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The Winds of Fortune #2
The Paths Less Travelled
One day, Aleksey’s life will be calm and peaceful. He’s almost looking forward to it. But this isn’t yet that day. However, always on guard, always prepared for mischief conjured by the gods of chaos and chance, even he couldn’t have predicted that it would be Ben’s work with homeless veterans that would plunge them into a terrifying situation where the stakes are not just their lives, but the fate of the entire world.
A cryptic message from a strange old man sets them on a path from which, good or bad, none of them will ever be the same again.
A cryptic message from a strange old man sets them on a path from which, good or bad, none of them will ever be the same again.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2023
19 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
John Wiltshire
29 books816 followersJohn Wiltshire is the fictional persona of the author of the More Heat Than The Sun series. After spending twenty-two years in the military perfecting the art
of looking busy whilst secretly writing, John left as a senior officer
when a hastily dug tunnel was ready for use. Now living in New
Zealand (at least until enough money can be raised to leave) John has no plans to return to the army. Unless the world situation gets considerably worse, that is.
of looking busy whilst secretly writing, John left as a senior officer
when a hastily dug tunnel was ready for use. Now living in New
Zealand (at least until enough money can be raised to leave) John has no plans to return to the army. Unless the world situation gets considerably worse, that is.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 21, 2023
4.5 stars
May 30, 2023
I love this series more and more with each book. I think I could read about these characters doing anything and be pleased. The depth and complexity of the relationships, as well as the layers to the story are impressive. There is clearly a significant amount of time, attention and care paid to this work and it shows. Very much looking forward to the next one.
December 27, 2024
Around the same rating as the previous story 4.25 stars. Yet again, plenty of typos and incorrect usage of words [forward instead of foreword, really?]. I won't go into the plot of this one, but it wasn't totally unbelievable I have to say although it left the entire family a little worse for wear albeit with a new member [or possibly two?]. Squeezy's past caught up with him, and for those of us that listened to and read ancient Greek tales to our kids, the references to Bellerophon and the Chimera were well remembered.
June 4, 2023
Pas le meilleur de la saga…
De bonnes idées, mais une réalisation un peu brouillonne.
Une histoire de vétérans de guerre et de virus mortel.
Je n’ai pas tout compris (Billy, St Nicholas…) sûrement a cause de mon mauvais anglais.
L’amour de Ben et Aleksey est toujours aussi beau et aussi fort ♥️
De bonnes idées, mais une réalisation un peu brouillonne.
Une histoire de vétérans de guerre et de virus mortel.
Je n’ai pas tout compris (Billy, St Nicholas…) sûrement a cause de mon mauvais anglais.
L’amour de Ben et Aleksey est toujours aussi beau et aussi fort ♥️
November 9, 2023
Review for books 1 & 2
I had mixed feelings when I realized the author of the More Heat Than the Sun series had written a new series featuring Ben and Nik/Aleksy. I adored that first series but finished it over a year ago and wondered how much my brain, which is actually a sieve and not in fact a brain, would remember. I didn’t want to revisit these characters and feel completely lost. As it turns out, I shouldn’t have worried. It’s true, I did forget quite a lot. Lots came back but there were holes aplenty. BUT. It didn’t matter. It was such a joy being back in Ben and Alesksy’s insanely wild orbit and spending time with them that the forgotten details didn’t matter. Books 1&2 of this new series continue in the same vein as the earlier nine books—OTT adventures rife with danger, craziness, and a good dose of violence. And again as with the earlier series, I was often a bit confused and unsure of just what the hell was going on. But that was okay. What I really love and enjoy most about these books are the quiet and chill moments between B and A, when they're just talking, giving each other shit, wrestling and tickling, enjoying each other’s company. They make me smile and laugh and I love how they love each other—and that they are finally telling each other they love each other. Such a long time coming! They are such a complex, well-developed, singular couple. Everything else is secondary. Fabulous, but secondary. And I love the found family they’ve created. I can’t say I understand how they are with Molly—too separate and uninvolved—but I have a feeling that will change down the line. And with a rueful shake of my head, I once again can't not comment on the apparent lack of lube and prep. Always a bit jarring. But anyway.
