Tag: Travel

Review: Black Cliff Chronicles by Steve Sterling

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

Three intertwined time travel rescue missions reveal how ordinary people rise to extraordinary acts of valor, driven by selflessness and a willingness to sacrifice for others.

The thriving university town of New Jerusalem nestles in the secluded hill country north of the Ozark National Forest in rural Arkansas. New Jerusalem is a wonderful place to put down roots as long as you don’t go into the experimental forest and find Black Cliff, a place of dark power.

Was it a simple misstep in 1989 when high school seniors Mary Sanders and Charlie Barrows became lost during a fall hike and stood facing Black Cliff? Or were other forces at play?

Before they can flee, Black Cliff entangles Mary in a web of time travel, strands that transport her back 300 years in history to a horrific civil war and a daring solo rescue mission.

Months later, Mary returns to New Jerusalem and to 1989, battered by her war experiences and heartsick over those she left behind. Once home, her struggles continue. Time travelers and friends gather to help Mary and Charlie. They have less than three days to rescue America from a plot to seize the presidency.

Favorite Lines:

“Loving Minnie, is like standing on a cliff in Cornwall as an Atlantic storm slams into the shore. The waves crashing below and the wind so powerful you must brace yourself to not be blown off your feet. I am sorry for all the Victorian allusions. It fits so perfectly. Loving Minnie is tempestuous and overwhelming. One can’t breathe.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Black Cliff Chronicles by Steve Sterling is an engrossing blend of time travel, historical intrigue, and character-driven storytelling that pulls you in from the very first page. 

At its core, this novel explores how the past and present intertwine in unexpected ways. The characters—ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances—discover that their journeys through time hold significant consequences for their own lives and the world around them. Mary and Charlie, in particular, anchor the story with their evolving friendship and creative partnership. Their interactions felt authentic, with moments of humor and heartfelt exchanges that made them instantly relatable.

The time travel element—especially the “spirit walks” that transport characters into historical moments—was both innovative and chilling. Sterling does an excellent job of immersing the reader in different eras, capturing not just the sights and sounds but the emotional weight of being there. One particular journey into fascist Italy left a lasting impression with its vivid and unsettling details.

What I appreciated most was how the book balanced thrilling action with deeper reflections on free will and the cost of knowledge. Just when I thought I had the plot figured out, Sterling threw in twists that kept me guessing until the very end. While some historical details occasionally slowed the pace, they also enriched the narrative, offering a fuller picture of the times explored.

Summary:

Overall, Black Cliff Chronicles is more than just a time travel adventure—it’s a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to confront the past and shape the future. Whether you’re a fan of speculative fiction, historical thrillers, or character-driven dramas, this book has something to offer. Happy reading!

Check out Black Cliff Chronicles here!

 

Review: Focused on Love by Melody Carson

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

Rodeo nights and a city girl who’s all trouble. I must protect this damsel at all costs.

I’m Shane, a lonely cowboy and billionaire bronc rider with a memory I can’t shake.
Then enters Zoey, a sexy city fashion photographer, stirring up dust in my private world.
Sparks fly as we’re instantly drawn to each other.

But, then Zoey unknowingly captures a kidnapping on film
and our attraction takes a very dangerous turn.
I must protect her from the shadows as we unravel an unspeakable
crime that threatens everything.

I’m not only wrestling with broncs,
but I’m protecting the only woman who’s ever stolen my heart.
Together, we’ll face the evil in this small-town mystery that threatens to tear us apart.

This rodeo holds more than bronc riding –
it may just be the place where two hearts find their way home.

But, first, we must outsmart the danger and find our love amidst the chaos.

Favorite Lines:

“Think again, asshat, ’cause that’s not going to happen.”

“You know you’re getting old when sleeping hurts.”

“I didn’t just fall in love with you that day. I fell in love with your spirit, your resilience…your heart. You’re the strongest woman I know, Zoey. And I admire and respect you more than anyone else in this world.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows Zoey and Shane. Zoey is a photographer who is sent to Montana to take pictures at a rodeo but finds herself out of a job when her boss gets a bit too flirty for her tastes. When she confronts him about it, he fires her on the spot. Meanwhile, Shane is a rancher and bronco rider at the rodeo who is addicted to the thrill and wants to ride until he is physically no longer able. Shane has no interest in a city girl from LA being at the rodeo but when a girl goes missing, the unlikely pair team up to help solve the case.

