"I Could Not Imagine Being 18 and---" see for yourself

  "I recommend this to my friends and anyone else that loves historical fiction", Sandra Stiles

Review Redux:

5.0 out of 5 stars Priest and Peaches, from February 3, 2012

By 

Sandra K. Stiles (Sarasota, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Priest and the Peaches (Kindle Edition)

I could not imagine being an eighteen year old with my life ahead of me and suddenly my life is changed drastically. Teddy must find a way to take care of his siblings after their father dies. He does the best he can. The neighbor downstairs is causing problems for Teddy. He needs help so he turns to Father Tim Sullivan. Help comes in many forms including guidance in matters of everyday life. There are moral lessons to be learned seasoned with a touch of Christianity. There were pats where I just cracked up, like the boys jumping on the bed and pretending to be super-heroes. I think the reason I loved this so much was because I could relate to it so much. I remember jumping on our bed with the wire springs and having it collapse on us. I also remember my mom trudging up the steps to reprimand us. I remember tying scarves around my neck and pretending to be mighty mouse as I jumped off our back steps. When my mother was injured in a car accident and spent a month in the hospital in traction, my father put me in charge of my younger sisters aged 11 and 7. I was only 13 years old. I had to cook breakfast and get us ready for school, take care of my normal chores on our farm, help with homework, then fix dinner and take care of the dishes. It was tough. I could relate also because my experiences took place around the same time period.

I felt Teddy's burdens as he tried to hold it all together. I felt his stress and heartache. This was one of those books that had you laughing one minute and then had your heart being squished. This is a young adult book, but I am telling you that adults will enjoy this book just as much. I definitely recommend it to my friends and anyone else that loves historical fiction.

The Priest and The Peaches--"a touching tale of family, survival, faith and hope"

Review Redux: "The Priest and The Peaches"

 Delightful tale filled with faith, love and humor, originally posted March 21, 2012

By 

Kimba88

This review is from: The Priest and the Peaches (Kindle Edition)

The Priest and the Peaches by Larry Peterson captures the life of the newly orphaned Peach kids as they struggle in the aftermath of their father's death and plan his funeral. This touching tale of faith and hope offers a glimpse into the lives of this working class Catholic family set in 1960's Bronx, NY. Steeped in faith and laced with humor Peterson's tale delivers a powerful message "to love thy neighbor."

This was an emotional and heartbreaking tale. This dysfunctional family has seen a lot of heart-ache. They lost their mother to leukemia; their grandma stepped in to help and recently passed away. Mr. Peach suffers from grief at the lost of his wife and turns to the bottle. The church and Father Sullivan step into help, but sadly the liquor takes its toll, leaving eighteen year old Teddy and seventeen year old Joanie to care for their three younger siblings. Teddy really steps up and tries to take care of them. Each of the kids is suffering and shows it differently. The youngest, Joey, thinks he is having conversations with his Dad. Add a nosy neighbor named Beatrice, an Aunt named Vera and a couple of drunks, you get quite the tale.

While I found parts of the tale to be rough, like the dialogue, (which might be expected from Bronxites) the overall message and tale was delightful. I enjoyed the lively cast of characters and their antics. Peterson captures their thoughts and emotions giving them depth. This was a quick and easy read that I finished in just a few hours. Peterson provides a touching tale of family, survival, faith, and hope. LYN.

Another 5 STAR unbiased review for The Priest & The Peaches

The book has been out for over a year and below are two  reviews. One  is brand spanking new and the other is almost one year old.  This book, based on a true story, is about blue-collar folks living and working and sharing their lives together in a tough NYC south Bronx neighborhood. The untimely death of the widower, Yimey Peach,  leaves his five kids to fend for themselves. Father Tim Sullivan, the parish priest, quietly guides them on their parentless journey starting with their father's somewhat raucous New Year's Eve Funeral. Characters such as Migrane Magrane, Fadeaway Walker, Little Red Coffey and others lead a bizarre contingent of family friends who are there to bid their friend Yimey, a Happy New Year. Only problem is they have usually had way too much to drink. Even the neighborhood shrew, the despised Beatrice Amon, gets involved--VERY involved. This book is funny, sad and definitely inspirational. See the two reviews below or go to Amazon where there 46 reviews posted,  mostly with 4 or 5 stars 5.0 out of 5 stars Well done, February 26, 2013 By  polockjohn - See all my reviews This review is from: The Priest and the Peaches (Kindle Edition) Peterson has created a captivating novel that stars a large cast of unique characters who keep you enticed and make you not want to set your e-reader down even though it may be well past your bedtime! Your heart will be touched as you journey with the children. A few well placed unexpected twists add to the story, surprising the reader. A great read 5.0 out of 5 stars The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways, April 10, 2012 By  adventures of frugal mom - See all my reviews This review is from: The Priest and the Peaches (Kindle Edition) Here is an alert to this book. Make sure you have a box of tissue ready. You will either laugh until you cry and you will cry at the sad moments. This book is that good. It is amazing to me how together these five orphans were. There was never any doubt in their minds that they all wanted to be together. The older two children who are in their late teens could have easily said nope I do not want the responsibility of caring for my younger siblings. They stepped up to the plate and decided that they did. To me that in itself speaks volumes. Teenagers are normally in their own little world not looking out for anyone but number one. ( Believe me I know I have 2 of my own.) The Peach family is a family that you will fall in love with. I found this book to be highly entertaining. I loved how be kind to others is a main theme of this book. How one good deed can turn into many more. If you are interested in finding out more about Larry Peterson and his writings you can check out Tribute Books or his blog. I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Is it Chance or God's hand Working "Little" Miracles in Our Lives?

Review Redux:

5.0 out of 5 stars Growing Up Fast with a Serious Dose of Faith in this story, March 1, 2012

By 

Laura O. Neill (Alaska USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Priest and the Peaches (Kindle Edition)

Growing up, I rarely saw a title that appealed to me and had any connection to my Catholic faith. This novel just might fill that type of void for any Catholics from middle school on up. The reader meets the Peach family, already suffering from the lost of their mother and grandmother. Now the children become orphans after their father's unexpected death. This particular novel follows them through the first week or so after their father's death. While there are plenty of 'heavy' topics broached (e.g. how to pay the bills), Mr. Peterson has thrown in a decent share of levity.

I have to say that this book was quite enjoyable on many levels. Seeing how God's Hand was present throughout the trials experienced by the Peach family was fantastic. I believe we often miss those little miracles in our lives, possibly just writing them off to `chance.' But, through the conversations and strings of consciousness for the characters, you can fully appreciate just how well God will take care of us so long as we are willing to accept it.

....Taken from my full review on Day by Day in Our World

Smile, Laugh, Cry, be Mad and Inspired

Review Redux:

4.0 out of 5 stars GREAT read for anyone, April 2, 2012

By 

FranJessca [at] Book Lovin' Mamas (Virginia Beach, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Priest and the Peaches (Kindle Edition)

(I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review)
I have never read a book that really inspired me. A book that made me smile, laugh, cry and be mad. A book that actually teaches you life lessons, instead of what television creates today to be okay...teen pregnancy, bullying, etc. This book takes you into a World, when Teens have to become adults and children have to grow up way too quickly after they lose a parent or even both their parents. What society also thinks about them. How could children take care of children? Their nothing, but bad children, etc. At least that's what people assumed.
This book proves people wrong. It also proves, you can't judge anybody by who they are and what they are. Anyone is dealing with a struggle harder than yours...and this book definitely digs deeper into that saying.
5 Kids...who are newly orphaned. Known as Yimey's Kids or the Peach kids. They just recently lost their father and now they have to find away to survive without them. It's bad enough, they had lost their Mother also. Through so many challenges and obstacles, they conquer it all, with the help of friends and family they never knew they really had and the help of one another. With one saying..."L-Y-N". Which you will learn a lot about in this book. I didn't know what it meant until mid-way into the book and once I found out what it meant, I understood so much more.
I have a quote or saying that hangs on my Wall at home that could go with the ending of this book so well, "Faith is not believing God Can, it is knowing that God Will."
Larry Peterson, definitely has a different writing style that I'm used to. I'm the usual Paranormal Romance Addict who thrives on the Para normality and of course the Hot Steamy Romance Scenes...but this book took me out of my fantasy world for awhile and made me realize, I need to pick up more books like Larry Peterson's. A book that really can teach you something in the end, even if it's fiction. He made me fall in with the characters. He made me realize how much I wanted to jump in the book and help them out.
It may have taken me a little longer than usual to read this book, but that's because I was slowly reading it to savor every moment of learning about the Peaches Kids.
I recommend this book to anyone who has ever thought their life was difficult or struggling at times. This book will put in perspective how life can be unmanageable in times...but in the end, anything is manageable as long as you believe.
You'll also learn a lot from this book about not judging someone by their character or even appearance.
This is a definitely must read even to those readers out there who think this book is not for them. I challenged myself to read outside of my "Normal" Genre...and now I can't wait to dig deeper into this kind of Genre again and also read even more books from Larry Peterson.

