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Final Response
The Polar Vortex has grown stronger with every winter, ravaging northern cities, and forcing an evacuation of a major city until springtime. Firefighter Captain Jack Sellars and his men are contracted to protect the city with one mandate: don't let the city burn down. With no power or gas, and all the citizens gone, what could possibly happen? But when an SUV flips over on a snowy freeway with a body, an AK-47, and diamonds inside, Captain Sellars and crew have reason to be concerned. They stumble upon rival gangs of thieves and murderers looting the city and are cut off from communication, isolated in a frozen world. In the midst of a gang war, the city begins to burn. The firefighters, dedicated to saving lives, have little choice but to take them, in a daily struggle to survive. For Captain Sellars, keeping his sanity and his men alive in a savage environment will require a miracle, and he's running out of cigarettes.
274 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2015
14 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
E.R. Yatscoff
19 books29 followersRetired firefighter and world traveler. One time freelance astronaut.
Winner of several writing awards.
Winner of several writing awards.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 18, 2015
As the ice front moves in the citizens move out leaving 7 firemen and a policeman to protect an empty town for the duration of the winter. Sounds like an easy gig and pays well too! That is until houses start burning down and dead bodies start turning up in a town that’s supposed to be empty. When the men find themselves floundering in a situation beyond their control will they band together in their need to survive or will the seclusion and elements tear them apart?
Explosions, gang wars, man-eating wildlife, a rogue cop, an insane mechanic and a fire station under siege. I really liked the idea of the story and following the camaraderie and dynamics of the men living in such confined quarters.
Final Response had plenty of action and suspense however I just couldn’t get into the first person narration. Jack wasn’t a very likeable person and didn’t particularly like the men he was working with. This made it hard for me to connect with the characters.
Some readers may not like the anti-climatic ending but I personally thought that it was realistic.
With my thanks to Bookkus Publishing for my copy to read and review.
Explosions, gang wars, man-eating wildlife, a rogue cop, an insane mechanic and a fire station under siege. I really liked the idea of the story and following the camaraderie and dynamics of the men living in such confined quarters.
Final Response had plenty of action and suspense however I just couldn’t get into the first person narration. Jack wasn’t a very likeable person and didn’t particularly like the men he was working with. This made it hard for me to connect with the characters.
Some readers may not like the anti-climatic ending but I personally thought that it was realistic.
With my thanks to Bookkus Publishing for my copy to read and review.
July 4, 2015
I was given this book for a review.I found the book hard to get into for the first few pages, but after awhile it was hard to put down. Its a different type of book for me,but I really enjoyed it. I found the ending to be a total surprise. I would certainly read more books by this author.
July 15, 2015
Ahh, doom and gloom and man at his most treacherous. Welcome to Final Response by E. R. Yatscoff, a tale full of suspense, mystery, and treacherous greed at a time when people should be pulling together. Northern cities are being ravaged by deadly cold winters and they must be abandoned, leaving their “protection” to a contracted group of men whose job it is to ensure there is a city to come back to in spring. Seems like an easy, if not frigid way to earn some good money, or is there more to their employer than meets the eye? Is Mother Nature in league with the devil?
In a city where no one should be living, shots are fired; fires rage and buildings are looted and destroyed. This team of men didn’t sign up for a warzone, but that is what they got. The leader, Firefighter Captain Jack Sellars must go above and beyond the call of duty to rein in the tempers of his own crew while trying to keep the city from complete devastation when rival looting gangs go shot for shot in an effort to take the biggest prize and make the largest black market haul. To make matters worse, there are traitors in his crew and no one is safe in this frozen nightmare. The only question is, can anyone survive the cold, the snow and the bullets? Will there be a last man standing or will it be greed that survives?
E.R. Yatscoff tales this horrifying tale of man’s losing battle against the elements and honor through the eyes and heart of Jack Sellars. What Jack witnesses, in spite of his years fighting fires and facing danger is a sad testament to humanity. When survival should be top priority, men will die, lose faith and turn on each other. Mr. Yatscoff never lets up and as the pages disappear and you are offloaded into the middle of this nightmare, trust me, his scene creations will have you shivering from more than the artic winds. For readers who love the fight for survival in twisted times, the unleashing of nature’s fury and the desperation in the souls of the characters, you’ll be on the edge of your seat, wondering just how much more even YOU can take before you are trying to find a way out! Great writing, realistic dialogue, male egos and non-stop tension from start to finish in this male character only read.
