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Memoirs of a Guardian Angel
"Graham is a great storyteller." -- Christine Bernard, author of the acclaimed paranormal thriller, Will.
Do you believe in Guardian Angels?
Have you thanked your Guardian Angel today?
I never did... now I wish I had.
I now understand the hard work and difficult situations they face every day. That car that veered off course, the knife that slipped or even the close call when you nearly tumbled from a tree.
It wasn't good luck that saved you, it was me.
My name is Adam and I'm a guardian angel.
When Adam finds himself confronted by the burly, balding white-robed man calling himself Peter, it finally dawns on him: he's dead.
Of course he is.
He's dead, and this is Heaven. Peter. The Pearly Gates. The whole shebang.
He doesn't get much time to dwell on this, though, because no sooner is he through the gates, than he is set on by his soon-to-be trainer.
Adam is going to be a guardian angel, and his first assignment is no cakewalk, either. It's a three-year-old girl.
What could go wrong?
ebook
Published April 6, 2018
About the author
Graham Downs
11 books65 followersGraham Downs is a South African author of short stories, flash fiction, and novelettes, in a variety of genres. Memoirs of a Guardian Angel is his longest work to date.
He currently lives in Alberton, Gauteng, with his wife and their dog, Becky. He spends a good portion of his free time reading and, as with his writing, he reads books in a huge range of genres and lengths. He’s also passionate about South African authors—particularly independently published ones.
Graham's publishing journey began in 2012, with his first book, A Petition to Magic, which is a fantasy short story about a wizard who refuses to perform magic, and a queen who insists that he do just that. He freely admits that back then, just like John Snow, he knew nothing (now, he knows perhaps a trifle more than nothing).
Since those fateful first steps, he's never looked back, publishing five more books in almost as many genres, as well as getting a story included in the charity anthology, I Am Not Frazzle! (And Other Stories For Grown-ups).
His latest work, Memoirs of a Guardian Angel, was launched on 6 April 2018.
He currently lives in Alberton, Gauteng, with his wife and their dog, Becky. He spends a good portion of his free time reading and, as with his writing, he reads books in a huge range of genres and lengths. He’s also passionate about South African authors—particularly independently published ones.
Graham's publishing journey began in 2012, with his first book, A Petition to Magic, which is a fantasy short story about a wizard who refuses to perform magic, and a queen who insists that he do just that. He freely admits that back then, just like John Snow, he knew nothing (now, he knows perhaps a trifle more than nothing).
Since those fateful first steps, he's never looked back, publishing five more books in almost as many genres, as well as getting a story included in the charity anthology, I Am Not Frazzle! (And Other Stories For Grown-ups).
His latest work, Memoirs of a Guardian Angel, was launched on 6 April 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 27, 2019
3.5 Stars!
If you like fast-paced, easy fantasy reads, this may be the book for you.
Memoirs of a Guardian Angel is told in a sort of segmented format. If you’ve ever read A Dog’s Purpose, it’s kind of like that — transitioning from one life to another, only instead of a dog leading different lives, an angel is watching over different humans. As a result, timelines became a bit blurred — I think it worked well for the most part, but there was an incident here or there where I think the timeline was a tad hard to follow.
Adam, the guardian angel, kind of reminds me of Castiel from the show Supernatural — especially in Castiel’s earlier appearances in the earlier seasons of the show. Adam cannot remember much, if anything, from his human life, and there are certain human things that he finds odd. One of my favorite lines in the whole story was: “I groaned. Why do everything humans do have to be about sex?” I may not be a guardian angel, but I relate to that little comment All Too Well, and I can definitely see a bit of Castiel in a narration like that.
Even if you’re not very religious, this was a pretty fun, overall lighthearted read. As with my last review, it deals with religion, angels and Heaven and all that jazz, in a way that doesn’t force it down your throat, and it’s all very casual. My one complaint would be that I feel like this could have been a bit longer — Adam goes through all these lives, and there’s even a conflict in Heaven (that I won’t spoil here), but due to the brevity of the work I feel like it was all kind of glossed over. ESPECIALLY the Heaven conflict — I feel like that was done and over in, like, three pages. I did say at the beginning of this review that the story is fast-paced, but I feel like there were points where it was a little *too* fast-paced, if you get what I’m saying.
Overall, this little story was very easy to read with a fun, relatable main character, and I enjoyed journeying with him. I apologize for a somewhat short review, but I didn’t want to spoil anything — I do wish this story was somewhat longer and some plot points were fleshed out a bit more, but I think it’s a good piece for anyone who just wants to read something quick!
If you like fast-paced, easy fantasy reads, this may be the book for you.
Memoirs of a Guardian Angel is told in a sort of segmented format. If you’ve ever read A Dog’s Purpose, it’s kind of like that — transitioning from one life to another, only instead of a dog leading different lives, an angel is watching over different humans. As a result, timelines became a bit blurred — I think it worked well for the most part, but there was an incident here or there where I think the timeline was a tad hard to follow.
Adam, the guardian angel, kind of reminds me of Castiel from the show Supernatural — especially in Castiel’s earlier appearances in the earlier seasons of the show. Adam cannot remember much, if anything, from his human life, and there are certain human things that he finds odd. One of my favorite lines in the whole story was: “I groaned. Why do everything humans do have to be about sex?” I may not be a guardian angel, but I relate to that little comment All Too Well, and I can definitely see a bit of Castiel in a narration like that.
Even if you’re not very religious, this was a pretty fun, overall lighthearted read. As with my last review, it deals with religion, angels and Heaven and all that jazz, in a way that doesn’t force it down your throat, and it’s all very casual. My one complaint would be that I feel like this could have been a bit longer — Adam goes through all these lives, and there’s even a conflict in Heaven (that I won’t spoil here), but due to the brevity of the work I feel like it was all kind of glossed over. ESPECIALLY the Heaven conflict — I feel like that was done and over in, like, three pages. I did say at the beginning of this review that the story is fast-paced, but I feel like there were points where it was a little *too* fast-paced, if you get what I’m saying.
Overall, this little story was very easy to read with a fun, relatable main character, and I enjoyed journeying with him. I apologize for a somewhat short review, but I didn’t want to spoil anything — I do wish this story was somewhat longer and some plot points were fleshed out a bit more, but I think it’s a good piece for anyone who just wants to read something quick!
March 24, 2018
Ever wondered what it is exactly guardian angels do?
Adam never did, but when circumstances offer the opportunity to find out, he’s surprised at the extent and breadth of their roles in our lives.
I found this story to be an interesting read. Even though no-one has ever been able to get inside the mind of an angel, Adam and the other angels still seem credible and believable. As other reviewers have also stated, this would have made a good longer novel with more exploration of the other angels personalities.
A great read that makes you think about the times in your life when an angel may have helped you.
Adam never did, but when circumstances offer the opportunity to find out, he’s surprised at the extent and breadth of their roles in our lives.
I found this story to be an interesting read. Even though no-one has ever been able to get inside the mind of an angel, Adam and the other angels still seem credible and believable. As other reviewers have also stated, this would have made a good longer novel with more exploration of the other angels personalities.
A great read that makes you think about the times in your life when an angel may have helped you.
February 23, 2018
I loved the concept of this book. I can’t help but wonder now if guardian angels are real. I was genuinely sad to see the book end so soon. It is well written, beautifully paced and riveting. I woke up super early one morning to finish it so I wouldn’t be tempted to read it at work. Well done. Very few things make me want to wake up early. If you want a book that will give you the “feel goods” then this is the one for you.
March 8, 2018
I do believe we all have a guardian angel looking after us so was very excited to read this book. I started reading one night and said to myself “Just a couple pages to see how it starts”. Well, 45 pages later I forced myself to put it down. It is such an easy read that the pages fly by. You can really picture the characters so easily and hear their voices and accents. While I wished that the book was longer, it ended perfectly.
October 9, 2018
This perceptive, novella is a sweet and simplistic tale that gives the reader an insiders’ view to life as a Guardian Angel. I did not realize that even they have bosses! This spiritual rather than religious view gives all readers a chance to examine and contemplate the idea of guardian angels.
The main character, Adam has a bit of a challenge with his guardian angel status. But with the help of his manager, John and co-angel Liz he finds a way to make it work.
The main character, Adam has a bit of a challenge with his guardian angel status. But with the help of his manager, John and co-angel Liz he finds a way to make it work.
May 5, 2018
We've all heard of guardian angels, but have you ever chanced to think a little deeper about who they are, where they come from, what they can - or can't - do, or about the system that governs them? In Memoirs of a Guardian, Graham Downs elucidates all these things and more as he takes us along for Adam's journey. As the latest recruit amongst guardian angels, Adam has a lot to learn and many new experiences ahead that will test and challenge him. As an angel, his supernatural powers never fail to impress, and yet it is his lingering humanity (in a manner of speaking) and imperfections that make his character so relatable. In fact, this entire book and ite rich variety of characters are so clearly recognisable and relatable that I come away feeling as if I have personally met and engaged with each person in a situation far removed from me and my electronic device.
A wonderful, highly readable 5-star read.
A wonderful, highly readable 5-star read.
February 23, 2018
An insightful look at what a Guardian Angel goes through when looking after us. I do believe in guardian angels and loved the thought of getting a look into their world and what it takes to look after humans to keep them safen. I felt an overwhelming sense of empathy with the angels and the struggle they endure to do their job. I would have liked to have seen more of the red angel and what he may have been up to, but I am thankful to have read this book and look forward to reading more by Graham Downs and angels.
July 12, 2018
A fantastic book about beeing a Guardian Angel. Adam is a good guardian and it's nice to follow him. The only thing I had wish for was more of the mindworld both what Adam think and the one he's assigned to guard. I have always believed in Guardian Angels and I have said sorry many times to mine when I've done something that was meant to be good but went to be some kind of mistake or mischiefs. That's the reason I wanted more of how Adam was thinking. One thing is clear, it not the easiest work an Angel could have.
February 20, 2018
Memoirs of a Guardian Angel is an inspiring work of fiction that will make you think and remember all the times a guardian angel watched over you. Graham Downs tells the story in a way that captures your attention from the first page. Definitely a book to read.
P.S. Have you thanked your guardian angel today?
P.S. Have you thanked your guardian angel today?
February 26, 2018
I loved this book - fantastic premise and great execution.
It was a fast read, and I was very happy with the way it all got tied together at the end. I can't say much without giving it away, but I really enjoyed this book. I would love to see this made into a longer book. Graham is a great story teller.
It was a fast read, and I was very happy with the way it all got tied together at the end. I can't say much without giving it away, but I really enjoyed this book. I would love to see this made into a longer book. Graham is a great story teller.
April 6, 2018
have you ever thanked a guardian angel? no, neither had he. now he was one and he works so hard helping those who he has to look after. read how they work behind the scenes and how they help when you are at your lowest. so whatever you do next remember to thank them as it is a thankfulness task
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 23, 2019
I found it a bit difficult to review this book, for several reasons. One is that it's hard to classify -- fantasy? Yes and no. General fiction? Well, yes, but not quite.
At one level it's a series of vignettes of people at crisis moments of their lives, as observed by a guardian angel. Then it takes us to the corporate headquarters of Guardian Angels Ltd, where the angels are assigned their charges and disciplined if they fail, or if they break any of the rules, such as one that prohibits a gaurdian angel from being in charge of anyone they had known in their life on earth.
There is plenty of drama in the vignettes of life on earth, which initially seem quite separate, but are eventually tied up togerther to make a single story, which is quite readable and held my interest.
The dialogue seemd a bit jerky in places, with a strange mixture of South African and American English ("curb", "the hospital", "exit" as a verb). But perhaps that's just a generational thing, as the author recently reviewed one of my books and found the dialogue old-fashioned, so it works both ways.
Another difficulty I had in reviewing it is that I am writing a book that features guardian angels, and I have a totally different conception of them, so I found it quite hard to get my around the idea that angels had lived as people on earth, and are arbitrarily assigned to people to guard and then are taken off the job and set to look after someone else. But that's just me, it doesn't affect the book itself, and the story needs to be taken on its own terms and not judged on other criteria as a story.
At one level it's a series of vignettes of people at crisis moments of their lives, as observed by a guardian angel. Then it takes us to the corporate headquarters of Guardian Angels Ltd, where the angels are assigned their charges and disciplined if they fail, or if they break any of the rules, such as one that prohibits a gaurdian angel from being in charge of anyone they had known in their life on earth.
There is plenty of drama in the vignettes of life on earth, which initially seem quite separate, but are eventually tied up togerther to make a single story, which is quite readable and held my interest.
The dialogue seemd a bit jerky in places, with a strange mixture of South African and American English ("curb", "the hospital", "exit" as a verb). But perhaps that's just a generational thing, as the author recently reviewed one of my books and found the dialogue old-fashioned, so it works both ways.
Another difficulty I had in reviewing it is that I am writing a book that features guardian angels, and I have a totally different conception of them, so I found it quite hard to get my around the idea that angels had lived as people on earth, and are arbitrarily assigned to people to guard and then are taken off the job and set to look after someone else. But that's just me, it doesn't affect the book itself, and the story needs to be taken on its own terms and not judged on other criteria as a story.
October 8, 2019
I'm someone who does believe in guardian angels and this book wasn't what I was expecting BUT I truly enjoyed it.
It was kind of nice to step into the shoes of a guardian angel and imagine their world for a bit. That was something I had never thought of before and it was a great trip for my imagination.
Well worth the read to me!
It was kind of nice to step into the shoes of a guardian angel and imagine their world for a bit. That was something I had never thought of before and it was a great trip for my imagination.
Well worth the read to me!
April 3, 2019
I read this in one sitting (admittedly it's a short work, but I'd probably have done that anyway, the pacing is great!)
The beginning was a bit disjointed for me, but had me intrigued, and I love how it all came together in the end!
The beginning was a bit disjointed for me, but had me intrigued, and I love how it all came together in the end!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews