Isabel Roman's Blog, page 17
April 15, 2014
#BookBlast The Unholy by Paul DeBlassie III
a Rafflecopter giveaway Paul DeBlassie III, Ph.D., is a psychologist and writer living in Albuquerque who has treated survivors of the dark side of religion for more than 30 years. His professional consultation practice — SoulCare — is devoted to the tending of the soul. Dr. DeBlassie writes fiction with a healing emphasis. He has been deeply influenced by the mestizo myth of Aztlan, its surreal beauty and natural magic. He is a member of the Depth Psychology Alliance, the Transpersonal Psychology Association and the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy.
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How I handled the research for the book. Actually it was more like The Unholy researched me, the story lingering in my mind and not settling until I was committed to the year’s long process of writing it. It went on and on in my mind, countless nights of seeing the scenes in dreams and nightmares that eventually became the narrative of The Unholy. So, then, it was very much like the muse researched me, saw into my level of insight, personal and professional experience, diligence, and willingness and then decided to give me the story. Of course, I followed up by jettisoning the story into the mythopoeic realm of Aztlan. This is a spiritual land of the mestizo, mixed blood, southwest. I wanted to take it out of the place of New Mexico and sensed the inspiration of the muse behind this. It was not a story that would permit itself to be trivialized by some thinking of it as a dramatized version of a single story in the literal place of New Mexico. The Unholy is a centuries old story told in such narratives as The Hunchback of Notre Dame and explored further in twentieth century venues such as School of the Sacred Beast by Yumi Takigawa in 1974 and the upcoming HBO documentary “Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God.” Overall, research into the mysteries of Aztlan held sway in this book as it became a voyage for me, something I grew up with but had never formally delved into. The Unholy gave me an opportunity to move into the mystic potential of the land, the people, stories lived, and lives forever changed. It has been a place of great suffering and tremendous transformation. Aztlan, the setting of my novels, remains an ongoing study in sense of place, inner meaning, horror, and archetypal energy.
Blurb: A young curandera, a medicine woman, intent on uncovering the secrets of her past is forced into a life-and-death battle against an evil Archbishop. Set in the mystic land of Aztlan, The Unholy is a novel of destiny as healer and slayer. Native lore of dreams and visions, shape changing, and natural magic work to spin a neo-gothic web in which sadness and mystery lure the unsuspecting into a twilight realm of discovery and decision.
Excerpt: Lightning streaked across a midnight dark sky, making the neck hairs of a five-year-old girl crouched beneath a cluster of twenty-foot pines in the Turquoise Mountains of Aztlan stand on end. The long wavy strands of her auburn mane floated outward with the static charge. It felt as though the world was about to end.

The girl leaned against the trunk of the nearest tree. The night air wrapped its frigid arms tightly around her, and she wondered if she would freeze to death or, even worse, stay there through the night and by morning be nothing but the blood and bones left by hungry animals. Her breaths became quicker and were so shallow that no air seemed to reach her lungs. The dusty earth gave up quick bursts of sand from gusts of northerly winds that blew so fiercely into her nostrils that she coughed but tried to stifle the sounds because she didn’t want to be noticed.
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Published on April 15, 2014 01:00
April 14, 2014
#Guest P.M. Carlson and The Maggie Ryan Series

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Audition for Murder
Blurb:
Actors Nick and Lisette O’Connor need a change. They leave New York City for a semester as artists-in-residence at a college upstate, where they take on the roles of Claudius and Ophelia, two of the professional leads in a campus production of Hamlet. Threats and accidents begin to follow Lisette, and Nick worries it might be more than just petty jealousy. Maggie Ryan, a student running lights for the show, helps investigate a mystery steeped in the turmoil of 1967 America.

