Review by Cindy R. Williams
NO ANGEL by Theresa Sneed is published by Walnut Springs
The back of the book blurb states:
An angel with an attitude
Jonathan Stewart is not at all happy about having to return to earth as a guardian angel, but it's required of all post-mortal spirits to fulfill at least one angel guardianship. Fortunately, on the Guardians Unlimited application, he had the good sense to request a client with early-marked-death status, so he believes that while his stay on earth will be most unpleasant, at least it will be short. What he doesn't know is that a spirit with EMD status can choose his or her time of death! Jonathan's client, Celeste Knight, has a mind of her own and refused death at every turn, leaving him stuck as her guardian angel--in a place he only wanted to forget.
NO ANGEL gives a interesting look into what life after death could be. As you follow Jonathan on his journey through after-life, you cheer for him, you cringe for him, you shake your head at his stubbornness, yet realize his journey takes you on a ride of discovering what life is all about.
I must admit my favorite character was Grace, a guardian angel who spends much of her time schooling Jonathan since he refused to read his manual, which when opened has a screen and a tiny keyboard. Grace has an iron backbone. She doesn't put up with any sass from anyone, yet she's loving and kind and has the patience of Job. I found I wanted to give Jonathan a little thump on his head more than once, yet Grace continued to work with him.
The demons called sheydim in the book are a sobering concept. They follow mortals along with the guardian angels. Sheydim's are fallen angels, allowed to tempt mortals. They can only get close if the mortal is by permission from the mortal. Permission which is mostly given carelessly through a person's actions. NO ANGEL paints a clear picture of evil spirits not allowed to mortal bodies and in their unhappy state strive to destroy mortals.
NO ANGEL is a good read. It leads to many thought provoking scenarios and shows that the veil between earth life and post life is thin indeed.
NO ANGEL receives TEN STARS for ingenuity and vision. Well done Theresa Sneed.
Theresa Sneed now adds published author to her many hats. She lives in Arizona, is a member of American Night Writers Association, ANWA, the mother of six and g
...THE BEST OF PENNY VINCENZI!
We're thrilled about today's giveaway both because Vincenzi kind of rhymes with "me," and because we are huge, HUGE Penny Vincenzi fans.
First, congratulations to yesterday's winners, Gary P., @ and @. They'll be getting signed copies of Frank Deford's much-praised novel of the 1936 Olympics BLISS, REMEMBERED. Thanks to all of you who entered on Day 2! We are thrilled with the responses we're getting and appreciate your enthusiasm for some of our very favorite titles.
And oh, what a favorite are today's titles. We're giving away JUST ONE set of Penny Vincenzi's Spoils of Time trilogy--No Angel, Something Dangerous, and Into Temptation--as well as her brand-new hardcover, Forbidden Places. The Lytton family saga remains one of Overlook's best-selling titles year in and year out. They're the story of glamorous Lady Celia Lytton, her husband Oliver, and the publishing company they run in early-twentieth-century London. Anyone who loves sweeping historical novels, strong women characters, and passionate romances written by a true master of women's fiction will fall in love with Lady Celia just like we did. (The only downside of recommending these novels to everyone? Explaining that our publishing universe isn't quite as glamorous as the literarti of Edwardian London).
We'll be giving away ONE set of these FOUR NOVELS. They're great for sinking one's teeth into and a gift that will provide hours of entertainment for the recipient (or distract you from holiday stress, difficult family gatherings, arduous winter travel...) and will open up a whole new world of fabulous Penny fiction.
TO WIN: Leave a blog comment, Tweet this contest, or leave a comment on our Facebook page. You can enter once in every area and
Another stellar review for Penny Vincenzi's Windfall has arrived: "In London 1935, Cassia Tallow has been married to a practicing doctor Edward for seven years while she has stayed home to raise their three young children. She is somewhat envious of her spouse as she also was trained as a doctor, but he insists she stay at home. Cassia is scrubbing the alter steps when she learns she inherited a fortune from her godmother, Lady Beatty, who drank Champagne with the rich, aristocratic and famous like Edward VIII. With a half a million pounds, Cassia has the means to join the upper crust if she chooses or practice medicine to the neglected working-class women as she once dreamed of; something her husband objects to. However, Cassia soon begins to learn that her liberating windfall may not rightfully belong to her; ethical as always, she investigates with a need to learn the truth. Sometimes the truth will not set you free as Cassia learns that with each revelation comes increasing danger.
This a typical entertaining Penny Vincenzi historical thriller as the ethical heroine tries to do what is right, but finds that dangerous. Cassia makes the story line work as her actions after learning of her WINDFALL place her in opposition with her demanding spouse and to a degree her children, but eventually she goes after what she wants for herself: providing medical care to impoverish women. Fans of the author and those who enjoy a between World Wars English historical will want to read Ms. Vincenzi's blockbuster bonkbuster as the British would say over a cup of Earl Grey. - Midwest Book Review
Booklist takes note of Penny Vincenzi's Windfall: "Cassia Tallow, the independent, only child of a suffragette, wants to be a doctor, but given that she comes of age at the close of World War I, the closest she gets is marrying one. Cassia lives a quiet, pleasant life in West Sussex with her husband and their three children. Until the day she inherits half a million pounds from her sophisticated, slightly eccentric godmother. Suddenly everything is changed; everything is within reach; doors are open to her, and she can do whatever she likes. So Cassia moves to London and splurges on clothes, cars, and anything else she covets that she couldn’t afford before. But while she’s busy jetsetting around London, hanging out with glamorous people, and trying to restart her medical studies, she realizes that she’s hurting her husband and family in more ways than one. Then she begins to wonder where exactly the money she inherited came from. Another stirring novel with an ensemble cast from the prolific and entertaining Vincenzi."
Penny Vincenzi has just released a new novel The Best of Times, published by our friends at Doubleday, that is sure to be a summer bestseller. One of Britian's best-loved and most popular authors since her first novel was published in 1989, Penny Vincenzi has sold over four million books worldwide. Introduced to American readers by The Overlook Press, Penny's beloved backlist titles continue to find new readers. Coming this Fall from Overlook is Windfall, and a new paperback, An Outrageous Affair. For summer reading, we recommend Penny's classic Lytton family trilogy - "The Spoils of Time" - beginning with No Angel, followed by Something Dangerous and Into Temptation.
More praise for Penny Vincenzi in Booklist: "The author of No Angel (2003) and Sheer Abandon (2007) offers another sprawling saga, this one centered around a spirited English-woman and her two daughters. Caroline Miller falls hard for dashing American soldier Brendan FitzPatrick, but his disappearance during World War II leads her to give up the baby she conceived shortly before he shipped out. By the time Brendan returns, Caroline has married another man and is expecting a child with him. Caroline refuses to leave her husband, but she implores Brendan to reclaim their baby. He does, naming her Fleur and taking her back to New York with him, while Caroline raises her other daughter, Chloe, in England. When they reach adulthood, the girls’ fates intertwine in unexpected ways when Chloe’s husband appears to be tied to the scandalous death of Fleur’s beloved father. Fans of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s multigenerational stories will likely flock to An Outrageous Affair; the mystery will likely keep them turning the pages."
Penny Vincenzi will appear Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, CA on Monday, May 19, at 7pm. Vroman's was recently chosen as Bookseller of the Year by Publishers Weekly! Penny is on tour in America for the paperback release of Sheer Abandon, but is also signing copies of all her books, including Overlook bestsellers such as Almost a Crime, The Dilemma, No Angel, and Something Dangerous.
snow and hunting.
We were surprised Sunday by a goodly snowfall overnight, and then a bit more Sunday night. Enough for the kids to make this before lunchtime yesterday,
It doubles as a small sledding hill.
Last night the temperature dropped down to about -20C (just below 0F), the coldest weather so far this season; winter is here, no matter what the calendar says.
Tom shot a
Cindy, good review. I'm dying to read it.
Tina Scott
I'm your follower already. Excellent review!
Thanks for the great review Cindy! :)
You are welcome Theresa. I had fun reading it. Although it's fiction, I learned alot. The post life you painted makes a whole lot of sense.
Hey, I've just started reading No Angel. Looking forward to find out for myself why everyone says this is a great novel.
Your in for a fun ride Joan!