Michaela

• Author: Leanne Karella
• Publisher: New Concepts Publishing
• Year: 2006
• Setting: Unegi, Arizona
• ISBN: 1-58608-910-2
• Purchase: New Concepts Publishing

Book Description

The angel, Michaela, doesn't understand the strange emotions coursing through her body whenever he is near. She's supposed to help him, but how can she when the most terrifying feelings strike whenever she gets near the mortal she's assigned to help?

Can an ethereal being, so unfamiliar with life on Earth, teach the tormented Ty Brock that life is worth living? Or will their growing attraction be the ultimate downfall for the fallen angel?

Reviews

• "...enticing in the most sweetly irresistible way." -- 5 Angels and RECOMMENDED READ - Fallen Angel Reviews

• "Very rarely do I give out a five cups rating, but Ms. Karella’s book had everything a romance reader could ever want." -- 5 Cups - Coffee Time Romance

Teaser

Prologue

The Triumvirate of Heaven’s most revered archangels had been convened.

This was not a good thing.

Gabriel looked across the table toward Raphael, the healer, and saw the same concern in his eyes that filled his own soul. Michael, the judge, sat at the head of the table, his brow pulled into a tight frown.

“What say you, Gabe?” Michael asked. “After all these two have done, will you still allow them to meddle in mortal life?”

Gabriel hated being put on the spot. Especially by Michael. “I see no reason to follow through with His suggestion. That’s all it was, a suggestion. You cannot believe that forcing them into mortal form will solve this problem.”

“Ah, the Angel of Mercy would give forgiveness once again.” Michael tapped his finger on the gleaming white table. “Not this time, my friend. These two must be punished for their behavior.”

“Perhaps,” Raphael tentatively spoke up, “this would work. If they see how difficult mortal life is, they would understand that their pranks are only causing harm to the poor creatures.”

“Michaela has done nothing wrong,” Gabriel said with a shake of his head. Oh, how he hated to see that sweet angel sent to earth without her wings. “She is quiet. A follower. She simply picked the wrong angel to follow. It is Electra that must be punished, if there is any punishment to be had.”

“They go together.” Michael’s words were final. Harsh.

“And what will they do?” Gabriel asked. “They know nothing of mortal life. They have never experienced fear or hunger or pain. They would not survive. And Michaela hasn’t spent any time observing mortals. She knows nothing about them except what she’s studied in the texts.”

A flicker of a smile lit Michael’s lips. “We shall give them a book. One that will tell them all they need to know to survive as mortals.”

Gabriel shook his head again. “This is lunacy. Only angels who’ve made a conscious choice to become human have ever done it. Those that have lived among them, cared for them. Michaela and Electra are so young. Young and foolish. Do not do this to them.”

“They have been here for two millennia. Is it not time they grew up?” Michael folded his hands together on the table. “They should have received their papers by now, yet they dawdle.”

“You cannot give them free will,” Gabriel argued. “They would only get into more trouble than they’re already in.”

Raphael spoke up once again. “They are already exhibiting free will. That is why He suggested they be sent to earth. To see what free will can do to the mortals. Without free will, they are safe, sheltered.”

“No. I cannot go along with this. I cannot see them suffer so.”

Michael rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair. “The decision has been made. He has already agreed to it.”

Gabriel’s lips parted in astonishment. “Then why did you call the Triumvirate if the decision has already been made?”

“You were called here to….” Michael didn’t look so high and mighty now. “Because He wants these angels given a task. That is your job. You two must come up with something for them to do.”

“I have just the thing,” Raphael said, his face lighting with a smile. “There is this small town in North America. I believe it’s called Unegi. I have a man there in desperate need of salvation.”

“These women cannot save someone. We’re sending them there to save themselves.”

Raphael scowled at Michael. “I have faith in Michaela. She would be perfect for this man. His soul is dark, he’s hurting. With her sweetness, she’s sure to melt his hardened heart.”

“And the other one? The troublemaker?” Michael asked.

Raphael tapped his finger on his chin. “What if we had her go somewhere where she saw true human suffering? So that she’d see life at its worst.”

“They need to stay together,” Gabriel added. “If you separate them...” He shook his head once again. “I hate to think how bad it could become if they were truly alone down there.”

Raphael was thoughtful for several long moments. “I have it,” he finally said. “There is a small medical clinic in this Unegi. It will be perfect. Where do you see human suffering more than where there are weak, ill or injured?”

Gabriel nodded, liking this idea. “I think this might work.”

“Fine, fine,” Michael said with a wave of his hand. “Set things up for them. Make sure they have the book of information.”

“By the way,” Gabriel said, “how long is their stay?”

Michael raised an eyebrow at Gabriel. “For the rest of their mortal life, of course.”

“You mean,” Raphael asked in horror, “they’ve been Grounded?”

Chapter One

“There it is,” Electra said as she pointed down the long, hot road toward several buildings.

Michaela nodded and flipped through the book. They’d been walking for what felt like forever. So far, she’d learned several things. First, mortal form was extremely uncomfortable. She felt … heavy. In the book, it said that gravity keeps the mortals attached to the earth. Gravity. Founded by some man named Newton. Newton shouldn’t have done that. It was much easier to float.