Entertaining Angels

Mulberry Park #2

by Judy Duarte

As a teen, Kristy Smith spent her nights dreaming of a college scholarship-dreams that ended abruptly when she became pregnant. Now Kristy works hard to support her young son, Jason, and her ailing grandmother, staving off regrets about the chances that slipped away. But one person will open Kristy's eyes to the fact that she's been selling herself short. For she has much to offer to the residents of Fairbrook, who are all about to learn that the future can surprise and redeem us, especially when there's courage and friendship in abundance, as well as a little help from an unexpected source . . . Praise For Judy Duarte And Mulberry Park "Tender and touching . . . this novel will stay with you long after you have read the last page". -Dorothy Garlock, New York Times bestselling author "An uplifting story about one little girl's unflinching faith and how she extends an open and loving hand to the broken people around her". -Cathy Lamb, author of Such a Pretty Face

Genres: Fiction, Christian, Christian Fiction

302 pages, Paperback

First published April 22, 2009

About the author

When life threw Judy Duarte a curve twenty years ago, she did what many newly single mothers do. She pulled herself and her four kids together, became even more determined to come out on top, and decided to start following her dreams. What better role model could she provide her children than to show them that anything is possible? So, she returned to school, graduating from UC Irvine about the same time her oldest kids hit the teen years.

With her dream of getting her degree having come true, another dream presented itself by way of a new, perfect mate. Life was good again, but one dream still nagged at her:

"I always knew there was a book inside me, but since English was my least favorite subject in school, I never considered myself a writer."

All her life Judy has been spinning stories--telling tales to her kids as they grew up, plotting stories and creating characters to fill the time during carpool days and all those commutes back to college...and she never stopped dreaming of putting those stories on paper. Determined to follow her yearnings, she joined Romance Writers of America and met her critique partners Crystal Green and Sheri WhiteFeather (both are now multi-published award-winning authors and the trio have worked together and encouraged each other ever since).

“I might not have been a born writer, but I was a storyteller. The characters and plots came easy, but I had to learn how to make the scenes in my head come alive for the reader. And that meant I had to learn how to write.”

Judy's determination to become a published author grew and she began focusing on creating poignant stories designed to touch a reader's heart. As she fine-tuned her writing style and learned her craft, she found herself writing the stories she liked to read. Stories about families, second chances, and true love. In creating her own happily-ever-after stories she took ordinary characters, put them in emotionally compelling situations, and forced them to grow. They learned, as she had, that when a door is closed, they must look for that open window.

“Since I love books and movies in which people must overcome insurmountable odds to win and earn their happy-ever-after, those are the kinds of tales I like to create.”

Judy's unpublished stories won not only the coveted Emily (West Houston RWA Chapter) and Orange Rose (Orange County RWA Chapter) awards, but also earned her the status of a double RWA Golden Heart finalist in 2001.

Then Judy's dream became a reality in March 2002 when Silhouette Special Edition released her first book, COWBOY COURAGE. Since then, she has published seventeen books and is contracted to write three more. Her stories have touched the hearts of readers around the world. Her tales of redemption and renewed trust generate many fan letters from readers who tell her of the positive impact reading her stories have had in their lives.

A woman who had been shattered by her husband’s recent betrayal and desertion had not been able to read or watch anything that had a romance involved writes: I saw your book in the store, and the title caught my eye. (I have a thing for cowboys.) When I read the back cover, I bought it and couldn’t put it down. I finished it in one day. I still have my doubts about meeting a decent man and trusting again. But maybe in time I will be able to love again. I will be watching for your next book.

In July 2005, Judy won the prestigious Reader's Choice Award for THE RICH MAN'S SON.

“When I received the call telling me I had finaled in the Reader’s Choice, I was thrilled beyond measure. Being judged by real readers and recognized as a finalist was a joy in itself. I went to the ceremony honored to be in attendance. And when they announced me the winner, tears came to my eyes and a lump formed in my throat. It took days for my feet to touch the ground.”

Judy makes her home near the beach in Southern California with her husband, their son, and a cat

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasnt really sure what this was about when. I grabbed it, but it was well worth the very quick and easy read. A small group of characters, all brought together by a common thread are able to let go of all pretenses and live the lives they have always wanted to with the help and encouragement of messages and coincidences provided by a homeless stranger. While not plausible to me, the message is a good one! This book will make you feel good.

[Teresa Granberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book. The author put you inside the minds of each character as they worked through their personal struggles. Helped you think about your own purpose while on this Earth. Easy reading. Finished it in just a few days. Nice flow to the writing. Like a good Hallmark movie, this book helped me escape the crazy real world currently into something positive and purposeful. I will be reading other books by this Christian fiction author.

