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The Fire Chronicles #1

Walking Through Fire

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Simon MacKay, the last Earl of Cleitmuir, was murdered two hundred years ago because of his family’s dangerous legacy. Alone and cursed he haunts his home in order to protect the lost treasure. A pastime that leaves him angry and embittered until he meets a feisty American Tourist. Not only is Laurel sexy and beautiful, she can also see him in his ghostly form.

Antiquities expert, Laurel Saville, leaves Chicago to visit her best friend in the romantic Scottish Highlands. She is saved from a tragic fall by the ghostly Simon. Once she realizes she is not crazy, she pledges to help him find his family’s missing artifact. A pledge hindered by treasure hunter Alex Mackenzie, a descendant of the clan that murdered Simon.

Laurel risks everything, including her life, to help Simon resolve the issues keeping him earth bound. But will she lose him forever or is there a way Laurel can keep him with her on this earthly plane?

358 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2014

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About the author

C.J. Bahr

5 books76 followers
First published in Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Sword & Sorceress" anthology, C J was bitten by the writer's bug and hasn't stopped since. The Wild Rose Press published her award-winning first novel, "Walking Through Fire" — a Scottish ghost romance. She is currently working on the fourth book in the interconnected standalone series, The Fire Chronicles, as well as a new Urban Fantasy starring a kick-ass Time Enforcer.

When her pen isn't scribing, you can find her busily cutting and tracking music for film and television. With over thirty years of music editing experience, her credits range from "Northern Exposure" and "The Muppets Christmas Carol", to "The Kill Point", "The Following", and ABC’s hit comedy, "The Middle".

In her downtime, you’ll find her curled up with a cup of tea, her cats, and a great book in Tarzana, California.

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5 stars
29 (53%)
4 stars
17 (31%)
3 stars
5 (9%)
2 stars
2 (3%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Aanandita Maitra.
31 reviews12 followers
August 2, 2016
A ghostly love in Scottish highlands! (4.5 stars)

C J Bahr's Walking Through Fire possesses all the dramatic ingredients required for a scrumptious read. From sexy ghosts, to ancients dwellings,to hidden mysteries, to religious references, to murderous villains, to time lapses and lastly, the mystical highlands of Scotland- where anything seems possible!
The character of Simon is a brooding, enigmatic one who is stuck between the cycle of life and death unless he atones for his duties. His wretched existence comes to an abrupt halt with the arrival of Laurel from America, who is given his room to reside into. With her, Simon finds a renewed hope to experience love for the first time in his entire existence. When her life hangs in balance Simon proves his devotion by making the ultimate sacrifice.
Meanwhile, the character of Laurel is a strong resilient one. Already hurting from a bitter breakup, she falls into the Alex's villainous trap and barely realizes it, until too late. She is forced to choose between Alex and Simon, and it is only her sharp mind and an astuteness which helps her choose the right person. Even after seemingly loosing Simon, she braves all odds to carry forward his legacy, to give him eternal peace.
Also, mention must be made of the villain Alex, who the author has portrayed interestingly as a rather charming, gentlemanly, and, outgoing person who, is a devil in disguise.
The other two characters of Beth and her husband Grant, also provides for another curious undercurrent if a subplot.
With her debut novel the author has proven her dexterous appeal in handling the plot of the story in a Delphic manner. With deliberate twist the plot has been set to span across two time lines, where we get to know of the concealed incidents of the ancient past as the story progresses. Starting off the 1st chapter in the past with the male protagonist's death,provides a brilliant shock of momentum when, it is followed by a 2nd chapter set in the present. The story keeps its rapid pace, building up tension as the plot first proceeds towards Laurel's meeting with Simon, then the realization that he is a ghost, and their budding relationship inspite of the odds stacked against them. Through all this development, the evil darkens around them and the treacheries and truths are laid bare in the final rush to climax. The climax of the story did not disappoint- with enough violence, destruction, carnage, sorrow and ultimately, providing a happy ending.
The story carries a thread of Christian overtone, where clan MacKay is seen as the direct descendant of Uriel. The clever use of the church and its's arcane archangel statues provides the backdrop for a tale of timeless secrecy.Throughout the plot three major tenants of Christian philosophy are woven intricately into the storyline- the themes of Damnation, Purification, and Resurrection.
Also, the inclusion of a sprinkle of humor into a heavy paced plot provides an intense comic relief with, Beth and Laurel's antics and, the ghost hunting episode.
Lastly, the mention of a bitter feud between two being carried out through the ages brings back glimpses of a bygone Scotland of clans and warfare and rivalry.
Although the perfection of the Scottish dialect would have provided a certain edge to the tale, but it's fleeting presence also does not clash with the storyline.
This book is a page turner, and absolutely gripping in it's appeal.
*Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.*
Profile Image for Deborah.
274 reviews14 followers
April 14, 2020
Ghost