"Truly An Amazing Story" I cried & laughed

Review Redux:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Priest and the Peaches, April 2, 2012

By 

Arlena (Broken Arrow, OK, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Priest and the Peaches (Kindle Edition)

Author: Larry Peterson
Published By: Tribute Books
Age Recommend: 14+
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Raven Rating: 5
Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud
Review:

This was truly an amazing story of The Yimey Peach Family from the Bronx, New York. "The Priest and the Peaches" story started with five children being newly orphaned and their struggle to survive together as a family. With the help of the Father Tim Sullivan steering them to make good and wise decisions the children were able to overcome many obstacles that were presented to them. And in the end this Peach Family got a surprise from a person who had once been their enemy, was now there for them showing much love.

I really did enjoy reading this novel. It did cause me to cry a little but I also laughed at so much of it too. The story really makes one think of just what really could happen when you are an orphan. The book is really a page turner. I believe Mr. Larry Peterson did a excellent job with the telling of this story "The Priest and the Peaches" and I definitely would recommend this novel to all. The Priest and the Peaches" was a excellent read!

The Dead Man's "Secret to Life" Saves His Kids

Review Redux:  

By 

Lee-Ann Graff Vinson - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Priest and the Peaches (Kindle Edition)

Book Title: The Priest And The Peaches
Author: Larry Peterson
Published By: Tribute Books
Recommended Age: 15+
Reviewed By: Lee-Ann Graff-Vinson
Blog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud
Rating: 4 (****)

Yimey knew the secret to life. He made sure his family and friends did, too. Even when the love of his life died, he kept the faith. But then, Yimey died and his five children were left to fend for themselves - orphans in a grown up world.
Teddy and his sister, Joanie were now the adults of the house, taking care of the everyday happenings of a family. Their three younger siblings were more than handful. With work to attend, and high school exams to complete, Teddy and Joanie tried hard to fill the enormous shoes their parents left behind.

There were those, however, who did not agree with five children living in an apartment without any adult supervision. Orphans could not raise orphans. Just days after they buried their father, the "adults" went back to work, leaving the younger ones at home. Catastrophic events led the three young children to be taken into custody by the police, and a call made to Child Protection Services. They had lost their mother and father, and now they were about to lose each other. The only way out was through a dead man's secret to life.

Author, Larry Peterson, uses loving humour to guide his readers through a novel of heartache. He writes with a message to us all, one that shows the true worth of love for thy neighbour. The Priest And The Peaches will leave you with feeling of warmth after days spent in the cold, bleakness of reality. This is a story worth reading and recommending to family, friends and neighbours. The secret to life is worth sharing, right Yimey?

Lee-Ann Graff-Vinson is the author of `Georgia's Smile', `Love's Trust', `Callie's Fate', and her most recent release - `Love And Liberty' (now also available in print). Also just recently released, `Queen Emily's Enchanted Kingdom - Sugarland', first in the series of children's picture books (available in kindle and print).

All About Loving Your neighbor

Review Redux

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful touching story, April 3, 2012

By 

Cece "die_hard_romantic" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Priest and the Peaches (Kindle Edition)

The 5 children from the Peach family lost their mother a while back, and just a few pages into the book lose their father. Without the guidance of their parents, they struggle to survive as a family. Teddy the oldest assumes responsibility Luckily Father Tim Sullivan steps in and acts as a guidance, playing a big role by helping them in difficulties they encounter.
The week after Pops (their father dies) the kids go through a lot, things one wouldn't want their children to go through. The book is about loving your neighbor (L.Y.N.) acceptance, and learning how to stick together as a family. I enjoyed reading this book, and the message it carried all though. Love and faith can go a long way to healing and providing strength needed to face hardships.

Review Reprint; "I challenge you to read this book, Dare to look inside yourself---"

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Well Written, February 13, 2012

By 

Marie Borthwick - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Priest and the Peaches (Kindle Edition)

This book is more than a story to be read... it holds lessons on life, love and happiness that we could all stand to revisit. What I found amazing as I read the story, only covers one week in the life of the Peach children. That one week, seven measly days, just so happened to be kicked off with the untimely death of a father they came to realize they barely knew.

I like to consider myself a good Christian, but books like The Priest and the Peaches that have significant religious themes often make me uncomfortable. To be honest, I briefly thought of declining the request for a review. While the religious aspects of the story did have me squirming in my seat and uncomfortable, I am very glad I read this book. I not only learned about the emotional roller coaster the Peach children road the seven days just after their father passed, I learned a lot about myself.

I learned I need to take a deep breath and try to not let my pride get in the way, I learned that everything and I mean everything happens for a reason. Don't get me wrong, I sort of knew these things about myself already but something about the Peach children and the other characters that populate their world has moved me in such a way that I can't exactly explain.

I challenge you to read this book, I challenge you to not learn that something that will at least have you thinking for a second longer in the future. I dare you to look inside yourself and really think about whether you might misjudge a character in your life like Peach children were misjudged (and the people the Peach children misjudged). I challenge you to do more than acknowledge your neighbor, I challenge you to L-Y-N. Want to know exactly what I am talking about? Read the book.

Wishing Everyone A Blessed & Happy Christmas

                                       

WISHING YOU ALL A BLESSED CHRISTMAS

                                 

Stuff Your Stocking with Books Blogfest Giveaway

Join me as I participate in the "Stuff Your Stocking with Books" Blogfest 

read a Christmas post written by me and

enter to win a copy of my book, "The Priest and the Peaches."

Click here to join in the fun:

http://aurorareviewsarchives.blogspot.com/2012/12/stuff-your-stocking-blogfest-larry.html

Giveaway: Win 3 top-rated Christmas Kindle ebooks!

Win three top-rated Christmas Kindle ebooks!

A Family for Christmas 
by Helen Scott Taylor

A lonely career woman stranded in a blizzard, a disillusioned man who has cut himself off from women. When he rescues her from the snow and takes her into his home, the spirit of Christmas and his little girl's love work their magic.




On Christmas Hill 
by Nichole Chase

When Gertie Nichols passed away, her estate was given to her great niece, Molly. After making the long trek from Florida to Vermont with her dog Remy, Molly is caught off guard by the attractive groundskeeper her aunt left in charge. At first her lonely holiday seems to be shaping up to be better than expected—until Nate tells her about the Nichols family legacy and the secret of Christmas Hill.

As sparks fly and magic blossoms right before her eyes, Molly will have to decide whether to take up the mantle her great aunt’s left behind or turn her back on tradition and the man who has quickly garnered space in her heart.



Christmas Grace 
by Malinda Martin

It’s the most wonderful time of year for everyone in the small town of Charity, Florida.

Everyone, that is except for Grace Hudson.

Grace associates Christmas with bad memories and is determined to be immune from the cheerful holiday. All she really wants is to sell the diner that she inherited and move North to the glorious anonymity of New York City.

Stuart “Mac” McCrae loves Christmas! As an award-winning photographer he just needs to get that one perfect picture before heading south for the holidays. The only thing holding him back is the small, undecorated diner that sits in the middle of the beautiful main street of Charity.

Determined to get that picture, Mac sets out on a quest to reintroduce Grace to the beloved holiday, unknowingly bringing her face to face with the pain of a long ago Christmas.

Can Mac help Grace let go of the past and again embrace Christmas before his deadline to get the perfect picture passes?



***

TO ENTER:

Email Larry your receipt of purchase of his Christmas novel, The Priest and the Peaches, to lalol2@verizon.net

Giveaway ends January 2, 2013.

