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OFF GRID: How Long Can They Hide From The Surveillance State?
From the halls of D.C. to the remote shores of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, OFF GRID is a wild ride through a dystopian near future of mass surveillance. In the wake of a global calamity, the economy collapses. The Feds respond by wielding every power of the Welfare State to control the populace. A key tool is PivPal, an indispensable smartphone used to track citizens.
As civil liberties crumble, resistance is relegated to flyover country whose residents, derided as off-gridders, cling to the time-honored virtues of freedom, self-reliance, and charity. Against this backdrop, Jenny Hernandez struggles to keep her rural church community nourished and safe. Hiding from the Feds, a team of inventors, and Jenny’s ex, arrive to complete the amazing plasma drive. They bring hope, but also the watchful eye of Big Brother. With the authorities closing in, local law enforcement must choose sides.
As civil liberties crumble, resistance is relegated to flyover country whose residents, derided as off-gridders, cling to the time-honored virtues of freedom, self-reliance, and charity. Against this backdrop, Jenny Hernandez struggles to keep her rural church community nourished and safe. Hiding from the Feds, a team of inventors, and Jenny’s ex, arrive to complete the amazing plasma drive. They bring hope, but also the watchful eye of Big Brother. With the authorities closing in, local law enforcement must choose sides.
- GenresFiction
ebook
First published June 22, 2020
143 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 7, 2022
I did not like this book although I struggled my way through it. The premise was backwards. It blamed liberals for the situation which is the exact opposite of who would have caused the problem in the first place. The thinking was all wrong but and I should have stopped first time it mentioned 'woke' politics. Liberals (or progressives or whatever you want to call them) are not coming after your guns or freedom of religion or any other freedom for that matter. It wasn't the 'liberals' who were responsible for Covid but the irresponsible 'conservative' government at the time. If you are a conservative, MAGA hat wearing, Freedom Caucus 'conservative' then this book will feed right into your fears. If you are someone who really understands what's going on in today's politics, then you will not enjoy this book.
April 16, 2025
I'm in a quandary of how to rate this book because I enjoyed most parts of it. The storyline, though it dragged in places, was interesting and timely because of the time we're in as a country.
The reason I give this book two stars is that on Amazon it is listed under the genres of "Christian Suspense" and "Christian Mystery and Suspense," both of which are genres I enjoy reading. Sadly, this book contained just as many profanities as any secular book I've ever read (well over a hundred profanities in the entire book, I'd estimate.) I'm sorry, but there is absolutely NO PLACE for excessive profanity in any genre, but especially not in Christian Fiction. The overwhelming majority of readers of Christian Fiction read this genre to protect themselves from the filthy content of secular writings.
I think it's possible that the author wrote this book under the guise of Christian Fiction because he knew liberals would eviscerate him and the subject matter--and he's right, they would (and have through the reviews). In all honesty, Christians and conservatives ARE the target audience for this book, and knowing that, the author should have had the common sense to keep it clean to avoid offending the target readers. Now the author not only risks getting bad reviews from liberals who can't stomach any narrative other than their own, but also from Christian readers who are repulsed by secular content disguised as Christian Fiction.
For Christian readers, be aware that though this is listed as Christian Fiction, there is nothing Christian about it. It is riddled with non-stop profanity and taking the Lord's name in vain. People in the book are written as professing Christians, yet they sleep together outside the bounds of marriage. In one scene, the male character walks in on the female character who is in bed reading her Bible after a night of sexual intimacy, and they're not married. Other than a couple of bland and weak mentions of God, this literally might as well be a secular book.
I'm highly offended that this author would so brazenly misrepresent this novel as "Christian" and subject Christian readers to this kind of filth that goes against everything Christianity stands for. The Bible says that sweet and bitter water cannot flow from the same fountain. In other words, you can't profess to be a Christian while constantly cursing, sleeping around with unmarried partners, and living in intentional sin. While Christians are prone to sin too, because we're not perfect, blatant sinfulness and carnality is what this book inaccurately depicts as a normal Christian lifestyle.
Were it not for the gross misrepresentation of being classified as Christian Fiction, this would have been an easy 4- or 5-star book for me. I don't usually post such scathing reviews, especially for unknown authors like this, but given that this book is misrepresented as Christian Fiction, it is my duty to warn my fellow Christian readers so they can at least know what they're getting into before purchasing this book.
The reason I give this book two stars is that on Amazon it is listed under the genres of "Christian Suspense" and "Christian Mystery and Suspense," both of which are genres I enjoy reading. Sadly, this book contained just as many profanities as any secular book I've ever read (well over a hundred profanities in the entire book, I'd estimate.) I'm sorry, but there is absolutely NO PLACE for excessive profanity in any genre, but especially not in Christian Fiction. The overwhelming majority of readers of Christian Fiction read this genre to protect themselves from the filthy content of secular writings.
I think it's possible that the author wrote this book under the guise of Christian Fiction because he knew liberals would eviscerate him and the subject matter--and he's right, they would (and have through the reviews). In all honesty, Christians and conservatives ARE the target audience for this book, and knowing that, the author should have had the common sense to keep it clean to avoid offending the target readers. Now the author not only risks getting bad reviews from liberals who can't stomach any narrative other than their own, but also from Christian readers who are repulsed by secular content disguised as Christian Fiction.
For Christian readers, be aware that though this is listed as Christian Fiction, there is nothing Christian about it. It is riddled with non-stop profanity and taking the Lord's name in vain. People in the book are written as professing Christians, yet they sleep together outside the bounds of marriage. In one scene, the male character walks in on the female character who is in bed reading her Bible after a night of sexual intimacy, and they're not married. Other than a couple of bland and weak mentions of God, this literally might as well be a secular book.
I'm highly offended that this author would so brazenly misrepresent this novel as "Christian" and subject Christian readers to this kind of filth that goes against everything Christianity stands for. The Bible says that sweet and bitter water cannot flow from the same fountain. In other words, you can't profess to be a Christian while constantly cursing, sleeping around with unmarried partners, and living in intentional sin. While Christians are prone to sin too, because we're not perfect, blatant sinfulness and carnality is what this book inaccurately depicts as a normal Christian lifestyle.
Were it not for the gross misrepresentation of being classified as Christian Fiction, this would have been an easy 4- or 5-star book for me. I don't usually post such scathing reviews, especially for unknown authors like this, but given that this book is misrepresented as Christian Fiction, it is my duty to warn my fellow Christian readers so they can at least know what they're getting into before purchasing this book.
January 14, 2022
I enjoyed this one a lot. Don’t let this review make you think otherwise because I did crush this book in a short amount of time. But I want to give my thoughts I’d give if I was in a book club. So here it goes.
Ok buddy, why did you not dish out the extra bucks and higher a real graphic designer to design your cover art? This cover is so ugly that I have no idea how it passed. So I’ll remind all potential readers “don’t judge a book by its cover” or this will surely get passed by.
Next, the elephant in the room, this novel lacks any discussion on vaccines and bodily autonomy. These issues having been brewing for so many years. It’s a hot topic, I get it. But when writing about a government controlled America, how can you leave pharma out? Pharma is the number one lobbiest in Washington, out spending oil! The tenticals of this monster is huge so to leave it totally out of the story felt really far fetched at this point in the game. To simply have phones that you can chuck in the ocean is a lot less intrusive than the government deciding what you should put inside your body in order to work. I think leaving this out is a major over sight, and it’s so big I have to assume it was on purpose. If you haven’t read the novel “malice” by Jennifer Jaynes I recommend it. Not long after it was written she died in very odd circumstances. I’ll just leave that there for you to look up and decide about.
The next thing that bothered me was a quote in the chapter where all the teachers are sitting having dinner. They are discussing how unruly their students are and how now all kids get labels like ADHD and ASD. Then the comment comes that “either society has changed or our genes have changed in the last 50 years and it probably not our genetics” (paraphrasing this by the way). This piggy backs my last point. What has changed in the last 50 years? A lot! How about the 1986 vaccine court act?! How about the ever ballooning childhood vaccine schedule? How about laws that prohibit kids from going to school unless vaccinated like SB277? A lot had changed and ASD is not just a made up title for undisciplined children. Clearly this author hasn’t tried to teach a class of any type that has a child with autism in it. Ever seen the graph of autism rates? It’s a true linear line with no end in sight. How do you leave this horrifying fact out of your dooms dayer story plot?
Ok one more beef then I’ll let it go. Why is it there are these strong Christian women in the book who are super happy to hook up? Sex is cool and all but it’s for marriage if you are a Christian. If you aren’t a Christian then by all means do what you will, but to write characters that claim to be believers and then move in with their boyfriends is so absurd. Two characters! Not just one but two!! It’s laughable. Why not just have them have a wedding? We have jack thinking “we should get married” as he rolls out of bed with Jenny. You think?! It never got addressed as fornication and that was just so annoying. As a Christian I actually wish Christianity was left out of the book because it made it awkward to me. Either go all in and have it have good and solid theology or scrap it and just have a generic belief system Iike Unitarians or something.
Ok off my soap box now. I enjoyed so I think you should read it but keep my rants in the back of your mind.
Ok buddy, why did you not dish out the extra bucks and higher a real graphic designer to design your cover art? This cover is so ugly that I have no idea how it passed. So I’ll remind all potential readers “don’t judge a book by its cover” or this will surely get passed by.
Next, the elephant in the room, this novel lacks any discussion on vaccines and bodily autonomy. These issues having been brewing for so many years. It’s a hot topic, I get it. But when writing about a government controlled America, how can you leave pharma out? Pharma is the number one lobbiest in Washington, out spending oil! The tenticals of this monster is huge so to leave it totally out of the story felt really far fetched at this point in the game. To simply have phones that you can chuck in the ocean is a lot less intrusive than the government deciding what you should put inside your body in order to work. I think leaving this out is a major over sight, and it’s so big I have to assume it was on purpose. If you haven’t read the novel “malice” by Jennifer Jaynes I recommend it. Not long after it was written she died in very odd circumstances. I’ll just leave that there for you to look up and decide about.
The next thing that bothered me was a quote in the chapter where all the teachers are sitting having dinner. They are discussing how unruly their students are and how now all kids get labels like ADHD and ASD. Then the comment comes that “either society has changed or our genes have changed in the last 50 years and it probably not our genetics” (paraphrasing this by the way). This piggy backs my last point. What has changed in the last 50 years? A lot! How about the 1986 vaccine court act?! How about the ever ballooning childhood vaccine schedule? How about laws that prohibit kids from going to school unless vaccinated like SB277? A lot had changed and ASD is not just a made up title for undisciplined children. Clearly this author hasn’t tried to teach a class of any type that has a child with autism in it. Ever seen the graph of autism rates? It’s a true linear line with no end in sight. How do you leave this horrifying fact out of your dooms dayer story plot?
Ok one more beef then I’ll let it go. Why is it there are these strong Christian women in the book who are super happy to hook up? Sex is cool and all but it’s for marriage if you are a Christian. If you aren’t a Christian then by all means do what you will, but to write characters that claim to be believers and then move in with their boyfriends is so absurd. Two characters! Not just one but two!! It’s laughable. Why not just have them have a wedding? We have jack thinking “we should get married” as he rolls out of bed with Jenny. You think?! It never got addressed as fornication and that was just so annoying. As a Christian I actually wish Christianity was left out of the book because it made it awkward to me. Either go all in and have it have good and solid theology or scrap it and just have a generic belief system Iike Unitarians or something.
Ok off my soap box now. I enjoyed so I think you should read it but keep my rants in the back of your mind.
June 30, 2022
Well done!
I have read so many of these types of books that I have become somewhat jaded. I can usually tell within about twenty minutes if the book is worth finishing - I started this on a whim because I have found either an authors first book is really well done or it’s a total rush job and not worth finishing. I’m happy to say I couldn’t stop reading this book - very engaging and well thought out!! I’ve reread it again just to be sure - lol!
I have read so many of these types of books that I have become somewhat jaded. I can usually tell within about twenty minutes if the book is worth finishing - I started this on a whim because I have found either an authors first book is really well done or it’s a total rush job and not worth finishing. I’m happy to say I couldn’t stop reading this book - very engaging and well thought out!! I’ve reread it again just to be sure - lol!
