In honor of my mother and Mother’s Day, I’m offering my book Remembering Mom for #FREE on #Kindle tomorrow, May 11 through Tuesday, May 14th. It’s usually 2.99 but will be free during those days.
Amazon Synopsis: In Remembering Mom, author Ellen Gable shares memories of her beloved mother, an unconventional woman who was often thrust into situations by necessity. She endured having to watch her first husband spiral into psychosis and schizophrenia, then have him be committed to a psychiatric hospital on the same day she was in labor with their fourth child. She worked from home typing back in the day when women didn’t have jobs other than homemaking. Her humor was quirky, and she had some strange sayings. She could swear like a sailor, but loved her Catholic faith. She wasn’t a perfect Catholic, nor was she a perfect mother, but she was devoted to her five children. After the death of her first husband, she remained strong for her young adult children, then eventually found love again and another opportunity for motherhood.
Release Date May 13, 2024! Thirteen-year-old Will Donovan wishes he could enjoy his friends and trick-or-treating without the nuisance and responsibility of his talkative younger brother, Sam, tagging along. When Will’s wish comes true after finding a strange goblet in the attic, Sam suddenly vanishes into thin air through the attic wall, and Will is challenged to muster up the courage to travel to a strange world to save him. Fortunately, Will’s friends and characters they meet along the way won’t let him face this dangerous journey alone, as they end up confronting their greatest fears, deadly creatures, and an epoch battle between good and evil.
The Gray Apostle: Roman Justice by Colonel Edward J. Barr
Synopsis: In Ed Barr’s exciting sequel to The Gray Apostle: Mission of the Messiah, a powerful Roman Centurion and the High Priest Caiaphas join forces to track down and eliminate Jesus’ earliest disciples. The authorities worry that Christianity is a threat to Rome, so the new religion must be stopped!
Unfortunately for Emperor Tiberius, it is difficult to track the whereabouts of the 12 apostles. The Apostle Peter has a secret weapon: a surreptitious network of courageous young people that is willing to step out on faith to prevent bad things from happening.
My review: This is a compelling biblical novel with several historical characters and mostly fictional ones who are supported in “The Way” of Jesus Christ by a man known only as ‘the gray apostle.’ It’s the second in a series that begins with The Gray Apostle: Mission of the Messiah. Recommend. 4/5.
Amazon Synopsis: What is man, oh Lord? And what do we owe God in receipt for our body and soul? As we barrel forward in medical and scientific progress, the answer trends increasingly toward ‘nothing.’
Enter the ‘switchover,’ the process by which a human being’s mind is transferred into a genetically perfected body, cloned specifically for them. Held up as the pinnacle of medical science by its creators and embraced by the insurance industry, more and more doctors and plans are making the process a prerequisite for care and coverage. But is the nation moving too quickly toward enshrining this emerging technology as vital to health care? And can such a radical process be rolled out so quickly without missing potentially damaging side effects?
These are the questions that plague Tim Plesac, the primary investor in the early stages of the switchover’s development and the very first successful human patient. It has been a decade since his switchover, but now that the widespread rollout of the process is on the horizon, he has begun to question not only the science but also the ethics. And as he delves deeper into these questions with help from his wife, Ali, the little voice in his head only grows…
Meanwhile, a strange new phenomenon has begun to plague the northeast corridor of the nation: a dozen experimental military time pods have been stolen, and suddenly people have begun to come back in time. Their mission: to kill their past selves. These ‘plurals’ appear, somehow driven mad in the future, with the intent to end their pain by never allowing it to begin. But why? What else could be motivating the attacks? And could there be a link to the looming switchover? Nick Jeffrey and his wife Hannah were content to ignore these questions until Nick comes face to face with a plural in his own office. And what this man from the future tells him will change his once simple life for good.
Totality is a gripping story of a divine mission perverted by earthly desire and the end result of the commodification of health care and human life.
My review: I thoroughly enjoyed this futuristic tale and debut novel by Brendan Lyons. My full review can be found at Catholic Mom. Recommend. 4.5/5.
Amazon Synopsis: Penny is a new sixth grader at a Catholic school, but she isn’t Catholic. So when the chalice is stolen from the altar during a school Mass, she doesn’t really understand what the big deal is. When her friend Jayden is accused of the theft, Penny teams up with him to find the real thief and recover the chalice. But what will she do when she finds out the shocking truth at the end of the trail of clues?
Fast-paced and filled with mystery, Penny and the Stolen Chalice will keep middle-grade readers guessing to the very end. As she finds clues with Jayden and her other friends, Penny, along with the reader, gains a deeper understanding of the Mass and the chalice’s place in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
My review: This is a wonderful middle-grade book that will inspire and teach kids about the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Recommend. 4.5/5.
Amazon Synopsis: In 18 Tiny Deaths, readers are transported to a time when forensic science was in its infancy, and a woman named Frances Glessner Lee emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Through meticulous recreations of crime scenes, Lee revolutionized the way investigators approached criminal investigations, forever changing the face of modern forensics.
Bruce Goldfarb’s impeccable attention to detail brings Lee’s compelling story to life, weaving together elements of history, science, and true crime. Discover how Lee’s determination and unwavering passion defied the norms of her era, paving the way for future generations of forensic scientists.
With a masterful blend of suspense and historical narrative, 18 Tiny Deaths captivates readers from the first page. Uncover Lee’s groundbreaking contributions to forensic science, from her creation of the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death―intricate dioramas that challenged investigators’ skills―to her influential role in establishing the Department of Legal Medicine at Harvard University.
This gripping account showcases Lee’s enduring legacy, shedding light on her profound impact on modern crime-solving techniques. Whether you’re a true crime enthusiast, a history buff, or simply intrigued by the remarkable accomplishments of extraordinary women, 18 Tiny Deaths is a must-read.
My review: This is a fascinating tale of the woman behind Modern Forensics, Frances Glessner Lee, who had no college education but wound up changing the face of forensic medicine. While it’s an engrossing story of her life and interesting on the whole, sometimes the writing is a bit dry. Recommend. 3.5/5.
Synopsis: For families experiencing infant loss, this picture book shows the important role these babies still have for their families.
Little Jellybean, so nicknamed by her family, experiences an exciting world of sound and sensations inside her mother’s womb, encountering the voices and personalities of her loving family. Just when she has nearly outgrown her mother’s belly, a surprising visitor guides her to a new home.
There, Jellybean is given a mission to help her family find meaning in their loss and ultimately join her in the presence of God.
My review: This is a beautiful book for parents who’ve lost babies before birth. They can read this to their other children to help console them and to grieve. Babies who have been lost in miscarriage or other pregnancy loss are still a part of the family and should never be forgotten. Highly recommend.
Thirteen-year-old Will Donovan wishes he could enjoy his friends and trick-or-treating without the nuisance and responsibility of his talkative younger brother, Sam, tagging along. When Will’s wish comes true after finding a strange goblet in the attic, Sam suddenly vanishes into thin air through the attic wall, and Will is challenged to muster up the courage to travel to a strange world to save him. Fortunately, Will’s friends and characters they meet along the way won’t let him face this dangerous journey alone, as they end up confronting their greatest fears, deadly creatures, and an epoch battle between good and evil.
Amazon Synopsis: A guide to entering into the mystery and celebration of Lent and Easter Catherine Doherty leads us into the riches of God s boundless mercy as she teaches us the spirit, the liturgy, and the customs of the Lent and Easter season, including: Practical guidance on preparing for the internal spiritual pilgrimage that is Lent. Meditations on the meanings of the many holy days preceding and following Easter. Traditions and customs which will help your family live the holiness of the Easter season. After-dinner talks by Catherine Doherty, spiritual readings around the dining room table on the spirit, liturgy and customs of Lent, Holy Week, the Easter Triduum and Paschaltide. Catherine speaks on such topics as how to Prepare for Lent; Why Fasting; The Motive is Love; Sin, Repentance, Conversion. Also on Palm (Passion) Sunday; Holy Week; Holy Thursday: Priesthood and Eucharist; Good Friday; Holy Saturday: Christ’s Descent into Hades; and Christ is Risen! Then Paschal time and Christ s Ascension, Pentecost. A rich tapestry of scriptural reflections and Customs and Traditions to bring it all to life! Excellent for personal and group study. A wonderful resource for preachers and teachers!
My review: I already included this last month, but it’s the Easter season so I’m including it again. This is a book I read/review every Lent and Easter. It’s filled with excellent information, spiritual reflections and customs for the season. Highly recommend. 5/5.
Amazon Synopsis: Roots of the Reformation is a powerful summary of the issues that led to the Reformation and their implications today. Most Protestants understand the Reformation from only one perspective. As a Catholic, Karl Adam gives a historically sensitive and accurate analysis of the Reformation that stands as a valid and sometimes unsettling challenge to the presuppositions of Protestants and Catholics alike.
My review: Excellent book that includes a basic summary of the issues that led to the Reformation. It’s incredibly informative for both Catholics and Protestants alike. Highly recommend. 4.5/5.
Amazon Synopsis: We all write, all the time: books, blogs, emails. Lots and lots of emails. And we all want to write better. Benjamin Dreyer is here to help. As Random House’s copy chief, Dreyer has upheld the standards of the legendary publisher for more than two decades. He is beloved by authors and editors alike—not to mention his followers on social media—for deconstructing the English language with playful erudition. Now he distills everything he has learned from the myriad books he has copyedited and overseen into a useful guide not just for writers but for everyone who wants to put their best prose foot forward. As authoritative as it is amusing, Dreyer’s English offers lessons on punctuation, from the underloved semicolon to the enigmatic en dash; the rules and nonrules of grammar, including why it’s OK to begin a sentence with “And” or “But” and to confidently split an infinitive; and why it’s best to avoid the doldrums of the Wan Intensifiers and Throat Clearers, including “very,” “rather,” “of course,” and the dreaded “actually.” Dreyer will let you know whether “alright” is all right (sometimes) and even help you brush up on your spelling—though, as he notes, “The problem with mnemonic devices is that I can never remember them.” And yes: “Only godless savages eschew the series comma.” Chockful of advice, insider wisdom, and fun facts, this book will prove to be invaluable to everyone who wants to shore up their writing skills, mandatory for people who spend their time editing and shaping other people’s prose, and—perhaps best of all—an utter treat for anyone who simply revels in language.
My review: What I like most about this very thorough grammar/English book is that it’s entertaining as well as informative. Highly recommend. 5/5.
Amazon Synopsis: The inspiration for the film starring Anthony Hopkins, journalist Matt Baglio uses the astonishing story of one American priest’s training as an exorcist to reveal that the phenomena of possession, demons, the Devil, and exorcism are not merely a remnant of the archaic past, but remain a fearsome power in many people’s lives even today. Father Gary Thomas was working as a parish priest in California when he was asked by his bishop to travel to Rome for training in the rite of exorcism. Though initially surprised, and slightly reluctant, he accepted this call, and enrolled in a new exorcism course at a Vatican-affiliated university, which taught him, among other things, how to distinguish between a genuine possession and mental illness. Eventually he would go on to participate in more than eighty exorcisms as an apprentice to a veteran Italian exorcist. His experiences profoundly changed the way he viewed the spiritual world, and as he moved from rational skeptic to practicing exorcist, he came to understand the battle between good and evil in a whole new light. Journalist Matt Baglio had full access to Father Gary over the course of his training, and much of what he learned defies explanation. The Rite provides fascinating vignettes from the lives of exorcists and people possessed by demons, including firsthand accounts of exorcists at work casting out demons, culminating in Father Gary’s own confrontations with the Devil. Baglio also traces the history of exorcism, revealing its rites and rituals, explaining what the Catholic Church really teaches about demonic possession, and delving into such related topics as the hierarchy of angels and demons, satanic cults, black masses, curses, and the various theories used by modern scientists and anthropologists who seek to quantify such phenomena. Written with an investigative eye that will captivate both skeptics and believers alike, The Rite shows that the truth about demonic possession is not only stranger than fiction but also far more chilling.
My review: This is one of the best books I’ve read this year and is, for me, definitive proof of the evil that permeates our world today. Truth is usually “far more stranger than fiction but also far more chilling.” Although the movie was also excellent, I’d highly recommend reading this book as it’s better than the movie. 5/5.
Amazon synopsis: In 1927, while the majority of the township of Bath, Michigan, was celebrating a new primary school―one of the most modern in the Midwest―Andrew P. Kehoe had other plans. The local farmer and school board treasurer was educated, respected, and an accommodating neighbor and friend. But behind his ordinary demeanor was a narcissistic sadist seething with rage, resentment, and paranoia. On May 18 he detonated a set of rigged explosives with the sole purpose of destroying the school and everyone in it. Thirty-eight children and six adults were murdered that morning, culminating in the deadliest school massacre in US history. Maniac is Harold Schechter’s gripping, definitive, exhaustively researched chronicle of a town forced to comprehend unprecedented carnage and the triggering of a “human time bomb” whose act of apocalyptic violence would foreshadow the terrors of the current age.
My review: I found this book a compelling historical true story of how one man came to murder a school full of children and teachers, as well as himself and others. I read it in one sitting. If I could offer one criticism, it would be on the chapters about Charles Lindbergh and his flight across the Atlantic. As interesting as those chapters were, they were mentioned (I believe) because the event overshadowed the Bath school murders and really had nothing to do with the Bath school disaster. Recommend. 3.5/5.
Amazon Synopsis: Xan and Christina embark on a journey to Harwood Abbey, where they reunite with their old friends, Lucy and Joshua. When a brutal murder occurs at nearby Penwood Manor, all evidence points to Laurence, a Crusader recently returned from the Holy Land. Unconvinced of the man’s guilt, Xan and his friends must act swiftly to solve the crime.
Who could have committed such a horrible killing, and is anyone safe? Is Laurence tormented by demons, or is he haunted by some other secret? And will Xan be forever changed by the choice Lucy and Christina present to him?
My review: This was a great story (and not just for teens!) I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it. 4.5/5.
Amazon Synopsis: A guide to entering into the mystery and celebration of Lent and Easter
Catherine Doherty leads us into the riches of God s boundless mercy as she teaches us the spirit, the liturgy, and the customs of the Lent and Easter season, including: Practical guidance on preparing for the internal spiritual pilgrimage that is Lent. Meditations on the meanings of the many holy days preceding and following Easter. Traditions and customs which will help your family live the holiness of the Easter season. After-dinner talks by Catherine Doherty, spiritual readings around the dining room table on the spirit, liturgy and customs of Lent, Holy Week, the Easter Triduum and Paschal-tide.
Catherine speaks on such topics as how to Prepare for Lent; Why Fasting; The Motive is Love; Sin, Repentance, Conversion. Also on Palm (Passion) Sunday; Holy Week; Holy Thursday: Priesthood and Eucharist; Good Friday; Holy Saturday: Christ’s Descent into Hades; and Christ is Risen! Then Paschal time and Christ s Ascension, Pentecost. A rich tapestry of scriptural reflections and Customs and Traditions to bring it all to life! Excellent for personal and group study. A wonderful resource for preachers and teachers!
My review: This is a book I re-read every Lent and Easter. It’s filled with excellent information, spiritual reflections and customs for the season. Highly recommend. 5/5.
Amazon synopsis:Feminism doesn’t empower women. It erases them.
The bestselling author of Theology of Home, Carrie Gress shows that fifty years of radical feminism have solidified the primacy of the traditionally male sphere of life and devalued the attributes, virtues, and strengths of women.
Feminism, the ideology dedicated to “smashing the patriarchy,” has instead made male lives the norm for everyone. After fifty years of radical feminism, we can’t even define “woman.” In this powerful new book, Carrie Gress says what cannot be said: feminism has abolished women.
Hulking “trans women” thrash female athletes. Mothers abort their baby girls. Drag queens perform obscene parodies of women. Females are enslaved for men’s pleasure—or they enslave themselves. Feminism doesn’t avert these tragedies; it encourages them. The carefree binge of self-absorption has left women exploited, unhappy, dependent on the state, and at war with men. And still, feminists cling to their illusions of liberation.
But there are real answers. Real answers for real women. Carrie Gress—a wife, mother, and philosopher—punctures the myth of feminism, exposing its legacy of abuse, abandonment, and anarchy. From the serpent’s seduction of Eve to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to Kate Millett’s lust, violence, and insanity to Meghan Markle’s havoc-ridden rise to royalty, Gress presents a history as intriguing as the characters who lived it. The answers women most desperately need, she concludes, are to be found precisely where they are most afraid to look.
Only a rediscovery of true womanhood—and motherhood—can pull our society back from the brink. And happiness is possible only if women are open to making peace with men, with children, with God, and—no less difficult—with themselves. For feminism’s victims, Gress is a welcoming voice in the darkness: The door is open. The lights are on. Come home.
