The Holiday Party

by Brian Perry

"All cops go to Heaven. Cop killers, they go to that other place." So says the narrator of The Holiday Party, a police officer who has seen his best friend killed in the line of duty.   Six years later...September 11, 2001. Struggling with alcoholism and on the brink of suicide, our hero finds himself buried beneath one hundred stories of concrete and steel. Now, in the midst of unspeakable tragedy, he fights to survive, even as he discovers that his greatest challenge is to escape the wreckage of his past and find hope for a better future.   As his situation grows increasingly desperate, a troubled hero learns those timeless lessons his own father never had the opportunity to teach love, forgiveness, and honor. But can he learn the final lesson - that though we cannot change our pasts, we can decide what type of person we want to be today.   A touching reminder of the sacrifices police and their families make, this heartwarming and inspirational book is for anyone that has been through a difficult time, or has regrets, or had faith and lost it. In other words, The Holiday Party is a book for all of us, and one that will stay with you long after you put it down.   About the Author -  Brian Perry is the author of the personal finance book From Piggybank to A Financial Roadmap for New Investors, as well as numerous articles which have appeared in a variety of print and online media. He lives near San Diego with his wife and son.   Christmas, Holidays, Police, Cop, Priest, Heaven, September 11, Alcoholic, Father, Son  

174 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 2015

About the author

Hi there! I’m Brian Perry and in addition to being an avid reader, I’m also an author.

My newest book is The Holiday Party, a work of inspirational fiction which examines the relationship between a father and his son. Moving back and forth between the tragedy of 9/11 and a magical Christmas Party, the book follows a heroic but troubled cop whose burial in the rubble of the World Trade Center causes him to reexamine the wreckage of his past and his hopes for the future. To learn more visit me at: www.brianperryonline.com

My first book, From Piggybank to Portfolio: A Financial Roadmap for New Investors, provided simple, easy to follow personal finance and investment guidelines designed to help readers get started on the road to financial security, and makes an ideal gift for high school and college students, as well as twenty-somethings just starting out in the workplace.

Since this is a site for readers, here is some of what I like to read. In non-fiction, I read a lot of economics and finance, as well as Western European history. In fiction, I like spy thrillers and other page turners from authors such as John Grisham, Vince Flynn, Lee Child, and Alex Berenson. Given my interest in history, I also enjoy historical novels from writers such as John Jakes, Ken Follet, and James Michener. And finally, I like, and was influenced in writing The Holiday Party by, inspirational and touching books by authors such as Mitch Albom and Garth Stein.

When I’m not reading or writing, I’ve found the time to visit more than three dozen countries and all fifty states, jumped out of planes, mountain climbed near Mt. Everest, surfed in Bali, scuba dived in Belize, ridden a camel around the pyramids, taken flying lessons, completed an Ironman triathlon, run the New York City marathon, attended five different universities, and dressed up as Santa to deliver presents to a local children's hospital.

However my proudest accomplishments are: 1) overcoming the childhood murder of my father, a police officer killed in the line of duty three days before Christmas and 2) having the amazing good fortune to have the love and support of my wife, son, and extended family and friends.

If you have any comments or questions about my books or life in general, take a look at my website (www.brianperryonline.com), email me at brian@brianperryonline.com, or check me out on Facebook: @brianperryauthor, Twitter: @bperryauthor, or Instagram: brianperryauthor

Reviews

[Brian Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author of The Holiday Party, this review of my own work provides a space for me to talk a bit about why I chose to write the book. Well to paraphrase Harry Potter, I believe that “an author doesn’t choose a book, the book chooses the author.” (To be clear, the subject matter of The Holiday Party is quite different than that of Harry Potter and I certainly don’t consider myself a wizard. I wouldn’t mind those book sales though!)

So why did this book choose me? Well, my father was killed when I was six, and I recently became a dad myself, which probably prompted me to explore the relationship between a father and a son. Also, having lost my own father at a young age, I’m acutely aware that circumstances might conspire to prevent me from guiding my son into adulthood. Therefore, I wanted to create a repository for all the knowledge and wisdom that I imagine my father would have passed along to me had he been able.

Alas, just as I am no wizard, neither am I necessarily wise. Fortunately, as a lover of history, I’m always willing to borrow from the greats of the past. And so The Holiday Party includes many of the teachings of history’s greatest figures, including such disparate individuals as Abraham Lincoln, Erasmus, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thomas Edison.

Ultimately, The Holiday Party is a book about life, and the afterlife, and about Heaven, or at least my conception of Heaven, both here on earth and wherever we wind up after we leave this earth. The Holiday Party isn’t religious, but it is spiritual. If after reading it you feel a little bit closer to your loved ones, both those still with you and those that have passed on, then I will feel that I have done my job as a writer.

I hope you enjoy the book, and best wishes for a wonderful day.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character is a fireman whose health and views on life go downhill after the death of his partner.He starts to drink and isolate himself and loses sense of self.He is trapped in a building with a priest,a fellow co-worker Rob and Stryker the dog.He appears to go through a series of different meetings with prominent thinkers in history and learns that he is worthy of a good life and change is possible.He seems to come around to want to "live" again and try harder to make amends for negligence over his partners son Chris' situation.The end of the book intrigued me as to if he was alive or dead.It could be taken both ways.A very insightful look at someone in the line of service and the pressures they deal with.I had a hard time putting this book down.

[Cheryl Dietr · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the writing was at times somewhat scripted and stiff the thoughts presented were anything but. Using historical characters, Perry weaves a tale on just what it takes to live an admirable and meaningful life. This is one important, thought provoking and worthwhile book I will be sharing with my teens.

* I received this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program. Thanks Goodreads and First Edition Design Publishing!*

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Perry, thanks, I did enjoy the book!

I really enjoyed this book. Mr. Perry took his real life story of losing his father at a young age and turned it into what he would like to hear and say if he had a chance to spend some time with his father again. Don't we all dream of that? Dream of once again spending some time with loved ones that we hope are watching us from above?

Thank you very much for this book! Very good!

I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unusual story. It was so I didn't put it down until I was done. There were a things that were no surprise to me but even I highly recommend it.

[Brian Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author of The Holiday Party, this review of my own work provides a space for me to talk a bit about why I chose to write the book. Well to paraphrase Harry Potter, I believe that “an author doesn’t choose a book, the book chooses the author.” (To be clear, the subject matter of The Holiday Party is quite different than that of Harry Potter and I certainly don’t consider myself a wizard. I wouldn’t mind those book sales though!)

So why did this book choose me? Well, my father was killed when I was six, and I recently became a dad myself, which probably prompted me to explore the relationship between a father and a son. Also, having lost my own father at a young age, I’m acutely aware that circumstances might conspire to prevent me from guiding my son into adulthood. Therefore, I wanted to create a repository for all the knowledge and wisdom that I imagine my father would have passed along to me had he been able.

Alas, just as I am no wizard, neither am I necessarily wise. Fortunately, as a lover of history, I’m always willing to borrow from the greats of the past. And so The Holiday Party includes many of the teachings of history’s greatest figures, including such disparate individuals as Abraham Lincoln, Erasmus, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thomas Edison.

Ultimately, The Holiday Party is a book about life, and the afterlife, and about Heaven, or at least my conception of Heaven, both here on earth and wherever we wind up after we leave this earth. The Holiday Party isn’t religious, but it is spiritual. If after reading it you feel a little bit closer to your loved ones, both those still with you and those that have passed on, then I will feel that I have done my job as a writer.

I hope you enjoy the book, and best wishes for a wonderful day.

[Brittany]

I received this book through the First Reads giveaway program on Goodreads. Review to follow!

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern parable for all of us. I really enjoyed, The Holiday Party with its inspiring message of hope and courage. I also found author Brian Perry's powerful tribute to police and fire fighters moving and memorable. Some jaded readers may not appreciate this as much as those that refuse to abandon hope and redemption. Perry has written a wise and thoroughly entertaining/meaningful work.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.