I received this copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: June 1, 2015
Publisher: Bookkus Publishing
ISBN: 1987913035
Genre: Mystery | Thriller
Print Length: 276 pages
Available from: Amazon
For reviews and more: http://tometender.blogspot.com
In a city where no one should be living, shots are fired; fires rage and buildings are looted and destroyed. This team of men didn’t sign up for a warzone, but that is what they got. The leader, Firefighter Captain Jack Sellars must go above and beyond the call of duty to rein in the tempers of his own crew while trying to keep the city from complete devastation when rival looting gangs go shot for shot in an effort to take the biggest prize and make the largest black market haul. To make matters worse, there are traitors in his crew and no one is safe in this frozen nightmare. The only question is, can anyone survive the cold, the snow and the bullets? Will there be a last man standing or will it be greed that survives?
E.R. Yatscoff tales this horrifying tale of man’s losing battle against the elements and honor through the eyes and heart of Jack Sellars. What Jack witnesses, in spite of his years fighting fires and facing danger is a sad testament to humanity. When survival should be top priority, men will die, lose faith and turn on each other. Mr. Yatscoff never lets up and as the pages disappear and you are offloaded into the middle of this nightmare, trust me, his scene creations will have you shivering from more than the artic winds. For readers who love the fight for survival in twisted times, the unleashing of nature’s fury and the desperation in the souls of the characters, you’ll be on the edge of your seat, wondering just how much more even YOU can take before you are trying to find a way out! Great writing, realistic dialogue, male egos and non-stop tension from start to finish in this male character only read.
I received this copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: June 1, 2015
Publisher: Bookkus Publishing
ISBN: 1987913035
Genre: Mystery | Thriller
Print Length: 276 pages
Available from: Amazon
For reviews and more: http://tometender.blogspot.com
July 11, 2015
I received this book as an Early review book. Fantastic book! Probably the best book I've read in a while. An original concept with a suspenseful plot. I must make a disclaimer. I am a girl. This book was about a bunch of guys, and I was making assumptions that this is how men act towards each other in a non-female setting. I can not say that this is how men act accurately. We have the corrupt cop, the fire chief, the fireman, the juicer (steroids) and the computer geek. The polar shelf is moving down according to a shift in the axis. The cast needs to keep the town from burning or getting looted during the harsh, non livable winter. What a crazy plot! This would make a great movie. This book is great for everyone, but guys especially will enjoy it.
June 28, 2015
I've got this book through giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
The story is about group of firefighters who are contracted to protect the abandoned city in the north of Canada during the winter. The city is covered in snow because of the polar vortex and heavy snow swirls. Their only job is to don't let the city burn down. It seems easy, right?
But then unexpected things start to happen.
Even though the story was a little slow for me in the beginning, it got really interesting and action-packed in the second half of the book. I really enjoyed reading this book, I liked the characters and the ending was unexpected.
The story is about group of firefighters who are contracted to protect the abandoned city in the north of Canada during the winter. The city is covered in snow because of the polar vortex and heavy snow swirls. Their only job is to don't let the city burn down. It seems easy, right?
But then unexpected things start to happen.
Even though the story was a little slow for me in the beginning, it got really interesting and action-packed in the second half of the book. I really enjoyed reading this book, I liked the characters and the ending was unexpected.
July 3, 2015
It was a good book. I liked it a lot. It was a well written book. I hope to read more books by this author.
July 1, 2015
The premise of the book is very interesting to me. A group of firefighters are hired by a company called Vulcan Security to stay in an abandoned Canadian city for the winter while everyone else heads south to avoid polar vortexes and storms called swirls. Their job is to protect the city from fire until the spring. Problems arise when the firefighters unwillingly become involved in a gang war and corruption on a scale they are not prepared for.
The book starts off a bit slow but then picks up. It is action packed and was actually fun for me to read as I live in the area where this all takes place.
I found the book to be very descriptive and informative with regards to fire fighting and I was able to picture the scene and what was happening very well due to the author's narration.
A couple of times the flow of the book was disturbed by a change from past to present tense but it was easy to get back into it. It is very minor and does not take away from the book at all. I found the book to be very well written and I enjoyed how the author described the scene so well I could imagine it.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review and I want to thank the author for the opportunity.
The book starts off a bit slow but then picks up. It is action packed and was actually fun for me to read as I live in the area where this all takes place.
I found the book to be very descriptive and informative with regards to fire fighting and I was able to picture the scene and what was happening very well due to the author's narration.
A couple of times the flow of the book was disturbed by a change from past to present tense but it was easy to get back into it. It is very minor and does not take away from the book at all. I found the book to be very well written and I enjoyed how the author described the scene so well I could imagine it.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review and I want to thank the author for the opportunity.
