The Silent Partner

Homer, a reluctant, irritable angel, has been in isolation for nine-hundred years. She misbehaves and tests the boundaries of God, which was what put her in isolation in the first place. She doesn't like the simpering League of Angels members, especially Gabriel-he's such a goody two-shoes. Even so, God has a mission in mind for her and sends her to Earth to do what needs to be done. Once she has arrived, He fills her in. Homer's new mission involves a struggling author whose book could save humanity-and the author, Tom, doesn't have an ending for his book yet. This is where Homer comes in. Of course, she wants God to just send Tom a sign, but always a stickler for free will, Homer can't interfere with humanity, and yet it's up to her to save the world. No pressure. Left to her own devices, though, Homer wonders whether humanity is worth saving. She believes humans to be violent, self-centered brats. Earth itself is a trash heap, already polluted by all of God's chosen people. Is there anything left to save? Tom might alter her perspective, with the help of some other eccentric Earth-walkers, but in the end, the fate of the world rests in Homer's angelic hands.

She was at once bruised and lovely, with a chubby face that was dark and round and smooth and full of suspicion.