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Paper Angels
Kevin Morrell is a forty-three-year-old husband and father who runs a successful design and marketing firm that's crashed into the suffering economy. Attempting to navigate the busyness of the mall at Christmas, Kevin is humbled when he stumbles across the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Project. His wife insists that he take a paper ornament.
The name on the ornament is Thomas Brandt, a fifteen-year-old still reeling from the implosion of his family—from years of verbal abuse from an alcoholic father to a mother who finally left him behind, only to find herself and her children penniless and struggling. The only thing has allowed Lynn to survive is her faith. Thomas shares that faith, but he also wonders why God has seemingly abandoned them.
This is the story about a man and a boy one December. A man whose life is changed by a simple expression of kindness, and a boy who takes that expression of kindness and shows the true meaning of Christmas.
The name on the ornament is Thomas Brandt, a fifteen-year-old still reeling from the implosion of his family—from years of verbal abuse from an alcoholic father to a mother who finally left him behind, only to find herself and her children penniless and struggling. The only thing has allowed Lynn to survive is her faith. Thomas shares that faith, but he also wonders why God has seemingly abandoned them.
This is the story about a man and a boy one December. A man whose life is changed by a simple expression of kindness, and a boy who takes that expression of kindness and shows the true meaning of Christmas.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2011
24 people are currently reading
744 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
December 22, 2017
A Christmas story that eats at your heart and makes you really feel for the characters. This isn't your average happy holiday book. It's packed with some real hurdles for the characters, and some hard life situations they've got to overcome. In fact, there's two intertwined stories being told. A man who's got it made, and a boy who is just getting by. Both need some Christmas spirit in their families' lives, and even though these two people don't know each other, they help each other out...
There is no cookie cutter plot in Paper Angels. It's a novel that has a good feeling to it as you read; the writing style flows well throughout the story. Now, there is alcoholism, abuse, bullying at school, and poverty in there. But also forgiveness, Christmas joy, and kindness.
I really like that the author made sure to include elements of faith in the novel too; the characters talk about God, prayer, and the true meaning of Christmas, and this made the book seem very heartfelt.
I'd recommend this as an adult read – teens could enjoy it too, but there is some alluding to some mature topics.
There is no cookie cutter plot in Paper Angels. It's a novel that has a good feeling to it as you read; the writing style flows well throughout the story. Now, there is alcoholism, abuse, bullying at school, and poverty in there. But also forgiveness, Christmas joy, and kindness.
I really like that the author made sure to include elements of faith in the novel too; the characters talk about God, prayer, and the true meaning of Christmas, and this made the book seem very heartfelt.
I'd recommend this as an adult read – teens could enjoy it too, but there is some alluding to some mature topics.
November 30, 2011
I think I must be part Elf because I am a sucker for anything with a Christmas theme. A sucker!
So we were already off to a good start with "Paper Angels" by Jimmy Wayne and Travis Thrasher. Next delight was that rare moment of "book kismet" that I seldom get when reading. This took the form of the book being set in one of my all-time favourite small towns in the US ... home to one of my closest friends. *Sigh*
With a Christmas theme, book kismet and a slight crush on the author (had I not mentioned that?) you'd think this would be a 5 star no-brainer before I got started.
It's true, I did love it. But it doesn't get 5 stars that easily. No siree.
Despite the gay abandon in which I love all things Christmas, I am also slightly wary about coming-of-age, overcoming adversity, holiday reads. They CAN be cliché, saccharine and truth be told, painful. Throw in my skittish reaction to any mention of religion (thanks to previous bad experiences) and I did pick up this book with some reservation.
What was I worried about?
Dynamic, multi-dimensional characters. A poignant, heart-wrenching and almost bruising story that didn’t follow a predictable path or wrap everything up with a neat, disappointing bow. A writing style that was engaging and easy to read. (I’d go as far as say it was the perfect book to pick up and put down .... although personally, I couldn’t put it down!) And despite everything – the pain, the anguish and struggles of the characters, there was hope and inspiration; again not in some cookie-cutter formula that can often leave you nauseous. This leads me to the religious element of the book. Being “sensitive” to this dynamic in any book, I thought it authors Jimmy Wayne and Travis Thrasher tackled this beautifully. Quite simply, there is an art to weaving faith, God and a spiritual message into a story without sounding preachy and that is exactly what ”Paper Angels” achieved. Hurrah!