This is a contemporary enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy that features cowboys; what is not to love? Like many of Carson’s other books, this is a short and sweet romance that features strong female characters and the men that fall for them. Carson’s writing style flows well and creates an easy to follow story that is easy to get addicted to. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself turning page after page until you’re staring at the end of the book all in one sitting.

Summary:

Overall, if you like contemporary romances featuring cowboys, small town love, action, suspense, intrigue, and of course romance, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out Focused on Love here!

 

Review: Paris Lost and Found: A Memoir of Love by Scott Dominic Carpenter

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Synopsis:

After his hilarious introduction to Paris in French Like Moi, Scott Dominic Carpenter returns to the scene of the crime with more tales of intrigue. 
 
This time, though, the story takes a surprising turn as his wife struggles with dementia. Humor may be the best medicine, but even the antics of a vandal in their building can’t cement the tiles of her memory for long. Before he expects it, Carpenter finds himself alone in a capital that is also blighted by the pandemic. 
 
It’s against this backdrop that the city comes roaring back to life. From bizarre encounters on the Metro to comical clashes with authority figures, and even a quixotic battle against a flock of migrant parrots, Paris Lost and Found unveils sides of the great city that are as quirky as they are authentic. With his unique blend of wit, insight, and wistfulness, Carpenter charts a path through his new labyrinth of solitude—only to emerge on the other side, squinting into the bright light of hope and new beginnings.

 

Favorite Lines:

“France is a paradise inhabited by people who believe they’re in hell.” (This is technically cheating because it is a quote by Sylvain Tesson in the start of this memoir but I thought it really set the tone for what the rest of the memoir would be and I loved it)

“It confirmed my hunch that emotion is the mortar that cements memoires in place.”

“In France, the experience is different. If you want to get a handgun here, there’s really just one recommended course of action: forget it. They put you through an obstacle course of required training, applications, waiting periods, and even letters of recommendation from the head of your local shooting club.”

“They say the senses compensate for one another. You lose you your sigh, but your ears perk up. You go as deaf as a post, but suddenly you can read the bottom line of the eye chart. So, too, with people. You lose one, and others grow in importance. It was the unknown population around me who mattered now.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is a follow up to Carpenter’s first travel memoir, French Like Moi: A Midwesterner in Paris, which I have not read but will definitely be reading after this. This memoir details Carpenter and his late wife Anne’s adaption to living in France. Carpenter not only takes us on the journey of their start in France but also the journey Carpenter must later embark on alone through loss and new beginnings after the passing of his wife.

I thought this book flowed very nicely and kept me engaged throughout. Carpenter did an excellent job at making me feel like I was right there along with him and Anne, living the experiences they were living. As an American who has never been to Europe, I thought the comparisons between French and American mentalities were really helpful, and quite frankly, sometimes humorous, to understand how different life can really be over there. Carpenter did a great job at combining serious topics and experiences with humor in a way that kept this book light-hearted and most definitely a page turner.

Summary:

Overall, I thought this was a really engaging read that gave a Midwesterner’s perspective on life in France. If you like travel memoirs that detail culture and are full of humor, life, and love then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out Paris Lost and Found: A Memoir of Love here!

 

Review: A Chef on Ice by Sebastien JM Kuhn

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

Join a talented chef as he embarks on a life-changing journey to Antarctica. From grueling recruitment to months-long expeditions, experience the challenges and triumphs of living and working in one of the most remote places on Earth. With breathtaking landscapes, unexpected connections, and a newfound sense of purpose, this is a story you won’t want to miss. Get ready to be captivated by the adventure, resilience, and inspiration of this unforgettable tale.

Favorite Lines:

Instead of picking quotes, I thought I would pick a couple of the recipes that sounded particularly tasty to me!

  • Original black forest cake
  • 12 hours slow cooked lamb shoulder

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

I will start this review off by saying that if you’re a regular here, you know that this book isn’t one of my usual genre preferences. However, When Kuhn reached out to request a review, I knew I had to read it because it sounded really interesting. Plus, I’m a huge foodie and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to read about a chef and his delicious food. Bonus points to Kuhn for putting some recipes at the end of the book!

This book is an account of Kuhn being recruited to be a chef in Antarctica. It includes a details on his travels to get there, what work and every day life was like in Antarctica, and reflections on the whole experience. Plus, like I mentioned above, there are recipes included at the end. I had never really given much thought to what goes on in Antarctica let alone who worked there and that a chef might be part of the crew. I thought it was a really fascinating read and would recommend it to pretty much anyone!

Summary:

Overall, if you like travel, food, reading about cold regions, and especially if you want to know what daily life at a base camp in Antarctica is like, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

A Chef on Ice