Sunday, January 26, 2025

About the Book

Book: Charlotte McMaster and the Messenger Angel

Author: Terry Overton

Genre: Middle Grade Reader Fiction

Release date: November 26, 2024

Charlotte McMaster is in trouble. Some innocent memes shared to the whole school have resulted in community service at a rehabilitation center for the elderly. But her time with Mrs. Abigail Hooper will at least get her out of the tension at home, where her father stays out late working and her mother spends a lot of time worrying.

But when Mrs. Hooper invites Charlotte to spend time in her garden, she tells Charlotte about an angel that appeared to her when her husband died. Charlotte is drawn to the elderly woman and soon finds herself bringing her best friend, Ellie, on her visits as well. Seeking for answers about her adoption and her biological parents, Charlotte continues to be drawn to the garden to see if she can see the angel for herself.

Will Charlotte ever be able to find the answers she is searching for? Or will her search tear her family apart?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean. She has two children, seven grandchildren, one great granddaughter. Her writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals. Her books have won Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Winner Awards, Bookfest Winner Awards, Reader Views Silver Reviewers Award, and International Book Award Finalist. Her books examine real world events with a Christian worldview. She enjoys writing for young children, middle grade readers, YA fiction, and adult level novels. She and her husband live in the southern tip of Texas where they enjoy semi-tropical weather and spending time with their friends and family.

More from Terry

My daughter is an amazing person. After having three children, she and her husband felt God calling them to do more for children without parents. They fostered eleven children. But one year, they were asked to foster a newborn infant whose mother was no longer able to care for any of her children due to drug addiction. It was not that the child was rejected by his mother but that she could not care for him. My daughter brought him home from the hospital at the age of three days while he was having withdrawal symptoms from meth. After a few months, they decided to adopt the child. The process took a while because, for a short time, the child was allowed to return to his birth mother. He now lives with my daughter’s family, and he is an absolute delight and a great addition to the household. Charlotte McMaster and The Messenger Angel is dedicated to my daughter. It is a middle-grade reader about a middle school girl who, while wrestling with the question of being adopted and being rejected by her birth mother, meets a fascinating elderly lady. The vision of an angel provides help and guidance as this young girl comes to realize her adoptive parents were selected for her by God. This story conveys themes of healing, hope, and spiritual discovery. Through the character of Charlotte McMaster, the novel explores how a young girl, navigating the challenges of family tension and personal identity, seeks guidance from earthly and Heavenly sources. The elderly Mrs. Abigail Hooper tells Charlotte about her own experience with an angel. This introduces Charlotte to the idea of divine presence, sparking her curiosity about her past and adoption.

MY REVIEW

What a wonderful story this has been to read. I loved how the author illustrates God’s love for us. The story has many lesson in it and is accompanied by scriptures. Get ready to watch a young girl mature in her relationship with God. Her attitude changes as well as finding a sweet friend who impacts her life.

Charlotte is going through a lot as she find herself in big trouble at school. Oh but God’s plan for her is waiting as she starts her punishment with doing community service. She dreads going to the nursing home and hopes her time will pass quickly. I laughed when she talked about old people. How funny that at my age I am considered old by the younger generation. I remember how I didn’t want to be around older people. It’s funny how each generation considers a certain age old.

This story is filled with wonderful lessons that teach about God’s plan for our lives. I know this is a fiction story, so I understand that Charlotte being able to walk Mrs. Hooper home after she finishes at the nursing home would not really be allowed by a young person who is a volunteer. Charlotte has no idea that her meeting Mrs. Hooper will have a lasting effect on her.

I loved how Charlotte slowly was able to develop a friendship with Mrs. Hooper. After a while Charlotte was excited to see her and even spent time with her even when she didn’t have to. The wisdom from this woman is priceless. Charlotte begins to share things with her that has caused her pain and made her feel like she was not wanted.

Her relationship with her parents change as she spends time with Mrs. Hooper. This elderly woman influences Charlotte to pray and read her Bible. Each time Charlotte visits she comes away with getting closer to God and rebuilding a relationship with her parents. The ending made me cry but those tears are for joy. Be sure and grab a copy of this inspiring story today.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.