Father Jay Book 1
Jane Lebak
Philangelus Press
eISBN 9781771276597
ASIN B01BMWUHF2
I am not sure how I came across this title. I am not sure if it was a recommendation from books I had purchased, or from a friend. I had already picked up Jane's An Arrow In Flight, book 1 of her Seven Archangels series, but it has been in my to be read pile for almost a year. Now to be honest I have over 200 books in my to be read pile currently, and as much as I knock off almost a book a day the pile always seems to grow faster than my reading.
This book, more of a novella or even short story is the first in what is currently a trilogy. If it is intended as a sampling to get you hooked it does an amazing job. The description of this book is:
"A former gang member has tracked down the man who ratted out his brother 10 years ago. It's time for some good old-fashioned revenge, except the man in question is crippled. And he's a priest. And no one's going to let him go down without a fight.
In this first novelette of the Father Jay series, Jane Lebak introduces the world of a man who's lived through the worst life has to offer, and yet somehow after losing his heart and losing his body, struggles to offer hope to others."
But what that description does not prepare you for is excellent a short story it is. As soon as I finished this one I picked up books 2 The Boys Upstairs, and 3 A Different Heroism. If they are nearly as good as this short story I am in for some great reads while on vacation next week.
Father Jay is a priest, he has very poor sight, and a wrecked body. He was injured stepping on a land mine while serving in the military. This book a story that both looks back and forward. Father Jay is recalling his past life, which before the military was a life of crime in a gang. He also remembers his time in the military and his return to the church, and eventually to become a man of the cloth. This book also threw a couple of plot curve balls. I was surprised more than once by what happened in the story.
When an old acquaintance shows up in the church intent on killing father Jay, the father's first concern is for the parishioners, and then kids who come up to him in the parking lot. There is a lot packed into this short volume.
This book is a great read and I highly recommend it!
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!
Books by Jane Lebak:
Pickup Notes
Love's Highway
Half Missing
Relic of His Heart
With Two Eyes Into Gehenna
Rain in Hell
Hunger
The Space Between
...
Father Jay Series:
Bulletproof Vestments
The Boys Upstairs
A Different Heroism
...
Seven Archangels:
1.0 An Arrow In Flight
2.0 Sacred Cups
3.0 Shattered Walls
4.0 The Wrong Enemy
5.0 Annihilation
…
Seven Archangels Short Stories:
2.1 Damage
2.2 Even A Stone
2.3 Hired Man
2.4 Winter Branches
5.5 Once Only
…
Seven Angels Short Story Bundle 2.1-2.4
The Adventures of Lee and Bucky:
0.5 Upsie-Daisy
1.0 Honest And For True
2.0 Forever And For Keeps
…
Rails of Sweet Grove:
2.0 Love's Rules of the Road
Non-Fiction:
Carrying to Term: A Guide for Parents after a Devastating Prenatal Diagnosis
...
Contributed to:
Author profile and interview with Jane Lebak.
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