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Peter in Flight

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Peter can tell you how to run a great marketing campaign. He can tell you everything there is to know about successful trade show programs. He can tell you stories about the thousands of people he has met, miles he has flown, hotel rooms he has stayed in, and ways to work the system to your advantage when you travel. But he can't tell the woman he loves how he feels. Think "Up in the Air meets Planes, Trains and Automobiles..". Based on his own extensive business trips, Paul Michael Peters brings us this funny, bittersweet story of a traveling software salesman. Filled with wry observations and entertaining vignettes, life moves fast in this quick read about a "trade show guy" and a love he thinks he can never have.

178 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

2 people are currently reading
952 people want to read

About the author

Paul Michael Peters

18 books388 followers
Paul Michael Peters is a storyteller with an original voice who thrives at the edge of the human condition, blending humor and darkness with keen insight. His tales navigate the intricate dance between the mundane and the profound, capturing the ephemeral moments that define our lives with passion. His work invites readers into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, exploring life's shadowy corners with narratives that resonate with authenticity and imaginative daring.

Dive into the work of Paul Michael Peters and discover stories that echo the complexities of life: Right Hand of the Resistance, Mist and Moonbeams: Stories from the Great Lakes Edge, Broken Objects, Combustible Punch, The Symmetry of Snowflakes, Insensible Loss, and several beloved short stories like Mr. Memory and Other Stories of Wonder.

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5 stars
23 (21%)
4 stars
31 (28%)
3 stars
28 (25%)
2 stars
17 (15%)
1 star
10 (9%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
5 reviews
July 9, 2013
A story of a very successful man. He’s great at his job, and can talk to almost anyone, keeping them enthralled with his conversational skills. The book is all about his life as a salesman and you learn a lot about the tricks of the selling business whilst reading the book.

Of course, there’s a love interest in the form of his boss, Tatiana, but our hero Peter just can’t find the right words to win her affections. I’m pretty sure the author is probably a top notch sales executive himself as his descriptions of life on the road seem completely authentic and some of the interactions with clients he describes are fantastic to read, evoking very vivid mental pictures. Life on the road appears to be very fulfilling for Peter, but there’s a piece missing. His love-object Tatiana, who gave him his most memorable handshake ever! The problem is that she’s married with kids and therefore unobtainable.

So Peter goes on the road full time, hopping from hotel to hotel and convention centre to conference hall, all the while trying to damp down his feelings for his married boss. Will he succeed in obtaining the unobtainable? You’ll just have to buy this book to find out, but once you start reading it, you won’t be able to put it down. A novella, rather than a full blown novel, but one which will have you Google-searching for the sequel publish date.
Profile Image for Jamie (treesofreverie) McMahon.
73 reviews85 followers
February 21, 2014

This review was first published on my book blog, to read the full review please CLICK HERE.

Peter in Flight is a fast-paced, captivating story about a man, his extensive travels across America and the people he meets along the way. I received my copy of Peter in Flight through a First Reads Giveaway on Goodreads.

Being a travelling salesman for 48 weeks of the year can be a dauntingly lonely life for most, but for Peter it's all part of the job he loves. Passionate about his work, Peter doesn't mind that he hasn't got a house or a car and lives out of a suitcase. Peter always has something friendly to share with others. When talking to others or greeting them with a friendly smile, he forms bonds of friendship with people who usually come and go from his life in only a few hours.

Peter in Flight deals with some really relatable and familiar issues for anyone who's travelled on a plane. In America, there have been events that have shocked and affected the world and the way we travel. In Peter in Flight some of these issues are touched on brilliantly.

In going through the routine of being a travelling salesman, we are given an inside look into the mundane occurrences of Peter's life, but through Peter's passion for his work these sections of the book are far from boring. Selling computer software isn't just about being a fantastic people person; it's also about understanding the product and your competitors. This isn't an easy task when jealousy gets involved.

I really enjoyed the level of engagement with Peter's work that this novella offered. What ever may be happening in his life, Peter has everything under control. He's a real people person. That is until it comes to love.

