Ordinary Angels

by Mark Sippings

Even if today is grey, tomorrow might just bring a rainbow. Ask Thomas Blueberry. He knows.

Thomas has no job, no girlfriend, no future. Even his new book is going nowhere … except onto his bedroom floor.

Then a fairy appears at the end of his bed, and so begins a rollercoaster ride that takes him on a journey of independent bookstores, dodgy property developers, greedy gangsters, a potty-mouthed fairy queen, and the king of the game shows, Jacobs Manchester.

Ordinary Angels is a story about love, loss and redemption, and how we can all still shine however dark life seems.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 17, 2022

About the author

Born in Walthamstow in 1959, Mark Sippings now lives in Essex and has two daughters.
He spent most of his working life as a Civil Servant contributing to speeches for the Minister for Women and developing new ways to assist disabled people find their way back into employment.
In the '80s he owned and ran a restaurant in Colchester and travelled around the world.
He now spends his time switching between fronting a retro rock covers band, Psycho Dehlia, www.psychodehlia.com. 'Extra' acting work, where he has played an office worker, caveman and zombie, and writing, both poetry and novels.
Mark loves to hear from his readers and you can find out more at
www.coldsunflowers.co.uk

Reviews

[Steph Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really corny and ended up skim reading the second half. It felt like a children’s book but wasn’t, it had a simple patronising tone that just didn’t work for me.

[T.K. Flor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book begins with a sad, out-of-job man who lives with his forgetful mother, a widow who is about to be cheated out of her house. Both seem to be ordinary people living in a modern, English town, but then a frightened fairy appears. From then on, the book defied my expectations. I don't know what I enjoyed more – loathing the excessive greed of those who prey on the weak, the metamorphosis of a neglected bookstore or the twist with the mafia. Or probably the squabbling fairies (there are more than one) who added fairy dust to make a good story even better.

[Xena Haynes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trigger Warning A book that deals with themes of dementia.

This book promised a lot and delivered only half of the story. There were a few moments where I got lost and the story took twists and turns where they didn't need to be. I felt like this book could have been shorter without the convoluted ending.

This book starts off with thomas living his unemployed life as a failed author and is also getting over the grief of his father and a break up with his ex. When one day a fairy or "angel." As the author mentions later in the book. Flies into his room sad that she no longer be with his mother. As she once was his fairy. She introduces herself as isabelle.

Iris is dealing with the loss of her husband. As she occasionally talks to who she believes is him. Meanwhile Mr LIpscomb comes up with a scheme to get the house from Iris to cover his own debts Having fallen into the wrong kind of people.

There is then Maria who owns the bookshop who thomas becomes infatuated with at first sight. He offers to help save the bookshop by devoting his time there. Maria is also going through a break up and is thinking of selling the bookshop to Mr LIpscomb.

While the story flips between these characters and their stories. They are half baked ideas that sound good in theory. I understand what the author was trying to do with this story but there is really no satisfying conclusion or any real consequences for the bad guys of the story.

Throughout this book I felt like I was being talked down to and that the author couldn't decide if this was a book for adults or children as it does include swearing and violence.

This story started out well but by the end I fell into a slump and forced myself to read the last few pages.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you believe, clap your hands!

Well, wait a second, this is NOT your Mother's Peter Pan, but there will be fairies. Oh, and a writer, a bookstore owner, a real estate agent, some gangsters, and some Mafioso. And that's not all. Whether you call them angels or fairies, they are a fun addition to a great cast of characters. I enjoyed this book a LOT, and can recommend it to you.

[Pam Ackerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

could be a wonderful movie

I loved the characters in this book. It’s definitely a feel good story. Mark Sippings keeps it flowing and you interested not so much with the plot but because you care about the characters. His is a painter’s approach, a delicate stroke here, dab of color there and you find yourself caring for each of them.

[Danny Farham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a bit of everything - romance, (not too slushy) humour, fantasy, action, gangsters and fairies! Or should I call them angels?

I had great fun reading this and after reading it, I went straight to Amazon to order Mark Sipping’s other book. I love discovering new authors.

Great read!

[Ruth Jenkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet story that allowed me to reflect and fall in love with life. An easy read with good characters. I wouldn't have picked this book myself but as part of my mystery book box this year I enjoyed it.

[Annette Summerfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

That real estate man! I couldn't even handle reading what he was doing to poor Iris.

[Catherine Pinkett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry but I could not get on with the writing style. I was so looking forward to this.

[Sheena Billett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Mark Sippings creates such compelling characters.