This Sunday’s Book Review is on Marcia Meara’s – The Emissary. This book is a novella spinoff of Marcia’s ‘Riverbend’ series, but it also makes a great standalone read. I’ve yet to read that series and now look even more forward to getting to those books. I found this the perfect read because I love everything angels, I love Marcia’s writing, and it’s the perfect sized shorter book to read in between the tomes when trying to keep up with my Goodread’s challenge to read 30 books by year’s end.
Blurb:
Was Gabe Angelino, the mysterious truck driver in Finding Hunter: Riverbend Book 2, really an angel, as Willow Green believes? Or was he simply a good man, determined to help a stranger in need? Find out, as author Marcia Meara reveals the truth in the first Riverbend spinoff novella, The Emissary.
An angel’s work is never done—that’s part of the gig. But angels hadn’t been created to deal with such a vastly over-populated planet, rife with misery, suffering, and general chaos. Helping souls in peril has become a nearly impossible job, and even angelic tempers are frayed.
The archangel Azrael has had enough. He believes he’s found a way to ease their burden while saving jeopardized humans, too—hired help.
When Jake Daughtry lost his life rescuing a total stranger from certain death, he was on the fast track to Heaven. But that was before Azrael pulled him right out of line at the Pearly Gates. Now, as an Emissary to the Angels, Jake is taking to the highway in a quest to help souls in trouble. But the innate stubbornness of human beings bent on self-destruction is a challenge unlike any he’s ever faced.
It’s up to Jake and Azrael to bridge the gap between humans and angels. Will they ever convince the Council of Angels this endeavor is worthwhile? Can Jake figure out how to play by Azrael’s complicated rules? Will Azrael ever master the use of contractions in general conversation?
To find out the answers, hop on board Jake’s big red-and-white semi and travel the roads from the Florida Keys to north Georgia on an adventure that will make you laugh hard and cry even harder.
My 5 Star Review:
I loved this book. And I’ve enjoyed all books I’ve read by Marcia Meara. Marcia has a knack for building interesting characters who capture our emotions. Although I’ve yet to read the Riverbend series this book could definitely be read as a standalone. And if you enjoy reading heartwarming stories about angels then this book won’t disappoint.
The story has an interesting concept where Jake becomes an emissary – an assistant to the angel Azreal. This is a new concept where the angels have come up with a new idea to send back good humans to earth to help angels help others and so Jake is the first chosen to fill this new position because even angels are inundated with people who need them.
When Jake dies, instead of going to heaven he is sent back to earth in his human form to do good deeds, guided by Azrael. There’s a nice spin on Jake’s ability to still be able to feel human emotions despite his being dead and functioning as a human. And as we get absorbed in the story Jake takes on his first case saving a boy from a corrupt life of living on the streets, but he soon finds out he’s getting very attached to the boy. And as the story unfolds, Jake learns to deal with his own emotions as he teaches the boy about life, love and responsibility.
I am looking forward to future books in this series. It’s a touching and sometimes humorous read that you may find yourself reading in one sitting.
DGKayewriter.com 
When Jake dies, instead of going to heaven he is sent back to earth in his human form to do good deeds, guided by Azrael.
I love this.
Off to check out the book and download a sample if I can.
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Thanks Damyanti, no surprise you’re up for anything that offers goods deeds. 🙂 x
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Thanks, Damyanti! I hope you’ll enjoy this little tale, if you get a chance to read it! 🙂
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I’m way behind on my blog reading, Debby, but for some strange reason, THIS post caught my eye! 😀 Thank you so much for such a great review, and I’m delighted that you enjoyed The Emissary. (BTW, I’ve just finished editing The Emissary 2, and hope to have that one published soon.)The angel, Azrael, was one of the most fun characters I’ve ever written, and the relationship between the main characters kicks up a notch in TE2. When you have time, I hope you’ll enjoy that one, as well. In the meantime, I’ll be sharing your review hither and yon. THANKS again!
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So glad you found this Marsh. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely look forward to reading the next one!!! (PS I saw your comment twice here, I’m sorry if you had troubles commenting, I’m hearing that from a few, danged glitchy WP. But glad you saw this. ❤ xx
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I’m usually able to find the posts, Deb, but can seldom comment. Looks like this time, it finally showed up. That’s an improvement. 😀 Thanks again for the great review!! ❤
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My pleasure Marsh. And so glad you were able to comment here. I know some are having problems here but I can’t figure out what. Hopefully WP will stop throwing glitches. 🙂 xx
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Excited to hear you’re working on The Emissary 2!!!
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Great! I’m setting up a cover reveal post for a week from Thursday, and hope to have be doing Release posts a week or two after that. So glad you’re excited about it! 🙂
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What an intriguing theme! Between the blurb and the cover, I’m hooked.
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Good to hear! 🙂
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Thanks, Jacqui! I hope you get a chance to read it! A bit tongue-in-cheek, with a lot of “what-iffery” added for fun, but a message or two tucked, as well. 🙂
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I really enjoyed this book. Unfortunately, it’s the only one I’ve read by Marcia (so far) but it’s a great read. Looking forward to more from the fab Marcia.
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Perfect teaser for your then Sarah. I must get back to the Wake Robin series! 🙂 xx
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Thanks so much, Sarah! Lovely words, indeed, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it. ❤
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Great review! I haven’t yet read any of Marcia’s books but I’ve been intrigued by this one in particular (partly because an angel called Azrael is a character in one of my series). It must go on my list, for sure! Thanks, Debby!
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Welcome Olga. Happy to share a review to interest you. 🙂 x
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Thanks, Olga! Just don’t expect any serious angelic discussions in this one, other than an overall message of love and redemption. Very little, if any, in the way of dogma, as it’s all just a quick ride through some “wouldn’t it be interesting.” 🙂 I do hope you’ll get to read it one day, and let me know what you think. ❤
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Well, I may have to consider this one. 🙂
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You just may 🙂
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Oh, I do hope your considerations end up on “Yes.” And that if you read it, you enjoy my “what-iffery.” Thanks! 🙂
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Will check this one out, Debby. It looks interesting!
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I hope you enjoy it as much as I did Stevie 🙂 x
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Hope you enjoy it, Stevie. It was the most fun I ever had writing! 🙂 Thanks for your interest.
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I managed to access your site, Debby. Hopefully it will stay fine now. A lovely review of this book. I enjoyed Swamp Ghost by Marcia Meara very much.
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Thanks for letting me know Robbie. I still haven’t figured this weird glitchy thing out. Even sometimes when I log in to my own blog, it will flash ‘can’t reach site’ then 2 seconds later it opens up. The mysteries of WP 🙂
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Thanks, Robbie! I’m glad you enjoyed Swamp Ghosts, and I hope you’ll have a chance to read the Emissary series one day. It was great fun to write! 🙂
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This book sounds very sweet. I love Angel stories. I will be adding this book to my TBR and looking further into this author. Thanks for the suggestion and review share, Deb. 😀
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Thanks Lis. I think you’d enjoy Marcia’s books for sure! 🙂 xx
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Glad you like the way it sounds, Lisa. Hope you’ll enjoy it when you have time to check it out. Thanks for taking the time to comment, too. 🙂
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What an interesting plot, Debby, and you’ve certainly made it sound an interesting read. It might be a good introduction to Marcia’s work.
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Thanks Norah. I think it’s a great introduction to Marcia’s writing and I’m sure after reading you’ll want to dive into her series. 🙂 x
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Please, puhlease, don’t make me add another book to my TBR list!
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Lolllllllll I hear youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu! 🙂
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This sounds like a great pick-me-up book. My curiosity has been piqued! ❤ I like books which are not too long. There's so much to read out there that a short book is often less time consuming and yet enlightening and entertaining. The Emissary sounds like one of these. 🙂
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Exactly what I think Carol. It’s nice to get a well rounded story from a shorter book too. I know you’ll enjoy Marcia’s book. ❤
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Wonderful review, Debby! Congrats, Marcia! I read Marcia’s first book in the Robin Ridge Series an enjoyed it. This book sounds like something I would like to read. I will have to add it to my TBR list. 🤗 ❤️ to you both xx
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Fantastic Janice. I too have read Wake Robin Ridge and must get to the next books in that series too. I know you’d enjoy this book. 🙂 ❤
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I really loved your review, Debby. Got the heart beating. This looks to be a wonderful book.
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Fabulous Jennie! 🙂 x
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Wonderful review, Deb, and this book sounds like a new addition for my to-buy list. 🙂 ❤
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Thanks Lauren. I recommend it. And next month Marcia will be publishing book 2! 🙂 ❤ Hope you are well. 🙂 x
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Great review of I’m sure a fascinating read. I read Marcia’s first book she wrote and couldn’t believe it was a “first” anything – great characters and setting and plot. And a bit spooky! We don’t get to read enough about angels, and we sure need them this day and age.
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I’m with you on all counts Pam! Thanks for droppin in 🙂 x
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