About the Author

Gerald R Grady
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The author is a war veteran and retired aerospace engineer who specialized in investigating critical aircraft component problems/failures and technical writing for a quarter century. He has had a passion for nature and science all his life, with much of his childhood spent researching and collecting anything that turned his head. As a licensed amateur radio operator, he became familiar with the effects of solar weather on radio propagation. This led him to realize the variety of ways a worst case, widespread, coronal mass ejection (CME) could affect modern society and its individuals—for better or worse.

He lives with his wife Jan in the woods of Michigan, enjoying gardening, taking wildlife  video for his YouTube channel and tinkering with his DIY solar PV project. He is also a licensed ham and an MSU Master Gardener.


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mandy

Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2025

Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This is a speculative fiction novel about what could happen if modern infrastructures began to fail. In this case, it’s a widespread solar storm that causes a large power outage in a small town rural farm community in Michigan. When the O’Brien family learns what all that entails, they set out on a mission to bring the community together so they can combine efforts to survive a year with no outside assistance. The characters are relatable and grounded and feel real. People all respond in different ways to the news, much like what we experienced during lockdown: some panicked, some took advantage of others, and some worked together. The setting felt real and comfortable to me as it’s pretty much the same kind of community that I grew up in - and the characters also felt familiar, for better or for worse. lol. There’s tension, humor, and hope as this story explores human resilience and cooperation in a struggle to survive.

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