Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Narrow Road Press (November 14, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1936438224
ISBN-13: 978-1936438228
Click on the Cover to Purchase!
The year is 2012, the place South Brooklyn. Brooks Hennessey, publisher of the local weekly paper, has everything one can ask for, yet he is not a happy man. When a junior angel experiences an overwhelming desire to become personally involved in human affairs, Brooks’ dissolute lifestyle comes to a grinding halt. Belonging to the very lowest angelic order, the Ophanim, Sarius has been hanging around earth for the last fifty years or so, during which time he twice asked to serve as a guardian. His impulsive decision to take over the body of an old Irish widow at the moment of her sudden death is seen by his peers as an extreme manifestation of this desire to serve.
Sarius begins his earthly tenure with a bang: by getting rid of the three hoodlums responsible for Kathleen Kelly’s death, after which he moves in with Brooks and his cold-hearted wife Rachael to become part of their family. Over the next two days a series of wonderfully quirky incidents result from this intimate relationship with the angel, and great fun is had by all–until a messenger appears at Hennessey’s gate in the middle of the night.
Dan Copeland, senior astronomer at the University of Hawaii, having just made a profound discovery, rushes off to be with his (divorced) wife and family before the news breaks. His planned get-together never materializes. Once in Brooklyn, Copeland’s terrible knowledge about the approaching neutron star is immediately picked up by Sarius, who is shocked and appalled. The angel must now inform his hosts that twelve hours from now the world will come to an end.
Later that morning at the final Mass before the end of time, while listening to Father Harry’s bizarre homily, Sarius is struck by the fact that events given in the Bible foretelling the end have yet to take place. It is for this very reason that the old priest refuses to believe Armageddon has arrived. His observations torment Sarius so much that the angel leaves the church to seek an audience with God. His request is denied by the great Metatron, but the angel goes forward anyway. God listens to what Sarius has to say, and while He is sympathetic, informs the junior angel it is to late to save humanity. When the angel’s strenuous objections reach the point of disrespect, God sends him on his way with a final admonishment not to interfere.
Back inside the church there is ample proof that the END is close at hand as the earth’s atmosphere is rapidly being drawn away by the gravity star. Pandemonium reigns. Sarius, in the person of Kathleen Kelly, returns to be with his human friends during their final moments, but his anger and frustration continue to grow. He decides to make one final attempt to avert the disaster. What follows is a struggle of unprecedented proportions where no one, not even the angel, could have envisioned the outcome.
This story is about faith and hope on a scale never before written about, one that will stay with the reader long after the final resonating sentence has been read.
“The work of an emerging master who is sure to be soon hailed by all readers, Shadow of Light is rich with insight, challenge and texture. A rewarding read, no matter your literary tastes.” ~ Robert MacDonald, author and publisher
This entertaining read centers around the many quirky eccentric characters, their pets and their intertwined relationship with the local Catholic church.
44 year old Brooks Hennessey, a Brooklyn newspaper publisher, his strong-minded wife, Rachel, and his 22 year-old mistress, Annie.
Father Harry Flynn who strives to keep the whirlwind of everyone's Christianity and emotions in check.
Millie Manuel, a frazzled yet compassionate busy-body who knows everything about everyone.
Kathleen Kelly's sudden death and her dying words mocking Almighty God. Sarius, a junior Angel who has taken over Kathleen's body reveals much more than his presence.
About the Author..
~ Win It ~
Click on "Read More" and fill out the form for your chance to Win a Copy of the Shadow of Light
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book to help facilitate my review. The opinions expressed above are my own.
Logo/Images Courtesy of rodpower.com, © 2012 Sheaf House Publishers Group
0 comments:
Post a Comment