Proof of Angels: A Novel

By Mary Curran Hackett

From the critically acclaimed author of Proof of Heaven comes an unforgettable novel about hope, renewal, and the gift of angels among us—friends, family, lovers . . . and even mystical others—sure to touch your heart.

Sean Magee is a firefighter—a hero who risks his own life to save others, running into dangerous situations few have the courage to dare. While fighting a horrific blaze, Sean becomes trapped by flames and is nearly overcome by smoke. Just when it seems that all is lost, he’s led to a window—by what he swears is divine intervention. And then he jumps . . .

. . . into a new life. For years, Sean has shut down his feelings, existing in a state of emotional numbness. Coming through that fire, he knows that he can no longer be that man whose heart is closed to the world. But before he can face his future, he must confront his past and everyone in it: the family, the friends, the woman—and the love—he carelessly left behind. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Nov 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9780062279965

Mary Curran Hackett

Mary Curran Hackett lives with her husband and children in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Reviews for Proof of Angels

[jenxy21 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book was interesting, but not enough so to hold my attention. The main character, Sean Magee, is a little too sappy for my tastes. The angel mention is too sparse in the first half of the book to hold weight, and the storyline is just too expected for me. While many may enjoy the quick read, it just didn't capture my interest.

[angelswing_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

interesting book. If you're a believer in angels as I am, you'll enjoy this book. I sure did. Angels are around us.

[kibosa_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I would recommend reading Proof of Heaven first. The backstory helped my feel more invested in the character of Sean. The story was a little slow during parts of Sean's recovery, but once I got near the end of part 2, I couldn't put it down. I wish there was more of Sean's family in the story. Perhaps there will be a third book where all the characters come together (?).

[prettytarantula · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is definitely a "feel good" novel that could be considered "sappy."What I liked about the novel: I enjoyed the beginning and how Sean was granted a second chance at life. I loved the part in the book where Sean, a self proclaimed loner, suddenly has friends that always seem to be showing up to hang out with him. I enjoyed the candid conversations between the characters when they let down their masks and were real with one another. Some of those conversations struck a personal chord with me. I thoroughly enjoyed these "learning moments" throughout the book. I liked how the author brought God into the book without the book becoming overly religious. What I didn't like about the novel: I didn't like the fact that the book was pretty boring overall. Also some of the characters personal problems and actions seemed too coincidental. The author seemed to ramble on and on about certain topics like how one event effects all others, how we all matter and how destiny brought all these friends together at this time. Also, all these characters seemed like they were an expert on each others lives. This made the novel overly sappy for my tastes. I received this novel for free from LibraryThing through their Early Reviewers giveaway.

[misses_london · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

As Sean, the protagonist, comes face-face with death, he prays to God that, if he survives, he will be a better man and right a certain wrong. Immedately an angel appears and guides him to safety. Sean survives, and, during his recovery from his brush with death, he makes a small circle of friends who each are struggling with his and her own demons. This small group of friends became Sean's angels on his path to recovery, redemption, and moving on. He realised that, although their problems were different than his, everyone deserves a second chance and a shoulder to lean on. Convinced that he must keep the promise he made to God, the reader had a good idea where and how the story would end.This book should have inspired me and even led to shedded tears. But it didn't. For me too much of it was cliched, subplots resolved too tidily, and the story overall predictable. I suppose I prefer more complexity. The dialogue was also old-fashioned, some sounding as if it could have come directly from the mouths of characters on shows like "Leave It To Beaver" rather than real people today.Having said that, I think the author was effective in conveying the morals of the story. I just prefer more subtility and perhaps a little less sentimentality.I received this book as an Early Reviewer, but that did not influence my review.

[nmaners-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Since my son is a career firefighter, I was somewhat hesitant to read this book. Once I started it, my fears subsided. Although it starts out a big scary, the tempo quickly changes. I enjoyed reading about the different phases in the period of recovery. I also expected a somewhat religious aspect to tis book and it did not reflect that either. Loved the book and would highly recommend it. Will be looking for other work by the author.

[erinclark_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Sean Mcgee promises God he will be a better man and right some of his wrongs to people he has hurt in the past if he survives a horrific fire. He is shown the way out of a burning building by what he perceives as an Angel. Sean does indeed survive and over a long and painful recovery becomes friends with several others who are all trying to recover from their own addictions, be it work, food or drugs. I felt the story was a bit too sappy for my taste but it did have a good message, that life is not just a bunch of disconnected events and people. There are reasons things happen the way they do and that we have to trust that knowledge even if we don't understand it. I also liked the message that we are all Angels for each other. Nice sentiment. Recommended for a light, uplifting read.

[debristow · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I won this book as part of the Early Reviewers giveaway. Hackett writes a story that I imagine many women wish could be their very own story. Due to a personal crisis, Sam makes a promise to go back and make things right with a woman from his past if he survives the crisis with God's help. Hackett writes the story of his personal challenges to get to that point where he can keep his promise. I loved the story idea and believe some of her best writing is in the last chapter of the story. Truly touching and heartfelt. I wish the minor characters had more developed story lines or at least a conclusion so that you weren't left wondering. Overall, a great storyline and a very easy reading book.

[kikoa_8 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ok, Ok, I got hooked. Even if this book is a Lifetime Movie waiting to happen. Boy loves girl, girl loves boy- Someone gets injured, goes to rehab. There is booze and drugs no sex, and no rock and roll. Girl hurts boy, Boy travels to find girl. On and on and on....... But I read it to the end.

[wrbinpa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sean needed to know if what he saw on the day of the fire was real. He needed some proof. In the past Sean had done a lot of horrible things to people he loved because of his alcohol addiction. In many ways he felt broken. But Sean believes there are reasons for disconnected events and people in his life. He did not understand them, but he knew he had to trust that these miraculous events really did happen and for a reason. The author's writing is inviting and descriptive - an easy and relaxed read. The storyline takes us on a journey of discovery that brings the book to a satisfying, although rather predictable, conclusion. A delightful read! 4 stars.I received a complimentary copy of this book from LibraryThing. All opinions shared are my own.

[jfe16 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Firefighter Sean Magee is trapped on the third floor of a burning house. The smoke is thick, filling the space with a black curtain through which he cannot see. Certain he is on the verge of perishing, he breathes the promises of desperation: ”I’ll be better . . . a better man . . . a better brother . . . a better friend . . . I’ll even do that thing I was gonna do but didn’t.”It seems to Sean that the smoke parts, revealing a straight path and a bright, all-encompassing light that leads him to the window he has been so desperately seeking, providing him with an escape from the blazing fire. It would be easy to say Sean remembered his desperate promise, became a better man, and “did the thing he was gonna do.” But nothing is ever that simple, even if you believe an angel led you to safety when all hope seemed lost.Sean struggles to recover from the massive injuries that result from his third-floor leap to escape the fire. Will his admission of feeling “broken” for a long time help him find the inner strength he now needs to heal physically and emotionally? Will that hastily-made promise be forgotten as he faces the challenges of recovery? Recuperation is a difficult process, consuming almost a year of Sean’s life. Rehabilitation and physical therapy define its arduous path; as he struggles for physical healing, he finds himself on a journey of inner discovery. Along the way his life is touched by several people, leading him to a deeper understanding of himself and of things that truly matter.Although the reader can easily predict how “Proof of Angels” will end, the ending is not the message of the story. Rather, it’s the understanding that angels are all around us, part of our everyday lives, an insight just waiting to be discovered. It’s the realization that promises, people, and second chances are vitally important and are, in fact, the things that matter most of all.A quick, easy read, “Proof of Angels” will make your heart smile.Highly recommended.