Angel Sometimes, a Review by DL Larson

Helen Ginger, author of Angel Sometimes, has been writing since she was a child.  This is her first published work in fiction.  Helen holds a Bachelor's in English and a Master's in Speech Communications.  She admits two things she loves to do is write and talk! 

My review of Angel Sometimes:

Angel Sometimes is not a quick read, but it is a thought-provoking one. Angel was abandoned at twelve years old. Her struggle to survive is never fully described, we simply learn she lived on her own, making friends that shaped her future. She has come to a fork in the road; she can earn her GED and get on with her life and goals to become better educated, or she can buy a gun and make the long trip back to her childhood, back to her parents.


Angel Sometimes is heartbreaking at times, but as the story unfolds hope filtrates through the pages that Angel may chose wisdom rather than wrath. Bravery jumps from the pages as Angel travels back to her childhood, the bad things that happened, the death of her little sister, the sadness of her mama and the flowers they planted in the small garden in the backyard. It’s all there, just as she remembered, but her folks are gone.

How Angel handles this second abandonment will stretch your heartstrings and make you cheer for this young woman who faced too much alone. Angel Sometimes is an intriguing read with a satisfying ending that will have you thinking of Angel long after the last page is read. Helen Ginger has proven she is adept at weaving real life issues into page turners.  I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. 

My copy of Helen Ginger's book will be going to the Earlville Public Library, snuggled in the Young Adult section.  It could find a home in the Adult Stacks as well, but I know teens will eat this story up.  I also hope teens who read Angel Sometimes will reflect on their own past, perhaps re-evaluate some uncomfortable memory and see with clearer eyes the events of their younger years.  Perhaps some misconceived notions of how things "really were" will allow them not to be so judgmental.  We all have baggage from tender years and this book forces us to wonder if we missed an important detail in understanding why something happened the way it did.  Helen Ginger has opened the door of doubt and we readers have the choice of peeking through our own past and sifting through old memories to decide if we too are missing an important piece of information that forced a turn of events in our lives. Not many books have us wondering about the accuracy of our own memories.

For those wondering, Angel Sometimes is available in paperback and e-book form.  Search Amazon to purchase your copy today. 

Til next time ~

DL Larson

PS: something to smile about in this hectic season ~
No matter how big and bad you are, when a 2 year old hands you a toy phone ~ you answer it!

Now go write something worthwhile!!