"Is There A Santa Claus?" re-printed from Sept 21, 1897

(I ran this during the 2011 Christmas Season and it fits right in with 2012. So, here you go)

I just though that I would make a suggestion to those highly sophisticated,  elitist, and pontificating editorialists and pundits (both print & broadcast) around the country who have been apparently blessed with much more insight and wisdom than a shmoe like me will ever have. If some seven or eight year old kid writes you a letter asking about whether or not Santa Claus is TRUE please take a moment before answering to review the answer one of your colleagues, Francis Pharcellus Church, (albeit from a different time like 115 years ago), penned in answer to this very question. This editorial has become a timeless classic and is the most reprinted editorial in newspaper history. I love it and believe it. (That's right, I BELIEVE IT, so what.  Hey, what did you expect. I did not go to Harvard.)

So, without further adieu:

Is There A Santa Claus?

From the editorial page of The New York Sun

September 21, 1897

_______________________________________________

Dear Editor---I am eight years old. Some of my friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in THE SUN, it’s so. Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O’Hanlon

115 W. 95^th St.

_______________________________________________

Dear Virginia, your friends are wrong. They have been affected by the scepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except what they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes Virginia, there isa Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginia. There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.We should have no enjoyment except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your Papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and  picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah Virginia, in all this world, there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God he lives! And he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten time ten thousand years from now , he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Review from Reviews by Molly

A YA novel that is highly unique and extremely complex.

http://reviewsbymolly.com/tribute-books-blog-tour-review-the-priest-and-the-peaches-by-larry-peterson/

Review from Rainy Day Reviews

The kind where I need to get all errands and house work done before hand becasue once I pick it up it is near impossible to put down. This was one of those books. This sucks you in right from the start. Part of the pull of this book was that you just had to know what was going to happen next.

http://bookjunkiemom.blogspot.com/2012/03/priest-and-peaches-by-larry-peterson.html

Review from Lissette E. Manning

This was such a beautiful story. I enjoyed it immensely and recommend it to anyone for reading.

http://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning/review-the-priest-and-the-peaches-larry-peterson

Review from aobibliosphere

I am an orphan myself and the eldest child too. I can relate well with Teddy, the eldest brother, as he gathers his wits about him now that he takes over his late father's role as head of the family.

http://aobibliosphere.blogspot.com/2012/03/03-tribute-books-review-priest-and.html

Review from A Pocket Full of Books

The Priest and the Peaches is a different kind of book than I usually read and I very much enjoyed it! Sometimes branching out from your usual genres can be really worth it.

http://apocketfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2012/03/tour-stop-review-of-priest-and-peaches.html

Win a copy of 'The Priest and the Peaches' during the 'Spectral' read-a-thon

Win a copy of 'The Priest and the Peaches' during the 'Spectral' Read-a-thon! A 15-day celebration of Shannon Duffy's book - as we re-read it together and focus on a couple of chapters every Monday through Friday from November 1st through November 21st. All you have to do to participate is purchase 'Spectral' and read along with us.

We'd love for you to leave comments on our daily posts at the 'Spectral' blog, tweet us under the #Spectral hashtag, leave shout-outs to Shannon at @ShannonDuffyLit - and of course, we'll have giveaway surprises for those who follow along.

Sign up at the linky at:
http://spectralwitch.blogspot.com/2012/10/sign-up-for-spectral-november-read-along.html

Help us spread the word. If you don’t have a blog, use Facebook, Twitter or Goodreads. Having a blog is not required. Be sure to grab the button at the top of this post.

We are looking for prize donations if anyone would like to contribute. Authors, this is a great way to promote your book! Email info [at] tribute-books [dot] com

Let's hit the road with Jewel!

November 1: Chapters 1, 2 & 3
November 2: Chapters 4 & 5
November 5: Chapters 6 & 7
November 6: Chapters 8 & 9
November 7: Chapters 10 & 11
November 8: Chapters 12 & 13
November 9: Chapters 14 & 15
November 12: Chapters 16 & 17
November 13: Chapters 18 & 19
November 14: Chapters 20 & 21
November 15: Chapters 22 & 23
November 16: Chapters 24 & 25
November 19: Chapters 26 & 27
November 20: Chapters 28 & 29
November 21: Chapters 30, 31 & 32

Review from Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

I recommend to fans of faith-based tales and human endurance. I think the tale is timeless and perfect for all ages.

http://www.caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2012/03/priest-and-peaches-by-larry-peterson.html