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Heavenly Grille Café #1

The Heavenly Grille Café

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A shocking kidnapping will test her faith...Can divine intervention save the day?

Amanda Turner is a young woman who has recently lost her parents, her home, and her job. She packs all of her belongings into her old car and drives north from Tampa until she comes upon an out-of-the-way restaurant, accentuated by a huge golden halo instead of the more well-recognized golden arches. What will she find at The Heavenly Grille Café?

Kris makes an unlikely new friend for the devout Amanda. Kris has done everything in her power to be the ultimate "bad" girl, and does not believe in God. She is also seven months pregnant and has been abandoned by her live-in boyfriend. Despite this, the women become best friends and move in together so that Amanda can help take care of the baby girl, Charlotte Grace.

When Charlotte Grace is kidnapped, Amanda must tap into unknown reserves of faith, courage, and forgiveness to find her. The angels at the Grille can guide her, but in the end this is something Amanda must do on her own.

233 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2015

220 people are currently reading
135 people want to read

About the author

J.T. Livingston

4 books2 followers

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5 stars
95 (51%)
4 stars
55 (29%)
3 stars
27 (14%)
2 stars
5 (2%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Shelley.
713 reviews49 followers
April 26, 2018
It was an ok book. The story was cute but the formatting was odd. Scenes set in Heaven were all in italics and it made it easy to remember WHERE they were, but harder to read in general. I felt a connection to the book though because I grew up in Tampa. At one point, one of the characters goes to her parent's grave at The Garden of Memories. That is where my dad is buried. So it was kind of special.
One thing that did bother me was the joking fact that Bertie cussed all the time and it was just brushed off and joked about. That just got old quick. I get that she was sort of the irreverent angel but come on. And the fact that she continually "punched" people in the shoulders ALLLLL the time. All. The. Time. It just got old to read about it over and over.
488 reviews2 followers
September 15, 2016
Totally Enjoyable!

I loved this book. Max, Bertie, and Doug were so very lovable. I loved how Amanda "listened" to her dreams and kept her faith throughout all that happened with Kris as well as showing her faith to Kris. This was very well-written and I would definitely recommend it.
Profile Image for Barbara.
854 reviews
April 24, 2016
What a delightful story! I love reading about angels interacting here on earth. I guess it just gives me hope that some of the people around me are sent by heaven to watch over me. While the story line is tragic in the kidnapping of a baby, it shows the healing power of our Savior and His love. As our society becomes more depraved, we need to be on our toes and watch our children carefully. The characters in the story are so likable. I could especially relate to Bertie. She tries do hard to be a good angel and is always testing the Almighty's patience.
Profile Image for Gin Hunt.
203 reviews11 followers
May 4, 2016
PERFECT ENTERTAINMENT!

I didn't think this book was going to be much but it ended up being so enjoyable that before got to the last page I knew I had to see if this author had other books I could get. (He does, yay!) The characters quickly became my good friend d s and I smiled a lot as I read this book. If you want a chance to forget everything and have a wonderful get away for a while, then I highly recommend this jewel. :)

HIGHLY RECOMMEND :)
65 reviews
May 6, 2016
Makes you want to go there.

This book is such a good time book. Within the first 2 chapters, you will fall in love with its cast of characters. Bertie, especially. She is like so much of us, in many ways. Please don't let this book go buy without reading it. I already have Book 2 lined up.
Profile Image for Janet Miller.
930 reviews3 followers
May 10, 2016
This was a lovely story of a restaurant owned and operated by three angels and how they helped the people who worked there and their customers. This is the first of a series and I would like to read more by this author.
Profile Image for Judy Manning.
51 reviews
May 25, 2016
A though provoking book.

This was truly a wonderful read. Once I started I didn't want to put it down. It makes one think about all the things our precious Lord gives us and how easy it is to thank him for these gifts. God bless each of you.
Profile Image for Sharon.
109 reviews
March 23, 2018
This is definitely a Christian book. The premise of the book is that people who have died come back as "angel assistants" to man a cafe where they minister to people who enter. The author makes the distinction between these "angel assistants" and angels, stating that angels are created beings while "angel assistants" are people who have died. Throughout the book, there are chapters that "occur" in heaven when the "angel assistants" go back once a week and interact with others there.

The story line revolves around Amanda (a dedicated Christian who has lost father and home) and Kris (an unwed pregnant young woman) and the interaction between them and the other characters. When Kris's baby is abducted, Amanda is the one who keeps Kris going through her prayers and friendship.

This is definitely a Christian book. Why did I repeat that? One of the "angel assistants" was killed only a few weeks after becoming a Christian. Bertie is referred to as a "naughty angel" because she cannot refrain from using profanity, even when she goes back to heaven once a week.

