Pamela Q. Fernandes's Blog, page 22

September Giveaways

This September along with my own gritty women’s fiction, Painting Kuwait Violet, I’m sharing a few of my friend’s books too.

Last week I shared a list of Middle Eastern women’s fiction. But for those who won’t enjoy that genre here are a few more books in our “What lies behind the shadows” giveaway. It includes 57 mysteries and suspenses.

Here are a few covers to whet your appetite. If you want a free copy to read you can hop onto Bookfunnel. 

This will last up to October 15th, 2018

September Giveaway

Then there’s something for the romance readers too. In fact, this is a varied list, you will need to exercise some discretion depending on your romance taste. But it does include New York Times Bestselling Author Tricia O’Malley.

I’ve added Cinders of Castlerea to this romance list. If you’re keen on reading you can get this book on Instafreebie. So you should have enough of reading material to read from September through November. The romances will be available till October 31st, 2018.

September Giveaway

September is almost over and I hope you can find something you like to read from one of these giveaways. Do share these with other people. All these books are free and you can simply download and read them.

My only request is after you’re done reading, please share a review of the book on a booksellers site or Goodreads.  Reviews are what help authors get their books out there.

So happy reading to you.

 

 

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18 Middle East Women’s Fiction Books

My own women’s fiction PAINTING KUWAIT VIOLET set in the Middle East is out. To celebrate the release, I’ve compiled the best books set in the region that have ever been written.

Have you read any of them? Some will make you cry and others will tug at your heartstrings. Books set in the Middle East tend to be raw and offer a glimpse of life, most can scarcely imagine. You’ll either love these books or hate them if you don’t understand the culture.

And that’s the thing with books set in the Middle East, there are few happy stories. It’s as if there are no happy people. Everyone’s life has been touched by war. Generation after generation. The land is awash in blood. And yet there’s been no time to heal. Even though I’m tempted to read some of these books, I don’t think I’m ready to subject myself to the pain I’ve known. After all, me and my family fled the first Gulf War in 90 and I can tell you, those memories best stay buried.  So, even though these books are rich in prose and poetry, guard your heart lest it breaks over the fictional stories threaded with truths.

MORNINGS IN JENIN

Palestine, 1948. A mother clutches her six-month-old son as Israeli soldiers march through the village of Ein Hod. In a split second, her son is snatched from her arms and the fate of the Abulheja family is changed forever. Forced into a refugee camp in Jenin and exiled from the ancient village that is their lifeblood, the family struggles to rebuild their world.

Mornings in Jenin is a devastating novel of love and loss, war and oppression, and heartbreak and hope, spanning five countries and four generations of one of the most intractable conflicts of our lifetime.

 

Finding Nouf

Zoë Ferraris’s electrifying debut of taut psychological suspense offers an unprecedented window into Saudi Arabia and the lives of men and women there. When sixteen-year-old Nouf goes missing, along with a truck and her favorite camel, her prominent family calls on Nayir al-Sharqi, a desert guide, to lead a search party.

Fast-paced and utterly transporting, Finding Nouf offers an intimate glimpse inside a closed society and a riveting literary mystery.

 

 

 

 

EXIT WEST

WINNER OF THE 2018 LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE FOR FICTION and THE ASPEN WORDS LITERARY PRIZE.

Exit West follows these remarkable characters as they emerge into an alien and uncertain future, struggling to hold on to each other, to their past, to the very sense of who they are. Profoundly intimate and powerfully inventive, it tells an unforgettable story of love, loyalty, and courage that is both completely of our time and for all time.

 

 

 

 

Girls of Riyadh

 

Saudi Arabia – where marriages are arranged and there are no cinemas or parties to go to, where social life consists of trying to keep girls and boys apart rather than put them together.

But as Rajaa Alsanea reveals in this absorbing novel, that’s not the whole story: determination, mobile phones and the internet have made life easier for young Saudis, and the four girls in this novel are all finding romance even though mostly it goes badly wrong. Girls of Riyadh captures the trials and tribulations of a middle-class society quite unlike our own and blows the lid off all our preconceptions of Arab life.

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Dates in Basra

Jessica Jiji’s Sweet Dates in Basra is a compelling, poignant, and unforgettable tale of friendship and family, set in Iraq during the second world war. A dramatic departure from Jiji’s previous novel, Diamonds Take Forever, Sweet Dates in Basra brilliantly captures the atmosphere of a volatile Middle East during the previous century and pays tribute to the lost traditions of a once-idyllic world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Girl Made of Dust

A Girl Made of Dust is a sophisticated exploration of one family’s private battle to survive in the midst of civil war. In her peaceful town outside Beirut, Ruba is slowly awakening to the shifting contours within her household: hardly speaking and refusing to work, her father has inexplicably withdrawn from his family; her once-youthful mother looks so sad that Ruba imagines her heart must have withered like a fig in the heat; and Ruba’s older brother has begun to secretly meet with older boys who carry guns. 

A Girl Made of Dust is a coming-of-age story sparked, but not consumed, by violence and loss. This strikingly assured debut captures both a country and a childhood plagued by a conflict that even at its darkest and most threatening, carries the promise of healing and retribution.

 

 

 

 

The Blood of Flowers

THE BLOOD OF FLOWERS is a mesmerizing historical novel about a young Iranian woman whose destiny changes on the sudden death of her father. Forced to leave their village, the woman and her mother travel to the beautiful city of Isfahan, where they are taken in by an uncle, a wealthy carpet designer, and his unsympathetic wife. When an ill-considered action results in the heroine’s fall from grace, she is forced into an extraordinary secret marriage. Spirited and rebellious, she wants to be free to live a life her own choosing, if she can find a way.

 

 

Salt Houses

On the eve of her daughter Alia’s wedding, Salma reads the girl’s future in a cup of coffee dregs.Although she keeps her predictions to herself that day, they soon come to pass in the wake of the Six-Day War of 1967. Caught up in the resistance, Alia’s brother disappears, while Alia and her husband move from Nablus to Kuwait City. Reluctantly they build a life, torn between needing to remember and learning to forget.

When Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait, Alia and her family yet again lose their home, their land, and their story as they know it. Scattering to Beirut, Paris and Boston, Alia’s children begin families of their own, once more navigating the burdens and blessings of beginning again.

The Sand Fish

 The Sand Fish by Maha Gargash offers readers a fascinating glimpse into another corner of the world. Set in the 1950s in what is now the United Arab Emirates, The Sand Fish tells the poignant and powerful story of a rebellious young woman trapped in a repressive society—as richly atmospheric a look at Middle Eastern life and culture as The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and Alaa Al Aswany’s The Yacoubian Building.

 

 

 

Escape from Aleppo

 Nadia’s family is forced to flee their home in Aleppo, Syria, when the Arab Spring sparks a civil war in this timely coming-of-age novel from award-winning author N.H. Senzai.

Silver and gold balloons. A birthday cake covered in pink roses. A new dress. 

It is December 17, 2010: Nadia’s twelfth birthday and the beginning of the Arab Spring. Soon anti-government protests erupt across the Middle East and, one by one, countries are thrown into turmoil. As civil war flares in Syria and bombs fall across Nadia’s home city of Aleppo, her family decides to flee to safety. Inspired by current events, this novel sheds light on the complicated situation in Syria that has led to an international refugee crisis, and tells the story of one girl’s journey to safety.

The Story of Zahra

 Zahra’s mother uses her as a cover for her meetings with a lover; Zahra’s strict father mistreats her for being complicit in her mother’s affair. Fleeing from Beirut in search of solace, Zahra stays with her uncle in West Africa—and then uses marriage as another kind of escape.

Back in Beirut, love finally comes to her, but with terrible consequences. Banned in several Middle Eastern countries since its original publication, The Story of Zahra is an intoxicating, provocative story of a young woman’s coming of age in a city torn apart by war.

