ALMOST AN ANGEL

Author: Katherine Greyle ISBN:0505525488 11/2003 HISTORICAL Publisher: LEISURE/DORCESTER
Time Period: Regency

Carolly Hanson was training to be an angel, or so she believed. It was the only explanation for why she kept dying and reappearing in different places and times. Clearly she was intended to help people-and clearly the best way to help people was to find them true love. Never mind that it hadn't worked yet. This time she awoke in the arms of James Oscar Henry Northram, Earl of Traynern. He would be her next vict--er, beneficiary. The handsome noble was charmed by her odd sense of humor, strange forthright manner and complete lack of interest in trapping him in marriage. But he also thought her a Bedlamite and wasn't the least bit cooperative with the women she pushed in his direction. So, just who was James's true love? More information about Katherine and her books is available at http://www.greyle.com/

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I read my first Katherine Greyle, NO PLACE FOR A LADY, quite recently and was charmed. An unconventional heroine paired with a stiff, uptight aristocratic hero gave that story some humorous, and poignant, moments. Ms. Greyle's new ALMOST AN ANGEL exhibited that same sort of quality.

To be honest, though, I almost groaned when I started reading ALMOST AN ANGEL. At the beginning of the story,the heroine, Carolly, was abrasive in the extreme. When James, the hero, finds her bruised and blooded beside the road close to his estate, he takes her to his home for care. Carolly's behavior at this point is almost overwhelming; she is definitely overbearing. Thankfully, her bout of total outrageousness is over quickly and the real story begins.

And the real story is that Carolly believes she is an apprentice angel. She claims she has lived through several lives - and deaths - in several different time periods trying to earn her angel wings by doing good deeds. In this present life, she believes she can earn her wings by helping James find happiness. Of course, James thinks she's mad and a later revelation may - or may not - prove his assumption to be true. Whether she is mad or not, James is still enchanted by her.

ALMOST AN ANGEL works because Carolly and James work so well together. Both characters, displaying vulnerabilities and strengths, are well-drawn and believable. Ms. Greyle has a engaging writing voice, blending humor and more weighty elements into an entertaining mix.

Debbie Jett

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Cute. That is the best way to describe ALMOST AN ANGEL by Katherine Greyle. I loved the concept and the wonderful outcome of the story. However, I never felt a connection to the hero and that bothered me.

Carolly Hanson has died so many times that she cannot figure out what she is doing wrong in each reincarnation. The most she can tell is that she is supposed to help the first person that finds her in her new life, find true love. So, when she lands in England and finds James, Earl of Traynern, she figures the only way to earn her angel wings is to find him a wife and reconcile him with his niece. It comes as quite a surprise to her that she is the one who wants to become his wife and mother to his niece.

James is convinced that Carolly is an escaped mental patient and is determined to save her from herself and those who would commit her. He finds her strange language refreshing and she is a wonderful role model for his niece despite her obvious hallucinations regarding her angel status. Drawn to her for his own needs, James struggles with those who would harm Carolly and his desire to see her get better. He in no way believes she is almost an angel.

As cute as this story sounds I struggled with James as the "knight in shining armor." The chemistry with Carolly just wasn't there, though I found her to be very funny. I imagine her to be perfect as a confused woman traveling through time atoning for past sins so she can become an angel. James, on the other hand, was stiff and not as charming as his cousin and heir was portrayed. Though I will admit that if an almost angel appeared to me I would no doubt be quite stiff myself!

Shannon Johnson