One final thing I will say about this book that added to the depth of the emotions I experienced when reading this. As with any story of struggle, you know someone, somewhere has lived or is living it. This was especially poignant as I could see the echoes, memories and influences from Jimmy Wayne’s childhood in the foster system. Truth be told, I found it often heart-breaking to read. Which was all the more reason why I kept reading. Someone out there is waiting for their paper angel right now.
Highly recommended!
Websites that may be of interest:
Project Meet Me Halfway (Jimmy Wayne) http://projectmmh.org/
Salvation Army Paper Angel Programme: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/w...
Travis Thrasher: http://www.travisthrasher.com/
So we were already off to a good start with "Paper Angels" by Jimmy Wayne and Travis Thrasher. Next delight was that rare moment of "book kismet" that I seldom get when reading. This took the form of the book being set in one of my all-time favourite small towns in the US ... home to one of my closest friends. *Sigh*
With a Christmas theme, book kismet and a slight crush on the author (had I not mentioned that?) you'd think this would be a 5 star no-brainer before I got started.
It's true, I did love it. But it doesn't get 5 stars that easily. No siree.
Despite the gay abandon in which I love all things Christmas, I am also slightly wary about coming-of-age, overcoming adversity, holiday reads. They CAN be cliché, saccharine and truth be told, painful. Throw in my skittish reaction to any mention of religion (thanks to previous bad experiences) and I did pick up this book with some reservation.
What was I worried about?
Dynamic, multi-dimensional characters. A poignant, heart-wrenching and almost bruising story that didn’t follow a predictable path or wrap everything up with a neat, disappointing bow. A writing style that was engaging and easy to read. (I’d go as far as say it was the perfect book to pick up and put down .... although personally, I couldn’t put it down!) And despite everything – the pain, the anguish and struggles of the characters, there was hope and inspiration; again not in some cookie-cutter formula that can often leave you nauseous. This leads me to the religious element of the book. Being “sensitive” to this dynamic in any book, I thought it authors Jimmy Wayne and Travis Thrasher tackled this beautifully. Quite simply, there is an art to weaving faith, God and a spiritual message into a story without sounding preachy and that is exactly what ”Paper Angels” achieved. Hurrah!
One final thing I will say about this book that added to the depth of the emotions I experienced when reading this. As with any story of struggle, you know someone, somewhere has lived or is living it. This was especially poignant as I could see the echoes, memories and influences from Jimmy Wayne’s childhood in the foster system. Truth be told, I found it often heart-breaking to read. Which was all the more reason why I kept reading. Someone out there is waiting for their paper angel right now.
Highly recommended!
Websites that may be of interest:
Project Meet Me Halfway (Jimmy Wayne) http://projectmmh.org/
Salvation Army Paper Angel Programme: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/w...
Travis Thrasher: http://www.travisthrasher.com/
December 8, 2022
Did ya think I wouldn’t get the message, Jimmy? Didn't have to whack me over the head with it.
Read
December 29, 2014I have always loved the song "Paper Angels" by Jimmy Wayne so I was motivated to read the book. The book has themes of alcoholism, poverty, and cyber-bullying, so it is not a typical Christmas Book. Nevertheless, it also has the positive themes of forgiveness, trust in God, and the joy of giving.
As a child, the author grew up in foster homes and his life was affected by alcoholism in the family. He is grateful to have benefited from the Salvation Army's Paper Angel program and has written this book to tell others of the positive impact that this program has on the lives of families.
Drawing from his personal experiences, the author has crafted a fiction story in which a mother and her two children leave an abusive husband/father and struggle to make ends meet. When they move to a new town, they live in poverty and the son Thomas is mocked and cyber-bullied. Instead of seeking revenge, Thomas sets out to make something good out of a bad situation.