Other characters are Max (the head "angel assistant"), Doug ( a new "angel assistant"), Dean (a police officer), Amos and Andrew (twin brothers who are customers at the cafe), Martin (Max's friend and liaison in Heaven); and the kidnappers.
Profile Image for Ann.
1,117 reviews19 followers
August 23, 2017
A good spiritual felt book to give people in bad life situations some hope for the future and a better life. Some deceased people who were in Heaven were sent down to Earth to help and lead other to a good life . It evolved around a place called Heavenly Grille Café. Great food and a very popular place to eat. One young girl was led there and got a job and she in turn helped another young pregnant girl who had no one to turn to. Her baby Charlotte Grace was kidnapped from her when she was only a few months old. The story plays out when she reads the bible and learns to forgive.
379 reviews5 followers
February 22, 2018
Fun and Intriguing

We humans have been fascinated with Angel stories forever. From Clarence in" Its A Wonderful Life"to serious expositions and Biblical descriptions,much can be found on the subject. Setting aside serious theological study this a fun read with a message of faith,trust, and forgiveness.
Profile Image for Wendy H..
Author 45 books66 followers
January 23, 2020
This is a lovely book. I loved Max, Bertie and Doug, the three angels an the human characters were equally engaging. The storyline kept me reading and the Christian aspects were handled well. This is definitely Christian fiction but this did not have overwhelm or detract from the story. It was natural. As I say, a lovely book which kept me reading and entertained.
Profile Image for Penny.
16 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2017
Awesome

One of the best ! It's got a little of everything. The characters are so realistic and very memorable. You can't help but to wonder what they are doing next. You won't forget these characters.
12 reviews1 follower
June 25, 2019
Like this book- different than anything I read before

Different ways of seeing heavenly angel. Refreshing read. Enjoy the story of forgiveness and unconditional love. I read a lot suspense but this also keep my attention.
125 reviews4 followers
January 13, 2020
Different storyline but good!

Have you ever wondered if there really are angels among us? This book makes all things possible. The book is about two young women on different life paths and how the angels guide them to the right path. I loved the originality of this story!
Profile Image for Reba.
239 reviews1 follower
January 14, 2020
Rich and Full!

This book is packed full of richness...the richness of scripture, God's love, healing, and hope. The characters are also rich, so much so that you'll even feel great sympathy for the 'bad guys'.
Profile Image for Donna.
160 reviews
August 3, 2022
The Heavenly Grille Cafe

The Heavenly Grille Cafe Is a great book. I totally enjoyed the characters!...and the story line is entertaining. I'm not sure that it's doctrinely sound. But it was enjoyable!
1 review
January 3, 2018
Terrific Read

I absolutely loves this book. The characters will touch your heart and I can't wait to get the rest of the books in this series.
84 reviews
January 4, 2018
Awesome read

I enjoyed this book tremendously I just can't say enough good things about. Loved the characters can't wait to read the next book in the series
Profile Image for Dutchess.
Author 4 books2 followers
March 19, 2018
I Can Only Imagine

This was a great story. It held my attention without any problem. Just enough surprises to keep me hooked. Note: have tissues ready for chapter 38 😯
175 reviews
February 7, 2020
Very Enjoyable! Coming to or back to Jesus Christ is the only kind of book I read lately. While they are all fiction, they increase my understanding and growth also.
Profile Image for Marie.
205 reviews7 followers
April 13, 2020
Absolutely loved the entire 3 book series. I would have liked to see more careful proofing and editing, especially in Book 3.
2,372 reviews27 followers
December 31, 2023
An interesting story with some great characters, although I thought it was unrealistic that someone who has died and gone to heaven would curse all the time. That kind of got old. I liked the interactions between those who came to the diner and that the one young woman intervened to help another young woman who was pregnant and had been ditched by her boyfriend.
Profile Image for Kerrie A Summers.
158 reviews3 followers
April 20, 2016
what a Heavenly Good Read

The story starts with Amanda losing her job, her father died, and lost her house. She got in her car and drove with no plans to know where she was going. She came upon a restaurant with a halo on top and decided to stop to eat. The people who work there calm her and give her a job there. Amanda helps a pregnant woman Kris and brings her to the restaurant and between Amanda and the work crew them calm her and help her. Read this Christian book. Get to know the heavenly crew, Bertie, Doug, and Max. Also Amanda, Kris and other people .
13 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2016
Feel-good story

It took awhile for this book to come to the point and once it did, I could have written the rest myself. Having said that, I did enjoy the story and the characters. It had a little of everything; humor, mystery, crime, passion and pathos. It also had a prevailing message of God's love and forgiveness. I would recommend it as light reading.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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