Customer Reviews

One Fine Season

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4 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

"One Fine Season" is a story about true friendship, spirituality and baseball. It isn't s book that I would normally read, but once I did, I am glad that I did it. Using true life events, Mike Sheehan has created an emotional story about two friends and their dream of becoming pro baseball players, and what happens in their lives that changes everything, except their friendship. A very fine first novel.

Mike Sheehan weaves the excitement of professional baseball, the strength of enduring friendships and a view to the miraculous to create a compelling, uplifting story that challenges stereotypical perceptions of young people as apathetic and self-absorbed. The true life events and emotions that moved Sheehan to write this book as well as his passion for baseball, astronomy, philosophy and natural medicine are all evident in this debut novel.

This moving story, with its likeable characters and easily accessible life lessons would make a perfect gift to commemorate high school or college graduation.
Because it focuses on a young baseball player and his friends, teammates and mentors, there is the temptation to classify it as a "sports story" but it's actually a coming of age tale with life lessons about the power of promise, belief and ambition.

I'm an avid reader of fiction - primarily mysteries and thrillers - but was initially drawn to this book by its cover. I'm glad because the story is very well-written, and I couldn't put the book down. In baseball terms, although the author may have been hoping for a single with this first attempt at a novel, in my opinion he hits a home run.

I continued to think about the story long after I finished reading it. The friendships, discussions of spirituality, and optimistic view of life's journey made lasting impressions. I came away from this book with a good feeling, and highly recommend it even if you are not a sports fan.

It's rare when you find a book that appeals to you on many levels and actually tells multiple stories. This book tells the story of romantic love and the depth of that relationship as well as the story of best friends. In addition, we are educated in astronomy and baseball history. All these are intertwined into a truly enjoyable read that at first seems light a light, easy read.....until you really sit back and contemplate what you read.

This would be a great book for a book club to discuss as there are many different characters, story lines, etc to break out and spend some time talking over.

This is a book for all ages - young and old alike. A book that is wholesome in nature, yet still realistic and believable. You will find yourself involved in the characters in the book as they are very well developed and you become a fan...along with the rest of the characters in the book.

Enjoy the read!

A friend of mine suggested I read ONE FINE SEASON by Michael Sheehan. At first I was not sure that I would like the sports setting this book was set in but I was amazed at how I could not put it down! This story had my full attention with each page and I highly recommend it. I was thrilled to find a book that not only held my attention but was not offensive in any aspect and would have no problem with my teenage daughter reading.

ONE FINE SEASON would appeal to the sports enthusiast with its references to "the greats in baseball", the different aspects of the game and the competition to be the best. But, for me, the main appeal of this story was the moving descriptions of how deep a friendship can effect you and that, even though someone in your life has died, it does not mean they are not with you.

I am looking forward to any future creations by this author.

I have read this book three times and enjoyed it each time. I have read some of the reviews and just remember this is fiction with a little God mixed in and don't take it too seriously. Great fun read.

I read this book and have a couple different things to say about this book. First, I met Michael Sheehan at a conference this Fall and was impressed with the man. He was very genuine and charismatic and I got to talk with him about the story behind the story. The two friends that he wrote the story to memorialize. It gave a whole new depth to the book for me and I really enjoyed meeting him.

Secondly, I do have to put a warning label on this book. I was a little surprised to find a couple swear words in this books, not that they weren't maybe realistic in the scenarios they pop up in, but the story would have been just fine without them being there. And also there is a part in the story where the main character and his girlfriend succumb to their passion for each other. They are not Christians at the time, but that doesn't change the fact that I never approve of pre-marital sex.

Those issues aside, I actually enjoyed the story and was really drawn in by the characters. The storyline is definitely baseball, baseball, baseball - but I really enjoyed the details and the feel of the game. Michael does a great job putting you right in the middle of the diamond and making you follow the hits, strikes and runs. But where he excels is in introducing us to the character, Danny Grace and his journey.

I would love to strongly recommend this book, but due to the warnings I previously listed, I can't, but I can say that if those don't bother you - then this is a really good book.

Finally, when all around us seems negative a positive story is out there for readers of most ages. "One Fine Season" is packed with baseball action and philosophical insights applicable in life today. Mr. Sheehan's characters are real. They struggle with current issues, sharing their feelings and doubts with each other and the reader. Do not think this is too deep a topic to totally enjoy. You will come away from "One Fine Season" feeling positive and wanting to share this nice story with friends.

A friend thought I might like this book. I don't have much time for casual reading so I am always hesitant to embark. What a great read! I found myself excited to get home after work, just so I could continue the story. Easy read, kept my interest, several storylines that I found myself relating to. You don't have to be a sports fanatic to enjoy this one. Congrates to the author for a great effort. It touched my heart and moved my soul. My favorite line in the book was " If you live your life as if there is no God, you'd better pray that there isn't!" I'm sure it will inspire others as it did me. Thx Mr. Sheehan

If you like baseball, you might enjoy this story about a major league rookie who has an amazing season. But, unfortunately, that is the only thing I can recommend about One Fine Season. The writing is amateurish and the dialogue is unnatural. It also has some crude language and pre-marital sex is celebrated as an expression of love. Even without that I would not recommend this book.

The problem lies in the New Age worldview. The real story is not Danny's rise to the top of the majors, but his journey through grief after the death of two close friends. Several of his teammates help him come to grips with it through many deep philosophical conversations. They teach him that "Everything is one. Separation from those who have passed over is nothing more than an illusion." At first I thought that maybe Sheehan was asking us to suspend disbelief and move into a world with a different set of spiritual rules. I like reading fantasy and find this easy to do, although Christian fantasy always maintains a Christian worldview.

I also wondered if Sheehan is a non-Christian trying to reach the Christian market without really understanding our theology. But at the beginning of the book Danny, who considers himself a Christian, summarizes the doctrines of sin, justification and redemption pretty well. His friends immediately correct him with their truths, including the belief that all people have come from "the Divine" in search of something which turns out to be what they left behind. They also tell him that Jesus' purpose on earth was to show people the way back to the Divine. These are only a few of the concepts that Danny comes to accept as truth. There is no one to argue against them or to say that they are not Christian beliefs.

If you are looking for Christian fiction, you should not read this book. I don't see how anyone can claim it is Christian. If you are just looking for a good read, you won't find that either, although Sheehan is a promising writer and experience will probably correct the flaws in dialogue and descriptions I found in this book.

One Fine Season is self-published and Sheehan doesn't offer acknowledgement or thanks to anyone. Many of the problems I saw in the book may be because he didn't benefit from professional editing and strong Christian feedback.

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