My review: A friend of mine lent me her review copy. This is an outstanding book that takes the reader from early feminism in the late 1700s has grown to the radical feminism of the past 50 years with the illusion that feminism liberates women. Instead, nowadays, many people can’t even define what a woman is. This is a sobering look at our world and the negative effects it’s had on the average woman. “Only a true rediscovery of womanhood—and motherhood—can pull our society back from the brink.” I highly recommend this book. 5/5.
Amazon Synopsis: Stephen LaPointe believed in Jesus. For him, the Bible was the only sufficient, firm foundation for his life. He wanted to obey God in all things and had given up a career to become an ordained minister. He loved to preach the Word and knew that one day he would stand before God, accountable for everything he preached. But there was one problem: how could he be certain that what he was preaching was true? Sara LaPointe never wanted this role, but she loved Stephen. So, through his encouragement and tutelage, she had become both an enthusiastic Evangelical and an effective pastors wife at least in the eyes of the congregation. But would the gnawing guilt of a past mistake a mistake she would never reveal to her husband ever let her go? And then there was Walter. He, too, believed in Jesus. He, too, loved the Bible and vowed to do whatever God called him to do. But what if this was the unthinkable?
My review: This novel has been on my To Do List forever. One of the proactive things I’m doing during Lent is to read more books and watch less TV. And I have to say this very pleasantly surprised me. The author’s use of omniscient POV is the only thing that distracted me as it felt a bit like head hopping (evening within the same paragraphs). As an author of ten novels and an experienced editor, I always encourage new authors to use third person limited POV. That way, we get to know the characters better and we can avoid the head hopping. However, this book kept me reading through over 500 pages, urging me on to find out what happens next. The story is excellent. For this reason, I highly recommend this novel written by Marcus Grodi, a former Presbyterian minister who converted to the Catholic faith. 4.5/5
Amazon Synopsis: Can money, power, and prestige sustain happiness? Can a surgeon trained in the scientific method believe in God when many friends and patients are atheists?
Relying on his intelligence and perseverance, at age forty-two, Dr. Sottosanti achieved the American dream—money, power, fame, and a clifftop house overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Finding himself mired in the Seven Deadly Sins (his “mortal adhesions”) and helpless to extricate himself, he cried out in despair, “God, if you are up there, all I want is inner peace.” And with that one submission, his life changed, resulting in a cascade of improbable and unbelievable events, culminating in a salvific miracle experienced in the tomb of a medieval saint during a pilgrimage on Spain’s Camino de Santiago. Faith, happiness, and inner peace followed. Readers will travel with him to learn life’s lessons in an inspiring, riveting, fast-paced memoir.
My review: I thoroughly enjoyed this surgeon’s life story and how he found inner peace through embracing his Catholic faith. Recommend. 3.5/5.
Amazon Synopsis: This is a book that examines purported Marian apparitions and mystic visions where the messages discuss future events, scrutinizing them for their reliability. Using guidelines given by the Church in discerning valid from invalid apparitions, the book discusses the reasons some prophecies are invalid. The apparitions and prophecies from mystic visions which are highly reliable are then taken to form a timeline of the events we can expect to see if mankind does not turn back to God. The timeline spans from today, and some of the craziness we see in our world today, through an era of peace, and ultimately to the antichrist and Christ’s return on the last day. Combining accepted Church teaching and prophecies into a single narrative timeline, this “last warning” of what is to come is the compendium of the previous warnings.
My review: I enjoyed this book, which is incredibly thorough in examining Marian Apparitions. The author is careful not to include ongoing apparitions or apparitions that have not been approved by the Church. I understand why, but some of these ongoing apparitions might be true and so we’re not necessarily getting a complete picture. It’s an excellent read, though. Recommend. 3.5/5.
Amazon Synopsis: The bestselling Emotion Thesaurus, often hailed as “the gold standard for writers” and credited with transforming how writers craft emotion, has now been expanded to include 55 new entries!
One of the biggest struggles for writers is how to convey emotion to readers in a unique and compelling way. When showing our characters’ feelings, we often use the first idea that comes to mind, and they end up smiling, nodding, and frowning too much.
If you need inspiration for creating characters’ emotional responses that are personalized and evocative, this ultimate show-don’t-tell guide for emotion can help. It includes:
Body language cues, thoughts, and visceral responses for 130 emotions that cover a range of intensity from mild to severe, providing innumerable options for individualizing a character’s reactions
A breakdown of the biggest emotion-related writing problems and how to overcome them
Advice on what should be done beforedrafting to make sure your characters’ emotions will be realistic and consistent
Instruction for how to show hidden feelings and emotional subtext through dialogue and nonverbal cues
And much more!
The Emotion Thesaurus, in its easy-to-navigate list format, will inspire you to create stronger, fresher character expressions and engage readers from your first page to your last.
My review: I recently recommended this book to a new writer and became acquainted with it again. I used the first edition of this book extensively in my early years of writing. It’s excellent for beginning writers but also helpful to experienced writers. Highly recommend.
Amazon Synopsis: “There is only one way to deal with bullies, even in this politically correct world—and that is to crush them.”
USA Today bestselling author Anthony DeStefano is tired of playing nice. After years of responding patiently and agreeably to the pseudo-intellectual arguments and tactics of today’s militant atheists, he’s had enough. In this entertaining, no-holds-barred retort to atheism and its proponents, DeStefano reveals the intellectual bankruptcy at atheism’s core and equips believers to respond to its hollow arguments.
A witty and devastating takedown of the “new atheist” position, Inside the Atheist Mind systematically debunks the theories of Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, and others, revealing how inconsistent, illogical, and frankly ludicrous their conclusions truly are. Poking fun at atheists in a clever and intelligent way, DeStefano demonstrates just how full of holes the new atheism is and reveals that it is actually a “religion” of its own, complete with a creed, a set of commandments and sacraments, and a rigid moral code with rewards and punishments. More than that, DeStefano exposes that atheism is itself a “superstition” of the worst kind.
Using irony and a healthy dose of playful sarcasm, Inside the Atheist Mind lampoons, teases, and deflates the atheist position, unmasking it for what it is–an empty, intellectually barren philosophy, devoid of any logic and common sense.
My review: Although the writing is sometimes a bit stilted, this is an excellent book that seeks to understand what’s in the atheist’s mind. Highly recommend.
Synopsis: Many of us need a life coach to improve ALL our relationships but the most important is with God. This Mentored from Above collection of ten universally proven biblical lessons are uniquely written as audio and musical stories to lift your spirits and help you confidently lead your family in faith. Let this be the spark that ignites your flame! Compelling Audio coupled with multi-generational Pop, Rock, and R&B music will quickly become your favorites!
My review: I really enjoyed the unique and multi-faceted approach of book, sonnets, music and narration. The author’s sonnets, along with his storytelling, are delightful. Recommend.
Amazon Synopsis: When Anna Hannack’s father-in-law brings home a wounded stranger only days before Christmas, Anna’s not happy. Christian charity moves the Hannack family to help the injured man, but the young widow Anna keeps her distance. The tragedies of life have shattered her trust, and she’s determined not to let another stranger threaten her family. Could it be, though, that this rugged Scotsman is actually the gift Anna’s young children have asked of the Christ Child this Christmas?
My review: I enjoy reading this book each Christmas. It’s a well-written and clean historical romance. 4/5 stars (there was one anachronism in the book.)
Amazon Synopsis: At Christmas, our hearts are touched by reports of wondrous occurrences that make us stop, reflect, and hope. This luminous book shares true accounts of Christmas miracles — inspiring events that happened to real people at Christmas time, including:
A Christmas Mystery: A deaf boy’s generosity is miraculously rewarded
First Christmas: Newlyweds take part in the local Christmas pageant — and receive a surprising lesson in timeless love
My Christmas Angel: A pro baseball player visits a children’s ward to cheer the patients, and is himself transformed
A Heart for Christmas: A series of coincidences brings new life to a little girl
The Stranger: A gentle, mysterious Christmas Eve visitor awes a family
Christmas Saved My Mother: A rabbi tells how his mother, fleeing the Holocaust, was spared on Christmas Eve
George Misses a Shift: Sudden car trouble on Christmas night saves a couple’s life… and more.
Albert Einstein said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is.” If you believe in miracles — or want to — let Christmas Miracles light the candle of hope in your heart this year.
My review: This is another book I read every December. I bought this 27 years ago at Sam’s Club while I was shopping with my mother (who passed away 16 years ago). These are some of the most beautifully inspiring Christmas stories that illustrate God’s miraculous intervention in every situation. Highly recommend.
Amazon Synopsis:Christmas and Miracles! Two of our favorite things. There’s no better way to celebrate the season! Anyone who loves the holidays will enjoy these magical stories of joy and wonder.
We’ve chosen our favorite holiday miracle stories from our past books. You’ll love these heartwarming and awe-inspiring tales of answered prayers, divine intervention, holiday angels, joyous giving, family forgiveness, and the wonders of gratitude. These true, personal stories will deepen your faith and show you the blessings in your life. They’ll leave you smiling and inspired, ready to share your renewed Christmas spirit. And we didn’t forget that miracles happen during the rest of the season, too, with stories about Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and New Year’s. There’s something for everyone in these joy-filled pages, and you’ll be supporting Toys for Tots as well, creating miracles for children all over the U.S.
My review: I like this book and enjoy reading it every few years at Christmas time. It’s mostly a rehash of other Chicken Soup for the Soul Stories but overall a pleasant read.
I’m joining Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. First, Happy St. Nicholas Day! Here’s what I’ve been reading and/or working on for the past month.
Amazon Synopsis: Snuggle up with little ones this Christmas season and read about the origin of St. Nicholas, the story of a man who spent his life secretly helping the poor all over the world, giving gifts on Christmas Eve to remind people of the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ.
The Legend of St. Nicholas:
Is perfect for readers 4-8 who are curious about the origin of St. Nicholas or Santa Claus
Celebrates the holiday season and teaches little ones about the joy of giving to others and helping those in need
Shows how countries celebrate Christmas traditions across the world
Is a faith-based look at the Christmas holiday and giving or receiving gifts
With beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming story, The Legend of St. Nicholas is a great family read for the Advent and Christmas season.
My review: This is a lovely children’s book that shows the importance of generosity. The illustrations are crisp and old-fashioned looking. Although it’s mentioned that St. Nicholas was a bishop in Myra, the book tries to appeal to all Christians. Recommend.
Amazon Synopsis: From award-winning novelist Amanda Lauer comes the fifth in the Heaven Intended Series. When the men from Tonica, Illinois, are shipped off to fight in the Civil War, Ruth Simmons decides to tag along after her older brothers and her sole male classmate. Disguised as a drummer boy, Ruth finds herself in over her head as the regiment arrives in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the eve of one of the bloodiest battles of the war. A chance encounter with a Confederate prisoner of war in the aftermath alters the course of her life.
Captain Ben Holt, a brilliant young surgeon, has sold his surgical skills to the highest bidder. What he hadn’t bargained on was being put to the test by the beguiling Ruth Simmons, a sharp young woman with the preposterous notion of becoming a surgeon herself.
Their two lives are entwined as they make their way from Gettysburg to Washington City, where they are caught up in the events occurring during the monumental final year of the Civil War, including the attack on the capital city, the attempted kidnapping and subsequent assassination of President Lincoln, and the hunt for his killer. With their lives on the line, Ruth and Ben must set their differences aside and, using their shared faith as common ground, determine a way to escape the District of Columbia so they can pursue the lives of which they’ve dreamed.
Review from Laura DeNooyer, author of All That is Hidden:
War in America, 1864. Cross a serious, analytical, and fastidious male surgeon with an adventurous, risk-taking, non-traditional female, and watch the sparks fly. Both Ben Holt and Ruth Simmons are equally goal-oriented, ambitious, medically skilled, and self-assured, but are his charm and perfectionism a match for her spunk and determination to be a surgical assistant? Author Amanda Lauer’s prose sizzles with witty dialog as the stakes are gradually raised with stalkers, threats, violence, and kidnapping plots. Amidst embroiling wartime tensions, how long will Ben and Ruth fight their own growing attraction to each other? For just the right amount of sweet romance to bring hope from despair, A Faith Such as Heaven Intended fits the bill.
Amazon Synopsis: Ignatius of Loyola, a valiant soldier, is struck by a cannonball and gravely wounded. His military career is finished. Ignatius responds to this misfortune by listening for and responding to God’s call. Follow him through his conversion, the development of the Spiritual Exercises, and the growth of the Society of Jesus. This playful rendition of the biography of St. Ignatius invites readers to encounter Ignatian spirituality and the wisdom of a Catholic spiritual master.
My review: This is a delightful new children’s book for the whole family about the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This book taught me more about the life of St. Ignatius. It is geared towards kids ages six to nine and reminds me of a few Dr. Suess books. I first read it out loud myself and had fun with the rhymes. I then read it to my grandson (who is four and a half and not quite in the age range), and when I was finished, he said, “I liked that story, Grammy.” My son (his dad) was present when I was reading the story and asked my grandson whether he would read it again, and he said a resounding, “Yes, I would love to!” My son (age 34) thoroughly enjoyed the story as well. He said, “The rhyming is fun, there’s great use of color, and it’s a wonderful story. I give it a thumbs up!” (He’s also a movie reviewer!)
Some of the words are probably too hard for kids to understand (especially those that rhyme with Ignatius!), even children ages six to nine. It’s theologically rich in meaning, but the beauty of Audacious Ignatius is that what kids don’t understand, parents will, and hopefully, this book will also help to teach adults.
The illustrations are nicely done, and the vibrant colors are very eye-catching. It tells in an easy-to-understand way much about St. Ignatius and Ignatian spirituality. And…I couldn’t believe there were so many words that rhymed with “Ignatius!”
I love the line, “For if, like our hero, you learn how to pray, plans to live with deep love will come right your way.” This book will provide a loving reminder to both children and adults of the importance of prayer in our lives. I highly recommend this beautiful children’s book for any child in your life (and any adult too).
From Amazon: We all need heroes, and there are many fake heroes who young men and, frankly, all of us can follow. Although priests wear garments to lessen themselves and focus on God, we should extol their virtues while sharing the human side of their lives and ultimate discernment to the priesthood.
These priests are ordinary men who have been called to do extraordinary work.
Although the paradox of privately and humbly serving the Lord contrasts with powerful social media trends of making everything public, Jesus’ call to evangelize and St. Paul’s example promotes sharing the message of these heroes.
My review: This informative and inspiring book tells the story of twelve extraordinary priests, including Bishop Fulton Sheen and St. John Paul II.
And, finally, my favorite Advent book of all time:
Synopsis: Discover how Christians celebrated Christmas before the days of television, shopping malls, and the Internet… Catherine Doherty is well-known for reviving many holy Christian traditions. In Donkey Bells: Advent and Christmas, Catherine’s three-in-one book on this most expectant of holiday seasons, you’ll receive wonderful gifts: Meaningful and heartwarming stories, the telling of which will surely become a family Christmas tradition. Including: The Little Christmas Angel O’Ryan, How Pride Became Humble, The Christmas Gift, Christmas in Harlem, The Bruised Reed, and others. Customs which you can adopt into your own Christmas celebration, such as: The Advent Wreath, The ‘O’ Antiphons, Baking Christmas Foods and Decorating, and The Blessing of The Christmas Tree. Traditions surrounding important Advent and Christmas feast days are presented, including: St. Nicholas, The Immaculate Conception, the Feast of the Holy Family, New Year’s Eve, Epiphany, and more.
Earthy and inspiring meditations to prepare the entire family for Christ’s coming, including: A Candle in Our Hearts, Little Things, The Gurgle of a Baby, Where Love Is God Is, Looking into the Child’s Eyes, Advent: A Modern Bethlehem, A Short Season–A Long Journey, and many more.
My review: One of my favorite Advent books, and one that I read every year during Advent, is a book by Catherine Doherty called “Donkey Bells,” published by Madonna House Publications. I love to read this inspiring book curled up in a comfortable chair by the wood stove, a hot chocolate or cinnamon tea beside me, Advent and Christmas music playing quietly in the background. This lovely book is filled with heartwarming stories, customs, and traditions (such as the Advent wreath, baking, the blessing of the Christmas tree) and moving reflections for the season. It is a beautiful way for children, teens, and adults to prepare their hearts for Christmas.
Synopsis: The Divine Beauty Parlor: Rediscovering Purgatory is a captivating narrative that examines purgatory through the multifaceted approach of theology, philosophy, history, Christian anthropology, Catholic teaching, and Protestant objections. Extensively researched by Meggie K. Daly, the book is written from a Catholic perspective but with an ecumenical eye toward understanding the roots of Christian denominational differences regarding purgatory’s existence.
Against the backdrop of a postmodern world, the book explores the concept of absolute truth through the prism of the “Three Pillars” that the Catholic Church uses to discern truth: Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Magisterium. The book addresses the complexities of sin, guilt, and conscience and delves into the oft-misunderstood concept of temporal punishment for sin. Arguments for and against purgatory are framed within their respective theological views of justification, sanctification, and human psychology. Various theological models of purgatory are presented, emphasizing divine mercy, divine justice, or both with philosophical insight and historical perspective. The “work” of purgatory is speculated upon within the guardrails of Catholic doctrine.
The history of purgatory examines early Christian epitaphs and “literature,” classical biblical exegesis, the writing of the early Greek and Latin Fathers, the impact of Scholasticism, and papal and council documents, including dogmatic declarations. The theology and historical roots of indulgences are unearthed, including their ties to early Christian penitential rites, the “Holy Wars” and Crusades, and their impact on the Protestant Reformation. Purgatory’s depiction in medieval art, literature, and the legends and writings of saints are unveiled. Lastly, contemplation of traditional Catholic channels of grace and St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s “Little Way” offers readers open pathways to potentially bypass purgatory.
Daly’s penetrating approach and unique synthesis of information presume no previous knowledge other than the basics of the Christian faith and an inquisitive mind. The Divine Beauty Parlor is appropriate for anyone curious about Purgatory, those who desire a deeper understanding, and serious scholars alike.
My review: I had the privilege of reading a pre-publication PDF of this outstanding book. Meticulously researched and well-written, the author presents purgatory from a Catholic perspective. I had never thought this carefully about purgatory, but this book has made me reflect in ways I hadn’t considered. Highly recommend!
My three fathers served a total of 16 years in various branches of the United States armed forces.
My father, Frank Gable, served in the United States Marine Corps from 1946-1950 and in the United States Army from 1950-1954. However, November 11th has always held a special place in my heart because it is my father’s birthday. Today, he would’ve been 95. He died suddenly and tragically at the age of 49, just before my 19th birthday. My family and I walked around in shock, trying to get through the days following his death. My novel Where Angels Pass is loosely based on the true story of his troubled life.
Frank Gable was short in stature (around five feet six inches tall), and enjoyed watching “Gomer Pyle,” “Hogan’s Heroes,” and the “Honeymooners.” He enjoyed playing the card game, Rummy, and Monopoly. His favorite candy was Hershey’s Kisses. Over the years, he worked as a clerk and mailman. Years ago, my mom shared with me that he was the one who named me. And, when I was 15 or 16, he used to hug me and say, “El, you need to find a guy just about my size because you fit perfectly to me when we hug.” (I did!)
For Christians, the consolation is that we will see our loved ones again. I know that I will see my dad again someday. Until then…Happy Birthday, Dad. Remembering you in a special way today.
My father-in-law, Tony Hrkach (1925-1995) served as a tail gunner in the United States Air Force during the Second World War.
Near the end of the war, during a routine mission, Tony’s plane was shot down over Yugoslavia (coincidentally, near his father’s birthplace of Mostar). Frantically, he and his buddies parachuted out of the airplane. Unfortunately, however, one of his friends hit the side of a mountain and was killed. Tony and the others made it safely to the ground and were captured as soon as they landed.
They were marched for miles until they reached a POW camp. Remarkably, they found the Germans running the camp to be kind and, while it was not easy to be a prisoner of war, they were treated humanely.
When an announcement came over the radio that Germany had lost the war, their captors immediately handed their weapons and guns over to the Americans. Then, in a strange moment of understanding, they exchanged small personal tokens as reminders of their time together.
“I don’t just think of myself as a citizen of the United States; I think of myself as a citizen of the world,” Tony used to say. His idea was that we should remember, first and foremost, that we are all human beings, especially in times of war.
Like my father and many other veterans, Tony also enjoyed “Hogan’s Heroes,” the television sitcom from the 1960s about a German POW camp. The show attempted to put a human spin on such horrific times…the very thing Tony found in his real experience with the ‘enemy.’ (Thanks to my husband James for writing this account of his father’s experience in the Second World War.)
My stepfather, Joseph Power (1933-2012), trained in Parris Island, South Carolina, before shipping out to Korea. He attained the silver badge in Marine Marksman. Like my father and father-in-law, my stepdad never liked to talk about his experiences with war. But he would say things like, “Be grateful for warm showers,” or “If that’s your only complaint, be thankful that you’re not being fired at.”
While we remember all those who fought in wars so that we may live in freedom, let us also remember that the real enemy isn’t necessarily the people we fight against, but the evil circumstances that result from greed, lust and power.
Amazon Synopsis: From Susan Tassone – best-selling, award-winning author and renowned “Purgatory Lady” – comes the first children’s picture book about our friends, the holy souls. New Friends Now and Forever: A Story about the Holy Souls is an age-appropriate and engaging book for children ages 6-10.
New Friends Now and Forever is the delightful story of twins Ben and Hope, who become “prayer pals” with Mr. Ray, an elderly friend from their parish. They agree to pray for each other and to help him pray for his departed wife. Along the way, Hope and Ben learn that purgatory is real and that it is nothing to fear because it is a special way God shows His love for us. And the best part? The children learn that the power of their prayers helps the faithful departed reach heaven and that those souls will intercede for them, becoming their “forever friends.”
With vibrant illustrations by Yorris Handoko, New Friends Now and Foreverbeautifully expresses the rich traditions, signs, and symbols of our Faith.
New Friends Now and Forever has been granted an Imprimatur, so you can be sure it is true to the teachings of the Catholic Faith. Special features include:
An important message for adults, encouraging them to teach children about purgatory.
Seek-and-Find activities.
Special prayers for the holy souls in purgatory.
Help the children in your life realize the power – and the joy – that comes with praying for the holy souls in purgatory.
My review: This outstanding book seeks to teach children about the importance of praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. I can’t wait to read it to my grandson! Highly recommend.
Amazon Synopsis: The Divine Beauty Parlor: Rediscovering Purgatory is a captivating narrative that examines purgatory through the multifaceted approach of theology, philosophy, history, Christian anthropology, Catholic teaching, and Protestant objections. Extensively researched by Meggie K. Daly, the book is written from a Catholic perspective but with an ecumenical eye toward understanding the roots of Christian denominational differences regarding purgatory’s existence.
Against the backdrop of a postmodern world, the book explores the concept of absolute truth through the prism of the “Three Pillars” that the Catholic Church uses to discern truth: Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Magisterium. The book addresses the complexities of sin, guilt, and conscience and delves into the oft-misunderstood concept of temporal punishment of sin. Arguments for and against purgatory are framed within their respective theological views of justification, sanctification, and human psychology. Various theological models of purgatory are presented, emphasizing divine mercy, divine justice, or both with philosophical insight and historical perspective. The “work” of purgatory is speculated upon within the guiderails of Catholic doctrine.
The history of purgatory examines early Christian epitaphs and “literature,” classical biblical exegesis, the writing of the early Greek and Latin Fathers, the impact of Scholasticism, and papal and council documents, including dogmatic declarations. The theology and historical roots of indulgences are unearthed, including their ties to early Christian penitential rites, the “Holy Wars” and Crusades, and their impact on the Protestant Reformation. Purgatory’s depiction in medieval art, literature, and the legends and writings of Saints are unveiled. Lastly, contemplation of traditional Catholic channels of grace and Thérèse of Lisieux’s “Little Way” offers readers open pathways to potentially bypass purgatory.
Daly’s penetrating approach and unique synthesis of information presume no previous knowledge other than the basics of the Christian faith and an inquisitive mind. The Divine Beauty Parlor is appropriate for anyone curious about purgatory, those who desire a deeper understanding, and serious scholars alike.
My review: I had the privilege of proofreading this outstanding book. Meticulously researched, the author presents purgatory from a Catholic perspective. I had never thought this carefully about purgatory, but this book has made me reflect in ways I hadn’t considered. Highly recommend!
Amazon Synopsis: The greatest petition of the Greatest Prayer—the Our Father—will not go unanswered. These words of Christ, “Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven,” are the most exalted ones ever spoken; they chart the course of history, and they define the mission of each Christian. From the teachings of Scripture and Saints, from Church Fathers and Doctors, from Mystics and Seers, from Magisterium and more—you will discover, within the pages of this book, how to engage in the Christian’s mission more powerfully than ever before, for the radical transformation of your life and the arrival of the World’s Penultimate Destiny.
My review: This is an excellent book. I recently attended a conference in which the author was the speaker. His talks were thorough, thought-provoking, and inspiring. This book is the same. Surrendering to God’s will has the potential of making us great saints. Highly recommend.
Synopsis: It is well-known that St. John Paul II was a student of St. John of the Cross. The Pope, as a young man, decided to learn Spanish to study the writings of St. John of the Cross in the original language. As a young priest of only twenty-eight years of age, this future Pope wrote his dissertation on St. John’s philosophy of faith in the mystical contexts, Faith According to St. John of The Cross. The writings and spirituality of St. John influenced the Pope’s entire way of looking at spirituality and philosophy. St. John, like many other mystics and saints, looked at the Song of Songs as an example of God’s love for us, the souls He created. A very deep, passionate love for the soul is called agape, portrayed in eros, which is the love between man and woman. This love is mentioned by John Paul in his works The Theology of The Body as well as Love and Responsibility. The love that God has between Himself and the human soul is also the same kind of love that man and woman should exchange between themselves. David P. Hahn explores the connections between St. John Paul II and St. John of the Cross, and their associated theologies in Love’s Mystery. Follow along in the exploration of the concepts that both Saints use in guiding humanity into the love, union, and happiness that was meant for man and woman since the beginning.
My review: I am thrilled to be publishing the second edition of this book, which I edited six years ago. It’s a bit thick theologically but very readable. Highly recommend!
Coming November 17 from FQP: When the men from Tonica, Illinois, are shipped off to fight in the Civil War, Ruth Simmons decides to tag along after her older brothers and her sole male classmate. Disguised as a drummer boy, Ruth finds herself in over her head as the regiment arrives in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the eve of one of the bloodiest battles of the war. A chance encounter with a Confederate prisoner of war in the aftermath alters the course of her life.
Captain Ben Holt, a brilliant young surgeon, has sold his surgical skills to the highest bidder. What he hadn’t bargained on was being put to the test by the beguiling Ruth Simmons, a sharp young woman with the preposterous notion of becoming a surgeon herself.
Their two lives are entwined as they make their way from Gettysburg to Washington City, where they are caught up in the events occurring during the monumental final year of the Civil War, including the attack on the capital city, the attempted kidnapping and subsequent assassination of President Lincoln, and the hunt for his killer. With their lives on the line, Ruth and Ben must set their differences aside and, using their shared faith as common ground, determine a way to escape the District of Columbia so they can pursue the lives of which they’ve dreamed.
My review: I’m a bit biased as I’m the publisher of this book, but this is one of my favorites of the series!
Plot Line and Sinker (Ellen Gable, Author) 