On I loved this book it was a good ghost story the writing was very good it kept me on my toes.I loved the ending.Loved it.
Profile Image for Jennifer Ashburn.
277 reviews4 followers
March 29, 2020
This book reminds me of the highlander series by Karen Marie Moning which happens to be one of my favorite series ever! And who doesn’t love a good ghost story?!
Simon is the poor unfortunate that is stuck between life and death until he can find the key to the curse laid on his family. Unfortunately he’s only allowed one month per year to be on earth. Laurel is an American antiques dealer running halfway across the world from a bitter breakup and finds herself boarding in Simon’s old room. Sparks fly between the pair and laurel vows to help Simon find the key to the curse and move along. Of course that is until Alex, a member of the clan that cursed Simon, inserts himself into the picture and Laurel finds herself having to pick between the two.
The characters are full of life and detail which makes them a treat to follow. The world building is all there and pretty perfect. The author must have spent a good amount of time researching beforehand and it shows. This was an amazing book that I am happy to have received as a goodreads giveaway.
30 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2020
Fantastic book. I loved it. Extremely well written, wonderful story line and a bit of everything included. I will be watching for more from this writer.
Profile Image for Kate Wendley.
Author 5 books15 followers
June 3, 2016
Unique Scottish Ghost Romance!

Walking Through Fire is a lively story with some surprising twists and turns that kept me turning the pages. Simon is the tortured hero determined to end his ghostly existence. He's reluctantly drawn to Lauren, a smart, feisty, and beautiful woman, even though he has no time for love. Each year he has a limited time in his quest to find the key he needs to unlock the reason he can't die once and for all, so he must decide if he's willing to watch her get inevitably hurt by his adversary or if he'll risk his own sanity by helping her instead of helping himself.

I enjoyed reading about how Simon experienced life as a ghost, as well as the breadcrumbs throughout of how he came to be a ghost. Reading the viewpoints of multiple characters was nice, and of course the bad guy keeps you guessing, even wondering who all the bad guys actually are.