December 30, 2015
I read many genres, even some middle grade. I was told this author wrote in both so I’m going to be loyal and try to help all my authors in the New year. This book was passed on to me from a ambulance worker who thought it was pretty good. I think it is too. It is about firefighters, like they are marrooned in space but it is earth and very cold. I lived through the polar vortex LOL. A good exciting book with action and some heartbreak.
June 12, 2015
I received this book in a Library Thing Early Reviewers giveaway.
This was a great book, action packed and full of surprises. Believable characters in a difficult situation.
There were several instances of awkward wording in the eBook, but not enough to distract from the story.
Highly recommend this book.
June 23, 2015
I received this book in a giveaway in exchange for an honest review. While the book started a little slow for me the action quickly picked up and continued throughout the book. The concept is interesting and the characters well developed with background on them and their background. I think you will enjoy the writing and action.
August 4, 2015
I received an advance review e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was a very interesting book. The city of Edmonton, Canada has been evacuated for the winter because of the Polar Vortex and storms called Swirls and is being protected by a handful of firefighters hired with the order, “Do not let the city burn down.” There is no power and no gas, the only communication being with their families and the security company via an Internet hookup. The author gives us an excellent picture of what can happen when there is a very sly corrupt member of the team hired to protect the city. Even though there is supposedly no one left in the city there is looting, murder, and fires set to cover up the activities of the gangs operating within the city. Communication is cut off. The author gives us a very clear picture of what can happen to the human mind when communication with the outside world is cut off resulting in isolation and one disaster after another. The ending left me with many questions. I really hope the author writes a sequel to wrap up all the loose ends. This book gives the reader a good look at human nature.
June 23, 2015
"Final Response" is one book that readers of suspense will not want to miss. It is written by a man who has been a Canadian firefighter for over thirty years so it shows Edward Yatscoff's knowledge of his subject matter. Polar vortexes and storms called Swirls have left Canadian towns without citizens and utilities. A firm called Vulcan Security has hired firefighters to remain in these deserted village, watching over the little that's left behind. Firefighter Captain Jack Sellers looks forward to his retirement in the next few months, but can he as murder and mayhem and decimation of his crew keep increasing? Good dialogue, believable and often not so nice characters, and increasing suspense will draw the reader into this story of survival against weather and human nature itself.
June 17, 2015
I was asked to review this book by www.librarything.com.
A really good read, Amarmagedon and the Day After Tomorrow action packed story.
The author is Canadian and was a fire fighter so he knows his subject well, and this comes through well in this story. The author writes with imagination - he has had an interesting life.
The characters are believable in this dreadful situation.
The plot is good, and I will not spoil this for the readers out there.
Recommended and I am checking out this author - look forward to his next novel.
A really good read, Amarmagedon and the Day After Tomorrow action packed story.
The author is Canadian and was a fire fighter so he knows his subject well, and this comes through well in this story. The author writes with imagination - he has had an interesting life.
The characters are believable in this dreadful situation.
The plot is good, and I will not spoil this for the readers out there.
Recommended and I am checking out this author - look forward to his next novel.
September 28, 2015
This was a free read for honest review and I can say it was okay hopefully others will read it and say more about it...
April 28, 2018
Firstly,thank you Mr.Yatscoff for the free copy to read and review.
As a first read of this author I was not sure what to expect.
As the writer is a former fireman there is good technical info of all the equipment used throughout the story, but that was a little heavy going at times.
I found it slow to get into the story, but after 4 chapters it began to get a little more interesting. The storyline itself was believable for that part of the world ( Canada). I felt it was a little drawn out in places. The characters interacted quite well.However the proof readers didn`t do a good job as there were several grammatical faux pas!!
Unless there is another book to follow, I was disappointed how things ended for the main character...it did not seem a fitting conclusion.
As a first read of this author I was not sure what to expect.
As the writer is a former fireman there is good technical info of all the equipment used throughout the story, but that was a little heavy going at times.
I found it slow to get into the story, but after 4 chapters it began to get a little more interesting. The storyline itself was believable for that part of the world ( Canada). I felt it was a little drawn out in places. The characters interacted quite well.However the proof readers didn`t do a good job as there were several grammatical faux pas!!
Unless there is another book to follow, I was disappointed how things ended for the main character...it did not seem a fitting conclusion.
