Fallen Angels

Millwood Hollow #1

by Patricia Hickman

The award-winning author of "Sandpebbles" presents the first installment in the Millwood Hollow series about an unlikely hero and a trio of abandoned siblings struggling for survival in the South during the Great Depression.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Inspirational, Family, Historical, Novels

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

“Hickman gamely unpacks the lies families tell each other, the cost of family secrets to ourselves and others, the bonds between sisters and the walls between husbands and wives. Her sparkling talent is evident in this engrossing story.” ~ Publishers Weekly

Best-selling novelist Patricia Hickman has written 18 books for major publishers like Random House and Hachette Books.

A note from me, the author: Hey! My latest teen fiction title is TINY DANCER, a coming of age story for sophisticated readers of young adult fiction—maybe you!

I love good food, taking road trips, hiking, and biking, but most of all writing you new stories you'll fall in love with. You can visit me here at Goodreads, through my official FB author page, or my website at patriciahickman.com.

Reviews

[LadyCalico · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goodness did I love this book! This is a re-read for me. Many long years ago I bought this book and was delighted to find that there would be follow-ups. Then I was dismayed to find that they hadn't been published yet. Then I lost the book and although I remembered the story, I couldn't remember the title and author. Many years later, I found my book and was able to order the rest of the series from Amazon. So, in short, I loved this book enough to spend six years pursuing the rest of the series. This series may not be everyone's cup of tea, being more character driven than action driven. Also, it was written about an era and people so foreign to the me-me-me entitlement generation that I can imagine many younger folks or those without a Christian Worldview might be unable to enjoy or appreciate the life lessons the author so beautifully illustrated by the trials and tribulations of Jeb Nubey and the Welbys. However, being both old and Christian, this was a great book for me. I am a great fan of Depression-era stories. I was raised amidst people's memories of the Depression, the strength and resourcefulness of the previous generations, and have always been fascinated by books set among the ordinary Americans who played the hand life dealt them during those hard times. By reading this book I get to watch with hindsight God's forging of the Greatest Generation who would fight and defeat the fearful gathering of the forces of evil in the next decade. I remember the stalwart people of this era--we just don't make 'em like that anymore; no wonder this once great nation is going straight to Hell on a rail, as our perverted media giants hold overgrown narcissistic infants like Sandra Fluke and Van Jones up as heroes and role models. Folks like Jeb Nubey really were heroes. I know I for one would be unable to survive the life my poor parents did, and I consider it a privilege to be exposed to the stories of folks like the Nubeys and Welbys that shared their history and triumph.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The depression is in full swing. Jeb Nubey and the three abandoned Welby children meet up on the road to Nazareth Arkansas where the children are headed to stay with their older married sister. When they reach Nazareth, Claudia the older sister is gone; and the town thinks that Jeb and the children are the long-awaited Rev. Gracie and his children. Jeb and the kids take on the role of the reverend and family which leads to all sorts of interesting complications and revelations.

[Jeff Clausen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story of lost souls and their journey to finding themselves. Plenty of spirituality and adventure, giving us a glimpse into small-town Arkansas during the Depression, it has lessons to be learned about the church’s place in our lives. As #1 in a series, the next may not come my way but I enjoyed it for the insights into human nature.

[Lesa Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the great depression a trio of young siblings looking for their aunt, come upon an outlaw on the run. They all end up together
in a small town thats waiting on a new widowed preacher and his three children. Since the outlaw and kids have nowhere to go they take on the identity of the preacher. Only problem is the outlaw cant read, likes to smoke and drink. Can he pull off being a preacher?

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit to a fascination with the Great Depression and this book deals with a typical situation in a very poignant way. Three children are abandoned by their mother, father and an aunt to make their way in the world of Arkansas. They meet up with a man who is fleeing the law and they land in a small town and ... As advertised it is both humorous and poignant and is an easy read. As an historical novel it gives the human side of a terrible time in our nation's history. Yet, it depicts how people came together to help one another and to surive. Would we do as well today in this competitive environment in which we find ourselves?

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on Audible.

Excellent narration and a pretty good story. I might have given it five stars. Marketed in the Christian fiction genre but neither the author or editor knows that the Apostle John was exiled on Patmos—NOT the Apostle Paul. The story is set during the Great Depression. The author did an excellent job of describing the hunger and hardship of that time in history.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book One in the Millwood Hollow series, which I mistakenly started with the second book. Now I understand how our wannabe preacher Jeb Nubey got to where he is. Jeb is on the run from Texarkana, which he fears he killed a guy in a fight. He runs into three kids whose dysfunctional family has ditched them in Arkansas. Through a series of shared mishaps, they end up together in the town of Nazareth, where people mistake them for the new pastor of Church in the Dell and his three kids. It’s the Depression. They’re starving and have nowhere to sleep, so they go along with it, even though Jeb knows nothing about religion and can’t read. The oldest girl, Angel, coaches him and he fumbles his way through his duties as the Reverend Philemon Gracie. Somehow he fools the people and even starts a romance with the schoolteacher, Fern Coulter. But all along, Jeb and the kids and the reader know that he’s going to be found out. Someday the real preacher will arrive or the law will track him down and arrest him for murder. It’s a fabulous story full of great characters, fun mishaps, and enough suspense to keep you up late reading. One quibble: the Kindle version I bought from Amazon is so riddled with typos I had to guess what some of the words were supposed to be.

[PrincessPolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to do 3.5 but rounded up. It's a really good, unique concept, but leaves the storyline of the kids completely unfinished. I found it very intriguing and so much detail was given about it to begin with that I was quite shocked when the book ended. Angel was such a relatable character, I really wanted more of her POV with what happened at the end. I do agree with the concept that most stories in life don't end up with all the loose ends tied up, nice as that would be, but just a bit more of her POV, it was really cool, and suddenly just got totally cut out. I would have been happy to read more of the book to get more of that in.

[Barbara Cryer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It got a 2 because of the decent ending. The characters change personalities too often and are unlikable for most of the book. It is implausible that a man who cannot read can learn and move into books on theology within 3 months. Ugh

[Kim N' · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little skeptical at first but ended up getting pulled in. This was a sweet story set in the Depression. It let you feel the desperation of those times yet held out hope that men could change through true faith, even when they weren’t looking to change.

[Tiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a cute little story set in the depression. I didn’t really fall in love with any of the characters until the end. Probably 3.5 rounded up to 4 😉

[Holly Folkening · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hidden gem

[Renee Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

All I can say the story was entertaining.

A couple of chapters dragged on about the same subject for too long.

[Deb]

plot summary: what happens, when & where, central characters, major conflicts[return]jeb nubey is on the run, a man he got into a fight with may die and so he is a wanted man. he doesn't reckon on picking up a trio of abandoned children, but that's what happens when he runs into the 13 year old angel and her two siblings. they are trying to fend for themselves after being left in the lurch by their father's girlfriend. after jeb reluctantly gives them a ride to millwood hollow, arkansas they are mistaken by the congregation of a local church for a pastor and his family (whom they have been corresponding with). jeb plays along with the scheme, seeing as how he is being fed well and given a place to live. but then he has to prepare a sermon, and he also meets fern coulter, the local schoolteacher who is single and looking. how long can he keep up this ruse? how long will he want to?[return][return][return][return][return][return][return]style characterisics: pacing, clarity, structure, narrative devices, etc.[return]the story is set in 1927 during the depression, which plays into the desperation of jeb and the children to survive. the time period and rural setting are captured very well. the story has a gentle tone and is mainly a character study of jeb and how he responds to these circumstances, eventually finding hope in god and turning his life around. his struggle and the heartwarming characters of the children and fern make this a memorable story.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up
Either I liked this better the second time around, or I couldn't remember how much I liked it when I added it to Shelfari with a rating way back when. I read this before January 2013 which is when I first joined Shelfari, and probably before 2010.

This is a story of personal growth and deliverance that is Christian and not one the individuals planned on going through. I have to say that even though it's not perfect I enjoyed it. This is the first of a four book series; I can't remember the books much since I was raising my kids when I read them and have done so much reading in between, so it's almost like reading them anew.

While it's harder to learn to read as an adult, there are some very bright adults who can learn to read quickly just as there are some children who learn to read extremely quickly, so even though that part seems rather a stretch, it's not as much as one would might think. ALSO, I have saw an adult do this in real life. There is nothing to say that this man was dyslexic, just hadn't been interested in learning.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can faith do to raise the common man up? How does responsibility and service teach someone maturity? When are we allowed to withhold forgiveness? All good questions that are answered in the story of "Fallen Angels" The trying times of the Great Depression honed people of this day for evil or for good. Jeb Nubley has not set out to be on the wrong side of the law but neither has he chosen the higher path. Now in the guise of a minister in the small town in Arkansas, his life and the lives of the three children that have crossed his path, depends on the high road he must take. His deceit, so like the falsehoods we all choose to make, may cause consequences we wish would never come. Can he ever quit hiding his true identity, and show the congregation who he has become? This easy and engaging read is a delight for Christians and history lovers.

[Tawny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story about the Great Depression. Favorite lines:
1. "Saying 'ain't' was like saying 'I give up and can't get no smarter'" (5).
2. "I know of no sweet smell like that of a mother" (130).
3. "Prayer is something we do on the way to somewhere else. A task, a chore given by God to man as an interlude in man's ever-important day" (233).
4. "When we don't go through with bad schemes, that's when manhood starts to grow on us" (244).
5. "I can't prove this, but I think that if you satisfy the nation's lack, she'll lose her soul" (259).
6. "The climb is not so hard if I can see a smile every now and then coming down from the clouds" (297).
7. "Whatever life may drop on the plains of American soil, always present is the courage to pick up our plows again and be transformed" (viii).

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a very sweet story about a man running from the law who ends up with three children in his care. When his identity is mistaken for a widowed preacher he must not only learn how to preach, but also learn about the bible. But first he has to learn how to read. This story is both entertaining and touching, and conveys the message that redemption is available for anyone who truly seeks it.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and really fell in love with the characters. I hesitate to rate books a 5 because then people expect so much from them, but... I didn't expect much and, after an iffy beginning, was very pleasantly surprised. And I'm sure it helped that the narrator for this listen-read is one of my favorites.

[Karen & Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is funny! I laughed out loud reading it. Jeb Nubey (a fugitive) and 3 kids who don’t have anywhere to live team up and pose as a Minister with 3 children in a small southern town.
--Karen Arlettaz Zemek, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry"”

[Bette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to elaborate on racial conflicts during the depression, along with hardships endured by all.

[Lisa]

Millwood Hollow series / book one

[Erin Lovell]

Excited to start this and continue with the series... Reviews look interesting..

[Her Royal Orangeness · Rating 1 out of 5]

http://onlyorangery.blogspot.com/2011...

[MariAn Nyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a book I would choose for myself, but read it for April book club - member selection.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting premise. Hickman is a thoroughly enjoyable writer. I'm looking forward to reading number 2 in the series.

[Kim Faires · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story, quick read

[Tessa Palmeri aka Tonya Preece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series

[GrannyLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching and beautifully written....felt very real