Carolyn Astfalk's Blog, page 8

Puppies, Possibilities, and God’s Generosity

I’ve been married 25 years, and I brought a couple of small pets into marriage that died before we’d even had children. We had a couple of temporary wild toad “pets” to facilitate a Boy Scout merit badge, a snail that I’m not even sure is still alive, and a super small flock of Coturnix quails that are egg-laying quasi-pets. No mammals. Until now.

Our kids had been asking for a dog for years, but we held off for various reasons. Earlier this year, we began the search in earnest with a short checklist of preferences about what this pup would look like. At the top of the list was price. We couldn’t pay what amounted to a mortgage payment or more for an animal. We asked around and filled out numerous adoption applications with no luck.

Then on a work appointment, my husband talked to a couple who passed on the name of the place they’d found their puppy. My husband called and learned about a couple of mixed breed pups (from an accidental litter) that sounded like what we’d been looking for.

My husband and I drove about an hour to see the two puppies available, with one in particular in mind. They called her Molly.

Well, we came home that day with Molly (now Tillie), a bag of puppy kibble, and an eagerness to share this sweet animal with our children.

We marveled at how perfect Tillie was. She checked off all of the boxes we’d been looking for and then some. She was gentle, patient, and adorable.

And we were so grateful to get her. Three of my children came to me independently to say how blessed we were to have found Tillie and how thankful they were to their dad and me for bringing her home.

See, we’d gotten discouraged after months of not finding the right dog. Or thinking we had and learning it was no longer available for adoption. But there were those couple of puppies . . . Mocha and Molly, wasn’t it?

And then we remembered.

We’d seen Molly before. She and her litter mate were the adorable tiny puppies we’d seen listed online earlier in the summer. We’d wanted to inquire, but they’d been adopted. Or so we thought.

My husband pulled up Tillie’s photo from at least six-eight weeks earlier. Yep. That was the pup. The one we ooh-ed and ahh-ed over, thinking we’d found our family dog at last. The one who’d slipped through our fingers.

I’d prayed that we’d find the dog. The one that suited our family. The one God had in mind for us. My husband had prayed about this dog at Adoration the night before we picked her up.

God didn’t give us just one chance at Tillie. He gave us two!

God didn't give us just one chance at Tillie. He gave us two! Via Puppies, Possibilities, and God's Generosity
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I’ve readily accepted that God gives us many, many chances when it comes to forgiveness and redemption, but I haven’t always recognized the chances he gives us in fulfilling the desires of our hearts.

When it comes to morality, our course of action is usually obvious. If we’ve developed our consciences and are attuned to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, we recognize the right course of action. But so many decisions, either insignificant or life-altering, aren’t matters of strict right or wrong but about discerning God’s will.

It’s those decisions that can leave us feeling like one misstep can throw our lives off course. How many of us, looking back, have wondered if we’ve chosen the right course of study, the right profession, the right job, the right relationship, the right spouse, the right opportunity, or the right risk? Especially in times of discouragement, it’s tempting to wonder if God doesn’t care about those things at all. And if we’ve made the “wrong” decision, can we ever reverse course? Are we left to stumble blindly due to one misstep? Do we forfeit happiness because we chose wrongly?

Tillie is a furry-faced reminder that God cares deeply not only about the little things in our lives, but that He will answer our prayers by whatever means He pleases – even if we’ve veered off course. Even if we miss an opportunity or make the wrong call.

Tillie’s just a dog. But when I see Tillie, I see God’s hand. I see a Father who delights in my family’s joy.

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An Open Book

Welcome to the August 2022 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

Somehow, I squeezed in a lot of reading in the past month. Maybe it was vacation. Maybe it was a string of good books. I even have a few books in progress that I’ll hold until next month. Let’s get to it!

Karen Witemeyer’s Christian historical romances are incredibly consistent in quality, but I particularly enjoyed In Honor’s Defense. It’s last in a series but can stand alone. I appreciated that the connection between a hardened, lonely cowboy/vigilante and an overlooked, citified woman was based on a connection more than skin deep. Damaris provides the compassion, tenderness, and stability that Luke has never had. He provides the affection and attention she’s never received. The story has plenty of action and a little mystery as they work to uncover who wants to take the land left to Damaris’s orphaned nephew by any means necessary.

Love and the Dream Come True by Tammy L. Gray is also last (I think!) in a series. I’m a third of the way through the novel focused on a character who’s had his share of time “on screen” in the first two books in the series. In both books, Cameron, an aspiring musician, has been dumped, to put it bluntly. The second instance left him bereft of the love of his life and his friends/bandmates. Now he’s reached stardom, but he’s as lonely and anxiety ridden as ever. Enter his sister’s friend, Lexie, who’s had a crush on him since they were young and has perpetuated an imaginary relationship with him for more than a decade while raising her sister’s daughter. Cameron still has a way to go to make me like him, so I’m eager to see how this turns out. 

I did a little Christmas in July reading with Crystal Walton’s Merrying the Cowboy. If you like Hallmark Christmas movies, you’ll enjoy this one. It follows the format closely with the career-oriented city woman returning to the small town to help her ailing mother. While there, she can’t escape painful losses or her old boyfriend, a cowboy with some regrets where she’s concerned. The story flows smoothly and easily.

Yet another third in the series is Denise Hunter’s Harvest Moon. It didn’t hurt that this series, set in a North Carolina Appalachian Trail town ushered in my hiking/camping vacation that included some Appalachian Trail hikes. Mulberry Hollow addresses some serious grief and unresolved issues between a divorced couple left with (temporary) custody of their friends’ young daughter. From book one, the reader knows that Laurel and Gavin buried their own young son, and Denise Hunter does a great job of drawing out the tension surrounding that loss until well into this third book. Like Karen Witemeyer, I find Denise Hunter’s writing very consistent.

Mulberry Hollow  immediately precedes Harvest Moon. It’s probably my favorite of the three books as it’s the most trail-oriented. Wes is hiking part of the Appalachian Trail for a fallen friend. He gets sick and ends up on the door of the local town’s health clinic where Avery, the town doctor, nurses him back to health. He can’t pay her, so he remodels a small guest property that Avery hopes will help lure another doctor to her practice to lighten her load. As you might guess, they’re attracted to one another, but Wes has promised to head north to the sister of his fallen friend, and Avery has committed herself to being single due to the possibility of a hereditary health condition. Don’t worry. It all works out.

Jocelyn by Sarah Monzon is another rom-com in the Sewing in So Cal series. I think I liked the first book, Molly, better, but this one is much like the first in tone and mood. These are relatively short, light reads that I’ve found refreshing. This one has a little of the cowboy/ranch hand thing going for it in a contemporary setting and is set apart by featuring a Black couple, which I don’t see a whole lot in Christian romance.

