Carolyn Jess-Cooke, The Guardian Angel's Journal

The Guardian Angel's Journal

Carolyn Jess-Cooke

Guideposts, Apr 1 2011, $14.99

ISBN 9780824948795

Guardian angel Ruth is assigned to watch over the late Margot Delacroix, who happens to have been Ruth when she was alive; Margot has returned to relive her life while Ruth knows the rules she must adhere to: witness, protect, record, and love. She knows she can have some limited impact on what her "ward" can do, but for the most part must remain an observer of the human mistakes she made as Margot.

As Margot's life is replayed, the woman makes several horrific choices in spite of Ruth's efforts to nudge her in another direction away from falling in love with Toby; though as Ruth she finds herself in love with him. However as she meets peers like enigmatic James, Ruth especially wants to understand why Margot's addicted teenage son Theo ended up in jail charged with murder, as she hopes to change that before it happens, but soon realizes what it will cost her to protect and love.

This is super paranormal extremely complicated thriller that is a serious more insightful version of a guardian angel tale with the twist of Ruth returning to watch over herself. Character driven by obviously Ruth-Margot with a strong support cast (human, angel and demon); readers will appreciate this brisk heavenly tale of the guardian angle looking at her life, but focused on saving her son's life.

Harriet Klausner