Peter finds himself in a real mess. He's madly in love with his boss, Tatiana, who's married with two kids. His emotions are tested in a series of events that change his course of flight. Is the extensive travelling of a salesman all he ever really wanted from life?

This book is an intriguing read with its fast-paced plot. This book engages with the reader through some rather well timed humour weaved amongst the darker sides of life. Follow Peter through his journey of joy and heartbreak as he discovers how life changing it can be to love someone.

Peter in Flight is a great read for anyone - whether you travel frequently or only occasionally, Peter's friendly demeanour and unique life will draw you in for this short but highly enjoyable read.

Profile Image for Stacey McCoy .
160 reviews3 followers
May 16, 2013
This was a fantastic read and a wonderful debut novel from a fresh new writer. I began this story not sure what to expect, but the characters quickly drew me in. I want to be best friends with Peter and hear all of his wonderful stories from his traveling days. I alternated between wanting to rush ahead to see what happens to forcing myself to slow down so I could draw the experience out for a longer period of time. Ultimately, I could feel Peter's pain, his heartache, his success and his happiness. Please don't miss this book - you will sincerely regret it if you do.
Profile Image for Cstillsquare.
76 reviews13 followers
January 15, 2018
Largely liked the writing style and the pacing, but OH NO this plot and these characterizations. Peter is a Nice Guy(TM). And this plot is Nice Guy(TM) fantasy.

I can't recommend it. I can't begin to explain how bad this book got for me without major spoilers, but I'll include a minor one here:
Profile Image for Susan Barton.
Author 6 books94 followers
July 23, 2013
Peter is a software marketer who truly lives his life out of a suitcase. He's good at what he does - so much so that he inadvertently makes a couple of "enemies" along the way. Peter is personable, caring and a great listener. His love for his best friend and boss, Tatiana, remains the constant thread throughout the story. Readers are treated to a few heartwarming stories through his encounters with the various travelers and salespeople he comes in contact with while on the road.

Before I began reading Peter in Flight I wondered how Paul Michael Peters could turn software marketing into an enjoyable, entertaining read. Well, I was pleasantly surprised with this gem of a book.

Unbelievably, this is a first work for Paul Michael Peters and he does an excellent job of combining several interesting marketing tidbits, romance, relationships and a bit of tasteful sexual encounters into this sweet, yet sometimes tragic, novella.

I had no trouble connecting with these characters and I didn’t even have to be a world traveling salesperson to do so. I’m sure many readers can empathize with Peter’s desire to be loved by the one person who means the most to him. The world of big business, pre and post 9/11 is also easily relatable to many of us.

Writing novellas is sometimes tricky because it can be difficult to pack an interesting beginning, engaging middle and satisfactory ending into less than 50,000 words. Yet, I was impressed with the way Peter in Flight propelled me along - I never felt cheated. I enjoyed this book so much that I didn’t want to put it down until I was finished. The ending left me satisfied and content...no unfinished business here!

Readers looking for an easy-to-read, intelligent, sweet and sensitive story to enjoy in a night or two will not be disappointed with Peter in Flight. I would love to read more from Paul Michael Peters and look forward to his next novella or novel.
9 reviews
March 6, 2014
I won a copy of this through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you Paul Michael Peters for the signed copy!

I'm actually giving this book a solid 3.5. I found it a little slow at the beginning, mostly because of the amount of detail that went into describing trade shows, how to prepare for them and set up and how to be effective while there...not really my thing, but it said a lot about who Peter is and what he does. It proves how knowledgeable he is in his field, and shows how little else is in his life. It's a bit sad, but you have to respect someone who is so passionate about what they do, and it's not just that, Peter is a genuinely nice guy, the kind of person you can open up to and confide in.

Once the relationship between Peter and his boss Tatiana was introduced and explored a bit, the book got a lot more interesting, if a bit predictable. I knew how it would end, but I still enjoyed it a lot. There were even some major historical events thrown into the mix, like September 11th and the collapse of Enron. It was neat to see how the characters reacted to witnessing these events.

