Summer Lane - State of Pursuit

“Let’s go home,” I say.

As the words pass my lips, a deep, jarring rumble breaks the silence of the quiet Capitol grounds. It is a sound and a feeling that I am all too familiar with. The windows near the corner of the Capitol Building shatter, sending shards of glass through the air. I am knocked off my feet. I hit the ground on my knees. Chris grabs my arm and we crouch on the cement, behind the fountain and the roses. Billows of ash and dust rise from the base of the stately structure. There is screaming in the distance. Somewhere, a siren wails.

I stare in abject horror. The soldiers roll in and the security units engage.

And I watch as the dome of the Capitol Building collapses in a cloud of smoke and fire.

Tick, tock .

Time. Not so long ago, it was important to me. I lived my life on a clock. Time to get up. Time for breakfast. Time for work. Time for lunch.

It was always precious. Never enough minutes in the day.

It’s odd to me, then, how little time means anymore. The days blur together and the hours of the clock become one. I have no appointments to keep, no friends to meet with. My life is a never-ending cycle of grinding, gritty, warfare. The days become weeks and the weeks become months. There is no pause in the brutality that is found here.

I am twenty years old. The girl who left Los Angeles afraid and unsure after an EMP last year no longer exists. She has been remade.

The girl is gone. The soldier remains.

I have lost everything. My home, my friends, my country. But I have gained so much, too. My father, Chris, my fellow soldiers and the men and women that fearlessly went into the heart of Los Angeles to rescue their commander. There might be destruction, but I have found great loyalty. There might be death, but I have found life. There might be hatred, but I have found love. There is still hope. There is still a chance. For those of us who are willing to fight back, the situation is not as bleak as it seems.

The war has only just begun.

And I’m ready for it.

Writing a series is somewhat like an endless state of pursuit — a constant race to create a story that will do the characters justice and open audience’s imaginations to new adventures and dramas. This book was one of the most detailed novels I have ever written. From combat uniforms to tactical strategies, State of Pursuit would not exist without the technical expertise and experience of Don Lane. Cassidy Hart and Chris Young have survived the apocalypse because of him. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am also immeasurably grateful for the editing work by Dave Hudiburgh, a seasoned veteran himself and a wonderful friend. I want to thank my mother and my brother for being incredibly supportive of the work that I do, in addition to my grandparents, Pete and Nancy. You are all wonderful and I love you very much!

The online community of bloggers and book reviewers has been unendingly supportive of The Collapse Series, and you have my eternal gratitude! Thank you to my many writer friends — you know who you are! — who have been there for me during this crazy, wonderful journey. Thank you James and Janice White. I would not be a writer at all if it weren’t for you two. I love you both. Thank you Ellen Mansoor Collier, for being an ardent supporter of my writing endeavors, and for being my friend.

To my friends and my family that has been so warm and welcoming to a girl that writes stories for a living — thank you. Your kindness will never be forgotten. In just a little over one year’s time, I have been able to publish four bestselling novels, start a publishing company, develop a creative writing curriculum program and begin work on many other exciting and wonderful projects. That in itself is a testament to the grace and goodness of God’s blessing. Without Him I would not have the gift of writing, and Cassidy Hart and Chris Young would have never existed. I am always and forever grateful for this. God is good.

Summer Lane is the author of the national bestselling Collapse Series, which currently includes State of Emergency, State of Chaos, State of Rebellion and State of Pursuit . She owns WB Publishing , Writing Belle , and is the founder of The Art of Storytelling , a creative writing curriculum program for children. She is also a creative writing teacher and journalist.

Summer lives in the Central Valley of California, where she spends her time writing, teaching, and writing some more. When she is not writing, she enjoys leisurely visits with friends at coffee shops, watching movies, reading, and visiting the beach.

Summer loves to hear from her readers! Email her at: summerlane101@gmail.comwith questions, comments or thoughts!

“The 20 year old Reedley resident is a prolific writer.”

“State of Emergency is an engaging read that is compelling and believable.”

[Summer Lane] is quite a talented writer with an amazing gift for narration.”

“Cassidy Hart is a smart, snarky, scared and sassy protagonist.”

“At 20, Lane is establishing herself in the competitive ‘Young Adult’ area of writing.”

“Summer’s ability to craft a compelling story seems effortless.”

“Absolutely heart-stopping! Cassidy and Chris have come a long way since they first fled into the mountains…If you enjoy dystopia even a little bit, you will love this series.”

“What is extraordinary is that Summer has made it so that you’ve come to care about these secondary characters almost as much as the main characters — Cassidy and Chris.”

“Intense, fast-paced, never a dull moment. You feel as if you’re with Cassidy every step of the way, cheering her on.”

“I was totally engrossed from the first sentence until the very last period… This series is one of my favorites.”

Copyright 2014

WB Publishing

All Rights Reserved

1 stEdition

No part of this book may be reproduced, except to quote on blogs or reviews, without the express permission of the author. Any unauthorized reproduction of this work is punishable by law.

This is a work of fiction. Any parallel to persons alive or dead is purely coincidental and is not intended by the author.