There is also a second story-line, involving a young couple who is expecting twins. The husband's company is struggling due to the economy and the wife is experiencing a pregnancy filled with complications.
UP TV showed a TV movie of the book a few days before Christmas, but as usual, I liked the book better than the movie. The movie made some changes in the plot that I feel diluted the original intentions of the author. Read the book, listen to the song, but skip the movie version.
As a child, the author grew up in foster homes and his life was affected by alcoholism in the family. He is grateful to have benefited from the Salvation Army's Paper Angel program and has written this book to tell others of the positive impact that this program has on the lives of families.
Drawing from his personal experiences, the author has crafted a fiction story in which a mother and her two children leave an abusive husband/father and struggle to make ends meet. When they move to a new town, they live in poverty and the son Thomas is mocked and cyber-bullied. Instead of seeking revenge, Thomas sets out to make something good out of a bad situation.
There is also a second story-line, involving a young couple who is expecting twins. The husband's company is struggling due to the economy and the wife is experiencing a pregnancy filled with complications.
UP TV showed a TV movie of the book a few days before Christmas, but as usual, I liked the book better than the movie. The movie made some changes in the plot that I feel diluted the original intentions of the author. Read the book, listen to the song, but skip the movie version.
January 16, 2020
As he climbed out of his car, the early morning cold woke Kevin up to the chilling reality he faced.
For a moment he wanted a big snow. A major kind that would shut down the city for a week. Then maybe he could think. Then maybe he could make sense of everything.
He thought of something his father once told him. "There's a fine line between getting ahead and getting ahead of ourselves."
Kevin wasn't sure exactly where that fine line was, but as he stood by his car staring at the building in front of him, he worried that he had passed over the line some time ago.
For those readers who have grown up in or around churches, Paper Angels will feel familiar. It is a quintessential Christmas "feel good" story, complete with hope, redemption, and second chances. Kevin is the father of a toddler, with twins due any day. He owns his own graphic design company, but business in 2011 has still not recovered from the recession. He worries constantly--about his wife's health, the health of the twins, finances, and whether he will be able to continue to provide for his family.
Thomas Brandt, on the other hand, is a 15 year old boy trying to be the man of the house. His mother finally escaped her drunken, abusive husband after years of walking on egg shells. She flees with her son and 12 year old daughter to a small town on the outskirts of Greenville, South Carolina. The finds a job as a waitress, and struggles to make ends meet. Finally, out of desperation, she signs her two children up for the Angel Tree program at the Salvation Army so that they can hopefully have a little joy at Christmastime.
Then, (you guessed it!) Kevin is talked into picking an Angel from the tree at the mall by his wife...and he picks Thomas. As he begins searching for the items Thomas wants, Kevin rediscovers the meaning of Christmas, works through many of his doubts, and rekindles his faith in a higher power--just in time for the twins to be born. But what of Thomas and his little family? Will they be able to eke out an abuse-free life for themselves? Since this is a Christmas novel the chances are high, but if the plot line sounds like something you could enjoy in front of the fireplace then read to find out!
My two cents: I feel like a Grinch giving this novel 1 star, but here's why I felt I had no choice. 1) the writing was amateur hour. 2) At 290 pages, the book still felt like a slog to get through. That never says good things about the plot and pacing. 3) I had a hard time rooting for either of the main characters. I could empathize with Kevin's internal dialogue initially, but after 200 pages I wanted to take him by the shoulders and tell him to "Man up!" already. Similarly with Thomas, I was rooting for him and empathizing with him for the first half of the book, but the ending felt unrealistic, and very Baptist Christmas cantata-ish. 4) The entire book felt like an ad for the Salvation army. So know that going in. Given 1.5 stars or a rating of "Below Average".
For a moment he wanted a big snow. A major kind that would shut down the city for a week. Then maybe he could think. Then maybe he could make sense of everything.
He thought of something his father once told him. "There's a fine line between getting ahead and getting ahead of ourselves."
