A peculiar explorer and downtrodden acrobat span the globe on a building-sized hot air balloon, in search of a precious artifact and the murderous treasure hunter who seeks it.WINNER: Pinnacle Book Achievement Award – Best Adventure (Summer 2018)The Amazing Beatrix, with no home or family, suffers an abusive ringleader as an acrobat in a 19th-century circus. After a harrowing escape from her … 19th-century circus. After a harrowing escape from her tormentor, Beatrix encounters the daring adventurer Colonel James Bacchus, and the unlikely pair team up. Flying to safety aboard the Colonel’s miraculous four-story hot air balloon, they begin a grand quest to find the most precious gem in the world, The Blue Star Sphinx. Perils await them, however, as they must outmaneuver deadly treasure hunters, escaped convicts, and endless double-crosses. If they succeed, they might discover the great treasure, or better yet, a true sense of belonging.
EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS a fantastical globetrotting adventure, packed with witty banter, colorful characters, and exotic locations, which reads like Sherlock Holmes meets “Around the World in Eighty Days” meets “The Wizard of Oz.” [DRM-Free]
Roll Out Reviews says, “There is one word that best describes Canning’s latest work: fun. The Colonel and the Bee is that fictional gem readers have been waiting to find for a while to lose themselves in.”
Gordon A. Long says, “This is the sort of book that demands creativity, and Canning delivers. Every character is a Character, stretched past stereotype into archetype. Every setting is new and different and unreal to the finest detail.”
Literature Approved review site says, ”The Colonel and the Bee is a story, I would deem, worth being remembered as a classic. … Their adventures are filled with mystery, riddles, humor, surprising twists, and a stupendous amount of quotes that put my Kindle highlighter to use!”
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I liked this one – the concept was fun, the characters were a mix of personalities, quirks, and foibles, and the race around the globe was interesting as it allowed for a variety of settings and the introduction of new characters throughout. I do think that the characters were not quite as well fleshed out as I’d have liked. I would have enjoyed a little more backstory and depth, as it would have helped explain why they acted or decided to act as they did. Without that, I didn’t always feel as connected to them and their choices as I might have. It didn’t hurt the story, but didn’t help it either.
I also think that the pacing was a little uneven. There were fantastic action sequences, where I held my breath to see how an escape would be maneuvered or a crisis avoided/resolved. Then there were a number of sections where the scene-setting took over – and while the variable scenes were fabulous and a part of what I enjoyed about the way the story played out, the description did sometimes slow the pace of the overall story. It helped set the stage, but without the actors a stage is not quite as exciting…
Still, I enjoyed the overall direction and resolution. I’d like to see more from the characters – as well as more about them. I hope further adventures address both! Thanks to the author for my review copy.
Good read
It’s an interesting read and the first book I’ve read by Canning. His story has an interesting premise, and brings the reader on a journey. It revolves around two characters and has an interesting old-movie vibe. I enjoyed reading the story, as it’s adventurous and adds a bit of excitement. There is a tone to it that doesn’t really heighten or lower the story. The characters are developed but maybe need a bit more depth. I look forward to reading more work by Canning.
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are mine.
Here, Beatrice [Bee] has run away to the circus and become an acrobat. However, the owner of the circus is a tryant. One night, Bee meets the Colonel at a party where she is providing the entertainment and he provides the opportunity for her to escape. She then joins the Colonel on his adventures traveling in a 4-story hot air balloon called “The Ox.”
I loved this story – there is a mystery, a treasure hunt, quirky and enjoyable characters, a travelogue, and well-written prose. I think this would be suitable as a family story [although there is a bit of violence – but nothing graphic]. This story kept me captivated from beginning to end. I do hope the author is working on the next adventure for the Colonel and Bee.
I listened to this book – the narrator did a great job and was a compliment to the written word.
Fans of such greats as “Around the World in 80 Days” are going to love this adventure.