Middle Grade Fiction

Beverly Stowe McClure Gabe’s Guardian Angel New Release

Print:
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gabes-guardian-angel-beverly-stowe-mcclure/1133866191
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Gabes-Guardian-Angel-Beverly-McClure/dp/1939844665/
EBook:
iTunes – https://books.apple.com/ca/book/gabes-guardian-angel/id1481904460
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gabes-guardian-angel-beverly-stowe-mcclure/1133866191
Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/gabe-s-guardian-angel

Interview With Author Beverly McClure

What was your inspiration for Gabe’s Guardian Angel?

I kept hearing and reading so many stories about children and teens, along with adults, that were being bullied. Both physically and emotionally. I thought how sad. And then, the worst happened. Some boys, for reasons only they knew, told a teen boy that lived in a nearby town to go kill himself. I don’t know why they said that, but the young boy did it. I kept wondering how his life became so unbearable that he no longer wanted to live.  So, I started writing, not necessarily his story but the stories of all the young people who lost their way. Why? More importantly, could it be stopped? And my novel was born. My thoughts. My questions. I wanted answers.

Tell us about your main character in Gabe’s Guardian Angel. Who was your favorite character?

Gabe Montana was the main character. His whole life was wrong, or so he believed. He was overweight, dyslexic, had trouble reading and was the target of the two worst bullies in high school. His younger sister was his only friend. I liked Gabe, but my favorite character was Charley, Gabe’s Guardian Angel. He’s funny, he’s serious, and he helps Gabe see that he’s not a lost soul. He is good and smart, but he needs faith in his abilities. I’d like to have an angel like him in my life.

What was your favorite part about writing this story? Include any ritual or a special place you write when you begin your day in the answer. 

My favorite part about writing this story was watching Gabe grow and learn that he wasn’t so bad or dumb after all.  I have no ritual or special place. Where I write varies, depending on my mood. I wrote this story mostly at the dining table so I could look out the window at the pasture and trees when I got stuck and didn’t know where a scene was going. It helped clear my mind to see the sky and clouds.

What was the most significant thing you learned writing this story? Your take away in your own personal growth as a writer or person.

Ha, ha! I learned a lot from this story, the characters and the way they faced life. Mostly, I learned that we have to expect the best to get the best out of life. We have to take what’s handed us and make it what we want it to be, or as close as possible.

If you were pitching Gabe’s Guardian Angel, what would be your pitch?

Meeting an angel is not in fifteen-year-old Gabe Montana’s plans when he decides to end his life, He’s tired, however, of being laughed at and bullied because he’s clumsy, overweight, and dyslexic. Even though his grades are good, he has trouble with reading and spelling, and he is considered “different” by some of the other students. So, he makes a decision.  No more being called “Dumbo” and other insulting names. No more embarrassing Grandpa— the only father he’s ever known—and his sister, Lindy. He’ll end his life.

Charley, his guardian angel, has other ideas for Gabe. His job is to give Gabe the confidence he needs to solve his own problems. It isn’t easy, and both of them are stubborn and do not always agree with what Gabe should do. Will he finally realize that Charley might be right, if he’d only listen to the angel’s advice?

What is the next book in the series?  Or Do you have plans for another book?  When should we look for it?

Right now, I don’t plan a second book. We’ll see what the future brings.

Do you have a favorite scene?

Gosh, there are so many I like, I’m not sure. When Gabe learns something about Mick that he finds hard to believe but also shows a different side of him, his attitude changes a little. I like that. But the scene with the family together on Christmas morning touches my heart. When we talk about a family, it can mean many different things. What does Gabe’s family mean? You’ll see when you read his story.

What do you do when you are not writing?

When I’m not writing, I play with the kitties, or they sleep in my lap like one is doing at the moment. I also try to teach the dog to obey me. We have a long way to go there. To relax and forget the cares of the world, I play the piano. The cats hide when I tickle the ivories.

Any last words for our readers?

Listen to your heart. Make the most out of life. Be happy. Enjoy every moment because you don’t know how many you may have. Love others. When doing so, you may be loving an angel. Yes, I believe I have a guardian angel. You do, too.

My Review