Ever since I saw the movie The Exorcist, I’ve been curious about the possibility of demonic possession and the suggested eradication of the demon through religious exorcism. So it was with much interest that I tore into the rather horrific opening chapter of Guarding Angel by Darlene A. Williams. I was totally intrigued by the narrator’s opening comments in the prologue that sent chills down my spine: “That child was me, and this is my story.” I had to fully understand why the child, Angel, was terrified of her seemingly bi-polar mother: one minute, Margret was beating Angel to near death; next minute she was loving her to infinity. What was going on with Margret? Why did she lock herself away in her bedroom for hours and forbid Angel from going upstairs? Why was Margret reading a book on witchcraft?

While the gruesome side of the plot slowly unfolded, an unexpected theme surfaced in Guarding Angel: how could this child still find such love and compassion in her heart for her abusive mother? Was it the loving presence and protectiveness of her beloved grandmother who lived with them? Angel is as close to an angel as it gets in terms of what she endures without trying to retaliate. Horror fans might find themselves wishing Guarding Angel was heavier and faster on action, but other readers will be more interested in what they feel and think as Angel shares her emotional and touching story. Darlene A. Williams handles dialogue so well that we see, hear and feel her characters clearly. This is the author’s greatest asset and helps readers, even those not into the supernatural, consider the possibility of “But what if this were true?”

Darlene A. Williams takes you on a journey through darkness into the marvelous light in her supernatural novel, Guarding Angel. Angela Lynn Carter is a little girl enveloped in fear and torment. She is hidden away in the backwoods of West Virginia, living with an abusive mother. Each day, Mama seems to grow angrier and darker. Mama’s obsession with the paranormal holds her captive in her upstairs lair. What goes on up there, no one knows except for Mama! The entrance is forbidden. Mama beats Angela regularly. One day Grandma intervenes and rescues Angel from her enraged Mama. Grandma teaches Angel biblical truths, and how to pray for others. Over the years, Angel’s faith grows through the kindness of friends, her loyal dog Champ, and Grandma. All of them are devoted to protecting and guarding Angel against the evil that dwells upstairs.

Guarding Angel by Darlene A. Williams grips your heart and refuses to let you go. The Prologue sets the stage and hooks you immediately into the story of Angel. Step by step, page upon page, the narrative reveals terror and torment. The terror of abuse and the torment of evil produce a perverted horrific conflict between mother and daughter. However, love and hope collide with hate and despair. In the midst of fear, childlike faith takes wings and soars through gracefully penned words. One of my favorite descriptions occurs as Angel nears her eleventh birthday, while evil lurks, waiting to attack. Angel receives peace as she watches the beauty of the falling leaves. Williams pens exquisite, yet simple characters; real people, quaint, yet unrelenting in faith. Furthermore, I always enjoy a story that includes the companionship of a dog. As the narrative’s action heightens, it plunges you into the dungeon of darkness (in this case, the “mysterious upstairs”), witchcraft and the occult. Through the denouement, the power of light dispels the darkness. Fears are faced, hope is released, lives are changed. Darlene A. Williams reminds us in Guarding Angel that “Through God’s love and forgiveness, we can choose how we live our lives.” Amen and amen.

Reading for a second time. Very well written. Excellent story line. This book will hold your attention and you won't want to put it down till you have finished, I can't wait till the sequel comes out. A must read.

Very well written. Excellent story line

I can’t put it down I love reading it. It’s very good.

this book will hold your attention and you won't want to put it down till you have finished I have read the book and now I can't wait till the sequel to it comes out

A truly amazing book.
I totally enjoyed reading this book. Its very well written. At times you want to laugh and other times you just want to cry.
I highly recommend this book. A+

It's a wonderful book.
Its one the best books I have ever read! Would recommend to anyone!

Great read!! I didn’t want to put it down... I can’t wait for the next one!

In her well written debut novel, 'Guarding Angel', Darlene Williams, taps into the Christian paranormal with a knack for grabbing the reader and not letting them go! I read this book in one day! Once I started, I didn't want to stop . . . I even refused to go to bed until I finished it. You can't keep yourself from turning the pages as your heart breaks and worries for the main character; a sweet little girl named Angel, who is at the core of this good vs evil story. Darlene's talent for weaving a suspenseful edge of your seat, occult thriller, leaves you wanting more from this wonderful writer. I didn’t want the book to end and I look forward to more books from Darlene Williams! Well done, Darlene

Absolutely love this book. I read the first chapter and couldnt put it down. I read it in one day! First book that captured my attention from beginning to end and to have all my emotions exposed in one book! An absolute exceptional book! Loved it!!!

One of those books that you just can't put down until you're finished. Loved it!

Highly recommend this book!
Very interesting and entertaining can’t wait for the next book!

This book definitely won't disappoint! Where's part 2?❤
This book isn't the normal genre that I tend to read. However this book had me at chapter 1.
Reading this book stirred up so many emotions. I felt fear, sadness to a point of tears, happiness, faith and strength.
This is definitely a good read!

I loved this story. Darlene Williams successfully captured my attention from the beginning and left me wanting more. The main character touched my heart and I found myself rooting for her. The climatic ending shows just what faith and determination can accomplish in the presence of great evil. I anxiously await her next book!

A great book that will keep you captivated until the end. I hope to see more books in the future. You won’t be disappointed if you purchase this.

At first I wondered why my husband wanted me to read this book especially when it talked about witchcraft. then as I continued to read the purpose was very clear. It is a must read. I want to thank the author for sharing this story. Please take the time to read it.

Guarding Angel was an easy read. A gripping, intriguing, and suspenseful drama. A little girls life trapped with an evil mother and a loving grandma trying to protect her. A true battle between good and evil. A story that will tug at your heart strings. All told from a child's perspective, looking back at her painful past, but always having hope for a brighter future. I am looking forward to reading the sequel to this story. 5 star book. Keep writing Darlene Williams!

Guarding Angel is a great book,The story keeps your attention.You can't put it down

Well written & awesome story.

This is a simple, well written tale from a child’s perspective. You can feel the emotion as the story unfolds. I hope there will be more!