Alle Venega is a devoted mother living an idyllic life until a fateful trip to a haunted bridge. When her family is targeted by demons, Alle must fight the enemy she didn't believe existed.
Alle teams up with her too-gorgeous, totally off-limits guardian angel to discover what the demons want with her. Gabriel seems familiar, though, and Alle struggles with her growing feelings for the angel even as her daughter's fate hangs in the balance.
Although Gabriel seems to have her best interest at heart, he is clearly withholding vital information that could help Alle defeat her enemies. Gabriel's secret could cost her everything she holds dear.
(There are no graphic descriptions of sex or foul language. The main character deals with several real-world tragedies and has a bout with suicide ideation.)
The book is not meant to be a theology book. It was written to present (Christian) themes of faith, hope, and love within suffering housed in an interesting narrative. It is a fantasy book where demons are evil and angels are good. Sacred Vengeance is about acts of devotion driven by love.
The book starts out in the real world, but Alle travels to other realms and has many supernatural experiences throughout the book. After Alle goes through several trials, she realizes that tribulations enhance the sweetness of life.
As she sat, she felt for all the people she loved. It had worked before, so she tried it again. Lani was there, tucked away in her heart. But there were others too. Of course, Gabriel, her parents, friends, and former students. All the love that had built up over the years of people that she had claimed as hers. And when she searched deep down, there was a river of deep love under all of that. A river she hadn’t felt for a long time. She didn’t know what else to do, so she explored that river within herself.
She realized that it came from one place. The Most High. Alle walked beside this hidden river and listened to the rushing waters. As she walked farther down, it spread and slowed down. It sounded more like a babbling brook. It was different than the gardens she had visited with Gabriel. This place was created just for her. So that she could meditate and spend time with the Most High. She found a spot along the river where a giant boulder had been exposed. Lichens grew on its surface. A single red rose lay upon it. She hurried over and grabbed it up. Pressing it to her face, the soft petals tickled her nose, and she smiled.
She was reminded of His love for her. Not romantic love but intimate in a different way. He knew everything about her. He was devoted to her, not unlike a father to his daughter but with a much deeper connection.
She remembered how devoted she was to him and how she missed him.
Tears leaked from her eyes of their own volition. She couldn’t stop them if she tried. All of the hurt, pain, and suffering were not his doing. He allowed those things in the natural world for a time. Suffering was a natural part of things. If he eliminated all suffering, there would be no need for faith. Hope and love would be cheapened. Like a beautifully balanced meal, bitterness enhanced the sweetness.