Title: Why Angles Dance Book 01: Ashley’s Waltz
Author: Taylor Kincaid
Published in August 2010 by Red Rose Publishing ™
Genre: Fantasy/Inspirational
ISBN: 978-1-60435-724-0, ebook; paperback
A delightful, appealing short story, Why Angles Dance Book 01: Ashley’s Waltz, possesses a common though engaging plot, but the overall fictional world wholly unique in its own right. Although head instructor at Heaven’s Studio of Ballroom Dance, Mary Lou is first and foremost a guardian angel, protecting those assigned to her on Earth. The first rule of guardianship is never to interfere with the making of human history. Next they are only to provide peace and comfort, during crisis to the mortals. Angels are also responsible for transitioning newly departed humans between earth and heaven. However, Mary’s current assignment has been a challenge, involving a little girl who endures daily physical and emotional abuse from her mother’s boyfriend.
Ms Kincaid creates well developed, energetic characters who bring smooth authenticity to this story, keeping the reader enthralled throughout until its final outcome. Four year old Ashley is a well behaved child and not because of good parenting. Instead she survives in a highly charged volatile home, which lends to her unusual good behavior. Being extremely quiet and unimposing affords her to not attract unwanted attention from Derek, her mother, Marla’s boyfriend. But this good behavior began long before Derek’s arrival; instead sometime during those previous boyfriends who also took delight in taking their anger out on a child.
Mary has attempted many things in persuading Marla to dutifully intervene on behalf of Ashley’s safety. Whispering words of encouragement to either stand up to Derek or leave him altogether. Still Marla remains, allowing the man to abuse her daughter repeatedly; even blaming Ashley for being disobedient or willfully attracting Derek’s attention. Readers will clearly sense a deeply felt disappointing and frustrating for sure, in regards to Marla’s inaction.
Knowing the elderly couple next door hear Ashley’s screams and cries, Mary then whispers to them to get involved and call the police. However, Derek’s threat of harm some time ago still haunts them. So when finally gathering the courage to report child abuse, but then asked for their names for further questioning, the couple quickly hangs up never taking action again. Even adults fear this horrible man.
Finally Mary turns to Marla’s mother, Corinne. She whispers seeds of doubt on how well Derek treats Ashley. So on a rare visit, Corinne asks her granddaughter if she is being abused by Derek. Ashley adamantly denies that Derek is abusing her, fearing to never see Grandma Corinne again of she confesses to his ill treatment. The abuser’s circle is complete, manipulating or putting fear into everyone who may rescue this child. Mary is quite frustrated, almost others who cannot equitably defend themselves. She has no other recourse in protecting Ashley from Derek. She even yearns to do the unthinkable – end the child’s life. But it is against their laws…but still can Mary go against all she has been taught? Just to spare one mortal child’s life from painful physical hardship?
Ashley’s Waltz is a skillfully written story about child abuse, and a reminder how even today many children fall under the radar of protection and prevention. Ms Kincaid plainly illustrates the frustration of those who want to get involved but fear for their own safety. However the most masterful portion of this story is Heaven’s physical depiction. No whimsical cute little cherubs or gorgeous ethereal angels, instead sincerely simple characters who genuinely care, in a real style world. Tastefully, artfully done story that tugs at the heart strings, handing over both sadness and happiness.
Also from Red Rose Publishing ™ by Taylor Kincaid are: The Attic Ball, The Lonely Preacher from Celestial Falls, Stolen Memories, A Perfect Red Rose. Due out around Dec 2011 include the following: Why Angel’s Dance Book 02: Corinne’s Waltz and Why Angel’s Dance Book 03: Anastasia’s Fox Trot.
A Dedicated Reader,
Pamela Jenewein!
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