This book was purchased by me. All thoughts are 100% my own.
Blurb
Suri and the church ‘All Angels’ have never seen eye to eye. For the past decade, she associates all bad things that have happened to her is down to that hallowed ground.
And she won’t ever step foot in it again.
But constantly she is drawn to the spot that changed her life. And if the Lord wasn’t winding her up enough, she notices a handsome jogger, Joe, who she thinks is an angel of temptation.
Redemption is not her thing.
After splitting from her ex-lover, he now wants her back but ‘forgot’ to tell her that he was married. Suri is at a crossroads in her life. Even her career as a television continuity writer is taking a downwards turn when she is told to write and voice the links for a porn channel.
But can the church turn her life around and let her lay to rest the past, and embrace the future? Will the stalwarts of the Church Parish see she’s not the bad sheep everyone thinks she is? And could she find a man to love and have a future with? Something she so desperately wants, but can’t seem to find.
A touching romantic comedy about one person trying to come to terms with the loss of love while trying to embrace the spirit of divine intervention.
My Thoughts
We meet Suri. She’s a very broken-hearted woman. It has been 10 years since some very tragic events surrounded her and left her bereft of a love and a friend. Unfortunately for her, she is also blamed by the community for the events surrounding that time, though, she was merely a witness to it. She is also recently out of a relationship with a man she found out was married. Though he is constantly doing despicable things to try to win her back, she’s steadfast in her morals. This story centers around a church, and though I don’t normally include places or buildings in a review, it is almost as though the church itself is also a character in the book. Suri spends a LOT of time outside that church. The events of the past occurred outside of that church and that is where she sees the jogger. Come to find out his name is Joe and he’s the new Vicar at the church. (here’s where I’ll warn you, this is for the Church of England.) They start to date and one thing leads to another and…yeah. I’m going to stop there.
This was different from many of Ms. Mala’s books. The man isn’t a huge womanizer. He is a man of God, though looking at it through the Evangelical eyes of the USA, it’s a little jarring. But like Joe says in the book, he’s a Vicar not a monk. (The view here in the USA even pastors shouldn’t indulge in anything pre-marital.) So the fact that he does and isn’t repentant and others in the church know about it and find it not disturbing is what is jarring for me as an American reader. That’s just counter to the “Bible Belt” philosophy. That being said, it’s a beautiful love story. Joe is still devout to his faith and he’s gentle with his nudges.
Ms. Mala’s book was more lighthearted than many of her other works. Though there is some serious stuff going on, it’s handled gently and with regard. I will say that so far this is my favorite of her books. I REALLY liked Joe from beginning to the very end. He’s a refreshing break from her typical main squeeze. Most of them are like Ted. I also love how she referred to “Love’s Foolish Punch” in this book too, by mentioning Mr. Mac. LOVE HIM! 😀 This book isn’t in the “But I WANNA hate it but can’t” category. This book I wanted to love and I did, even if it did give me moments of “Is that even an allowed thing?!?” So would I recommend this book. Yes I would. Most definitely I would.
About the Author
Here’s the bottom line… I love to laugh, I love to drink and I love to eat.
I also love writing.
As a child I had stories going through my head. It took me a long time to realize I should write them down, therefore clearing my mind. Little did I know another one would pop up!
I wanted to be painter since I was a child. I was told, while being assessed at the end of my art foundation, I should go into drama or be a stand-up comedian. I’m short, so even if I did ‘stand up’ it’d be hard to see me and I realize that was their way of telling me I was rubbish at art.
I’ve worked in various jobs and I have been extremely lucky to do what I wanted to do… though I have a habit of changing my mind every so often.
If you want something, go for it. The only thing holding you back is you. You only have one life so don’t say ‘if only’ say ‘well at least I tried’.
Writing, like anything creative, is an exposure. Not everyone likes what you write, what you say or what you think… but some people do. That’s my focus. On the people who like what you write… what I write.
The stories are written in British English… and translates perfectly for all!
http://www.smmala.com
@smmala13
http://www.goodreads.com Please search S. M. Mala
Textual Love 