The Keepers
By Monique O’Connor James
ISBN# 0012964174
Author’s Website: http://www.moniqueoconnorjames.com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Autumn

Synopsis:

Jess denies God. In his infinite wisdom, he’s taken everyone she’s ever loved. Moving to the French Quarter was a ploy to erase the guilt she felt for rebuking her faith. Perhaps, if she hadn’t met Justin, an angel preoccupied with getting back into God’s good graces, and drowning in his hatred for humanity, her plan would have worked.

Justin’s general disdain for the human race makes him difficult to like, but some higher power has appointed him her keeper. Justin’s convinced he can mend her broken relationship with her maker, but in the process he learns a thing or two about his own humanity.

Never mind falling in love, that’s not supposed to happen. In fact, it may even be forbidden. Jess just wants Justin to understand her plight, and he wants to protect her from a world she doesn’t know.

If neither are equipped to save the other, then whose soul will live and whose will perish? (Goodreads)

Review:

Jessica Hunter has seen more than her fair share of tragedy in her young life.  Her father dies when she is a child and then she is forced to watch as her mother, her best and only friend, is ravaged by breast cancer. Her only reason to hold onto sanity is her younger brother, Jordan.  Each sibling has developed a different coping mechanism.  Jordan seeks solace in alcohol and Jess would like nothing more than to hide from the entire world.

After her mother’s funeral, she takes off to New Orleans to spend some time and try to work out in her mind how God could have abandoned her.  She finds herself walking into a bar and meeting the incredibly beautiful Vi.  The two instantly hit it off and become friends.  The group of gorgeous boys sitting in the corner is a totally different story.

Blake, Rory, Lathan and the haunting Justin are almost too beautiful to be true.  They are brothers that reside in New Orleans and work at the casino at night.  Jess tries to fight her powerful attraction to Justin and after he saves her from being attacked on her way home, she knows it is a losing battle.

Justin is not what he appears to be on the surface.  He is an angel sent to watch after Jess and keep her from harm. He is supposed to ensure that the demon that wants to hurt her doesn’t get the chance.  He is also not supposed to fall in love with her.

How can an angel that despises humanity for abandoning God fall so completely for a girl who curses God for all she thinks he has taken from her?

I devoured this book in one night.  I knew from the beginning when I could picture the city in my mind and even smell the flowers that this was going to be an exceptional book.  It broke my heart, it made me cry, it gave me hope and made me believe that maybe love can be strong enough to conquer even death.  Read this book.  It will change you in all the ways only a great book can…