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Children of the Fallen #2
A Gothic Christmas Angel
The Ghosts of Old Miseries are never far behind…
Dumped by her boyfriend on Christmas Eve, Cassie Baruch thought her pain would end when she aimed her car at an ancient beech tree. But when a gorgeous black-winged angel appears and tells her ‘this ain’t no stinking paranormal romance, kid,’ she realizes death hasn’t solved her problems. Can Jeremiel help her exorcise the ghosts of problems past and find a little closure?
Written for anyone who ever wished their problems would just go away, this modern paranormal spin on A Christmas Carol was written to give people hope they can come to grips with the Ghosts of Christmas Miseries Past.
WINNER of the 2014 eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBooks Awards in the Best Novella category.
Dumped by her boyfriend on Christmas Eve, Cassie Baruch thought her pain would end when she aimed her car at an ancient beech tree. But when a gorgeous black-winged angel appears and tells her ‘this ain’t no stinking paranormal romance, kid,’ she realizes death hasn’t solved her problems. Can Jeremiel help her exorcise the ghosts of problems past and find a little closure?
Written for anyone who ever wished their problems would just go away, this modern paranormal spin on A Christmas Carol was written to give people hope they can come to grips with the Ghosts of Christmas Miseries Past.
WINNER of the 2014 eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBooks Awards in the Best Novella category.
156 pages, Paperback
First published November 25, 2013
4 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Anna Erishkigal
115 books197 followersAnna Erishkigal is an attorney who writes fantasy fiction as an alternative to cross-examining her children. She writes under a pen-name so her colleagues don't question whether her legal pleadings are fiction as well. Much of law, it turns out, -is- fantasy fiction. Lawyers just prefer to call it 'zealously representing your client.'
Seeing the dark underbelly of life makes for some interesting fictional characters. The kind you either want to incarcerate, or run home and write about. In fiction, you can fudge facts without worrying too much about the truth. In legal pleadings, if your client lies to you, you look stupid in front of the judge.
At least in fiction, if they become troublesome you can always kill them off.
I moderate two communities, Lovers of Paranormal and also Space Opera Fans. Come and join us! :-)
Seeing the dark underbelly of life makes for some interesting fictional characters. The kind you either want to incarcerate, or run home and write about. In fiction, you can fudge facts without worrying too much about the truth. In legal pleadings, if your client lies to you, you look stupid in front of the judge.
At least in fiction, if they become troublesome you can always kill them off.
I moderate two communities, Lovers of Paranormal and also Space Opera Fans. Come and join us! :-)
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 11, 2016
Goodreads encourages authors to rate and leave a blurb about their own books. What can I say? "Blah-blah-blah buy my book? Zzzz.... It's a Christmas story and now it's past Christmas. Perhaps, instead, it might be more interesting if I used this space to answer reader questions?
I wrote A Gothic Christmas Angel after a conversation with a friend who writes intense literary fiction about wounded inner children. We both wanted to write a short, Christmas-themed story 'just for fun' and, of course, that conversation inevitably turned towards Charles Dickens classic Gothic tale. Since I write about angels, my friend challenged me to write A Christmas Carol themed story that would be accessible to both YA and Adult audiences involving both wounded inner children and angels.
Who is Cassie Buroch? In Eastern Orthodox faith, Buroch was one of the prophets to whom the Archangel Jeremiel revealed himself, but in -my- world she is an angry, 18-year-old girl. She is every girl who ever had a chip on her shoulder because she thought 'adult life' would solve her problems and instead finds herself sinking into the same bottomless pit which swallowed her mother. As a stand-in for Ebenezer Scrooge, she is not meant to start out as a likable heroine and has a long way to go before a reader can begin to relate to her.
(Alternately, in Islamic faith, Buroch is the name of the messenger sent by Allah to transport the Prophet Muhammad into paradise after he died...)
Where did the inspiration for Cassie Buroch come from? In my day job, I am an attorney. For many years I worked with families whose children had been taken away by the state. Sometimes it was because child abuse was involved and in those cases it was my job to make sure the parent learned to toe the mark, but usually the families fell apart because the parents (usually a single mother) had inadequate resources. They would just barely eke along until some minor calamity would knock them into crisis. The state would then step in and some snot-nosed social worker who'd been out of college less than 6 months would dictate solutions for problems for which they, themselves, had absolutely no 'real life' experience solving. Cassie is an amalgamation of many clients (both children and adult) I've served over the years and the problems which brought them to the attention of the state's baleful eye, but she is not representative of or based on any single person.
What about the angel? The Archangel Jeremiel is the Eastern Orthodox angel of life decisions. He meets spirits at the time of death and leads them through a 'life review' before escorting them to the gates of heaven. It is believed that if you pray to him for guidance while you are still alive, he will bring your attention to matters which may be impeding your progress so you can make better decisions going forward.
