. Not much good going on, but when it happened, it was great. Plenty of magical badness.

Need a good scare, this may be for you. Is it there? Is it all in your mind? There are two endings and for those who want a HEA, you’ll want to read the second one. Me…I loved the first ending…it keeps on giving…

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Bulwark by Brit Lunden.

See more at fundinmental

[Simi Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time that I have read Brit Lunden's book, Bulwark. I had won signed copy from her, and I was grateful enough to read it. There were some elements that remind me of, not only Hansel and Gretel, but also Little Red Riding Hood. And you can't imagine what the ending is going to be once you reach it in the story. :)

Sure, there's some drama and adult content, but there's a hint of fantasy in the book.

Hope to read some of the books in the Bulwark in the anthology that piques at my interest ^-^

[Shawn Remfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance, this is a middle reader book. It's page count is at 104 and most of the wording is set for 'newer' readers. However, adult themes such as sex and violence are prevalent. This book is perfect for an adult who has difficulty reading or is newer to the world of reading. In my world, everyone is a voracious reader. That isn't true for everyone. This book definitely satisfies the need for paranormal-thriller fiction that isn't too intimidating. And let's be honest, sometimes you really want a quick, adventurous read.

Lunden is also published under Carole P. Roman and I found her adult writing to be every bit as satisfying as her childrens and nonfiction books. It's fast-paced, full of action and adventure. The characters are easy to figure out and identify with. The book isn't cluttered, so it's a quick and smooth read.

Fans of paranormal and folklore will get a kick out of this book. Admittedly, I read the entire thing in 30 minutes, but it was 30 minutes where I didn't want to be interrupted and pulled out of my world. Despite the length, I felt content upon finishing.

[Laura Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small town settings are such a draw for me. Especially in the horror and paranormal genres. Brit Lunden sucked me right into this one with her flawed, vulnerable character, Sheriff Clay Finnes. His daughter has been missing for a long time and his marriage is crumbling. Things happen to challenge him to the core as he follows the bread crumbs for answers.

Bulwark may be a shorter read but the author packed it with so much mystery to ponder. What’s real and what isn’t keep you guessing. Where does the weird green water come from? Is there a Gingerbread House? What about the reports of wolves in the woods around town? And can a witch be behind all of the bad things that have happened?

I wasn’t sure about anything as I raced through this book. The plot is revealed like driving a winding road. You can’t see what’s around the next curve, especially the ending.

I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.

[Ronda Six Garnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short story....I can see this being made into a movie :)

[Faith Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still getting my head around the freshly sprouted rootlets of Radish, the new portable device, short format fiction, publishing platform for commuters and other swifty nifty urban modern people on the go, attention spans pitched in the mid-range between humans and troubled spoonfish. Still, the audience is, I sense, comprised of people who would not be reading books otherwise, so this new service has got to be a good thing for developing a reading habit and adding an income stream for hard-pressed independent authors, therefore roll on, roll off, the scrolling, pixelated text of modern life. Just don’t use accessibility as an excuse to scrap my beloved hardbacks please Messer’s Methuen, Unwin, Routledge, Chapman & Hall, Doubleday, Faber, Faber, Faber, Faber & Faber or you’ll risk me in your office and an imprint you’ll never forget.

This is the first novella I’ve read on Radish and, to be fair to the author, I can’t directly compare it with the rating system for a novel, which would have a lot more space in which to develop characters, sub-plots and build up to scenes and situations. In short, the short format requires short; and no repetition. Radish anticipates readers who can manage a ten or fifteen minute burst, a reading fix to take their mind off the wasted, soulless drifting vacuum of their pointless commute, perhaps three chapters in a row if they are stuck on a tube train, so there’s no point writing long chapters (2,000 – 3,000 words is about right) and the total length of most books on the site seems to be 30,000 words or so, a third of a traditional novel. Do you get your money’s worth? Well, that depends on quality of engagement. Writers who are decent enough wordsmiths can probably judge how to pace their stories and if they can’t there’s always editing.

Traditional novelists might struggle with Radish because they have up until now been disciplined to write at least 80,000 words and some aim for 120,000. To shoe-horn a book into this format, they might feel they are being asked to behave like Ruskin at Brantwood, who found his books were too tall for the shelves and solved the problem by sawing the top third off whole rows of them. It doesn’t have to be that bad, but a second opinion on what to cut out might be handy. The other thing you need to do, as a writer, is use lots of cliff hangers at the end of chapters to keep the reader keen to click through the next pay gate. This incentive will presumably affect the story as it requires “what happens next?” thirst to be created. If the plot isn’t like that, it won’t be as addictive and easily distracted readers might not come back. I think the Curse of Radish will play merry hell with traditional storytelling but will suit writers with experience of creating television episodes. Script experience will also help as the reader’s eye runs faster down the page and they’ll feel that the end is in sight before they have to have to close the tiny screen and elbow their way off the train in three minutes.

Typical books on Radish, including Bulwark, have an introductory spread of chapters for free and then you have to load up with Radish coins (bought with real money, but you get some for free when you join) to pay the turnstiles to unlock each subsequent chapter. This is still pretty cheap, but the advantage is that if you don’t get into a book or it isn’t what you supposed it was, your butterfly attention can flit elsewhere and that misjudgement costs you nothing. There are some completely free books of course but good ones like Bulwark will draw you in, so you will want to find out what happens next, then the system relieves you of a little of your pocket money. There’s even a little heart shaped voting icon so you can see how many readers before you gave it the thumbs up (with no option for thumbs down). That’s quite a radical new – and consumer led – publishing model. No payment up front and you only buy if you like the product. In this case, I liked the story, the author had mastered the art of pacing it for portable devices and I got value for my veggie coins. I just had to come to terms with the fact that the author had aimed to deliver what Radish told them I probably wanted, i.e. short chapters, which is not what I’m used to seeing.

It’s about time I started this review as I’ve said enough about format, so I found Bulwark a little different, a little wonderful and hard to definitively fix into a rigid genre. It’s in the paranormal section as a catch-all classification for stories which include anything which can’t be described by science, fair enough, but it’s also the first adult-directed tale written by someone who made their name as an award winning children’s author. It has elements of police procedural, American gothic, medieval European gingerbread folklore, popular monsters and beastly frights, missing kids, a metaphor for being raised in an unvisited house with a dysfunctional parent, loss and remembrance, shape shifting – oh, the list goes on. Commendably, it all seems to fit together and gel into one coherent story, when with that many cooks involved in the broth it could have been a mess. That surprised me and also proved, to me at least, that genres are artificial and there’s no law you have to stay within them for your story to be valid.

The characters in Bulwark are fairly strong and, like any good theatre play, the sub-characters are fascinatingly grotesque personalities themselves (see Much Ado About Nothing, by that bloke from somewhere near Bristol who didn’t know, how, to use, commas). There’s a great line in Bulwark that made me laugh, where two redneck characters on a country road are challenged by the Sheriff to explain what they have in their sack. One says snakes and the other says rabbits. The policeman then correctly concludes that they’ve put snakes and rabbits in the same bag. Countryside entertainment at its timeless best.

In conclusion, this is a good example of a mediumly-dark (follow-up nightmares are unlikely), light entertainment story set in a format that’s deliberately bite-sized and attuned to the modern reader. If it were a book made of paper, I would have given it four stars and been disappointed by the brevity, but making an appropriate allowance for the way in which a story must necessarily be morphed and reduced to be published and successful on the Radish platform, I have to admit that it is a fine example of its type – the standard by which all reviewers should award their ratings. It isn’t Dostoyevsky but I would have advised dear old Fyodor that he should expect to fail on Radish because it’s simply not his format and the urbane C&P would not be a fine example of what the fast, urban fiction market is slow-clapping for.

I can almost see inside that reader’s skull as I write this, the frown, the living from pay-packet to pay-packet, lacking the opportunity to concentrate on ponderous, heavier writing in a distracting, moving, public environment and probably thinking a traditional brick book or newspaper would be an encumbrance that might be jostled out of their hands. Bulwark does exactly what a Radish reader wants, which is to provide a fantastical doughnut fix of imaginative colour to a young urban professional on their way to a forty year office job that’s depressing and grey. Before Radish, they read only utility bills. We all need story tellers to brighten our lives, particularly if we lead a stop/start urban existence, and I think Brit Lunden has got her story for rushed readers just about right. With expectations suitably re-calibrated, I will be comparing future tales written for the Radish format against the benchmark set by Bulwark. If they are all like this, the format has a future.

[Jypsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Iread Book Tours and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Bulwark
The Bulwark Anthology
By: Brit Lunden


REVIEW ☆☆☆☆☆

I can't believe how much I love this story. It's a short fast read that manages to be sufficiently eerie, confusing, emotional and unputdownable. While there are bits of Hansel and Gretel, I don't see this as a retelling because it goes in it's own unique direction. Bulwark is first in a ten book anthology, and I am dying to read them all!

"Something was wrong. Clay wasn't sure what, but a feeling of unease enveloped him..."

Unease runs like an electric current throughout the town of Bulwark. Rumors abound of wolves, vampires, witches and conspiracy theories hinting that the town is hiding something sinister. We're talking about a small town in Georgia, the kind where nothing ever happens. The town sherriff, Clay, doesn't know what to think when a strange couple drive their car into a mysterious green puddle and sink it, plus the direction they were headed goes nowhere. Where were they going, then? The man and woman are pulled from the car, the woman ranting and raving about a witch who stole her children and took them to a gingerbread house on Linden Lane. Huh? At the hospital, things keep getting stranger, and the woman gives an ominous message:

"Linden Lane is on the other side of he**."

As far as Clay knows, Linden Lane doesn't exist, but he searches for it anyway. He is battling his own demons with his kidnapped baby and impending divorce, and who has time for this nonsense? What Clay finds is impossible and leads him in a direction he would rather avoid-the maybe these things actually exist direction-or, he's crazy. Either way. As information comes to light and lies unravel, the dominos swiftly tumble. Clay begins to wonder if this unbelievable situation might lead him to the child he lost and back to the woman he loves. Clay is steadfast, despite fear of the unknown, in his investigation.

"...fear blinds people. They see what they want to see. They believe what they need to in order to survive."

Regardless of what Clay knew yesterday, he knows nothing today. As Clay prepares for a showdown? battle? seance?, long buried questions will finally have answers. Does a gingerbread house exist on Linden Lane? Will Clay find his baby? Read and find out!

"...sometimes both dreams and reality could be a nightmare."

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Clay lifted his head and looked around the room. It was filled with monitors.’

For a famous author of children’s books to take on the nom de plume Brit Lunden in order to switch to adult novels, it seems impolite to praise her as Carole P. Roman. But the lady knows this world of literature and has written guides to assist new authors in the intricacies of Indieworld publishing, and she includes that beautiful photograph of her warm countenance on this site, offering those of us who have followed her rise in stature permission to share the ‘secret’. BULWARK is her first book of adult fiction.

It would not seem to be an easy step to go from children’s fantasy to adult paranormal thriller, but Brit/Carole is so polished a writer that she makes this entry into the 'adults only' realm with ease and significant success. She offers a synopsis that brings clarity to the plot without spoiling the dramatic events of the ending.

‘Clay Finnes is the sheriff of a small town in Georgia called Bulwark. Recently separated from his wife, all he can think about is what went wrong, and will Jenna ever come back to him. He's troubled by a bothersome reporter trying to build a story from what he thinks is a normal day in his life. Clay has to admit that the fantastical stories, told by an accident victim as well as unusual sightings of wolves, things are getting a bit strange. A visit to the ominous Gingerbread House makes him realize that his life as he knows it will never be the same.’

Fine story idea for starters, but the glow of her polished prose is what makes this scintillating book memorable. For example, ‘Appears they were coming form the other side,’ Owen pointed vaguely in the other direction. ‘How cold they? There’s nothing there. That road has been closed off for years,’ Something was missing. He wasn’t sure what, but a feeling of unease enveloped Clay until his body fairly vibrated with it.’

Tension, fine character building, unexpected frights, and bizarre entries into that unknown place we call paranormal – they are all here and beautifully developed for a short novella. Looks like we will be hearing more form ‘Brit Lunden.’ Move over Michael Phillip Cash – it runs in the family!

[Mary Brannian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horrifyingly Riveting

The unexplainable loss of their infant daughter Claire caused Jenna's and Clay's marriage to implode. An indiscreet moment drives the final spike into their failing relationship. Still reeling from the loss of his child and wife, Sheriff Clay Finnes finds himself embroiled in a horrifing situation that spirals out of control.