June 28, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fast paced, action filled, pulse pounding, dramatic story. I thought that it was well written and kept me on the edge of my seat; once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. I must say, however, that I was very disappointed in the ending - I wasn't happy at all - I was expecting something much different. This book is well worth the read.
This was a fast paced, action filled, pulse pounding, dramatic story. I thought that it was well written and kept me on the edge of my seat; once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. I must say, however, that I was very disappointed in the ending - I wasn't happy at all - I was expecting something much different. This book is well worth the read.
July 30, 2015
***I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review***
This was not my cup of tea. I had a hard time getting into the story, but I appreciated the action and suspense of the story. I found the writing to be a bit bland and the characters unlikeable, but I'm sure fans of manly thrillers will enjoy this book. For a more complete review check out my book blog, Rachael Reads.
https://rachaelsbookshelf.wordpress.c...
This was not my cup of tea. I had a hard time getting into the story, but I appreciated the action and suspense of the story. I found the writing to be a bit bland and the characters unlikeable, but I'm sure fans of manly thrillers will enjoy this book. For a more complete review check out my book blog, Rachael Reads.
https://rachaelsbookshelf.wordpress.c...
June 18, 2015
I received an e-copy of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.
Action-packed and with a promising storyline, this fell a bit short of what I was expecting. Not wanting to be highly critical, I was a bit disappointed in the character development and clumsy writing style. Overall an entertaining read but failed to engage me throughout the book. Only my opinion.
Action-packed and with a promising storyline, this fell a bit short of what I was expecting. Not wanting to be highly critical, I was a bit disappointed in the character development and clumsy writing style. Overall an entertaining read but failed to engage me throughout the book. Only my opinion.
April 7, 2015
Great book, but I am biased since I am family and the publisher.
June 28, 2021
The first Candian firefighter crime novel
December 11, 2015
Good, till the ending
Although this book was a page turner, with lots of blood and guts, I was kind of disappointed in the depressing and anti-climatic ending.
Although this book was a page turner, with lots of blood and guts, I was kind of disappointed in the depressing and anti-climatic ending.
November 6, 2016
I have a signed copy (author was at Chapters and I couldn't say no. It's a skill I need to practice). I wish I could say nicer things than I could so I'll just leave it at that.
May 10, 2017
Good you
This wasl very good reading it kept me on the edge of my seat.never wanting to put it down it is a book I would recommend to you fellow readers
This wasl very good reading it kept me on the edge of my seat.never wanting to put it down it is a book I would recommend to you fellow readers
December 1, 2023
Our book club has read this book and it made for a great discussion. We were even fortunate enough to have Ed attend our meeting to discuss his book - so cool!!
This story is about a group of firefighters contracted to protect a city that has been evacuated because of a polar vortex is on it's way. They need to protect it from looting and any destruction from happening which should be easy enough because there shouldn't be anybody left other than the firefighters, right???? However, when fires are set and buildings are being looted and burned and destruction is happening a whole lot of questions and concerns pop up!! Who is doing this???
Firefighters are known to be "tough" but can they withstand the pressure of not only the violence going on in the city between rival gangs but the frigid cold and being together 24/7 for weeks. Being tough physically may not be enough. How are they going to deal with the rival looting gangs, the frigid temperatures and losing their own men????
I liked how there were many different characters as it really brought out how different one person is from another and initial appearances are not always the true character of that person.
There is enough suspense and mystery to keep you on your toes! Just read the book and see for yourself!!
This story is about a group of firefighters contracted to protect a city that has been evacuated because of a polar vortex is on it's way. They need to protect it from looting and any destruction from happening which should be easy enough because there shouldn't be anybody left other than the firefighters, right???? However, when fires are set and buildings are being looted and burned and destruction is happening a whole lot of questions and concerns pop up!! Who is doing this???
Firefighters are known to be "tough" but can they withstand the pressure of not only the violence going on in the city between rival gangs but the frigid cold and being together 24/7 for weeks. Being tough physically may not be enough. How are they going to deal with the rival looting gangs, the frigid temperatures and losing their own men????
I liked how there were many different characters as it really brought out how different one person is from another and initial appearances are not always the true character of that person.
There is enough suspense and mystery to keep you on your toes! Just read the book and see for yourself!!
September 25, 2019
Unbelievable
I had to get to the end. In a sense, it was unbelievable but in the end there was so much that I understood about innocence, about being set-up. Great book, hard to put down.
I had to get to the end. In a sense, it was unbelievable but in the end there was so much that I understood about innocence, about being set-up. Great book, hard to put down.
Read
December 9, 2015Unable to finish
October 3, 2017
Was a hard book to read.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews