Carolyn Astfalk's Blog, page 17

Bonnets, Baskets, & Bunnies: An Easter 2020 Linkup

Amid the odd circumstances of this Easter, we’ve tried to keep our traditions. Streaming religious services isn’t the same as being there, but I’m grateful we’re at least able to do that.

We prayed a modified Stations of the Cross that became part scavenger hunt when the 7-year-old hung the fourteen photos randomly around the house. We made Resurrection eggs (search Pinterest for examples), baked Hot Cross Muffins (found here) and Paska bread, dyed eggs, and in place of the Easter flowers we usually buy, my daughter picked us a bouquet of violets. We’ll re-read a new favorite Easter book, The Other Side of Easter by Beth Gully.

It’s all lovely. But there’s a subtle undercurrent that something’s not right.

While watching our diocesan Good Friday service, I couldn’t help notice that amidst a barren altar, one object remained. It stood fixed in the background from every camera angle, there in the shadow of the cross.

A bottle of Purell.

The juxtaposition of bottled sanitizer and our Savior’s bloody death struck me. There was nothing sanitized about Jesus’s life or death. Birth in a stable, among the animals. Circumcision. Baptism in the Jordan River. Healing by laying hands on lepers, applying mud and spittle to a blind person, healing the woman with the hemorrhage, raising a dead and decaying Lazarus. And finally, His bloody crucifixion, where He was spat upon and had a lance thrust in His side.

From infancy, Jesus – the God of the universe – assumed and encountered all the frailties and messiness of humanity.

The Purell remains in the shadows this Easter. But only for a season. Because our Savior lives, and therefore, so may we.

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Easter 2019 (Including a little Easter flash fiction featuring Marigold, the main character in “A Perfect Christmas” from Gifts: Visible & Invisible.)Easter 2018Easter 2017Easter 2016Easter 2015

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Pandemic Reads

I invited Catholic Writers Guild members on the group’s Facebook page to recommend one of their books for reading during this pandemic. What follows are their recommendations, in the author’s words. It’s a mix of fiction and nonfiction. Choose a fun escape, something to expand your knowledge, fiction that edifies, or a means of deepening your faith.

Also check out this list of reading recommendations at Dappled Things: “Literature in the Time of COVID-19”.

Links below are to Amazon, but you can find most, if not all, at additional retailers and some on additional ebook platforms – maybe even on audiobook.

A World Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer

The award-winning Civil War novel A World Such as Heaven Intended would be ideal to read as we adhere to the Safer-At-Home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Binge watching is all the rage now, how about some binge reading with a Catholic novel based on a true story that’s steeped in suspense, intrigue, love, compassion and growth that is book #1 in a trilogy? Get lost in Amara and Nathan’s world and forget about the fear and uncertainty in our world for a while!

Catie the Caterpillar by Jennifer Gladen

I write picture books, but I think Caitie the Caterpillar is a good choice to help keep children busy. Caitie the Caterpillar is about a tiny caterpillar who faces her fears bringing about a beautiful transformation. It is a story that shows us there is always something beautiful and hopeful after our darkest times.

Defend the Tabernacle by Patrick Augustin Jones

Defend the Tabernacle explores the realization that sin harms us in the real world and holiness brings us together and heals us. Catharine and Bernard are from different “sides of the tracks” when it comes to faith, yet God calls them to work together to help people in trouble from sin, including themselves.

The Perfect Blindside by Leslea Wahl

The Perfect Blindside is an exciting mystery for teens that will take them on a fun adventure while also highlighting the fact that no matter what troubles we face, God will lead us through.

The Diaries of Joseph and Mary by Dennis P. McGeehan

In some dioceses, a Year of Saint Joseph is being recommended. Saint Joseph is the patron of families, workers, and the Church. The Diaries of Joseph and Mary uses the teachings of the early Church to help us draw closer to him.

A 5K and a Kiss by Maddie Evans

Since “stay at home” orders permit you to go out and exercise every day, how about a sweet/clean romance about a 5K race? She wants to learn to run, and he wants to teach her. Trouble is, she needs predictability, and he’s got a teensie problem with being reliable. A plus: it’s only $0.99 for the ebook.

Death Panels by Michelle Buckman

Death Panels . . . with all the conspiracy theories going around right now? Ha! Government control of our lives and healthcare, deciding who lives and who’s dispensable.

Encounter Jesus! Transforming Catholic Culture in Crisis by Peter M. Doane

 My book is Encounter Jesus! Transforming Catholic Culture in Crisis. Starting with an encounter with Jesus Christ, my book leads one on a journey to recapture Apostolic Spirituality modeled in the Acts of the Apostles.

The Mindful Catholic: Finding God One Moment at a Time By Dr. Gregory Bottaro

The Mindful Catholic . . . keeping peace in a time of chaos by connecting our emotions to our faith that God is actually in control.

One Shall Lead by Maria Rosati

My fiction story is for families and it takes children on an adventure where they find the virtue and the power of the Rosary when it seems that the light has gone out of the world. There is a scene where the father is preparing the family, showing them money that is hidden in the house in the case of an emergency, only to be found later by the children, the true gem in the stockpile – faith.

Our Lady of the Roses by Janice Lane Palko

Our Lady of the Roses is a romantic comedy set in Rome that inspires tears and laughter!

Tortured Soul by Theresa Linden

Tortured Soul – a supernatural thriller that will entertain you and inspire you to pray even more for the holy souls in purgatory. Currently $0.99!

Playing by Heart by Carmela Martino

I suggest Playing by Heart. It will transform you to another time and place filled with beautiful music and inspire you with characters who put their trust in God at the darkest times.

Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies by Nancy Ward

Now is the ideal time to journal and clarify your faith story and be ready to share how God is transforming you through God-moments of grace. Draw inspiration from thirty Catholics who share their conversion, renewal and vocation stories. Kindle now $0.99!

BREACH! by Corinna Turner

Because dinosaurs are more fun than viruses–they’re large enough to see and can be overcome by more hands-on means than simply staying home! This moving adventure story will also challenge you to think about what’s most important in life.

Cinder Allia by Karen Ullo

I don’t know about everyone else, but the pandemic has made me crave fairy tales, romance, and happy endings. So, here’s a fairy tale to sate the need for escapism.

What if the happy ending dies before the fairy tale even begins? Cinder Allia turns a traditional fairy tale upside down and weaves it into an epic filled with espionage, treason, magic, and romance.

Opal’s Jubilee by Leslie Lynch

Fresh out of prison, all Opal McBride wants is a chance to build a future—but her past and implacable homicide detective Josh Boone thwart her efforts. Then he discovers there is more to her story than it seems, and risks his reputation (and heart) in a quest for truth—maybe even justice.

At Home in Persimmon Hollow by Gerri Bauer

A teacher struggles to feel at home in 1890s rural Florida and longs for the people, places, and comfortable routines she left behind. Her deep faith helps her uncover the true meaning of home, a lesson that’s as important now as it was in the past.

North American Martyrs Kids Activity Book by Bonnie Way

In the 1600s, eight Jesuit missionaries traveled to New France to spread God’s Word to the peoples of North America, and gave their lives for the love of God and those people. This activity book is for kids ages 6-12 and includes bios, word puzzles, mazes, coloring pages, reading and writing prompts, and more.

All in Good Time by Carolyn Astfalk

What happens to Brian when his world comes crashing down? Will he turn to the false comfort of old, habitual sin? Or will he seek God’s grace and trust Him and His timing?

Prisoners of War by Sarah Garcia

There’s strong Catholic themes, and it features OCD. The fear people are experiencing right now is what people with OCD go through every day. Prisoners of War can give people an idea about mental health issues during quarantine, which can flare up in these times.

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An Open Book

Welcome to the April 2020 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!

It’s sad that shortly after my husband received Pocket Guide to Adoration by Fr. Josh Johnson, adoration was indefinitely suspended in our parish due to the global pandemic. Even so, he’s made use of this attractive, leather-bound manual with chapters devoted to Sacred Scriptures, the Rosary, the Catechism, and Lives of the Saints.

I’ve been listening to Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us Out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode—and into a Life of Connection and Joy by Aundi Kolber with a group of women this Lent. I’m falling a bit behind because I have little opportunity to listen to audiobooks now that I have nowhere to drive and there are five other people in the house 24/7. But the author has a lot of valuable things to say to those who have suffered the effects of trauma and have been white-knuckling through life for years, maybe even decades, instead of truly living.

This Lent, my bible study group began an Ascension Press study designed around Jesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life by Marcellino D’Ambrosio. That too has been canceled due to COVID-19, but I am continuing the study alone when I can spare a few minutes. The book has helped me to grasp the Holy Land geography better than anything I’ve studied and does a remarkable job of presenting both Jesus’ human and divine natures.

Channel of Your Peace by Veronica Smallhorn is an honest look at the lies we tell with our bodies when we live in a way that doesn’t honor God’s design for marriage, family, and self-sacrificial love. In her debut novel, the author captures the heroine’s journey in a genuine, nonjudgmental way, allowing the reader to witness her heartache, suffering, and conversion in a gradual, natural way.

Desperate Forest by Cece Louise is a YA historical novel about a princess on the run, kingdoms in jeopardy, a menacing forest, and a bit of mystery. Add the uncertainty of whom our refugee Princess Roselynn can trust and a little romance, and it’s a recipe for a fun escape. I will pass this recommendation on to my daughter.

My high school junior recently won a Scholastic Gold Key Award for his science fiction story entitled “Asimov.” Appropriately, one of his teachers recommended he read some Isaac Asimov, so he’s been reading Foundation, Foundation and Empire, Second Foundation. With the libraries closed, he now has unlimited, free renewals on this science fiction tale about psychohistorians trying to mitigate a 30,000-year dark age.

In sixth grade, my daughter is reading The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke with her class. A gang of orphans on the streets of Venice steal from the wealthy, and a pair of runaway brothers find their home with them.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is also being shared by the girls here. I’ve somehow never read this children’s classic in which a girl discovers the hidden garden of her widowed guardian’s deceased wife. Based on A Little Princess, by the same author, I’d give this a try.

My younger daughter recently received Belt of Truth by Theresa Linden as a sort of First Reconciliation gift. This charming knight-in-training story includes a lesson about honesty for chapter-book readers. It includes great illustrations by the multi-talented author too.

This girl of mine loves everything dogs, and she also picked up The Berenstain Bears Epic Dog Show by Stan, Jan, and Mike Berenstain. It sounds like Bear Country bully Too-Tall is faced with juvenile detention or some community service. Which will he choose?

My youngest loved Arnie, the Doughnut by Laurie Keller. Unfortunately, this story left him asking me for doughnuts. I’m baking our bread now, but I’ve not yet ventured into doughnut territory. You need a fryer for that, don’t you? Anyway, he read this tale of a doughnut who doesn’t know he’s meant to be eaten on Storyline Online.

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Relevant Fiction Reviews: Classics (III)

The Romance of Tristan and Iseult by M. Joseph Bédier

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This classic of romance literature, which obviously influenced subsequent classic works, had eluded me for decades. I’d only heard mention of it in recent years and came across this Hillaire Beloc translation at a low cost.

I wish I’d read this in the context of a classroom or group/club rather than independently because there is much absent in the text that would make for great discussion. Responsibility, the nature of love, honor, duty, sacrifice – these are all found within Tristan and Iseult, but not in any depth.

There’s some lip service to God and honor, but the lovers absolve themselves from any responsibility because they just can’t help themselves. They (mistakenly) drank a love potion, you see. Whoopsie.

Despite that disappointment, I found this worth reading as a seminal work, and it did mostly hold my attention.

Classics Dracula, A Christmas Carol & The Romance of Tristan and Iseult: My takes in Relevant Fiction Reviews.
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Dracula by Bram Stoker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This classic eluded me for nearly five decades, but I was spurred to read it by my teenage son’s enjoyment of it. While the first third of the novel moved rather slowly, the pace picked up from there, and I became engaged in the story.

