Reviews
October Breezes
Real. Powerful. Emotional.
October Breezes tackles some tough subjects faced by teenage girls with raw honesty. Sixteen-year old Skye has trust issues, abandonment issues, and struggles with her self-worth. She has always tried to push people away, convinced they will eventually leave anyway. She has a lot of issues to deal with but tries to cope the best she can, until an act of violence almost destroys her world. Skye must find the strength and courage to pick up the pieces and make the choice to move forward, deciding who to trust as she slowly heals. The story is exceptionally well-written and packs a powerful punch, I was moved to tears as my heart ached for Skye. I think all teenage girls should read this book, and parents as well.
--Stacy L. Daniels (Amazon)
Very very well done, but a little too long in the front
While I admit that the first half of the book moves pretty slow, now that I'm 85% in, I can see that it was necessary to get the character development needed for a novel of this depth. This book is on the serious side, dealing with teen dating, rape and pregnancy and has some hot button issues, but the writing and the realism that the author manages to capture makes it mesmerizing to read. I cannot put it down now that I'm at a critical point in the story.
But therein lies the problem with this novel. It's pretty serious stuff and I really wanted the author to give us more information about the aftermath and healing. I think those elements would have been much more important than the long set up. Yes, we needed that too, but it still could have been trimmed by 1/3 in the front part of this book and still been very well done. It wrapped up entirely too fast for me. I needed more, not too much more, but just enough so I would feel good about how Skye's life turned out.
There were a few grammar/spelling errors, but nothing a good content editor couldn't help with. I dunno. I'm really torn on this one because had it not be for how well the author presented this hard subject matter, I would give it 3 stars, but I'm going to leave it at 4 because this is a TOUGH one to tackle in the YA market and she handled it beautifully. The characters were realistic, compassionate and well-rounded. I just hope she continues to write and maybe makes sure her next book goes through a top notch editor.
I would recommend this to high school students. I think the message is one that is important. HOWEVER, I would urge parents to read this one first to make sure their child can handle the subject matter. Only you know your kid, right?
--Candy Beauchamp (Amazon)
On The Road With Ollie
unforgettable characters, November 8, 2009 A Kid’s Review (Amazon Review)
On the Road with Ollie is a beautifully written story about loss and learning to live again. The book is funny, sad, and impossible to put down. The characters are people you want to know more about. Even though the story itself has come to completion, I find myself wanting to know what happens now for both Katie and Megan.
What a story!, November 8, 2009 By K. Gautreaux “Little Mother Hen” (Amazon Review)
“On the Road with Ollie” is a story about journeys. The main character has lost her father, with whom she had a close and loving relationship. She is having great difficulty getting past his death, and her personal life is falling apart. Her job is complicated by the affair she is having with her boss and the sudden onset of tardiness. Her relationship with her best friend is marred by the friend’s betrayal of trust.
When Katie meets Ollie, the others in her life begin to suspect that she’s gone “around the bend.” But slowly, Ollie convinces Katie that he is indeed real, that there is more to him than his unfortunate leather outfit, and he is able to convince her to take him on a road trip to attend to some unsettled business. As the trip progresses, Katie develops a real relationship with Ollie, and comes to depend upon him for direction. Meanwhile, Ollie is trying to “fix” Katie while ignoring some of the deep hurts he left behind in his own daughter.
The story of how these issues resolve will intrigue you. One minute, I’m reading and about to burst into tears thinking about the demise of my own father, the next I’m giggling out loud over some incredible experience of Katie’s.
Good book.
Beautiful, July 7, 2010 By Sara Saint John (Amazon review)
On the Road with Ollie is a touching and beautiful journey through grief to life-affirming hope. Ollie, a crusty old ghost wearing butt-less leather pants asks Katie to help him finish his unfinished business. Little does she know that, by helping him, she just might learn to finish her own.
Wonderful read!, September 7, 2010 By Victoria Lynch (Amazon Review)
I bought this book because it sounded cute and funny. How could I know I’d laugh and cry, and really care about the characters? This was a great story with characters I would love to meet and hang out with. Ms. Hooley’s book is one I will read again and recommend to my friends. Do yourself a favor and get to know Ollie and Katie. You won’t be sorry. Excuse me now, while I go to give my father a big hug.
Sojourner (Book One)
Buy Sojourner, August 10, 2009 Buy Sojourner; you won't be disappointed. This is a creative and well paced supernatural romance that keeps you guessing until the end. The characters are complex and inviting, and as a reader I found myself invested in their story from start to finish. The romantic aspects of the book are similar to the Twilight series, but Maria Rachel Hooley has her own worthy story to tell in Sojourner.
--Timothy Worsham (Kenosha, WI)
One word: WOW, November 9, 2009 This is definitely one of the best series i have read. It ranks right up there with Twilight and house of night. Instead of writing about vampires ( which is getting tiresome) Maria Hooley went out on a limb and wrote about angels. She wove together an intricate web of characters that snagged me at the first chapter. Please, go ahead and buy these books. you definitely WON'T be disappointed.
The first book, Sojouner, is about a native american girl who is having problems with hate crimes when she moves back to the town where her dad was murdered. and on top of that drama, she is attracted to a beautiful boy who is definitely more than he seems. he keeps saving her life, while in her nightmares he watches her die.
Trust me, you'll love it!
--Lexi (TX)
Great new series, August 23, 2009
I am so glad I found out about this series on kindleboards. This first book really grabbed me from the beginning and it was hard to put down. I wasn't even finished with it before purchasing the second and third books. I liked how Elizabeth and Lev's story developed. Great introduction to a new series.
