Audio Book Review: When Death Loved an Angel by Cheree L Alsop

This is a lovely story of love growing between unlikely characters.

When Death Loved an Angel
Written by: Cheree L Alsop
Narrated by: Michele Carpenter

Length: 4 hrs and 19 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-09-14
Publisher: Cheree Alsop
Genre: Sci Fi, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Death loved his existence. He charmed women, completed his list, and was content until the day he tried to kill Gregan Parker and came face to face with Gregan's guardian angel. She fought for the man's life, challenging Death the way no angel ever had. In the face of her defiance, he felt his heart do something it hadn't for centuries; it beat. Death found himself falling for the angel, but she already loved Gregan, a man who had never seen her.
Watching Nyra love a man who didn't know of her existence could terminate Death's heart when it had just begun to beat, but taking away the one thing she cared about would destroy any chance he had with her. Could Death truly put himself last and risk letting his love slip through his fingers, or would he figure out a way to save both his heart and the angel who stole it?
©2013 Cheree Alsop (P)2014 Cheree Alsop

Review:
Death has never been concerned about or had compassion for the people whose souls he guides to their resting place. He has always liked doing his “job” and he certainly has never given any thought to the living who might grieve. He completes his list of names and eagerly awaits the time of night he gets to spend charming women he picks up for fun.

One day he appears in a hospital room to take the soul of Gregan, a young man injured in an accident. Across the room is Gregan’s guardian angel, Nyra. Although she appears tiny and delicate, she dares to say “No” to Death. He is surprised but even more startled when he feels a heartbeat in his own chest. Death agrees to wait, at least a day.

Death is intrigued by the lovely, caring Nyra, although he is disappointed that she is in love with Gregan. Death is drawn to visit Nyra every day and struggles as he realizes that he doesn’t want to hurt her by taking the man she loves. Death becomes confused with his new feelings showing him the effect his actions have on others. He begins to question the work that he does and undergoes an internal battle as others challenge him.

Meanwhile, Nyra finds that she is lost in the Guardian accounting books because she can no longer do her job to help the unconscious Gregan. She looks for comfort to Gregan’s unexpected ‘brother’ who appears one hour a night to sit beside Gregan and share stories with her. Slowly her affections begin to turn to this mysterious man.

I found this story very engaging. The chapters shift point of view from Death to Nyra, which adds interest. The writing has a delicate touch and I loved it’s otherworldly tone. The author deftly and gradually softens the usual dark image of Death and makes the romance plausible, anticipated and ultimately charming. I enjoyed the unique storyline and the smooth style. I would like to read more by this author and I recommend this book to readers who enjoy a gently building friendship growing to love between unlikely characters.

Audio Notes: I was impressed with the narration by Michele Carpenter. Her Nyra voice was gentle and soothing and her Death voice shared his indifference that turned to pained sadness. I hadn't heard her work before but her voice and presentation perfectly fit this story. My enjoyment of the reading was definitely enhanced by the audio format.

I received this title through Audiobook Jukebox. This qualifies for my Audio Challenge.