Association Of Catholic Bloggers

  Shadow in the Dark ,  Harwood Mysteries Book 1 , by Antony Kolenc, promises to be an exciting new series of books about 12 th  century life in England. This inaugural mystery begins at Hardonbury Manor, ruined by bandits; thus, forcing those still alive to traverse to the nearest manor to seek work and shelter. Amid the destruction of Hardonbury Manor, we meet a young man, fleeing from one of the bandits. Yet, he was not lucky enough to escape. As a result, the bludgeoned young man wakes up from a long slumber with a massive head injury. Upon awakening, he cannot remember his name, his parents, or where he was from, let alone where he is now. He looks around and sees men in long robes caring for him, only to find out that they are Benedictine Monks! He is at the neighboring Harwood Abbey. Brother Andrew, the young man’s caretaker, decides to give the young man a name, at least until his memory returns. He needs to be called something, so Brother Andrew chooses the name,...

Come Back to Me , by Carolyn Astfalk, is the second in a series of romance novels, centered around the Reynolds brothers. Where Chris and Rebecca Reynolds were the lead characters in the first book,  Stay with Me ,  Come Back to Me  focuses on Alan Reynolds’ marriage to his wife Jamie. Come Back to Me Thanksgiving’s on the horizon, yet that does not stop Jamie from kicking her husband, Alan, out of the house! Alan has no clue what he did to deserve such treatment. On top of that, he has no job, and nowhere else to go, but to his brother Chris’ house. Newlyweds, and soon to be parents, Chris and Rebecca Reynolds welcome Alan into their home, allowing him to temporarily stay in what will be their first baby’s nursery.  That “temporary” arrangement lasts beyond Valentine’s Day! Will Jamie ever take Alan back? Will Alan ever figure out what he needs to change in his life to make things right with his wife? Astfalk created another entertaining story, with drips ...

In  eXtreme Blindside , (the second in a series of mystery novels), by Leslea Wahl, we meet up with teen sleuths Jake Taylor and Sophie Metcalf. Jake, fresh off his Silver Olympic Medal win heads to the Madness Games, in Colorado. Sophie, Jake’s girlfriend, longing to one day be a journalist, gets the opportunity of a lifetime to work for a noted magazine covering the Madness Games. While at the Games, Jake and Sophie, wind up investigating some strange happenings, such as numerous athlete injuries and equipment tampering. It’s all too coincidental for Jake and Sophie. So, they start snooping around. Lo and behold, they get themselves into some trouble with some unsavory characters. eXtreme Blindside Who gets extremely blindsided in this adventure? Will Jake, one of the top athletes get injured, or will he be spared?  Will Sophie’s journalistic skills uncover the cause of these strange happenings, or will she be blindsided by the bad guys? Ah, to learn the answers to...

Ella’s Promise , by Ellen Gable, is the third in a series of romance novels set during World War I, in France. In this third book, Ella Neumann volunteers as a surgical nurse in war-torn France, only to quickly learn that her surgical nursing skills are unwanted. It seems that because she comes from German heritage, discrimination prevents her from making the most of her skills. Albeit, that Ella is American, her supervisor does not trust her, as Ella is fluent in both German and English. Instead, Ella’s supervisor assigns her to work in the Prisoner of War ward. It is here that Ella meets undercover agent Garrett Smith, a Canadian spy for the allies. Will Ella ever get to use her surgical skills in the operating theater? Will Garrett’s cover be protected? Or will he suffer the tragedies of war? Will the ignited spark of love, lit in the Prisoner of War ward, lead to something lasting? Or will the flame die out like everything else in this blasted war? To get the answers to these...

Jean Schoonover-Egolf does it again, with the fourth installment of the Molly McBride series. She continuously brings entertaining, yet educational stories to children, teaching them a different virtue in each book. In  Molly McBride and the Christmas Pageant , Molly learns all about the virtue of obedience. She has her heart set on taking the leading role of “Mary” in the Christmas pageant, only to learn she has been assigned the role of a sheep! Now, let’s be honest. That’s quite a letdown, if you ask me, especially when you think you deserve the leading role. Yet, we see as the story progresses how important it is for us to be obedient to authority. Molly McBride Learns About Obedience Molly’s teacher helps Molly see the need for obedience. The teacher shows Molly the manger and tells Molly about Mary. She explains what it was like for Mary at such a young age to say “yes” to God and become the mother of Jesus. Molly comes to understand... Read more...

Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story  is a compilation of 30 conversion stories written by Catholic authors. Some of the authors are “cradle Catholics” like me, while other authors found their way to the Catholic Church after a long, and sometimes winding journey. Yet, the variety of experiences all point to one thing: a love for Christ and His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. As a Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) Coordinator, it is my responsibility to bring souls into full Communion with the Catholic Church. I walk with them on their journey. So, my heart was touched to read some of the stories in this book. For example, Cynthia Gill Bates writes of her conversion from Mormonism to Catholicism.  She came to realize that when faith is lost, in a human being like Joseph Smith, who founded Mormonism, faith in that religion goes with it. She drives it home when she writes: There are only two possible options: either Joseph Smith told the truth, or Jos...

A Shot in the Arm , by Kevin Luksus, MD, offers us some great insight into the connection between our physical and spiritual health. In a very practical manner, Luksus shares his experiences in promoting both physical and spiritual health. He helps the reader diagnose spiritual disorders and offers the remedy to better equip the person for improvement. How so, you might ask? A Shot in the Arm to Improve Spiritual Health Luksus starts each topic (whether it be the mind, heart, vision, etc.), by giving a brief description of how a healthy body part should operate, with each chapter devoted to a different body part.  Then, within each chapter, he draws the correlation to how the healthy spiritual aspect should work, in relation to the body part in question. After we level set on both counts, Luksus introduces the spiritual disorders that can plague us; such disorders as spiritual ischemia, “when we fail to live our life by grace” (p. 32). Like any good doctor would do, Luksus ...

In  A Storyteller’s Guide to a Graced-Filled Life – Vol. II , by Tony Agnesi, we get to read 43 additional stories that couldn’t fit into Vol I. As with Vol I, Agnesi’s stories in Vol II make you laugh, cry and leave you wanting more! There is a special spot in my heart for the story,  Keith , about a young homeless man, who Agnesi befriended. One day, Tony asked Keith about his goals. Keith told Tony that he had three goals, 1) to find a job, 2) to find housing, and 3) to become Catholic. Well, it was that last goal that tugged at my heart. It would for any Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) Coordinator, of which I am one for my parish. This beautiful story ends with us learning that Keith met all his goals. This story made me cry tears of joy! Then there is the story titled,  Catholics Come in Many Flavors . In this story, Agnesi describes a multitude of different types of Catholics. You know them. For example, the... Read more...

Waiting with Elmer , by Deanna Klingel is excellent book for the young adult in your life who needs to learn patience. Learning to wait for God’s timing can be an impossible task for anyone, but especially for a child. Meet Willy Skyes, left at a train station, by his father, to fend for himself. As Willy sits on a bench, waiting for the father who will never return, he meets Elmer, who seems to run the town of Waitnsee. Elmer introduces Willy to all the town’s residents, especially Rake, who runs the Union Street Mission. Willy and his dad were always running from town to town because of the misdeeds of Willy’s dad. Now Willy was alone, but not for long. The men of the Union Street Mission take Willy under their wings, and Elmer makes sure that Willy has what he needs; a place to sleep, food, new clothes, and an education. As the story progresses, we see Willy grow in virtue, especially patience, building bonds with the men of the Union Street Mission. He finds a “family” in t...

In  A Love Such as Heaven Intended , the third in a Civil War series, Amanda Lauer shows us that even during times of war, love wins. In this enchanting book, we meet Josephine Katherine Bigelow, a social elite, of the Washington D.C. circuit. As a recent graduate from the Georgetown Academy for Young Ladies, Josephine has grand plans to become a writer. Thinking she needs no further education, she readies herself to conquer the world with her pen. Yet, her father, on the other hand, Brigadier General Matthias Bigelow, has different designs. Although the country is at war, and the General is one of President Abraham Lincoln’s right-hand men, he wants to see his daughter receive more education. But, Josephine knows well how to get what she wants. By wrapping her father around her little finger, Josephine sets out on an adventure that proves to us all that living life fully means finding a love such as Heaven intended. Josephine Bigelow sets out on a course only God could des...

Waiting for a Miracle , by Cyndi Peterson, M.D. is a story of faith, conversion of heart and a mother’s love, all wrapped up in one page-turning true story. Cyndi Peterson is a dermatologist, married to a pediatrician. She is a lukewarm Catholic, going through the motions. Too busy with the demands of the world, Cyndi paid little attention to faith and a relationship with Jesus. That is, until one day when that nagging emptiness became a bit much to take. To squelch the nagging feeling, Cyndi begins to sneak around trying to learn more about Jesus. She attends events at her Church, reads books and does some soul-searching. As Cyndi’s faith begins to blossom, we see a conversion of heart. She begins to place more trust in Jesus. Cyndi learns that she is pregnant and looks forward to the birth of her fourth child. However, when her little girl Kelly is born, we learn of Kelly’s debilitating situation that would break any mother’s heart. Yet, Cyndi finds hope and trust as a result...

The Armor of God: Belt of Truth , by Theresa Linden, is the first in a new series of chapter books for young adults that teaches children the virtues! In this first installment, we meet George, a young lad of eight years, who longs to one day become a knight. However, there is much to learn, and just getting into knight school is a hurdle! Only the brightest get selected for such an honor. After two years of trying to get accepted into knight school, it finally happens! Now, George believes that all his dreams will come true. That is, until he almost burns down his home and lies to his parents as to how the fire started! This first lie resulted in future lies and everything begins to snowball on George. Because he accidentally started the fire, his parents needed to pay for the repairs. That meant that there wouldn’t be enough money to continue sending George to knight school. So, George concocts a plan with his classmates to poach a turkey to pay for his tuition. Then, he lies a...

Stealing Jenny , by Ellen Gable, is an interesting read about a wife and mother, named Jenny Callahan, who is nine-months pregnant with her sixth child. Just before Jenny’s due date, Denise Kramer, an unstable woman desperate to have her own baby, kidnaps Jenny. In this riveting, and page-turning novel, we see the Ontario police’s perseverance to find Jenny. We also learn about faith, courage, love and forgiveness. This book exhibits much virtue. Jenny Callahan, a loving wife to Tom Callahan, is a stay-at-home mom. One sunny afternoon, she goes to meet her children at the bus stop. However, before the bus arrives, Jenny disappears, leaving her young son tethered to the bus stop sign. From there the pursuit begins to find Jenny’s kidnapper, but more importantly, to find Jenny. You see, Jenny needs to deliver by Cesarean birth, or she risks losing not only her baby’s life, but her own! Time is ticking away, and Jenny needs to be found quickly! Will the Ontario Police find Jenny i...

If you are looking for a quick read that sets your heart aglow, then you will want to pick up a copy of  Life’s Greatest Lesson , by Allen R. Hunt.  We can all use a feel-good story every now and then, and this one is a winner! In this charming story, we meet 10-year-old Christopher Grace, the first-born grandson of Lavish Grace. Christopher, and his Grandpa, Tom Grace, tell us all about Lavish through various interactions and stories. Grandma was one special lady. Her passing brought all kinds of people to her funeral. Throughout Lavish’s life, she poured love on everyone, exemplifying the virtues of love and generosity. Life’s Greatest Lesson Grandma Lavish lived by the credo and acronym LEGS: L ove all you can. E arn all you can. G ive all you can. S ave all you can. This wonderful story demonstrates one woman’s earnest efforts at living a Christ-like life. Lavish shows us all how to bless many more people. For, it is by loving all you can, that you are ab...

If you want to grow in spirituality, and learn the mystic way, then you will want to get a copy of David Torkington’s  Wisdom from the Western Isles . In this thought provoking book, we meet the main character, Peter Calvay, a mystic in his own right. He acts as a spiritual guide for a young man named James. Torkington does a masterful job at interweaving the stories of the two men’s lives, who are completely different. James is Protestant, searching for meaning in his life. Peter is a middle-aged Catholic, who experienced much spiritual growth and is considered a mystic. Through Peter’s kindness and willingness to share his experiences and knowledge with James, we all get the benefit of Peter’s  Wisdom from the Western Isles . The story is set in Torkington’s native England, thus the reference to the Western Isles. Peter Calvay teaches us how to pray, and why we should pray daily. One of my favorite lines states, “Prayer is a process of continual inner conversion th...

