Paper Angels
By Jimmy Wayne with Travis Thrasher
"Paper Angels," co-written by country singer Jimmy
Wayne and author Travis Thrasher, is a character-driven novel with two
intertwined stories about family life and hard times, set against the backdrop
of hope in which the Christmas season specializes.
Kevin Morrell, a businessman
whose company is struggling to survive during a poor economy, takes a paper
angel from The Salvation Army's Angel Tree in a crowded mall at his wife's
urging. The name on that ornament is
Thomas Brandt, a teenager from a broken home, living with his mom and sister in
a rented trailer after fleeing from his abusive father. This paper angel links the man and boy together
and begins a chain of events that changes not only their lives, but those
around them.
I found "Paper Angels" to be very enjoyable,
thought provoking and touching.
The
novel goes beyond the middle-class family who takes an ornament to look on the
other side at a family who finds themselves in poverty.
Each family encounters The Salvation Army
Angel Tree and has a unique experience with it.
There's also a surprise twist at the end that I didn't see coming, one
which exemplifies humility, giving and hope.
Kevin has always been a worrier, seeing the negative side of
things. Even as he watches the business
he has built slowly deteriorate, he also learns that one of the twins his wife
is expecting may not survive. Having
drifted away from his faith in God's provision, fear is utmost in Kevin's
thoughts: "Fear seemed to know his
name and know it well. It had breakfast
with him and texted him throughout the day and liked to ride home with him in
the evening. It hung around even when he
tried his best to get rid of it and when he camouflaged it with witty quips"
(p. 197).
"Paper Angels" is a well-written, character-driven
story by Jimmy Wayne and Travis Thrasher.
Jimmy Wayne survived a childhood similar to that of Thomas Brandt in the
story, and experienced The Salvation Army Angel Tree program as he grew up. I was also glad to read on Jimmy Wayne's
website that Hallmark will produce a movie version of his book.
"Paper Angels" could easily become a Christmas
classic and I highly recommend it to all who enjoy inspirational fiction.
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