Excerpt:
New York City, late 1960’s. Nick O’Connor put down the telephone, his broad, muscular body sagging a little. So she hadn’t been merely tired. Hell. He changed to worn jeans and his old leather jacket, and made a mean face at the mirror. Nick the hustler tonight. Man of a thousand faces, said his agent, and every one of them homely. A regular one-man Dickens novel. Nick headed out for the West Forties. The snow was not sticking much. It made the sidewalks shine darkly, splashed with gold and rose and white reflections from bars and street lamps, and pasted down scraps of paper that otherwise would be scuttling across the streets in the bitter wind. His way led past whores, pushers, tired old men huddled over warm grates. Without a hurt, the heart is hollow. No hollow hearts on this street. Franklin’s place was halfway down the block. A worn brass door handle, chipped paint. Nick wiped a few snowflakes from his thinning hair and pushed through the crowd to the end of the bar. In a moment the bartender, black, with a trim mustache, had worked his way down to him. “Hey, man, where ya been?” “Is she here, Franklin?” “Been here for hours.” “Yeah, I was working tonight. I just heard.” “She said she got fired.” “Hey, we can’t all be self-employed minority success stories.”Franklin chuckled. “You watch your honky mouth.” He went off to break up a loud argument about whether or not the Vietcong were winning, served a whisky, and returned to Nick. “Room 6B,” he said.

Buy link for all the Maggie Ryan books
Published on April 14, 2014 01:00
#BookBlast A Baby For Easter by Noelle Adams

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.
Noelle will be awarding the following prizes via the Rafflecopter at the end of this post:
* One winner will receive a $25 GC to Amazon or BN
* Two winners will receive signed paperbacks of Married for Christmas and A Baby for Easter
* Ten winners will receive their choice of ebook of any title from Noelle’s backlist.
Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
ABOUT THE BOOK: Alice Grantham lost her fiancé and her job, so she’s had to come home to Willow Park to live with her parents. To recover some sense of independence and security, she’s cobbled together different part-time jobs, including one as assistant to the pastor of her hometown church. Nothing seems to be going right for her. Even Micah, the pastor’s brother and the first boy she ever loved, is standoffish with her now.
Micah has always been a prodigal son, but now he’s trying to put that lifestyle behind him. Then a five-month-old daughter he never knew existed is dropped on his doorstep, the result of one of his many one-night stands. He needs help from Alice to care for his daughter, but he can’t let himself hope for anything more from her than that. He can’t help but want it, though…
Enjoy an excerpt:
Now, however, Alice was regretting her random impulse to put on a skirt that morning, since she was on her knees in front of the bookshelves, putting the last of the commentaries back in place.
At least no one was around to see her undignified position, with her skirt pushed up to her thighs to give herself freedom to move.
“Daniel,” a voice came from outside the office. “Daniel!”
She recognized the voice, but he was in the office before she could move or pull down her skirt. She froze as she looked over her shoulder, befuddled by Micah’s sudden appearance.
He seemed equally startled to discover her on the floor, after his eyes scanned the room for his absent brother. “Oh,” he said, standing in the doorway.
It took her a minute to pull herself together, but when she did she managed to smile. “He went to the hospital to see Mrs. Cooper.”
“Oh.” Micah was such a self-assured man that it was strange to see him so stumped.
Then there was a different sound in the office. It took Alice a few seconds to even identify it. It was so unexpected that she was sure it wasn’t right.
It sounded like a baby whimpering.
Finally, her eyes drifted down to something Micah was holding. A baby carrier. A baby carrier.
“Is that a baby?” she asked, her voice hoarse with surprise.
He looked down at the carrier as if he’d forgotten he held it. “Yeah.”
She scrambled to her feet, rather clumsily, and hurried over to look at the baby as he set the carrier on Daniel’s desk, right on top of the printed copy of sermon notes for Sunday.
She peered into the carrier and saw the baby—maybe four or five months old—wearing a pink sleeper. Her eyes were blue and grumpy, and her whimpers were quickly turning louder.
Instinctively, Alice reached out for the girl and pulled her up to rest against her shoulder, patting her back in a comforting manner.
Alice had always liked kids. She’d never had baby-fever, but she certainly knew what to do when one was starting to cry.
“What are you doing with her?” she asked Micah, who’d been staring at the baby with that same glazed look of bewilderment.
“I…I don’t know.”
“Well, whose is she?” Surely this baby hadn’t dropped from the sky into the back of Micah’s truck.
His features twisted slightly—maybe anxiety, maybe disbelief. “That’s the thing. I think…I think she’s mine.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn’t stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
Social Media:
Website: http://noelle-adams.com/Home_Page.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoelleAdamsAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoelleAdams3
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6572847.Noelle_Adams
Book Trailer for A Baby for Easter:
http://youtu.be/HkL8asd5StU
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A Baby for Easter will be offered at a special release price of $.99 through Easter day! Regularly priced at $2.99.
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Published on April 14, 2014 01:00
April 8, 2014
#BookBlast: Second Chance Bride by Trish Morey @MoreyTrish

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Trish will be awarding a $20 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour. Remember, the more you comment, the better your chances to win.
Scarlett Buck has always been flaky in comparison to her sensible twin sister Tara, so nobody is really surprised when Scarlett spends all her money on a one way ticket to Australia to be with the man she’s met on the Net. But she hasn’t reckoned on the guy already being married, or her mom getting sick, and now she needs money for a flight home to Marietta, MT—quick. Signing on with Bella's Belles in Kalgoorlie isn't be the proudest moment in her life but it will get her home fast. After all, it's just sex.
Or is it?
Mitch Bannister's ex is about to marry his best friend, and he could really do with a cold beer and a hot woman. But the cowgirl he takes a shine to at Bella's is surprisingly skittish, and in the end he leaves without hooking up.
Later, when Mitch spies the cowgirl in the local pub begging for a job, he shrinks into the shadows--he's not looking for complications, and something tells him that Scarlett Buck is a whole handful of them. But soon it's clear she's not just trouble, she's in trouble, and like it or not, he's not about to turn his back on this stray from the States. Especially if she can do him a favor in return. After all, it's just a helping hand.
Or is it?
Now enjoy an excerpt:
“You look amazing,” he said, and it wasn’t his words that warmed her through and through, it was the husky quality to his Aussie drawl and the raw heat in his eyes. If she’d had any qualms that he was dressing her to make his ex feel bad, they were banished before they could take root. He was dressing her for him.
She’d never thought blue was a warm color, not until now, not until she’d felt this slow, warm glide of his eyes over her form leaving a smoking trail of heat.
So sex wasn’t part of this deal?
Didn’t mean it wasn’t going to happen.
Shoes and accessories were next. He took his time, not rushing and not checking out the sale items like she was, but going for top shelf every time.
She wondered whether he was as attentive a lover as he was a shopper.
And then she remembered that first encounter in Bella’s, and the hot stroke of his tongue against her breast.
Oh yeah!
USA Today Bestselling Author, Trish Morey has written thirty romances for the internationally bestselling Harlequin Presents line and her stories have been published in more than 25 languages in 40 countries worldwide, including being published in Manga comic book form in Japan, and as Trish Moreyova in the Czech Republic. Trish was awarded Romance Writers of Australia’s Romantic Book of the Year Award (the Ruby) for short, sexy romance In 2006 and again in 2009, as well as being a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA Awards in 2012.
A qualified Chartered Accountant by trade, Trish was employed as financial manager at a major business school prior to her first sale.
Trish lives with her husband, 4 daughters and assorted menagerie in the beautiful Adelaide Hills.
Author links:
Website: http://www.trishmorey.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trish.morey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MoreyTrish
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Trish-Morey/e/B001H6WU8G/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1396183952&sr=8-2-ent
BN Author Page: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/trish-morey
Tule Publishing page: http://tulepublishing.com/product/second-chance-bride/
Published on April 08, 2014 01:00
April 7, 2014
#BookBlast Sweet Callahan Homecoming by @Tina_Leonard


Tina will be awarding one $25 Amazon GC to TWO randomly drawn commenters during the tour.
Blurb:Will Ashlyn Callahan finally find her magic? The last Callahan rides in the exciting conclusion to the bestselling series, The Callahan Cowboys!
Four Babies—and Her Whole Family—to Protect
Ashlyn Callahan has always known that her fate can only bring danger to those she loves. That's why she flees Rancho Diablo—and the ornery cowboy she loves—to hide out in Texas Hill Country. But all hell breaks loose when Xavier Phillips finds her…and her four newborn babies.
Xav finally tracks down his warrior woman—only to discover she's the mother of two perfect little boys and two perfect little girls. And he's the father! Now Ash has to marry him. With the future of Ash's entire clan at stake, Xav is ready to lay his life on the line to safeguard the family legacy. Not to mention create a homecoming—and a wedding!—worthy of his Chacon Callahan bride!
Excerpt:

Sometimes it felt as though they were losing. It almost always seemed as if they might not ever defeat an enemy that was determined to destroy the ranch and the Callahan legacy. Good didn’t always conquer evil.
Ash knelt down to move Xav’s long, ebony hair out of his face. “Poor Xav. I could have told you that you should stay away from me.” The tree twinkled, sending soft colorful light against his drawn skin. “What am I going to do with you now?” she asked him, though she knew she wouldn’t get an answer.
She was startled when he opened his eyes. “Marry me,” Xav said. “You can marry me, damn it, and tell the woman with the wrought-iron Santa Claus she whaled upside my noggin that I come in peace.”
“Xav!” She wanted to kiss him so badly, yet didn’t dare. Of course his marriage proposal wasn’t sincere; clearly a concussion rendered him temporarily senseless. “Can you sit up? Mallory, will you get him a glass of water?”
“Who is he?” Mallory asked, reluctantly setting down her festive weapon.
“Just a family friend,” Ash said, her gaze on Xav as his eyes locked on hers.
“Friend my ass,” Xav growled. “Do you have any idea how hard it was to find you? Do friends search every nook and cranny of Texas and parts in between to find each other?”
“Definitely a concussion,” Ash said, frowning at the big handsome man, all long body and sinewy muscles. “I’ve never heard him talk like that.”
Where to Buy: AmazonBarnes and Noble
Published on April 07, 2014 01:00
April 1, 2014
#BookBlast What a Bride Wants by Kelly Hunter

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kelly will be awarding a $20 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour. Remember, the more you comment, the better your chances to win.
What a bride wants…
Ella Grace Emerson adores her father, but he keeps trying to marry her off to every eligible rancher in Montana. When he puts an ad in the paper on her behalf – for a docile house-husband – Ella retaliates with one of her own, pinned to the noticeboard of the local saloon. No husband required, housebroken or otherwise. What she wants is the perfect lover.
What a bride needs…
Newcomer Cam Sawyer is perfectly willing to tear up the sheets with Ella and be her partner in chaos. She wants a bad boy and he’s had experience aplenty. But what she really needs is a strong and loving partner, and until Sawyer stops running from his past he can never be that.
Sawyer’s the one Ella wants. But can he be the man she needs?
Now enjoy an excerpt:
Jo snatched for the Copper Mountain Courier at the same time Ella did. Ella got there first and wore Jo’s slender body slamming up against her side a heartbeat later.
“Oh, look,” Jo said helpfully. “A picture of you. And it’s a good one.”
“Color too,” Mardie pointed out. “Only colored ad on the page. Makes it pop.”
“Make it stop,” muttered Ella as Mardie hastened away, trying to disguise her smile.
The heading on the ad was arresting.
DOCILE HOUSE HUSBAND WANTED
They read in silence. Moments later, Jo’s hand crept up to cover her mouth.
“If you laugh—” Ella threatened darkly. At which point her sweet and ever loving childhood companion did a mighty fine impression of someone about to cough up a cow.
It was a full one minute and thirty-seven seconds before Jo could even speak. “I’m not laughing. I was choking.”
“Have you read down further?”
Jo nodded vigorously. “I particularly like the bit about him needing to be able to cook, clean, iron, keep a tidy house, and raise well-mannered, obedient children.”
“And the rest?”
“Well, who wouldn’t want a man who’s committed to due diligence, the greater good, and sparkling silverware?”
Ella drained her drink in one long swallow and signaled for another. “I’m going to kill him.”
Accidentally educated in the sciences, Kelly Hunter didn't think to start writing romances until she was surrounded by the jungles of Malaysia for a year and didn't have anything to read. Eventually she decided that writing romance suited her far better than throwing sterile screw-worm flies out of airplane windows, and changed careers.
Kelly now lives in Australia, surrounded by lush farmland and family, 2 dogs, 3 miniature cows, a miniature pig, a 3-legged cat and a small flock of curious chickens. There are still flies, but their maggots don’t feed on flesh. Bargain.
Kelly is a USA Today bestselling author, a three time Romance Writers of America RITA finalist and loves writing to the short contemporary romance form.
Visit her at www.kellyhunter.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelly.hunter.73307?ref=tn_tnmn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KellyHunterova
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Hunter/e/B0034PYXL0/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1395350607&sr=1-2-ent
Barnes and Noble author page: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/kelly-hunter
Published on April 01, 2014 01:00
March 31, 2014
#BookBlast:Knight in the Forest of the Pons by @JoshuaHeights

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Joshua will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card and a digital copy of the book to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
Blurb:
Prepare yourself for a magnificent journey… Nassor Wickem, leader of the Knights of Sperenza, has been in many battles, with two headed dragons, with beasts that creep and crawl, and with fierce lions who have pierced his flesh in death brawls. But after learning that his beautiful daughter has been stricken by a terrible brain syndrome, his body trembled and his nerves shook like never before. The brave Knight, hell-bent on slaying and saving the day, tries everything he can to cure his daughter. However, with the help of a mysterious Shaman, he quickly comes to terms that in this battle, love, not the sword, is the weapon of choice.