I was surprised at how little Count Dracula actually appears in the book. We get only glimpses of him, particularly at the beginning through the journals and correspondence of the remaining characters.

Van Helsing was the most fascinating of the bunch with his questionable use of consecrated Hosts! The male characters’ unanimous love and admiration for the females harmed by Dracula (Lucy and Mina) was a bit over the top, but I don’t mind honorable, noble, and smart female characters one bit.

The story itself was curious and suspenseful, and I was helped by reading the Ignatius Press Critical Edition, the notes of which offered explanation where needed.







A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It took me long enough to read this classic, but I’m glad I finally did! While of course I already had a good sense of the story from movie snippets and popular culture, I appreciated Dickens’s prose and was reminded of his ability to set a scene with ample description and similes.

The tale is a little grittier (spookier?) than I expected and Scrooge’s eagerness to change was something I hadn’t gathered elsewhere. I appreciated its emphasis on the dignity of the human person – all persons, whatever their status, wealth, or disability.

A Christmas Carol is classic for a reason and merits reading and re-reading.

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Corona Life: 10 Tips to Keep You Sane

A large part of my days revolve around serving my family. You’d think that they’d be the beneficiaries in that equation, but I’ve been reminded lately how good these people are for me.

For a person who has the propensity to live in her head too much, they are refreshingly grounding. They are real. With real physical needs, real childish silliness, real human interactions, and delightful senses of humor.

Over the past sixteen years of motherhood, they’ve made me less selfish, less self-centered (I think those are two different things), more contented, and more peaceful.

I’ll admit that in a season in which we had zero snow days, the prospect of staying close to home has a wee bit of appeal. And, oh, if we had everyone home and nowhere to go, imagine what we could get done! For an introverted homebody, this isn’t, at least in theory, really a hardship.

When I’m tempted to hyperfocus on this novel virus, my kids deliver a healthy dose of perspective. So does experience. I’m grateful for having lived long enough to know that:

Few things (if any) are as bad as I imagine them. Nothing is new under the sun. This is not the first time humanity has been challenged by illness, nor will it be the last.Prudent preparation is good: spiritual, financial, and domestic.All things work for our good.

COVID-19 has stripped away the illusion of control. That happens in our own lives when we are confronted by personal tragedies: illness, injury, betrayal, unemployment, natural disaster. But rarely do we witness it on a global scale.

It’s a stark reminder that we have control of over exactly one thing in this life: where we spend eternity.

In that spirit, here are my tips for keeping perspective:

Pray – The Rosary is a powerful weapon. The Divine Mercy Chaplet seems highly appropriate. Pray while hand washing (the Memorare is a great 20-second prayer), pray for those who are ill, healthcare workers, leaders, etc. Pray for this virus to disappear, but above all for God’s will to be done.Work – Work is made for man, not the other way around. It’s good for us. (CCC 2428)Keep routine as much as possible.Go outside! It’s spring in North America, and the robins are returning and the bulbs blossoming.Drop out of the 24-hours news cycle. Seriously. I think it’s detrimental at any time, let alone with constant updates and contradictory opinions on COVID-19. Get your news in limited doses from the most level-headed, trusted sources you can find.Laugh. It’s so good for us in so many ways.Volunteer. The more you think of others, the less time there is to think about yourself. Can you donate to those in need due to disruptions in services? Does a frail neighbor need an errand run?Escape by reading a book or watching a movie.Show compassion, especially for those suffering from chronic illness, advanced age, or anxiety.Be kind. Always be kind. These are the circumstances that test our character. Let’s not be found wanting.

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What tips do you have for keeping perspective?

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#CatholicFictionChallenge 2020: What You May Have Missed

The #CatholicFictionChallenge took place on Instagram (and to lesser degrees on Facebook and Twitter) during February 2020. With more than 150 posts, Catholic readers and authors shared their favorite selections from 29 categories. If your to-be-read pile wasn’t teetering before, it was after!

I’ve gathered up all the posts that I could! I’m sure I missed a few that weren’t tagged, but I didn’t my best. You can check out the hashtagged posts directly on Instagram (#CatholicFictionChallenge) or in the video below.

I’ve also collected the titles from each category. Some were mentioned by two, three, or more posters in the same day (though I listed them only once), and you’ll notice that several were tagged for multiple categories.

Would you participate in a #CatholicFictionChallenge in 2021?

#CatholicFictionChallenge

[I’d eventually like to add buy links to all of the books below. It’s a lot of books, and it will be a slow process. I’m also thinking that differentiating books by text color will be helpful, a feature I’m anticipating with the WordPress upgrade later this month.]

Contemporary: Our Lady of the Roses by Janice Lane Palko, The Birdface series by Cynthia T. Toney, Earthquake Weather by Kevin Rush, All in Good Time by Carolyn Astfalk, Under the Watchful Sky by Roger Thomas, Dying for Revenge by Barbara Golder

Teen/YA novel: The Perfect Blindside by Leslea Wahl, 7 Riddles to Nowhere by A.J. Cattapan, Spokes by Deanna K. Klingel, eXtreme Blindside by Leslea Wahl, Awakening by Claudia Cangilla McAdam, Beneath Wandering Stars by Ashlee Cowles, Angelhood by A.J. Cattapan, Sunflowers in a Hurricane by Anne Faye

Picture book: I Am God’s Storyteller by Lisa Hendey, Woman of Faith: Saints and Martyrs of the Christian Faith by Calee M. Lee, The Weight of a Mass: A Tale of Faith by Josephine Nobisso, Finding Patience by Virginia Lieto, Molly McBride and the Party Invitation by Jean Schoonover-Egolf, The Attic Saint by Tim Drake, The Seed Who Was Afraid to Be Planted by Anthony DeStefano, Simon of Cyrene and the Legend of the Easter Egg by Terri Degazelle, There Once Was a Penny by Mark Restaino

Science fiction: Discovery by Karina Fabian, The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

Audiobook: The End of the Affair by Graham Greene, by Carolyn Astfalk, The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, Angelhood by A.J. Cattapan, Battle for His Soul by Theresa Linden, Saint Magnus: The Last Viking by Susan Peek, A Soldier Surrenders by Susan Peek, Rightfully Ours by Carolyn Astfalk, The Light by Jacqueline Brown

Catholic classic: Silence by Shusaku Endo, The Complete Father Brown Mysteries by G.K. Chesterton, Mr. Blue by Myles Connolly, A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories by Flannery O’Connor, The Complete Stories of Flannery O’Connor, In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden, Dracula by Bram Stoker

Mystery: 7 Riddles to Nowhere by A.J. Cattapan, Don’t You Forget About Me by Erin McCole Cupp, Murder in the Vatican by Ann Margaret Lewis, Relic of His Heart by Jane Lebak, Dying for Compassion by Barbara Golder, The Perfect Blindside by Leslea Wahl

Short Story: The Underappreciated Virtues of Rusty Old Bicycles by Corinna Turner, Breach! by Corinna Turner, Gifts: Visible & Invisible by Catholic Teen Books authors, The Complete Stories of Flannery O’Connor, The Monks’ Castle by A.J. Cattapan, Secrets: Visible & Invisible by Catholic Teen Books authors, Unlikely Witnesses by Leslea Wahl

Horror: Jennifer the Damned by Karen Ullo, Hell Spawn by Declan Finn, No Moon to Pray To by Jerry Guern

Saint story: Saint Magnus: The Last Viking by Susan Peek, Treachery and Truth by Katy Huth Jones, Bahkita: A Novel of the Saint of Sudan by Veronique Olmi, The King’s Prey by Susan Peek, Martyrs by Kathryn Swegart, Daughter of Light: St. Philomena by Corwyn Alvarez

Male author: The Book of Jotham by Arthur Powers, From Afar by Roger Thomas, A Hero for the People: Stories of the Brazilian Backlands by Arthur Powers, The Pope’s Cat by Jon M. Sweeney

Suspense: Stealing Jenny by Ellen Gable, Frozen Footprints by Therese Heckenkamp, Past Suspicion by Therese Heckenkamp, The Shadow of the Bear: A Fairy Tale Retold by Regina Doman, Bleeder by John Desjarlais, Rachel’s Contrition by Michelle Buckman

Dystopian: The Light by Jacqueline Brown, Ashes by Jacqueline Brown, Out of the Darkness by Jacqueline Brown, The Three Most Wanted by Corinna Turner, I Am Margaret by Corinna Turner, Death Panels by Michelle Buckman

Romance: Come Back to Me by Carolyn Astfalk, At Home in Persimmon Hollow by Gerri Bauer, Stitching a Life in Persimmon Hollow by Gerri Bauer, Trust in Love by Gerri Bauer, The Grace Crasher by Mara Faro, All in Good Time by Carolyn Astfalk, Younger Than Springtime by Andrew M. Greeley, Christmas Wedding by Andrew M. Greeley, Rightfully Ours by Carolyn Astfalk, by Carolyn Astfalk, A World Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer

Female author: The Other Side of Freedom by Cynthia T. Toney, Rachel’s Contrition by Michelle Buckman, A World Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer, Mission Libertad by Lizette Lantigua, A Single Bead by Stephanie Engelman, Prisoners of War by Sarah Gracia

Historical fiction: Perilous Days by Kathryn Swegart, A World Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer, A Life Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer, A Rich Young Man: A Novel Based on the Life of Saint Anthony of Padua by John Edward Beahn, Playing by Heart by Carmela Martino, The Other Side of Freedom by Cynthia T. Toney, Mission Libertad by Lizette Lantigua, By Violence Unavenged by Anette Young

Supernatural elements: The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley, Tortured Soul, by Theresa Linden, Angelhood by A.J. Cattapan, The Gargoyle Code by Dwight Longenecker, Saint Michael: Above the 38th Parallel by Shanti Guy

Prolife themes: For Eden’s Sake by T.M. Gaouette, Bound by Vijaya Bodach, Life-Changing Love by Theresa Linden, Stealing Jenny by Ellen Gable, Sons of Cain by Val Bianco

Debut novel: Marcus’ Last Stand by Brianna Zonneveld, The Moviegoer by Walker Percy, The Well by Stephanie Landsem, The Father’s Son by Jim Sano, Bloody Habit by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson, A Single Bead by Stephanie Engelman, The Grace Crasher by Mara Faro

Theology of the Body: Image and Likeness edited by Ellen Gable and Erin McCole Cupp, Stealing Jenny by Ellen Gable, Unclaimed by Erin McCole Cupp, Don’t You Forget About Me by Erin McCole Cupp,

Priest/religious character: Father Brown Ten Commandments by G.K. Chesterton, Bleeder by John Desjarlais, Bulletproof Vestments by Jane Lebak, Elmer by Deanna K. Klingel, Treachery and Truth by Katy Huth Jones, Father Elijah: An Apocalypse by Michael O’Brien, The Edge of Sadness by Edwin O’Connor

2019 release: Ella’s Promise by Ellen Gable, I Am God’s Storyteller by Lisa Hendey, The Attic Saint by Tim Drake, Molly McBride and the Christmas Pageant by Jean Schnoover-Egolf, eXtreme Blindside by Leslea Wahl

Fantasy: A Hidden Miracle by Gerilyn Herold, The Mermaid and the Unicorn by Elizabeth Amy Hajek, Vigil by Russell Newquist, The Lucifer Ego by T.M. Doran, Fyrian’s Fire by Emily H. Jeffries, Cinder Alia by Karen Ullo

Kids’ chapter book: Philip Rivers: Passion and Purpose by Joan Rivers and Patrice Lappert, Saving Mount Rushmore by Andrea Jo Rodgers, Sisters of the Last Straw: The Case of the Christmas Tree Capers by Karen Kelly Boyce, The Adventures of Loupio by Jean-Francois Kieffer, Discovery at Dawn by Maria Grace Dateno, The Secret of the Shamrock by Lisa Hendey, Sisters of the Last Straw: The Case of the Haunted Chapel by Karen Kelly Boyce

Award-winner: The Other Side of Freedom by Cynthia T. Toney, Playing by Heart by Carmela Martino

Thriller: The Bishop of 12th Avenue by Ray Lucit, Frozen Footprints by Therese Heckenkamp, Tortured Soul by Theresa Linden

Middle grade book: 7 Riddles to Nowhere by A.J. Cattapan, a.k.a. Genius by Marilee Haynes, Unlikely Witnesses by Leslea Wahl

2020 release: Come Back to Me by Carolyn Astfalk, A Channel of Your Peace by Veronica Smallhorn, The Rum Runner by Christine Marciniak

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! STAY A WHILE AND LOOK AROUND. LEAVE A COMMENT. SHARE WITH A FRIEND. IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE, PLEASE SIGN UP FOR MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON NEW RELEASES, EXTRAS, AND HOT DEALS!

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A Channel of Your Peace Blog Tour

About the Book:

Would a God who truly loves you allow things to get this bad?

Lapsed Catholic Erin Rafferty has the life she always wanted. Or at least she did, till the moment her fiancé of five years announces he’s leaving her for another woman. Heartbroken and humiliated, a further devastating development leaves her wondering if she can ever live a normal life again.

Mark Ashcroft is a devout Catholic looking for an equally devout Catholic wife. A chance encounter with Erin leaves Mark completely captivated, yet deeply unsettled, knowing Erin is not in a place to accept him, nor is she the model Christian woman he’d hoped to start a life with.

A tentative friendship begins, and Erin finds herself questioning her long-held rejection of her faith, while Mark finds himself healing from memories of his own wounded past.

But as love grows, further tragedy in Erin’s life threatens her burgeoning faith and her hope for a future with Mark.

What follows is a difficult journey of love, surrender, trust, and faith in the ultimate knowledge that Christ is always in the midst of our sufferings.

A Channel of Your Peace, a strong debut by Veronica Smallhorn #theologyofthebodyfiction
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My Review:

A Channel of Your Peace is a strong debut in my favorite little sub-genre: Theology of the Body fiction. Don’t let that put you off if it sounds heady or unfamiliar. A Channel of Your Peace is an honest look at the lies we tell with our bodies when we live in a way that doesn’t honor God’s design for marriage, family, and self-sacrificial love.

The author captures the heroine’s journey in a genuine, nonjudgmental way, allowing the reader to witness her heartache, suffering, and conversion in a gradual, natural way.

No matter how far we stray, God waits, right amidst the suffering and the joy, and welcomes us with open arms.

I enjoyed the Australian setting (with a slice of Mexico as well).

Interview with the Author:

This is your first novel.  What inspired you to write a Catholic novel?

When I was ten, I wrote a story for my school’s ‘Book Week’ writing competition. I worked hard on it, and remember feeling quite thrilled and exhilarated when I finished it. I handwrote the title page before stapling it together — putting my story title, name, and a copyright symbol for good measure, and decided that one day I wanted to be published for real!

But as for writing something specifically Catholic, Ellen Gable’s early books were what inspired me. I always thought it would be unlikely I could ever publish the type of fiction I wanted to write. I didn’t realise it was possible to publish Catholic stories in our day and age. The first books of Ellen’s that I read were Emily’s Hope and In Name Only, and it wasn’t until then that the idea to write a Catholic story – one that focused on the Church’s teachings on marriage and family – started to form. 

Tell us about A Channel of Your Peace in two sentences.

A Channel of Your Peace is a story about love — not only the love that can exist between a man and a woman, but also, and more importantly, the love of God for each and every one of us. It is also about that wonderful virtue of hope; hope that God can, and will, draw good from evil if we put our trust in Him.

How much of you and your husband are in the characters of Katrina and Emilio? Did you base the characters of Katrina and Emilio (Erin’s sister and brother-in-law) on yourself and your husband?  

While I didn’t base Katrina and Emilio on myself and my husband Pablo, I did draw a bit on the experience of our life together which made them easier for me to write — it’s something that I know. When I was in the early planning stages of the story, I knew Erin would need some convincing to make a long flight to Mexico. Having her family help her along seemed like a good way to get her there.

I really didn’t base Katrina on myself, but when I was choosing a profession for Emilio, I did draw on Pablo’s expertise – he has a PhD in philosophy. It was fun to give Emilio a position as a university lecturer in philosophy!

Your descriptions of the Cathedral in Mexico and the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe are so well done.  Have you been there before and what has been your experience visiting there? 

Thank you! Yes, I’ve been to the basilica four times, back when Pablo and I lived in Mexico when we were first married. We were very blessed to live only about three hours’ drive from Mexico City, so we used to make our own little pilgrimages. While I never experienced anything as obviously miraculous as Erin did, I can honestly say that each time we went the experience was most touching. Notwithstanding the crowds and tourists (on weekends and feast days it’s standing room only!) I always experienced a wonderful peace and joy in the basilica and found myself drawn irresistibly to the image of Our Lady. She really is present there. I always wanted to get as close as I could, so I would go back and forth on those travelators again and again.

It’s true that even the authentic replicas don’t quite do the original image justice. Seeing the real tilma is really quite an experience in itself, if you have faith. I think that’s what draws so many people there every year. In addition, I’ve always found it fascinating that this Marian apparition site is unique among her other apparition sites. At Guadalupe, Our Lady left something of herself behind on Saint Juan Diego’s tilma; that piece of fabric made from a cactus plant which shouldn’t have lasted more than a few years. And yet, here it still is, almost 500 years later. Extraordinary!

How would you describe your target audience for this book?

When I started writing the novel, I set out with young women in mind as my target audience, more or less around the age of my lead character Erin, who is about 27. It’s a love story, in large part, and we girls love a good romance! Although, it’s my hope the book may reach a wider audience. I was surprised at the positive reaction I received from the men who read the manuscript prior to publication, ranging in age between 30 and 80. The story carries a strong theme about the freedom we experience on embracing God’s teaching, which is essentially for everyone, even if the book may not be everyone’s preferred genre.

Tell us more about yourself and your family.

My husband Pablo and I have been married for 14 years. Pablo is Mexican, and we lived in Mexico for three years when we were first married and had our first child there. We now live in Canberra, Australia (my home city) and have three children; two boys and a girl. Pablo is an academic – he has a number of degrees and completed his PhD by way of multiple publications which appeared in journals all over the world. In terms of formal education, I’m the exact opposite to him as I never attended university. But our joint love of writing, albeit different forms of writing, is something that has been a lovely common ground in our marriage. I’m sure I would never have finished my novel if he hadn’t been cheering me on.

Our family life is pretty busy — anyone who has raised a family, or is in the midst of raising one, knows how intense a job this is! It seems to get more intense with each passing year as the kids move further along in their studies and interests. We have a fairly interesting, culturally-mixed family life and all our children are bilingual. I still don’t speak Spanish, but I do understand a lot of what I hear around the house; enough to be able to join an exclusively Spanish conversation – speaking in English, of course. It makes for entertaining listening (downright hilarious, actually, if I misunderstand something!) Pablo and I combined the names of our countries early in our marriage and often refer to our home as ‘Mextralia’!

The one thing that transcends all the cultural intricacies and differences is our faith. Weekly, or more-than-weekly Mass, regular Confession and the daily Rosary are pillars in our family life. Pablo and I try to present to the children the perfect example of the Holy Family of Nazareth as the one we should all be striving to imitate each day – though some days are definitely better than others! We’re just muddling through the best we can, just like everyone else. Which is all any of us can do, I think. 

The Blog Tour:

March 2 Ellen Gable, Plot Line and Sinker

March 3  Sarah Reinhard, Snoring Scholar  

March 4  Ellen Gable, Plot Line and Sinker (listed as part of Open Book)

March 5   Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

March 6  Carolyn Astfalk, My Scribblers Heart Blog  

March 7  Ellen Gable, Plot Line and Sinker

March 8   Steven McEvoy, Book Reviews and More

About the Author:

Born and raised in Australia’s capital, Canberra, Veronica published her first work at age eleven when a Christmas poem she wrote was printed in the local newspaper.

Growing up, her two main focuses were her Catholic faith and music. After tireless efforts in these endeavours, Veronica is now resigned to being a deeply flawed though fairly devout Catholic, and a less-than-mediocre pianist.

She married her husband in 2005 and lived with him in his native Mexico for three years till they moved back to Canberra. After returning to Australia, Veronica ran her own one-woman resume and copywriting business for a few years till she decided she’d rather write fiction instead. The fruit of this labour is Veronica’s first novel A Channel of Your Peace, which was published by FQP on February 14, 2020.

Veronica and her husband Pablo have three beautiful children. She is a full-time homeschooling mum who enjoys reading and photography, hearing about her kids’ adventures in Minecraft, and spending some quiet time with her husband, preferably when they’re both awake.

Read more about Veronica at the FQP website.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! STAY A WHILE AND LOOK AROUND. LEAVE A COMMENT. SHARE WITH A FRIEND. IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE, PLEASE SIGN UP FOR MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON NEW RELEASES, EXTRAS, AND HOT DEALS!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post A Channel of Your Peace Blog Tour appeared first on Carolyn Astfalk, Author.

Make Me a Channel of Your Peace Blog Tour

About the Book:

Would a God who truly loves you allow things to get this bad?

Lapsed Catholic Erin Rafferty has the life she always wanted. Or at least she did, till the moment her fiancé of five years announces he’s leaving her for another woman. Heartbroken and humiliated, a further devastating development leaves her wondering if she can ever live a normal life again.

Mark Ashcroft is a devout Catholic looking for an equally devout Catholic wife. A chance encounter with Erin leaves Mark completely captivated, yet deeply unsettled, knowing Erin is not in a place to accept him, nor is she the model Christian woman he’d hoped to start a life with.

A tentative friendship begins, and Erin finds herself questioning her long-held rejection of her faith, while Mark finds himself healing from memories of his own wounded past.

But as love grows, further tragedy in Erin’s life threatens her burgeoning faith and her hope for a future with Mark.

What follows is a difficult journey of love, surrender, trust, and faith in the ultimate knowledge that Christ is always in the midst of our sufferings.

A Channel of Your Peace, a strong debut by Veronica Smallhorn #theologyofthebodyfiction
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My Review:

A Channel of Your Peace is a strong debut in my favorite little sub-genre: Theology of the Body fiction. Don’t let that put you off if it sounds heady or unfamiliar. A Channel of Your Peace is an honest look at the lies we tell with our bodies when we live in a way that doesn’t honor God’s design for marriage, family, and self-sacrificial love.

The author captures the heroine’s journey in a genuine, nonjudgmental way, allowing the reader to witness her heartache, suffering, and conversion in a gradual, natural way.

No matter how far we stray, God waits, right amidst the suffering and the joy, and welcomes us with open arms.

I enjoyed the Australian setting (with a slice of Mexico as well).

Interview with the Author:

This is your first novel.  What inspired you to write a Catholic novel?

When I was ten, I wrote a story for my school’s ‘Book Week’ writing competition. I worked hard on it, and remember feeling quite thrilled and exhilarated when I finished it. I handwrote the title page before stapling it together — putting my story title, name, and a copyright symbol for good measure, and decided that one day I wanted to be published for real!

But as for writing something specifically Catholic, Ellen Gable’s early books were what inspired me. I always thought it would be unlikely I could ever publish the type of fiction I wanted to write. I didn’t realise it was possible to publish Catholic stories in our day and age. The first books of Ellen’s that I read were Emily’s Hope and In Name Only, and it wasn’t until then that the idea to write a Catholic story – one that focused on the Church’s teachings on marriage and family – started to form. 

Tell us about A Channel of Your Peace in two sentences.

A Channel of Your Peace is a story about love — not only the love that can exist between a man and a woman, but also, and more importantly, the love of God for each and every one of us. It is also about that wonderful virtue of hope; hope that God can, and will, draw good from evil if we put our trust in Him.

How much of you and your husband are in the characters of Katrina and Emilio? Did you base the characters of Katrina and Emilio (Erin’s sister and brother-in-law) on yourself and your husband?  

While I didn’t base Katrina and Emilio on myself and my husband Pablo, I did draw a bit on the experience of our life together which made them easier for me to write — it’s something that I know. When I was in the early planning stages of the story, I knew Erin would need some convincing to make a long flight to Mexico. Having her family help her along seemed like a good way to get her there.

I really didn’t base Katrina on myself, but when I was choosing a profession for Emilio, I did draw on Pablo’s expertise – he has a PhD in philosophy. It was fun to give Emilio a position as a university lecturer in philosophy!

Your descriptions of the Cathedral in Mexico and the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe are so well done.  Have you been there before and what has been your experience visiting there? 

Thank you! Yes, I’ve been to the basilica four times, back when Pablo and I lived in Mexico when we were first married. We were very blessed to live only about three hours’ drive from Mexico City, so we used to make our own little pilgrimages. While I never experienced anything as obviously miraculous as Erin did, I can honestly say that each time we went the experience was most touching. Notwithstanding the crowds and tourists (on weekends and feast days it’s standing room only!) I always experienced a wonderful peace and joy in the basilica and found myself drawn irresistibly to the image of Our Lady. She really is present there. I always wanted to get as close as I could, so I would go back and forth on those travelators again and again.

It’s true that even the authentic replicas don’t quite do the original image justice. Seeing the real tilma is really quite an experience in itself, if you have faith. I think that’s what draws so many people there every year. In addition, I’ve always found it fascinating that this Marian apparition site is unique among her other apparition sites. At Guadalupe, Our Lady left something of herself behind on Saint Juan Diego’s tilma; that piece of fabric made from a cactus plant which shouldn’t have lasted more than a few years. And yet, here it still is, almost 500 years later. Extraordinary!

How would you describe your target audience for this book?

When I started writing the novel, I set out with young women in mind as my target audience, more or less around the age of my lead character Erin, who is about 27. It’s a love story, in large part, and we girls love a good romance! Although, it’s my hope the book may reach a wider audience. I was surprised at the positive reaction I received from the men who read the manuscript prior to publication, ranging in age between 30 and 80. The story carries a strong theme about the freedom we experience on embracing God’s teaching, which is essentially for everyone, even if the book may not be everyone’s preferred genre.

Tell us more about yourself and your family.

My husband Pablo and I have been married for 14 years. Pablo is Mexican, and we lived in Mexico for three years when we were first married and had our first child there. We now live in Canberra, Australia (my home city) and have three children; two boys and a girl. Pablo is an academic – he has a number of degrees and completed his PhD by way of multiple publications which appeared in journals all over the world. In terms of formal education, I’m the exact opposite to him as I never attended university. But our joint love of writing, albeit different forms of writing, is something that has been a lovely common ground in our marriage. I’m sure I would never have finished my novel if he hadn’t been cheering me on.

Our family life is pretty busy — anyone who has raised a family, or is in the midst of raising one, knows how intense a job this is! It seems to get more intense with each passing year as the kids move further along in their studies and interests. We have a fairly interesting, culturally-mixed family life and all our children are bilingual. I still don’t speak Spanish, but I do understand a lot of what I hear around the house; enough to be able to join an exclusively Spanish conversation – speaking in English, of course. It makes for entertaining listening (downright hilarious, actually, if I misunderstand something!) Pablo and I combined the names of our countries early in our marriage and often refer to our home as ‘Mextralia’!

The one thing that transcends all the cultural intricacies and differences is our faith. Weekly, or more-than-weekly Mass, regular Confession and the daily Rosary are pillars in our family life. Pablo and I try to present to the children the perfect example of the Holy Family of Nazareth as the one we should all be striving to imitate each day – though some days are definitely better than others! We’re just muddling through the best we can, just like everyone else. Which is all any of us can do, I think. 

The Blog Tour:

March 2 Ellen Gable, Plot Line and Sinker

March 3  Sarah Reinhard, Snoring Scholar  

March 4  Ellen Gable, Plot Line and Sinker (listed as part of Open Book)

March 5   Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

March 6  Carolyn Astfalk, My Scribblers Heart Blog  

March 7  Ellen Gable, Plot Line and Sinker

March 8   Steven McEvoy, Book Reviews and More

About the Author:

Born and raised in Australia’s capital, Canberra, Veronica published her first work at age eleven when a Christmas poem she wrote was printed in the local newspaper.

Growing up, her two main focuses were her Catholic faith and music. After tireless efforts in these endeavours, Veronica is now resigned to being a deeply flawed though fairly devout Catholic, and a less-than-mediocre pianist.

She married her husband in 2005 and lived with him in his native Mexico for three years till they moved back to Canberra. After returning to Australia, Veronica ran her own one-woman resume and copywriting business for a few years till she decided she’d rather write fiction instead. The fruit of this labour is Veronica’s first novel A Channel of Your Peace, which was published by FQP on February 14, 2020.

Veronica and her husband Pablo have three beautiful children. She is a full-time homeschooling mum who enjoys reading and photography, hearing about her kids’ adventures in Minecraft, and spending some quiet time with her husband, preferably when they’re both awake.

Read more about Veronica at the FQP website.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! STAY A WHILE AND LOOK AROUND. LEAVE A COMMENT. SHARE WITH A FRIEND. IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE, PLEASE SIGN UP FOR MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON NEW RELEASES, EXTRAS, AND HOT DEALS!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Make Me a Channel of Your Peace Blog Tour appeared first on Carolyn Astfalk, Author.

An Open Book

Welcome to the March 2020 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!

My husband recently listened to An Exorcist Explains the Demonic: The Antics of Satan and His Army of Fallen Angels  by Fr. Gabriele Amorth (renowned exorcist of Rome). He found its insights into the evil forces in our world both enlightening and frightening at the same time.

You may see some repeated themes in the books my husband reads. (See above.) Another one of them is alcohol, though I promise no one here has a drinking problem! Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition by Daniel Okrent, however, is I book I first picked up many years ago and for some reason not related to the book’s quality, did not finish. But this book isn’t about alcohol. Not really. It’s about the culture and politics related to America’s failed experiment with prohibition. My husband walked away from it with a new understanding of the racist, anti-immigrant, and anti-Catholic motivations behind the temperance movement. A fascinating read.

Moonshine: The Celebration of America’s Original Rebel Spirit by John Schlimm is about alcohol. It tells the tale of moonshine’s origin in Appalachia on through prohibition to today. This book includes recipes too.

The Solid Grounds Coffee Company by Carla Laureano is the final book in the Saturday Night Supper Club series. The author does a great job uncovering the hero and heroine’s muddled pasts and fears and breaking open their hearts to foster healing and hope (even if I don’t totally dig the millennial hipster vibe in this series).

Courtney Walsh has become one of my favorite Christian contemporary romance authors. She excels at taking well-developed, complex characters through the paces of self-realization, making peace, and falling in love against a backdrop of interesting minor characters, and, in the case of If For Any Reason, a beautiful ocean side setting.

The Ring by Sarah Anne Carter is a sweet romance and an honest look at the challenges faced by military families. The reader glimpses everything from decisions about dating, marriage, and family to deployments, moves, benefits, practical support, and loss.

The second book in the Kaely Quinn Profiler Series, Fire Storm by Nancy Mehl, is a fast-paced contemporary suspense/mystery novel. Kaely Quinn is an intriguing, if somewhat self-absorbed character, but I still managed to like her. The mystery kept me guessing, and I only figured it out shortly before the big reveal. I was a little disappointed that Kaely’s FBI partner/love interest remained on the sidelines, but hopefully we’ll see more of him in the next novel.

 The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson juxtaposes light humor and banter with the heavy issues of childhood neglect, abuse, and abandonment in a way that didn’t quite work for me. I like both Cassie and Jett though, and the humorous scenes of children’s antics are the best parts of the book.

My high school son is reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a book I haven’t read myself since high school. Maybe when he’s done we’ll watch the recent movie adaption. The only reactions I’ve gotten thus far are about it being about “a bunch of rich people.”

After reading Leslea Wahl’s The Perfect Blindside, my middle school daughter moved right on to Extreme Blindside, which we gave to her for her birthday. She zipped right through this teen mystery, coming to me occasionally with her suspicions as to whom was putting the extreme winter athletes in jeopardy. A fun book!

She’s also begun reading Little Women: The Original Classic Novel with Photos from the Major Motion Picture by Louisa May Alcott, another birthday gift. I took her and her little sister to see the movie adaption after Christmas, and it was time for her to read the source! I suspect a lot of irritation at Jo’s choices by the time she gets to the end.

My youngest daughter snapped up a copy of Saint John the Baptist: A Voice Crying Out in the Desert by Ezekiel Saucedo and quickly read this graphic novel from Pauline Kids. She lingered over the (very appropriate, discreet) illustrations of Herod being presented with the saint’s head on a platter. She gives this a thumbs up!

One of her favorite books, one that is toted all over the house all the time, is National Geographic Kids Dog Breed Guide: A Complete Reference to Your Best Friend Fur-ever by T.J. Resler and Gary Weitznman. This girl wants a puppy, and she is the most puppy-educated kid I know! Every day she shows me pictures of this or that breed, sharing details about its grooming needs or intelligence. Worth every penny she spent on it!

With the littlest boy in the house, we’ve been reading God the Father and the Best Day Ever by Gracie Jagla. It’s an Easter book with a twist. Instead of focusing on the earthly events following the crucifixion, this fun rhyming book follows those souls awaiting the opening of the gates of Heaven and their joyful reception following Jesus’s resurrection.

Milk Goes to School by Terry Border has come home from the school library a couple of times now. On first read, I didn’t care much for this one, but as we read it again, I got a few smiles out of the anthropomorphic foods and beverages in the classroom, including milk. (She’s spoiled.) A cute read aloud picture book.

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Want more details on An Open Book? You can also sign up for An Open Book reminder email, which goes out one week before the link-up. No blog? That’s okay. Just tell us what you’re reading in the comment box.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! STAY A WHILE AND LOOK AROUND. LEAVE A COMMENT. SHARE WITH A FRIEND. IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE, PLEASE SIGN UP FOR MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON NEW RELEASES, EXTRAS, AND HOT DEALS!

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The post An Open Book appeared first on Carolyn Astfalk, Author.

Come Back to Me Blog Tour

Writing Catholic fiction feels simultaneously universal and narrow. Universal because, well, “catholic,” with common themes of finding freedom, mercy, conversion, etc. within romance conventions, yet very much a niche interest being that relatively few Catholics are aware of or seek out Catholic fiction.

Thanks so much to the readers/authors/bloggers hosting me on this short virtual book tour! Each of these women has supported my writing by critiquing, editing, reading, reviewing, and promoting. I’m so grateful for your support.

And to Ellen Gable, my sincerest thank you for all you have done to shepherd me along the way. I can’t help but think how pleased God is at the efforts you and your husband have made in helping to spread the Good News especially as it pertains to love and human sexuality through all of your undertakings, all conducted with integrity and professionalism.

God bless each of you!

Virtual Book Tour Stops:

Monday, February 24 – Sarah Reinhard, Snoring Scholar

Tuesday, February 25 – Barb Szyszkiewicz, FranciscanMom

Wednesday, February 26 – Ellen Gable, Plot Line and Sinker

Thursday, February 27 – Patrice MacArthur, Spiritual Woman

Friday, February 28 – Theresa Linden, Things Visible & Invisible

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! STAY A WHILE AND LOOK AROUND. LEAVE A COMMENT. SHARE WITH A FRIEND. IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE, PLEASE SIGN UP FOR MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON NEW RELEASES, EXTRAS, AND HOT DEALS!

The post Come Back to Me Blog Tour appeared first on Carolyn Astfalk, Author.