[Becky Durstenfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. I liked the characters. There are several main characters who all learn valuable life lessons which transform their lives. It is a sweet story and there is some romance, too.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read; 'nice story'

[Janet Camilleri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it but it seemed like a fairytale ... not saying that's a bad thing, but I don't think God necessarily works like that.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever read the Joshua books by Joseph Girzone? This book reminds me of them. An apparently homeless man named Jesse interacts with all the main characters and while he doesn't do much more than listen, and then say a few things, those words become powerful agents of change in their lives. Who are the main characters? Well, there is Renee, a pregnant teen who begins the book by leaving her relative's home rather than aborting her baby. There is Kristen, a single mom who is raising her son alone, and taking care of her grandmother, who was disabled by a stroke she had the same night Renee snuck out, got drunk, and got pregnant. There is Craig, the new assistant minister at the community church. Originally he had hoped for a career in professional baseball but after a rotator cuff tear and making a bargain with God in prayer, he gave it up to follow in his grandfather's footsteps in the ministry. Daniel and Cassandra are members of the church. Since the home the church was to provide for Craig wasn't ready, he was staying at their house. Daniel is a successful attorney and they are well off financially, but Craig realizes that not all is right in the house. Shauna is their daughter. She just told them that she is engaged to a guy from a wealthy family, but she's not thrilled. Dawn and Joe are the couple who run the food kitchen at the church. They love each other, but their greatest sorrow is that they were never able to have a baby. Jesse enters each of their lives briefly and helps point them on the road to happiness. It is a sweet feel-good read and can either be taken only at that level or the reader can realize that much of the advice Jesse gives can be for all of us. Also, the book has a strong pro-life message so that's another factor in its favor. This is one I'd definitely recommend.

I'd use the word "inspirational" rather than "Christian" to describe the book. While it is rather easy to see Jesse as a Jesus figure, he could just as well have been an angel, and really the book points more to him as an angel than as Christ. While God is mentioned a few times, and much of the story revolves around the church, we don't attend any services and I don't remember seeing Jesus' name in the book.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the first one that I have read in Duarte's Fairbrook series. I enjoyed it and already have started a second one in the series, entitled "Mulberry Park". Both books are set in the suburbs outside of San Diego, CA.

I enjoyed this book because I like reading about families, friendship, and relationships. This book featured imperfect Christians who are trying to overcome obstacles, find love, and serve others. Two characters are impacted by teenage pregnancies, one who raises a son and one who has an abortion. Other interesting characters include a childless couple who operate a soup kitchen, a handsome, young pastor just beginning his career, and an elderly woman who has suffered several strokes and has lost her desire to live. Finally, there is Jesse, who appears to be a homeless man. He is kind and gives advice to several people in the town of Fairbrook. The reader is left to decide if Jesse is just insightful or if he is an angel sent from God. The book wraps up in a feel-good fashion which I found inspiring because I do like a happy ending! It is a book that can provide hope that with a combination of friendship, family, and faith, people can grow in difficult circumstances and arrive at a place of joy.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Entertaining Angels" is religious general fiction about people who feel inadequate, unloved, or regretful and beaten down by past mistakes and sorrows but who discover God is at work in their lives. It's an uplifting and inspirational novel that reminded me of the TV show "Touched by an Angel," but from the human's viewpoint and no big "I am an angel" reveal at the end.

I really bonded with the characters and wanted to know what happened to them. They were smart, but imperfect, and had realistic struggles and regrets. The world-building was good, and the pacing was very good.

Many of the characters were Christians, but they only referred to God, not Jesus. There was no preaching or "Jesus is the only way" comments. Non-Christian readers would probably enjoy this novel unless they're strongly anti-God.

There was no sex. The minor amount of bad language was in the "he cussed" style. Overall, I'd recommend this novel as well-written and enjoyable clean reading.

[Gerald Thomson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though the ending of the book wraps up a little too sweetly for me, Duarte creates real characters with realistic, human flaws, that make them endearing. Set in a small California town, we are exposed to the successful, the disappointed, the financially strapped and the scared. All have interactions with a mysterious homeless man who points out that this world is bigger than they are and that there is more to focus on in life than our immediate circumstances. Though somewhat predictable, you will continue to turn the pages because you can’t help but pull for these characters that are just like the people you know in real life.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Just eh. Even for a pastor questioning his faith, I found Craig to be the most unspiritual Christian character I've ever read! Never turning to God, very little asking God to help. If I hadn't known he was a pastor, I would have thought he was agnostic.

Also, the book's ending was tied up in too many pretty strings without a lot of showing the wrapping process. Not well enough developed. Pat.

Loved the character of Jesse!

[Audrey Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given to me the other day for my 42nd birthday by my mother-in-law. I had never read Judy Duarte before. It was a fast interesting read. I read it last night. Took me about three hours. I thought that Jesse was a little TOO obvious as the "angel". I thought from the title there would be more angels "unawares".

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining little read. Almost like reading one of those chessy "Hallmark made for tv" movies. ....actually I wouldn't be surprised if it was turned into one! lol
The story mainly focuses around Renee, a pregnant teenager, trying to make it on her own.

[Elaine]

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[Marianne Stehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this wholesome story was great. It kept you reading, it reminded me of Renee Gutteridge books, wholesome, God-fearing people with a real story within it.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judy Duarte is a new author for me and I love this book. I was able to get to knoe the charactes, Her books a message if you allow your self hear it.

[Danni · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book.

[Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was quite different from what I expected but a very enjoyable story with characters that pull you in.

[Michelle Weeks · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book drew me in, but it ended up like most contrived Christian fiction.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it because a reading challenge required reading a book whose main character shared my first name. This wasn't exactly my first choice of genre, so my review is a little biased because of that.

It's a basic cheesy Christian romance, where everyone falls in love and gets closer to God by the end, having their previous sins forgiven. No surprises. I felt that a lot of subplots were left unresolved, or resolved in such a way that skipped a lot of steps.