The small town of Morgan Hill, Tennessee, is turned upside down in 1947 when the Turners become the only black family ever to move into the area. Nine-year-old Jane Gable first lays eyes on young Milo Turner the day that her trouble-making, alcoholic father is buried in the Morgan Falls cemetery. When the Turners begin work as sharecroppers on a local tobacco farm, their presence challenges the comfort of many in the close-knit town and Jane leans heavily on her best friend, 53-year-old general store owner Henry Walker, for guidance. Then tragedy strikes the Turner household: Jane, her mother Fran (already pregnant with another mouth to feed), and younger brother John find themselves torn between the people they've lived with all their lives and a dying request from 6-year-old Milo Turner's mother that nearly rips their world apart. The Angels of Morgan Hill is Donna VanLiere at her inspiring and heartwarming best, in an audiobook that's ultimately about the mysteries of faith, the hope of belonging, and the dream of family.
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"This post WWII deep South prejudice book was a quick read. It was a great story. Fiction based on fact. The struggles of the mother who had to be the mom and the dad for the kids, even before the dad died at the beginning. He was a drunk, and everyone struggled with it long after his death.. It has a happy ending though! Through the eyes of children people are all the same. that was the basic concept that I got."
— Becca (4 out of 5 stars)
“The author of the popular holiday novel The Christmas Shoes brings readers another emotionally charged novel with her latest release, a powerful drama of love and enduring strength. The well-developed, down-to-earth characters are believable and real as they lure readers into an unforgettable story.”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)“A magical story of second chances that will stay with readers long after the ornaments have been put away.
— Bookpage on The Christmas HopeA cozy, inspirational holiday tale.
— Publishers Weekly on The Christmas BlessingA delightful book.
— Tampa Tribune & Times on The Christmas Shoes" A great story about prejudice in the South.. "
— Ellie, 2/11/2014" I wish they had one more star between 4 & 5. I don't give many "it was amazing" ratings but this comes pretty close. I loved reading from the young girl's point of view and hearing her speak of her relationships with the other characters. I don't generally get emotional when reading books, but this one brought a few tears, a most excellent read. "
— Julie, 2/3/2014" loved this book,really engaging "
— Bevjirwin, 1/22/2014" This was a very enjoyable book. It is a short easy read. It makes you feel good. Life is full of challenges and we do the best we can to deal with our own challenges while trying to help others with theirs. I recommend this book. "
— Lloyd, 1/22/2014" This book was a feel good type. Kinda of slow getting in but worth it in the end. "
— Kandace, 1/19/2014" I thought that this was a really good story, but it could have been edited a little better. A story about the way things that happen in life affect us. "
— Amanda, 1/9/2014" I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was clean! It was interesting! The story held my attention and I plan to read more of Donna VanLiere's books. "
— Sue, 12/21/2013" These people knew how to live and appreciate what little they had. Faith carried them through the difficult and sad times of their lives. "
— Becky, 11/30/2013" It made me angry, made me cry and made me think. It was a quick read and at times predictable---and painfully slow at getting to the ending of those obvious parts!---but I like a good Southern story and really enjoyed it. :) "
— Stacy, 11/13/2013" This was a sweet story, I really enjoyed reading it. I think it would make a great sappy Hallmark movie. "
— Laura, 10/18/2013" It was a good read "
— Janice, 9/26/2013" A light, enjoyable read. "
— Mdoty6, 9/24/2013" A well written book set in the 40's. It's about a town that comes together to help a white family that takes in an orphaned black boy. "
— Nadine, 9/16/2013" After I finished this book I cried. I haven't read a book that made me cry like that forever! "
— Kayla, 6/20/2013" A story of how good people taking care of each other can make miraculous things happen. "
— Linda, 5/22/2013" A really sweet story. Kept me hooked the whole time. "
— Beth, 2/28/2013" I really liked this book. It was an inspiring story about how the kindness of others can have a profound affect on our lives. "
— Jskeen, 2/23/2013" I thought this was a short but very good book. It is so southern and it reeks with the goodness that we can find in others. "
— Vicki, 12/15/2012" I confess that I read the condensed version from Reader's Digest. I really enjoyed this uplifting story about a family who spurns prejudice and reaches out to a black family. "
— Valynn, 11/20/2012" I picked this book by the picture on the cover. I started reading I couldn't put it down. Good story taking place in the South in the 1940s about life in the farms. "
— Gina, 10/18/2012" This was a really cute story. It was a good read especially during the holiday season. Sweet story. "
— Courtney, 9/8/2012" This was a cute book. It was all a little too perfect, but I enjoyed reading it and found myself wondering what would happen to the characters when I wasn't reading. "
— Lauren, 7/20/2012" This is truly a feel-good book! It is a sweet story, and although the plot is rather predictable, it is heart-warming, touching, and left me crying. "
— Cindy, 4/24/2012" Borrowed from Pam, Francis Parsons' book. Loved it- reminds me of Nancy Turner's books. "
— Ana, 3/25/2012" A touching story...but not much depth, and pretty predictable. "
— Midge, 2/17/2012" Pretty good book. There were a lot of characters sprinkled throughout that somehow I had a hard time following. But a good story about segregation and other hard times. "
— Lynnea, 2/6/2012" Great easy read. Just a really great story about great people doing good things. "
— Jen, 12/25/2011" This was a very sweet story but it was sad with some violence. "
— Rosalie, 12/12/2011Donna VanLiere is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of eight books, including The Christmas Shoes, The Christmas Blessing, The Christmas Hope, and The Angels of Morgan Hill. She has earned a number of awards for her writing, including a Retailer’s Choice Award for Fiction and a Silver Angel Award for Inspirational Book, and she has been nominated for a Gold Medallion Book of the Year.