In my worlds that I build as an author, angels are further along on the evolutionary path than we are, but I always try to depict them as people, not otherworldly creatures so lofty that no human can ever relate to them. The Cassie's whom I worked with in my 'day job' can no more relate to an idealized, lofty notion of the divine than they could those snot-nosed 23-year-old social workers. The best social workers (the ones who get results) are the ones who've been there and done that, so of course Jeremiel has to appear to Cassie in a form she'll find credible.
And if you want to know more ... you'll just have to read the novella... 3:-)
Be epic!
Anna Erishkigal
I wrote A Gothic Christmas Angel after a conversation with a friend who writes intense literary fiction about wounded inner children. We both wanted to write a short, Christmas-themed story 'just for fun' and, of course, that conversation inevitably turned towards Charles Dickens classic Gothic tale. Since I write about angels, my friend challenged me to write A Christmas Carol themed story that would be accessible to both YA and Adult audiences involving both wounded inner children and angels.
Who is Cassie Buroch? In Eastern Orthodox faith, Buroch was one of the prophets to whom the Archangel Jeremiel revealed himself, but in -my- world she is an angry, 18-year-old girl. She is every girl who ever had a chip on her shoulder because she thought 'adult life' would solve her problems and instead finds herself sinking into the same bottomless pit which swallowed her mother. As a stand-in for Ebenezer Scrooge, she is not meant to start out as a likable heroine and has a long way to go before a reader can begin to relate to her.
(Alternately, in Islamic faith, Buroch is the name of the messenger sent by Allah to transport the Prophet Muhammad into paradise after he died...)
Where did the inspiration for Cassie Buroch come from? In my day job, I am an attorney. For many years I worked with families whose children had been taken away by the state. Sometimes it was because child abuse was involved and in those cases it was my job to make sure the parent learned to toe the mark, but usually the families fell apart because the parents (usually a single mother) had inadequate resources. They would just barely eke along until some minor calamity would knock them into crisis. The state would then step in and some snot-nosed social worker who'd been out of college less than 6 months would dictate solutions for problems for which they, themselves, had absolutely no 'real life' experience solving. Cassie is an amalgamation of many clients (both children and adult) I've served over the years and the problems which brought them to the attention of the state's baleful eye, but she is not representative of or based on any single person.
What about the angel? The Archangel Jeremiel is the Eastern Orthodox angel of life decisions. He meets spirits at the time of death and leads them through a 'life review' before escorting them to the gates of heaven. It is believed that if you pray to him for guidance while you are still alive, he will bring your attention to matters which may be impeding your progress so you can make better decisions going forward.
In my worlds that I build as an author, angels are further along on the evolutionary path than we are, but I always try to depict them as people, not otherworldly creatures so lofty that no human can ever relate to them. The Cassie's whom I worked with in my 'day job' can no more relate to an idealized, lofty notion of the divine than they could those snot-nosed 23-year-old social workers. The best social workers (the ones who get results) are the ones who've been there and done that, so of course Jeremiel has to appear to Cassie in a form she'll find credible.
And if you want to know more ... you'll just have to read the novella... 3:-)
Be epic!
Anna Erishkigal
December 29, 2013
A Gothic Christmas Angel by Anna Erishkigal
I have to begin by saying that I absolutely loved this book. It has all the elements I look for in a good book. I was pleasantly surprised with this book as the story is original and unpredictable despite it being a retelling of the Christmas Carol. The main character is strong and spunky, add into the mix a well thought out cast of supporting characters and a very sexy angel, leaving you with a brilliant read. This book is rich and descriptive, with a well crafted story and a well thought out plot, all which unfold in a smooth and effortless manner. The writing is descriptive and flows well making this an easy read. All the elements of this story are well thought out and structured ensuring a fast paced book that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. I was sad when the book ended. A very entertaining read from a very talented author. I will definitely be looking out for more of Anna’s work.
I have to begin by saying that I absolutely loved this book. It has all the elements I look for in a good book. I was pleasantly surprised with this book as the story is original and unpredictable despite it being a retelling of the Christmas Carol. The main character is strong and spunky, add into the mix a well thought out cast of supporting characters and a very sexy angel, leaving you with a brilliant read. This book is rich and descriptive, with a well crafted story and a well thought out plot, all which unfold in a smooth and effortless manner. The writing is descriptive and flows well making this an easy read. All the elements of this story are well thought out and structured ensuring a fast paced book that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. I was sad when the book ended. A very entertaining read from a very talented author. I will definitely be looking out for more of Anna’s work.
November 10, 2024
UN INGER GOTIC DE CRĂCIUN
Toti apropiatii lui Cassie incerca sa ii deschida acesteia ochii in privința iubitului care profita de ea. Dar Cassie nu vrea sa creada ca Mauricio nu e asa cum il vede ea. Chiar daca acesta i-a spus ca vrea o pauza de la relatia lor atunci cand Cassie nu a putut sa il ajute cu bani.