Walking Through Fire had a unique plot that kept me reading, yet at times the author's writing style made me feel distant from the story when there was some repetitive description of the characters’ motivations as well as a tendency to overuse character names when it wasn't needed. Because of this I give it 3 stars instead of 4. Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Amber.
49 reviews
Read
July 25, 2018
WOW! This book is friggin amazing! I love a good romantic ghost story as much as everyone, but you know you can only work that angle so much. What really matters to a good ghost story, or any story for that matter, is the actual plot line of the book. I didn't see a good many of these twists coming and it really pulled the strings on my horror-loving-didn't-didn't-cry-during-E.T heart. I won't tell you the story line, cause you can read the description and get that. But I will tell you this is definitely a book you want to read! Don't like romances? That's ok! Don't do ghosts either? That's a little weird, but that's ok too! You just got to enjoy reading a really good book! That's all you need for this page turner! I couldn't put it down!
You go CJ! You go girl! I'll be reading more of your stuff for sure after this!
Profile Image for Lori Vandenburg.
271 reviews1 follower
August 7, 2016
Wow!
This was such a wonderful read. I couldn't put it down. The story was great. The writing was great. It has mystery, suspense, romance and a little touch of paranormal. Simon the last of the MacKay Clan, entrusted to keep his families legacy from getting into the wrong hands. Laurel the sexy American guest that was staying in his room. Now how does a ghost get rid of something so lovely. Her fierceness and their determination to help Simon solve the puzzle, so that he can fulfill his duty. I highly recommend reading this book. I was different and covered several different genres. I look forward to reading other books by C J Bahr. I received this book from Reading Alley in exchange for an honest opinion.
Profile Image for Shaila.
Author 5 books637 followers
November 19, 2014
I'm not sure if this is a debut author (I only saw one book on her Amazon author page), but it is NOT written like a first time author! The storytelling is captivating, I loved the main characters, and I wasn't pulled out of the story with corny dialogue, bad writing, repetitive narrative or cheesy scenes. The story pulled me in from the AMAZING first chapter and kept my interest throughout. I couldn't put it down, and I finished it in one sitting.

The story wasn't predictable, and I was pleasantly surprised at how things panned out for the characters. I will definitely pick up the companion books that the happy ending alluded to.
Profile Image for Anna Walls.
Author 24 books95 followers
April 23, 2019
Like I said, I was completely swept away. I'm not a big fan of romance, because most of the time, all you get is jumping from bed scene to bed scene like a rabbit in heat. This book had an awesome story line. Characters were realistic and they all had a beautiful arc. And Simon - you can't get much better than a tortured soul who'd seriously rather not be tortured any more. But this ghost... This ghost is not your normal ghost. He's there to protect the family treasure, but how can you protect the family treasure when you only have one month out of the year out of limbo to do that? But you'll have to read to find out. Really. It will totally be worth your time.
23 reviews
August 28, 2016
The story didn't grab me from the start, and I set it aside for a few days.
But I came back and picked it up again, and was glad I had. This paranormal romance was carefully set in a place where legend, and the unexpected is often expected and it lent itself as a backdrop to the characters that were well developed. The action was well paced and the suspense grew right up to the climatic ending.

Yes, you could probably figure out how it's going to end. But I wouldn't have wanted any other conclusion to the tale.
Profile Image for Marla White.
Author 7 books175 followers
July 29, 2020
A Ghost Story Even A Coward Like Me Can Love!

If you're looking for a book that's entertaining, has great characters, a compelling romance, and paints a vivid picture of Scotland then I highly recommend "Walking Through Fire"! I was hooked from the first moment Laurel meets Simon and was so riveted by their doomed romance I had to force myself not to just skim through the book to get to the end. It was well worth the effort; from the comical ghost hunting scene to the tragic events of Simon's past, this book is one satisfying plot twist after another.
Profile Image for Marja Coons-Torn.
134 reviews12 followers
October 5, 2016
Enchanting

I thought this was a new book and found out it's been out two years. That's okay. I'm always happy to help an author out with a review, and in this case I found it to be an enchanting story. There are several typos that escaped the proofreaders but I'm happy to overlook those if the story is engaging. What's not to love about a ghostly laird and the devious descendent of his murderer? I say if you love romantic fantasy, try this one.
Profile Image for Catie_didthat3.
186 reviews
July 18, 2016
Couldn't put down. I absolutely could not put this down! Even reading it while I was cooking dinner. Very well plotted and I was sucked into Simon and Laurels plight. This was the first book of CJ Bahr's that I've read but won't be the last. I have quite enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone. Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Annette.
2,894 reviews7 followers
February 20, 2017
Wow, I have never read anything by this author and what a great surprise this was. I really enjoyed reading this paranormal romance. It's very engaging with an old mystery just waiting to be solved, some stunning twist & just a little bit of revenge served up ghostly style. Great read!

Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for CassandraG.
611 reviews
March 6, 2017
Interesting paranormal tale and one that definitely has its moments. You like Laurel when you meet her and the best friend and her husband Grant. You definitely like the hero of the story. It had a little bit of everything and definitely kept you reading till the end. So if you get a chance, check it out and enjoy. You just might be pleasantly surprised.
Profile Image for T.P. Warren.
257 reviews105 followers
February 20, 2020
I was enthralled with this book! The author writes with such vivid imagery and the characters are so real they practically leapt off the pages. Simon is to die for, and the romance between him and Laurel is captivating and emotional. I love ghost stories and this one is a winner. Can’t wait to read more from this author.
214 reviews3 followers
June 25, 2016
Outstanding!

This story pushed a lot of emotional buttons for me! The characters and plot were well developed and had a lot of unsuspecting twists, but the best part was the triumph of good over evil! Well done C.J. Bahrain!
Profile Image for L.M. Lacee.
Author 45 books56 followers
August 1, 2018
An enjoyable read. Not my genre but still kept me engrossed, page to page. I look forward to reading more from this author.
41 reviews5 followers
March 4, 2020
Intriguing story that could not be put down until finished. Ghostly hero was well fleshed out and heroine was very intelligent and steadfast. Very good book!
52 reviews
March 24, 2020
Walking Through Fire follows the story of Simon MacKay, the last earl of Cleitmuir, who died a horrific death over two hundred years ago but still haunts his family's historic home in search of the treasure his family has been divinely tasked with protecting. Laurel Saville is an intelligent, spirited expert on antiques from Chicago who has been persuaded by her best friend, Beth, to come visit the beautiful Highlands to get over the betrayal of her former beau. Once there, however, Laurel finds more than she's looking for as she reluctantly embarks on a dangerous adventure fraught with scheming enemies, spooky places, and one surly but handsome Scottish ghost.

This was definitely an interesting twist on the typical Highland romance! The overall concept was incredibly unique and certainly nothing I had ever encountered before in this genre. However, as much as I enjoyed the creative aspect of this novel, I struggled to get past a lot of the writing/grammar issues and typos that cropped up frequently throughout the book. There were quite a few instances where commas were used incorrectly, the wrong word was used (i.e., 'gleam' instead of 'glean' or 'worst' instead of 'worse') or the writing just didn't seem to flow all that well. It felt a little stilted at times and when we were given glimpses into the past, it also felt like the characters weren't really speaking as one did in the time period. Ultimately though, the ending wasn't predictable, the characters were interesting, and there were some good plot twists thrown in, so I could overlook those aforementioned issues.

Thank you to Goodreads, The Wild Rose Press, and C.J. Bahr for the free copy!
Profile Image for Amys Bookshelf Reviews.
609 reviews52 followers
April 3, 2022
Brilliant

What a magnificent story in Walking Through Fire by CJ Bahr. This is not only the first book I've read by this author, but the first book in the three-book (so far) series The Fire Chronicles. I started reading it, and then took a step back. Simon died, and since I don't read the descriptions of the books or other reviews, I was shocked, and taken aback. Then I thought, hmm, this is going to be interesting. I was wrong. It was more than interesting, it was intriguing, and definitely a book that I wanted to take my time reading. I have just become a big fan of this author's work. So, now, it's modern day, and Laurel is saved by Simon. Yes, he's still dead. Murdered two hundred years ago. He's wandering because of unfinished business, and Laurel has to help him. First, I like Simon, even dead, he's a great character, and very intriguing. There is also the twists and turns of the story, and how the living and dead are affected by each other. Emotions can burn and run high in this brilliant story. It’s one of those embraceable stories. It’s definitely un-put-downable! Both thrilling and intriguing, all the way to the end. I can't wait to read the other stories from this author that I have on my bookshelf. Walking Through Fire is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
Profile Image for LilBookMonk.
122 reviews4 followers
October 1, 2021
Simon is dead 200 years ago but his soul is roaming here on earth to protect the treasure.

And in present times, Laurel was living a boring life in Chicago working in a museum. Her ex boyfriend Derek had given her hard time and now she is onto her long deserved break.

Laurel comes to Scotland for her vacay and to meets her best friend Bethany. I could easily connect to her. She was about to fall from a cliff when Simon's soul reaches there to save her.

When Laurel finds about Simon, she is astonished. She couldn't believe that he was a ghost. But after knowing his story, she decided to help him.

Wow, I couldn't believe that this is author's debut novel. The writing style is so smooth. I could easily go on and on. The language is flawless. The characters felt realistic. The narration was just like a movie, I could imagine the scenes in front of my eyes.

Talking about the story, the storyline is intriguing. It includes love, enmity, treasure hunt, ghost, angel, romance and what not. The author has narrated the thoughts of protagonist very well. I would totally recommend this book if you are looking for a cozy read on a raining day.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
147 reviews2 followers
March 10, 2020
I enjoyed this book. I couldn't give it five stars because I feel the writing left something to be desired. It wasn't bad, but it did feel clunky at times. I did really enjoy the premise, though. And I appreciated the mystery and suspense. I also appreciated the different perspectives and the back and forth from the past to the present. It provided that added context that I felt was helpful to add depth to the character.
Profile Image for Kelly Knapp.
936 reviews17 followers
March 13, 2020
A Prophesy Fulfillef

So much to love and dislike in this story of a piece of the battle between good and evil. I would have liked a connection within the first few pages between our protagonists. As with any true battle between good and evil, there was too much death and suffering, but the rewards when a battle is won serves to inspire us for the next battle. Good will win the war, but will it win every battle?
Profile Image for Conny.
1,089 reviews34 followers
April 3, 2020
I was a First Read Winner of this book and it started off rather promising for me, but what kind of turned me off a bit was that our Heroine kept going out with a guy who had trouble respecting a no and had hurt her on some occasions. It's not like she knew him for a long time and especially having just gone through a bad time with a previous partner, it just did not make sense. However it was an entertaining read but it won't make my list of books that I love to read over and over again.
834 reviews2 followers
July 21, 2020
Perfect blend of past and present

This is the first book I have read by this author and was completely enthralled by it. Wonderful descriptions take you back in time as well as present day. Great story, love, intrigue, heartache and that happily ever after.
Profile Image for Karen.
517 reviews7 followers
September 12, 2016
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Summary:

Simon MacKay, the last Earl of Cleitmuir, was murdered two hundred years ago because of his family’s dangerous legacy. Alone and cursed he haunts his home in order to protect the lost treasure. A pastime that leaves him angry and embittered until he meets a feisty American Tourist. Not only is Laurel sexy and beautiful, she can also see him in his ghostly form.

Antiquities expert, Laurel Saville, leaves Chicago to visit her best friend in the romantic Scottish Highlands. She is saved from a tragic fall by the ghostly Simon. Once she realizes she is not crazy, she pledges to help him find his family’s missing artifact. A pledge hindered by treasure hunter Alex Mackenzie, a descendant of the clan that murdered Simon.

Laurel risks everything, including her life, to help Simon resolve the issues keeping him earth bound. But will she lose him forever or is there a way Laurel can keep him with her on this earthly plane?

Review:
This book is a DNF. I didn’t even get off the first page. The first page has three paragraphs on it and in the first paragraph, he is on WET GRANITE, and then in the third he’s trapped to LIMESTONE. These two rocks are so totally different. I couldn’t go on. This is poor editing at its finest; I might have overlooked this if it had been a few pages apart, but to find this kind of error on the very first page just turned my stomach.

Conclusion:

Would you recommend this book to others? NO

Would you read other book written by this Author? Unsure

Is this book a Novel or Novella? Novel

Is this book priced correctly? No it’s over priced on the e-book and paperback. I say this because I and everyone I know lives on a budget and won’t spend this kind of money on an author who is top rated or a name everyone recognizes.




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