A Kiss From An Angel

By Sherron Elise

One of the proudest moments of Giana Covington's life was witnessing her daughter, Noelle, win the title of Houston's Holiday Angel. A year later she is faced with the lowest moments of her life: Nigel, her husband of twenty years, walks out on her and Noelle suddenly disappears weeks before she is set to compete in another pageant. After days of searching, Noelle is discovered dead and a massive manhunt ensues to capture her killer. Will this time of grief and tragedy bring Giana and Nigel back together or drive them further apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sherron Elise
• Release date: Apr 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201967048

Sherron Elise

Sherron Elise is a proud native of Houston, Texas. An avid reader since childhood, her passion for getting lost within the pages of a book soon transformed into using her vivid imagination to create stories of her own. For more information about Sherron Elise you can visit her website at www.sherronelise.com and subscribe to her podcast, The College Christian Chat, available on Apple, Spotify, and other listening platforms.

Book preview

Chapter One

Giana Covington lay in bed on a Sunday morning, staring off into space. Her mind was in overdrive as she tried to make sense of her husband of twenty years having moved out the day after Thanksgiving. It was definitely a Black Friday for Giana when Nigel revealed to her that he had fallen in love with another woman; a paralegal at his law firm. But Giana couldn’t pretend she was totally blindsided. No matter how much she was in denial about the late nights and the distance, both she and Nigel put up a front of still being happily married when their daughter Noelle, a college freshman, returned home from LSU for Thanksgiving break. Nigel was aware that news of her parents split would devastate their only child, which is why he’d waited until Noelle returned to campus to break the news to Giana. Noelle was an LSU Tiger Cheerleader and she’d had to return to school that Friday in order to cheer in a game against the University of Alabama. Giana had actually planned to surprise Noelle and fly in to Alabama for the big game. She also wanted a chance to see Alabama’s infamous head coach, Nick Saban, up close and in person. But her plans were dashed when Nigel came to her breaking his news, and her heart; afterwhich he’d packed and left their beautiful home without another word.

The ringing of her cellphone snapped Giana out of her somber thoughts. Seeing her daughter’s name and photo flashing on the screen brought a smile to her face, which had been a rarity in the past week.

You’re going to live a long time. Giana said by way of hello.

So I take it you were just thinking about me? Noelle laughed at her mother’s words; a familiar saying she heard from both her mother and her Grandma Debra when they saw or received a phone call from a person who was just on their minds.

I’m always thinking about you. You’re my baby. How are you doing this morning?

I’m good, Mom. I’m on my way to church. I met a new guy and he’s going to attend service with me.

Well, that’s a good sign. Giana said. Although Noelle’s last boyfriend had been a regular church attendee as well and turned out to be nothing but a hellion. Tell me about him.

His name is Justin. He’s a sophomore and a pre-med major. He’s originally from Atlanta. Noelle gushed. I really like him. I’m looking forward to spending more time with him. We crossed paths in the dining hall at the beginning of the semester but we didn’t really get to know each other until Homecoming week. Besides, I was still sort of with Lionel at the time so I never pursued things further until now.

I’m glad that Lionel is a thing of the past. And if this Justin will totally erase him from your life then I’m all for this new relationship. Just remember to take things one day at a time. Keep in mind that guys get turned off if they sense desperation.

And so do women! Lionel is starting to drive me crazy. He texts and calls me almost every day since I broke up with him.

You need to just block his number altogether. Block him on social media too.

I’ve already blocked him on all of my pages. Courtney told me he’s been calling all of our friends, telling them to send him screenshots of my posts and my Instagram pics. That’s why I never post anything about me and Justin.

You shouldn’t regardless. Social media is one surefire way to wreck a relationship. Remember I told you to always keep your business offline.

Yeah, yeah, I know, Mom. Hey, it’s supposed to snow here this week. I’m so excited! It’s a great way to jumpstart my birthday month.

Actually forecasters here in Houston have predicted a snowy Christmas but I won’t hold my breath.

I sure hope so. I can’t think of a greater way to turn nineteen. A real white Christmas. I’d love it! And it would be the perfect backdrop for the Miss Kwanzaa pageant.

Well, I can’t wait for my reigning Holiday Angel to come home again.

During her senior year of high school, Noelle had beat out 125 other teenagers of various ethnicities to be chosen as one of twenty finalists for Houston’s annual Holiday Angel pageant. Through eyes clouded by tears of joy, Giana watched her daughter make history as Houston’s first African-American Holiday Angel. In the weeks following the pageant, the family had received ugly anonymous hate mail. Apparently not everyone was happy about a black girl being awarded such a coveted and prestigious title. Giana asked Noelle if she wanted to step down but her daughter wasn’t deterred in the least. Noelle boldly confessed that she was relying on her faith in God to help her take a stand against hatred. She was determined to fulfill the duties of her title, which consisted of a variety of community service projects and public appearances. Noelle also received scholarship money towards her tuition at LSU.

Now it’s time to take on the title of Miss Kwanzaa. Are you excited?

Yes, but I won’t be heartbroken if I’m not crowned. I’m honestly rooting for Courtney to win. She and I are planning to practice our runway walks as soon as we return home to Houston. 

The Miss Kwanzaa pageant was a smaller competition that was hosted by the Black is Beautiful Coalition of Houston. The grand prize was a full paid scholarship to the college of the winner’s choice. Celina Douglas, Giana’s best friend and Courtney’s mother, revealed that she was really hoping Courtney would take home the title.  The scholarship money would be a blessing, as she was under a lot of stress regarding Courtney’s tuition payments.

Final exams are next week correct?

Yes, I’ll be driving home right after my last final. I can’t wait to see you and Daddy again. Hey, is he awake?

Uhm..no. So, you said this Justin is a pre-med student? Well look at that. A pre-med and a pre-law major. If you guys get married you’ll be like Clair and Cliff Huxtable 2.0

Noelle laughed, which sounded like tinkling wind chimes. A sound that warmed Giana’s heart every time she heard it.

Okay, Mom, I’m about to go so Justin and I won’t be late for church. I love you.

I love you more.

When Giana hung up she released a sigh of