Customer Reviews

Of Men and Angels (Historical Romance S.)

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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Traveling by stagecoach from Philadelphia to Colorado in 1885, Alexandra (Alex to her family and friends) Merritt had to get home but the ride thru a severe thunderstorm was anything but pleasant, that combined with a very pregnant young woman as her sole companion did not leave Alex with a very secure feeling. Heavy rains washing away the road sent the stagecoach tumbling down a ravine killing the drivers and three mules. Surviving the crash was one thing, helping to birth the baby with no help was another as Alex called upon an inner strength to help her cope with this latest test.

Hung-over, running from the law, and hurting both body and soul  Jake Malone heard the voice of an angel singing hymns out on the Colorado plateau. Following the sounds, he saw an angel covered in grime, blood and birth fluids on her hands and knees prompting the woman in birthing her babe. Hed seen men die and not been so affected by the sight before him. Jake could have run  could have turned his back  but for once, hed think of someone besides himself and stayed to offer his assistance helping to bury the mother and bringing Alex to the next town. Alex wasnt sure about this surly, battered and bruised individual but she had to get home somehow and he did offer to help so with a leap of faith a trust was formed.

This was such a poignant and sweet tale of trust, love and faith in human love and kindness. It was deeply emotional, from the standpoint of watching the personal growth of Jake as he tried his best to turn his back on the hands of love and kindness that were extended to him. On a deeper level, he was able to take the wonderful gift he was being offered and give back that part of him that hed kept hidden for so long. This was a truly feel good kind of story that has much to recommend it besides being a sweet romance - and I most certainly do for anyone looking for good inspirational feelings of peace, love, and renewal. Absolutely lovely!

After reading Victoria Bylin's ABBIE'S OUTLAW and then its sequel, MIDNIGHT MARRIAGE, I anxiously hunted down Bylin's debut novel, OF MEN AND ANGELS. Maybe my expectations were too high . . .

Jake Malone was a stranger with a past. He was dangerous! He reeked of stale whiskey and looked exhausted, and Alexandra Merritt would forget him. She would forget his hungry eyes, his soft mouth, and his strong, tender arms. She would marry Thomas Hunnicutt, her familiar beau, but she would always . . . always wonder.

Jackson Jacob Malone was no hero. Jake Malone was a man who took whatever he wanted. He was a murderer, and a drunk, and he had a "kid" out of wedlock. Sweet Alexandra Merritt was nothing but a dangerous temptation. He would leave her and he would soon forget this sweet, desert angel - an angel who had shown him love.

Victoria Bylin's OF MEN AND ANGELS is a soft, gentle western; yet, it deals with the serious issue of derelict fathers! Furthermore, Bylin throws in a fine collection of secondary characters. In fact, Alexandra's father, William Merritt, steals the show. By displaying patient wisdom and insightful guidance, the William Merritt character tightly binds the entire story.

Nevertheless, OF MEN AND ANGELS did drag. It dragged whenever "righteousness" took over. "Would I? Could I? Should I?" soon became a very tedious battle cry! And! What happened to poor Thomas Hunnicutt, Alexandra's fianc?? He existed, he arrived, and then Bylin PROMPTLY dismissed him!

Victoria Bylin has gone on to write much better stories, so did OF MEN AND ANGELS simply suffer from "rookie" error?
Grade: C+

MaryGrace Meloche.

Of Men and Angels hooked me from the first pages and never let me go. I am always delighted to find a well-written western romance, and this one did not disappoint. I'm always a sucker for a cowboy or a baby. Put them together and you've got me. The characters were believable and well-developed, and their personal growth was shown in a plausible fashion. The ending pages made me smile and the epilogue made me cry. I wish my copy was autographed because it's a keeper. I will be waiting for Victoria Bylan's next book.

This was an excellent book. Well written, emotional depth and likeable characters. It made me laugh, sigh and cry. It's very different from the run of the mill westerns. I wish there were a sequel coming. Great job Ms. Bylin. Thanks.

Of Men and Angels is one of the best books I've read so far this year! I was pulled into action right away on page one and the story never slowed down. A real page-turner! The characters are wonderful and colorful. Alex and Jake read like real people with human hopes, fears, secrets and regrets. Jake's journey toward love and self-respect is truly wonderful, but it's not an easy journey and he achieves his happily-ever-after only with the help of a good woman--Alexandra. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of good romance reads!

Of Men And Angels by Victoria Bylin
This was a great read and slightly different. It had the good, the bad and the ugly. Life and death, mistakes in life that could not be fixed and other's that could.
Jackson Jake Malone was a man who was selfish and didn't think much beyond the moment. His brother, Gabe, had raised him from the age of eight but they were mostly at odds with each other. After his last mistake he did not know if he was a wanted man. Hung over and beat up he heard an angel singing in the desert. He did not care about others but something pulled him towards the angel. There was one woman giving birth and before long his angel held a baby and the other woman had died. For some reason he felt he needed to protect them. Jake brings them to Grand Junction and ends up staying to work for his angel's father's peach orchard.

Alexandra Merritt was heading back to Grand Junction after ten years in Philadelphia. Her father was having heart issues and she had to get home. After many delays she was already a month later then she planned. After a stagecoach accident that left her alone with the very pregnant Charlotte Smith she soon found herself delivering a baby. When she looked up she thought she saw the angel of death watching her but he ended up being her hero. Charlotte didn't make it and she had to get home along with a baby boy in her care. Jake brings her home and that is just the beginning.
**Sexual situations and some language.

This was by far one of the most well written books I have ever read. The characters in this book literally walk off the page into your heart. You can't help but fall in love with Jake and you understand what draws Jake to Alex. Alex's father, William, has a big roll in the book and he is a man you would love to know. It's an emotionally powerful book and I found myself smiling as well as hurting with these characters. You can't help but be touched by it.