Customer Reviews

Entertaining Angels

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Entertaining Angels" is religious general fiction about people who feel inadequate, unloved, or regretful and beaten down by past mistakes and sorrows but who discover God is at work in their lives. It's an uplifting and inspirational novel that reminded me of the TV show "Touched by an Angel," but from the human's viewpoint and no big "I am an angel" reveal at the end.

I really bonded with the characters and wanted to know what happened to them. They were smart, but imperfect, and had realistic struggles and regrets. The world-building was good, and the pacing was very good.

Many of the characters were Christians, but they only referred to God, not Jesus. There was no preaching or "Jesus is the only way" comments. Non-Christian readers would probably enjoy this novel unless they're strongly anti-God.

There was no sex. The minor amount of bad language was in the "he cussed" style. Overall, I'd recommend this novel as well-written and enjoyable clean reading.


Reviewed by Debbie from Genre Reviews
(genrereviews. blogspot. com)

This is one of the best books I've read in a long time in the Christian genre. The story is about people, the mistakes they make, and how it impacts their lives as well as the lives of others. The story starts with a new minister coming to a small town in California. He became a minister because of a promise to God (a bargain really, to save a family member from dying) but never felt really called to the profession. Three other characters that intertwine themself in the story is a pregnant, homeless teen, a single mother who became pregnant as a teen, and a woman who carries around the guilt of having an abortion as a teen. In the end, everyone resolves their issues but the story is mostly about the journey of how each finally reaches their destination of forgiving themselves (with a little heavenly help from an angel who appears as a homeless man). The reading is easy, the writing is good and descriptive, the story is wholesome. If you like Christian fiction, I am sure you will enjoy this book as well as her series. This is actually the second book in her serial.

I enjoyed reading this book and my daughter did too. It tells a good story while also highlighting the realities of pregnancy, teenage sex, abortion and the forgiveness and healing that God brings from that pain. Nice real book to combat all the rubbish that tv and other media dish out about "love and romance" (sex) without consequences--not that this book doesn't have some great romance in it! I also loved the homeless angel and the redemption for the "rich white lady" whose family doesn't appreciate her. I lent mine out and plan to get another to pass around to my daughter's friends!

This is a feel good and sweet book. It kept me turning the pages, but it all just seemed to be to sweet and too perfectly tied up. It is nice to read about Northern San Diego county, because I can see the towns and can guess the area. It just felt a little too sweet and I wanted a little more mystery.

I discovered this author, Judy Duarte, quite by accident and thoroughly enjoy her writing. This story is a pleasure to read. It teaches us not to judge people by their appearance but to reach out to their souls. I would highly recommend this book.

Regrets - real or imagined occurrences that can make or break one's life, unless one has the help of the titled divine assistants. Believe that? You decide as you meet the participants of this charming but real story.

Meet Craig Houston, about to start his first assistant pastor job in a small town church and trying so hard to forget his sports career dreams shattered by a physical injury. Then there's Renee, a 15 year-old girl who is both newly pregnant and thrown out of her home and Shana who is about to make the perfect society marriage but doesn't have a clue of the meaningful purpose waiting for her realization. Kristy struggles to work hard while caring for her son and ailing grandmother, a difficult woman self-absorbed in her illness and about to be jolted into another purpose.

Who are the entertaining angels? You'll obviously have to read the story to find out but as usual they aren't your ordinary well-received people who match the majority of human expectations. But the reader does immediately recognize these angels, whether seen or heard, for the wise, real and blessed presence that transforms each person they address.

Entertaining Angels is a story that addresses ideas and realities we all at some point contemplate: faith, the homeless, mental health, community service and most importantly, meaningful connection with one's fellow men and women on a journey holding unique promise and divine purpose!

Very nicely done, Ms. Duarte!!!

Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on July 20, 2009

Judy Duarte's sequel to the outstanding Mulberry Park, is a heartwarming and inspiring story about never giving up on dreams. It's also a cautionary tale about the power of guilt in shaping our lives.
Kristy Smith was on her way to a college and a bright future when she became pregnant and - in her own eyes, at least - ruined her grandmother's life. Craig Houston, who once dreamed of a major league baseball career, became a pastor for all the wrong reasons and now doubts he can make a difference in the little town of Fairbrook. Shana is getting married to the perfect boy, except he's not the one she's always dreamed about. And Renee, who just wants the best for her unborn child, has no money, no job, and no future.
But it's a known fact that the future unfolds in mysterious ways. Aided by cryptic messages of hope from a transient named Jesse, Kristy and Craig fall in love, Shana finds the courage to be herself, and Renee becomes the daughter she always wanted to be. And incidentally, Craig finds a way to make a difference in baseball, Kristy finds a way to go back to school, Shana re-connects with her former sweetheart, and a childless couple finds the perfect ready-made family.
Duarte weaves all these stories together seamlessly. In a suspense novel, the tension often escalates to a crescendo of violence. In a Duarte novel, you can count on love and kindness escalating to a crescendo of hope fulfilled.
Read Entertaining Angels. Believe in small miracles again.

In San Diego suburb Fairbrook, while attending high school, Kristy Smith worked extra hard on her class work because she wanted to attend college and knew to do so she had to earn a scholarship. However, she lost her dream when she became pregnant and needed to work to support her son Jason and ironically her grandmother too. Kristy remains upbeat refusing to wallow in what could have been.

While attending school Craig Houston dreamed of becoming a pastor in an impoverished country. Instead he accepts the pastor position in Fairbrook. Though he feels he is needed more overseas, he changes his mind when he gets to know his middle class flock; encouraged by wise Jesse. He tries to help those in crisis like pregnant teen Renee Delaney, but it is Kristy even after unfairly accusing Renee of theft, whose optimism is pervasive and has him believe everyone needs support even a broken dreamed pastor if they are to obtain redemption.

ENTERTAINING ANGELS is an entertaining inspirational tale that will give readers a mental boost with its optimistic isms (perhaps too many) encouraging the audience to seek God rather than wait for God to come around. The story line is driven by the strong cast; not just those above as others like Kristy's best friend play major roles. Fans will root for the people of Fairbrook to find salvation, but especially want Kristy to obtain her dream of going to college.

Harriet Klausner

Have you ever read the Joshua books by Joseph Girzone? This book reminds me of them. An apparently homeless man named Jesse interacts with all the main characters and while he doesn't do much more than listen, and then say a few things, those words become powerful agents of change in their lives. Who are the main characters? Well, there is Renee, a pregnant teen who begins the book by leaving her relative's home rather than aborting her baby. There is Kristen, a single mom who is raising her son alone, and taking care of her grandmother, who was disabled by a stroke she had the same night Renee snuck out, got drunk, and got pregnant. There is Craig, the new assistant minister at the community church. Originally he had hoped for a career in professional baseball but after a rotator cuff tear and making a bargain with God in prayer, he gave it up to follow in his grandfather's footsteps in the ministry. Daniel and Cassandra are members of the church. Since the home the church was to provide for Craig wasn't ready, he was staying at their house. Daniel is a successful attorney and they are well off financially, but Craig realizes that not all is right in the house. Shauna is their daughter. She just told them that she is engaged to a guy from a wealthy family, but she's not thrilled. Dawn and Joe are the couple who run the food kitchen at the church. They love each other, but their greatest sorrow is that they were never able to have a baby. Jesse enters each of their lives briefly and helps point them on the road to happiness. It is a sweet feel-good read and can either be taken only at that level or the reader can realize that much of the advice Jesse gives can be for all of us. Also, the book has a strong pro-life message so that's another factor in its favor. This is one I'd definitely recommend.

I'd use the word "inspirational" rather than "Christian" to describe the book. While it is rather easy to see Jesse as a Jesus figure, he could just as well have been an angel, and really the book points more to him as an angel than as Christ. While God is mentioned a few times, and much of the story revolves around the church, we don't attend any services and I don't remember seeing Jesus' name in the book.