Almost Heaven
by Chris Fabry
Billy Allman is a hillbilly genius. People in Dogwood, West Virginia, say he was born with a second helping of brains and a gift for playing the mandolin but was cut short on social skills. Though he’d gladly give you the shirt off his back, they were right. Billy longs to use his life as an ode to God, a lyrical, beautiful bluegrass song played with a finely tuned heart. So with spare parts from a lifetime of collecting, he builds a radio station in his own home. People in town laugh. But Billy carries a brutal secret that keeps him from significance and purpose. Things always seem to go wrong for him. However small his life seems, from a different perspective Billy’s song reaches far beyond the hills and hollers he calls home. Malachi is an angel sent to observe Billy. Though it is not his dream assignment, Malachi follows the man and begins to see the bigger picture of how each painful step Billy takes is a note added to a beautiful symphony that will forever change the lives of those who hear it. 1
I’m a lover of fiction books, most fiction books. This book, Almost Heaven, took fiction to a whole new level for me. Mixed with a bit of truth, this story grabbed me from the very beginning and had wanting to know what happened next. At first, I was a little confused as to who was doing the ‘talking’ because it jumped from the main character’s perspective to the angel Malachi’s perspective, but my confusion was quickly cleared up.
I soon found myself immersed in Billy’s life, and began thinking of him as a real live person rather than a character on paper. The events that shaped his life are so life-like I could see it unfolding vividly before me. At times I found I was angry at what seemed to be his stubbornness and at other times I praised his humility and heroics. Though his life, at times, was tragic, there was always a light at the end of the tunnel.
One of the things I liked most about this book was that parts of it were written in the perspective of the angel who was assigned to watch over Billy. It was a fresh new take on guardian angels and the battle of good and evil with the main elements of Truth included. There are lessons that can be taken from this fictional story and applied to everyday life for all of us!
I enjoyed this book so much, I literally couldn’t put it down and read it cover to cover in less than two days. (A major feat for this mother of four!) It is a must read for book lovers of any age– I wouldn’t hesitate to let my twelve year old read it!
My rating: 
On a scale of one to five, I give this book five stars: because it is a wonderful story filled with hope and love and lessons that can be taken away and applied to our everyday lives. The characters are easy to believe and life-like and capture your interest within the first few minutes of reading.
Buy Almost Heaven
Credits: 1 Summary from Tyndale House Publishers.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”.
Oh this indeed sounds like a really good book! I’m always on the look out for some good reading material! Thank you so much for sharing. I’m now following you from the Southern Mama’s ring…Have a wonderful Thursday Nickie!
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