BLOG TOUR: Choir of Angels by Michele Mirabile

CHOIR OF ANGELS 

by Michele Mirabile

Sweetwater Books, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-4621-1361-3

25 p.

Inspirational fiction

All ages

Review copy provided by publisher in return for honest review.

ABOUT THE BOOK

He was so ready for this moment he could barely breathe. If he won, he knew he’d be the best Joseph the pageant had ever seen.

Riley loves Christmas, and this year, he wants something special: the chance to play Joseph in his school pageant. Sam, the neighborhood bully and a talented singer, wants the part too and is crushed when Riley lands the role. Riley doesn’t care—until he learns the secret Sam has been keeping from everyone. Now Riley has a choice to make, one that will change his view on Christmas forever.

Told from the perspective of a 12-year-old boy, this charming tale reminds us that being like Christ is the most important celebration of Christmas.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michele Mirabile enjoys a stunning view of Mount Timpanogos from her home in Utah County, where she lives with her devoted husband and their two spoiled cats. Besides juggling words and delving into her imagination, she loves meeting new people and visiting exotic ports. Her marriage and her beautiful daughter are the greatest accomplishments of her life.

A veteran of the United States Army, Michele has authored travel articles, short stories, and three books that include Your Mother Wears Combat Boots: Humorous, Harrowing, and Heartwarming Stories of Military Women; Dark Side of the Moon; and Choir of Angels.

REVIEW

I'll admit right off that I love sappy Christmas stories. In fact, I collect them. :) I never get tired of them.  I pretty much expected this to be a typical sweet Christmas story and I was right, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the story nonetheless.  At a short 25 pages the story moves quickly letting the reader into the heart of Riley, a disabled boy who wants more than anything to be Joseph in the upcoming school pageant.  (I did wonder how many schools can actually get away with sponsoring a Christian Christmas pageant though. Unfortunately, I'm sure most public schools couldn't do that in the current political climate.)  Riley is especially eager to beat out Sam, the local bully for the part.  Sam and his goons beat up on and make fun of Riley almost every day.  When Riley gets the part he is thrilled, but after a fight with Sam, he doesn't feel quite so good. He feels even worse when his mother shares some sad news with him.  As he prepares to be Joseph in the pageant, he must decide what he wants to do about Sam. I think the thing I liked the most about this story is how hard Riley tries to do the right thing. I loved the idea of finding joy in beautiful music and a great story despite their struggles. A sweet story to add to my collection of Christmas favorites, Choir of Angels is a keeper.