Paper Angels

Not all angels look like cherubs. Andy Sommerville's personal angel looks like an old man and "Old Man" is just what Andy calls him. Ever since Andy was ten years old, the Old Man has been appearing to him - cautioning him, advising him, always trying to set him on the right path. And, over the years, the Old Man has encouraged Andy to collect mementos of the people who have been important to him and to keep them hidden inside an old wooden box.

Now, things have suddenly gone very wrong for Andy: The victim of a shocking and senseless crime committed at his gas station, he awakes in the hospital to find that he's been badly burned. Even worse, the Old Man - his lifelong friend - visits one last time to let Andy know that he won't be seeing him again. But Andy isn't alone. Beside him in the hospital room sits a woman, Elizabeth, whom Andy takes to be a counselor. With Elizabeth's gentle guidance, he goes through all the objects in his box, explaining - and reliving - the critical moments of his life. In the process, he discovers the wondrous meaning for which his seemingly ordinary existence has been preparing him. (except back cover).

In the latest novel due out in November 2011, Billy Coffey once more magically weaves his talent for telling stories with down home charm in Paper Angels. Andy Sommerville finds himself in the hospital, dealing with the physical and emotional pain left not only from his recent accident but in looking back on what his life has accomplished up to this point. Andy has spent most of his life, alone, withdrawn and not the type to make friends easily. Even though as owner of a gas station in town, he remains friendly but not the type to take it beyond his work place interactions.

This leaves Andy at the point in which his angel "Old Man" tells him over his life, to collect certain objects and keep them stored in a box. When asked why, the Old Man tells him, in time, all the answers will become known. Not quite knowing what the significance of certain objects he is asked to keep will do, he does as asked. Now recovering in the hospital, his counselor Elizabeth asks him to share the contents of the box and along with each comes the magical and gifted talent that readers of Billy Coffey have come to love and enjoy. In the end, Andy realizes that the ordinary life he has lived is not so ordinary in God's eyes.

I received this advance copy of Paper Angels by Billy Coffey compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups, for my honest review and couldn't wait to read it. Being a huge fan of Billy's since before his first book, Snow Day was published, one had to enjoy his daily stories through his blog, until his brilliance was seen for what it was to everyone who had been captivated by his words. If you have never read anything by Billy Coffey, I think you're missing out. Once you start, you won't be able to start. This one rates another perfect 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait to see what he will write about next. This one comes highly recommended and one that will always have a permanent home on my library shelf.

For more information about this book, the talented and gifted author and where to pre-order you copy of the book in time for the release in November, please click on the links below:

Paper Angels by Billy Coffey

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You can read more of his stories through his personal blog by clicking here.