With a long horrifying roar and four short grunts, in a language only dragons could understand, Rahu gives the order to his militia of monsters to drink from the ice-covered lake and give respects to their fallen queen. At this point, the dragons lap at the ice with their hot forked tongues causing a velvet-like vapor to form above the languid lake. As the chilled water flowed down the dragons throats, it placed those Moon Eaters in a spell, making them unaware of anything for about twenty seconds, but long enough for Nassor and his Warrior Knights, choked with anxiety, to wallop those abominable aliens.
NOTE: THE BOOK IS FREE ON AMAZON FOR THE DURATION OF THE TOUR.
Amazon
Published on March 31, 2014 01:00
March 25, 2014
#BookBlast The Blood That Cries in the Ground by Gregory Bellarmine @VRevGB

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Blurb:
Italy. A tough master of novices, Father Dante encounters the bold young priest Antonio who challenges his identity and accuses him of being the Saint Nicholas. But despite the Father faking his death, a determined Antonio discovers a rather alive Dante arrayed in kilt and armor.
In return for Antonio’s silence—and to protect the town from attracting all manner of darkness—Dante agrees to tell his life story. Without explanation, Dante orders Antonio to meet him at night in the abandoned Cathedral, the site of a former battle that the Church has kept secret for a generation.
Until today.
The Criskindl. Ice Steeds. The Unborn. Saint.
From the Dark Ages’ when Poet-Sorcerers ruled kings, to the Holy Land when a new civilization was rising, to Revolutionary France where love is lost and gained, Father Dante pursues the one responsible for both his master and his mother’s deaths: Black Peter, his brother.
Excerpt:
From effulgent smoke came forth a dark man of such height that his head grazed the broken frame. Straight jet hair fell to his narrow waist, and from each hip hung a curved, empty scabbard. The flaming scimitars crackled in his gauntleted fists.
Liquid fire burned in eyes that rejected fear. Garbed in shades of black, from hose and metal gloves to chest armor, the intruder moved forward like a shadow stealing across a barren heath. He hovered a dangerous pace from the midwife. And when he spoke, though his breath had the scent of lilacs his voice had the timbre of fine-tuned rage:

"I thank you graceful Lady for your months of natal torture, and I do hope that in time you forgive what will surely cause you terrible grief." His fiery stare fell on the child cradled in the midwife's arms. "I can't tell you how happy I am to see you again. The husk is different." He sniffed the air. "But the vapors, they're yours."
The midwife shook her head, rose from her stool, and fished inside her skirt pockets. Swiftly the intruder brought down one of his scimitars to sever the umbilical cord.
Where to BUY: Amazon.com
Kindle
“The Blood That Cries in the Ground will grab the reader by the throat with a death grip from which it is impossible to break free.” -Reviewed by Bil Howard for Readers' Favorite
Link to the full review: http://readersfavorite.com/book-review/13394
Published on March 25, 2014 01:00
March 21, 2014
#BookBlast: Cold Day in Hell by @JerrieAlexander

But the characters went with her, talked to her, and insisted she share their dark, sexy stories with others. She writes alpha males and kick-ass women who weave their way through death and fear to emerge stronger because of, and on occasion in spite of, their love for each other. She likes to torture people, make them suffer, and if they’re strong enough, they live happily ever after.
The author of THE GREEN-EYED DOLL, THE LAST EXECUTION, SOMONE TO WATCH OVER ME, and HELL OR HIGH WATER, book 1 in the Lost and Found, Inc. Jerrie lives in Texas, loves sunshine, children’s laughter, sugar (human and granulated), and researching for her heroes and heroines.
Social media links:WebsiteBlogTwitterFacebookGoodreadsPinterest

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blurb:
Ex-Army Ranger Tyrell Castillo's first mission for Lost and Found, Inc. goes awry when his contact is kidnapped, and he's left scrambling for weapons and explosives. He'll have to blow up a drug cartel's compound, rescue the woman, and keep her safe while they cross the sweltering hot Colombian jungle.

The cartel leaves a trail of blood on their hunt for Ty and Ana. When Ty receives the order to kill the drug lord with extreme prejudice, he and Ana will face the enemy head on. Can Ty protect the woman who's hell bent on vengeance? The woman he's grown to love?
Excerpt:
He didn't have time to reason with her. And from what he'd seen so far, sweet-talking her was out. "I'm going to remove my hand. If you fight me, I'll tie and gag you. Got it?"
This time he got a full nod. The expression behind her eyes made him doubt her honesty.
"I don't have time to argue, so you'll have to trust that I'm the contact you were supposed to meet in Bogota." Cautiously, he lifted two fingers from her lips and waited to see if she complied.
"I know who you are," she hissed. "And you've ruined everything."
"Me? I think you've cornered the market on screw-ups." He quickly assessed her condition. Other than the bruise, she appeared to be unharmed. Long dark hair fell around her shoulders. She wore jeans and a T-shirt. All she needed was shoes, preferably a good pair of boots.
Damn, she was a little thing. Beautiful, bruised, and pissed. Protecting her as they crossed the sweltering jungle wasn't going to be easy. This woman was going to make the next few days a living hell.
Where to Buy: Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Published on March 21, 2014 01:00
March 19, 2014
#BookBlast: Patroit Priest by Patricia Daly-Lipe

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Patricia will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to one randomly drawn commenter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour. Remember, the more you comment, the better your chances to win.
Patriot Priest tells one man's personal experience over several epochs and areas of history. It is also, in part the story of one unique individual, author Patricia Daly-Lipe's great uncle, Msgr. William A Hemmick. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, and raised in Europe, he became fluent in five languages. When the First World War broke out, he felt committed to help the troops. After the war, he was proclaimed the Patriot Priest of Picardy by the Army and Navy. After years spent in Paris, William Hemmick was asked by the Vatican to come to Rome. Ultimately he became the only American Canon of St. Peter's representing the Knights of Malta to the Holy See.
It was he who performed the nuptials of American film star Tyrone Power and Linda Christian. He also converted the future Queen Astrid of Belgium.
Enjoy this excerpt:
Only a few months after entering the American College, William became quite ill. Physicians were called. After checking the boy carefully, they proceeded to give him sad news. William had contracted tuberculosis of the most virulent sort and could not expect to live more than a couple of months. Of course, he wanted to leave for home immediately.
The Rector, Dr. Kennedy, arranged, however, that he should have an audience with the Holy Father (Pope Pius X) before he left. Dr. Kennedy himself took young William to the Vatican and, having first told the Pope in private of the circumstances of the case, the student was ushered into the Pope's chambers.
The Pope smiled at him tenderly as the young man knelt to kiss the papal ring. Then he lifted his chin, looked him straight in the eye and, very reassuringly, advised the young man, "Don't worry at all now."
William looked up at the Pope's smiling face in disbelief.
"You are going to be all right. Go home and get rested and well."
Then the Pope placed his hand on William's head and said, "One day you will be back here."
The ailing young seminarian would not have dared to hope at that moment the Holy Father was speaking the truth. However, he was.
Soon after he returned to America, William's health improved. Although his convalescence was long, he was finally able to resume his priestly studies at Mt. St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, followed by six years at Catholic University in Washington, DC.
About the Author:

Although born in La Jolla, California, Patricia spent equal time in Washington, D.C., home of several generations of her mother’s family.
She has taught at colleges and writing centers, written for magazines and newspapers (including the Evening Star in Washington, DC, La Jolla Village News, The Georgetowner andUptowner), and her paintings have been accepted and sold in Juried shows, art galleries, and private homes. Two of her books feature her paintings on their covers. Patricia served as President of both the La Jolla and DC Branches of the National League of American Pen Women. Patricia now lives in Virginia with her husband, Dr. Steele Lipe, three dogs, three horses, and two cats. For years, Patricia raised, raced, and showed Thoroughbred horses. Now she rescues them. She is the mother of three and grandmother of six children.
Buy the book at Amazon.
Published on March 19, 2014 01:00