When introducing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy in her book, Blessed Are You, author Melanie Rigney writes, “Both types can come free and easy … or hard and challenging” (Franciscan Media, 2016, p. 66). This immediately made me think of the healthy benefits of exercise. I can stroll […]
CWG Book Blast: “Broken Brain, Fortified Faith,” by Virginia Pillars
This month, the Catholic Writers’ Guild is touring Guildie Virginia Pillars’ book, “Broken Brain, Fortified Faith: Lessons of Hope Through a Child’s Mental Illness.” It is a CWG Seal of Approval winner! Broken Brain, Fortified Faith is the story of one family’s journey through schizophrenia, navigating the uncharted waters of mental […]
The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch, by T.M. Gaouette
At age ten, Benedict carries massive chips on both shoulders. Having passed from bad foster homes to worse, he dreads the uncertainty of new surroundings and new rules. When he arrives at The Sunshine Ranch, he doubts the sincerity of his new foster parents, David and Martha Credence and […]
CWG Book Blast: “In The Footsteps of St. Thérèse – How To Be Single But Not Alone,” by Teresita “Terri” Ong
This month, the Catholic Writers’ Guild is touring Guildie Teresita “Terri” Ong’s book, “In The Footsteps of St. Thérèse – How To Be Single But Not Alone,” It has the CWG Seal of Approval. Her book is about the “little way” of St. Thérèse, whose footsteps are presented as an answer to […]
Turning in Circles, by Michelle Buckman
Within a sleepy farm community along the South Carolina coast, two families coexist. The Thaines and their neighbors enjoy hard work, hospitality, horseback riding, pie, ice tea, kittens, and each other. The Darlingtons favor extortion, white privilege, domination, abuse, dog fights, and freedom from the consequences of their nefarious activities. […]
It’s Perfect – Not!
By Janice Lane Palko It was Father’s Day weekend thirty-one years ago. Married only a couple of years, my husband and I had moved into our first house that previous January. We’d spent that spring painting, wallpapering—the things you do to get a home into shape. On Saturday of that […]
The King’s Prey, by Susan Peek
Terrible but true, Princess Dymphna flees Daemon, her father who, in his madness believes her to be his late wife, Odilla. He demands that Dymphna marries him. With the aid of her confessor and a few companions, Dymphna flees across Ireland and eventually reaches Belgium. Susan Peek stays true to […]
The Extraordinary Powers of the Catholic Priest–Imparting the Apostolic Pardon
My wife, Marty, passed away on March 27. Some of you may have seen my posts over the past few years about her ongoing battle with cancer and then Alzheimer’s Disease. No matter; what killed her was an infection called sepsis. It went to her heart and that was that. […]
Rejoice! Gospel Meditations, by Louis Evely
Lent invites us to refresh our souls, to refocus our lives, to set things right. Rejoice! by Louis Evely, has a way of growing us out of our comfort zones into the light. It challenges us to lift our crosses and follow Jesus. Evely writes: “There were times when Jesus […]
6 Dates to Disaster, by Cynthia T. Toney
Life can be horribly unfair, especially if you are a teen. Or so you may think. Sometimes parents can be right, but not all adult decisions seem just and reasonable. Unfortunately, adults usually have the last word. In her third book in the Bird Face series, 6 Dates to Disaster, […]