Profile Image for Rabid Readers Reviews.
546 reviews26 followers
September 26, 2013
“Peter in Flight” is a charming novella. On the surface the semi-autobiographical story of a modern day traveling salesman wouldn’t seem at that interesting. Peter is written as an exceptionally likable character in the style of the classic English comedy characters. He’s a go with the flow and always on kind of guy. Bertie Wooster (P.G. Wodehouse) isn’t action packed by he’s a nice guy that you want to do well and Peter shares that quality. Early on in the novella, he helps a fellow passenger who is of limited mobility secure his pants after he uses the washroom. He sees the plane as a village where everyone has a responsibility to help. How can you not like a guy like that?

Add to the equation a mostly imagined romance with his boss. He admits in the interview that he heard little of what she said as he fanaticised. For a man with no ties, she’s safe. His boss has a husband and children and a life he really romanticizes their relationship in a way that was not delusional but made the reader just like him more.

The story itself is really about the main character’s life on the road and very well written. The story is, as stated above, semi-autobiographical. The novella mentions 9/11 and the impact of the tragedy on industries involving copious air travel. Had “Peter in Flight” been longer, it would not have maintained the light and fun feel. There is a good deal of repetition in the story but then there’s a god deal of repetition in the job. At 134 pages, “Peter in Flight” is a fast read and would have been a perfect vacation read in the car or train.

I highly recommend “Peter in Flight” for fans of novels of the human experience.
Profile Image for Jen.
1,542 reviews27 followers
March 11, 2016
Traveling is fun and something that many of us yearn to do (usually we add "before it's too late"). But when traveling is an integral part of your job, how do you keep yourself from regretting your lifestyle choice? Peter in Flight by Paul Michael Peters follows a marketer focused on the conference market at the turn of the 21st century.

To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.

Peter doesn't have a home or car of his own, but as he travels for most of the year for work, it wouldn't make sense to pay for a space just to leave it empty. Traveling from conference to conference marketing a data system, Peter is very good at his job and he thoroughly enjoys it. As the job market changes through acquisitions and mergers, Peter's redundancy forces him to face aspects of life he never thoroughly considered, like love and family.

As someone who works in a field where conferences are a necessary component, Peter's story resonated with ease with me. A quick read, but not so quickly-paced, the novel offers an interesting perspective on a different aspect to corporate America that we all take for granted, particularly in today's age of constant social media presence of companies. The incorporation of the events of 9/11 also offers a different perspective how the events affected ordinary people, such as Peter.

Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Profile Image for Sheila.
Author 85 books191 followers
February 25, 2014
Do you want to know how to run a great marketing campaign? Peter in Flight may well teach you. But the teacher’s love life takes over from life lessons as the tale progresses, and intriguing snippets of advice give way to intriguingly romantic and humorous fiction.

With perfect timing, author Paul Michael Peters turns a pleasing informational tale into an absorbing adventure in love and hope. Peter’s almost perfect world crashes into all the things he’s hiding from. The quest for clients becomes a quest to find a worthwhile life. And the girl of his dreams drifts ever further away, because reading the body language of trade show attendees is so much easier than reading your own.

Peter in Flight is a short novel, or long novella, that truly takes flight in unexpected ways. There are plenty of coincidences, of course, but isn’t that where marketing skills always find their safest home? Meanwhile there are real people, real airports, and even real emotion. Just make sure you have time for the whole book on your flight, because you’ll not want to put it down once the world changes.

Disclosure: I was intrigued when I read about this on a blog, and was delighted to win a copy.
6 reviews
July 9, 2013
Life on the road as a permanent conference exhibit booth host is easy for Peter. This short book describes his life on the road as a permanent exhibit himself in hotel rooms and airport lounges. The life is his antidote for his unrequited love for his boss, Tatiana. The descriptions of his life’s work will have you laughing and crying in equal measure. For anyone not familiar with the life of a salesman, this book is almost an instruction manual, detailing just what it takes to achieve success in selling. Peter remembers all his handshakes, the first step to clinching a deal, and describes some of the min great detail.

I loved the one about the woman who spat out the sweetie into her hand and bagged it up before proceeding to shake his hand!
It’s only a short book, and one which you can comfortably get through in one sitting, but its also one that you won’t want to put it down once you start reading it.

A great book for a lonely night in some anonymous chain-hotel too - you’ll totally empathize with the main character. I loved this little book because it was written in a way which showcased the frail humanity so many of us live with every day.
Profile Image for L.A..
74 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2013
Peter in Flight by Paul Michael Peters is part fiction, part non-fiction and a little romance. It is written in first person, present tense. At one hundred and twelve pages it is a light and interesting read, I finished it in one sitting.

Peter is employed by Comp-U-Serv and works in marketing selling Enterprise Software. He is the self-proclaimed 'Trade Show Guy' and lives his life on the road. He does not have a house, a vehicle or a family. He travels year round attending trade shows.

He tells several stories of the different people he has met while traveling. He has perfected his handshake and gives a quick tutorial on the correct way to do it. The story also focuses around his married boss, Tatiana, who he has feelings for. He meets hundreds of woman from around the country but only thinks of her. The book was a little slow to start but Peter is such a stand up guy you can't help but get invested in his story.
Profile Image for James Goulding.
18 reviews
May 28, 2013
"Love is a luxury I cannot afford." So says our hero Peter, near the start of this dainty novella. Peter is a globe-trotting software salesman; he knows how to give the perfect handshake, but can he win the affections of his gorgeous boss, Tatiana?

The book offers a witty insight into the life of a salesmen. The author vividly depicts the exhibit halls, hotels, dinners and constant travel that characterise Peter's hectic life. I don't know if he writes from experience, but the story bespeaks deep knowledge of this lifestyle and the challenges that it poses. The chapters about Peter's tiff with a troublesome client are hilarious, and the author keeps up a brisk pace—good for some light reading.
Profile Image for David Clarke.
8 reviews
May 29, 2013
I'm not a trade show guy; in fact, this is a culture with which I've had minimal contact. I was pleased, therefore, to find this short book by Paul Michael Peters, which pierced my ignorance with a funny tale and elegant prose. The protagonist is an ambassador of software, who also has a large role in coordinating the annual Comp-U-Soft Users' Conference. This means that he flits from state to state, meeting interesting people on his many flights. We get an insight into the tricks of the trade, which allow him to trawl in customers and out-compete the dozens or hundreds of other exhibitors at the trade shows.

Ultimately, though, this is a story about the trials and pains of love. Its piquancy derives from the conflict between profession, and human nature.
331 reviews8 followers
January 19, 2016
Peter doesn’t have family, nor does he own a car or a house. That’s because he works for Comp-U-Soft in the marketing department. A self-named “ambassador of software,” Peter travels all over the country attending trade shows and hawking his company’s product. At every conference, he meets hundreds of people all across the country, all with stories to tell. The main story that dominates the novella, of course, is Peter’s own. It documents Peter’s career pre- and post-9/11, as well as the unrequited love he feels for his married employer, Tatiana. Although it takes a couple of chapters to really get into the story, Peter in Flight is mostly light and relatively humorous. At 112 pages, it’s just the right length for someone looking for something light and quick to read.
Profile Image for Karma.
44 reviews
May 29, 2013
As a working woman and a frequent traveler myself, I can certainly relate to Peter In Flight. Ultimately, living this lifestyle can be success with many trade-offs. Your persona professionally is vastly different from other aspects of your life. This is Peter's dilemma- he's a very successful marketing professional with a gift for gab and yet, he struggles for meaningful communication with his love.

I found the book enjoyable and even learned a little about trade shows and product promotion in general. The book was the perfect length as I finished in one setting. If you're looking for a quick read that will keep your interest, I gladly recommend this title.
Profile Image for Anita Kearney.
61 reviews4 followers
June 4, 2013
Paul Michael Peters has presented us with a rather charming tale of what it is like to be a traveling businessman. Peter is a man that can talk to kings, politicians and the man on the street, but he fails when it comes to being able to share himself and his feelings with the woman he loves.

Peter is like so many of us today, he is caring and sensitive but doesn’t really know how to show it. Paul Peters tells his story with care and he takes us on a journey into the life of those who live in a world of handshakes, built around frequent flyer miles and where home is whichever hotel is offering the best guest points. You will fall in love with the book and the writer.
Profile Image for Elaine.
44 reviews21 followers
May 21, 2014
I got the opportunity to read Peter In Flight through First Reads on Goodreads, & I really enjoyed it.

Peter works trade shows 49 weeks of the year for his company Comp-U-Soft. He doesn't own a home or a car, has no wife or family, but he can tell you everything about his product, his customers, even who his best & his worst handshakes have been with. Also, Peter is in love with his boss, Tatiana...

Paul Peters tells a great story about life on the road for a travel executive. Planes, rental cars, hotel rooms, & trade shows make up Peter's life, & he is good at his job~but when he looks at Tatiana, he has to wonder...could there be more?
Profile Image for Brian.
52 reviews
May 29, 2013
Peter in Flight is an excellent short story. I was able to finish it in one sitting. Anyone who travels extensively for their career can certainly relate to Peter. As you’ll learn in the novella, Peter struggles to find a balance of happiness and success in his work and home life. Identical to the battle most of us face in our daily lives. Balance seems elusive. Read the book to commiserate with Peter, or if you’re the spouse, use the book to understand and sympathize with your mate. Either way, there are some very insightful lessons here, for sure.
Author 1 book
December 1, 2013
As a salesperson who has attended a handful of "trade-shows" in the past few years, I enjoyed that commentary. The narrator has a distinct, well-written voice that was relatable despite not always being very likeable. However some of the passages relating to technology from the early 2000's was jarring to the present-day reader. Also, the romantic story-line wasn't that believable and was wrapped up too conveniently in the end. Overall a quick and enjoyable read, especially for anyone in sales. see more at: http://bookdigits.com/book?ID=1025679
2,006 reviews78 followers
October 16, 2015
I won a copy of this book through the Goodreads giveaway.
I was taking a flight from Miami to New York and, as suggested on the back cover, brought along this novella to read during the trip. It was a good thing to do ... just the right length to provide an entertaining light read through a boring trip. I really liked Peter ... he seemed real to me. In fact, the entire story seemed realistic. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a good little off-beat story.
I am look forward to readying the author's 'Mr Memory' on my next flight.
Profile Image for Sharon.
352 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2014
This is a short book, but it took awhile to get moving. The writer spends a lot of time describing the trade shows attended by Peter, the main character, who is a sales rep for Comp-U-Soft. Peter is in love with Tatiana, his boss, and a lot of time is spent on that. Some interesting things that happen to Peter, starting about halfway through the book, made it interesting. A quick read, if you can stick with it.
Profile Image for Tara.
106 reviews1 follower
July 28, 2013
I didn't really enjoy this. I found it as a kindle freebie so got it even though its not usually the type of story that appeals to me. I felt at times that the author didn't know where he was going with the story and there were some convenient plot twists to get the story going which I felt were not really believable.
2 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2014
This a great short read, ideal vacation reading. Don't be put off by it's cover and title. I originally thought it was a kids book.
It is very informative on the life of a trade show salesman, behind the scenes and the love he has put his life on hold for.
Thank you Goodreads and Paul Michael Peters for this gift.
Profile Image for Samantha Nelson.
11 reviews7 followers
December 19, 2015
I won Peter In Flight in a giveaway and I'm so happy that I did. Paul Michael Peters writing style captures you from page one. I read it in one day because I couldn't put it down. I thought it was funny and who knew with it being about a salesman. I thought Peter was a caring person and very relatable. I really enjoyed this book and wish I could re-read it for the first time.
Profile Image for Patty.
261 reviews3 followers
August 27, 2013
Getting started was slow, but it was a decent book for the last 1/2 to 2/3.
Profile Image for Heidi.
164 reviews
October 15, 2013
Felt too much like the author had to wrap everything up in a bow. Quick read, but didn't thrill me
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews