Category Archives: Marriage

Open Book May #anopenbook

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I’m joining Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. Here’s what I’ve been reading and working on for the past month.

The Journey by Jim Sano

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.

Totality by Brendan Lyon

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.

Penny and the Stolen Chalice by Antony Barone Kolenc

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.

18 Tiny Deaths by Bruce Goldfarb

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.

Jellybean: A Baby’s Journey to God by Theoni and Bastian Bell

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.

An Open Book – March #anopenbook

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I’m joining Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. Here’s what I’ve been reading and working on for the past month.

Season of Mercy Lent and Easter by Catherine Doherty

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.

The End of Woman: How Smashing the Patriarchy Has Destroyed Us by Carrie Gress

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.

How Firm a Foundation by Marcus Grodi

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

Mortal Adhesions: A Surgeon Battles the Seven Deadly Sins to Find Faith, Happiness and Inner Peace

by John Sottosanti

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.

This is Your Last Warning: An Authoritative End of Days Timeline by Donna Silveira

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.

An Open Book #openbook November

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Happy Solemnity of All Saints!

Today, I’m joining Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. Here’s what I’ve been reading or working on this past month.

New Friends Now and Forever: A Story about the Holy Souls

by Susan Tassone

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.

The Divine Beauty Parlor: Rediscovering Purgatory

by Meggie K. Daly

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!

Thy Will Be Done: The Greatest Prayer, the Christian’s Mission and the World’s Penultimate Destiny by Daniel O’Connor

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.

Love’s Mystery: A Mystical Theology of the Body according to St. John Paul II and St. John of the Cross by David P. Hahn (with a Foreword by Christopher West) (Second Edition)

Now available from Full Quiver Publishing and Amazon!

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!

A Faith Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer

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!

An Open Book #openbook August

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Today I’m joining Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. Here’s what I’ve been reading and/or working on for the past month.

Nazareth Family Spirituality: Celebrating Your Faith at Home with Catherine Doherty

Synopsis: Bring your home and family life to Christ! Catherine Doherty, foundress of Madonna House and best-selling author of the award-winning spiritual classic Poustinia, talks straight to families in this compilation by one of her spiritual sons, MH priest Fr. Blair Bernard. Catherine first talks about Christ’s hidden “Nazareth years”, which made up most of his earthly life, and which prepared him for the three years and three days which would change the world. She elaborates on the profound spiritual significance of these years, not only for the Lord but for each of us and our families. With the Nazareth years as her point of departure, Catherine discusses the ways families can connect their ordinary lives with God. For her, Nazareth is “that hidden little village [where we] become whole again.” As the title of this book indicates, “Nazareth” is a whole way of life, especially in its hiddenness. For “hidden” is the life that most of us live. In simple, chatty chapters, Catherine demonstrates the spiritual depth of the hidden vocation of marriage and family: to form a community of love. The book also presents practical ways of passing on the faith, to celebrate it particularly for and with children. The unique and beautiful cycle of the church year customs celebrated in Madonna House is here adapted for use in your home. Over the years the MH community has drawn these customs from the East and the West, and from various countries; they have stood the test of time in their communication of the joys as well as the truths of our faith. Catherine discusses of various issues in family life: teen dating, the loneliness of living a faith life in a secular world, parents as co-creators with God, various difficulties of wedded life. Catherine introduced to her community of Madonna House a Russian idea of unity called “sobornost”; here she presents this idea of sobornost as a goal for family life as well. And fearlessly she addresses the end of life in the section “’Til Death Do Us Part”, completing the cycle of a life lived in the Lord. Nazareth Family Spirituality provides much food for families to digest, families whose sanctity and integrity is so questioned in our day and age. It also gives much encouragement to live a life of faith in our modern world.

My review: Catherine Doherty’s book, Dear Parents, has been out of print for many years. Madonna House republished it as Nazareth Family Spirituality. I’ve used Catherine’s quotes on “The duty of the moment,” and “I am Third” in my articles. This book is, in fact, three or four books in one. It includes much of Dear Parents, but also includes parts of Donkey Bells (Christmas and Advent) and Season of Mercy (Lent and Easter), which makes it a much more inclusive book for families. Every Catholic family should own a copy of this book. Highly recommend.

The Priests We Need to Save the Church by Kevin Wells

Synopsis: While dissolute bishops and priests around the world grab headlines for their untoward words and deeds, too many other unfruitful priests minister as little more than glad-handing bachelors doing social service work.

Top and bottom, is this the Church that Christ intended? Are these the priests we need?

No! cries author Kevin Wells in these compelling pages that showcase how heroic priests can faithfully tread the narrow path of holy self-sacrifice first blazed by the apostles themselves. From scores of insightful interviews with modern priests, exorcists, seminary formators, and even disillusioned laity, Wells here draws forth a blueprint for priestly holiness that can once again fill our Church with priests abounding with sincere, supernatural faith, on fire with God s love, and moved by the irresistible impulse to save souls, no matter the cost to themselves.

Reading this book will deepen your own faith and help you understand what all priests, by their vocation, are consecrated and called to be. Giving a copy to your parish priest will help him and encourage him as he strives to become a member of the small but growing contingent of holy priests we need.

Review: This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It’s engaging and yet drives the point home: without a holy priest and holy bishops, the flock is heading to perdition. One of my favorite lines: “Our society is fast achieving the diabolical flip — virtue is now sin; sin is virtue — and hordes of Catholic children and teens are wandering. Our youth have lowered their heads not in sorrow and pain but to genuflect to Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook in order to turn away from their unspoken confusion, torment, and hidden sin. But truth doesn’t live in social media, so their immortal souls further petrify in Satan’s relentless spiritual war for them. And because it seems as if many Catholic dads and moms have decided to canonize comfort — helicoptering every aspect of their children’s lives except their souls — their children are left unequipped to combat spiritual enemies. I highly recommend this wonderful book!

Vassals of the Valley by Robin Sebolino

Synopsis: Kalag suffers from the traumas of his life and deeds as a pirate in the seas of 16th-century Southeast Asia. Together with his warrior peons, he embarks on a journey to find a peaceful home and live a quiet life on his native island of Luzon.

A promising place he finds is the newly founded pueblo of Nueva Avila, where he discovers his sister and her family well adapted to its laws patterned after the Spanish legal system and Catholic morality. He thrives in Nueva Avila, adopts its customs and religion, and even releases his peons from servitude. But he soon realizes that even this town is far from the ideal place he hopes to live in. Nueva Avila’s governor, Don Fernando, has struck a deal with Ichijuo Kenki, an up-and-coming Japanese pirate lord. Kalag abandons Nueva Avila to live in the prosperous port city of Manila, where he establishes himself through trade and the support of the city’s clerics.

He returns to Nueva Avila after hearing that Ichijuo has begun enslaving its people. With warrior companions (his former peons), a Dominican priest, and strong, creative resolve, Kalag rushes to liberate the pirate-controlled pueblo in the least bloody way possible.

My review: One of the things I love about the 21st century is that I get to meet and work with authors from all over the world. Robin Sebolino is an author who lives in the Philippines, and he has written a beautiful historical novel that takes place in Southeast Asia. I helped Robin edit his book. This is a compelling and well-written book that takes the reader on a sweeping adventure. Highly recommend.

Love’s Mystery: A Mystical Theology of the Body According to St. John Paul II and St. John of the Cross

Second Edition Coming Soon from FQP!

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, as 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: While we usually don’t publish non-fiction, we jumped at the chance to publish the second edition of this book (one that I edited many years ago). Highly recommend.

Collared by Juliana Weber

Synopsis: Father Paul is assigned to heal a parish scandalized by the former pastor’s involvement in underage sex trafficking. A gifted yet new priest, Father Paul gains the survivors’ trust and hears their stories, bringing healing and fatherly love. As he listens, he inadvertently puts together the clues to bring down the trafficking ring, one so lucrative that even the police are afraid to touch it. Or are some of the police in on the take?

Like every church, this one is full of suspicious characters, and someone nearby is clearly trying to harm Father Paul. The pastor endures all the usual church politics and ministry mayhem, while he races to bring down the crime ring. Can he stop the traffickers before they collar their next round of victims? Or will the traffickers be the ones to stop him?