A seemingly run of the mill auto accident is the catalyst; the couple involved are ranting about the witch at Linden Lane that kidnapped their children. Wolf attacks are being reported, tales of vampires and vanishing children. Clay is in a race against not just time, but an ancient evil...

Strange, inexplicable events, one after another, forces Clay to face the unimaginable. If he doesn't stop this, whatever it is, his child and others will be gone... Gone forever...

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story a lot. It did have a bit of a slow beginning though, and the reader is introduced to a couple of characters that don't really play a huge part in the story, which I thought was a shame. It also contains one minor issue; It seems to me thate everyone sees the bad witch as someone they had known in the past, so how can the victim have seen JB's wife if she had never met her before?" . However that was my only issues with this fun, short paranormal/mystery. Things really pick up in the second half! The dialogue is hilarious, the writing a bit old fashioned (Lothario instead of example "Player") but still charming and the plot is a cool new retelling of a familiar story. Grab this one if you're in need of something easy, fun and engagint to read.

[Trinton Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this "Bulwark" by Brit Linden a Paranormal - Thriller yesterday to read and write an honest review. I started reading it yesterday evening and made it halfway through before falling asleep. By mid-morning, I had finished the book. "Bulwark" by Brit Linden is a real page-turner!

A book about a sheriff of a small town in Georgia, Bulwark. Recently separated from his wife and lose of his young daughter, has much on his mind when on a night of a full moon things went from troublesome to downright strange. An accident victim tells fantastical stories, then unusual sightings of wolves. He even made a visit to an elusive Gingerbread house.

I was a bit confused a couple spots at the beginning but it quickly cleared up and I was drawn back in each time.

[Sheila G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from Chelshire Inc. via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.



All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication.

Content Warning: Explicit Adult Content, Murder, Gore, Kidnapping of a child, Sacrifices, Vulgarity

The soil always startled him with the intensity of its color. It was as if it held the inhabitants’ lifeblood, collected from its violent past. Bulwark had seen its share of drama over the years; it had been the site of a major Civil War battle.

Clay Finnes, the main character in Bulwark, has seen a lot in his line of work. As sheriff of Bulwark--a small town in Georgia--he’s used to the general unpleasantness that comes with the job. Lately, things in this small town have changed. Rare sightings of wolves, graphic deaths, and unusual events have stirred up the community and brought to the forefront a very unpleasant event that happened in Clay’s life the year before.

Clay and his wife had separated after their infant daughter was kidnapped from their home. Unable to discover the culprit, the couple eventually separated due to the pain the tragic event caused. Recent events, however, point Clay in a new direction to the identity of the unimaginable kidnapper.

The Bavmordas were different. Wicked.

Rich in local lore, this short, loose Hansel & Gretel retelling will keep readers on the edges of their seats. Don’t expect for the ending to be anything but shocking.

Vulgarity: Moderate.
Sexual content: Explicit adult sexual content.
Violence: Markedly.

My Rating: ★★★★

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[Robert Yokoyama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the title of this book. A bulwark is a person who serves a foundation for other people to rely on. This describes the main character in this novel. His name is Clay Finnes. He serves as sheriff in the fictional town called Bulwark He is a father who grieves for the loss of his missing daughter, and he is determined to find her when he finds his daughter's sock. There is another character in this book that I like named Dolly She is a regular human being on the surface, but she is actually a witch and plays an important part in the plot of the book. I could picture all of the things in this book with vivid detail, even though there are no pictures in this book. I liked the descriptions of ferocious attacking wolves and menacing hell hounds. I like the fight between the witches too. The paranormal elements in this book make it entertaining, but the one line that stuck with me is that beauty is not about what is on the inside, but what lies in the soul. This is a beautiful thing to be mindful of every day of my life. I love this book written by Brit Lunden.

[Rabid Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bulwark is a well written, captivating story with thrilling twists and breath holding turns. You find yourself immersed in the struggles of Clay and Jenna; the loss, misunderstandings and longing pulls at your heart. Even though this is a novella, the author injects depth into her characters and you soon become invested in their lives. The plot pieces meld together well and it keeps you interested from start to finish. I enjoyed the two options for ending the story, but for me the perfect end would have been a blend of both. This is an unusual mystery, laced with the supernatural and thoroughly enjoyable. I look forward to reading more stories from this author and town.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the short novel that was the beginning of the anthology. Let's just say I would never want to live in Bulwark, Georgia! Yikes---a lot of really strange occurrences--children missing--a green pool of water but there is nowhere it came from! And a Gingerbread house deep in the woods on the other side of that green, slimy pool. And the town has kept all this secret for years.

Will the Sheriff be able to figure this all out--vampires, werewolves and witches all conspiring against him?

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bulwark by Brit Lunden is the first book in the series that I listed to on Audible. I have to say the narration was great and Dan McGowan did a good job with the narration. However, it was the story itself that stole the spotlight as Brit Lunden really managed to pull me in to the story as I began to feel the need to keep reading to discover the truth.

[Pat Byrnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would you like to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city and set up residence in a sleepy little town? Well, don’t plan on moving to Bulwark Georgia!!! Brit Lunden will take you on a paranormal thrill ride in Bulwark.

Sheriff Finnes life hasn’t been all rosy. His daughter was abducted, and the strain ended his marriage. Then a car accident sends his life on a roller coaster ride that will test his sanity. Finnes is in route to the abandon mill area of town for a reported one car accident. When he arrives, he finds a husband and wife in serious condition. It appears they tried to drive through a pond. The pond seems to have just bubbled up, for the Sheriff can’t remember one ever being there. Since the ambulance is on another call the Sheriff takes the injured couple to the ER in his cruiser. The wife is talking gibberish about her two kids and the gingerbread house, then dies. Sheriff Finnes just can’t seem to let the days events go, so he drives out to the old mill to investigate. What does the Sheriff find? It’s in the pages, so you will have to read Bulwark!

Brit weaves a masterful tale, that will keep you turning the pages. While reading Bulwark, Brit kept throwing in twist and turns that made me appreciate her masterful writing. The characters each had their role. The old lady dispatcher with her knowledge of the past, the pesky town reporter and the low life cousins that always seemed up to no good. When the mystery was solved, Brit has one more Gotcha, that made the ending and Bulwark an Awesome read.

[Joselyn Moreno · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this one of my own free will to do an honest review.

The beginning was pretty interesting actually, the way this little town came to be shred in a mysterious plague of the supernatural with a lot of things happening at once.

Now in some things it did appeared a little forced or maybe rushed through, not a bad thing necessarily but something in that felt lost.

Now it reeled me a lot in the middle when poor Clay was discovering things, and actually thought it was crazy, that was fun.

The way it has two endings is quite unique, now for me the ending was something in the middle of the two maybe, now the characters were endearing.

[Sam (Rescue Dog Mom, Writer, Hugger) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful to have received this book as a gift.

I found this to be a very interesting paranormal story with many twists and turns with a touch of romance. There's so much to like about this story, the town, the sheriff (my favorite character). I found it difficult to put down. And it had a happy... or did it? That's for the reader to decide. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that BULWARK by Brit Lunden is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!

[Dee Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an excellent, fun little thriller. The writers ability to take readers on such a captivating journey shows how much can be done in a short read.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read. I read it in about a hour. It does have a creepy factor to it. One might put a few goose bumps on your arms. Although, it was not that scary or creepy for me. That is not to say that this book is not to be read.

Clay is the main lead. He is good. I could get behind him as engaging and relatable. There was a few times where I did want to scream at Clay in regards to the way he reacted to some of the situations. The further I read, the story just built upon itself. There is an alternate ending. I must admit that I liked it better than the regular ending. The regular one was more of a happy ending and the alternate one had more of a dark, creepy ending. I do want to check out other books by this author.

[BreeAnn (She Just Loves Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved that Bulwark had this creepy story feeling that had me nervous, but not completely terrified. It felt like a campfire scary story, and that was a lot of fun!

How I Felt:
I listened to the audiobook of Bulwark. My review includes my thoughts on the book overall, as well as the experience of listening through audio.

The story reminded me a bit of Hansel and Gretel. Considering that the house is called “Gingerbread House”, it would make sense that I would think that way. Aside from the house name though, the idea of an old witch and the disappearance of younger children reinstated that similarity for me. Clay, the main character, visits a house and has an odd conversation with the older women who lives there and is later told by others in town that in fact, that house no longer exists.

What??? I liked this turning point in the story. I felt like this was the moment that I was really interested in what was going to happen next! So, Clay can’t believe that this house is actually not there anymore and heads back to the house, only to find that the house is truly not there. He then starts to have weird encounters that eventually lead him back to the home’s location for answers. Who is the woman that answered the door? Why did he see the house? I’m not sure he really got all of his answers in the end, but as with most spooky stories, I don’t want every loose end tied up!

The main character is the town sheriff. I liked that he seemed grounded in reality, and yet, was able to open his mind and accept what was happening to him so that he could take action. I don’t think the story was quite long enough for me to connect with him, but it is a prequel to the first book in the series, so I am looking forward to reading the next book to see if I connect more to the characters.

The narrator was male, which matched the main character. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, and I felt he did a good job with the different characters. I liked that he was able to put the right emotion and cadence into the reading so that I felt connected to what was happening. It was also fairly short, as this book has a smaller page count. It would be a good starter audio for someone that wanted to try audiobooks. I would highly recommend the audio for this book if you enjoy listening to books!

Overall, I enjoyed this story. I thought it was imaginative and exciting. I look forward to reading the next book in the series! I will be reviewing the next two books throughout the month of April!

To Read or Not To Read:
I would recommend Bulwark to readers that enjoy spooky reads that are spine-tingling, but not terrifying.

I was provided an advanced reviewer's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

My full review will post to my blog on 4/16/20. All of my reviews can be found at https://shejustlovesbooks.com/all-boo...

[Kristine Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW: At just two and a quarter hours, Bulwark gives readers a lot of story with little time investment. The story begins with a laid-back, almost lazy pace, and then -- all hell breaks loose.

What's wonderfully engaging for the reader is the not knowing. Is main character Clay losing his mind or are there dark forces at play? Both? Neither? Is the town itself complicit in the crimes that are happening? Are there crimes really happening? Who is good, who isn't, and who knows things they aren't telling?

"It felt as if the forest was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen."

Author Brit Linden's descriptive writing really sets the mood for the story and allows an immersive experience, especially given the backdrop of evil creatures (witches, werewolves, vampires -- or not) and goings-on. There is a duality in the writing, and the reader is led down one path or the other as details are taken in and interpreted. This is carried through to the very end of the story, where surprisingly, reminiscent of Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, there are two endings offered to the reader. I love that the ending is entirely the reader's delicious choice to make. I would definitely listen to another of the stories in the Bulwark Anthology; it's a great escape.

ABOUT THE NARRATION: Narrator Dan McGowan is an interesting but good choice for narrator especially upon reflection after the ending(s) of the story. He handles male and female voices equally well, but with a few peculiar pronunciations and some odd inflections at the ends of sentences. A different narrator could have made the story much scarier, much eerier, but Dan's performance was fairly straightforward. The result is that the narration simply tells the story, and honestly, that works.

Thank you to the author and iRead Book Tours for an audio code in exchange for my honest opinion -- the only kind I give. This full review and other special features on Hall Ways Blog.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can you imagine werewolves, vampires, trolls, witches, and gingerbread houses in small town Georgia? Neither can Sheriff Clay Finnes, even when people around town start reporting such things. A seeming domestic dispute with a wife stabbing her husband in the neck with a fork turns out to be rather perplexing when the M.E. says that all the blood had been drained from the body. A deputy is sent out to look into reports of a pack of wolves in the woods, although there are no wolves in the area. A couple from out of town maroon their car in an unlikely puddle and hysterically babble about a gingerbread house and a witch that has stolen their children.

The sheriff has his own problems to deal with. He and his wife are in the process of a divorce following the unexplained disappearance of their infant daughter last year. A local reporter is trying to pursue him, while a handsome doctor working at the hospital with Mrs. Finnes is trying to make their relationship more than professional. But Clay doggedly pursues all the reports and even tracks down some town history in an effort to find out what is causing all the disturbances.

Can a small town peace officer with only a few deputies track down a supernatural disturbance that seems intent on touching everyone in the area? The suspense of the investigation is counterbalanced by the prickly push & pull between Clay and Jenna Finnes. The addition of the other possible love interests - the reporter and the doctor - ratchets up the tension on the personal level.

And to put the icing on the cake, at the end of all the nerve-wracking experiences personal and professional, the author offers two possible endings. How can readers go to bed feeling that all is well with the world when they do not have a definite finale? The suspense will most likely continue to keep them awake for quite a while.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher for review purposes.