Wheel of Fire

by Janet Nichols Lynch

Sparks fly when Gareth sets up the Pontypandy firework display. Will things spin out of control, or can Fireman Sam save the day?

Paperback

First published March 10, 2016

About the author

Janet Nichols Lynch is the author of seventeen books. Her most recent novel, MORE TO LIFE, about the humor and challenges of aging, was published Fall 2025 by Legacy Book Press. Her children's Black historical novel, ELLEN OF ALLENSWORTH is about a girl growing up in Allensworth, the only town in California owned and governed by Blacks, which is now a California Historic State Park. Janet's debut novel, CHEST PAINS, was published in 2009. Her short fiction has appeared in THE NEW YORKER, SEVENTEEN, HIGHWAY99, A LITERARY JOURNEY THROUGH CALIFORNIA'S GREAT CENTRAL VALLEY, and elsewhere. Her young adult novels include MESSED UP, a 2009 ALA Quick-Pick for Reluctant Readers and a VOYA (Voices of Youth Advocates) Top of the Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers; RACING CALIFORNIA, a 2012 Society of School Librarians International Honor Book; MY BEAUTIFUL HIPPIE; COMMIE PINKO; and WHEEL OF FIRE. Janet has also written nonfiction for young readers including CLARA SCHUMANN, PIANIST AND COMPOSER; FLORENCE PRICE, AMERICAN COMPOSER; ELIZABETH WARREN AND IT TAKES TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT; AMERICAN MUSIC MAKERS: AN INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN COMPOSERS; and WOMEN MUSIC MAKERS: AN INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN COMPOSERS;

Janet was born in Sacramento, California, and graduated with a BA in Music from California State University, a Master of Music Degree in Piano from Arizona State University, and an MFA in Creative Writing from Fresno State University. She has taught music and English at the community college, high school, and middle school levels, and private piano to all ages.

Janet lives in Visalia, California, with her husband composer Timothy Lynch, and they have two grown children, three grandchildren, and three cats. Janet has completed twenty marathons and numerous other races and triathlons. As an avid cyclist, her longest ride was from Phoenix, AZ to Washington, D.C., and she is nearing the completion of her goal of cycling in all fifty states. Find Janet on Facebook at facebook.com/jnicholslynch and Instagram at janet_nichols_lynch. Her website is JanetNicholsLynch.com.
 

Reviews

[Lyndsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janet Nichols Lynch's Wheel of Fire is full of twists and turns and is as captivating as the cover suggests.

Kori, a 17-year-old with a deep interest in law enforecement, becomes embroiled in a cult out in the California Central Valley where she finds herself in a confusion of faith and deception as she attempts to save her friend. Inspired by the real-life experiences of the author's friend who was a Jonestown survivor, there's a certain realism to the events that definitely gets under your skin.

While I really enjoyed unraveling the cult of the Wheel of Fire along with Kori, I did have a hard time relating to her. I think I was struggling with her naivety, but she definitely won me over in the gripping latter part of the novel. Her internal teen conflict combined with a spitfire edge would appeal to fans of Meg Cabot's The Mediator series.

A note for parents: While the book is probably just fine for the usual 13+ young adult crowd, there is some strong language.