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Il Leone di Khum Jung
Sarah lost her husband twenty-five years ago to Mt. Everest, and vowed she'd never speak it's name again, let alone go there. The mountain that claimed her husband is now in her son's blood and it will not let go. This time, she will not remain at home while her son climbs the killer peak. If the mountain is going to claim him, it would have to do it staring her in the face. Frank Kincaid's reputation as the finest Everest expedition guide for over the last twenty years has been the means for supporting his treasured charity work in Khum Jung. Adhering to uncompromising methods, he has never lost a client on the mountain. But this group of expedition clients has a reminder of the past. Suddenly he is confronted with the memory of the disaster that took his friend, Sherpa Pasang when it claimed the life of Sarah's husband. As history threatens to repeat itself, Frank is put to the supreme test. Will he obey his cardinal rule of protecting his Sherpa guide at all costs even if it means sacrificing Sarah's son to the mountain or will he trust his heart and roll the dice? Can Sarah accept the excruciating decision that is before him and what it will mean for the Sherpa and her son fighting for their lives on the mountain? Will the mountain take Sarah's son?
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2014
18 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Ronald Bagliere
35 books10 followersI write character driven stories that are placed in far away places that delve into the human condition, the things we do to survive, and to find meaning in our lives. The Nepal stories are based on my time there over the last ten years, and they strive to give the reader a glimpse of this fragile, yet beautiful and harsh land the people live in. You'll find a multitude of different characters in them, not only from Nepal, but from other places in the world that tell how and why they came there, and how the land and people affected their lives and changed them for ever.
The first of these Nepali books is, "THE LION OF KHUM JUNG", which is set in the Himalayas where I did charity work for The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation. The story tells not only about the scaling of these mountains, but also of why these men and women do it, and the human costs that are waged upon them. It's a story of confronting demons as well coming through hardship and past decisions that torment the characters. A finalist in the Syracuse Downtown Writer's Book of the Year Awards in 2014, it is available in paperback, kindle and audiobook format.
The second book in this series, "On My Way to You, is a story about two damaged people from different worlds coming together on the Annapurna Circuit that circumnavigates the great Annapurna Massifs. It occurs during what is known as the 'Annapurna Circuit Disaster in 2014' that stranded over two hundred hikers during a freak blizzard. The hero, John, and heroine, Michelle, find themselves thrown together, and in their struggle to survive, they discover the damage they carry inside them also has the capacity to heal another.
The newest release is, 'The Himalayan' (NEXT CHAPTER), which goes back to Frank and Sarah's story in, "The Lion of Khum Jung" (NEXT CHAPTER) and in it, I dig down into their past and reveal the hidden world of the Tibetan culture. It's available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, and soon to be in audiobook format through (NEXT CHAPTER)
Currently, I'm working on the last book of this series that dives into the world of Kathmandu during the 2015 Earthquakes that rocked the country. In this book, I delve into the tragic and ugly world of human trafficking that has been a lingering problem in this tiny country for decades, if not for centuries. I'm a little past the half way point in the first draft at the moment, and hope to have it available by the middle of 2021. Check out my website at: rjbaglierre.com, for updates and other books I have available on Amazon through NEXT CHAPTER PUBLISHING. And if you like pictures of where I've been you can go to the photography section on the site as well. I also offer a lot of other goodies there, too!
The first of these Nepali books is, "THE LION OF KHUM JUNG", which is set in the Himalayas where I did charity work for The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation. The story tells not only about the scaling of these mountains, but also of why these men and women do it, and the human costs that are waged upon them. It's a story of confronting demons as well coming through hardship and past decisions that torment the characters. A finalist in the Syracuse Downtown Writer's Book of the Year Awards in 2014, it is available in paperback, kindle and audiobook format.
The second book in this series, "On My Way to You, is a story about two damaged people from different worlds coming together on the Annapurna Circuit that circumnavigates the great Annapurna Massifs. It occurs during what is known as the 'Annapurna Circuit Disaster in 2014' that stranded over two hundred hikers during a freak blizzard. The hero, John, and heroine, Michelle, find themselves thrown together, and in their struggle to survive, they discover the damage they carry inside them also has the capacity to heal another.
The newest release is, 'The Himalayan' (NEXT CHAPTER), which goes back to Frank and Sarah's story in, "The Lion of Khum Jung" (NEXT CHAPTER) and in it, I dig down into their past and reveal the hidden world of the Tibetan culture. It's available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, and soon to be in audiobook format through (NEXT CHAPTER)
Currently, I'm working on the last book of this series that dives into the world of Kathmandu during the 2015 Earthquakes that rocked the country. In this book, I delve into the tragic and ugly world of human trafficking that has been a lingering problem in this tiny country for decades, if not for centuries. I'm a little past the half way point in the first draft at the moment, and hope to have it available by the middle of 2021. Check out my website at: rjbaglierre.com, for updates and other books I have available on Amazon through NEXT CHAPTER PUBLISHING. And if you like pictures of where I've been you can go to the photography section on the site as well. I also offer a lot of other goodies there, too!
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 19, 2015
Takes your breath away
Great love story. Sarah and the mountain, Sarah and her son, and Sarah and Frank. Interactions between all of them were well written and emotionally breathtaking. Great way to spend your time.
Great love story. Sarah and the mountain, Sarah and her son, and Sarah and Frank. Interactions between all of them were well written and emotionally breathtaking. Great way to spend your time.
August 6, 2020
Ron Bagliere is a great story teller whose writing brings us to the heart of the villages and whichever summit he is writing about.
I was hobbling about right next to Sarah, biting my nails as we awaited word about the safety of her son, Greg, and her new love, Frank Kincaid.
Wonderful adventure, and heart-stealing love story, Ron!
I was hobbling about right next to Sarah, biting my nails as we awaited word about the safety of her son, Greg, and her new love, Frank Kincaid.
Wonderful adventure, and heart-stealing love story, Ron!
August 15, 2020
A great read! Not that I would have ever dreamed of Climbing Mt Everest.Not for me.
This book opened my eyes to what it would be like! But loved the story .A bit of romance included.What an adventure ! Great bit of history at end by author.
Now want to read
On My way To You by this author .
Into Thin Air! Suggested by author
This book opened my eyes to what it would be like! But loved the story .A bit of romance included.What an adventure ! Great bit of history at end by author.
Now want to read
On My way To You by this author .
Into Thin Air! Suggested by author
January 22, 2021
I don't read romantic fiction as a rule so my enjoyment of this book was a welcome surprise - I read if because of my interest in Nepal. It is well paced and the author creates a convincing canvas on which to paint his characters, who I slowly came to like. 3 and a half stars from me.
December 28, 2016
Sarah Madden never dreamed she’d find herself at the foot of the world’s tallest mountain as she travels with her son, Greg, who has set out to climb the monster.
Against Greg’s wishes, Sarah accompanies him to Base Camp. If she can’t stop him from climbing she’s going to offer whatever support she can find within herself. Having lost her husband to Everest 25 years earlier, she now must face the possibility that it will claim her son, too.
The Lion of Khum Jung is a well written and gripping adventure mixed with a little romance that will entice you with every turn of the page. And while it did not invoke any desire for me to climb the mountain, it did give me a better understanding of those who attempt and accomplish such a feat.
The Lion of Khum Jung is an excellent read from beginning to end and will not disappoint.
Against Greg’s wishes, Sarah accompanies him to Base Camp. If she can’t stop him from climbing she’s going to offer whatever support she can find within herself. Having lost her husband to Everest 25 years earlier, she now must face the possibility that it will claim her son, too.
The Lion of Khum Jung is a well written and gripping adventure mixed with a little romance that will entice you with every turn of the page. And while it did not invoke any desire for me to climb the mountain, it did give me a better understanding of those who attempt and accomplish such a feat.
The Lion of Khum Jung is an excellent read from beginning to end and will not disappoint.
March 26, 2020
This book is a great adventure story along with a love story between the two main characters. If you love the mountains and suspense this is the book for you. And there is romance as well for all those readers who love the human connection.
June 10, 2021
The Lion of Khum Jung is a story that involves both adventure and romance. There are pivotable 'scenes' in each chapter. I found myself seeing the 'cliff hanger' coming before the end of a chapter which lead me to flip to the next chapter. I liked the setting of Nepal, the home of Mount Everest and Base Camp. I felt like I was there. Will recommend.
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October 13, 2025Excellent book about Everest
The book describes Everest and first base camp really well. I went 15 years ago so I could relate to a lot of places in the book. I love the way the author explains the Nepali culture and the Buddhist religion.
The book describes Everest and first base camp really well. I went 15 years ago so I could relate to a lot of places in the book. I love the way the author explains the Nepali culture and the Buddhist religion.
June 30, 2016
There is a lot to like about The Lion of Khum Jung. It's an adventure, a romance, and a vivid travel story. Ron traveled to Nepal and walked the paths he wrote of, which shows in the quality of his descriptions. The story is well-paced and kept my interest throughout. It is not difficult to imagine this story as a movie.
It has regular points of humor amidst the drama, and a depth of philosophy that you might not expect, which is handled deftly. And Ron has obviously done his homework on the technical details, which are convincing without being obtrusive.
I'm giving this four stars as a good, unique, and overall well-told story. If rating of other than full stars were permitted, I would deduct a little, as Ron employs figures of speech a little too often for my taste. But Goodreads does not allow for other than full stars, and you may not notice (or mind) this particular aspect of Ron's writing. Ron is a clear and effective writer overall, so, four stars.
Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of this story, but I also bought a print copy at Ron's signing event at a local bookstore, at market price.
It has regular points of humor amidst the drama, and a depth of philosophy that you might not expect, which is handled deftly. And Ron has obviously done his homework on the technical details, which are convincing without being obtrusive.
I'm giving this four stars as a good, unique, and overall well-told story. If rating of other than full stars were permitted, I would deduct a little, as Ron employs figures of speech a little too often for my taste. But Goodreads does not allow for other than full stars, and you may not notice (or mind) this particular aspect of Ron's writing. Ron is a clear and effective writer overall, so, four stars.
Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of this story, but I also bought a print copy at Ron's signing event at a local bookstore, at market price.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews