Springen notes that the popularity of Harry Potter brought paranormal features in literature out of bookstores’ back corners and onto the bestseller lists, paving the way for fantasy in modern mainstream fiction—an enthusiasm that extends beyond Young Adult titles to the tastes of adult fiction readers as well.

Following consumer and retailer research, Thomas Nelson Fiction is helping to create the trend, with 2010 releases scheduled for three new novels—featuring angels—from a variety of voices:

Never Let You Go by Erin Healy (May 2010) Known as co-author to Ted Dekker (collaborations Kiss and Burn), Healy is an award-winning editor for numerous best-selling authors.  In Healy’s solo debut, Lexi lives in the shadow of choices her husband made, especially Grant’s choice to leave seven years ago, without a word. Her relationship with their daughter, Molly, is now the most important thing in her life. Dealing powerfully with themes of resentment and forgiveness, Never Let You Go explores the “thin places” where supernatural elements and characters spill over into Lexi’s earthly life.  Healy’s style marries the suspense of Ted Dekker, the supernatural of Frank Peretti, and the relational drama of Karen Kingsbury into a captivating, elegant style all her own.

Wonders Never Cease by Tim Downs (May 2010) “It’s true what they say, you know: If you talk to God, you’re religious; but if you hear from God, you’re schizophrenic.” Critically-acclaimed author Downs is known for his delightfully irreverent Bug Man novels featuring entomologist Nick Polchak: “stands out from the pack of CSI-inspired mysteries with its quirky hero and creative handling” (Publishers Weekly, starred review, First the Dead).  Wonders Never Cease offers readers a new side of Tim Downs: a more emotive storyline than found in the Bug Man novels, coupled with his trademark ability to infuse wit and mystery. When a car accident leaves a famous movie star in a coma, nurse Kemp McAvoy thinks he has found his ticket to the life he’s always wanted. He adjusts the star’s medication each night and pretends to be a heavenly visitor giving her messages. He recruits her agent and a down-and-out publisher to make sure the messages will become the next spiritual bestseller and make them all rich.  But his girlfriend’s daughter, Leah, keeps telling people that she is seeing angels, and her mother and her teachers are all afraid that something is wrong. Playing to society’s fascination with angels and the supernatural, Downs presents a story of faith with humorous yet profound results only he could concoct.

Desire of Heaven by Sheila Walsh and Kathryn Cushman (August 2010) Sheila Walsh is seen and heard by millions of women through her Women of Faith speaking engagements, her music, her books, and her previous exposure on The 700 Club. Walsh partners with Kathryn Cushman, whose previous novels have been named finalists for Christian fiction awards, to write the Angel Song series, focusing on the life-affirming, uplifting truth about angelic interaction in believers’ lives.  When Annie Fletcher returns to Charleston to see her younger sister, Sarah, receive her master’s degree, she finds herself riding in the back of an ambulance, watching helplessly as Sarah fights for life. During the ride, Sarah appears to talk to someone who is not there, humming a melody Annie has never heard before. Neighbor Ethan McKinney lends a shoulder when Sarah unexpectedly dies. And as a carpenter, Ethan volunteers to help Annie get the Fletcher family home into shape for selling. Ethan’s presence is distracting, but what troubles Annie is her neighbor Tammy’s 12-year-old son. Keith has Down syndrome and the guile to believe he can see and hear angels.  God begins to reveal Himself to Annie – both in her newfound friends and through heart-rending and clearly supernatural events. Annie discovers faith in God, finally experiencing the comfort that His angels really do surround us. In March of next year, Sheila Walsh will release a new album featuring 10 Celtic songs and the powerful anthem “I Hear Angels.”