--Stacy L.
Real. Powerful. Emotional.
October Breezes tackles some tough subjects faced by teenage girls with raw honesty. Sixteen-year old Skye has trust issues, abandonment issues, and struggles with her self-worth. She has always tried to push people away, convinced they will eventually leave anyway. She has a lot of issues to deal with but tries to cope the best she can, until an act of violence almost destroys her world. Skye must find the strength and courage to pick up the pieces and make the choice to move forward, deciding who to trust as she slowly heals. The story is exceptionally well-written and packs a powerful punch, I was moved to tears as my heart ached for Skye. I think all teenage girls should read this book, and parents as well.
--Stacy L. Daniels (Amazon)
Very very well done, but a little too long in the front
While I admit that the first half of the book moves pretty slow, now that I'm 85% in, I can see that it was necessary to get the character development needed for a novel of this depth. This book is on the serious side, dealing with teen dating, rape and pregnancy and has some hot button issues, but the writing and the realism that the author manages to capture makes it mesmerizing to read. I cannot put it down now that I'm at a critical point in the story.
But therein lies the problem with this novel. It's pretty serious stuff and I really wanted the author to give us more information about the aftermath and healing. I think those elements would have been much more important than the long set up. Yes, we needed that too, but it still could have been trimmed by 1/3 in the front part of this book and still been very well done. It wrapped up entirely too fast for me. I needed more, not too much more, but just enough so I would feel good about how Skye's life turned out.
There were a few grammar/spelling errors, but nothing a good content editor couldn't help with. I dunno. I'm really torn on this one because had it not be for how well the author presented this hard subject matter, I would give it 3 stars, but I'm going to leave it at 4 because this is a TOUGH one to tackle in the YA market and she handled it beautifully. The characters were realistic, compassionate and well-rounded. I just hope she continues to write and maybe makes sure her next book goes through a top notch editor.
I would recommend this to high school students. I think the message is one that is important. HOWEVER, I would urge parents to read this one first to make sure their child can handle the subject matter. Only you know your kid, right?
--Candy Beauchamp (Amazon)
On The Road With Ollie
unforgettable characters, November 8, 2009 A Kid’s Review (Amazon Review)
On the Road with Ollie is a beautifully written story about loss and learning to live again. The book is funny, sad, and impossible to put down. The characters are people you want to know more about. Even though the story itself has come to completion, I find myself wanting to know what happens now for both Katie and Megan.
What a story!, November 8, 2009 By K. Gautreaux “Little Mother Hen” (Amazon Review)
“On the Road with Ollie” is a story about journeys. The main character has lost her father, with whom she had a close and loving relationship. She is having great difficulty getting past his death, and her personal life is falling apart. Her job is complicated by the affair she is having with her boss and the sudden onset of tardiness. Her relationship with her best friend is marred by the friend’s betrayal of trust.
When Katie meets Ollie, the others in her life begin to suspect that she’s gone “around the bend.” But slowly, Ollie convinces Katie that he is indeed real, that there is more to him than his unfortunate leather outfit, and he is able to convince her to take him on a road trip to attend to some unsettled business. As the trip progresses, Katie develops a real relationship with Ollie, and comes to depend upon him for direction. Meanwhile, Ollie is trying to “fix” Katie while ignoring some of the deep hurts he left behind in his own daughter.
The story of how these issues resolve will intrigue you. One minute, I’m reading and about to burst into tears thinking about the demise of my own father, the next I’m giggling out loud over some incredible experience of Katie’s.
Good book.
Beautiful, July 7, 2010 By Sara Saint John (Amazon review)
On the Road with Ollie is a touching and beautiful journey through grief to life-affirming hope. Ollie, a crusty old ghost wearing butt-less leather pants asks Katie to help him finish his unfinished business. Little does she know that, by helping him, she just might learn to finish her own.
Wonderful read!, September 7, 2010 By Victoria Lynch (Amazon Review)
I bought this book because it sounded cute and funny. How could I know I’d laugh and cry, and really care about the characters? This was a great story with characters I would love to meet and hang out with. Ms. Hooley’s book is one I will read again and recommend to my friends. Do yourself a favor and get to know Ollie and Katie. You won’t be sorry. Excuse me now, while I go to give my father a big hug.
Sojourner (Book One)
Buy Sojourner, August 10, 2009 Buy Sojourner; you won't be disappointed. This is a creative and well paced supernatural romance that keeps you guessing until the end. The characters are complex and inviting, and as a reader I found myself invested in their story from start to finish. The romantic aspects of the book are similar to the Twilight series, but Maria Rachel Hooley has her own worthy story to tell in Sojourner.
--Timothy Worsham (Kenosha, WI)
One word: WOW, November 9, 2009 This is definitely one of the best series i have read. It ranks right up there with Twilight and house of night. Instead of writing about vampires ( which is getting tiresome) Maria Hooley went out on a limb and wrote about angels. She wove together an intricate web of characters that snagged me at the first chapter. Please, go ahead and buy these books. you definitely WON'T be disappointed.
The first book, Sojouner, is about a native american girl who is having problems with hate crimes when she moves back to the town where her dad was murdered. and on top of that drama, she is attracted to a beautiful boy who is definitely more than he seems. he keeps saving her life, while in her nightmares he watches her die.
Trust me, you'll love it!
--Lexi (TX)
Great new series, August 23, 2009
I am so glad I found out about this series on kindleboards. This first book really grabbed me from the beginning and it was hard to put down. I wasn't even finished with it before purchasing the second and third books. I liked how Elizabeth and Lev's story developed. Great introduction to a new series.
--Stacy L.
