Book Review: Owlet

Author: Emma Michaels
Title: Owlet (Society Of Feathers 1)
Publisher:  Tribute Books
Publish Date: Oct 13, 2012
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: The publisher for an honest review

Book Blurb: 

Somewhere between falling and flying… there is a girl.

Iris has a secret. She lost her memory eight years ago and never told a living soul. After an asthma attack one night she finds out that her dreams of a strange house on a snowy island may be a memory resurfacing but the more she learns about the past the more she realizes the life she has been living is a lie. As the façade her father has built starts to crumble around her she will have to decide which means more to her; the truth or her life.

Review:  Owlet is a short read at a little over 100 pages, however it is a read you don't want to move too fast with, because it is easy to miss something in this story.

Izzy is a home schooled 16 year old who suffers from severe asthma. She leads a very sheltered life that is soon to change.

There's so much in this story that could be considered a spoiler, but to try not to ruin it for those that want to read it...here are some interesting things.

1. Iris is part of a race that shares a soul of a human and bird.

2. There's someone that out there that wants her dead.

3. Falcon may have been sent to do something awful but he is Iris' soul mate.

This story is emotionally driven. You learn everything as Iris learns it. I really loved the action in this story and the characters. Emma really does a great job making everyone so real.

I have to admit that I have a problem with stories that involve soul mates that are teenagers. I just can't fathom finding true love that young without having any life experiences, but Iris and Falcon work well.

The Society of Feathers series is definitely one I'll want to continue reading.

Rating: 4 flowers

Book Review: The Priest & The Peaches

Author: Larry Peterson
Title: The Priest & The Peaches
Publisher: Tribute Books
Publish Date: Jan 1, 2012
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: The publisher

Book Blurb:Historical fiction novel set in the Bronx in the mid-1960s

Take a seven day journey with the five, newly orphaned Peach kids, as they begin their struggle to remain a family while planning their dad's funeral.

They find an ally in the local parish priest, Father Tim Sullivan, who tries his best to guide them through the strange, unchartered and turbulent waters of "grown-up world." A story that is sad, funny, and inspiring as it shows how the power of family love and faith can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Review: This was a really moving and enlightening read. It falls into the YA Christian catagory. I was surprised that the characters were Catholic and they were portrayed as good Catholics. That doesn't happen often in fiction.

The story involves the Peach family who have just lost their father. Father Sullivan is the parish priest at St Anne's who is trying to help them through their grief. I wish there were priests like Father Sullivan for everyone.

Larry Peterson writes the Catholic priest the way we all imagine that they should be, flawed and human and yet full of God's word and answers to the tough questions. He's a priest you want in your corner.

The 5 orphan Peaches are so wonderful. The two oldest, Joannie and Teddy are trying their best to be parents in the face of a lot of adversity. They live in the Bronx and there's not a lot of money going around, and Pops didn't leave them with much to go on.

This book is about family, faith and sticking together, something you don't see much of today. I love how religion plays a huge part in their lives, especially in their deceased father's life. It will have you saying L.Y.N to everyone (Love Your Neighbor). The Catholic faith is a huge part of the story, but it isn't shoved down the readers throat as the best religion. It is simply the religion of the Peach family.

The family goes through a lot in the week that we read about; the loss of a parent, money difficulties, coping difficulties and illnesses. For most it would be a lot to handle but when they put their trust in God and friends and family help, they survive.

This is a sad, but beautiful story. One I recommend highly to anyone looking for a good read.

Rating: 5 flowers

Larry Peterson's blog:
http://www.ThePriestandthePeaches.com

Larry Peterson's Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/larrytpbx

Larry Peterson's Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/slipperywillie

Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com

Tribute Books Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Archbald-PA/Tribute-Books/171628704176

Tribute Books Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/TributeBooks

Larry Peterson's Bio:

Larry Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. A former Metal Lather/Reinforcing Iron-worker, he left that business after coming down with MS. He, his wife and three kids moved to Florida 30 years ago. Larry began doing freelance newspaper commentary after graduating from Tampa College in 1984.

His first children's picture book, Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes was published in 2011. In 2012, his full length novel, The Priest and the Peaches was released and he is presently working on the sequel.

He also has a blog (http://www.ThePriestandthePeaches.com) where he posts weekly commentary. He lives in Pinellas Park, Florida and his kids and six grandchildren all live within three miles of each other.

Smashwords buy link
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/116166?ref=tributebooks

PDF buy link
https://www.payloadz.com/go/sip?id=1538819