April 1, 2024
Woke
I couldn't get past page 90.
Really" a military style assault rifle." What does that mean exactly? Jack's daughter is a pacifist and would be better going unarmed into a large city, hoping the police would keep her safe. Someone's pulling a gun, so you shoot into the ceiling as a warning....nope! Oh, and the "shoot them in the legs" philosophy. J.P. do some freaking research on firearms and self-defense. This type of genre obviously isn't your forte.
I couldn't get past page 90.
Really" a military style assault rifle." What does that mean exactly? Jack's daughter is a pacifist and would be better going unarmed into a large city, hoping the police would keep her safe. Someone's pulling a gun, so you shoot into the ceiling as a warning....nope! Oh, and the "shoot them in the legs" philosophy. J.P. do some freaking research on firearms and self-defense. This type of genre obviously isn't your forte.
August 30, 2022
I generally liked this book. At times I found myself confusing the book with reality as it does seem this is the direction our society is headed. My biggest complaint about the book is there are too many characters and even half way through the book I found myself getting confused on the background of the character. To compound the issue, some people were called only by their last name at times so not only did I need to remember the character's first name, I needed to know their last name. I did find after finishing the book there was an appendix at the back with each character's name and their role. However, when reading a book on Kindle, this isn't very helpful. Before I found this index at the back, I had already been asking myself how many characters there were in the book - well it is 33. That is a lot to remember and especially when you have to remember some last names in addition to the first name. Overall I would read this author again, just hoping there are not so many characters.
July 8, 2024
Terrifying contemporary novel about the federal government overreach, surveillance and control run amok. Frightening and horrifying, but unfortunately plausible. Exposes both the depths of corruption at the federal government level and the gullibility of many Americans but also shows us that not all will fall for the government's lies (so the government labels them "domestic terrorists")
Book is a page turner for sure. And the ending is quite the cliffhanger.......of course, we need to sequel so we can see if good will triumph over evil.
Book is a page turner for sure. And the ending is quite the cliffhanger.......of course, we need to sequel so we can see if good will triumph over evil.
July 28, 2021
An absolutely "IMPOSSIBLE to put down" book!
I wasnt sure about this book, as my husband and I lived off-grid for 9 years in Snowflake, Arizona. I know what its like to live simply and be frugal. But this book took another direction, and showed what living conditions will be in the future. The Feds are slowly but surely taking away our rights, and most folks dont have a clue. This is a MUST READ for those of you who care, and want to become aware!
I wasnt sure about this book, as my husband and I lived off-grid for 9 years in Snowflake, Arizona. I know what its like to live simply and be frugal. But this book took another direction, and showed what living conditions will be in the future. The Feds are slowly but surely taking away our rights, and most folks dont have a clue. This is a MUST READ for those of you who care, and want to become aware!
September 14, 2021
Very thought provoking
For a first time writer this is winner. You hit the nail on the head and kept hammering. Even though this is fiction it's not hard to believe this could really be the US in a few years. Everyone needs to read this before its too late! My gosh, what a read! Looking forward to your next book. I even had to buy 1984 to read it as it was not required reading when I went to school, so that's next! Thank you for your patriotic insight.
For a first time writer this is winner. You hit the nail on the head and kept hammering. Even though this is fiction it's not hard to believe this could really be the US in a few years. Everyone needs to read this before its too late! My gosh, what a read! Looking forward to your next book. I even had to buy 1984 to read it as it was not required reading when I went to school, so that's next! Thank you for your patriotic insight.
January 24, 2022
Hooked 100%!
I immersed into “Off Grid” so thoroughly that I didn’t even see the end coming! Loved JP Redding’s story because it was totally believable & beautifully crafted. I see our wonderful country headed straight into Socialism & it frightens me, appalls me, & angers me. If we, the people, don’t stop being we, the sheep, then our freedom is doomed.
I immersed into “Off Grid” so thoroughly that I didn’t even see the end coming! Loved JP Redding’s story because it was totally believable & beautifully crafted. I see our wonderful country headed straight into Socialism & it frightens me, appalls me, & angers me. If we, the people, don’t stop being we, the sheep, then our freedom is doomed.
January 31, 2022
I love Michigan
The first thing which caught my attention was the story is in Michigan. Mostly in the Upper Peninsula. My husband is a yooper and I'm a troll. The parts I enjoyed the most are the interactions between the characters. This story also includes discussions like in college classrooms.
The first thing which caught my attention was the story is in Michigan. Mostly in the Upper Peninsula. My husband is a yooper and I'm a troll. The parts I enjoyed the most are the interactions between the characters. This story also includes discussions like in college classrooms.
February 12, 2022
Great book
I loved this book. You can definitely relate to this storyline. It really grabs your attention and holds it. Most definitely a page turner. I wish the story line had continued somewhat. It is a very thought provoking story. I highly recommend this book and this author!
I loved this book. You can definitely relate to this storyline. It really grabs your attention and holds it. Most definitely a page turner. I wish the story line had continued somewhat. It is a very thought provoking story. I highly recommend this book and this author!
August 17, 2022
This Story May Be Prophetic
This story fits today so closely it not only prophetic but now. As we watch current events unfolding around us this story is not far fetched. It calls us to decide if this is the type of country we don't want to live in and to act accordingly. As the quote says, "He who gives up his liberty for safety deserves neither." May we continue to be free.
This story fits today so closely it not only prophetic but now. As we watch current events unfolding around us this story is not far fetched. It calls us to decide if this is the type of country we don't want to live in and to act accordingly. As the quote says, "He who gives up his liberty for safety deserves neither." May we continue to be free.
February 7, 2021
Good read. Close to home
I would recommend this read to the younger set . They need to see what can happen when government is given too much power.
We seem to be in the brink of this action now with our new government. Be careful what you wish for. You might get it.
I would recommend this read to the younger set . They need to see what can happen when government is given too much power.
We seem to be in the brink of this action now with our new government. Be careful what you wish for. You might get it.
January 5, 2022
Reality
Nooo, you left me hanging! The content was so realistic and plausible. I don't like some of the language especially if this is supposed to have a Christian base. Will look forward to the next sequel. Have a blessed day.
Nooo, you left me hanging! The content was so realistic and plausible. I don't like some of the language especially if this is supposed to have a Christian base. Will look forward to the next sequel. Have a blessed day.
February 13, 2021
OMG! SOooo good! I’m a little concerned that our nation/government are heading in this direction.
Can’t wait to see what happens in the sequel. There HAS to be a sequel!
Can’t wait to see what happens in the sequel. There HAS to be a sequel!
August 19, 2021
Read and pay attention.
Well written, good subject and I suspect it could happen to us if we do nothing to stop the swamp dwellers. Term limits and no permanent ruling class.
Well written, good subject and I suspect it could happen to us if we do nothing to stop the swamp dwellers. Term limits and no permanent ruling class.
October 11, 2021
This is such a sign of the times, it gave me nightmares.
November 25, 2021
I was a bit wary at first, but the book is very well written and gives the reader a lot to think about. It reminded me of the true strength of our country, our people.
February 28, 2022
scary
Because this could be our future, the Signs are there.
Was captivated and enjoyed the characters. Loved the part with the students and the bill of rights.
Because this could be our future, the Signs are there.
Was captivated and enjoyed the characters. Loved the part with the students and the bill of rights.
March 28, 2024
Nothing but politics.
I was disappointed. The book had a lot of techie talk and was rounded out with politics. Not much to get invested in.
I was disappointed. The book had a lot of techie talk and was rounded out with politics. Not much to get invested in.
May 31, 2024
Chilling, gripping, and then clunk! It just stopped.
October 13, 2024
Good read
Great book. Very much like what is happening in our world today. I hope there will be a second book to give us an ending to the story.
Great book. Very much like what is happening in our world today. I hope there will be a second book to give us an ending to the story.
January 29, 2025
Very weak and predictable plot, mostly devoted to political polemics. Not much character development or technical research for the sci-fi aspect. Disappointing selection from BookBub.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews