Customer Reviews

Never Lie to an Angel (Love Inspired #69)

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Author Kate Welsh accomplished two things with this inspirational romance: she shattered my inherent dislike of contemporary crime stories and kept me up way past my bedtime. Each one deserves a hearty round of applause. To achieve both in one novel is nothing short of miraculous.

Angelica DeVoe sacrificed the good wishes of her socially elite family to minister to the destitute flooding the North Riverside Mission. Appalled by her life choices and personal commitment to the hungry, Angelica's parents conspire to deprive Angelica of the fortune willed to her by her beloved grandmother -- a fortune earmarked for the mission.

Undercover cop Greg Peterson vowed to avenge the deaths of his brother and partner by doing everything in his power to rid Riverside of drug traffic. Greg bears a burden of guilt heavy enough for any six human beings.

The paths of cop and "Angel" converge during Greg's investigation to determine whether the "Angel of North Riverside" is in fact the local drug kingpin. Greg establishes Angelica's innocence quickly, realizing her zeal to save their corner of Pennsylvania burns as fervently as his. As kindred spirits united in a common cause, they cannot deny their growing physical attraction for each another. But neither innocence nor love can shield them from the drug-spun web of violence and corruption ensnaring local residents, gang members, police and beyond.

Often in romances, the plot would dry up and blow away if the hero and heroine ever sat down and talked with each other at the outset. Not so with Never Lie to an Angel. Greg cannot blow his cover, even with his Angel, and, knowing how deeply she despises lies, he despises himself for perpetuating the deceit. Angelica tries to draw him out, and he divulges what he can, but those snippets are, at best, half-truths. And the flip side of every half-truth is half a lie.

Welsh pulls no punches with her stunning portrayal of real people battling real issues of violence, deception, betrayal, failure, guilt, temptation, forgiveness, faith, hope and love. The main characters' riveting outer and inner battles hit painfully close to home. Nothing comes easily, even for those choosing to make life-transforming decisions. Never does Welsh rely upon the fairy-tale platitude of "love conquers all." All too often, love needs a generous dose of courage to look beyond the ugliness around us, in each other, and within ourselves. Thank you, Kate Welsh, for reminding us the ugliness can be dealt with in a decisive, practical and ultimately redeeming manner.

This story would stand on its own even without the romance element. I would be glad for my daughter to read it. Godly and beautiful.

Moral of my story is: Don't judge a book by it's cover. When I first read about what this book was about, I didn't think I was going to like it. Going in with that attitude almost made me stop reading about fifty pages through when I was still unsure.

Then I hit about page 150 and...WOW! Do not stop reading this book! It is SOOOOOOOO good!!! Greg Peterson's story begins in an undercover role. He looks like a homeless person...long hair, shaggy beard...and THAT's the person Angel falls in love with! He's really undercover to expose a drug ring - a drug ring that some believe Angel is behind, but Greg quickly learns she's not involved...unfortunately, his superiors aren't so convinced...

There is so much drama in this book. Several broken relationships are healed. Truth is found out, and the truth can sometimes surprise you. Many come to know the Lord. Two people fall madly in love. There are shootings and other injuries. And I love how Greg takes care of his Angel! So very romantic.

This is a must read. You will NOT be able to put it down - especially when your in the last 100 pages or so!