I did read more than romance in July, and here’s evidence. Child, Unwanted by Corinna Turner is the next in her Friends in High Places series. Daniel, the main character of the first book in the series is featured prominently in this story of a young boy, Miracle, scarred from birth by a failed abortion, who lands in foster care and then suffers a near-fatal accident. He’s got a lot to suffer. Daniel is there as a companion and so is St. Margaret of Castello. I knew very little about this recently canonized saint who suffered both physically and emotionally her entire life. As an aside, Corinna Turner is the only author I know who can confine her protagonist to a hospital bed in a single room and still make the story engrossing. (This isn’t the first time she’s done it.)

In the Shadows of Freedom by C. & C. Spellman is the first book in a dystopian series. In it, the United States is governed by what I’d call a totalitarian libertarianism, odd as that sounds. The story of a disaffected young woman, Amanda, includes supernatural elements and an exploration of freedom versus licentiousness. Amanda cultivates troublesome relationships that promote drug experimentation and draw her further from the faith of her childhood. 

While on vacation, my college-age son picked up a small book about the lives of the mountain families whose homes were taken by eminent domain to establish Shenandoah National Park. Shenandoah Heritage: The Story of the People Before the Park by Carolyn Reeder and Jack Reeder features stories of families and individuals who resisted leaving their homes. Many of the residents were stereotyped as uneducated and lazy and became part of a campaign to relocate residents against their will, for their own good, of course. It was terribly unjust.

The Scourging Angel: The Black Death in the British Isles by Benedict Gummer was snagged at a library sale and has sat on our shelf for a while. My son picked it up and dug in. It includes information on the plague itself with a focus on Britain and how it was affected by the disease and related upheaval. I imagine this is more interesting reading having lived through the last couple of years.

Based on a recommendation from an An Open Book post last month, I requested The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo from the local library. My almost fifth-grade daughter has enjoyed many of Kate DiCamillo’s books, and she enjoyed reading this one at our campsite on vacation. This illustrated story set in medieval times traces the journey of Beatryce, who is nursed to health by a monk. There’s a prophecy about Beatryce, and the king is after her. 

The same daughter is reading Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder, the second book in the beloved series. Interestingly, I heard her spouting facts she’d learned from this and the first book while we were hiking. She’s picking up on natural history and pioneer survival skills. This book involves the Ingalls family traveling by covered wagon to Kansas territory.

My youngest son picked Splatoon Vol. 10 by Sankichi Hinodeya from the library. I don’t have much to say about these books, which are comic book adaptions of the video game. You defeat enemies by spraying them with paint. The interesting thing to me about these books is that they are read from back to front as one would do in Japan.

If you’re looking for readable Bible stories for children, Catholic Bible Chronicles: 70 Bible Stories from Adam to the Apostles may fit the bill. The stories, adapted by Amy Welborn for Ascension Kids, are illustrated with a single picture and include a reference to the relevant Bible chapters. Stories are organized according to Ascension’s The Bible Timeline, which orders books according to Salvation History. It’s a large, sturdy hardback that can survive heavy use by many little hands.

An Ark Full of Animals by Renita Boyle is a colorful picture book adaption of the story of Noah’s Ark that works best as a read aloud with rhyming, alliteration, and fun, descriptive language. The book is sturdy and visually appealing, something I’ve come to recognize as a quality of books from Ascension Kids.

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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.

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What a Brewing Competition Reminded Me about Writing: 5 Lessons for Authors

My husband recently participated in a home brewing contest. While there, I did something I’d never done before – poured beer for hundreds of people. Observing the brewers, their families, and their interactions, I realized they had a lot in common with the writing community. Namely creativity, camaraderie, affability, and their support and encouragement of one another.

Throughout the day, I observed many parallels that translate easily from beer to books.

Lesson 1: Presentation may or may not be indicative of content quality.

Many homebrewers arrived with matching t-shirts, impressive logo displays, and an assortment of other custom bling. My husband arrived with a cut-off dollar store tri-board and a piece of printed paper glued to it. He took third place for his beer in blind judging while most brewers took their merch home but not an award.

You can have the most beautiful book cover and formatting in the world, but it can’t make up for amateurish writing or careless editing inside.

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Lesson 2: Effective marketing elevates your product.

The popular vote went to a brewer with 82 votes. We didn’t count my husband’s popular votes, but I’d guess there were fewer than 20. The winner of that vote had some of the merch and the bling. They’d also done an effective job of marketing to friends and family ahead of the event so that they had a solid base of support at the tasting. My husband’s support amounted to three people, excluding us.

No one may ever discover your book if it isn’t professionally presented and aesthetically pleasing. If you can garner support from influencers, they’ll help sell your book for you.

Lesson 3: There’s no accounting for taste.

The contest judges applied style-specific criteria to their judging while drinkers determined their favorites in a variety of ways.

Some people present had a knowledge of the brewing process. Others had sampled a wide variety of beer styles. Yet others developed their taste for beer by consuming a glut of inferior, mass-marketed product. A few may have been completely ambivalent about beer, just tagging along with a friend.

Readers who are also writers will dissect your book, recognizing a deftly handled theme, a gaping plot hole, or weak sentence construction. Others may be ignorant of the writing and editing process but have a keen eye for beauty and skill developed over years of reading fine literature. Some may be steeped in years of tearing through shoddily written stories that appeal only to the lowest common denominator and employ cheap tactics and hackneyed plots. Some don’t care to read but only occasionally pick up a book out of boredom or a persistent recommendation from a friend.

Awards and reviews are largely relative to the judges or reviewers. Objective standards for quality exist, but they may be applied loosely or not at all. Take award wins and losses and good and bad reviews with a grain of salt, knowing that the process is subjective.

Lesson 4: Variety is the spice of life.

Whether beer tasters were experienced judges or designated drivers, purveyors of quality or simply out for a high ABV (i.e., seeking a buzz), their preferences varied. Some may enjoy a stout, others a farmhouse ale. Many enjoy an IPA, and sour beers have become immensely popular. There’s something for everyone.

Tastes vary by person. By season. By day. By time of day. The guy that likes an Irish stout with his steak and potatoes may also enjoy a hazy IPA while playing corn hole on a summer Sunday. The Belgian beer may be a Christmas party favorite, but something lighter may appeal after the holidays when counting calories is in order.

Books are more companions than competitors. After all, people aren’t one and done when it comes to books. Hopefully they read many over a lifetime. There’s a place for mysteries, romances, classics, rom-coms, self-help, fantasy, historical, biography, sci-fi, catechetical books, and so much more. While we all have our favorites, most of us will read a variety of styles to suit our needs and moods.

Lesson 5: Kindness matters. Always.

Home brewers were eager to taste one another’s product and quick to compliment. They shared recipes, processes, and equipment recommendations. And when it was over, they congratulated one another.

Be the kind of author other authors love. The kind who makes time to encourage, support, and mentor other writers. The one who offers an encouraging word or lends an ear for commiseration. Share knowledge, tips, and experience. Be generous in your compliments and stingy with your unsolicited criticism. (There’s always a place for constructive feedback, gently delivered.)

If you’re a novice, be respectful of other authors’ time. Support them with your purchases, recommendations, and reviews. Offer encouragement and praise. If another author has helped you, thank them.

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Relevant Fiction Reviews: Road Trip Romance!

Summer’s here, and it’s time for a road trip! If the price of gas is keeping you close to home, take a virtual trip with a fictional road trip. Here are several I recommend:

This Life by Jennifer Rodewald
If you’ve read books 1-3 in the Murphy Brothers series, you probably didn’t care much for cold, snooty Kate and Jacob. Especially once you learned that they’d betrayed Jackson Murphy. There’s a world of pain and insecurity hiding beneath that hoity-toity veneer, and Jennifer Rodewald exposes every last drop of it by letting her characters hit rock bottom and then sending them on the road, where simplicity and intimacy is forced upon them.

As the story says, the worst times can end up becoming the best times, once we’ve stripped away all the excess that has been distracting us from what’s most important: God and relationships being at the top of that list.

This Life also delves into a theme I’ve not often seen in romance – the dignity of work. God made work for man, not the other way around, and that’s ably demonstrated here.

This isn’t your typical romance – the characters are already married – but it’s an important story about redemption and second chances. And even if you’ve never declared bankruptcy and boondocked across the American West in a schoolie, you may recognize yourself in Jacob and Kate – your shame, pride, cowardice, and your resistance to complete honesty and vulnerability, even with those closest to you. Even your spouse. I know I saw a little of myself there, and I’m better for having read This Life.

Relevant Fiction Reviews: Road Trip Romance! Avoid the pain at the pump and take a fictional ride.
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The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep
When I think of a road trip novel, I think contemporary. But Michelle Griep busted all of those notions with this 19th c. English novel of a gruff horse patrol captain guarding a lady and a baby (neither of whom belong to him) from inn to inn across dangerous countryside.

Despite the fact that Captain Thatcher is escorting Miss Gilbert to the manor of her betrothed, as you’d expect, they grow to care for one another as they survive discomfort and peril.

All together an enjoyable read with a satisfying ending! I have not yet read the previous two books in the series, and this one can stand alone quite nicely.
A Cross-Country Christmas by Courtney Walsh
This Christmas romance was a wonderful escape! I know it’s supposed to be on the lighter side – and there is some levity – but by the end, I was thoroughly moved by Will’s regret and the sting of rejection Lauren never got over (no matter what she says). The pain of unrequited love runs deep.

This was my first Christmas book of the season, but I have a feeling it will remain a favorite.
Infinity + One by Amy Harmon
“I can put this book down at any time. It’s different than Amy Harmon’s other books I’ve read.” That’s what I kept telling myself until I realized I was lurking outside my own bedroom door after 1:00 a.m. knowing I had to be up in under five hours but was intent on finishing the novel!

Amy Harmon creates wonderful characters who are simultaneously unique and universal. Take Finn Clyde. Probably not many ex-con/surviving twin/mathematicians in the reading audience, but plenty of people who know loss and loneliness. Or how about Bonnie Rae Shelby? Very few hillbilly singing/songwriting superstars, but lots of people who know how it feels to be trapped, not in control, or grief-stricken. That juxtaposition of ordinary and extraordinary makes the characters both memorable and relatable.

I love that Amy Harmon’s romances do not include explicit sex scenes for a host of reasons. When it became obvious **spoiler alert** that Finn and Bonnie were going to consummate their marriage I was anxious that it might degenerate into a description of parts and actions which, frankly, would have been a huge letdown. Instead, I was treated to about the most beautiful (non-explicit) description of married love I’ve ever read.

I thought I would be put off by the switch between the first-person and third-person point of view, but I wasn’t. It was seamless. As usual in Amy Harmon’s book, there are lots of interesting layers. There’s history, morality, action, romance woven all over the place.

Kudos, Amy! Another book that will stay on my Kindle indefinitely to be re-read and savored.

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Looking for Writer Support? Try the Catholic Writers Guild

Writing is a notoriously solitary occupation, but bringing those polished words to the page or the screen is not.

Tapping furiously at your keyboard in your comfy clothes, crumbs dusting the keyboard and your favorite beverage at hand may eventually result in a first draft. Chances are if you didn’t need help and encouragement getting that far, you will if you want to push that draft over the goal line as a published product.

There are all sorts of writing communities out there. Some are as loosely associated as a shared hashtag. Others involve dues and duties. A plethora fall in between. You can find groups built around genres, locales, and various media.

For Catholic writers, a community built around faith can offer the support, encouragement, and development you’ve been seeking.

Almost ten years ago, with a couple of novels in various states of readiness for the world under my belt, I joined the Catholic Writers Guild. It is the single best thing I did to further my writing.

Through the Catholic Writers Guild, I found like-minded writers, critique partners, and a publisher. The natural learning curve for writing and publishing was shortened as I learned from the expertise of generous fellow members who talked me through pitching a book, editing, building a website, self-publishing, and a million different marketing tactics.

Here are two pro-tips for you:

Volunteer. By volunteering you’ll develop relationships with other members and learn how the organization operates.Go to conferences. Network in person and online by putting faces with names and gaining valuable skills and experiences.

Have I convinced you yet? I encourage you to check out the Catholic Writers Guild. New members are always welcome! We’re growing and revitalizing, and, if you’re a Catholic writer, whether novice or experienced, whatever market or media (print, web, magazines, screenplays, etc.) we have a place for you.

Even if you’re not a member – yet! – you can take advantage of our upcoming conference. It’s only a week away, but you can still register! The schedule and all the details you’ll need for registration can be found online.

If you can’t make the live conference, save the date for our next online conference February 24-26, 2023.

I joined the Catholic Writers Guild. It is the single best thing I did to further my writing. @CatholicWriters #CatholicWriters
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Finally, I want to share with you the Catholic Writers Guild’s prayer for writers. I hope you’ll make frequent use of it.

Holy Family, Guide our minds, our hearts, our hands as we write, speak, illustrate – help our words to live in union with the Word. Teach us discipline and skill to use the talents God gives us. Give us also insight and courage to convey God’s love through our craft, and humility to be open to His divine will, shaping our lives, in loving loyalty to His Church. In Christ’s name. Amen.

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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An Open Book

Welcome to the July 2022 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

My husband has been doing a bit more work travel again, and that means time for listening to books. Luckily, he travels alone since most of the books he listens to relate to either politics or religion. He’s been listening to Mark Levin’s American Marxism, which explains Marxist ideology and names those elements present in American culture today. I find Levin’s voice rather dull, so I was glad to know that he’s not the primary narrator for this book.

Morning by Morning by Jennifer Rodewald is the penultimate book in the extensive Murphy Brothers series. This is the second book devoted to Connor, whose first book ended well but with his wife in precarious health. This book revisits Connor and his son, still grieving the loss of Sadie, but pairs them with divorced mom Jade, trying to make a new start apart from her borderline abusive husband. Both Connor and Jade have good reasons to avoid letting the other into their life, yet it seems God has other plans for their healing. This author never fears digging into all the hard emotions her characters experience, and it pays off here.

The cover of this book makes me eager to take a trek on the Appalachian Trail! Riverbend Gap by Denise Hunter starts with Katie’s car hanging over a cliff, which is where she meets and makes an instant connection with the local deputy, Cooper. Turns out, Cooper is brother to her new boyfriend. Uh-oh. Cooper and Katie want to do the right thing. They try to do the right thing. But there’s an imprudent slip, and it has big ramifications.

Turn to Me by Becky Wade is the final book in her novels about the Miracle Five, a loose association of friends who miraculously survived an earthquake while on a mission trip in middle school. Luke, fresh out of prison, is the bad boy of the bunch, bound by a promise to a fellow inmate to keep an eye on his daughter. Finley is Luke’s polar opposite, a sunny hippie-chick running a dog shelter. Luke’s painfully honest thoughts about Finley’s lifestyle are humorous as he little by little lets down his guard enough to admit his feelings for Finley. The writing style put me off this book a bit, and I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped.

I was in the mood for something light and easy, and Sarah Monzon’s Molly fit the bill. After being fired from a Montessori school for her bluntness with the children, Molly accepts a nanny position for one of those students. Ben, widowed dad to said student, needs help in caring for his adorable daughter due to the heavy demands of being a medical resident. This story rolls along easily between two likeable characters. You know how it’ll end, but the way there is so enjoyable.

I can’t remember the last time I dragged my Kindle all over the house, using every spare second to read a book, butThe Great Date Experiment by Ashley Mays had me tapping through the pages at a rapid pace. This YA rom-com is fun and funny. Egan did something stupid and hurt his best friend Callie in their freshman year of high school. But a couple of years have passed, he’s sorry, and he’s devised a way to resume their friendship. He’ll take Callie on a series of dates that he’ll record and post online to beat his brother in contest of who can get 1,000 views first. Of course, more than friendship is rekindled between Egan and Callie, but this whole online thing is a problem. Viewers are mean, and it looks like Egan cares more about amassing viewers than he does about Callie. There’s a lovely message in there. This quickly became one of my favorite Christian YA books.

Loving Gabriel by T.M. Gaouette was a re-read of sorts for me. I’d read an early version of the book that differed slightly from the final product. This novel ends the Faith & Kung Fu series and focuses on the romance between former pop starlet Tanner Rose and pious Kung Fu teacher Gabriel. This is great for helping teens think about relationships and marriage. There’s also an element of suspense in this book that raises the stakes for the young couple.

I read Miracle at the Mission by Joseph Lewis in advance of its blog tour, which I participated in. Joe and Pete, high school friends, head to California where they’ll meet up with Pete’s Marine brother Luke and attend a ceremony at the Catholic missions. The president of the United States will be there too. And some Russian bad guys and their unwitting accomplices are up to no good. The author includes a lot of California natural and religious history with a lot of good information about St. Junipero Serra. It’s a nice mix of adventure, suspense, friendship, and faith.

Guest description by my college son, whom I’ve now decided shall write all of my book blurbs:

A thousand years before the rise of Emperor Palpatine, Dessel stands on the precipice of unlimited power. But as he becomes Bane of the Sith, will he be strong enough to learn from the long-forgotten teachings of the ancient Sith and claim the title of Dark Lord of the Sith, or will his abusive past and the Brotherhood of Darkness rise up to swallow him? Only one thing is certain, the future of the Jedi and Sith rests in Banes hands.

This is the essence of the Darth Bane Trilogy (Star Wars) by Drew Karpyshyn, of which my son read Rule of Two and Dynasty of Evil in June. He described some interesting moral dilemmas in these books, such as a clingy crustacean that strengthens and protects the Sith but also poisons its host if removed. And the Sith path to succession, which involves the apprentice defeating his master.

The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell is a series of interviews with Bill Moyer regarding themes and symbols that cross time, cultures, and religions. Campbell heavily influenced Star Wars creator George Lucas, among others, which is what drew my son to this book, which he purchased for a couple of quarters at our parish’s flea market.

My almost-high school daughter requested A Kind of Paradise by Amy Rebecca Tan from our library based on the An Open Book recommendation by Barb Szyszkiewicz and is glad she did! Jamie made a big mistake and must spend her summer vacation volunteering at the library. My daughter loved the themes of forgiving yourself and turning the page as well as the many literary references—especially to Jane Eyre.

A New Auntie’s Fear by Angela Lano is a very simply illustrated book for young children that could help initiate conversations about physical disabilities, especially cerebral palsy. It’s clearly written and can help build empathy in children by showing the fears and challenges of those who look and behave differently than they do.

My three youngest kids are either re-reading favorites or books their siblings read that have already been shared in An Open Book, so they have little to report this month. There are, however, some children’s books I had the opportunity to review.

What I love most about the Ascension Press book Pray and Think Imaginative Rosary Book by Candace Camling is how it teaches children how to mediate on the mysteries of the Rosary. Any number of books explain how to use rosary beads, recite prayers, or even focus on related images—including this one, but not how to meditate. Using a simple illustration for each mystery, it helps children focus on a specific part of the image (i.e., a dove, lilies, the Blessed Mother) and think about each, its connotations, and its symbolism with questions to prompt deeper thought. I found it helpful even as an adult.

The Gospels for Young Catholics from Pflaum Publishing is another book I may snatch from my kids’ bookshelf. After some introductory information, the book presents each of the Gospels using the Good News translation. While not my preferred study translation for adults, it seems easy to read for children. What I especially love about this book is its presentation. Yes, it’s colorful, organized, and well-illustrated. But it’s eminently useful. It presents the familiar Gospel stories referenced by page and chapter and verse but also a summary, reflection, and prayer. It even tells you when you’ll hear the Gospel at Mass. It also lays out several easy plans for reading the Gospels according to liturgical season or as part of a 40-day plan. Did I mention I’m going to steal this book from my children? It also includes a Gospel timeline, maps, and information about prayers, sacraments, the Mass, and lectio divina.

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My Summer 2022 Reading List

Being that I, uh, only recently completed my summer 2021 reading list, I’m keeping this list short. Find below: the book, the blurb, and why I want to read it.

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Blurb: Gone with the Wind, novel by Margaret Mitchell, published in 1936. It won a Pulitzer Prize in 1937. Gone with the Wind is a sweeping romantic story about the American Civil War from the point of view of the Confederacy. In particular it is the story of Scarlett O’Hara, a headstrong Southern belle who survives the hardships of the war and afterward manages to establish a successful business by capitalizing on the struggle to rebuild the South. Throughout the book she is motivated by her unfulfilled love for Ashley Wilkes, an honorable man who is happily married. After a series of marriages and failed relationships with other men, notably the dashing Rhett Butler, she has a change of heart and determines to win Rhett back.

Why I want to [re-]read it: This classic is probably, next to The Outsiders, the book I’ve re-read most. And guess what? I picked it up because of the The Outsiders. It’s long been a favorite, but I haven’t re-read it in a very long time, and I’m curious what impression it will make at this point in my life.

Invisible by Ginny Yttrup

Blurb: When an overweight woman who’s hidden from romance discovers a handsome doctor is in love with her, will she finally risk her heart?

Ellyn–chef, cafe owner, and lover of butter–is hiding something behind her extra weight. While she sees the good in others, she has only condemnation for herself. So when a handsome widower claims he’s attracted to Ellyn, she’s certain there’s something wrong with him.

Sabina–tall, slender, and exotic–left her husband, young adult daughters, and a thriving counseling practice to spend a year in Northern California where she says she’s come to heal. But it seems to Ellyn that Sabina’s doing more hiding than healing. Why? Twila has come out of hiding and is working to gain back the pounds she lost when her only goal was to disappear. When her eating disorder is triggered again, she’s tempted to go back into hiding.

As these women’s lives intertwine, will they dare to come out of hiding?

Why I want to read it: The themes in Invisible resonate with me, and I’ve seen this book recommended. I’ve forever been working on a novel featuring a character with some of these issues, and I’m curious to see how another author has handled it.

The Children’s Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin

Blurb: The morning of January 12, 1888, was unusually mild, following a punishing cold spell. It was warm enough for the homesteaders of the Dakota Territory to venture out again, and for their children to return to school without their heavy coats—leaving them unprepared when disaster struck. At the hour when most prairie schools were letting out for the day, a terrifying, fast-moving blizzard blew in without warning. Schoolteachers as young as sixteen were suddenly faced with life and death decisions: Keep the children inside, to risk freezing to death when fuel ran out, or send them home, praying they wouldn’t get lost in the storm? 

Based on actual oral histories of survivors, this gripping novel follows the stories of Raina and Gerda Olsen, two sisters, both schoolteachers—one becomes a hero of the storm and the other finds herself ostracized in the aftermath. It’s also the story of Anette Pedersen, a servant girl whose miraculous survival serves as a turning point in her life and touches the heart of Gavin Woodson, a newspaperman seeking redemption. It was Woodson and others like him who wrote the embellished news stories that lured northern European immigrants across the sea to settle a pitiless land. Boosters needed them to settle territories into states, and they didn’t care what lies they told these families to get them there—or whose land it originally was.

At its heart, this is a story of courage, of children forced to grow up too soon, tied to the land because of their parents’ choices. It is a story of love taking root in the hard prairie ground, and of families being torn asunder by a ferocious storm that is little remembered today—because so many of its victims were immigrants to this country.

Why I want to read it: I’ve been fascinated by the children’s blizzard since watching the Little House on the Prairie episode about it. And then this book and another kept cropping up everywhere.

Carnegie’s Maid by Marie Benedict

Blurb: From the bestselling author of The Only Woman in the Room comes a mesmerizing tale of historical fiction that asks what kind of woman could have inspired an American dynasty.

Clara Kelley is not who they think she is. She’s not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh’s grandest households. She’s a poor farmer’s daughter with nowhere to go and nothing in her pockets. But the woman who shares her name has vanished, and assuming her identity just might get Clara some money to send back home.

Clara must rely on resolve as strong as the steel Pittsburgh is becoming famous for and an uncanny understanding of business, attributes that quickly gain her Carnegie’s trust. But she still can’t let her guard down, not even when Andrew becomes something more than an employer. Revealing her past might ruin her future—and her family’s.

With captivating insight and heart, Carnegie’s Maid is a book of fascinating 19th century historical fiction. Discover the story of one brilliant woman who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie’s transformation from ruthless industrialist to the world’s first true philanthropist.

Why I want to read it: I seldom read books this popular, particularly general market books, but being from Pittsburgh and knowing a little of Andrew Carnegie (I grew up in Carnegie), this book appeals to me.

Miss Percy’s Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons by Quenby Olson

Blurb: Miss Mildred Percy inherits a dragon.

Miss Mildred Percy is a spinster. She does not dance, she has long stopped dreaming, and she certainly does not have adventures. That is, until her great uncle has the audacity to leave her an inheritance, one that includes a dragon’s egg.

Ah, but we’ve already got ahead of ourselves…

The egg – as eggs are wont to do – decides to hatch, and Miss Mildred Percy is suddenly thrust out of the role of “spinster and general wallflower” and into the unprecedented position of “spinster and keeper of dragons.”

But England has not seen a dragon since… well, ever. And now Mildred must contend with raising a dragon (that should not exist), kindling a romance (with a humble vicar), and embarking on an adventure she never thought could be hers for the taking.

Why I want to read it: The author is local to me, and I’ve been acquainted with her online for a long time. I read many of her early books, and she is a talented writer. This book is so well-reviewed, and I know it will be clever, creative, and well-written.

Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong

Blurb: How far would you go to find the perfect husband? All the way back to the 1950s?

In a world full of happily-ever-after love, Meri Newberg feels like the last young woman on the planet to be single, at least in her Christian friend group. So when she’s handed a strange present at the latest wedding–a 1950s magazine article of “ways to get a husband”–she decides there’s nothing to lose by trying out its advice. After all, she can’t get any more single, can she?

Her brother’s roommate sees the whole thing as a great opportunity. Not to fall in love–Kai Kamaka has no interest in the effort a serious relationship takes. No, this is a career jump start. He talks Meri into letting him film every silly husband-catching attempt for a new online show. If it goes viral, his career as a cameraman will be made.

When Meri Me debuts, it’s an instant hit. People love watching her lasso men on street corners, drop handkerchiefs for unsuspecting potential beaus, and otherwise embarrass herself in pursuit of true love. But the longer this game goes on, the less sure Kai is that he wants Meri to snag anyone but him. The only problem is that he may not be the kind of husband material she’s looking for . . .

With droll comic timing, unbeatable chemistry, and a zany but relatable cast of characters, Angela Ruth Strong has created a heartfelt look at the reality of modern Christian dating that readers will both resonate with and fall for.

Why I want to read it: I’ve been in the mood for light, fun rom-coms lately, and this one caught my eye.

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Miracle at the Mission Blog Tour

About the Book:

After recovering from their daring exploits in the exciting first book, The Ghosts of Westthorpe Academy, high school best friends Joe Pryce and Pete Figueroa return for another thrilling, action-adventure in Miracle at the Mission.

When one of them wins a St. Junipero Serra essay writing contest and is rewarded with a summer trip to California, they both embark on an adventure they will never forget. While visiting one of the historic Spanish missions founded by Father Serra, the boys meet a holy but mysterious old Franciscan monk who warns them of the dangers they would soon encounter.

It isn’t long before the boys are drawn into a series of events filled with suspense, intrigue, a high-speed car chase along the precipitous Pacific Coast Highway, and the schemes of foreign operatives seeking to bring harm to the President of the United States.

Caught up in the pursuit of the bad guys, the boys discover they have become suspects in the investigation by the FBI. Desperate to prove their innocence, they must rely on the guidance and wisdom of the old padre, who just happens to bear a strange resemblance to St. Junipero Serra himself.

With the world teetering on the brink of an international crisis, the story reaches its climax at another mission––Mission San Carlos Borromeo in Carmel––where the boys and a large gathering of people witness an incredible miracle that changes their lives forever. 

Miracle at the Mission: New Catholic fiction for tweens and teens from Joe Lewis. Adventure, intrigue, and faith along the California coast. Enter to win a copy! #CatholicFiction
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BUY NOW ON AMAZONBUY NOW ON BARNES & NOBLEADD TO GOODREADSAdvance reviews:

Looking for the perfect blend of relatable characters, fascinating history, intriguing mystery, and strong faith. Look no further than Miracle at the Mission. Lewis’ vivid descriptions of the California coast will sweep you away on this epic adventure.

Leslea Wahl, author of The Perfect Blindside and other faith-based novels for teens

Lewis is a talented author who has succeeded hugely with Miracle at the Mission. . . . When you turn the final page, you think: if this doesn’t bring our youth back to the faith, what will?

Brian J. Gail, best-selling author of the American Tragedy in Trilogy series (Fatherless, Motherless, and Childless)

With mystery, adventure, intrigue, and elements of faith, this is a fantastic story. . . . The amazing setting details of various places in California work so well, helping me to visualize each scene. But I especially loved the bits of history concerning various things, including this humble and selfless saint—who is unfortunately often misunderstood today. Having fallen in love with the Native American people, St. Serra did so much to support and protect them.

Theresa Linden, author of Tortured Soul and other award-winning Catholic fiction
Very Timely. . . . Lewis has a true knack for taking a timeless, traditional world and pulling it forward into the present culture. . . . Truly a MUST-read for anyone who attended an all-boys prep school. . . . and I enjoyed the suspense!

Pete DiMaio, husband & father of seven, president of Pennsylvanians for Human Life, speaker, and business owner

This book surprised me. . . . I admit I really enjoyed it. . . . The friendship between Joe and Pete, and Pete’s brother Luke [and] their dynamic interactions are masterfully written. . . . I absolutely loved the history of California, the Missions, and St. Junipero Serra. It made a good story a great one. . . . This is an excellent read.

Steven R. McEvoy, Book Reviews and More

My review:

Miracle at the Mission is second in a series, but it stands alone quite well. (I haven’t read the first book.) This adventure for teens would make a great companion to study of St. Junipero Serra, but it also makes for a fun read all on its own.

Teen friends Joe and Pete make likable adventurers while they visit Pete’s Marine brother, Luke, on the West Coast while attending a ceremony at the missions there.

What follows is beautiful detail of the California coast, local natural and religious history, and a contemporary plot with political intrigue and danger. There are quite a few points of view used, and I favored the second half of the book when those were focused on the simultaneous adventures of Joe, Pete, and Luke and the unwitting accomplices to an international plot.

A fun and educational book that refreshingly gets the facts on the much-maligned St. Junipero Serra right.

Giveaway:Enter to win a copy of Miracle at the Mission!Excerpt:

The padre turned and looked at Joe. The hood of his habit had opened wider, revealing more of his face. In the dim light, his eyes looked dark, his complexion a somewhat lighter olive brown. His thinning gray hair was cut in the traditional tonsure style, something more common among religious orders in the past but not as much today. He wore a large crucifix that hung underneath his hood and rested over the top front of his habit. 

As Joe prepared to leave, he suddenly stopped, though he wasn’t sure why. Something of what he had experienced earlier that day in the chapel seemed to compel him to want to listen to what the old padre had to say. Joe slid closer across the pew, stopping just a few feet from him in the pew. 

“I am confident you will find your friend safe,” the priest said in a reassuring voice. “From what I gather, the three of you are here for an extraordinary week. So much of what is going on in the world today has found its way near to this very place. Important leaders will be meeting, and the eyes of the world will be watching. It is no coincidence that, at this time in history, they have come here, where so many peoples and cultures met not very long ago and welcomed the missionaries who brought the message of the Gospel. It was, and continues to be, a message of the love of neighbor, of joy and forgiveness, of thanksgiving for one another, and peace among all nations.” 

Joe sat mesmerized. Though the padre referred to present-day events, his eloquent words and profound meaning made him seem like someone from another time, another world. 

“But there are forces in the world that oppose these cherished things. Principalities who are enemies of God and of mankind, who choose the darkness; some who are visible and made of flesh and blood, others who are spirit and lurk in the shadows.” He paused as he looped the rosary beads he had been holding in his hand through the cincture around the waste of his habit. “My son, the world’s current dangers are real and require the courage and effort of a select few whose work can make the difference between conflict and resolution, division and harmony, hostility and goodwill for all peoples. The events of this week are crucial to determining the direction the world may be inclined to go. We must pray for God’s divine providence, that those who lead us may choose the path of peace. Look for the signs of God’s guiding hand in answer to those prayers. I also want to implore you and your friends to be vigilant this week, as you will be close to many of these things. The world can be a dangerous place, and sometimes people find themselves in circumstances they could hardly have anticipated.” 

“I very much appreciate your concern, Father.” Joe politely accepted the padre’s advice, although he didn’t quite understand why he felt the need to offer it. But this wasn’t what Joe had come here searching for. He still didn’t know for certain if Pete was all right. Joe stood up. “I better get back and make sure my friend is okay.” 

“Sí te entiendo.” The padre grabbed hold of the back of the pew and pulled himself up. As he did, he shifted as if to favor one leg. He had a thin frame and couldn’t have been more than an inch or two over five feet. His worn sandals looked as though they had traveled many miles. 

“Please don’t get up on my account,” Joe said. 

“I wish to extend to you my priestly blessing, my son.” With some effort, he shifted his legs again and moved a little closer to Joe. “I am extremely glad you and your friends can spend some time with us in this beautiful place. You know, the mission is in great need of support to help maintain it, not only to preserve the legacy of the missions but for the work they continue to do. This mission is an active parish and serves many people and families, some of whom are descendants of the native people who first lived here many years ago. Please keep the missions, and the people they serve, always in your prayers, won’t you?” 

“I will, Father.” Joe turned to leave but turned back again. “I sure hope we have a chance to talk again. I’ve really enjoyed our conversation.”

 “So have I, my friend, so have I. God willing, we will have a chance to meet again. In the meantime, go in peace.” 

The padre raised his right hand and extended it toward Joe, who bowed his head. “Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless this fine young man and his companions in all their endeavors. May their work bear much fruit in the service of your kingdom. I ask that you protect them and keep them safe from harm in the name of Christ, Our Lord and Savior, Amen. May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost descend upon you and remain with you forever. Amen. Amar a Dios, mi hijo. Love God, my son … and may He make a saint of you!” 

“Thank you, Father.” Joe slid back across the pew, then genuflected before the tabernacle. He pivoted and glanced back at the old padre, but he wasn’t there! 

Joe looked around the church. “Father?” There was no sign of him. Where could he have gone—and so quickly? … He seemed to mysteriously vanish into thin air.

Author interview:

Miracle at the Mission is your second book in a series called the Westthorpe Academy Mysteries. How did the idea for the series originate?

Miracle at the Mission is a sequel to my first book, The Ghosts of Westthorpe Academy. The idea for the series began while I was teaching at an all-boys Catholic prep high school in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. On the campus is a charming old mansion that was the original building of the school. Over the years, rumors abounded of how a ghost haunted the mansion and that a stash of old money was hidden somewhere within it.

After hearing of such stories over the years, I finally convinced myself that a story needed to be written. One summer, I put pen to paper and completed my first book, The Ghosts of Westthorpe Academy, published in 2018. I borrowed the name Westthorpe from the original name of the property that surrounds the school––Westthorpe Farm­­­.

Miracle at the Mission  provides a completely different setting from the first book and brings the series to the Spanish missions of California. What was the inspiration behind doing this?

Not long after the first book came out, several people began asking when the next one would be coming out. I was throwing some ideas together when my wife and I traveled to California to visit my son who is in the Marine Corps. During the trip, we toured some of the missions founded by St. Junipero Serra where I was immediately struck by the beauty, the holiness, and the history of these extraordinary places. It wasn’t long before I began piecing together a story of how the same two friends from the first story, Joe and Pete, take a summer trip of their own to California where they visit Pete’s older brother Luke, who is a Marine, and explore some of the missions themselves. 

So, in borrowing from my own travel experience, I was able to formulate the basis of a story that would ultimately become Miracle at the Mission. The trip also gave me the opportunity to visualize many of the places I write about in the book, which helps provide vivid descriptions and setting details that I hope will enhance the reader’s enjoyment of the story.  

Your interest in St. Junipero Serra goes beyond just a curious fascination. Explain how and why Father Serra plays such an important part in the story.  

Many may remember that Junipero Serra was canonized a saint of the Church here in the United States in September of 2015. The canonization took place at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and was overseen by Pope Francis himself, who was visiting the United States at the time. Serra is the only saint to be canonized on American soil.

Unfortunately, not all the news surrounding this momentous event was positive. Many took the occasion to criticize Serra and to blame him for the abuses perpetrated upon Native Americans many years ago, particularly in California. Some people resorted to defacing or toppling his statues and doing damage to some of the missions.

As a history teacher, and having studied something about Father Serra’s life, I knew that much of the criticism directed towards him was inaccurate, misguided, and unfair. My book provides an opportunity to correct some of that and convey truths of who he really was––a man who worked tirelessly for social justice and truly loved the people he served.  

What do you anticipate the reader taking away from Miracle at the Mission? 

Though the book is an exciting read, filled with mystery, adventure, intrigue and suspense, it is, above anything else, a story about faith, friendship, selflessness, and doing the right thing. It is a story that inspires hope that various peoples, cultures, and countries can join together in good will.

It is a reminder to us that although we live in a world filled with danger, uncertainty, and confusion, we can make a difference if we hold fast to those things that matter most: faith, hope, and love. And we needn’t look any further for help in this effort than the communion of saints who are there, interceding for us. And there is no finer example than the saintly Franciscan, Junipero Serra, who gave of himself totally in the service of his fellow man. 

May his example inspire a more fervent faith and devotion, as well as a greater appreciation for the extraordinary work of the California missions and the Franciscan friars who founded them.

Fun fact about St. Junipero Serra and the California missions:

St. Junipero Serra is the first Hispanic saint of the United States and the first and only saint to be canonized on American soil. In 2015, Pope Francis visited the United States and canonized Serra on September 23, 2015, at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Named the Apostle of California, he is the patron saint of California, Hispanic Americans, and religious vocations. 

The Blog Tour:

June 26 Things Visible & Invisible

June 27 Plot Line and Sinker

June 28 News and Reviews

June 29 Today’s Catholic Homeschooling

June 30 Carolyn Astfalk, My Scribbler’s Heart

July 1 Amanda Lauer

July 2 Book Reviews and More

About the author:

Joseph lives in Exton, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Marian. They are blessed with six grown children and two granddaughters.

Aside from writing, Joseph teaches high school history at Regina Luminis Academy in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Villanova University, holds a masters in theology from the Graduate School of Theology at Christendom College, and has done doctoral work in theology at Catholic University.

His first book, The Ghosts of Westthorpe Academy, was published in 2018. Miracle at the Mission is the second book in the series entitled The Westthorpe Academy Mysteries. Joseph is also an active member of the Catholic Writers Guild.

Links:

Website

Elk Lake Publishing

FacebookAmazonGoodreads

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5 Summer Reading Recommendations for Catholic Women

These are five of the best books I’ve read so far this year, and I highly recommend each.

For the lover of romances:The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

Fun, sweet, romantic, and mysterious with a splash of Christmas to cool off on a hot summer day.

My daughter and I listened to the audiobook version together over a long period of time. The narration was well done and well-suited to the story.

This novel has so much to offer: history, a marriage-of-convenience romance, mystery, faith, humor, Christmas, and a plethora of literary references. All this in an engaging story of a wonderfully original, genuine heroine with bookish tendencies and a reformed hero who is as loyal as he is dashing.

I loved how Grace’s innocence and enthusiasm shined throughout. The mystery was compelling and kept the story moving. A fun romance for Christmas or any time of year.

For the fan of the classics: Lost in Darkness by Michelle Griep

Captures the Gothic mood perfectly with a nod to the classic, Frankenstein.

Lost in Darkness is my favorite book of the year, so far! Wonderfully written characters, great pacing, and the nods to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein all combined for a moving, romantic, tragic, Gothic -is that enough adjectives? – a darn good book! Michelle Griep is at the top of her game here.

The heroine Amelia Balfour’s brother, Colin, is a noble, tragic “monster,” who becomes a willing victim of the true monster of the tale, a misguided surgeon. Luckily, Graham Lambert, an honorable, kindhearted, and generous surgeon is on hand. And everyone learns a lesson about reliance on God.

For the young at heart: The Great Date Experiment by Ashley Mays

A fun, light Young Adult rom-com with lovable characters and a relevant theme for young and old alike.

The Great Date Experiment is the most un-put-downable book I’ve read in a long time! Smart, hilarious, real, and positive – I can’t wait for my teenage daughter to read this one.

Minor characters are interesting and Callie and Egan are adorable. Callie is strong but vulnerable, and I felt every ache of her tender heart while marveling at her capacity to devour large quantities of junk food.

Egan is wonderfully flawed yet attractive in his obvious affection for and devotion to Callie. But what really makes him special is his heartfelt desire to be better.

All those things are great, but the icing on the cake (or maybe the top layer of the cookie bar) is the truth so many of us – teens or not – need to hear. And that’s that we need to be discerning in our use of technology, using it to lift others up and create real relationships, not fall prey to the superficial, sometimes damaging interactions that are so commonplace.

Kudos to Ashley Mays! I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next.

For the thinker: Things Worth Dying For: Thoughts on a Life Worth Living by Charles J. Chaput

A book to put it all in perspective by a wise and holy shepherd.

I’ve long loved Archbishop Charles Chaput’s writing. His insightful articles never failed to convey unvarnished truth made relevant by Chaput’s ability to incorporate appropriate cultural references.

Things Worth Dying For is a stellar book that does what those articles have done, but on a grander scale. The author draws upon scholars, philosophers, story tellers, historians, theologians, and more to present a cohesive understanding of contemporary American culture – how we got here, where we’re headed, and most importantly, what really matters and why.

Despite drawing on a variety of intellectual sources – Christian and secular – the prose is never arcane or heady. In fact, it’s eminently readable. And re-readable.

If the trajectory of the American experiment and world events have left you lost, confused, discouraged, or frightened, Things Worth Dying For offers a clear examination with a simple, life-changing remedy rooted in Love (e.g., God).

For the champion of women: All That It Takes by Nicole Deese

Beautifully written romance that leans towards women’s fiction and is especially timely this summer.

All That It Takes is the boy-meets-girl romance you’d expect, but it’s also a love letter to women who have overcome the fear, isolation, and myriad challenges presented by an unplanned pregnancy and, in particular, those who have loved those women through the experience, bringing hope where it’s most desperately needed.

All That It Takes moves Molly and Silas to the periphery, letting Miles and Val (and Tucker) take center stage. But it’s also a natural follow-up to All That Really Matters that is thematically deeper and maybe even more moving.

Nicole Deese makes writing look easy, and her craft improves with every novel. Readers are treated to a sweet romance with an attractive hero, but it’s the depth of character that moves the reader’s heart. The writing is honest, taking no cheap shortcuts, and obviously is the fruit of the author’s willingness to dig deep spiritually, allowing God to have a hand in her creativity.

All That It Takes deserves to be shared far and wide, where it can touch the hearts of those for whom God intended this story. 

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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An Open Book

Welcome to the June 2022 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

John Eyre: A Tale of Darkness and Shadow by Mimi Matthews is an intriguing gender-swap take on the Charlotte Bronte classic, Jane Eyre. John Eyre, a teacher leaving behind a past marred by the death of his friend Helen, arrives to instruct Mrs. Bertha Rochester’s wards at Thornfield Hall. He’s instrumental in restoring the boys’ health from a weakened state, though they do not speak. Mrs. Rochester’s husband, whom we meet in letters Mrs. Rochester exchanged with her friend Miss Ingram, is not so much ill as, well, I don’t want to spoil it for you. Let’s say his malady is not a mental illness but a literary-style curse. While the twists the author introduces are interesting, the book is missing the chemistry of Matthews’ other novels and even of the original classic. I also think the switch in the main characters’ genders weakens their roles, but I’m less than two-thirds of the way through the book, and I may still be swayed. It’s not at all a bad book; as a reboot, it invites comparison.

The third installment of Georgiana Daniels’ KC Crumb Mystery, A Crumby Way to Die, brings KC’s man-bun wearing ex-boyfriend James into the plot as KC and her eccentric pals work to solve another case. There’s been a shish kebab stabbing at the bed and breakfast, and KC and her two canine pals are back to sleuthing. James’ presence has put KC at odds with love interest Officer Antonio Hansom, and she needs to exonerate James and send him packing so she and Antonio can resume their almost-romance. An entertaining cozy mystery!

For his birthday, my college son received the Darth Bane Trilogy (Star Wars) by Drew Karpyshyr. My son prefers to pretend these books are still part of the Star Wars canon and not expunged from the record by Disney. The first book, which he’s begun reading, is Path of Destruction. This series centers on the evil Sith, and it begins by relating Dessel’s transformation from a miner hiding amidst the Sith army to an acolyte in the Sith academy.

In eighth grade, my daughter’s class read Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen. The story is set in late 19th century Lithuania, during Russian occupation. When Audra’s parents are captured and sent to Siberia, she becomes part of an underground network of book smugglers. While her classmates enjoyed this book because of its intrigue, she disliked it. For one, she was frustrated by the main character’s propensity for changing her mind. Too “flippity-floppity,” she says. She also thought too much emphasis was placed on the necessity of books for preserving the Lithuanians’ heritage.

My daughter was inspired by Helen Keller: From Darkness to Light by Tanya Savory. In fourth grade, I studied Annie Sullivan, Keller’s teacher, for a student game show, and I used to know quite a bit about their story. For my daughter, this book served as a good introduction to Keller’s life as a blind, deaf, and mute person. Her only disappointment came at the end when she learned that Keller, Sullivan, and Sullivan’s husband were all socialists and birth control advocates.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie fit a need for the eighth grade reading challenge wrapping up along with the school year. My daughter loved this mystery, the first she’s read by Agatha Christie. She enjoyed the twists and the detailed clues, which reminded her of the Edgar Allan Poe stories she read in the fall. She wanted so much to talk about the book with me, but I’m making her wait until I read it as well. 

A couple of years back, this same daughter was out measuring the girth of our maple trees to see if they were mature enough for tapping. They were not, but it did not surprise me when she picked up Sugaring Time by Kathryn Lasky. This informational book explains the history and practice of creating maple syrup as well as the differences between the various grades through the Lacey family’s sugaring experience. I also learned the origin of the expression “sugar bush,” which my mother said frequently.

My younger daughter has been consulting Amphibian, a DK Eyewitness Book by Dr. Barry Clarke. We love these DK books for their colorful photographs and interesting details. As you might guess, this one looks at both familiar and unfamiliar amphibians with details about their anatomy, behavior, and environment. Flipping through the book makes me want to take the kids to a pond with a bucket, where we can gather some tadpoles, something I loved doing as a kid.

My youngest son has been reading 101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher by Lee Wardlaw. Steve Wyatt is a brilliant inventor. So intelligent, in fact, that he can be promoted to high school. In order to avoid skipping ahead, Steve sets out to cause so much trouble he can’t advance. Looks like a fast-paced and funny story for kids.

To Serve and Protect by Leslea Wahl is an adorable story about a family pet who steps into the role of protector while Dad is deployed. The text is simple enough for the youngest children, and the illustrations, including the dog (Siena), are adorable. Follow Siena as she does her best to guard the family from perceived threats. A great story for military families, but any child will enjoy it. (Though if they don’t have a family pet, it may leave them begging for a dog!)

I had heard of Saint Zita, but I didn’t know a thing about her until I read A Miracle in the Kitchen: A Legend about Saint Zita by Pamela Love. This story from Pauline Books & Media emphasizes the ordinary way in which a woman attained sainthood: working hard to serve others, even doing menial tasks, and by being a compassionate friend and caring for the sick. What will jump out at young readers is the miracle in which an angel appears and bakes bread for Zita’s employer in her stead and how that miracle led others to faith.

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