Ellen Gable's Blog, page 4
July 29, 2024
Interview with Keith Lilek, author of Mentored for Good
Today, I’m known as an author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, Catholic apologist, and someone who had the good fortune to sell a multi-million-dollar company. I’m here to talk about something even more significant: the joy and transformative power of being a ‘LIFETIME MENTEE.’ You see, while many people focus on the role of the mentor, I’ve found tremendous value in being the one who asks for help—listening and learning…what a concept! The joy and fulfillment I’ve experienced as a mentee is something I wish to share with all of you, as it’s a feeling that can truly change your life. It’s a feeling of growth, connection, and being part of something bigger than yourself.
2. What is your overall vision for these books?
Many of us need a life coach to improve ALL of our relationships, but the most important is with God. I’m a lifetime mentee who has benefitted from the wisdom of many. This collection of writings are universally proven biblical lessons shared as books, audio, and musical stories to lift your spirits and help you confidently lead your family in faith. They incorporate the Ten Commandments into my daily life. This book is like a mini-retreat to review how to look at life and live your best self from a man who did.
3. What does your mentee theme mean to your audience?
So, what’s the purpose of my talk today? It’s to share the immense joy and benefits of being a MENTEE. In a world where everyone wants to be a leader, I’m here to tell you that there’s profound strength in being a learner. Embracing the role of a mentee has been the secret ingredient to my success, and it can be for you, too.
We often hear about the importance of mentorship, but we rarely talk about the flip side: the courage to ask for help, the humility to listen, and the wisdom to learn. These are not signs of weakness but the foundations of true strength. Being a mentee doesn’t mean you’re always in the passenger seat. It means you’re open to growth, ready to evolve, and willing to take the journey with guidance from those who have navigated the path before you.
You see, guys, one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is the willingness to learn from others. In doing so, you enrich your life and become a beacon of growth and inspiration for those around you.
Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light shine before all, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
This is me shining my light!
4. What are some of your most important life lessons?
Despite facing numerous challenges, I always remained faithful. I created a protective barrier around myself and my loved ones. Although not always, I frequently incorporated Christ into my daily life physically and spiritually. I adorned my surroundings with crosses, pictures, rosaries, and statuary, not for worship but as reminders. I even wore a brown scapular and gave Miraculous Medals to my family members.
My wife always found encouragement when I engaged in “church” activities, and she could join me in prayer when I did so openly. Regularly meeting with other men to discuss faith taught me the importance of continuously working on my parenting, health, education, and spiritual well-being.
Reconciliation served as an affordable form of therapy, although I wish I had done it more frequently. It inspired me to have meaningful conversations about life with trusted individuals. Thanks to my involvement in the church, I have had many friends I can confide in without worrying about the consequences. In fact, at times, I felt as accountable to these men as my wife. Being a good man for my wife and children was a driving force within me.
Testimonials about Mentored for Good:
“Keith Lilek has become a good friend to me. We met in a men’s Bible study in 2018. We began playing some golf together, and that’s when I really got to know him. I found him to be humorous, energetic, and a great storyteller. As time went on, he showed me that he was a great family man, had been a very successful businessman, and had a passion for his walk with God. His passion for writing shows all of these traits in the stories he tells.” Steve Grogan, New England Patriots 1975-90“I have known Keith Lilek for several years as a neighbor, member of a Bible Study group I lead, a fellow traveler to the Holy Land, and occasional golf buddy. In my first encounter with Keith, I found him boisterous, self-promotional, and rude! However, as time went on, I discovered that there was much more to Keith than my first impression. Several years in, I find him to be very thoughtful, a loving family man, passionate about his faith, and full of compassion for others, not least the little, the lost, and the marginalized. He writes with tenderness, fatherly kindness, and an insight that makes us all look a second time at people, relationships, and grace. I am proud to call Keith my friend.” Jeff Kirby, Director of Men’s & Alpha Ministries, Church of the Resurrection, Overland Park, Kansas“I have known Keith for more than twenty years. He has always been deeply committed to his family, faith, and business endeavors. I am deeply inspired by his writing and how he utilizes his top-flight business acumen to clearly communicate the “how-to’s” of living out one’s faith and inspiring us with poignant whys.” Deacon Dana Nearmyer, Kansas City Diocese, Kansas City, MO“I like Keith. His writing life lessons in sonnet form is a pleasant surprise. It is very entertaining and thought-provoking. Keith has tackled the ever-crowded field of inspirational writing in a fun and amusing way with sonnets, clever illustrations, scripture, and reflections to ponder their influence on our lives. Nice work!” Brian Sullivan, Bestselling Author and Radio HostTo purchase Mentored for Good, the links are below:
July 22, 2024
Virtual Book Tour – Mentored for Good
Mentored for Good by Keith Lilek
Keith’s Mission (in his own words): I call myself a “Lifetime Mentee” and am happiest engaging with others through my life’s example and helping my faith-based audiences better apply the church’s teachings. I do this through uplifting, inspirational, biblical, poetic, and musical content.
Experience: Keith is the newly published author of six books and soon-to-be two song albums about his lessons, the mentors who taught him, the Catholic Church’s influence, and how it all turned him into who he is today! He speaks at faith-based conferences, workshops, and interviews all over the Midwest and has been a professional business speaker for over 35 years.
Promotional Video: Here is a short promotional video of Keith’s speaking and authoring.
Fee Range: Keith donates 100% of all book sales proceeds to any organization that promotes him, and he gives 50% of any speaking fees back to the agent who promotes him.
Short Biography: Keith Lilek is a remarkable individual who has embraced the role of a Catholic Mentee. He has dedicated himself to learning, absorbing knowledge, and living out the teachings of his faith. Thanks to a special agreement with the Holy Spirit, he has committed to sharing his wisdom with others.
Picture a person who possesses St. Lawrence’s wit, St. John Bosco’s storytelling prowess, and a comedic passion for the Three Stooges—that person is Keith Lilek!
As a Catholic author, Keith firmly believes that becoming a ‘Catholic Mentee’ has been the key ingredient to his success. He rarely hesitated to seek guidance from those who had achieved greater accomplishments in the areas he was focusing on. By surrounding himself with individuals who excelled in various fields, he was able to benefit from their wisdom and blessings.
Before Keith discovered his writing talent, he was renowned as the reigning champion of the “National Three Stooges Trivia Contest” – a skill he seamlessly incorporated into his public speaking engagements, delighting his audiences.
As his devotion to praying the Rosary grew, so did his business, philanthropic endeavors, and now his authorship. Keith’s unwavering faith is strengthened by the presence of the Divine Mercy Image of Jesus, which he keeps close to him at work and home. He has made it a habit to integrate his Catholic faith into every aspect of his life, and through his actions, he has become a mentor to others. Keith is content with the person he has become, and he attributes his growth to the guidance and influence of the men and women who have shaped him over the past forty years, as well as his ability to infuse humor into his interactions.
Married for 40 years, blessed to have 4 children and 5 grandchildren.Grew a Successful Software Business from the ground up into a Multi-Million Dollar Success Story.Founding member and Past President of the largest Serra Club by membership promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life.Spends his retirement years enjoying his family, story-telling, songwriting, speaking, writing, and giving back for all the blessings he has received through his non-profit philanthropical ministry, Mentored from Above, LLC.Charitable Claim: IN AN EFFORT TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE GIVING, THE AUTHOR IS DONATING 100% OF THE PROCEEDS TO CHARITY.
Speaking Topic: Are you happy with who you’ve become? I am, but I didn’t get here by myself. I’m the beneficiary of many God-inspired mentors throughout my life. Their guidance and wisdom have shaped me into the person I am today. Do you remember who lifted you at various times in your life? Who inspired you to actively change your course? I do. I remember. I remember them all. And I want to share with you how their guidance and my willingness to learn transformed my life. I am forever grateful to them.
Mentored for Good is not just a book; it’s a personal journey. It’s the story of how a willing mentee, the author himself, was shaped and molded by the mentoring he received throughout his life. It’s about how his character was shaped to benefit all those he came in contact with. Life’s struggles. Life’s uncertainties. How can we succeed? How can we be better at anything we want to try? We often don’t take advantage of those creative people all around us who are willing to share their stories, actions, and solutions. It’s hard to go through this life alone. But there are many people we come in contact with that can and do inspire us to live more fruitful lives if we are open to it. In Mentored for Good, the author revisits the lessons taught to him in sonnet form that captures the impact each lesson has had on him, his friends and family, and hopefully his readers.
Keywords: Mentors, lifetime mentee, mentored for good; Christian mentorship
Mentored for Good can be found in the following formats online:
About Keith:
https://www.keithlilek.com/author
https://www.keithlilek.com/keiths-story
Find Keith at:
Virtual Book Tour Stops/Links
July 22 Plot Line and Sinker (Ellen Gable)
July 23 My Scribbler’s Heart (Carolyn Astfalk)
July 24 Denise Mercado
July 25 Catholic Books Blog (Theresa Linden)
July 26 Book Reviews and More (Steven McEvoy)
July 27 Azariah’s Compass Publishing (Chris Smith)
July 28 Harvesting the Fruits of Contemplation (Mike Seagriff)
July 29 Plot Line and Sinker (Ellen Gable)
July 30 Mary Jo Thayer
Check out my interview with Keith at this link.
July 10, 2024
Interview with Philip J Martin, author of Ephphatha
Today I welcome to my blog Philip J Martin, author of Ephphatha: Catholic Fiction for Modern Times, recently published by Full Quiver Publishing.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Alabama, and have lived nearly my entire life in this beautiful state. My wife and I have been married for more than 14 years and are raising our 5 children as best we can with God’s help!
What was the inspiration for this book of short stories?
I’ve always been fascinated by truth: by learning the truth, by teaching the truth, by spreading the truth. When I discovered slowly over time that you could mingle the truth in with the beauty of stories, I was sold. Something clicked in me: this is something you can do!
What drew you to writing Ephphatha?
I hear authors all the time speak about “the muse” as if she is some kind of inspirational spirit that floats in and out. Others vaguely speak about how “the universe” wants a person to do this or that. What drew me to write this collection over time is the same thing that drives me to repent, to love, and to live a holy life each and every day: the Holy Spirit.
What do you hope the reader will take away from your book?
I hope that each and every reader will come away from the book with an increased desire to live in and under the Providence and Mercy of God each and every day, loving the people He has put in our paths. I hope the reader will learn to check the misconceptions and (for lack of a better word) the lies of our culture that infiltrate our consciences so that they have no room to germinate, grow, and bear bad fruit.
How do you find time to write?
I have been fortunate to have an extremely supportive wife, but like anything, a little bit here and a little bit there adds up over time.
Are you working on any other writing projects?
I just finished writing a 40-day retreat journal unlike anything out there for a nonprofit media company called 10th Hour Productions. It is called “The Other Journal” and is designed to reorient us to loving the other person over ourselves.
I’ve also begun the research and writing process into a nonfiction book that has been on my heart for a long time. Ask me in 10 years how the progress is going!
Who are some of your favorite authors?
There are so many great authors out there. My favorites are Flannery O’Connor, Benedict XVI, GK Chesterton, CS Lewis, Harper Lee, and Graham Greene.
Find out more about Ephphatha at the FQP site or on Amazon at this link.
July 3, 2024
An Open Book July #anopenbook
Today I’m joining with Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. Here’s what I’ve been reading or working on for the past month.
The Book of Jotham by Arthur Powers
FREE on Kindle until Saturday!
Amazon Synopsis: Jotham is a mentally challenged man-child who, like the other apostles, follows Jesus as Christ carries out his ministry and experiences death by crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Yet the other apostles the dedicated Mary, Peter, Thomas, and the rest while they care for Jotham and look out for him, don t understand why Jesus loves him so. Thomas even says, after Jesus offers a parable, I don t see why all the pots can t be strong and beautiful.
Jotham may be different, but through him, we come to see Jesus and Jotham not just with our eyes, but also with our hearts.
Download a free Kindle copy here at this link!
My book, Ella’s Promise, has been translated into Greek. It will be available on Amazon soon. It’s now available on Apple Books. Here is the summary (in Greek!) Στην μέση του Μεγάλου Πολέμου δοκιμάζονται οι αντοχές και η Πίστη των ανθρώπων. Μπορεί το λουλούδι της αγάπης να ανθίσει στα συντρίμμια;
The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson
Amazon Synopsis: On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln became the fluky victor in a tight race for president. The country was bitterly at odds; Southern extremists were moving ever closer to destroying the Union, with one state after another seceding and Lincoln powerless to stop them. Slavery fueled the conflict, but somehow the passions of North and South came to focus on a lonely federal fortress in Charleston Harbor: Fort Sumter.
Master storyteller Erik Larson offers a gripping account of the chaotic months between Lincoln’s election and the Confederacy’s shelling of Sumter—a period marked by tragic errors and miscommunications, enflamed egos and craven ambitions, personal tragedies and betrayals. Lincoln himself wrote that the trials of these five months were “so great that, could I have anticipated them, I would not have believed it possible to survive them.”
At the heart of this suspense-filled narrative are Major Robert Anderson, Sumter’s commander and a former slave owner sympathetic to the South but loyal to the Union; Edmund Ruffin, a vain and bloodthirsty radical who stirs secessionist ardor at every opportunity; and Mary Boykin Chesnut, wife of a prominent planter, conflicted over both marriage and slavery and seeing parallels between them. In the middle of it all is the overwhelmed Lincoln, battling with his duplicitous secretary of state, William Seward, as he tries desperately to avert a war that he fears is inevitable—one that will eventually kill 750,000 Americans.
Drawing on diaries, secret communiques, slave ledgers, and plantation records, Larson gives us a political horror story that captures the forces that led America to the brink—a dark reminder that we often don’t see a cataclysm coming until it’s too late.
My review: Just published. On my To Read shelf!
Amazon Synopsis: September 8, 1900, began innocently in the seaside town of Galveston, Texas. Even Isaac Cline, resident meteorologist for the U.S. Weather Bureau failed to grasp the true meaning of the strange deep-sea swells and peculiar winds that greeted the city that morning. Mere hours later, Galveston found itself submerged in a monster hurricane that completely destroyed the town and killed over six thousand people—and Isaac Cline found himself the victim of a devastating personal tragedy.
Using Cline’s own telegrams, letters, and reports, the testimony of scores of survivors, and our latest understanding of the science of hurricanes, Erik Larson builds a chronicle of one man’s heroic struggle and fatal miscalculation in the face of a storm of unimaginable magnitude.
My review: I didn’t care for this one of Larson’s book as much as the others. There’s a lot of backstory to get through before you get to the actual storm. 3.5/5.
Jimmy Stewart A Biography by Marc Eliot
Amazon Synopsis: Jimmy Stewart’s all-American good looks, boyish charm, and deceptively easygoing style of acting made him one of Hollywood’s greatest and most enduring stars. Despite the indelible image he projected of innocence and quiet self-assurance, Stewart’s life was more complex and sophisticated than most of the characters he played. With fresh insight and unprecedented access, bestselling biographer Marc Eliot finally tells the previously untold story of one of our greatest screen and real-life heroes.
Born into a family of high military honor and economic success dominated by a powerful father, Stewart developed an interest in theater while attending Princeton University. Upon graduation, he roomed with the then-unknown Henry Fonda, and the two began a friendship that lasted a lifetime. While he harbored a secret unrequited love for Margaret Sullavan, Stewart was paired with many of Hollywood’s most famous, most beautiful, and most alluring leading ladies during his extended bachelorhood, among them Ginger Rogers, Olivia de Havilland, Loretta Young, and the notorious Marlene Dietrich.
After becoming a star playing a hero in Frank Capra’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington in 1939 and winning an Academy Award the following year for his performance in George Cukor’s The Philadelphia Story, Stewart was drafted into the Armed Forces and became a hero in real life. When he returned to Hollywood, he discovered that not only the town had changed, but so had he. Stewart’s combat experiences left him emotionally scarred, and his deepening darkness perfectly positioned him for the ’50s, in which he made his greatest films, for Anthony Mann (Winchester ’73 and Bend of the River) and, most spectacularly, Alfred Hitchcock, in his triple meditation on marriage, Rear Window, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Vertigo, which many film critics regard as the best American movie ever made.
While Stewart’s career thrived, so did his personal life. A marriage in his forties, the adoption of his wife’s two sons from a previous marriage, and the birth of his twin daughters laid the foundation for a happy life, until an unexpected tragedy had a shocking effect on his final years.
Intimate and richly detailed, Jimmy Stewart is a fascinating portrait of a multi-faceted and much-admired actor as well as an extraordinary slice of Hollywood history.
My review: I enjoyed this book, although I found his pages’ long descriptions of Stewart’s movies a bit tedious. I’ve seen most of Jimmy Stewart’s movies, so I skimmed those pages. Recommend. 4/5.
June 5, 2024
Open Book – June #anopenbook
Today, I’m joining Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. Here’s what I’ve been reading and/or working on for the past month.
Divine Threads: My Journey of Faith and Blessings by Pedro Camilo Simoes, SAC and Denise Mercado
Amazon Synopsis: Divine Threads: My Journey of Faith and Blessings is the life story of Father Pedro Camilo Simoes, SAC. Father Camilo, as he is best known, grew up in the Indian state of Goa. At a very young age, he responded to the call to become a priest. At that time, he was introduced to the Pallottine Fathers and began a long journey to his day of Ordination. Father Camilo’s story includes his service to the mission parishes in India as well as his nine-year tenure as a provincial for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province of the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers in Bengaluru, India.
Father Camilo has traveled extensively bringing the love, dedication, and support of the Pallottines to distant lands. Discover, through Father Camilo’s story, the history of the Pallottine Fathers and the impact they have on our world today.
Father Camilo presents a sense of gratitude, despite the many ups and downs of his life. In all things, he acknowledges the presence of God. Through his writing, you, too, will experience a sense of gratitude and recognition for God’s goodness.
My review: I’ve been assisting the authors in copyediting, formatting and proofreading this wonderful book. A wonderful faith journey by Fr. Pedro Camilo Simoes. Highly recommend!
Ephphatha Catholic Fiction for Modern Times by Philip J Martin
Amazon Synopsis: Coming June 13 from FQP! In Ephphatha, award-winning author Philip J Martin pushes society’s predispositions and worldly leanings to their logical end in fiction form. Whether mercy, truth, or redemption finds a heart to grapple with depends on the alcoholic, the professor, the grave robber, or the missionary, to name a few. A young boy suffers through life and love when his actions have the power to create a gravitational pull. A teenage girl naively thinks she’s in for the experience of a lifetime when her brother finds backstage passes under his chair at a country music concert. An elderly woman blinded by nostalgia has her life upended by a child. And, in the previously unpublished winner of the 2015 Tuscany Prize in Catholic Fiction, a fraternity brother’s pranks seemingly backfire until the old farmer makes his greatest move. From the beautiful to the absurd and the simple to the grotesque, these stories lay bare secular underpinnings and the modern topsy-turvy of vice and virtue through whatever means necessary.
Amazon Synopsis: ON NOVEMBER 22, 1963, THREE SHOTS RANG OUT IN DALLAS, PRESIDENT KENNEDY DIED, AND THE WORLD CHANGED. WHAT IF YOU COULD CHANGE IT BACK?
In this brilliantly conceived tour de force, Stephen King—who has absorbed the social, political, and popular culture of his generation more imaginatively and thoroughly than any other writer—takes readers on an incredible journey into the past and the possibility of altering it.
It begins with Jake Epping, a thirty-five-year-old English teacher in Lisbon Falls, Maine, who makes extra money teaching GED classes. He asks his students to write about an event that changed their lives, and one essay blows him away—a gruesome, harrowing story about the night more than fifty years ago when Harry Dunning’s father came home and killed his mother, his sister, and his brother with a sledgehammer. Reading the essay is a watershed moment for Jake, his life—like Harry’s, like America’s in 1963—turning on a dime. Not much later his friend Al, who owns the local diner, divulges a secret: his storeroom is a portal to the past, a particular day in 1958. And Al enlists Jake to take over the mission that has become his obsession—to prevent the Kennedy assassination.
So begins Jake’s new life as George Amberson, in a different world of Ike and JFK and Elvis, of big American cars and sock hops and cigarette smoke everywhere. From the dank little city of Derry, Maine (where there’s Dunning business to conduct), to the warmhearted small town of Jodie, Texas, where Jake falls dangerously in love, every turn is leading eventually, of course, to a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald and to Dallas, where the past becomes heart-stoppingly suspenseful, and where history might not be history anymore. Time-travel has never been so believable. Or so terrifying.
My review: I’ve already read this book two times and decided to read it again when I was unwell a few weeks ago. It’s a very long read, but well worth it.
I absolutely love this book. It has something for everyone: time travel, great characters, someone trying to stop the Kennedy Assassination, a love story, interesting plot. It’s a LONG read (900 pages), but after I finished the book the first time, I immediately ordered the DVD of the 2016 mini-series with James Franco. Highly recommend both the novel and the DVD!
My Grieving Hand: A Heavenly Way to Find Comfort in Loss by Keith Lilek
Amazon Synopsis: My Grieving Hand is a brief exploration into how to provide some comfort and perspective when someone close to you suddenly experiences the loss of a loved one. I found myself not knowing how to provide comfort and understanding to friends who suddenly and unexpectedly lost their child. I did not know what to say or do to ease their pain . . . or mine.
My Grieving Hand: A Heavenly Way to Find Comfort in Loss is my dive into the stages of grief, poetically and most gently exploring God’s plan to be better prepared to mentor anyone in need.
My review: I’ve been working with this author to promote his books from the Mentored from Above series. I highly recommend this beautiful book in which the author uses sonnets and stories to provide comfort and perspective when someone close dies. Check out Keith’s website at this link.
My Road Goes Ever on: Spiritual Being Human Journey by A.K. Frailey
Amazon Synopsis: My Road Goes Ever On Spiritual Being Human Journey (2nd Edition) by A.K. Frailey presents a collection of insightful and encouraging blog posts from the author. This book is a daily devotional style book, as the author blends articles that bring fresh inspiration for the day on life, love, and overcoming obstacles with faith. (CBM Christian Book Review)
My review: This is a beautiful collection of posts from homeschooling mom and author A.K. Frailey. Sometimes witty, sometimes heartwarming, these stories are perfect to read one per day or all of them in one sitting. Highly recommend.
Amazon Synopsis: First in a new series from bestselling author and famed O. J. Simpson trial prosecutor Marcia Clark, a “terrific writer and storyteller” (James Patterson).
Samantha Brinkman, an ambitious, hard-charging Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, is struggling to make a name for herself and to drag her fledgling practice into the big leagues. Sam lands a high-profile double-murder case in which one of the victims is a beloved TV star―and the defendant is a decorated veteran LAPD detective. It promises to be exactly the kind of media sensation that would establish her as a heavy hitter in the world of criminal law.
Though Sam has doubts about his innocence, she and her two associates (her closest childhood friend and a brilliant ex-con) take the case. Notorious for living by her own rules―and fearlessly breaking everyone else’s―Samantha pulls out all the stops in her quest to uncover evidence that will clear the detective. But when a shocking secret at the core of the case shatters her personal world, Sam realizes that not only has her client been playing her, he might be one of the most dangerous sociopaths she’s ever encountered.
My review: I prefer Clark’s non-fiction to her fiction. The story and characters are okay, but this book was hard to get into.
Without a Doubt by Marcia Clark and Teresa Carpenter
Amazon Synopsis: Marcia Clark takes us inside her head and her heart. Her voice is raw, incisive, disarming, unmistakable. Her story is both sweeping and deeply personal. It is the story of a woman who, when caught up in an event that galvanized an entire country, rose to that occasion with singular integrity, drive, honesty and grace.
In a case that tore America apart, and that continues to haunt us as few events of history have, Marcia Clark emerged as the only true heroine, because she stood for justice, fought the good fight, and fought it well.
My review: 25 years ago, I watched parts of the O.J. Trial and the verdict. By the time it was all said and done, I was tired of hearing about it. Since Simpson’s death a few weeks ago, this book came up as a suggested read. It was reasonably priced (5.99 for ebook), but at 700 pages, I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. Overall, it was an interesting read, although frustrating that the verdict came down to race. Justice wasn’t truly served and he got away with murder. This, despite all the blood evidence. Recommend.
May 10, 2024
Remembering Mom – #Free on #Kindle
In honor of my mother and Mother’s Day, I’m offering my book Remembering Mom for #FREE on #Kindle tomorrow, May 11 through Tuesday, May 14th. It’s usually 2.99 but will be free during those days.
Amazon Synopsis: In Remembering Mom, author Ellen Gable shares memories of her beloved mother, an unconventional woman who was often thrust into situations by necessity. She endured having to watch her first husband spiral into psychosis and schizophrenia, then have him be committed to a psychiatric hospital on the same day she was in labor with their fourth child. She worked from home typing back in the day when women didn’t have jobs other than homemaking. Her humor was quirky, and she had some strange sayings. She could swear like a sailor, but loved her Catholic faith. She wasn’t a perfect Catholic, nor was she a perfect mother, but she was devoted to her five children. After the death of her first husband, she remained strong for her young adult children, then eventually found love again and another opportunity for motherhood.
More about Mom here at this link.
Download the USA Kindle edition for FREE here at this link.
Download the Canadian Kindle edition for FREE at this link.
May 1, 2024
Open Book May #anopenbook
I’m joining Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. Here’s what I’ve been reading and working on for the past month.
Release Date May 13, 2024! Thirteen-year-old Will Donovan wishes he could enjoy his friends and trick-or-treating without the nuisance and responsibility of his talkative younger brother, Sam, tagging along. When Will’s wish comes true after finding a strange goblet in the attic, Sam suddenly vanishes into thin air through the attic wall, and Will is challenged to muster up the courage to travel to a strange world to save him. Fortunately, Will’s friends and characters they meet along the way won’t let him face this dangerous journey alone, as they end up confronting their greatest fears, deadly creatures, and an epoch battle between good and evil.
The Gray Apostle: Roman Justice by Colonel Edward J. Barr
Synopsis: In Ed Barr’s exciting sequel to The Gray Apostle: Mission of the Messiah, a powerful Roman Centurion and the High Priest Caiaphas join forces to track down and eliminate Jesus’ earliest disciples. The authorities worry that Christianity is a threat to Rome, so the new religion must be stopped!
Unfortunately for Emperor Tiberius, it is difficult to track the whereabouts of the 12 apostles. The Apostle Peter has a secret weapon: a surreptitious network of courageous young people that is willing to step out on faith to prevent bad things from happening.
My review: This is a compelling biblical novel with several historical characters and mostly fictional ones who are supported in “The Way” of Jesus Christ by a man known only as ‘the gray apostle.’ It’s the second in a series that begins with The Gray Apostle: Mission of the Messiah. Recommend. 4/5.
Totality by Brendan Lyon
Amazon Synopsis: What is man, oh Lord? And what do we owe God in receipt for our body and soul? As we barrel forward in medical and scientific progress, the answer trends increasingly toward ‘nothing.’
Enter the ‘switchover,’ the process by which a human being’s mind is transferred into a genetically perfected body, cloned specifically for them. Held up as the pinnacle of medical science by its creators and embraced by the insurance industry, more and more doctors and plans are making the process a prerequisite for care and coverage. But is the nation moving too quickly toward enshrining this emerging technology as vital to health care? And can such a radical process be rolled out so quickly without missing potentially damaging side effects?
These are the questions that plague Tim Plesac, the primary investor in the early stages of the switchover’s development and the very first successful human patient. It has been a decade since his switchover, but now that the widespread rollout of the process is on the horizon, he has begun to question not only the science but also the ethics. And as he delves deeper into these questions with help from his wife, Ali, the little voice in his head only grows…
Meanwhile, a strange new phenomenon has begun to plague the northeast corridor of the nation: a dozen experimental military time pods have been stolen, and suddenly people have begun to come back in time. Their mission: to kill their past selves. These ‘plurals’ appear, somehow driven mad in the future, with the intent to end their pain by never allowing it to begin. But why? What else could be motivating the attacks? And could there be a link to the looming switchover? Nick Jeffrey and his wife Hannah were content to ignore these questions until Nick comes face to face with a plural in his own office. And what this man from the future tells him will change his once simple life for good.
Totality is a gripping story of a divine mission perverted by earthly desire and the end result of the commodification of health care and human life.
My review: I thoroughly enjoyed this futuristic tale and debut novel by Brendan Lyons. My full review can be found at Catholic Mom. Recommend. 4.5/5.
Penny and the Stolen Chalice by Antony Barone Kolenc
Amazon Synopsis: Penny is a new sixth grader at a Catholic school, but she isn’t Catholic. So when the chalice is stolen from the altar during a school Mass, she doesn’t really understand what the big deal is. When her friend Jayden is accused of the theft, Penny teams up with him to find the real thief and recover the chalice. But what will she do when she finds out the shocking truth at the end of the trail of clues?
Fast-paced and filled with mystery, Penny and the Stolen Chalice will keep middle-grade readers guessing to the very end. As she finds clues with Jayden and her other friends, Penny, along with the reader, gains a deeper understanding of the Mass and the chalice’s place in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
My review: This is a wonderful middle-grade book that will inspire and teach kids about the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Recommend. 4.5/5.
18 Tiny Deaths by Bruce Goldfarb
Amazon Synopsis: In 18 Tiny Deaths, readers are transported to a time when forensic science was in its infancy, and a woman named Frances Glessner Lee emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Through meticulous recreations of crime scenes, Lee revolutionized the way investigators approached criminal investigations, forever changing the face of modern forensics.
Bruce Goldfarb’s impeccable attention to detail brings Lee’s compelling story to life, weaving together elements of history, science, and true crime. Discover how Lee’s determination and unwavering passion defied the norms of her era, paving the way for future generations of forensic scientists.
With a masterful blend of suspense and historical narrative, 18 Tiny Deaths captivates readers from the first page. Uncover Lee’s groundbreaking contributions to forensic science, from her creation of the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death―intricate dioramas that challenged investigators’ skills―to her influential role in establishing the Department of Legal Medicine at Harvard University.
This gripping account showcases Lee’s enduring legacy, shedding light on her profound impact on modern crime-solving techniques. Whether you’re a true crime enthusiast, a history buff, or simply intrigued by the remarkable accomplishments of extraordinary women, 18 Tiny Deaths is a must-read.
My review: This is a fascinating tale of the woman behind Modern Forensics, Frances Glessner Lee, who had no college education but wound up changing the face of forensic medicine. While it’s an engrossing story of her life and interesting on the whole, sometimes the writing is a bit dry. Recommend. 3.5/5.
Jellybean: A Baby’s Journey to God by Theoni and Bastian Bell
Synopsis: For families experiencing infant loss, this picture book shows the important role these babies still have for their families.
Little Jellybean, so nicknamed by her family, experiences an exciting world of sound and sensations inside her mother’s womb, encountering the voices and personalities of her loving family. Just when she has nearly outgrown her mother’s belly, a surprising visitor guides her to a new home.
There, Jellybean is given a mission to help her family find meaning in their loss and ultimately join her in the presence of God.
My review: This is a beautiful book for parents who’ve lost babies before birth. They can read this to their other children to help console them and to grieve. Babies who have been lost in miscarriage or other pregnancy loss are still a part of the family and should never be forgotten. Highly recommend.
April 3, 2024
An Open Book – April #anopenbook
I’m joining Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. Here’s what I’ve been reading and/or working on for the past month.
The Journey by Jim Sano
Synopsis: Coming May 13 from FQP!
Thirteen-year-old Will Donovan wishes he could enjoy his friends and trick-or-treating without the nuisance and responsibility of his talkative younger brother, Sam, tagging along. When Will’s wish comes true after finding a strange goblet in the attic, Sam suddenly vanishes into thin air through the attic wall, and Will is challenged to muster up the courage to travel to a strange world to save him. Fortunately, Will’s friends and characters they meet along the way won’t let him face this dangerous journey alone, as they end up confronting their greatest fears, deadly creatures, and an epoch battle between good and evil.
Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter by Catherine Doherty
Amazon Synopsis: A guide to entering into the mystery and celebration of Lent and Easter
Catherine Doherty leads us into the riches of God s boundless mercy as she teaches us the spirit, the liturgy, and the customs of the Lent and Easter season, including:
Practical guidance on preparing for the internal spiritual pilgrimage that is Lent.
Meditations on the meanings of the many holy days preceding and following Easter.
Traditions and customs which will help your family live the holiness of the Easter season.
After-dinner talks by Catherine Doherty, spiritual readings around the dining room table on the spirit, liturgy and customs of Lent, Holy Week, the Easter Triduum and Paschaltide.
Catherine speaks on such topics as how to Prepare for Lent; Why Fasting; The Motive is Love; Sin, Repentance, Conversion. Also on Palm (Passion) Sunday; Holy Week; Holy Thursday: Priesthood and Eucharist; Good Friday; Holy Saturday: Christ’s Descent into Hades; and Christ is Risen! Then Paschal time and Christ s Ascension, Pentecost. A rich tapestry of scriptural reflections and Customs and Traditions to bring it all to life!
Excellent for personal and group study.
A wonderful resource for preachers and teachers!
My review: I already included this last month, but it’s the Easter season so I’m including it again. This is a book I read/review every Lent and Easter. It’s filled with excellent information, spiritual reflections and customs for the season. Highly recommend. 5/5.
Roots of the Reformation by Karl Adam
Amazon Synopsis: Roots of the Reformation is a powerful summary of the issues that led to the Reformation and their implications today. Most Protestants understand the Reformation from only one perspective. As a Catholic, Karl Adam gives a historically sensitive and accurate analysis of the Reformation that stands as a valid and sometimes unsettling challenge to the presuppositions of Protestants and Catholics alike.
My review: Excellent book that includes a basic summary of the issues that led to the Reformation. It’s incredibly informative for both Catholics and Protestants alike. Highly recommend. 4.5/5.
Dreyer’s English by Benjamin Dreyer
Amazon Synopsis: We all write, all the time: books, blogs, emails. Lots and lots of emails. And we all want to write better. Benjamin Dreyer is here to help.
As Random House’s copy chief, Dreyer has upheld the standards of the legendary publisher for more than two decades. He is beloved by authors and editors alike—not to mention his followers on social media—for deconstructing the English language with playful erudition. Now he distills everything he has learned from the myriad books he has copyedited and overseen into a useful guide not just for writers but for everyone who wants to put their best prose foot forward.
As authoritative as it is amusing, Dreyer’s English offers lessons on punctuation, from the underloved semicolon to the enigmatic en dash; the rules and nonrules of grammar, including why it’s OK to begin a sentence with “And” or “But” and to confidently split an infinitive; and why it’s best to avoid the doldrums of the Wan Intensifiers and Throat Clearers, including “very,” “rather,” “of course,” and the dreaded “actually.” Dreyer will let you know whether “alright” is all right (sometimes) and even help you brush up on your spelling—though, as he notes, “The problem with mnemonic devices is that I can never remember them.”
And yes: “Only godless savages eschew the series comma.”
Chockful of advice, insider wisdom, and fun facts, this book will prove to be invaluable to everyone who wants to shore up their writing skills, mandatory for people who spend their time editing and shaping other people’s prose, and—perhaps best of all—an utter treat for anyone who simply revels in language.
My review: What I like most about this very thorough grammar/English book is that it’s entertaining as well as informative. Highly recommend. 5/5.
The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist
By Matt Baglio
Amazon Synopsis: The inspiration for the film starring Anthony Hopkins, journalist Matt Baglio uses the astonishing story of one American priest’s training as an exorcist to reveal that the phenomena of possession, demons, the Devil, and exorcism are not merely a remnant of the archaic past, but remain a fearsome power in many people’s lives even today.
Father Gary Thomas was working as a parish priest in California when he was asked by his bishop to travel to Rome for training in the rite of exorcism. Though initially surprised, and slightly reluctant, he accepted this call, and enrolled in a new exorcism course at a Vatican-affiliated university, which taught him, among other things, how to distinguish between a genuine possession and mental illness. Eventually he would go on to participate in more than eighty exorcisms as an apprentice to a veteran Italian exorcist. His experiences profoundly changed the way he viewed the spiritual world, and as he moved from rational skeptic to practicing exorcist, he came to understand the battle between good and evil in a whole new light. Journalist Matt Baglio had full access to Father Gary over the course of his training, and much of what he learned defies explanation.
The Rite provides fascinating vignettes from the lives of exorcists and people possessed by demons, including firsthand accounts of exorcists at work casting out demons, culminating in Father Gary’s own confrontations with the Devil. Baglio also traces the history of exorcism, revealing its rites and rituals, explaining what the Catholic Church really teaches about demonic possession, and delving into such related topics as the hierarchy of angels and demons, satanic cults, black masses, curses, and the various theories used by modern scientists and anthropologists who seek to quantify such phenomena.
Written with an investigative eye that will captivate both skeptics and believers alike, The Rite shows that the truth about demonic possession is not only stranger than fiction but also far more chilling.
My review: This is one of the best books I’ve read this year and is, for me, definitive proof of the evil that permeates our world today. Truth is usually “far more stranger than fiction but also far more chilling.” Although the movie was also excellent, I’d highly recommend reading this book as it’s better than the movie. 5/5.
Maniac: The Bath School Disaster and the Making of a Modern Serial Killer by Harold Schechter
Amazon synopsis: In 1927, while the majority of the township of Bath, Michigan, was celebrating a new primary school―one of the most modern in the Midwest―Andrew P. Kehoe had other plans. The local farmer and school board treasurer was educated, respected, and an accommodating neighbor and friend. But behind his ordinary demeanor was a narcissistic sadist seething with rage, resentment, and paranoia. On May 18 he detonated a set of rigged explosives with the sole purpose of destroying the school and everyone in it. Thirty-eight children and six adults were murdered that morning, culminating in the deadliest school massacre in US history. Maniac is Harold Schechter’s gripping, definitive, exhaustively researched chronicle of a town forced to comprehend unprecedented carnage and the triggering of a “human time bomb” whose act of apocalyptic violence would foreshadow the terrors of the current age.
My review: I found this book a compelling historical true story of how one man came to murder a school full of children and teachers, as well as himself and others. I read it in one sitting. If I could offer one criticism, it would be on the chapters about Charles Lindbergh and his flight across the Atlantic. As interesting as those chapters were, they were mentioned (I believe) because the event overshadowed the Bath school murders and really had nothing to do with the Bath school disaster. Recommend. 3.5/5.
Murder at Penwood Manor (Harwood Mysteries Book 3) by Antony Barone Kolenc
Amazon Synopsis: Xan and Christina embark on a journey to Harwood Abbey, where they reunite with their old friends, Lucy and Joshua. When a brutal murder occurs at nearby Penwood Manor, all evidence points to Laurence, a Crusader recently returned from the Holy Land. Unconvinced of the man’s guilt, Xan and his friends must act swiftly to solve the crime.
Who could have committed such a horrible killing, and is anyone safe?
Is Laurence tormented by demons, or is he haunted by some other secret?
And will Xan be forever changed by the choice Lucy and Christina present to him?
My review: This was a great story (and not just for teens!) I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it. 4.5/5.
March 13, 2024
An Open Book – March #anopenbook
I’m joining Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. Here’s what I’ve been reading and working on for the past month.
Season of Mercy Lent and Easter by Catherine Doherty
Amazon Synopsis: A guide to entering into the mystery and celebration of Lent and Easter
Catherine Doherty leads us into the riches of God s boundless mercy as she teaches us the spirit, the liturgy, and the customs of the Lent and Easter season, including:
Practical guidance on preparing for the internal spiritual pilgrimage that is Lent.
Meditations on the meanings of the many holy days preceding and following Easter.
Traditions and customs which will help your family live the holiness of the Easter season.
After-dinner talks by Catherine Doherty, spiritual readings around the dining room table on the spirit, liturgy and customs of Lent, Holy Week, the Easter Triduum and Paschal-tide.
Catherine speaks on such topics as how to Prepare for Lent; Why Fasting; The Motive is Love; Sin, Repentance, Conversion. Also on Palm (Passion) Sunday; Holy Week; Holy Thursday: Priesthood and Eucharist; Good Friday; Holy Saturday: Christ’s Descent into Hades; and Christ is Risen! Then Paschal time and Christ s Ascension, Pentecost. A rich tapestry of scriptural reflections and Customs and Traditions to bring it all to life!
Excellent for personal and group study.
A wonderful resource for preachers and teachers!
My review: This is a book I re-read every Lent and Easter. It’s filled with excellent information, spiritual reflections and customs for the season. Highly recommend. 5/5.
The End of Woman: How Smashing the Patriarchy Has Destroyed Us by Carrie Gress
Amazon synopsis: Feminism doesn’t empower women. It erases them.
The bestselling author of Theology of Home, Carrie Gress shows that fifty years of radical feminism have solidified the primacy of the traditionally male sphere of life and devalued the attributes, virtues, and strengths of women.
Feminism, the ideology dedicated to “smashing the patriarchy,” has instead made male lives the norm for everyone. After fifty years of radical feminism, we can’t even define “woman.” In this powerful new book, Carrie Gress says what cannot be said: feminism has abolished women.
Hulking “trans women” thrash female athletes. Mothers abort their baby girls. Drag queens perform obscene parodies of women. Females are enslaved for men’s pleasure—or they enslave themselves. Feminism doesn’t avert these tragedies; it encourages them. The carefree binge of self-absorption has left women exploited, unhappy, dependent on the state, and at war with men. And still, feminists cling to their illusions of liberation.
But there are real answers. Real answers for real women. Carrie Gress—a wife, mother, and philosopher—punctures the myth of feminism, exposing its legacy of abuse, abandonment, and anarchy. From the serpent’s seduction of Eve to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to Kate Millett’s lust, violence, and insanity to Meghan Markle’s havoc-ridden rise to royalty, Gress presents a history as intriguing as the characters who lived it. The answers women most desperately need, she concludes, are to be found precisely where they are most afraid to look.
Only a rediscovery of true womanhood—and motherhood—can pull our society back from the brink. And happiness is possible only if women are open to making peace with men, with children, with God, and—no less difficult—with themselves. For feminism’s victims, Gress is a welcoming voice in the darkness: The door is open. The lights are on. Come home.
My review: A friend of mine lent me her review copy. This is an outstanding book that takes the reader from early feminism in the late 1700s has grown to the radical feminism of the past 50 years with the illusion that feminism liberates women. Instead, nowadays, many people can’t even define what a woman is. This is a sobering look at our world and the negative effects it’s had on the average woman. “Only a true rediscovery of womanhood—and motherhood—can pull our society back from the brink.” I highly recommend this book. 5/5.
How Firm a Foundation by Marcus Grodi
Amazon Synopsis: Stephen LaPointe believed in Jesus. For him, the Bible was the only sufficient, firm foundation for his life. He wanted to obey God in all things and had given up a career to become an ordained minister. He loved to preach the Word and knew that one day he would stand before God, accountable for everything he preached. But there was one problem: how could he be certain that what he was preaching was true? Sara LaPointe never wanted this role, but she loved Stephen. So, through his encouragement and tutelage, she had become both an enthusiastic Evangelical and an effective pastors wife at least in the eyes of the congregation. But would the gnawing guilt of a past mistake a mistake she would never reveal to her husband ever let her go? And then there was Walter. He, too, believed in Jesus. He, too, loved the Bible and vowed to do whatever God called him to do. But what if this was the unthinkable?
My review: This novel has been on my To Do List forever. One of the proactive things I’m doing during Lent is to read more books and watch less TV. And I have to say this very pleasantly surprised me. The author’s use of omniscient POV is the only thing that distracted me as it felt a bit like head hopping (evening within the same paragraphs). As an author of ten novels and an experienced editor, I always encourage new authors to use third person limited POV. That way, we get to know the characters better and we can avoid the head hopping. However, this book kept me reading through over 500 pages, urging me on to find out what happens next. The story is excellent. For this reason, I highly recommend this novel written by Marcus Grodi, a former Presbyterian minister who converted to the Catholic faith. 4.5/5
Mortal Adhesions: A Surgeon Battles the Seven Deadly Sins to Find Faith, Happiness and Inner Peace
by John Sottosanti
Amazon Synopsis: Can money, power, and prestige sustain happiness? Can a surgeon trained in the scientific method believe in God when many friends and patients are atheists?
Relying on his intelligence and perseverance, at age forty-two, Dr. Sottosanti achieved the American dream—money, power, fame, and a clifftop house overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Finding himself mired in the Seven Deadly Sins (his “mortal adhesions”) and helpless to extricate himself, he cried out in despair, “God, if you are up there, all I want is inner peace.” And with that one submission, his life changed, resulting in a cascade of improbable and unbelievable events, culminating in a salvific miracle experienced in the tomb of a medieval saint during a pilgrimage on Spain’s Camino de Santiago. Faith, happiness, and inner peace followed. Readers will travel with him to learn life’s lessons in an inspiring, riveting, fast-paced memoir.
My review: I thoroughly enjoyed this surgeon’s life story and how he found inner peace through embracing his Catholic faith. Recommend. 3.5/5.
This is Your Last Warning: An Authoritative End of Days Timeline by Donna Silveira
Amazon Synopsis: This is a book that examines purported Marian apparitions and mystic visions where the messages discuss future events, scrutinizing them for their reliability. Using guidelines given by the Church in discerning valid from invalid apparitions, the book discusses the reasons some prophecies are invalid. The apparitions and prophecies from mystic visions which are highly reliable are then taken to form a timeline of the events we can expect to see if mankind does not turn back to God. The timeline spans from today, and some of the craziness we see in our world today, through an era of peace, and ultimately to the antichrist and Christ’s return on the last day. Combining accepted Church teaching and prophecies into a single narrative timeline, this “last warning” of what is to come is the compendium of the previous warnings.
My review: I enjoyed this book, which is incredibly thorough in examining Marian Apparitions. The author is careful not to include ongoing apparitions or apparitions that have not been approved by the Church. I understand why, but some of these ongoing apparitions might be true and so we’re not necessarily getting a complete picture. It’s an excellent read, though. Recommend. 3.5/5.
February 7, 2024
An Open Book February #openbook
I’m joining Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. Here’s what I’ve been reading and/or working on for the past month.
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression
Amazon Synopsis: The bestselling Emotion Thesaurus, often hailed as “the gold standard for writers” and credited with transforming how writers craft emotion, has now been expanded to include 55 new entries!
One of the biggest struggles for writers is how to convey emotion to readers in a unique and compelling way. When showing our characters’ feelings, we often use the first idea that comes to mind, and they end up smiling, nodding, and frowning too much.
If you need inspiration for creating characters’ emotional responses that are personalized and evocative, this ultimate show-don’t-tell guide for emotion can help. It includes:
The Emotion Thesaurus, in its easy-to-navigate list format, will inspire you to create stronger, fresher character expressions and engage readers from your first page to your last.
My review: I recently recommended this book to a new writer and became acquainted with it again. I used the first edition of this book extensively in my early years of writing. It’s excellent for beginning writers but also helpful to experienced writers. Highly recommend.
Inside the Atheist Mind: Unmasking the Religion of Those Who Say There Is No God
by Anthony DeStefano
Amazon Synopsis: “There is only one way to deal with bullies, even in this politically correct world—and that is to crush them.”
USA Today bestselling author Anthony DeStefano is tired of playing nice. After years of responding patiently and agreeably to the pseudo-intellectual arguments and tactics of today’s militant atheists, he’s had enough. In this entertaining, no-holds-barred retort to atheism and its proponents, DeStefano reveals the intellectual bankruptcy at atheism’s core and equips believers to respond to its hollow arguments.
A witty and devastating takedown of the “new atheist” position, Inside the Atheist Mind systematically debunks the theories of Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, and others, revealing how inconsistent, illogical, and frankly ludicrous their conclusions truly are. Poking fun at atheists in a clever and intelligent way, DeStefano demonstrates just how full of holes the new atheism is and reveals that it is actually a “religion” of its own, complete with a creed, a set of commandments and sacraments, and a rigid moral code with rewards and punishments. More than that, DeStefano exposes that atheism is itself a “superstition” of the worst kind.
Using irony and a healthy dose of playful sarcasm, Inside the Atheist Mind lampoons, teases, and deflates the atheist position, unmasking it for what it is–an empty, intellectually barren philosophy, devoid of any logic and common sense.
My review: Although the writing is sometimes a bit stilted, this is an excellent book that seeks to understand what’s in the atheist’s mind. Highly recommend.
Getting Back to God: Life Lessons in Story & Song by Keith Lilek
Synopsis: Many of us need a life coach to improve ALL our relationships but the most important is with God. This Mentored from Above collection of ten universally proven biblical lessons are uniquely written as audio and musical stories to lift your spirits and help you confidently lead your family in faith. Let this be the spark that ignites your flame! Compelling Audio coupled with multi-generational Pop, Rock, and R&B music will quickly become your favorites!
My review: I really enjoyed the unique and multi-faceted approach of book, sonnets, music and narration. The author’s sonnets, along with his storytelling, are delightful. Recommend.
