Angel in My Room is the true account of Lillie Hopkins, an African American woman and a born again devout Christian believer. Lillie trusted in the Lord, and wanted to live a life of godliness, complete devotion and faith. The one wish that Lillie hoped and strives for was to have a happy home with a husband and a child to complete her life. In essence, Lillie wanted a family. Despite the path that Lillie’s Lord had planned for her, Lillie chose to follow her own path and it lead to heartbreak and heartache, undeniable sorrow, redemption and then hope. Eventually she discovers her calling and destiny.

Author Betty Collier’s book Angel in My Room was surprisingly a very interesting read about hope, faith, unconditional love, and compassion. The reader doesn’t have to be of any particular religion to understand and or appreciate the story of Lillie Hopkins. I found her story very easy to relate to. Above all, Angel in My Room is a story of hope that springs eternal and that every life has a purpose. Sometimes, the path that one chooses is not the path that God has in store for you. Like Lillie, we each have the courage and the strength to listen to our hearts and find the path on which each of us belongs. Although there may be many paths of varying degrees that we have to follow to find the right one, the journey can be worth the weight in gold.

Lillie arose out of the ashes of tragedy like the mythical bird the phoenix, to find her God’s love and in return help others. I would highly recommend Betty Collier’s book Angel in My Room to anyone who has ever lost his way at one time or another and just needs help remembering that love, faith and hope is everlasting and that love is all around.

Betty Collier tells her aunt Lillie's story in this short but highly moving Christian non-fiction work. Lillie Hopkins grew up in a deeply religious family outside Memphis, Tennessee in a time when the South was still segregated. Lillie was one of those children who always did "the right thing" and she dreamed of a time when she'd meet a wonderful young man and they'd have a perfect family with children that they loved. However, years passed and Lillie was still single, living at home with two sisters as they cared for their mother. She worked with autistic and handicapped children, but that wasn't quite enough. Lillie feared never having children so she entered into a relationship with a suitable man only to find herself pregnant and alone, for that man moved on to other things. Estatic about her baby, Lillie gives birth only to have her baby son, Derrich, die after living only a few hours. Lillie was devastated and wanted to die, but good friends stood by her, praying for her. Gradually, Lillie realized that she'd gone against God's perfect plan that He had for her.Was it that Lillie did not have the patience to wait for God to reveal her special path in life to her?

Lillie Hopkins story will touch even the most cynical of readers although the book is basically for Christians. Lillie's taking life into her own hands and getting pregnant out of wedlock is entirely understandable. She is not the first woman in her 30's to do so. The plot line runs smoothly to book's ending. Lillie comes to terms with Derrich's death and the steps she decides to take as a Christian seeking to return to God's ways and asking for His forgiveness. There are seven pages at book's ending where the reader is welcomed to write of how they have dealt with life's twists and turns and their own individual path as a practicing Christian. Because of these pages, "Angel in my Room" would be a perfect gift for an individual or a family to own and to absorb its message.

Lillie drew encouragement from Martin Luther King Jr. From him she learned she could have a dream. Lillie’s dream was to have a family of her own, “a wonderful husband and beautiful children. As she neared her forties she felt her dream may never come true. She loved her job working with autistic and handicapped children.

Lillie had always lived the life of a Christian but she wanted a family and was tired of waiting on God. She began a relationship with Mr. X but was consumed with guilt. A short time after the relationship ended she discovered she was going to have a baby. God was ready to forgive Lillie but she wasn’t ready to forgive herself. The closer she got to her due date the more excited she became. Instead of focusing on her inner guilt and shame she began to rejoice at the thought of the unborn child. But tragedy struck, the child lived less than a day. She begged to die. God allowed her a view of heaven and gave her the choice to live through the pain of losing her child or to go to the baby in heaven. Lillie realized her work on Earth had not ended; she made the decision to live with the pain and work for the Lord.

Betty Collier, Lilie’s niece and author of this small book brings Lillie’s story to life. Angel In My Room is written in a simple easy to read and understand style. I would even consider it conversational. I found Lillie’s story fascinating and filled with encouragement and hope. Lillie has a great message to share with readers. This reader is glad she shared.

Angel in My Room; A Story of Love, Compassion and Forgiveness is a soulful and uplifting book written by Betty Collier. This is the second book in Betty's Living Inside the Testimony Series. The year is 1980 and Lillie Hopkins has a miraculous encounter that forever changes her life on the day she gives birth to her son, Derrich. Her son suffers severe health issues and passes away just after delivery. Lillie falls into a deep, dark, gloomy, bottomless pit of agony and despair. She is broken and cries to God to take her too. God listens and as Lillie is dying, she has an out-of-body experience. God tells Lillie that her work is not done on earth yet. She returns and witnesses her son as an angel in her room. Through many grueling times of depression and torment, Lillie picks herself up and battles for God. In the end, she realizes what God's plan is for her and how she can come to help others with their pain.

Betty Collier has done an amazing job of writing Lillie's story into a marvelous and inspiring book. The chapters flow nicely and once I began reading this book, I found myself so intertwined with it that I couldn't put it down. I was truly moved and it tugged at my heart greatly. I also thank Lillie for sharing her story because it will inspire so many people who have not had the courage to forgive themselves even though God has forgiven them so easily. Through one woman's journey, we feel her heartache and pain, her personal sacrifice, and her devotion to God. This is such a moving story and so many of us can relate to Lillie's pain and suffering. Not all people are able to move past the agony and despair, but this book will change people's lives forever. I highly recommend this story for all people in all walks of life and all religions. Lillie's story will touch your hearts forever! Well done Betty Collier.