Kevin wasn't sure exactly where that fine line was, but as he stood by his car staring at the building in front of him, he worried that he had passed over the line some time ago.
For those readers who have grown up in or around churches, Paper Angels will feel familiar. It is a quintessential Christmas "feel good" story, complete with hope, redemption, and second chances. Kevin is the father of a toddler, with twins due any day. He owns his own graphic design company, but business in 2011 has still not recovered from the recession. He worries constantly--about his wife's health, the health of the twins, finances, and whether he will be able to continue to provide for his family.
Thomas Brandt, on the other hand, is a 15 year old boy trying to be the man of the house. His mother finally escaped her drunken, abusive husband after years of walking on egg shells. She flees with her son and 12 year old daughter to a small town on the outskirts of Greenville, South Carolina. The finds a job as a waitress, and struggles to make ends meet. Finally, out of desperation, she signs her two children up for the Angel Tree program at the Salvation Army so that they can hopefully have a little joy at Christmastime.
Then, (you guessed it!) Kevin is talked into picking an Angel from the tree at the mall by his wife...and he picks Thomas. As he begins searching for the items Thomas wants, Kevin rediscovers the meaning of Christmas, works through many of his doubts, and rekindles his faith in a higher power--just in time for the twins to be born. But what of Thomas and his little family? Will they be able to eke out an abuse-free life for themselves? Since this is a Christmas novel the chances are high, but if the plot line sounds like something you could enjoy in front of the fireplace then read to find out!
My two cents: I feel like a Grinch giving this novel 1 star, but here's why I felt I had no choice. 1) the writing was amateur hour. 2) At 290 pages, the book still felt like a slog to get through. That never says good things about the plot and pacing. 3) I had a hard time rooting for either of the main characters. I could empathize with Kevin's internal dialogue initially, but after 200 pages I wanted to take him by the shoulders and tell him to "Man up!" already. Similarly with Thomas, I was rooting for him and empathizing with him for the first half of the book, but the ending felt unrealistic, and very Baptist Christmas cantata-ish. 4) The entire book felt like an ad for the Salvation army. So know that going in. Given 1.5 stars or a rating of "Below Average".
December 9, 2018
A simple heartwarming story of two families each facing challenges at Christmas times. Their lives intersect, but they don’t meet.
January 13, 2012
Originally published on my blog, Read Love.
Paper Angels is clearly inspired by Country singer and Author Jimmy Wayne's own life. He was himself once a recipient of the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program. Having lived through hard times himself, he feels a personal responsibility to give back. Knowing Jimmy Wayne's music and background, I was curious to read this book, and thanks to NetGalley, I was able to do so.
I began reading on Christmas Eve and finished the day after Christmas. Paper Angels tells an important story. Readers will understand a little more about the Salvation Army and the organization's Angel Tree program. But more importantly, readers will be given an immeasurable gift. For this novel is a fitting book to read at Christmastime to remember what the Spirit of Christmas is all about.
The two storylines and two families intersect thanks to the Angel Tree. When Kevin pulls Thomas' angel off the tree at the mall, he begins to think about more than himself and his own troubles. Additionally, each time he goes to buy a gift for Thomas, Kevin has an encounter with someone from his past with whom he has lost touch. Through his giving to Thomas, and his interactions with friends, Kevin begins to learn how to be a better husband, father, and friend. And just as importantly, his faith, which been forgotten and nearly lost, is refound.
Thomas' storyline is the most compelling part of the novel. And Thomas is also the strength of the book. You'll want to read the story through to its conclusion just to find out what kind of Christmas and what kind of ending Thomas has. This young man is both giving and forgiving. He is compassionate and kind. He has his own struggles and troubles, but he overcomes them through faith and love. I won't give anything away, but Thomas has a heart of gold. And we can all benefit from reading this book at Christmas time and remembering that, even if our lives are difficult or stressful, there is always someone who is hurting and struggling more than we are. If we remember to look past ourselves and help others, we'll be rewarded more than we could ever imagine. I hope that those who read this book are inspired to be generous and give of themselves to make someone else's life a little bit happier. Not just at Christmas, but all year through.
Paper Angels is clearly inspired by Country singer and Author Jimmy Wayne's own life. He was himself once a recipient of the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program. Having lived through hard times himself, he feels a personal responsibility to give back. Knowing Jimmy Wayne's music and background, I was curious to read this book, and thanks to NetGalley, I was able to do so.
I began reading on Christmas Eve and finished the day after Christmas. Paper Angels tells an important story. Readers will understand a little more about the Salvation Army and the organization's Angel Tree program. But more importantly, readers will be given an immeasurable gift. For this novel is a fitting book to read at Christmastime to remember what the Spirit of Christmas is all about.
The two storylines and two families intersect thanks to the Angel Tree. When Kevin pulls Thomas' angel off the tree at the mall, he begins to think about more than himself and his own troubles. Additionally, each time he goes to buy a gift for Thomas, Kevin has an encounter with someone from his past with whom he has lost touch. Through his giving to Thomas, and his interactions with friends, Kevin begins to learn how to be a better husband, father, and friend. And just as importantly, his faith, which been forgotten and nearly lost, is refound.
Thomas' storyline is the most compelling part of the novel. And Thomas is also the strength of the book. You'll want to read the story through to its conclusion just to find out what kind of Christmas and what kind of ending Thomas has. This young man is both giving and forgiving. He is compassionate and kind. He has his own struggles and troubles, but he overcomes them through faith and love. I won't give anything away, but Thomas has a heart of gold. And we can all benefit from reading this book at Christmas time and remembering that, even if our lives are difficult or stressful, there is always someone who is hurting and struggling more than we are. If we remember to look past ourselves and help others, we'll be rewarded more than we could ever imagine. I hope that those who read this book are inspired to be generous and give of themselves to make someone else's life a little bit happier. Not just at Christmas, but all year through.
December 2, 2011
“Paper Angels” by Jimmy Wayne with Travis Thrasher, published by Howard Books.
Category – Christmas/Christian
If you are going to read one Christmas book this year, pick this one. As most of us know the Salvation Army and other charitable organizations put up Christmas trees and place paper angels on them. These angels have the names of needy people on them and a request for a Christmas gift. So the story begins.
This is the story of two families and how their lives intersect with the picking of a paper angel.
Lynn Brandt has lived in an abusive marriage and has had enough. She gathers her two children, Thomas and Sara and leave, not knowing where they were going or what they were going to do when they get there. Lynn finds a low paying waitress job and finds housing in a dilapidated trailer. Her daughter has become cynical and her son is facing problems at school. Things become desperate when Lynn loses her job and must swallow her pride and sign up her children for the Salvation Army Giving Tree.
Kevin Morrell has a successful design and marketing firm. He receives devastating news that his biggest client can no longer afford his services. He and his wife Jen have a young boy and are expecting twins. Kevin must also tell his employees that he is being forced to shut the business down and that they will all be unemployed by Christmas. Kevin takes a name off the Giving Tree, at the insistence of his wife, and the name pulled is Thomas Brandt.
The story shows how kindness, giving, hope, the Christmas Spirit, and the belief in a caring and loving God can bring a true meaning to Christmas.
This is an excellent read that can be enjoyed by everyone. A story that brings back what Christmas is really about and how one’s faith can bring real change to our lives.
Category – Christmas/Christian
If you are going to read one Christmas book this year, pick this one. As most of us know the Salvation Army and other charitable organizations put up Christmas trees and place paper angels on them. These angels have the names of needy people on them and a request for a Christmas gift. So the story begins.
This is the story of two families and how their lives intersect with the picking of a paper angel.
Lynn Brandt has lived in an abusive marriage and has had enough. She gathers her two children, Thomas and Sara and leave, not knowing where they were going or what they were going to do when they get there. Lynn finds a low paying waitress job and finds housing in a dilapidated trailer. Her daughter has become cynical and her son is facing problems at school. Things become desperate when Lynn loses her job and must swallow her pride and sign up her children for the Salvation Army Giving Tree.
