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Father Jay #2
A Different Heroism
Jay and Kevin are back in the next book of the Father Jay stories! Something has to break in Father Jay’s endless series of commitments, and it’s turning out to be his health. Already disabled after driving over a land mine in Iraq, Jay is stretched to the max running a soup kitchen, sheltering homeless teens, and saying the occasional funeral for a fallen police officer. His parish is right in the middle of disputed gang territory, and the violence keeps spilling over into the church. An agnostic cop, Kevin would love nothing more than for his brother Jay to leave the Church, but not this not feet first in a box. So Kevin offers his help to Jay, giving him respite while he regains his balance. But when a new kid shows up at the rectory asking for a place to stay, he’s both brothers’ worst nightmares. He’s the orphaned son of a murdered cop. And unless Jay can stop him, he’s heading into the teeth of a gang war.
- GenresCatholic
168 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2016
9 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Jane Lebak
47 books394 followersJane Lebak writes about angels, smart women, and angels who have to put up with smart women. Her stories are a random assortment of genres, both fiction and nonfiction, long form and short form. Some of it is pretty weird. One editor told her, "You think so far outside the box, I'm not sure you know there is a box."
Boxes are for cereal. Fiction wants to be free.
Jane lives in the Swamp and spends her time either writing books or ejecting stink bugs from the house. She is pretty sure no one reads these author bios.
Boxes are for cereal. Fiction wants to be free.
Jane lives in the Swamp and spends her time either writing books or ejecting stink bugs from the house. She is pretty sure no one reads these author bios.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 21, 2018
It is with sadness that I begin to write this review. For it is currently the final book in the Father Jay Farrell series. I have read the trilogy in the last week and a half and have loved the concept and execution of these books. I had picked up books 2 and three before even finishing books one. And because of a personal commitment to try and alternate between non-fiction and fiction I picked a shorter volume of fiction to read between book 2 and this volume. The three books in this series are: Bulletproof Vestments, The Boys Upstairs, and A Different Heroism. Each is a powerful story, all three are great Christian fiction. And a wonderful Catholic story.
Over the last few years I have been reading more and more Catholic and Christian Fiction and less and less secular fiction. As a father with three young and growing children looking back I have read and reviewed a lot of books that I would not read today. This book and this series are examples of what I call clean fiction. Yes, there is some violence in these books, and it is more so in this volume, but it fits the story. It is not gratuitous, and it is not excessive. It is a tale of friendship, loyalty, and a story about a priest who would do anything to protect his charges.
In this volume the three main story arcs. They are, first father Jay's health, he was severely injured in Iraq and several exemptions had to be made in order for him to be ordained. But Father Jay has been pushing too hard, he has not only been burning the candle at both ends but melted it down and lit the middle. Between housing street kids in the rectory, running a soup kitchen, normal parish duties his health has detreated. Both his doctor and his bishop are telling him to take a rest, and to lighten his workload. If he doesn't he will be dead. The second theme is his strained relationship with his bother who is a police officer. And the third is his kids, a group that call themselves the Archangels, and specifically an escalating conflict with a group of older kids at the local school.
When there are hostages taken at the school Father jay defies logic and heads into the smoke, noise and shots. He does it because he cares, and because as a former soldier he knows that heroism can take different forms.
This novel starts with a slower pace than the other two in the series, but it makes up for that in the end. It is a great read. I just hope that at some point we might get more stories with father and Office Farrell. Even if we get no further stories I can give this book and this series a great recommendation. So pick them up and give them a try. You will see that sometimes a hero wears a collar and sometimes a badge.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Jane Lebak.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!
Over the last few years I have been reading more and more Catholic and Christian Fiction and less and less secular fiction. As a father with three young and growing children looking back I have read and reviewed a lot of books that I would not read today. This book and this series are examples of what I call clean fiction. Yes, there is some violence in these books, and it is more so in this volume, but it fits the story. It is not gratuitous, and it is not excessive. It is a tale of friendship, loyalty, and a story about a priest who would do anything to protect his charges.
In this volume the three main story arcs. They are, first father Jay's health, he was severely injured in Iraq and several exemptions had to be made in order for him to be ordained. But Father Jay has been pushing too hard, he has not only been burning the candle at both ends but melted it down and lit the middle. Between housing street kids in the rectory, running a soup kitchen, normal parish duties his health has detreated. Both his doctor and his bishop are telling him to take a rest, and to lighten his workload. If he doesn't he will be dead. The second theme is his strained relationship with his bother who is a police officer. And the third is his kids, a group that call themselves the Archangels, and specifically an escalating conflict with a group of older kids at the local school.
When there are hostages taken at the school Father jay defies logic and heads into the smoke, noise and shots. He does it because he cares, and because as a former soldier he knows that heroism can take different forms.
This novel starts with a slower pace than the other two in the series, but it makes up for that in the end. It is a great read. I just hope that at some point we might get more stories with father and Office Farrell. Even if we get no further stories I can give this book and this series a great recommendation. So pick them up and give them a try. You will see that sometimes a hero wears a collar and sometimes a badge.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Jane Lebak.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!
