The Gift of Angels

by Rachel Ann Nunes

Angela Thornberry is facing the greatest challenge of her life. All around her people talk about miracles happening to them and how God acts in their behalf. Even the scriptures are full of angels and miracles. As she and her family teeter on the brink of losing everything, Angela needs one of those angels now more than ever. Her faith wavers as everyone around her seems to receive divine help—everyone except her. Doesn't she too, deserve an angel of mercy? Does the Lord have a plan for her or has her lifetime of faith been misplaced? Then something strange begins to happen, and her entire life changes yet again. In this fast-moving novella, Rachel Ann Nunes has given readers a vivid peek into the life of a regular Mormon family facing an impossible trial. Or is it impossible? The Gift of Angels will not only make you aware of the angels in your life, but inspire you to become someone else’s angel. “An inspirational novella, a sort of fictional nonfiction that puts me in mind of The Peacegiver by James L. Ferrell. Nunes uses a similar approach to reveal important life principles, except the fiction in A Gift of Angels is a lot more realistic. Loved it!” “The family in The Gift of Angels is so real it could be my own.” “I don’t normally like nonfiction books, but this book has all the perceived value of a nonfiction title with the reading ease of fiction.” “I recommend The Gift of Angels to anyone who is going through trials or who has ever asked the question, ‘Why me?’ ” “In The Gift of Angels, Nunes shows a perception that goes deeper than most fictional reads. I highly recommend it.”

Genres: Lds Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2011

About the author

Rachel Ann Nunes (pronounced noon-esh) learned to read when she was four and by seventh grade knew she was going to be an author. Now as a stay-at-home mother of seven, it isn't easy to find time to write, but she will trade washing dishes or weeding the garden for an hour at the computer any day! Her only rule about writing is to never eat chocolate at the computer. "Since I love chocolate and writing," she jokes, "my family might never see me again."

Rachel has over sixty published books, including the popular Ariana series and the award-winning picture book Daughter of a King. She enjoys hiking, swimming, spending time with her family, reading, and visiting far off places.

For more information or to join her e-mailing list, visit http://www.RachelAnnNunes.com.

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t love this one as much as other books by Nunes, but it was still a sweet story. Good reminder to look for angels around us.

[Jinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and engaging book about a Mormon mom's struggle with the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. I especially enjoyed the scripture-come-to-life daydreams that the main character, Angela, experienced. It proved to be a personal revelation that helped her to not only understand the scriptures but how it specifically applied to her ...particularly in how to better approach life with the devastating illness. Another aspect of the book that I admired was the family involvement. Angela and each member of her family were given proper page time to demonstrate genuine life reactions and ultimately authentic acceptance or resolve. Moreover, the title was appropriate and well presented in content.

Overall, I believe this short book packed heartfelt insights that might comfort those and families facing terminal illness.

Jinky is Reading

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read because it's a very short book. I polished it off in one sitting. It was a book with very real emotion and will probably hit home for many people as it deals with cancer, chemo treatments and coming to terms with life and death through the Lord's help. This is the story of so many people. I have a hard time with books like this just because they are real life and it's what we all live every day. I guess I prefer to be taken away from the hard things of real life when I read. I had to turn off lots of emotions to read this. The MC was definitely taken on an emotional and spiritual journey. The love and kindness of family, friends and even strangers can make all the difference in the world.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This well-written, brief book is a reminder of a valuable perspective--not looking back on your previous life (before a crisis or other huge transition) as the ideal, but making the most of the life you have now, with the "door of your tent" facing toward the word of God. I'm not sure who would be the best audience for this book. For someone in the depths of crisis, it might seem too easy, although the author has worked hard to show how difficult it is to gain this perspective. As someone who has challenges but is not currently in crisis, I found this to be valuable. I hope can remember this book when crisis (inevitably) hits.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

How 'bout 2 1/2 stars. It was fine. It was a quick read with some interesting ideas that got me thinking. I always like that. Having just watched a close friend go through cancer treatments it irritated me a bit that the main character had so few problems with therapy, but I imagine it could be some people's experience. I did like that the heroine did not have a perfect attitude all the time and her family seemed realistic to me. The book was a quick and thoughtful read.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is hard core, often preachy LDS fiction. That's not to say that it doesn't have some decent points. I think a lot of us go through things that make us question our faith. That's OK, and I appreciate that notion.

What I didn't like as much is how easily it all came together in the end for her. This book is short, and I think making her change to embracing faith could have been fleshed out a little more.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not like this book at the start. The main character is so angry and frustratingly (although understandably) spiritually blind. I only kept going because it is so very short, and I am so glad that I did! In the end a beautifully uplifting story even though you don't know at the end of the book where exactly her life was going to go, there is hope for the ultimate end of her story whichever way things turn.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, except for the ending. I wanted more closure. But I liked reading about her journey as she dealt with the trials in her life, and it inspired me to want to do better at dealing with the trials in my life. I liked the visions she had. This story has a lot of good lessons that I want to remember.

Content: Clean

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick read (2-3 nights) but a nice, clean story with a wonderful meaning to it. It is about family drawing closer to each another as they go through a trial. I especially loved the optimism in the husband and wife and finding angels in the people around them.

[Susan Brandley · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, this book is very short. At first this book is very depressing, but the more I read, it became very spiritual and left me with a good feeling. I would recommend this book to someone who has a terminal illness or is very sick.

[DeeAnn Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good!

I would like to recommend this book to anyone who has ever been close to someone who has struggled with cancer. From the LDS perspective this book has a very good message.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great book. The reactions to something so traumatizing were well written. I would recommend it to anyone who might be facing a trial in their own life.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to help bring strength to anyone's testimony.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast and easy to read. It was story full of hope and optimism where a family grows closer to each other while the mother endures cancer.

[Karijean31 · Rating 5 out of 5]

very touching story

[Shirley]

I've been advised that as a published author, it is not necessarily appropriate for me to review other books or authors.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick easy read with a good message. I read this on a day I was fasting for my friend's sister with cancer, very applicable and full of hope.

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting.

[Maegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay little book. Found the ebook for free on amazon, so thought I'd give it a read. Has a good message, hits close to home after having lost an aunt to cancer a month ago.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within these pages are several nuggets of inspirational truths especially helpful when you're finding it difficult to understand suffering.

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. I think I was hoping for a little more depth. Maybe if it had been longer. It was a quick read and enjoyable enough.

[mistys_bookobsession · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It's a fast read but love how we see the struggles of a mum and the love and unity of a family

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

lds fiction. Wow amazing story. Loved the flashes into the scriptures and the lesson learned while dealing with cancer. A must read. Thank you Rachel for this great insight.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Rockzann Torg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good for anyone going through a struggle and wondering where their miracle is. This is LDS fiction.

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too short and undeveloped

[C Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. Makes you think about your spiritual life.

Angel is a busy mom who is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer with a poor prognosis. She needs an angel. Suddenly years of scripture reading do not seem enough to get her through this new turn of events. As she examines her faith and with the help of her family she begins to understand there are angels around her. A quick read, but very thought provoking. Its a something each of us needs to understand and see as we live this mortal life.

[Louise Van Der Leek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this one in a sitting from cover to cover. Great book!

[Jennifer Farr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy, quick read that made me cry.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gave me some things to think about!