What do you think?
Rate this book
BURN OVER: a novella
A heart-rending story of deep love and deeper tragedy, Burn Over is based on true events. April Reynolds is a happy young bride who dreams of starting a family with her fireman husband Kyle in the Mount San Gorgonio region of Southern California. Kyle has a dream to finish building their house on an idyllic mountainside, into which he has sunk all of their money. But life’s dreams are as fragile as kindling when confronted by a rarely seen “perfect fire storm,” which ignites a massive blaze, destroying lives and homes, and chars April’s heart by unleashing the deadly foe wildland fire fighters fear the most – a Burn Over.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2017
2 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 13, 2017
“Burn Over: A situation where personnel are caught in an advancing flame front.”
California author R.D. Byron-Smith is first a journalist, having spent 40 years reporting murder and mayhem for newspapers in four states. That coverage sets the tone for the intensity of this book - spot on observation and journalistic attention to details, but this time his story takes on a more intensive global reach. Not that journalism is his only bent: RD is an author of fifteen books, both fiction and non-fiction, both entertaining and deeply disturbing, that adopt as topics some of the more sparingly controversial aspects of what is going on in the world as we live it. His books are highly regarded and awarded for RD's imaginative use of journalism techniques (and dares) to bring authenticity to his plots or his reportage. For example, `DINNER WITH A KILLER, his acclaimed memoir documenting serial murders by a Southern California cardiac care nurse in the 1980s. And then he offered AMERICAN JIHADIST - a book that could not be more timely as we read and watch in the media of the impact of terrorism in this country as well as around the world.
Now, maintaining his inimitable style as journalist/author he brings us a study of a true event – an explosion of nature that altered lives and spirits – the Mount San Gorgonio fire in California in 2015. From this very real even RD has sculpted an extraordinary short novella about the effects of natural disasters on people. Well into the story he describes the event, having established the effect on his characters already – ‘On Monday, October 10th Gilbert sat alone in his living room, anticipating the TV weather report on the six o’clock news on KABC out of Los Angeles. His wife had gone to the grocery store to get baked beans, hamburger meat, buns and chips. “We oughta have a quiet little barbecue,” he had suggested, and she happily agreed, what with them being gloomy over the past weeks because of the dogs. As he watched, the popular weatherman Dallas Raines came on. “It is going to be hot in Southern California for the next five days, with extremely high fire danger tonight and for the next couple of nights in the Inland Empire all the way to Palm Springs.” The weatherman reported that the National Weather Service was calling a “red flag warning” for the San Gorgonio Pass area, mostly southerly of the San Bernardino Mountains in the San Jacinto Mountains above Cabazon. “Strong Santa Ana winds at times with gusts at fifty miles an hour or higher are expected over the next 48 to 72 hours,” said Raines. “Given the low humidity and expected unseasonably high temperatures fire officials are advising caution, especially in the mountains after five years of drought.”
But then we jump into the story and RD supplies a very brief synopsis for this short but pungent novel: ‘A heart-rending story of deep love and deeper tragedy, Burn Over is based on true events. April Reynolds is a happy young bride who dreams of having a baby with her studly fireman husband Kyle in the Mount San Gorgonio region of Southern California. Kyle has a dream too: to finish building their house on an idyllic mountainside, into which he has sunk all of their money. But life’s dreams are as fragile as kindling when confronted by the unique conditions of a rarely seen “perfect fire storm,” which ignites a massive hillside blaze destroying lives and homes, and chars April’s heart by unleashing the deadly foe wildland fire fighters fear the most – a Burn Over.’
This is an action adventure novella with such fine attention to character reactions that more than likely the reader will want to almost immediately re-read the book to make sure no aspects of the development slipped by unnoticed. Another feather in RD Byron-Smith’s cap and for those who have explored the gifts of RD Byron-Smith this book will feel like an old friend. It glows with virtuosity and candor and profoundly felt responses to the way we live and interact with things we don’t understand. It needs to be read – and understood.
California author R.D. Byron-Smith is first a journalist, having spent 40 years reporting murder and mayhem for newspapers in four states. That coverage sets the tone for the intensity of this book - spot on observation and journalistic attention to details, but this time his story takes on a more intensive global reach. Not that journalism is his only bent: RD is an author of fifteen books, both fiction and non-fiction, both entertaining and deeply disturbing, that adopt as topics some of the more sparingly controversial aspects of what is going on in the world as we live it. His books are highly regarded and awarded for RD's imaginative use of journalism techniques (and dares) to bring authenticity to his plots or his reportage. For example, `DINNER WITH A KILLER, his acclaimed memoir documenting serial murders by a Southern California cardiac care nurse in the 1980s. And then he offered AMERICAN JIHADIST - a book that could not be more timely as we read and watch in the media of the impact of terrorism in this country as well as around the world.
Now, maintaining his inimitable style as journalist/author he brings us a study of a true event – an explosion of nature that altered lives and spirits – the Mount San Gorgonio fire in California in 2015. From this very real even RD has sculpted an extraordinary short novella about the effects of natural disasters on people. Well into the story he describes the event, having established the effect on his characters already – ‘On Monday, October 10th Gilbert sat alone in his living room, anticipating the TV weather report on the six o’clock news on KABC out of Los Angeles. His wife had gone to the grocery store to get baked beans, hamburger meat, buns and chips. “We oughta have a quiet little barbecue,” he had suggested, and she happily agreed, what with them being gloomy over the past weeks because of the dogs. As he watched, the popular weatherman Dallas Raines came on. “It is going to be hot in Southern California for the next five days, with extremely high fire danger tonight and for the next couple of nights in the Inland Empire all the way to Palm Springs.” The weatherman reported that the National Weather Service was calling a “red flag warning” for the San Gorgonio Pass area, mostly southerly of the San Bernardino Mountains in the San Jacinto Mountains above Cabazon. “Strong Santa Ana winds at times with gusts at fifty miles an hour or higher are expected over the next 48 to 72 hours,” said Raines. “Given the low humidity and expected unseasonably high temperatures fire officials are advising caution, especially in the mountains after five years of drought.”
But then we jump into the story and RD supplies a very brief synopsis for this short but pungent novel: ‘A heart-rending story of deep love and deeper tragedy, Burn Over is based on true events. April Reynolds is a happy young bride who dreams of having a baby with her studly fireman husband Kyle in the Mount San Gorgonio region of Southern California. Kyle has a dream too: to finish building their house on an idyllic mountainside, into which he has sunk all of their money. But life’s dreams are as fragile as kindling when confronted by the unique conditions of a rarely seen “perfect fire storm,” which ignites a massive hillside blaze destroying lives and homes, and chars April’s heart by unleashing the deadly foe wildland fire fighters fear the most – a Burn Over.’
This is an action adventure novella with such fine attention to character reactions that more than likely the reader will want to almost immediately re-read the book to make sure no aspects of the development slipped by unnoticed. Another feather in RD Byron-Smith’s cap and for those who have explored the gifts of RD Byron-Smith this book will feel like an old friend. It glows with virtuosity and candor and profoundly felt responses to the way we live and interact with things we don’t understand. It needs to be read – and understood.
June 15, 2017
Firefighting is a dangerous profession. One that already comes with a list of things to watch out for. Then, sometimes, life throws a wrench in things via the butterfly effect, one in which Burn Over captures in the most heartbreaking way.
By following two stories that are reliant on one another, the author plays havoc with the readers' emotions on two different levels. Two sides of life are explored, and the fact that no matter the intent, they can have a negative impact. In such a short amount of time, an excellent basis for characterization starts. The characters were sympathetic in their own right, each served a vital role in the plot. Their development throughout the story was noticeable. It served to give them a more three-dinensional dimensional feel.
It's paced well. There's a slow build, but once the climax hits, it hits hard. The resolution was rather fitting. Everything wrapped up nicely at the end.
Burn Over took me to the Back Draft era, when raging fires were the most terrifying thing because many family members are firefighters. One of which is still active in--you guessed it--California. This hits hard on a personal level. Even without those personal ties this was an emotional story. Well done.
By following two stories that are reliant on one another, the author plays havoc with the readers' emotions on two different levels. Two sides of life are explored, and the fact that no matter the intent, they can have a negative impact. In such a short amount of time, an excellent basis for characterization starts. The characters were sympathetic in their own right, each served a vital role in the plot. Their development throughout the story was noticeable. It served to give them a more three-dinensional dimensional feel.
It's paced well. There's a slow build, but once the climax hits, it hits hard. The resolution was rather fitting. Everything wrapped up nicely at the end.
Burn Over took me to the Back Draft era, when raging fires were the most terrifying thing because many family members are firefighters. One of which is still active in--you guessed it--California. This hits hard on a personal level. Even without those personal ties this was an emotional story. Well done.
May 19, 2017
At its core this is a romance novella about a young bride named April and her Husband Kyle who is a firefighter in California. They are building their dream home in the foothills of California when it becomes threatened by a massive wildfire burning in the area. However, the possibility of a “burn over”, where the wildfire jumps and overtakes the firefighters, forcing them to take cover in their suits, is forefront on Aprils mind as she worries about Kyles safety. This story is partially based on a true story and the journalistic background of the author is seen in his writing style. He has crafted a gripping story around the tender love between these two main characters and their friends. The addition to the terror this Wildfire creates brings a havoc into the pages that as a reader you are almost spellbound to keep reading until the end. I enjoyed this book maybe a little more than I should have, I certainly finished it in one sitting.
May 15, 2017
As love stories go, you won't find a much sweeter one than the relationship between Kyle and April in the book, Burn Over: a novella by R.D. Byron-Smith. A devastating turn of events takes away their dream home and so much more. Based on true events surrounding a massive fire, a burn-over, this story displays a depth of emotion that is not often seen in present day writing. The author has managed to capture the angst and heartache of a young woman who once had it all, and now is faced with a harrowing life challenge. Realistically portrayed characters and a compelling story line carry this book from beginning to end. With an emotional tone throughout, the author has managed to fully describe what it feels like to lose everything in one horrible moment. Highly recommend this quick novella for a satisfying reading journey into love and loss.
May 15, 2017
I found “Burn Over” to be very touching while it allowed for some moments of inspiration. The story was well paced and pulled you into the sensitive love story of April and Kyle. The ugliness that starts the death and destruction is told in such a realistic manner it will certainly pull strong emotions from you.
“Burn Over” was a quick read for me as the story just rolled naturally like the lives of those persons who lived in their tragic community. The story speaks to a true past incident and serve to flesh and personality to the persons who were touched by the tragedy. This was very well delivered.
“Burn Over” was a quick read for me as the story just rolled naturally like the lives of those persons who lived in their tragic community. The story speaks to a true past incident and serve to flesh and personality to the persons who were touched by the tragedy. This was very well delivered.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews