Sometimes God sends angels into our lives…
Chocolate chip cookies are the perfect way to make friends. At least, Mark Daniels thinks they are. He hopes to forget his painful past and start over in new neighborhood. Everyone is warm and welcoming—everyone that is, but the dragon lady next door. She rebuffs all overtures of friendship and declines Mark’s invitations to church.
Jasmine Avery doesn’t trust men, especially not handsome ones who come bearing gifts. She’s been badly hurt and has walled herself off from love. Reluctantly, she agrees to attend church with Mark on Easter Sunday, not realizing how it will change her life and her future. But soon after she discovers the secret to a happy life, her whole world turns upside-down. Will these unexpected changes prove Mark can’t be trusted either? Or can she and Mark overcome their past heartbreaks to forge a new life together?
My Thoughts
This was a quick read and flowed really smoothly. I thought it was interesting how we only followed Mark's point of view as normally if there is only one point of view, it is the heroine. I liked the change in Jasmine after she came to know the Lord. Jasmine and Mark both had things that they had to work through and deal with from their pasts and I liked how Rachel Good used the Bible to show how they needed to deal with their issues. There were moments that made me cry in this book and others that made me smile. This is a good reminder to do "unto the least of these" as you may "entertain angels unaware". I look forward to reading more books by Rachel Good.
About the Author
Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness.She is also the author of the
Sisters & Friends Amish series and the
Amish Quilts Coloring Book. A former teacher and librarian, she has more than 2300 articles and 30 books in print or forthcoming under several pen names. Rachel also juggles freelance editing and illustration careers. She loves reading (of course!), traveling, and spending time with her five children and three grandchildren.
Guest Post from Rachel J. Good
One of the important lessons in ANGELS UNAWARE is looking beyond the surface, seeing with new eyes. In the story, Mark has many opportunities to do this. When he first approaches Jasmine with a plate of chocolate chip cookies, she’s unwelcoming and prickly:
The door opened a crack. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Mark turned. The woman’s narrowed eyes and belligerent stance made him quake. He took a step back. “I…um…here…” He held out the plate of cookies.
“What’s that?”
Mark took a deep breath and regained his composure. He smiled and started his usual spiel. “Hi, I’m Mark Daniels, and I just moved into the neighborhood—”
“I know.” She didn’t sound too pleased. “That’s not what I asked. What’s that in your hands?”
“Oh, these? I baked chocolate chip cookies and thought I’d share some with you.”
“Do you know what sugar does to your system?” she demanded. “I never touch sugar.”
That explained why she was so thin. So much for cookies then. Mark wracked his brain for another offering. “A meal perhaps? I make great spaghetti and meatballs.”
She drew back. “A meat eater? It figures.”
Oh, terrific. Mark cringed at the acid in her tone. He’d just offered a meat dish to a vegetarian. So much for his diplomacy mission.
After a start like that, many people would have given up. But Mark feels led to share God’s love with this neighbor, and he tries again and again. Eventually he discovers she’s hiding some deep personal pain. His persistence brings unexpected rewards to both of them.
I wanted to write this story because we usually avoid people who criticize us or hurt our feelings. Yet, often those who are unkind are actually aching inside. And they need God’s unconditional love and forgiveness, because only God can heal their pain and suffering.
After God touches Jasmine’s heart, Mark can see her softer, kinder side. And she’s proof of that saying, “An angel resides in every heart.”
Could your grouchy neighbor or critical boss be an angel in disguise? Maybe these annoying people have been sent into our lives to help build our character or to teach us a lesson. The Bible warns us to be hospitable to everyone, because we never know when we’ll come upon an angel “unawares.”
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Heb. 13:2 KJV
Each person you meet has been sent into your life for a reason. Sometimes these angels come into our lives in unlikely disguises. We don’t always realize their purpose until much later. Looking back, though, we can see God’s hand in the encounters.
Other times, we discover – like Mark did – that we’re supposed to be angels to those who are unkind to us. We may be the only ones who have ever touched their lives with God’s light.
Who in your life needs God’s love? Can you be an angel to that person?
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away:
Grand Prize:
- Angel bookmark
- Battenberg lace angel pin
- Trio of jade angels
- Prayer angel with a “Worry” poem to remind you to pray about your problems
- ANGELS UNAWARE ebook
- Newest AMISH QUILTS COLORING BOOK (large print edition)
2nd – 4th Prize:
One copy of the ANGELS UNAWARE ebook
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post to earn 9 extra entries in the giveaway!
Click here to purchase your copy.
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"Angels Unaware" is available in
Kindle edition:
- File Size: 5158 KB
- Print Length: 92 pages
- Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
- Publisher: Golden Fairy Arts; 1 edition (December 6, 2016)
- Publication Date: December 6, 2016
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
- Language: English
- ASIN: B01MXVQPKL
I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and voluntarily given. No compensation was received.
Winner of the 2016 Christian Book Award and Christy Award, best-selling author Jody Hedlund writes inspirational historical romances for both youth and adults.