The Helper

Title: The Helper 

Author: M. N. SNow

Publisher: 2016 by M. N. SNow

Pages: 293

Genre: fiction

Obtained: from the author in exchange for an honest review

Summary: John Sloan, Dusty Hakalla, and Deena Morrison, although from very different backgrounds, all have something in common.  They are all "Helpers".  They have the power to emotionally help people by being a channel for a healing light.  What happens when John finds he has lost his power and needs some of this "help" himself?

Thoughts:  I enjoyed this story because it was different and I remained interested throughout the whole book.  It was a group of short realistic fiction stories, each about people hitting the point of no return or rock bottom, brought together by the main story which was a magical, or some may think, a spiritual one.  I really enjoyed this author's writing style.  He took a group of basic stories and through his story telling connected them together into one in a seamless way.  His writing is organized and his characters are not only well developed, but are believable and interesting.  The story takes place in Michigan, Wisconson, Florida, Parris Island, and the war zones of Kuwait and Afghanistan.  Although the story jumps around from person to person and place to place, it is told in such a way that it is easy to follow.
     After completing this novel, I did find myself thinking about it.  Although it is not a really deep book, this is one of those books that you can get what you want out of it.  For me, I got the message that there is always hope.  I also found myself thinking that there are choices in life, but they are not always mine to make.  There were so many more spiritual and life ideas throughout the book, but I believe each reader would pick out different meanings and focuses.   Some may just see it as a simple story.
     Please note, there was A LOT of profanity in this book, so if that bothers you, this is one you should skip.


             
                                                                 

                                                                     

Company: Tea Forte

Tea: Peach Brulee

Obtained: gift

     This Peach Brulee tea is from Tea Forte.  It is from the Noir Single Steeps Sampler which is a collection of robust black teas.  This sampler would make a wonderful gift.  It comes in a beautiful package, and you get 3 single steep pouches of 5 different teas for a total of 15 cups of tea.  The good quality pouches each contain tea leaves that are measured for 12 ounces of water. They are easy to open, and are perfect for those with a busy lifestyle who enjoy loose leaf tea.
     This tea is a mix of organic black tea leaves, organic mango pieces, organic coconut pieces, natural peach flavor, organic marigold flowers, natural vanilla flavor, and natural cream flavor.  The leaves of the Peach Brulee were mostly thin and black, but there were yellow leaves and chunks of all different sizes mixed in.  The scent of the leaves was of tropical fruit.  I poured 12 ounces of water over the leaves and let this brew for 3 minutes.  The liquid was a cloudy orange brown and there were some very small pieces of tea leaves in the liquid.  The scent was of black tea and warm, sweet fruit.  The taste was of slightly sour fruit and strong black tea.  After swallowing, I could also discern a creamy vanilla flavor.  The tea leaves settled to the bottom and I did not notice them again until I got to the bottom of the cup.
     This tea was just okay to me.  It did not seem to blend well.  Also, the peach flavor just did not stand out for me.  So because of it's name, I was expecting something that tasted less tropical and more like peaches.