Kevin Morrell has a successful design and marketing firm. He receives devastating news that his biggest client can no longer afford his services. He and his wife Jen have a young boy and are expecting twins. Kevin must also tell his employees that he is being forced to shut the business down and that they will all be unemployed by Christmas. Kevin takes a name off the Giving Tree, at the insistence of his wife, and the name pulled is Thomas Brandt.
The story shows how kindness, giving, hope, the Christmas Spirit, and the belief in a caring and loving God can bring a true meaning to Christmas.
This is an excellent read that can be enjoyed by everyone. A story that brings back what Christmas is really about and how one’s faith can bring real change to our lives.
August 13, 2016
This book was given to us by the judge who finalized the adoption of two of our children. Like _The Gray Zone_ by Daphna Edwards Ziman, this book was written with a specific didactic purpose--in this case, several purposes: To portray with sensitivity what some families at risk of homelessness and at risk of having their children placed in foster care are like, to demonstrate the importance of Christianity, and to demonstrate the importance of charity. I do think it's important to see positive images of foster care and homeless youth, especially since I think many people have negative stereotypes of them. And I think these portrayals will be most compelling and realistic when they come from authors who themselves experienced these challenges, as Jimmy Wayne did. However, it seems to me that books with such overt purposes are rarely good stand-alone works of fiction. Especially when you pile on more moral lessons. The Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program (a charity program) is also highlighted in the book. The book was enjoyable to read but bordered on sounding like an advertisement for Christianity and the Salvation Army.
November 25, 2014
This story … written between country singer Jimmy Wayne and author Travis Thrasher follows the stories of two families experiencing hard times as the Christmas season moves in. The first is about a mother with two children, running from an abusive husband … and then struggling to work and meet ends meet. The second is about a business executive, who realizes his business is failing at Christmas - when his young wife is expecting their second child. … Both families connect through the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program. An admirable asset of this story is that the authors give good tribute to the Salvation Army and to the many ways it helps families - and especially children at Christmas through the Angel Tree Program. ….Overall, I liked the concept of the book and the characters … but the book fell short for me as it moved toward its end, becoming much too unrealistic in how the main characters handled and resolved their problems.
January 3, 2022
Paper Angels is an inspirational and emotional book focused on the true meaning of Christmas. If you are feeling like the Grinch and need a catalyst to lift your spirits, I highly recommend this book. Through the events in the story, the trickle-down effect of a small act of kindness is revealed. One never fully knows the far-reaching impact an act of love can carry.
When Kevin Morrel's wife suggested he take a paper angel from the Salvation Army Christmas tree, he was reluctant, as the Christmas season found him feeling less than jolly. With a bleak future, he was faced with the imminent demise of his failing business. As the story unfolded, he eventually selected the name, Thomas Brandt. Fifteen year old Thomas also faced dire circumstances beyond his control.
The story is told through alternating narratives. Thomas was by far my favorite character. His unselfishness and maturity had me wiping my eyes on several occasions. He wanted to make a difference and change something in his world.
God also answered Kevin's prayers, but not as he expected. During the greatest trial of his life, he was given the greatest gift. He found absolute purpose and meaning.
After reading this book, I gained more empathy for people who experience hard times and become down on their luck through no fault of their own. Truly, we are all pieces of a broken puzzle, but we are not the ones who can put it together.
When Kevin Morrel's wife suggested he take a paper angel from the Salvation Army Christmas tree, he was reluctant, as the Christmas season found him feeling less than jolly. With a bleak future, he was faced with the imminent demise of his failing business. As the story unfolded, he eventually selected the name, Thomas Brandt. Fifteen year old Thomas also faced dire circumstances beyond his control.
The story is told through alternating narratives. Thomas was by far my favorite character. His unselfishness and maturity had me wiping my eyes on several occasions. He wanted to make a difference and change something in his world.
God also answered Kevin's prayers, but not as he expected. During the greatest trial of his life, he was given the greatest gift. He found absolute purpose and meaning.
After reading this book, I gained more empathy for people who experience hard times and become down on their luck through no fault of their own. Truly, we are all pieces of a broken puzzle, but we are not the ones who can put it together.