November 18, 2016
I was so excited when I found out that the author had finished the third book in her wonderful, exciting, heartwarming series! Father Jay is a crippled priest, with a less-than-holy past, who is the pastor of a parish in the roughest part of town and runs an unofficial shelter for homeless boys. Having been a street kid himself in his youth, he understands the boys who come to him in a way few other priests ever could. Kevin is his younger brother, a police officer, who shares Jay's violent past, but definitely doesn't share Jay's Catholic faith and unwavering love of God. The two brothers have been estranged for years, and in fact, Kevin thinks Jay is downright crazy for giving his life to God in the priesthood.
After untiring zeal for his boys and his parish, Father Jay finally hits rock bottom, both physically and spiritually. Despite their very rocky relationship, Kevin comes to his exhausted brother's rescue by letting Jay stay with him in his tiny apartment for a much-needed break. (Warning number one: some of their conversations will leave you laughing so hard you'll possibly end up choking, so be careful not to eat while reading this book...) One thing leads to another until Father Jay is on the brink and knows he has to decide what comes first in his life. By this stage, the reader is alternating between laughing his head off at the funny bits, reaching for the kleenex box at the heartrending bits, and biting his nails wondering what the outcome will be. The author has a fantastic way of holding you in suspense on every page.
But you haven't seen nuthin' till you get towards the end! The most unexpected twist comes in the form of a street gang wanting revenge, and the events of the last few chapters were truly heart-pounding, all-out action. Father Jay is called upon to practice a "different heroism" at risk of his life, which will make his decision for him and let him realize, for once and for all, what really matters.
Warning number two: you will fall in love with both Father Jay and Kevin. They are equal heroes, in totally different ways, but you will love them both. The author sure had better write the next one of this series!
After untiring zeal for his boys and his parish, Father Jay finally hits rock bottom, both physically and spiritually. Despite their very rocky relationship, Kevin comes to his exhausted brother's rescue by letting Jay stay with him in his tiny apartment for a much-needed break. (Warning number one: some of their conversations will leave you laughing so hard you'll possibly end up choking, so be careful not to eat while reading this book...) One thing leads to another until Father Jay is on the brink and knows he has to decide what comes first in his life. By this stage, the reader is alternating between laughing his head off at the funny bits, reaching for the kleenex box at the heartrending bits, and biting his nails wondering what the outcome will be. The author has a fantastic way of holding you in suspense on every page.
But you haven't seen nuthin' till you get towards the end! The most unexpected twist comes in the form of a street gang wanting revenge, and the events of the last few chapters were truly heart-pounding, all-out action. Father Jay is called upon to practice a "different heroism" at risk of his life, which will make his decision for him and let him realize, for once and for all, what really matters.
Warning number two: you will fall in love with both Father Jay and Kevin. They are equal heroes, in totally different ways, but you will love them both. The author sure had better write the next one of this series!
December 20, 2016
Excellent continuation of "The boys upstairs", where several loose ends of the former book are tied out, such as the relationship between Kevin and Holly, which appeared promising in the former book, but is now walking on ice as a consequence of something that happens at the beginning of this book. Kevin must rehash his priorities, and he finally comes to the conclusion that a different heroism is needed now, not just for his priest brother. The title, thus, can be applied in a different way to different characters in the book.
April 14, 2020
A different heroism review
I choose this give this book a 5 star because the Author Jane Lebak have managed to capture life really is . All over no matter where you are. By far this one is my favorite . Thru out this whole book , it will have you on different level of emotions between Father Jay and the kids of the archangel gang . This book I would recommend to everyone to read . Hope to see !more of father Jay and his boys
I choose this give this book a 5 star because the Author Jane Lebak have managed to capture life really is . All over no matter where you are. By far this one is my favorite . Thru out this whole book , it will have you on different level of emotions between Father Jay and the kids of the archangel gang . This book I would recommend to everyone to read . Hope to see !more of father Jay and his boys
May 28, 2017
Another fantastic Father Jay book. A great read for anyone who finds themselves caught in the vicious cycle between wanting to help and not knowing when to stop. Father Jay is a priest for all of us who are broken, bent, stubborn and loving God.
A great read that i would recommend heartily!
A great read that i would recommend heartily!
October 31, 2017
Amazing read
I have practically devoured the "Father Jay" books. They are impossible to put down, and it's a surprise when the end arrives. They definitely left me wanting more. The characters are well developed and empathetic. I hope there are more t o come!
I have practically devoured the "Father Jay" books. They are impossible to put down, and it's a surprise when the end arrives. They definitely left me wanting more. The characters are well developed and empathetic. I hope there are more t o come!
February 27, 2018
Great Series, and this one is the best!
I have thoroughly enjoyed these Father Jay stories. Jane Lebak surprised me, and really made me care about these characters! I sure hope that there will be a book four!
I have thoroughly enjoyed these Father Jay stories. Jane Lebak surprised me, and really made me care about these characters! I sure hope that there will be a book four!
November 28, 2024
Very good story, second in the series, of a priest who has an orphanage of misfits in his rectory. Great characters! The ending was pretty intense.
I liked the first one so much (which was a freebie) that I bought the second.
I liked the first one so much (which was a freebie) that I bought the second.
November 2, 2016
Third in a series, this novel covers further ground in Father Jay and his brother Kevin's contentious relationship, Jay's impromptu shelter for homeless/neglected boys, and Jay's ongoing health issues. A shaky truce with his brother and an order from his bishop force Jay into a week's vacation--and everything starts to fall apart with the gang of "Archangels" he shelters. A fast-paced and enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews