DARK HOPE by Monica McGurk

First of all, a huge thank you to Teenreads.com for copies of Book One and Two of ARCHANGEL PROPHECIES.  Your contests are greatly appreciated by your blog followers.

Hope Carmichael was kidnapped as a young child.  She doesn't remember much except for the dark stranger who rescued her from a seedy motel room and returned her to her parents.  The ordeal forever changed her father who was with her in the park on the day of the abduction.  After her safe return, his overprotectiveness and obsession with religion destroyed her parents marriage and left her living with him while her mother pursued a business career that required extensive travel.

Now a teen, Hope has opted to leave her father whose odd behavior has become too much to take.  Moving to Atlanta, Georgia, to live with her mother promises to offer a more normal existence.  Starting at a new high school has Hope a bit nervous, but she is determined to make the best of it.  It feels good to have the freedom to come and go and experience life as a regular teen.  The only reminder of her childhood trauma is the strange mark that appeared on her neck presumably at the hands of her abductor.

After a rocky first day at Dunwoody High, Hope meets Michael.  Also, fairly new to the area, the two share the same classes and seem to hit it off.  Hope finds Michael attractive and strangely attentive, but being the target for "new girl" taunts isn't exactly her idea of fun so she welcomes his protection.

A class project has Hope partnering with Tabitha, the daughter of a local minister.  Their project involves an investigation of Atlanta's human trafficking problem.  This takes Hope and Tabitha into potential danger and reveals another side to Michael.  After he intervenes to save Hope, she recognizes him as the stranger who rescued her from that motel room long ago.  When he explains that he is the Archangel Michael sent by God to protect her, Hope's life heads down a path she could never have anticipated in her wildest dreams.

For readers looking for adventure and danger that includes guardian angels and unexplained powers, DARK HOPE and its sequel DARK RISING are perfect reads.  Author Monica McGurk's writing career began with fan fiction based on TWILIGHT, and readers will recognize a familiar tone and voice as they enjoy this new series with Hope and Michael.