 

 

The Map of Salt and Stars

In the summer of 2011, just after Nour loses her father to cancer, her mother moves Nour and her sisters from New York City back to Syria to be closer to their family. In order to keep her father’s spirit as she adjusts to her new home, Nour tells herself their favorite story-the tale of Rawiya, a twelfth-century girl who disguised herself as a boy in order to apprentice herself to a famous mapmaker.

But the Syria Nour’s parents knew is changing, and it isn’t long before the war reaches their quiet Homs neighborhood. When a stray shell destroys Nour’s house and almost takes her life, she and her family are forced to choose: stay and risk more violence or flee across seven countries of the Middle East and North Africa in search of safety-along the very route Rawiya and her mapmaker took eight hundred years before in their quest to chart the world.  The Map of Salt and Stars is the epic story of one girl telling herself the legend of another and learning that, if you listen to your own voice, some things can never be lost.

Bitter Almonds

The Personal History of Rachel Dupree. He is orphaned at birth, born into displacement and chaos. He has only one thing to hold on to: a love beyond his reach that propels him forward. She is young and idealistic, and tries to break out of the mould to create her own destiny. Will they be able to overcome their bleak realities amid war and tragedy? Heartbreaking and moving, Bitter Almonds is about displacement and exile, family duty and honour, and the universal feelings of love and loss.

 

 

The Ruins of Us

 Saudi-born author Keija Parssinen’s stunning debut offers the intricate, emotionally resonant story of an American expatriate who discovers that her husband, a Saudi billionaire, has taken a second bride—an emotionally turbulent revelation that blinds them both to their teenaged son’s ominous first steps down the road of radicalization. Readers of The Septembers of Shiraz will be captivated by Parssinen’s story of love and betrayal, fundamentalism, family and country in the Middle East.

 

 

Staircase of a Thousand Steps

Staircase of a Thousand Steps lifts the veil from a mystical land, where jasmine and dung mix and the inconceivable is embraced as commonplace.

In a Middle Eastern village that traces its history back to Abraham, the men gather nightly beneath a tree named Moses’ Finger, and the women meet at a place where “the earth breathes.”

But the midwife Faridah possesses transcendent wisdom and a dangerous scorn for tradition. And the shepherd Harif, seer and village outsider, weaves stories in an effort to protect his fragile status. While Harif’s granddaughter, Jammana, struggles between the allure of the ancient world and the tensions of a modern age.

Through an ancestral gift, Jammana experiences the memories of those closest to her-Faridah, Harif, and her mother, Rafa. But as she unwittingly uncovers the village’s secrets, old grudges move like a slow burn across the fields and ignite.

Set in Transjordan just before the 1967 war with Israel, Staircase of a Thousand Steps braids a chorus of voices into a poetic, haunting tale of loyalty, longing, and accidental betrayal.

Drawing in the Dust

 Scorned for agreeing to help an Arab couple excavate allegedly haunted grounds under their house, archaeologist Page Brookstone finds what may be the tomb of the prophet Jeremiah, as well as the remains of a woman, and intriguing scrolls documenting their relationship.

 

 

 

 

Rooftops of Tehran

In this poignant, eye-opening and emotionally vivid novel, Mahbod Seraji lays bare the beauty and brutality of the centuries-old Persian culture, while reaffirming the human experiences we all share.

In a middle-class neighborhood of Iran’s sprawling capital city, 17-year-old Pasha Shahed spends the summer of 1973 on his rooftop with his best friend Ahmed, joking around one minute and asking burning questions about life the next. He also hides a secret love for his beautiful neighbor Zari, who has been betrothed since birth to another man. But the bliss of Pasha and Zari’s stolen time together is shattered when Pasha unwittingly acts as a beacon for the Shah’s secret police. The violent consequences awaken him to the reality of living under a powerful despot, and lead Zari to make a shocking choice…

The Saffron Kitchen

A passionate and timely debut about mothers and daughters, roots and exile, from the streets of Iran to the suburbs of London

In what is certain to be one of the most talked-about fiction debuts of the year, Yasmin Crowther paints a magnificent portrait of betrayal and retribution set against a backdrop of Iran’s tumultuous history, dramatic landscapes, and cultural beauty. The story begins on a blustery day in London, when Maryam Mazar’s dark secrets and troubled past surface violently with tragic consequences for her pregnant daughter, Sara. Burdened by guilt, Maryam leaves her comfortable English home for the remote village in Iran where she was raised and disowned by her father. When Sara decides to follow her she learns the price that her mother had to pay for her freedom and of the love she left behind.

PAINTING KUWAIT VIOLET

In 1996, a young graduate, Violet Baretto leaves Goa to work in oil-rich Kuwait as a maid for a wealthy Kuwaiti woman. To her horror, she finds herself accused of theft, her colleagues assaulted, thrown from moving cars or performing ‘favors.’

Sabah Dashti, the Kuwaiti matriarch can’t tell Violet the truth; nine of Sabah’s previous maids have absconded, five of them were found pregnant or that the police think she’s running a prostitution ring. Kuwait is still patriarchal and women are second-class citizens. Despite their differences, both Sabah and Violet are hungry for success. But a woman-hating, killer has set eyes on them and will not let them succeed at any cost.

Poignant, chilling and honest, Painting Kuwait Violet underlines the reality of women on either side of the country’s class divide.

Let me know if you have any happy/HEA women’s fiction titles you could recommend. I honestly felt quite sad as I compiled this list. Have a good happy women’s fiction set in the Middle East, leave a comment.

 

 

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36 Building A Vibrant Parish

“We should always look for people who have no one or know no one in the parish and reach out to them.” Patti Maguire Armstrong on building a vibrant parish.

Building A Vibrant parish

Patti Maguire Armstrong is a correspondent for  newspaper and the National Catholic Register, and works in marketing for Teresa Tomeo Communications. She is an award-winning author and was the managing editor and co-author of Ascension Press’ bestselling Amazing Grace series. Her latest books are: Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories From Everyday Families and Dear God, You Can’t Be Serious. She has appeared on EWTN, Catholic TV, Fox & Friends, and numerous radio programs across the country.

Patti Maguire Armstrong

Patti studied a year of journalism at University of Detroit, has a B.A. in social work and an M.A. in public administration, and worked in both those fields before staying home to work as a freelance writer. She and her husband met in the Peace Corps in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia. They now live in North Dakota where they are still raising the tail end of their 10 children.

In this episode, Patti Maguire talks to us about what building a vibrant parish involves.

She talks about:

-What a vibrant parish looks like

-How we need to get out of our comfort zones

-How God maybe calling us to do things in our parish.

This episode was sponsored by NOAH’S Event Venue. They rent out beautiful and spacious venues to church groups. Find out more about them here: www.NOAHSEventVenue.com/church

Building A Vibrant Parish

I enjoyed recording this podcast for a number of reasons. I reached out to Patti months ago during Temptation month since she’d written an article 10 points on fighting the devil. For some reason, the emails got mixed up and this month she reached out to me and I told her that we’re talking about vibrant parishes this month. She agreed to do the podcast. In total, I think we exchanged 21 emails. Phew. 

PAINTING KUWAIT VIOLET IS OUT NOW!

Painting Kuwait Violet is out! Yay! I’m so happy to share this news with you. We went through nearly six rounds of edits. My editor John De Boer was really kind and patient through the whole process. You might be familiar with the cover. I shared it with you all a while back.

Here’s the book.

You can purchase your copy from Amazon here. 

Here’s the blurb: In 1996, a young graduate, Violet Baretto leaves Goa to work in oil-rich Kuwait as a maid for a wealthy Kuwaiti woman. To her horror, she finds herself accused of theft, her colleagues assaulted, thrown from moving cars or performing ‘favors.’

Sabah Dashti, the Kuwaiti matriarch can’t tell Violet the truth; nine of Sabah’s previous maids have absconded, five of them were found pregnant or that the police think she’s running a prostitution ring. Sabah has no idea who’s responsible.

Kuwait is still patriarchal and women are second-class citizens. Despite their differences, both Sabah and Violet are hungry for success as it will give them a chance to live life on their own terms. Together they build a thriving business.

But a woman-hating, the killer has set eyes on them and will not let them succeed at any cost. Poignant, chilling and honest, Painting Kuwait Violet underlines the reality of women on either side of the country’s class divide.

Over the next month I’ll share more about why I wrote Painting Kuwait Violet. Why the issue of maids and abuse is so important and needs to be addressed in the Middle East.

I’ll share giveaways and prizes. I am giving away 50 review copies on Bookfunnel for just 1 month! I’d appreciate it if you could let me know what you think of the book. I do understand its a controversial subject and I’m hoping that people see this region with a fresh perspective.

I also want to thank the people who made this book possible in little ways. Samarpita Mukherjee who read this first and gave me developmental feedback. Also, Jill Storm who was my beta reader and told me me to keep all the food in the book. Carrie Pestritto for her advice on the market for this book. Kaelan Rhywiol who took my query and polished it till it sung! John, my editor,  who edited this book with a fine tooth comb, you deserve all the credit.

I agree it takes a village to publish a book. These were the people in my corner, who helped me in many ways. I hope you enjoy reading Painting Kuwait Violet as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I’m giddy about this release. There’s not been much fanfare about it as I hope to engage more than just my romance readers. Women’s fiction readers will like the hard hitting subjects here.

Give it a read and tell me what you think.

 

 

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Mother Teresa Being the Arms of Christ

“I challenge anyone who’s listening to this podcast, go to your parish and you’ll find there’s always a need!” Charles Johnston on being like Mother Teresa.

Mother Teresa on doing things with love.

Charles Johnston is a father and husband in Phoenix, Arizona. His conversion journey has taken years, as he felt God pulling him toward His Church but he resisted until he couldn’t take it anymore. He gave in and fell in love with His Church.  He blogs for ‘Now that I’m catholic.wordpress.com’.

 

 

In this episode, Charles talks about Mother Teresa and

-How she received her call within a call?

-Why she reached out to so many poor?

-How we can imitate her and be the arms and feet of Jesus

-What can we do in our own parishes?

This episode was sponsored by NOAH’S Event Venue. Find out more about them here.  They rent out beautiful and spacious venues to church groups. Find out more about them here: www.NOAHSEventVenue.com/church

MOTHER TERESA

This episode on Mother Teresa is part of this month’s series of Building Vibrant Parishes. And with her feast today, the 5th of September its wonderful to be able to share the life of this great saint. What was interesting was how Mother Teresa was influenced by another saint we’ve done before, St. Therese of Lisieux.

Mother Teresa responded to the call to serve where God called her. One of the best things about today’s podcast was where Charles talk about how you should spot a need and maybe respond to the call where God is calling you. Yes, you will meet rejection and pain, but keep at it. You will grow spiritually and find yourself a source of inspiration for many to follow.

He gives some examples of what it is like to serve and how you can start something in your own parish. If you need any inspiration, Mother Teresa should spur you on.

ENJOYED THIS PODCAST?

We hope you enjoyed this podcast. Check out our podcasts on Building a Good Marriage and Fellowship. If you liked this podcast, like us, leave us a comment and share our episodes on social media with those who may benefit from it. If there is a particular saint that you would like to hear about us, tell us and we’ll add him or her to our future episodes.

We are on iheartradio, Stitcher, Itunes, and tunein.com.

We’d love to hear from you. Please rate us so that our podcast reaches out to the people who need to hear it.

 

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34 Tips for Personal Prayer

“You’ll be surprised by how you’ll be blessed when you prioritize prayer time.” Pat Gohn on Personal Prayer.

Tips for Personal Prayer

Pat completed her  MA in Theology and Christian Ministry from Franciscan University of Steubenville (2008). She’s no stranger to writing or public speaking, as she got a BS in Communications from St. John’s University in New York (1982), and enjoyed several years in radio. Her favorite subject matter to teach and write about is the Catholic faith and its application to daily life.

She’s a speaker and offers retreats, primarily for women, yet not exclusively.  Her podcast, Among Women, is a program for Catholic women that celebrates their faith and life. Find it at AmongWomenPodcast.com. 

Pat Gohn

Her first book, for women, Blessed, Beautiful, and Bodacious, Celebrating the Gift of Catholic Womanhood, was published by Ave Maria Press. It introduces the feminine genius, focusing on the dignity, gifts, and mission of women. It won a Catholic Press Association Award in 2014.

Her second book, All In: Why Belonging to the Catholic Church Matters released in 2017 and it shares why she believe we can have confidence in what the Church teaches, and become more confident Catholics.

You’ll find her online and in print in Catholic Digest and Catechist magazines. She’s long contributed to online websites like the Catholic portal at Patheos, Catholic Mom, Catholic Lane, Catholic Exchange, Amazing Catechists, and elsewhere. Presently she’s the editor at Catechist magazine and Catechist.com. Pat’s married to Bob for 35+ years, and has raised three young adults.

This episode was sponsored by NOAH’S Event Venue. Find out more about them here.  They rent out beautiful and spacious venues to church groups. Find out more about them here: www.NOAHSEventVenue.com/church

PAT GOHN’S TIPS FOR PERSONAL PRAYER

I first read of Pat Gohn through her article on Personal Prayer. It certainly opened my eyes and I thought why not include it in our month on family prayer. It was really wonderful talking to Pat because she covered some amazing things like:

-Making an appointment with God

-Keeping your Bible close

-Praying with a spouse

-Turning off social media while praying

-Praying with children and teenagers.

They’re all fantastic points. And it drive homes one point: Prioritize Prayer.

Praying with a Spouse

I’m not married yet, but I watched my parents pray together every evening for most of their 34 years of marriage. And I was so impressed with Pat’s prayer relationship with her husband. Her advice about inviting your spouse to pray is so important. I honestly pray I can someday have this with my future spouse. Since my new prayer focus for the next decade is going to be praying for the institution of marriages globally I hope this is one thing you can start with your partners.

Personal Prayer with a Spouse

Praying with Children

Pat talks about praying on the spot with your children. I can’t stress this enough. My own mother used to do this especially when we were facing something difficult. She’d sit us down at three o’clock everyday even though we were fidgety and raring to go. I’ll never forget those times of prayer. Today I stop at three for my own prayers purely out of habit. Pat explains how you can stay in touch with the heart of your children through personal prayer. She talks about praying on the spot for them. And reiterates how you model prayer in your children.

Giveaway

Pat is giving away three copies of her book All In. You can contact her via pat.gohn@comcast.net, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIN.

ENJOYED THIS PODCAST?

We hope you enjoyed this podcast. Check out our podcasts on Building a Good Marriage and Raising Children of Character. If you liked this podcast, like us, leave us a comment and share our episodes on social media with those who may benefit from it. If there is a particular saint that you would like to hear about us, tell us and we’ll add him or her to our future episodes.

We are on iheartradio, Stitcher, Itunes, and tunein.com.

We’d love to hear from you. Please rate us so that our podcast reaches out to the people who need to hear it.
Become a Patron!

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Why I Write?

Why I write? I was sharing my query with an editor the other day and she asked me this question. And it got me thinking. Why do I write?

Why I write?

The last week has been painful. I’ve been reading a number of books and the angst in them drove me up the wall. I cried all week and couldn’t believe how grief and separation hurt me. I honestly believe books should be labeled HEA or non-HEA.

I for one read because I like happy endings, the main characters should triumph. Because life is sad enough as it is. It’s also made me vow to never read said authors again. I don’t like being played as a reader or being tricked, so that’s that. No more crying over book characters!

It also got me thinking why I write? Could I write a book that would make someone hurt so bad? Could I create such damaged people that there was no redemption and hope in them?

Why I write?

I write because its what I wanted to do. My dream.  As I’ve grown in writing and after 5 years of being at it, for the first time can call myself a ‘proper’ author. Now, I write because I want to entertain and maybe for the next five years, I’ll want to inform and teach.

When I wanted to simply be published, I was submitting for every journal, every competition and press that was free. That’s why you see I’ve got speculative fiction, literary shorts, fantasy shorts, and romance. And like a headless chicken I was all over the place.

Now as I define why I write, I realize that I can’t be writing everything. I’ve definitely started taking notice of my voice, my style, my brand (I still don’t have one) and the books I’m writing. I’m not writing as furiously. The last five months, I’ve written till my eyes were red, every vacant moment at it,  and with four books slated for this year, which I’m not sure will be out in time, I’m exhausted. Happy exhausted.

Painting Kuwait Violet’s proofread has just been completed. The second draft of Ten Reminders for the Grieving Christian is ready and is quite messy with red ink all over. I’ve submitted the copy-edit for Starting Over in Roane’s Fall Anthology. Wish Upon A Bollywood Star’s cover is being created as we speak. A Maiden Innings final edit is done. And the second book in the sports series will be edited. Its good to be busy and keep writing but I’m good tired in a way.

There’s also a whole bunch of other things happening. I’m pitching new work for the next year and we’re considering the audiobook version for Ten Reminders for the Single Christian Woman. Hectic.

But my books are all part of my effort to entertain, feel good books that are hopeful and cheery. That love is perennial and people can choose to love and live. I thought of writing angst and once I read other books, decided I wanted to infuse joy and make laughter part of my books.

Why do you write? Does it dictate the kind of books you write? Do you write to shock or entertain? And while we’re at it, what’s the cure for book grief, is there is such a thing.

 

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33 The Men of Virtue Crusade

“In my own personal life, praying the Rosary has brought a deep sense of peace.” Michael Skinner 

Men of Virtue Crusade

Michael Skinner is the author of Men of Virtue Rosary a special Marian devotion designed for men and their families.  Since its debut on October 7, 2016, Men of Virtue – and its tag line “There has never been a greater need for good men!” has grown in popularity across the world, as has been featured in the Catholic Review, Radio Maria USA, and EWTN.  The Men of Virtue podcast (available on iTunes) has been downloaded in 32 countries across the world and in 45 states in the U.S.

Michael Skinner

Michael is blessed with his wife of nearly 25 years and their three wonderful boys, and is inspired by Saint John Paul II’s declaration, “The future of humanity passes by way of the family.”

In this episode,  Michael Skinner, creator of the Men of Virtue Rosary. he talks to us about:

-Why males are spiritual role models?

-How important is it for us to pray together

-The five virtues that men have

– How the family is important for the progress of the Church

MEN OF VIRTUE PODCAST



This podcast is not just for fathers, you can share this with your sons, spouses, future spouses and encourage them to read and pray the Men of Virtue Rosary. The Rosary focuses on the virtues, zeal, courage, gallantry, humility, and loyalty.

If you want to find out more about the Men of Virtue Rosary Crusade please go to www.menofvirtue.podbean.com. You can also reach out to Michael Skinner via Twitter @ twitter.com/_MenofVirtue


ENJOYED THIS PODCAST?

We hope you enjoyed this podcast. Check out our podcasts on St. Paul and Raising Children of Character. If you liked this podcast, like us, leave us a comment and share our episodes on social media with those who may benefit from it. If there is a particular saint that you would like to hear about us, tell us and we’ll add him or her to our future episodes.

We are on iheartradio, Stitcher, Itunes, and tunein.com.

We’d love to hear from you. Please rate us so that our podcast reaches out to the people who need to hear it.
Become a Patron!

 

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Diamond Street Team Giveaway

You know what my book THE MILANESE STARS were all about? Pink Diamond! Actually, pink diamondsssss!

Yes all about pink diamonds or the Milanese Stars. Now, most of my readers know that with every release I usually create and giveaway some new merchandise.  And this time I’ve created Tshirts. They’re also for my street team. Since we had some kapow woman organizing a heist, I thought why not?

Here’s the Tshirt.

DIamond Tshirt Giveaway

How many Diamond Tshirts am I giving away?

5

And if that wasn’t enough, I’m also giving away a pink rhinestone necklace.

Rhinestone Necklace.

So what do you have to do to win?

Diamond Street Team Giveaway

It’s simple enough. Now if you want to know when my other giveaways are happening sign up to my newsletter. VIP and street team folks will get more giveaways. There’s so much more exciting stuff happening there.  I’ve kept it simple. No logging in, emails and doing stuff, just click or visit.

We’re building a street team of women and so if you win a Tshirt, I’d like for you to wear it and send me a picture. I can show it off to all my friends on Twitter and Facebook. Yay! Who knows next month I might give away something bigger.

Also watch out for more news. There’s so much happening behind the scenes that I can’t wait to share it with you guys.  Like my facebook page, tweet me if you have comments or leave some feedback down here in the comments section. I’d love to hear from you.

Winners to this giveaway will be announced on 14th September. Diamond Tshirts and the necklace will be shipped to 6 separate winners.  And this is open to all.  Share it with your girlfriends and pals.

If the message resonates and you have a specific group in mind I could even send these shirts to your health center or cancer awareness groups. Just write to me!

The post Diamond Street Team Giveaway appeared first on PAMELA Q. FERNANDES.

32 Seven Common Qualities of Pious Families that Produced Saints

“The greatest gift a father can give his children is to love their mother.” Bridget Costello on Raising Saints

7 Common Qualities of Pious Families that Produced Saints

Bridget Costello is young adult from Florida. Currently she serves as a parish administrator and youth minister. She is very active the pro-life movement, has a huge devotion to Our Lady, loves the Church and has a heart for the family. She is the co-founder of an apostolate called Travellers of the Holy Family.

Bridget Costello

In this apostolate she accompanies families and young people through catechetical and human formation. In order to help families become schools of life and love. Bridget is currently working on a degree in Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary.

HOW TO RAISE SAINTS?

In this episode, I talk to Bridget Costello about the Common Qualities of Pious Families that Produced Saints :

-What role does a family play in shaping saints.

-What are the seven qualities that families can develop to produce saints?

-How important is family prayer?

-Why the Rosary is such a powerful tool?

-How faith and love can be caught and not taught!

I enjoyed talking to Bridget where she explains about raising saints. She has imparted so many practical tips and advice that makes for a great listen. I loved when she said, “Any beautiful piece of sculpture has to go through fire.”

Her advice about setting a good example is so necessary in a world where our role models are limited. She talks about holiness being caught and not taught. This is a must listen for parents with children and those contemplating marriage. She has some real zingers in there the best of which is “Marriage is sacrifice. Its messy but its sacrifice.”

Bridget credits her own mother for giving them the devotion of the Rosary. Her mother has raised a saint in the making.

Bridget Costello on Raising Saints

Please also pray for Bridget who is getting her degree in Theology! You can find Bridget on Facebook. Or you check out her website.

Enjoyed this Podcast?

We hope you enjoyed this podcast. Check out our podcasts on St. Don Bosco and Raising Children of Character. If you liked this podcast, like us, leave us a comment and share our episodes on social media with those who may benefit from it. If there is a particular saint that you would like to hear about us, tell us and we’ll add him or her to our future episodes.

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The post 32 Seven Common Qualities of Pious Families that Produced Saints appeared first on PAMELA Q. FERNANDES.