December 13, 2017
A sweet holiday story about two different families. Kevin is a husband and father who owns his own marketing firm: his wife is expecting twins and their health is questionable. His business is losing money quickly and he is struggling to make the best decision for all. His wife convinces him to take a paper angel from a tree (sponsored by the Salvation Army.) The paper angel was put on the tree by Thomas's mother. Thomas is a fifteen year old with a younger sister: their family is barely coping after leaving their alcoholic and abusive father. The characters have faith but often feel that God has abandoned them. This is a quick read that focuses on how a small kindness can make huge changes in people's lives.
December 28, 2024
Having been familiar with Jimmy Wayne's song by the same name, and having seen the made-for-tv movie a few times, I anticipated loving this story. The book is usually better than the movie, and that is true in this case. Such a great story, told with empathy and kindness about the struggles of life, the triumphs that warm our hearts, the devastations and setbacks that sadden us, and the love that family should bring to us in this cold, hard world. How can I not love every chapter?
December 5, 2020
Paper Angels is a heartfelt Christmas tale about finding kindness amid consumerism, highlighting the historic Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. But it’s so much more than that. It’s a story of brokenness and redemption, of forgiveness and second chances, of empathy and integrity and repaying evil with good.
January 25, 2017
This was a good Christmas book. It had a slow beginning and I had to restart the book a few times. It got better as the story progressed and then it was a quick read. Great story, with relatable characters who everyone can learn something from.
May 16, 2017
I love a story full of inspiration, hope and faith. Jimmy Wayne's book is touching and after reading his memoir Walk to Beautiful, I can see where he got his inspiration to help the kid that are where he once was.
November 25, 2018
Great Christmas Story
This book is a bit different than your usual Christmas stores. It is about redemption and kindness and not about hunky sulking rich guys that love their grandmother. Give it a try. It reads fast.
This book is a bit different than your usual Christmas stores. It is about redemption and kindness and not about hunky sulking rich guys that love their grandmother. Give it a try. It reads fast.
February 4, 2022
First book I've read by this author; I really enjoyed it.
Jimmy Waye is a song writer and this book is a wonderful example of his story writing talent.
Paper Angels is a wonderful story, that demonstrates the impact of the Salvation Army Christmas Angels campaign. Very touching!
Jimmy Waye is a song writer and this book is a wonderful example of his story writing talent.
Paper Angels is a wonderful story, that demonstrates the impact of the Salvation Army Christmas Angels campaign. Very touching!
November 10, 2022
Paper Angels Wayne, Jimmy 3 Holiday F Xmas 2 families both lost jobs before holidays- 1 affluent expecting twins & another escaping abuse relearn meaning of xmas hope through Salvation Army Angel tree participation 2015 12/15/2015
December 14, 2022
Mt. TBR 2022: book #28
This book started off slow, and I really wasn’t sure if I was going to bother staying with it . I was so glad that I did - it was such a good story and I found that I had trouble putting it down. ❤️
This book started off slow, and I really wasn’t sure if I was going to bother staying with it . I was so glad that I did - it was such a good story and I found that I had trouble putting it down. ❤️
December 7, 2023
What a sweet story about two families and the difference the Salvation Army Christmas Angel program makes to both the givers and receivers. Faith, prayer, trusting God, forgiveness, and always trying to be the better person really pays off…
October 1, 2017
Well written story with a wonderful message.
December 9, 2017
Preachy but an ok story. I was mostly interested in Thomas' story.
December 25, 2017
This was a heartwarming story of beginning of angel tree 🌲 program. Wow very inspiring.
November 14, 2018
A must read during the Christmas holiday season
December 14, 2018
What a beautiful story for the holiday season. Worth the read for everyone. 💕
January 4, 2019
A good read. Very touching.
February 2, 2019
Awesome Book. Really Loved it.
December 16, 2019
If you want your heart warmed and some inspiration in your life for Christmas, this might just be the book!
December 19, 2019
Really good Christmas message!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews