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I enjoy the writing style of Ann H. Gabhart her books are always very real to life. This one is no different. I did find it to be very slow to develop though, unlike some of her other books. I immediately liked the middle sister Kate Merritt, the spunky 14 year old determined to keep her family together. I will be honest in saying I was frustrated at the fact that the mother left that to this child, but a suppose this is also a true to life experience. My heart absolutely went out to the child who was taking on the responsibilities that her parents ought to have. I was also a little frustrated at the older sister who seemed more self-absorbed than any one.

The abandoned child, Lorena Birdson, who breaks into this crumbling family sets up the opportunity for true self-evaluation and change. The father, Victor, is brought face to face with his past. He must learn what God would have him to learn and to turn from his drunkenness. The mother also is brought about-face when this child comes in.

Truly a story of God's redemptive powers. Again, I thought it to be a little too slow moving for me. It was too easy for me to put down and make excuses not to pick back up. I found it a disappointment in comparison to Gabharts other books The Believer and The Seeker which were both very excellent in plot development and movement.

Thank you Revell for this review copy. ( )

This novel takes place in 1936 during the Great Depression. The story is about the Merritt family mom, dad and three daughters. They live in Rosey Corner, Kentucky. Just like everyone else there, times were really hard. It was hard to keep your family fed during this time. When a young girl Lorena Birdsong shows up abandoned on the church steps, Kate the middle Merritt daughter wants to take her in. What's one more sister, when there is already three. Besides she is little for 5 and won't eat much. Nadine Merritt, the mom has a big heart and can't say no. Believing like daughter Kate, God must have wanted them to take care of her. After all Kate is the one to find her. That's how she became Angel Sister. Ann Gabhart covers so many different personal and social problems. Victor Merritt is a veteran from the war that came back with PTSD. Of course at that time they did not have a name for PTSD. This was the biggest reason for Victor's drinking problem. Toward the end of the war there was a great influenza epidemic, that took many of Rosey Corners people, young and old. The characters are numerous and multi leveled. Victor, Nadine and Kate are the three main characters to the novel. I found this historical novel to be one I had a hard time siting down. It was a sad and depressing subject and time period, but Ms. Gabhart was able to bring light and hope to the darkness. I am new to this author, but have enjoyed the books I have read recently of hers. I would recommend reading this book. ( )

When fourteen-year-old Kate Merritt goes to her grandfather's church early one morning, she is surprised to find a five-year-old child sitting on the steps. Lorena Birdsong sees Kate and immediately decides she is the “angel” her mother said would take care of her. It is 1936 and the lean years of the depression have forced Lorena's family to abandon her. The Merritt family may not have much money, but they have plenty of love and welcome Lorena into their family. However, Kate's two grandfathers have other plans for Lorena.

The 1936 story alternates with flashbacks to the lives of Kate's parents, slowly revealing how their family's many troubles came to be.

Gabhart is one of the best Christian-oriented historical fiction authors writing today. Her characters have depth, her plots are complex, and there are no easy answers. Praying does not always work, at least not in obvious ways, and her characters struggle with their faith the way any sane person would when confronted with war, alcoholism, abuse, and abandonment. Angel Sister is the beautiful, sometimes difficult, story of a family using love, faith and forgiveness to hold itself together. ( )

This is a sweet story ( )