Review: I enjoyed this thriller and read it in one sitting. Recommend. 4/5.

Transfigured: Patricia Sandoval’s Escape from Drugs, Homelessness, and the Back Doors of Planned Parenthood by Christine Watkins and Patricia Sandoval

Synopsis: Patricia Sandoval’s life story is an unusually gripping, hard-to-put-down ride along a journey that leads to an extraordinary triumph of God’s mercy—the mercy that waits patiently for all of us. Patricia came from a broken home, good and bad boyfriends, three abortions, a job at Planned Parenthood (where she was told never to reveal what she saw), followed by methamphetamine addiction and homelessness. The way that Jesus came to her in the streets will leave you breathless, as will the heights to which God has since carried her.

If you know of someone who believes they cannot be forgiven or return to Church, this is the book to give them. (Watch the video of reader comments below.) Read Transfigured. Be Transfigured.

Patricia now travels the world as a pro-life speaker, sharing her story with millions in packed stadiums and on radio and television shows, such as EWTN’s Bookmark, Life on the Rock, Women of Grace, At Home with Jim and Joy; and in Spanish, on EWTN’s Cara a Cara, Nuestro Fe en Vivo, Ellas lo Dicen, De Dos en Dos—and now on her own show with Astrid Bennett Gutiérrez: Informe Provida.

My review: This is a powerful story, although a bit choppy with regard to the storytelling. However, Patricia’s story remains as powerful as her in-person testimony. Recommend.

Rosary Reflections for Pregnant Mothers

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I recently contributed to Rosary Reflections for Pregnant Mothers for Catholic Mom. It’s now available free via ebook at this link.

My reflection was for the First Glorious Mystery, the Resurrection.

The Resurrection of Jesus is the necessary truth and foundation of our Catholic faith. Jesus has died but has risen from the dead. Jesus comes out of the darkness and into the light of life. The Cross comes before the Resurrection. Without the Cross, there would be no Resurrection. 

Your unborn child is the living reflection of spousal love. For nine months, your precious baby has been developing and growing as you nurture him/her. At birth, this tiny human will emerge from the darkness of the womb and into the light of life outside the womb. 

For women, carrying a baby for nine months is a sacrifice: morning sickness, fatigue, headaches, sleepless nights, and labor itself can weigh you down physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. If you have other children, this sacrifice can be more overwhelming. Nine months can seem like a lifetime.  It can feel like you’ll be pregnant forever. Pregnancy helps us to grow in patience. The sacrifices you endure for this beautiful child are necessary and must come before the birth of your child. 

In his book Life of Christ, Archbishop Sheen writes, “Deferred joys purchased by sacrifices are always the sweetest and most enduring.” 

When you finally gaze into the face of your newborn baby, it’s easy to forget the pain and embrace the sweet joy. Your child, the living reflection of your and your husband’s spousal love, is an eternal, unrepeatable, and irreplaceable gift from God. 

As you look forward to the birth of your unborn baby, remember that the sacrifices of this life will someday lead to the immeasurable joy of eternal life and the Resurrection. 

Let us pray for patience and grace to endure the sacrifices of pregnancy so we can embrace the sweet joy of our baby’s birth. 

An Open Book – February 2023

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I’m joining Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. Here’s what I’ve been reading and/or working on for the past month.

Summer at West Castle by Theresa Linden

Amazon Synopsis: College student Caitlyn Summer arrives at the Wests’ castle-like house to fill in for their live-in maid. After a recent decision blows her vision of the future, this ideal job and the peaceful surroundings are just what she needs to seek God’s will for her life. That is, until Jarret West, not wanting a repeat of past mistakes, backs out of a summer-long field study overseas and returns home. The two have never gotten along, and unforgettable baggage from the past makes it hard even to be cordial. While Jarret’s faults convince Caitlyn he hasn’t changed, she forces herself to offer kindness. Her act of mercy puts them on an unexpected path where Caitlyn is challenged to look beneath the surface and Jarret struggles to trust that God wills good for him.

Note: to avoid spoilers, read this story only after reading Anyone but Him.

My review: I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful prequel of Anyone But Him and was so very sorry to see the story end. When I read Anyone But Him a few years ago, I had hoped the author would write the prequel of how this unlikely couple fell in love. Summer at West Castle does not disappoint, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a clean but compelling romance! 

Ashes Visible & Invisible by Catholic Teen Authors

Now available from Catholic Teen Books (My short story is highlighted below):

Finishing the Journey: When Liz’s faith journey hits a roadblock, will an unexpected detour and chance encounter set her back on track?

Follow Me: A teen’s future was all set-before his tragic loss. But his best friend’s secret past just might save it.

Take Up Your Cross: Justin’s religion is outlawed. When an unbeliever asks him about the meaning of life, what can he say?

A Big Ask: Could God be asking Paul to sacrifice a piece of himself for Lent–literally?

Lent Royal & Ancient: A modern American teen discovers what faith, life and love are like in seventeenth-century Scotland.

No Greater Love: Teenager Lexie Dugan struggles to understand the sacrifice of Lent when she’s asked to help take care of her siblings while her pregnant mother is on bed rest.

A Very Jurassic Lent: When a risky Ash Wednesday mission to sterilize T. rex eggs goes wrong, fasting is the least of Joshua, Darryl, and Harry’s worries.

Lucy and the Forsaken Path: A medieval girl stranded on a forsaken path confronts threats from without and turmoil from within.

Bread Alone: Struggling with loss, hunger, and temptation, Ethan finds himself walking in the steps of Jesus.

Prepare the Way: Asher’s desire to prepare for the Messiah intensifies after he’s robbed by bandits, but would fighting alongside the Zealots be the best way?

The Saint Michael Chaplet – A Divine Catechesis on the Angels and Gifts of Heaven

By Carol Puschaver

Amazon Synopsis: What if an angel … were to teach you a prayer to honor the Angels? Not just any angel, mind you, and no ordinary prayer, either. Too impossible to believe?

Well, consider … St. Michael the Archangel, Prince of the Heavenly Host, revealed the Chaplet that bears his name to a Carmelite religious in 1751. As this book makes clear, he did much, much more than teach a formula of pious words, presenting instead a wonderment of divine catechesis on the nine celestial angel choirs. The author’s deeply insightful meditations on the Archangel’s teaching are bound to encourage a fresh and finely nuanced perspective on the angels, and also inspire a far deeper, richer appreciation of these marvelous beings who, among many, many wondrous deeds, guard [us] in all [our] ways. (Psalm 91. 10)

You do believe in angels, …don’t you?

My review: This is a beautiful book written by my friend Carol Puschaver. If you want to read more about St. Michael, the St. Michael Chaplet, and the Angels, this is the book for you. God’s people have been given a great gift in Saint Michael, protector and intercessor. The demons would like you to believe that they don’t exist. Not only do they exist, but they are constantly trying to turn God’s people away from Him. Highly recommend!

Into the Mind of Infinity by Joe Livingston

Amazon Synopsis: The author received a powerful spiritual experience, and this book is the result of that experience. It brings science and religion together to prove the existence of God.

My review: This is a beautiful little book that seeks to prove the existence of God. Many great points are made from a scientific standpoint, and it is definitely worthwhile reading.

Coming on Valentine’s Day from FQP:

Stitch in the Ditch (Mibs Monahan Mysteries #3) by Joan L. Kelly

Synopsis: When the curator of the Gregory Tuppence Museum is stabbed to death with an antique Toledo steel dagger, Lieutenant Jace Trueblood and his team of detectives work diligently to track down the killer.   They soon discover evidence that the murder was connected to the forgery and theft of valuable items from the museum.

Along with investigating the curator’s death, Jace, with the help of his intuitive fiancée, Mibs Monahan, search for the person providing fake identifications to high school students.  Fake licenses directly contributed to DUI accidents, resulting in injuries and death.

Despite the challenges and activities of their busy lives, the couple finds joy in preparing for their upcoming wedding.  However, that joy is disrupted when a DNA test shatters Mibs’ life.  This new information has her wondering who she really is and what she has to do with a twenty-year-old kidnapping.