The Chosen Path by Jason Hershey - Blog Tour Review

Today on Life Of A Nerdish Mum I am pleased to be hosting today's stop on the blog tour for The Chosen Path by Jason Hershey

The Chosen Path 

From the author of the emotional "To Die To Live", comes the next riveting chapter of one man's search to find his purpose in life. 

Thelonious "Theo" Mitchell, now a college freshman, is eager to put the death of his friend, Draven, behind him. Devoting himself to school and sports, he meets Sabrinna, a beautiful co-ed who sweeps him off his feet. Untrusting and hidden behind a wall, he allows himself to fall for her. 

Will he find his soulmate and someone who can restore his faith and trust in people? Or will she leave him reeling and continuing his search for a purpose in life?

My Review

The Chosen Path is the second book in the Thelonious Mitchell series and follows on from To Die To Live. I haven't read To Die To Live, but I was still able to pick up The Chosen Path and read it without any problems. There are things that are mentioned from the first book though which may possibly be spoilers, however this can definitely be read as a stand alone if you choose. It's novella length too and I haven't read a novella in a while, so I really enjoyed the shorter length which was perfect for the story told. 

I pretty much never read contemporary (except crime novels) so this was a big step out of my comfort zone, but I chose to read it as the synopsis really caught my eye, I'm really glad that I decided to take the chance and read it as I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the more natural pace of the story and the fact that more time could be spent on the characters rather than world building as we're already in that world. 

Theo is an interesting character and has obviously been through a lot in his short life, but still wants to love and trust and is overall a positive guy. It was interesting seeing a teenage romance blossom from the perspective of a boy and actually written by a male author. There are things that Theo thought that I would never think a boy/man would think, but they obviously do. Sabrinna the love interest of Theo was more of an enigma and I'm not sure I ever really figured her out, but she's a teenage girl and I remember being one and still never figuring out other teenage girls! 

I did got lost in the time line of things a few times, but that could very well have been more to do with how invested I was in the story and wondering what would happen next, than anything to do with the writing, 

I really enjoyed The Chosen Path and will be picking up To Die To Live, to find out more about Theo and I'm looking forward to what happens next for him in the next book. 

I gave this book 4 stars

About The Author

I was lucky enough to have Jason Hershey as a guest on my Getting To Know... feature, so if you'd like to read more about him, please click here. 

I have been a teacher for over 10 years, teaching everything from kindergarten to high school. I am originally from Phoenix, Arizona, graduated from Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, and currently reside in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. I have a BS in Elementary Education. I am married and have 3 sons. This is my first book, but I have two others in various stages of completion; a children's book as well as a "sequel" of sorts to this current book.

Don't Forget To Check Out The Rest Of The Tour

Getting To Know... Jason Hershey

Today I welcome author Jason Hershey to my Getting To Know... feature. Jason is the author of To Die To Live. 

Your novel To Die To Live is a YA story, what is it that draws you to this genre? 

The ability to introduce your characters to situations that are new to them. You can put them in places that you were in as a teenager and allow them to play it out differently than you did. It also allows you to grow your character and  not make some of the same mistakes you did.

When you're writing do you have a set routine or schedule that you like to follow? 

Unfortunately, with work and my kids and family, finding scheduled time to write is hard. I basically write whenever I have a few free moments. I did set up a writing nook at work that allowed me to do some writing on my lunch break. It's hard, but somehow, I make it work.

Have you always known that you wanted to be an author? 

No. I have always written, usually poems and stuff, but I've been busy with my career as a teacher to focus on writing. This summer, I just woke up one morning and said I wanted to start living my life and do things I've always thought about, but always had an excuse for why I didn't do it. This book is a product of the "new" me.

On top of being an author you are a teacher, do things that you have experienced while teaching inspire you in your writing? 

Inspiration from teaching oddly mirrors my own upbringing. I work in the same type of inner city schools that I attended and lived in while I was younger. I get to see the hardship and the pain that some of my students come from and it's heartbreaking. I also get to see the other side of it, the parents doing everything they can to give their kids more. I also see the kids that strive to do better than their parents. That's something I think every parent should want, their kids to out succeed them. This story is definitely rooted in that struggle to do better and to find what you are truly meant to be in life.

When you're not writing what would we find you doing?

Outside of teaching and writing, I love to spend time with my family. I am a movie buff, so we usually have family movie night. I've also started coaching a travel soccer team, which takes a lot of time, but is a nice break for me and fun to get out and be athletic again. So between teaching, writing, family and soccer, I usually don't have much more time to do anything but sleep.

Do you have a favourite character that you have written so far?

I love Theo from my book. It is fun to live through his eyes. Some of him is based on myself growing up, friends that I grew up with and some is just a product of my imagination. I love that Theo is evolving into a more rounded individual in the second book that I'm working on. It follows him during his first year of college. He will experience some more heartbreak, and we'll see his maturity in how he handles it. 

What is your favourite thing about being an author?

I've never called myself an author. I consider myself a story teller. I love telling stories. The ability to get your audience to follow you and become engaged in the story is awesome. If I can create characters that people relate to and identify with, then you can bring them on this journey that will, in my case, leave them feeling optimistic for the future.

Do you have a favourite author?

I love Lois Lowry and Harper Lee. They wrote three of my favourite YA books of all time that I will still read to this day. "To Kill A Mockingbird", "The Giver" and "Count The Stars" are books that are totally different in theme but take the reader on this journey that is totally believable. That is something I hope to aspire to in the future.

If you could give younger you any advice about your writing journey, what would it be?

To start writing earlier, not to take a multi year break and to pursue this will all the hope and optimism that I have now. If I had started 15 years ago, I'd be an old pro now and I would be able to enjoy this more, not so focused on learning all the nuances and intricacies of the game.

To Die To Live has only recently come out, but what can we look forward to next from you?

I am working on a continuation of this book, tentatively entitled "The Chosen Path" that will follow Theo in college as he deals with more hope and heartbreak and continues to grow. I also have a children's book series that I'm almost done with called "Larry the Hippo" that is based on stories I tell to my young kids.

Thank you so much to Jason for taking the time out of his super busy schedule to answer my questions! 

To Connect With Jason Hershey

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jasonhersheywriter/?fref=ts

Twitter - @therealjhershey

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Jason-Hershey/e/B01M3UFK3R

To Die To Live

Thelonious "Theo" Mitchell is a down on his luck teenager, wandering aimlessly through life with no desire or focus. When tragedy strikes, he is taken in by his aunt and uncle. Thrown into a new school with unfamiliar surroundings, he befriends the class "troublemaker". After yet another tragedy, will Theo fall victim to life, or use the tragedy as a spark and motivation to embrace all that life has to offer?