Major kudos as always to Gary Furlong. I know he’s also a huge part of why I enjoy these books so much. His voices, accents, and acting are simply stellar. I’ve listened to lots and lots of books he’s narrated, he’s well-utilized in the MM romance world, but his performance here outshines everything else imo.
I see that there are three more books in the series (to date). I want to read them back-to-back in audiobook format but as the audiobooks have not yet been released, I’m going to pause here at book 2 and hope I don’t have to wait too long 🤞
I had mixed feelings when I realized the author of the More Heat Than the Sun series had written a new series featuring Ben and Nik/Aleksy. I adored that first series but finished it over a year ago and wondered how much my brain, which is actually a sieve and not in fact a brain, would remember. I didn’t want to revisit these characters and feel completely lost. As it turns out, I shouldn’t have worried. It’s true, I did forget quite a lot. Lots came back but there were holes aplenty. BUT. It didn’t matter. It was such a joy being back in Ben and Alesksy’s insanely wild orbit and spending time with them that the forgotten details didn’t matter. Books 1&2 of this new series continue in the same vein as the earlier nine books—OTT adventures rife with danger, craziness, and a good dose of violence. And again as with the earlier series, I was often a bit confused and unsure of just what the hell was going on. But that was okay. What I really love and enjoy most about these books are the quiet and chill moments between B and A, when they're just talking, giving each other shit, wrestling and tickling, enjoying each other’s company. They make me smile and laugh and I love how they love each other—and that they are finally telling each other they love each other. Such a long time coming! They are such a complex, well-developed, singular couple. Everything else is secondary. Fabulous, but secondary. And I love the found family they’ve created. I can’t say I understand how they are with Molly—too separate and uninvolved—but I have a feeling that will change down the line. And with a rueful shake of my head, I once again can't not comment on the apparent lack of lube and prep. Always a bit jarring. But anyway.
Major kudos as always to Gary Furlong. I know he’s also a huge part of why I enjoy these books so much. His voices, accents, and acting are simply stellar. I’ve listened to lots and lots of books he’s narrated, he’s well-utilized in the MM romance world, but his performance here outshines everything else imo.
I see that there are three more books in the series (to date). I want to read them back-to-back in audiobook format but as the audiobooks have not yet been released, I’m going to pause here at book 2 and hope I don’t have to wait too long 🤞
July 16, 2025
4 1/2 stars. Aleksey & Ben’s relationship continues to keep me hooked on these characters and Squeezy continues to be my favorite secondary character.
I’m finding this second series to be much more fun and the situations the characters find themselves in just as ridiculous (in a good way.)
I’m finding this second series to be much more fun and the situations the characters find themselves in just as ridiculous (in a good way.)
May 29, 2023
I just love seeing the Rider-Mikkelsen family keep on growing and growing, even though there has to be a catastrophe before that every time 🤣
April 17, 2024
***4.5 Covid-says-hi Stars***
July 1, 2023
More fun escapades. Plus more page time with the family. ❤️❤️
June 9, 2023
Another absolutely amazing read!
I am so happy to be in this world again with Nik (Aleksey) and Ben. I believe I’ve seen the same thing from other fans, 100 books could be written and I would never tire of reading about them.
This one was particularly funny despite the seriousness of the storyline.
I am eagerly awaiting #3!
I am so happy to be in this world again with Nik (Aleksey) and Ben. I believe I’ve seen the same thing from other fans, 100 books could be written and I would never tire of reading about them.
This one was particularly funny despite the seriousness of the storyline.
I am eagerly awaiting #3!
March 6, 2025
4.5⭐️
I’m really loving this “season 2” of the More Heat Than The Sun series. It’s like getting a backstage pass to Aleksey and Ben’s lives after their supposed HEA… Although did we really think these two would get a quiet, peaceful ending? Of course not. They can’t go five minutes without some kind of chaos finding them. But honestly? That’s part of the draw of this series.