Decat sa mearga acasa dupa munca si sa isi petreaca Craciunul cu mama ei beata, spera ca Mauricio sa o primeasca la el, dar il prinde cu alta femeie insarcinata cu copilul lui si el se preface ca nu o cunoadre pe Cassie. In drum spre casa, Cassie intra intentionat intr-un copac si moare.
Cand descopara ca e moarta, apare un inger mare, imbractat in negru si cu aripi negre si in ciuda a ceea ce am crede despre ingeri, acesta e complet diferit. E sexy, intunecat, cu un umor negru si fata se cam topeste dupa el 😁
El ii vorbește dur fetei si incepe sa o poarte atat prin trecutul ei cat si prin viitor, dupa moartea ei si o indeamna sa isi dea seama ce anume o retine si nu poate trece "dincolo"
Abia acum vede fata tot ce nu a vazut cat a trait si ii pare rau ca a fost atat de naiva.
Dupa toate aceste "calatorii" Cassie mai primeste o sansa la viata.
A fost o lectura scurta, usor de citit si de intuit toata situatia inclusiv finalul.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Toti apropiatii lui Cassie incerca sa ii deschida acesteia ochii in privința iubitului care profita de ea. Dar Cassie nu vrea sa creada ca Mauricio nu e asa cum il vede ea. Chiar daca acesta i-a spus ca vrea o pauza de la relatia lor atunci cand Cassie nu a putut sa il ajute cu bani.
Decat sa mearga acasa dupa munca si sa isi petreaca Craciunul cu mama ei beata, spera ca Mauricio sa o primeasca la el, dar il prinde cu alta femeie insarcinata cu copilul lui si el se preface ca nu o cunoadre pe Cassie. In drum spre casa, Cassie intra intentionat intr-un copac si moare.
Cand descopara ca e moarta, apare un inger mare, imbractat in negru si cu aripi negre si in ciuda a ceea ce am crede despre ingeri, acesta e complet diferit. E sexy, intunecat, cu un umor negru si fata se cam topeste dupa el 😁
El ii vorbește dur fetei si incepe sa o poarte atat prin trecutul ei cat si prin viitor, dupa moartea ei si o indeamna sa isi dea seama ce anume o retine si nu poate trece "dincolo"
Abia acum vede fata tot ce nu a vazut cat a trait si ii pare rau ca a fost atat de naiva.
Dupa toate aceste "calatorii" Cassie mai primeste o sansa la viata.
A fost o lectura scurta, usor de citit si de intuit toata situatia inclusiv finalul.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 8, 2014
My disclaimer is that I know the author. But as she's part of my critique group and I'm usually reading her work with the proverbial red pen in hand, that's a bit of an opposite disclaimer than you may expect. If anything, I went into the story needing to remind myself that I was *not* editing but merely enjoying the story as a reader.
And enjoy it I did. While the theology behind the after life may not be one I'd ascribe to, the message of the story certainly is. I was immediately interested in the characters and their histories. She made me care. And she made me cry. And I'm very, very thankful for the ending. There were various ways she could have taken it, but she chose the one I believe best suited to the story.
This story isn't just for Christmas, despite the title. It's a short, easy to read, encouraging piece that can be enjoyed any time of year. Recommended!
And enjoy it I did. While the theology behind the after life may not be one I'd ascribe to, the message of the story certainly is. I was immediately interested in the characters and their histories. She made me care. And she made me cry. And I'm very, very thankful for the ending. There were various ways she could have taken it, but she chose the one I believe best suited to the story.
This story isn't just for Christmas, despite the title. It's a short, easy to read, encouraging piece that can be enjoyed any time of year. Recommended!
May 3, 2014
I thought this book was fantastic!
It's a variation of The Christmas Carol. The Scrooge in this novel is a barista named Cassie. Around Christmas time, she's visited by an angel who gives her a lesson or two.
The original Dickens tale is about a miserly jerk; the angels try to teach him to be more caring and generous. That's not the case with Cassie. Her lessons are more about appreciating those who love us and letting go of those who mistreat us.
What impressed me most about the book was how sad and uncomfortable moments were portrayed. They made my heartache.
There's some interesting angel mythology in the book. It's part of a series about angels, and I look forward to reading more of them.
It's a variation of The Christmas Carol. The Scrooge in this novel is a barista named Cassie. Around Christmas time, she's visited by an angel who gives her a lesson or two.
The original Dickens tale is about a miserly jerk; the angels try to teach him to be more caring and generous. That's not the case with Cassie. Her lessons are more about appreciating those who love us and letting go of those who mistreat us.
What impressed me most about the book was how sad and uncomfortable moments were portrayed. They made my heartache.
There's some interesting angel mythology in the book. It's part of a series about angels, and I look forward to reading more of them.
December 13, 2014
Beautifully touching story. The main character is a young woman who feels her life is over and that suicide is better than going forward. Her emotions are all too real to anyone who has ever had one of those bleak periods in their own life. And haven't most of us been devastated at some point only to learn that things do get better with time? Although told in the form of the classics: It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol --this story is a unique read. It's emotionally satisfying with a beautiful ending and I highly recommend it.
July 18, 2016
At first I didn't know what to think about this story. I rolled my eyes at some of the dialogue, I disliked the main character, and wondered why I was reading Goth romance. It didn't turn out to be what I expected throughout the tale and improved gradually as I reached completion until I found that I was actually pleased with the end. Read it with an open mind, or if you can tolerate Goth lit. If you don't like goth stories and if you're really picky about your reading, this probably isn't the book for you.
April 2, 2014
This was an enjoyable variant on A Christmas Carol featuring a girl who has had a lot of things go wrong in her life, and an angel who isn't quite the guardian that she is looking for, but might just be the one she needs.
The story follows a familiar pattern, but the characters keep it interesting. There's good detail, a surprising amount of backstory for a short book, and a solid emotional punch. The author creates a nice internally consistent cosmology in a short amount of pages and it never slows down the story.
This was well-paced and fun.
The story follows a familiar pattern, but the characters keep it interesting. There's good detail, a surprising amount of backstory for a short book, and a solid emotional punch. The author creates a nice internally consistent cosmology in a short amount of pages and it never slows down the story.
This was well-paced and fun.
December 4, 2013
A very good story. A real twist on the expected Christmas Carol type story.
The characters were well defined in a short space of time and interacted well. I loved the different version of ghosts of past, present and future with just the angel doing the lot.
The downside to the story, if there is one?Not enough Jeremiel! I was left wanting to know more about him and his past that Cassie was guessing at. A book based on him would be great!!
The characters were well defined in a short space of time and interacted well. I loved the different version of ghosts of past, present and future with just the angel doing the lot.
The downside to the story, if there is one?Not enough Jeremiel! I was left wanting to know more about him and his past that Cassie was guessing at. A book based on him would be great!!
July 31, 2016
I'm on an angel book rampage. After finishing End of Days, I was gripped by this intense need to read about any luscious archangels.
Yeah, I'm here. I got what I want.
This is a very sad, depressing story that made me cry. Even though Cassie was such a crabby person in life, she eventually became...well, she became something else.
Yeah, I'm here. I got what I want.
This is a very sad, depressing story that made me cry. Even though Cassie was such a crabby person in life, she eventually became...well, she became something else.
January 28, 2015
Perfect holiday read!
Once again Anna spins words into gold! The gothic twist to this modern Christmas Carol is terrific. Who are Jeremeil's parents? Hmmmm......
Once again Anna spins words into gold! The gothic twist to this modern Christmas Carol is terrific. Who are Jeremeil's parents? Hmmmm......
December 15, 2016
A wonderful take on a Christmas Carol.
September 15, 2022
Am intrat pe Scribd ca să îmi dezactivez contul, dar am dat peste această carte și mi-am zis să o citesc. Este subțirică, cu un subiect ușurel (am citit doar fantasyri de 500 + pagini, o tipă care se sinucide și un înger gotic este cam apă de ploaie în comparație)
Acțiunea este cam alertă și la un moment dat aveam impresia că sunt într-un film Barbie cu personaje gotice cu probleme familiale. Dar a fost o experiență drăguță. Am terminat de citit în vreo 3 ore.
Personajele nu sunt extraordinar de bine definite sau conturate, dar te prinzi pe parcurs despre ce este vorba și care este marea dramă din spatele motivului pentru care personajul principal alege să recurgă la acel gest. Pot spune că mi-a plăcut enorm îngerul gotic, cu secretele lui și tonul ușor sarcastic.
Acțiunea este cam alertă și la un moment dat aveam impresia că sunt într-un film Barbie cu personaje gotice cu probleme familiale. Dar a fost o experiență drăguță. Am terminat de citit în vreo 3 ore.
Personajele nu sunt extraordinar de bine definite sau conturate, dar te prinzi pe parcurs despre ce este vorba și care este marea dramă din spatele motivului pentru care personajul principal alege să recurgă la acel gest. Pot spune că mi-a plăcut enorm îngerul gotic, cu secretele lui și tonul ușor sarcastic.
March 18, 2022
Bello per davvero! Mi ha ricordato la magia e la dolcezza del film “ la vita è una cosa meravigliosa “ Una danza di seconde possibilità, il passato il presente e il futuro in un intreccio che guarisce. Un fantasy puro, una novella di Natale che scalda il cuore.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews