I am a very dedicated couch potato. Exercise is a dirty word. Very rarely, I can be persuaded to don my swimsuit and go for a dip in the ocean, or the sound. That comprises the extent of my "outdoorsy-ness". (Can't you tell I'm much better with words? lol) In spite of all that, I love wilderness adventure/survival type books. Alaska! Antarctica! Appalachia! A......remote island in the wilds of....Ontario?? I admit that Canada doesn't feature prominently in the wilderness adventure books that I've personally read, and I think my ignorance of the landscape was a good thing when embarking on my journey through this book. (See what I did there?) I was able to fully rely on the detailed descriptions featured within, and use my imagination to fill in the rest. I loved that the protagonists are middle aged adults, who have lived incredibly full lives, with both accomplishments, accolades, and anguish. I felt deeply for Gabe, who was struggling with constantly simmering rage, and coming a little unhinged, as a result of PTSD. I'm a former military spouse, and I have firsthand knowledge of the way that post traumatic stress can systematically dismantle a life; either slowly, piece by piece, or all at once. The author drew a beautiful comparison between the navigation of the rugged wilderness, and the emotional turmoil involved, for both Gabe and Annette to come together. There was sometimes an issue with pace, and some repetitious phrasing, but my gripes were few, and my enjoyment was not. Great book for older folks, like myself, and everyone who has been missing travel. It's a missive on hope, and the perfect clarity that can only be found in nature.
3 stars

ALONE ON THE SHIELD by Kirk Landers is a high-tension, Canadian wilderness adventure novel with the added bonus of some romance.

I love living vicariously through others as they take risks in their travel ventures. The main character is off the hinge and ready to do something he may regret, which gave the novel an unexpected edginess.

Award winning magazine editor Gabe Pender gets divorced and loses his job at sixty. He can’t resist punching his irritating boss on his way out the door, which lands Gabe in therapy for PTSD. His aggressive behavior is linked to contained anger as a Vietnam veteran.

Pender decides to travel to his favorite place, Quetico in Canada. He locates a former girlfriend and they plan to meet. Both have been solo canoeists for years, so it seems logical to meet at Annette’s favorite secret island in Quetico.

As a wilderness guide, Annette DuBose is more than capable of taking care of herself. But her daughter is worried because this old friend seems to be a powder keg about to blow. Her daughter’s instincts are good, but Annette ignores them and does what she always does, braves the elements.

We follow Pender and Annette separately as they canoe through the waterways to their meet. Neither expect the obstacles they’ll face alone or together. Will re-uniting after all these years be a once in a lifetime collision, or will they take on forever?

Some repetitive thoughts bugged me in this novel. I would have preferred less internal dialogue rehashing their feelings. The adventure was exceptional, and the personalities were hilarious at times, so I easily ignored my minor quibbles.

Author Kirk Landers knows how to write an adventure that’s gripping, propelling the reader forward with curiosity. I didn’t expect the romance, so it was a pleasant surprise. I love well-seasoned characters who celebrate life, and these two impressed me with their vitality. Their accomplishments and perseverance influence a life lived to the fullest expectations. I envied their abilities, so it was especially fun to arm-chair-travel with them.

I’d love more books set in the Canadian wilderness like this one. It’s exactly what I love to read. ALONE ON THE SHIELD by Kirk Landers is the perfect way to experience an imaginative travel adventure with some exciting anticipation to rile things up a bit. I’m anxious for the author’s next novel.

Review by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest.

We've all read the heartwarming stories of people who in later life connect with someone from their past, someone they loved once and after years gone by find that they still love each other. I have to admit that this is what appealed to me - wanting to know if these characters could reignite their love. I was also interested because the characters were familiar- in college during the Vietnam war era as I was . Gabe Pender has just been fired from his job, was recently divorced and is estranged from his daughter. He’s trying to figure out where’s he going, what to do with the rest of his life, dealing with his anger issues and pent up emotions going back to his time in Vietnam. Annette Blain, his college girlfriend of forty years ago is also divorced, living in Canada, facing some decisions about whether to sell her business - running cabins, outfitting people to take canoe trips in her beloved Quetico. They plan to meet each traveling solo by canoe.

The narrative moves back and forth between their solo voyages to meet each other . I enjoyed the introspective flashbacks on their time together years before and their lives since. Even though I found these sections moved slowly, it was this part of the book that I found meaningful. it was when the more adventurous and dangerous part of their journey begins that I lost interest. Maybe it’s just me, not being the outdoors type that couldn’t connect with their time in the Canadian wilderness. I admit that I skimmed a little through these sections.

The ending was predictable but I didn't mind that . I'm just not the audience for this book and if I could would have given it 2.5 stars , but I'm giving it 3 stars because I liked that it was a baby boomer find your old love story. This has multiple high ratings so I would recommend that you read those before deciding if this book is for you. If you are the adventurous type, this may be for you.


I received an advanced copy of this book from Chicago Review Press from Edelweiss and NetGalley

As a dedicated kayaker, this was a hard book for me to resist, and I surely was not disappointed. Besides the beautiful descriptions of Quetico and the Boundary Waters area, the story is well written and compelling. With Gabe Pender as almost an anti-hero, with his own values being questioned, the struggle for survival in this wilderness paradise becomes a life and death proposition. I recommend this book highly.

Great survival / love story set in the Canadian wilderness. I loved the book.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I found that this book was a non-fiction book with a sense of reality. It made me feel like i was on an adventure/rekindling romance. I like how it started off on this trip with no sense of direction except for going north trying to find himself and finished with a totally different angle.

I liked the fact that the lakes and locations are real. I was able to look them up. It gave me a sense of direction.

I really loved this book and will highly recommend it to other (not just my paddling friends :) )

An unusual love story, involving 60 year olds after 40 years of separation and coming together in an exciting wilderness setting, canoeing in the Canadian Shield. The Vietnam war and its after effects on American sensibilities and an exciting Canadian wilderness experience make for a captivating and unexpected read.