Snow Day: A Novel

by Billy Coffey

Overview

In this debut novel, Peter is a simple man who lives by a simple truth--a person gains strength by leaning on his constants. To him, those constants are the factory where he works, the family he loves, and the God who sustains him. But when news of job cuts comes against the backdrop of an unexpected snowstorm, his life becomes filled with far more doubts than certainties.
With humor and a gift for storytelling, Billy Coffey brings you along as he spends his snow day encountering family, friends, and strangers of his small Virginia town. All have had their own battles with life's storms. Some have found redemption. Others are still seeking it. But each one offers a piece to the puzzle of why we must sometimes suffer loss, and each one will help Peter find a greater truth--our lives are made beautiful not by our big moments, but our little ones.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780446574778
Publisher:	FaithWords
Publication date:	10/11/2010
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	726,319
File size:	357 KB

About the Author

Billy and his wife, Joanne, live with their two children in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. A product of his small-town locale, Billy counts as assets his rural authenticity, unwavering sense of purpose, and insatiable curiosity—all of which tend to make his front porch a comfortably crowded place.

Editorial Reviews

"Tim Gregory draws listeners into the poignant story of Peter Boyd. He contrasts Boyd’s lifted spirits when an unexpected storm gives him a “snow day” with his ongoing fear of a factory layoff at Christmas. Sounding personally involved, Gregory recounts Boyd’s chance meetings with family, friends, and strangers in the park, the grocery store, and other locations in a small Virginia town. Gregory engages the listener with Boyd’s inner experiences—from his renewed sense of faith and purpose to his rediscovery of the wonder and magic of Christmas. The exquisite portrayal of the importance of life’s simple virtues quietly dramatizes how one man learns that what’s “under the Christmas tree is not as important as who’s around the tree.” 
G.D.W. © AudioFile Portland, Maine

From the Publisher

"SNOW DAY invites readers to shift into slow gear and engage in people's lives. Through the narrator's charming, disarming personality, I'm reminded how important it is to ask good questions, listen closely, and see beyond the surface talk into a person's heart and soul. Billy Coffey has created a town full of winsome, appealing characters with strengths and struggles, faith and foibles-they're so realistic, I wish I could pick up and move to that fictional town in Virginia in order to get to know them better. But the message of this novel is that no matter where we live, those people and their insights are all around us; meaningful stories are just waiting to be told. All we need to do is slow down enough to pay attention . . .all we need is one good snow day."

author of Not So Fast: Slow-Down Solutions for Ann Kroeker

"Set against a Blue Ridge Mountain backdrop, peopled with a colorful cast, and seasoned with small-town Southern charm, Billy Coffey's SNOW DAY will make readers want to live aware--to discover the divine in ordinary places among common folk. Each chapter is a story in itself, a jewel sparkling with wisdom. Strung together, the shimmering strand adorns simple truth: Life may be hard, but God is good. Detours happen by design. One way or another, the road leads home. So pay attention. Laugh. Wonder. And, sweet fancy Moses, don't forget to pick up the bread and milk."

author of Parting the Waters: Finding Beauty i Jeanne Damoff

"Billy Coffey has a way of writing that draws you into his story, which then allows you to find yourself in it. In this book he'll encourage you to pay attention, to laugh, and to wonder."

author of I Became a Christian and All I Got Was t Vince Antonucci

"With SNOW DAY, Billy offers further proof that the blogger-turned-author is a trend we've barely touched on. Honest, insightful, and packed with the writing people fell in love with online, SNOW DAY makes me proud to be a blogger."

author of Stuff Christians Like Jonathan Acuff

"Everybody needs a snow day! To slow down and take a breath of what really is important."

1985 American League MVP Don Mattingly

"SNOW DAY is the kind of book you savor, then read again. Simple, yet profound. Spare, but beautiful. I loved this book."

author of the Defiance Texas trilogy and Thin Plac Mary DeMuth

"Author Billy Coffey weaves a poignant and poetic tale of a man rediscovering his faith and purpose. Told with charm and humor, SNOW DAY reveals how unexpected detours, 'chance' encounters, and everyday experiences lead to life's most valuable insights."

Laura Cross

Tim Gregory draws listeners into the poignant story of Peter Boyd. He contrasts Boyd’s lifted spirits when an unexpected storm gives him a “snow day” with his ongoing fear of a factory layoff at Christmas. Sounding personally involved, Gregory recounts Boyd’s chance meetings with family, friends, and strangers in the park, the grocery store, and other locations in a small Virginia town. Gregory engages the listener with Boyd’s inner experiences—from his renewed sense of faith and purpose to his rediscovery of the wonder and magic of Christmas. The exquisite portrayal of the importance of life’s simple virtues quietly dramatizes how one man learns that what’s “under the Christmas tree is not as important as who’s around the tree.” G.D.W. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

JUNE 2011 - AudioFile