A Whisper of Angels
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Product Details
Publisher: Luminous Libros
Release Date: March 23, 2021
Formats: Paperback, Ebook
ISBN: PB: 978-1-7358182-0-7; EB: 978-1-7358182-1-4
Trim: 5.5 x 8.5
Page Count: 280
Lourdes R. Florido
Kept apart by society, two lovestruck mariners face the forces of time, death, and the afterlife in order to reunite.
At the peak of the whaling boom in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1857, Nicolas Adams and his best friend, Henry Lawton, are living during a time when expressing their true feelings for each other is dangerous. After a prank goes disastrously awry, Nicolas and Henry are sent aboard Henry’s father’s whaling ship, where they experience a rough awakening to the harsh realities of seafaring life.
When Henry is seduced by another shipmate, Nicolas is forced to confront his growing romantic love for his friend. But before he can admit to his desire, the two of them are involved in a fatal accident, the consequences of which send Nicolas to the Realm, where he discovers that he will exist in the afterlife as an assignment angel—one who is sent to Earth to intervene in the lives of the living.
During an assignment, Nicolas returns to New Bedford and decides to seek revenge on the shipmates who were complicit in his fate, including Henry, who is now engaged to a woman. But Nicolas’s actions only lead to endless longing, and he must deepen his search to discover what is truly needed to reunite him with Henry.
About the Author
A former journalist, Lourdes R. Florido has been published in the Sun Sentinel, South Florida Parenting Magazine, and other publications. She now teaches English as a professor at Broward College in Florida. She received a First Place Award of Merit from the Writers’ Network of South Florida for her nonfiction piece “The Cuban Me,” and her young adult novel, White Trees, received an honorable mention in the Independent Publisher Awards. A Whisper of Angels is the first book in the Nuevos Angels series. Lourdes, who was born in Havana, Cuba, now resides in South Florida with her husband and dogs.
Reviews
“It is a love story that crosses the boundaries of our temporary existence into ‘the realm.’ The lovers bond is so robust that misery nor centuries of separation can vitiate their feelings for one another. Beneath the surface, Florido confronts homosexuality and the afterlife. She does so brilliantly, which I hope will convince intolerant readers to rethink their positions.” —Amazon Review
“Excellent read. This was the first book I’ve read in this genre, and I’m glad I took a chance and checked it out. I found the storyline incredibly moving, yet sad, especially when one considers how much more accepting (usually) society is today with same-sex relationships. The author as a terrific writing style that kept me engaged. Florido did an excellent job creating the characters of Nic and Henry. It really drew me in to their complex world and made me care about the outcome of their tragic situation. Even though this could be considered ‘light reading,’ it’s truly a well-written, thought-provoking, complicated tale of two people who sadly didn't live in a more enlightened time.” —Amazon Review
“This novel is a surprising and entertaining read. It begins as a period adventure romance and then makes an unexpected shift into fantasy. However the adventure and romance continue as the story moves along its new track to a satisfying conclusion. The writer’s prose is clear, and the characters are believable. It is light reading, but has enough depth to challenge some readers’ ideas about the universe.” —Amazon Review
“Wow. I wasn’t sure what to expect, never read anything from this author before, but I had to finish this story. There were so many ‘Wait, what?!’ moments and I wanted to keep reading. The characters were interesting and the idea of the story was compelling. I hope to see more from this author, especially in this same world since I believe there’s a lot more to explore. Just a note, this reads a bit closer to New Adult or Young Adult. It's still a solid read and I do want more.” —Amazon Review
“This young adult novel is connected to another of this author’s books called White Trees. The two books share a character who’s important in both. The idea for this book comes from the earlier one and some of its concerns, but it goes off into new territory based on the author's interests in sea stories and angel stories, which are combined to form a complicated pattern. Think Melville (White Jacket?) and the Ancient Mariner combined with Albert Brooks’s Defending Your Life, done in perhaps a more serious way. This might be challenging for readers under 18, but it’s a challenge for older ones, too, and also they need intellectual and moral challenges.” —Amazon Review