Blog Posts

5* - A Bawdy Romp Through Time

3/1/2018

Another great review for "Forged In Fire"!

***** - A Bawdy Romp Through Time

This was a proper page turner! It’s really difficult to describe any of the story without spoilers as it’s such a switchback ride. But the essence is “Woman from 21st Century gets thrown back in time and hooks up with highwayman”. That turns out just as exciting as it sounds. The characters are believable, challenging and likable. C J Bahr gets the history right, dropping it in as the story unfolds but never having ‘hey look at this cool thing I know’ crop up at all. She sets and paces the ‘person from the future’ conflicts carefully. The action scenes are choreographed beautifully, whether that’s a horseback chase, a barfight or a shootout and it’s these scenes that stitch everything together, whilst keeping the reader guessing. The relationship between the two protagonists is spiky, real and smouldering. They get each other despite their coming from different worlds and that’s part of their attraction. They are funny, articulate, believable and sexy. I had a great time reading this book, I heartily recommend it and I’m off to look for more to read by C J Bahr.
- Paul L. Arvidson / Reading Alley

2017 Paranormal Romance Guild Awards

2/25/2018

I am pleased and excited to announce, "Forged In Fire" placed 2nd in our category.
Thank you to all my readers who got out the vote. Cheers!

Plus, congratulations to the winner and fellow nominees. It is an honor to be amongst you!

ROMANCE/SCI-FI/FANTASY/TIME TRAVEL/CONTEMPORARY

1ST Place              Simon Says (Order of the Black Swan, D.I.T. Book 1) By Victoria Danann
2nd Place              Forged in Fire (The Fire Chronicles Book 2) By C.J. Bahr
3rd Place TIE        Ember (Rulers of the Sky Book 2) By Paula Quinn
3rd Place TIE        Running Hot (Hell Ryders MC Book 2) By J.L. Sheppard

5* Review - Forged In Fire

1/31/2018

Here's a terrific review of The Fire Chronicles Book 2:

***** Tortured Characters With Soul

The story started predictably enough. Only things went south in a hurry, the villain isn't supposed to be able to murder the star of the story. The story shifted and began again in the past where it suddenly became a period romance. Time travel romances aren't that unusual, and the usual oddities like modern terms came up as expected. But that wasn't what this story was about.

We all face temptations, some more tempting than others. This story was about people who faced temptations and how they reacted. Their inner soul was brilliantly put on display for the reader. The action was paced to avoid lulls, and the twists and turns were enough to keep a readers interest. But all that was used as a setting for the main characters to fight their inner demons, to face their inner struggles. Would the death of a beloved daughter drive me into accepting a deal with a devil? I doubt it, but the author so clearly laid out the anguish of the characters it was easy to suspend reality and enjoy the story even with the predictable twists that brought the people together.

I'd recommend this book easily to anyone who enjoys romance. After all, love is the solution to so many problems. It worked for the author, and helped this tale entertain in the process. -- JeepWonder / Reading Alley

For The Love Of A Highwayman...

1/10/2018

by c j bahr

Readers often wonder how I come up with ideas or if anything influences my creation of characters. Well, here's the inspiration behind "The Knightmare", aka: Christopher "Kit" Locke, my handsome, roguish, Highwayman from Forged In Fire - book 2 in The Fire Chronicle series.

I've always loved reading about the "Robin Hood" type of Highwaymen, so when an opportunity afforded itself because I had to send my heroine, Beth into a time travel story, I thought "ah ha!" here's my chance to write my own highwayman!

My love of highwaymen goes way back. My first introduction to the charming rogues was from Alfred Noyes's story poem opus "The Highwayman". My mother had a leather clad book of a collection of romance poetry which is where I encounter a highwayman for the first time.

When the amazing, talented Irish singer, Loreena McKennitt set Noyes's "The Highwayman" to music on her album Book Of Secrets, I fell in love once more.

Below is a music video created by Erica Elizabeth Ravenwood of McKennitt's "The Highwayman. Take a listen if you've never heard it. Or just enjoy the song if you're already familiar!

Later in life, I discovered the very talented author, Marsha Canham. If you haven't read her books, you must check them out. I love them all! She is one of my "must read" authors. I'll buy any of her books immediately. But one book in particular grabbed my attention: Pale Moon Rider. Here, I was introduced to Captain Starlight aka Tyrone Hart. He's one of my all time favorite highwaymen!

Last but certainly not least, though not a "true" highwayman, there is the duel personality/disguise of The Scarlett Pimpernel . My favorite version is the musical, which I was lucky enough to have seen twice on stage, with the amazing Douglas Sills. If it tours to your neighborhood, check it out, it will be a fabulous night out. Here a link to "The Riddle" one of my favorite songs from the hit show.

So who are your favorite highwaymen? Did I miss any? I hope "The Knightmare" will become one of yours!

Discover: The Fire Chronicles Series Book 1

12/6/2017

Haven't discovered the first book, "Walking Through Fire" in the stand-alone series, The Fire Chronicles?

Dive into Simon MacKay's world.

This book trailer was produced by Candace Bowser through Dark Water Arts Designs.

ABOUT BOOK:

Title: Walking Through Fire (The Fire Chronicles, Book 1)
Author: C J Bahr
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Pages: 358
Formats: Trade Paperback, e-Book
Scheduled Release Date: November 14, 2014