This time, though, the chaos hits a little closer to home. After everything we collectively went through in 2020-2021, the storyline doesn’t feel quite as far-fetched as some of their previous adventures. And I love seeing the Rider-Mikkelsen found family continue to grow; watching them navigate their unconventional, dangerous, yet deeply loving dynamic is always a highlight.
As always, Gary Furlong absolutely nails the narration. I can’t imagine anyone else bringing these characters to life the way he does. He captures all the emotion, tension, and dark humor that make this series so addictive.
One thing that did leave me scratching my head, where the heck did Billy from the lighthouse go? In the last book, so much time was spent trying to get access to the lighthouse, and now, thanks to Billy, they finally can… but then he just disappears? By the end, they’re casually coming and going from the place with zero mention of him. I really hope we get some answers in the next book because I actually liked his brief but memorable presence.
All in all, The Path Less Traveled delivers exactly what I wanted…more of Aleksey and Ben being their chaotic, beautifully complicated selves, more family, more danger, and more of that signature Wiltshire intensity. If you loved the original series, this continuation is a must-read.
I’m really loving this “season 2” of the More Heat Than The Sun series. It’s like getting a backstage pass to Aleksey and Ben’s lives after their supposed HEA… Although did we really think these two would get a quiet, peaceful ending? Of course not. They can’t go five minutes without some kind of chaos finding them. But honestly? That’s part of the draw of this series.
This time, though, the chaos hits a little closer to home. After everything we collectively went through in 2020-2021, the storyline doesn’t feel quite as far-fetched as some of their previous adventures. And I love seeing the Rider-Mikkelsen found family continue to grow; watching them navigate their unconventional, dangerous, yet deeply loving dynamic is always a highlight.
As always, Gary Furlong absolutely nails the narration. I can’t imagine anyone else bringing these characters to life the way he does. He captures all the emotion, tension, and dark humor that make this series so addictive.
One thing that did leave me scratching my head, where the heck did Billy from the lighthouse go? In the last book, so much time was spent trying to get access to the lighthouse, and now, thanks to Billy, they finally can… but then he just disappears? By the end, they’re casually coming and going from the place with zero mention of him. I really hope we get some answers in the next book because I actually liked his brief but memorable presence.
All in all, The Path Less Traveled delivers exactly what I wanted…more of Aleksey and Ben being their chaotic, beautifully complicated selves, more family, more danger, and more of that signature Wiltshire intensity. If you loved the original series, this continuation is a must-read.
June 27, 2024
Narrated by the sublime Gary Furlong. IMO, it is tricky to tell an interesting story about two characters after they overcome all the obstacles and reach their HEA. John Wiltshire does a fabulous job with this, writing a ’second season’ of stories about Ben and Aleksey’s life after the HEA. After turns out to be more adventures, with danger and plots, but not quite as life & death. Instead, Aleksey and Ben find themselves trying to protect and save the family they have found and built. The stories are exciting, interesting, suspenseful and more. This one takes place at their gorgeous country estate and Aleksey’s new island off the coast of Cornwall. Ben gets caught up in a mystery about missing homeless men, which, of course, turns out to be a part of a larger, incredibly nasty plot. Lots of suspense, with the duo working together to save their found family and, well, the world.
KU + whisper sync
KU + whisper sync
May 6, 2024
A delight !! I love the way Aleksey thinks he has it all over Ben. Granted he is a manipulative so and so, but Ben isnt all brainless and brawn, and I love it when Aleksey gets totally floored. So the adventures continue.... from innocent beginnings (sort of, kind of, maybe) the guys are thrown once again into a maelestrom of havoc and violence. And each adventure unwraps a little bit more about their island and their relationship to each other and their motley family. So Squeezy huh? Bit more to him than brute force and a foul mouth. His past comes back for a visit and as resistant as he is to re-visit it, I cant help but think this is going to end up all warm and fuzzy.....
Love the books, love love love the series, and thank you to JW for the very well written, engaging entertainment. Keep em coming !!
Love the books, love love love the series, and thank you to JW for the very well written, engaging entertainment. Keep em coming !!
May 31, 2024
I had reading withdrawal for the first time this year trying to read this only because I've been so damn busy the last week that I just didn't have the time.
I swear Ben and Aleksey never have a moment of peace… their life is yet again terrorised by evil but this time it manifests in the form of the third horseman of the apocalypse aka a plague that’s going to wipe out the world... and what do you know Tim’s friends just happen to be the mad scientists who have this exact ideology towards humanity. Another wild adventure with some really fun and heartwarming moments. I just really love Aleksey! He deserves the world.
I swear Ben and Aleksey never have a moment of peace… their life is yet again terrorised by evil but this time it manifests in the form of the third horseman of the apocalypse aka a plague that’s going to wipe out the world... and what do you know Tim’s friends just happen to be the mad scientists who have this exact ideology towards humanity. Another wild adventure with some really fun and heartwarming moments. I just really love Aleksey! He deserves the world.
July 14, 2023
Increíble como siempre.
Amoooooo esta serie, amooooo a los personajes, y me duele que no existan en la vida real y no sean mis amigos íntimos e ir a los cumpleaños de todos sus hijos. 😭😭😭😭
Los amo.
Amo que Aleksey tenga tres hijos, amo que los ame, amo que Molly le diga papá, amo que la familia crece, amo que se amen fin.
Aleksey es como un gato.
Sé que digo mucho: amo, pero es que en realidad lo amo.
Amo que Ben ame a Aleksey y lo lleve a la luna por mi.
¿Se entendió que amo esta historia? Porque no creo que haya quedado claro... 🙆🏻♀️
Amoooooo esta serie, amooooo a los personajes, y me duele que no existan en la vida real y no sean mis amigos íntimos e ir a los cumpleaños de todos sus hijos. 😭😭😭😭
Los amo.
Amo que Aleksey tenga tres hijos, amo que los ame, amo que Molly le diga papá, amo que la familia crece, amo que se amen fin.
Aleksey es como un gato.
Sé que digo mucho: amo, pero es que en realidad lo amo.
Amo que Ben ame a Aleksey y lo lleve a la luna por mi.
¿Se entendió que amo esta historia? Porque no creo que haya quedado claro... 🙆🏻♀️
June 6, 2023
3,5 ⭐
Amo como Aleksey ha evolucionado cómo personaje. Cómo se siente tan dichoso con lo que antes se hubiera burlado y renegado.
Mi único pero, mío, ¿eran necesarios 3 caps sobre las plagas? Cuando al final Aleksey lo resumió en menos de 10 renglones 😑
Amo como Aleksey ha evolucionado cómo personaje. Cómo se siente tan dichoso con lo que antes se hubiera burlado y renegado.
Mi único pero, mío, ¿eran necesarios 3 caps sobre las plagas? Cuando al final Aleksey lo resumió en menos de 10 renglones 😑
July 12, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded up
These guys have the worst and unbelievable luck! It's such a stretch but it's still entertaining and engrossing. It was nice to revisit some of the people.
These guys have the worst and unbelievable luck! It's such a stretch but it's still entertaining and engrossing. It was nice to revisit some of the people.
March 22, 2024
4.75 stars
Well, our guys ever learn to not say the word vacation? I’m loving the second season. Ben and Nik are still crazy as ever but the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse I’m liking the turn of the plot!! We just have to see where the rest of the series goes .
Well, our guys ever learn to not say the word vacation? I’m loving the second season. Ben and Nik are still crazy as ever but the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse I’m liking the turn of the plot!! We just have to see where the rest of the series goes .
April 25, 2024
Again this series is fascinating as are Ben and Nik!
Written so well that I lose myself in the book and the audiobook where Gary Furlong is 100% perfect.
The adventures are dangerous but thrilling to the reader.
I honestly can’t get enough!
Written so well that I lose myself in the book and the audiobook where Gary Furlong is 100% perfect.
The adventures are dangerous but thrilling to the reader.
I honestly can’t get enough!
July 2, 2023
2.5 stars
July 19, 2023
Another win
I love following these two through all their “holidays”. I can’t wait to reread it and also their next adventure.
I love following these two through all their “holidays”. I can’t wait to reread it and also their next adventure.
July 10, 2025
incredible series, never disappoints, im always wanting more from this family by this fantastic story teller
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews