The Fire

Northwest Passage, Book 4

By: John A. Heldt

Narrated by: Chaz Allen

Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

When Kevin Johnson, 22, goes to Wallace, Idaho, days after his college graduation, he expects to find rest and relaxation as his family prepares his deceased grandfather's house for sale. Then he discovers a hidden diary and a time portal that can take him to 1910, the year of Halley's Comet and the largest wildfire in US history. Within hours, Kevin finds himself in the era of horse-drawn wagons, straw hats, and ankle-length dresses. Traveling repeatedly to the same time and place, he decides to make the portal his gateway to summer fun. The adventure takes a more serious turn, however, when the luckless-in-love science major falls for pretty English teacher Sarah Thompson and integrates himself in a community headed for disaster. Filled with humor, romance, and heartbreak, The Fire, the sequel to The Journey, follows a conflicted soul through a life-changing journey as he makes his mark on a world he was never meant to see.

©2013 John A. Heldt (P)2016 John A. Heldt

I wanted to like it

Any additional comments?

I love time travel books so I was pre-disposed to liking this novel. I was a bit underwhelmed.

Very few time travel novels have the same mode of transportation and how this portal was discovered and how it worked was unique enough. The title was a pre-cursor so you know well in advance where the travels will lead. All told, I really wanted to like it.

It was a good enough story, albeit a mixed bag of a love story, but there were a couple of time travel no-no's that did not sit well with me.

The narrator was okay but he made the Irish guy sound more Native American than Irish. That was a bit disconcerting.

All in all, it was just okay.

Fun Travel Through Time!

Would you listen to The Fire again? Why?

I absolutely would listen to this one again. This started a little slow for me, but as I continued I became thoroughly sucked in. The characters seem very real and the time aspect of learning about the main characters relatives is quite fun. He struggles with knowing of the upcoming disaster and should he warn those that he is becoming ever closer too... would it change things so horribly if he did and what does he do about the girl he fell in love with in the wrong time? It's really well written and the narrator does a great job too. This book is one I would definitely recommend.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Time travel to another era

What did you love best about The Fire?

What I loved best about The Fire is this was not your typical love story. Though a lot of the book centered around a romance in bloom, the many side stories and details were enjoyable. This was also not your typical boy-meets-girl, boy and girl fall in love and live happily ever after story either. Deviating from the norm always makes for better reading.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Maude. I do wish the author had spent more time developing her character and following some of her storyline, though I know she is not central to the plot, and therefore not necessary for story development. I would've loved to know more about her. Andy was a close second.

Which scene was your favorite?

I do believe my favorite scene was the horseback riding. I enjoyed the vivid imagery and the beautiful scene painted in my mind. Sadie was a truly interesting character, and I wish the workings of her mind would've been explored a bit more.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did not feel too upset when I had to stop listening to the book, but I was always glad when I had time to catch a few more pages in the evenings.

Any additional comments?

Overall, I feel the storyline was decent. I feel the ending was kind of rushed and a bunch of information crammed in at the end, though I guess what can you expect when you are trying to jump through 100 years in a few chapters? I think some more colorful language would've helped bright up this story a bit, but I think the author did a great job of creating believable and relatable characters.

I received a copy of this book at no charge in exchange for an honest review.

Touching and heartbreaking

I liked this story but with a different narrator it could have been much better for me. There are some very strong, young female characters in this book and had there been a female to voice these characters, they would have stood out more and been more realistic. All the characters sounded older and so stern. There were several lighthearted moments that didn't come through very well. I would much rather enjoy listening to Mr. Allen tell old cowboy stories. I did like the time travel aspect of this book, the sometimes difficult choices that had to be made and the drama that played out with the fire. I listened to this while at work and there was a point that made me tear up so badly I almost stop listening.. but I continued on and I'm happy I did. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Pleasant Time traveling Adventure

This book was well voiced by an excellent narrator. It is about a young man who travels over 100 years in the past to find true love. It Felt that it moved at a slow uneventful Pace. It left me with no desire to read the rest of the books in the series.
I received this book at no cost to me from the author narrator or publisher for an honest review

time travel

I loved every part of the book. it was suspenseful and romantic and a few tears were shed.

Heart-warning And Heart-breaking in One!

This is an amazing story, very well narrated. There is so much historical detail, so much that makes you ponder the choices and decisions that the characters are forced to make. The romance of the story is both heart-warming and wretched in one.

To be honest, I didn't expect to enjoy the book as much as I did, especially in the beginning. But like a snowball, the further the story rolled and the more details were added in and the grander the story became. This is more than a time travelling love story but I don't want to spoilt it for any potential listeners so I will leave it at that.

Thoroughly enjoyable, a little sad, a little happy and a lot interesting!


This review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost.

excellent read

I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author or

I enjoyed this book

Where does The Fire rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

about middle of the road.. I've listed to some good audio's

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sadie.. she was sort of a lost soul who was given a second chance to make something of herself.

What about Chaz Allen’s performance did you like?

Listening to Chaz was sort of like listening to Casey Kasem and the American Top 10.. but I got use to it.. He kept the story going.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, I didn't have an extreme reaction, but I haven't listened to the whole series in order, so there were a few references I missed, but that's b/c I didn't read the 1st and 2nd, but, I believe these are stand alone books, and the things I missed, were only references. (so I got the other books)

Any additional comments?

“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

The Fire

I enjoyed this book a lot.Chaz Allen gives a wonderful performance for each character.Visiting his grandfathers farmhouse, prior to selling it, a man finds much more than a diary taking him into the past.I was provided this book free by the author, narrator or publisher.