Charlotte’s Honor , by Ellen Gable, a sequel to  Julia’s Gifts , is set in wartime Europe during the summer of 1918. Here, we find Charlotte Zielinski, working as a nurse at a field hospital in France. In  Julia’s Gifts , Charlotte was a supporting character. Here in  Charlotte’s Honor , we see Charlotte, with her hopes and dreams, take center stage along with the reality of war. The days are long, and the work is hard, but Charlotte finds solace tending to the dying, as each takes their last breaths. Someone needs to be by their sides, as no one should die alone. As Charlotte tends to the dying, she meets young Dr. Paul Kilgallen. She’s smitten with him, and he’s smitten with her. However, there was this thing called a war that seemed to continuously get in the way of Charlotte and Paul’s developing relationship. Then, there is a third person, named Hannah, who was “determined to make him her own” (p. 25). Hannah would do anything to discredit Charlotte, so that Dr...

With the upcoming Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, on Oct 7 th , I thought it might be appropriate to share with you a wonderful book, written by Meggie K. Daly. In  Bead by Bead: The Scriptural Rosary , Daly treats us to an insightful way to pray the Scriptural Rosary. You need not be an aficionado on the Rosary to appreciate this book. Perhaps you never said the Rosary but might be interested in learning how to do it. No sweat – Daly covers the basics to get you started. Bead by Bead, We Walk with Mary to Jesus Daly provides a history of how the Rosary evolved over the centuries. We learn that the Rosary is a living prayer, meant to change over time. For example, for several centuries, we said only the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries. Then in the 1970’s, Saint Pope John Paul II created the Luminous Mysteries to add to the Rosary. Anyone now can look back and go – duh! – of course we should have the Luminous Mysteries! You see, the Joyful Mysteries cover Jes...

What sheer joy it was to read  A Storyteller’s Guide to Joyful Service , by best-selling author, Tony Agnesi. This sequel to  A Storyteller’s Guide to A Graced Filled Life ,  moves us from the stories of Tony’s upbringing, to stories of how, and why, he entered ministry in service to others.  Agnesi is a storyteller, at heart. Give him a room full of people, and he will have them laughing, crying, and wanting more! Well, in this latest in his series, he did just that! Joyful Service Made Me Laugh He made me laugh when I read the story about the “ 80 MPH Rosary .” Bored, on a long drive home from an engagement, an elderly man passes Tony at about 80 MPH, with rosary beads in his hands as he holds on to the steering wheel. This gives Tony the idea to say a Rosary as well. But Tony feels the need to keep pace with this old gent, and they go neck and neck down the highway. Tony shows him his own Rosary beads.  As the man approached his exit, they smiled at ea...

In  Playing by Heart , by Carmela Martino, we meet two gifted sisters. The story,  set in 1730’s, Milan, Italy, introduces us to Maria, a gifted linguist, mathematician and speaker. Her sister, Emilia, excels at playing and composing music, as well as singing. Where Maria shines in knowledge of the sciences, Emilia glistens in the arts. In 1730’s Italy, it was rare to come across educated females. We find that the girls father’s long held desire to gain a noble title, drives the entire story; propelling the girls into situations that a young lady of the 21 st  century would never need to confront. In the 1730’s, for example, parents arranged the marriages of their children. Young ladies had little to no say about who they would spend the remainder of their lives with as a wife. They found themselves married in their late teens. So, Maria and Emilia were approaching the age when their father would desire to marry them off to suitable husbands. Yet, Maria wants to bec...

Mommy, Mommy, When You Pray , is a delightful children’s book for ages 3-5, written and illustrated by Kimberly Cook. In this little gem of a book, children learn about the virtue of gratitude. Mommy is thankful to God for all He blesses her with, and she shares those thoughts with her children. The illustrations are colorful and engaging; surely to capture your child’s attention and interest. This little story will open up dialogue between you and your child; for the two of you share what you are thankful for, and why. Kimberly Cook has a knack for capturing the everyday occurrences of life and highlighting them as special – worthy of thanks! Cook has a lot of love packed into 24 pages. As you traverse through each page/scene, you will quickly see... Read more...