Green Frog Umbrella

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Unlikely Angel ★★★☆☆


Author: Genie Gabriel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Goddessfish Promotions
210 pages


A child psychiatrist running from violence and a former bodyguard grieving the wife he couldn't save form an unlikely alliance to rescue her kidnapped children. In a crumbling mine tunnel on Christmas Eve, their lives depend on a mutt rescued from the streets, a determined mother and an Unlikely Angel.

EXCERPT:

Two weeks before Christmas, Mitch decided he had waited long enough.
“Come on, mutt.” Mitch grabbed his coat and a pair of work gloves. “Let’s go find the twins.”

Gabe bounded to his feet and bumped the doorknob with his nose. He sniffed and marked around the yard while Mitch pulled the Ferrari out of the garage. As soon as the dog jumped into the car, Mitch drove to a lot selling Christmas trees. He selected one that would fit nicely in Julia’s small apartment and strapped it to the top of the car.

The mutt hung his head out the window, riding in silent watchfulness until the apartment building was in sight. “Woof!”

“You have to be quiet or we’ll get caught smuggling you in.” Under cover of the falling twilight and a bushy evergreen tree, Mitch and the dog walked quickly toward Julia’s apartment.

As soon as Julia opened the door, the dog pushed inside and sniffed out the twins, quickly falling back into their game of hide and seek. Within seconds, the twins’ giggles let Julia know the dog had found the children.

“I brought a tree.” Mitch stood the evergreen upright.

“I see that.” Julia bit her lip as she walked around the tree. “Nice choice. Bushy all around.”

“I had three picky sisters who trained me in the fine art of Christmas tree selection.”

Julia smiled. “They trained you well.”



     Unlikely Angel is a bit serious.  If you're looking for a Christmas fluff read I wouldn't suggest it.  If you are looking for a well written story about two people who come together during terrible odds than this is the book for you.  At the beginning of the book Julia's abusive husband has crossed the line and she decides to leave him.  When she goes to her friend Shannon's house Mitch is there.  Shannon and her husband Geoff are in the Rock'n'Romance series by Genie Gabriel.  There were some things that confused me in this book regarding Julia's friends Shannon and Lauren but I believe that they must be explained in their books.  While I'm on her other books I was happy to see that some of the others in the book are part of the Halo Legacy series as well.  

     I liked Julia and Mitch but I loved Julia's twin children Angelina and Abraham.  I also loved the dog Gabe.  Genie Gabriel did a great job endearing the children and dog to me.  I liked how determined Julia was and what a softie Mitch was despite his tough exterior.  I liked how a lot of the characters that are in the book are included in the ending.  Also I liked the sudden twist when everything seems to be going great... I couldn't stop reading until I found out what happened next.  Now, if you are planning to overlook this book because the cover makes you think it's a Christmas book don't.  A good part of it does take place during Christmastime but it is not a Christmas book per se.  Altogether I liked the book and hope to read more by Genie Gabriel.



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I'm an optimist whose rose-colored glasses have bent frames and cracked lenses. When life kicks me in the teeth, I find miracles and lessons I refused to learn an easier way. In fact, I live with a small herd of miracles in the furry forms of dogs, who are constantly trying to teach me to forgive, to play more, and to love without limits. I write about people who find courage and integrity in the darkest times of their lives, who rescue stray
dogs and kittens, who find a person they would willingly give their lives for, and who make their little corners of the world a better place. People have remarked my stories "aren't what they expected." With rose-colored glasses firmly in place, I take that as a compliment. I invite you to share a piece of my world in the pages of a book, and hope you find some surprises, some tears, some laughter, and always a happy ending.

My Web site: http://www.GenieGabriel.com
My blog: http://oshealegacyseries.blogspot.com/


Genie will be giving away a $25.00 Amazon giftcard to one lucky commenter so let me know... What do you think of Christmas books?
  

19 comments:

  1. Thank you so much to Rainy Dayz Reviewz for hosting me today! I have to admit, after the cold weather and snow we've had in my area for a couple weeks, the thought of rain appeals to me. :)

    And I love the dog sitting among the piles of books in your blog header--which prompts my question for commenters. If you have a pet, are they fussy about going outside in particular kinds of weather?

    My dogs don't generally like to go outside when it's raining, but with our recent below freezing weather and snow, they will go outside and stay until I call them in. Of course, then they cuddle in the blankets and warm up!

    Looking forward to chatting with commenters throughout the day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! The dog in the header is my French Bulldog Nessie... named after the daughter in Twilight. Since I'm in Florida all we have to worry about is putting sweaters on the dogs when the weather gets cold or they'll shiver, poor things. Loved the story btw. :)

      Delete
    2. Hi, Lacie! I've done some pet sitting with French bulldogs. Adorable! But can also strong-willed. :)

      Glad you enjoyed the story! And my comment about rain--it's raining here now but the temperature is hovering around freezing. Hope we don't have a sheet of ice later!

      Delete
  2. I love Christmas books, and I don't mind those that aren't all fluffy and light, either. This one sounds really good, and I enjoy stories where people who seem unlikely to find each other do, and if there are some cool kids in there, that's all the better.

    Thanks for the great review :) I hope you're doing well!

    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. I have been reading a lot of Christmassy books this month and I really like the ones where you wonder through the whole thing how they'll manage to be together in the end. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
    2. And I must apologize to Lacie for totally missing the review earlier! Could it be because I stayed up until after 4am? Sheesh! Thank you for taking the time to read and review UNLIKELY ANGEL and for your kind words. I become very attached to my characters and it's good to know they appeal to others also. :)

      Delete
    3. Lexxie, thank you for stopping by! I appreciate your kind words. I also have a number of Christmas stories to read, but it may be after the holidays before I get to them. My to-be-read pile keeps growing!

      Delete
  3. I love Christmas books. I just picked up the newly released A Touch of Winter, a fabulous anthology with talented authors. Check out the short story, "Christmas After All." Yes, it's a shameful plug, but I'm astounded that someone asked about Christmas books. That's so cool! Thanks for hosting the bookblast.
    info at caroleavila dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the recommendation. I think I found it on Goodreads.

      Delete
    2. Hi, Carole! And thanks for the tip on the anthology. I'll check it out on Goodreads. :)

      Delete
  4. I don't have a pet.

    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww that's ok. I have too many!

      Delete
    2. Hi, Rita! Like Lacie, I have enough pets for several people--but never too many for me! Thanks for supporting my Book Blast!

      Delete
  5. Nice review

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well, the clock has struck midnight in my corner of the world and my doggies are snuggled in their beds. I will ask one of them to draw a name for the $25 gift card tomorrow and contact the winner privately, then post the name on my web site and on my Rock'n'Romance blog .

    Many thanks to Lacie-Rainy and Rainy Dayz Reviewz for hosting me today and taking the time to read and write a review of UNLIKELY ANGEL, as well as to everyone who stopped by and commented. Happy holidays to all!

    ReplyDelete

Blogger Widgets