Category Archives: News

Book Review: Erin’s Ring

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Erin’s Ring by Laura H. Pearl is an unforgettably heartfelt and soul-stirring story of faith and love. It hooked me in the first chapter when 13-year-old Molly, new to the town of Dover, discovers an old Claddagh ring in the dirt around St. Mary’s Church. How did the ring get there? Whose ring is it?

Together with her new friend Theresa, who is struggling with a deep sorrow, Molly searches for answers by delving into the history of the town and the Irish immigrants, particularly the mill girls who worked long, hard hours for money to send home to their loved ones.

19-year-old Ann’s story begins in 1827, with her boarding a ship bound for America, with hopes of joining the mill girls. Resourceful and determined, she works hard, sends money and letters home, and clings to her Catholic faith. Meanwhile, a budding romance fills her with hopes and dreams for the future. The multilayered story is rich with Catholic traditions and Irish heritage.

Erin’s Ring is a splendid tale, with meaningful yet entertaining content, easily enjoyed by adults and teens alike. The pull to keep reading was irresistible; I was continually trying to squeeze reading time into my busy day. The plot always entices and is driven by the characters, their lives, loves, and sufferings. The young women of the past and present struggle with hardships as their lives are shaped by faith in God.

I’m thoroughly impressed with Pearl’s ability to create this beautiful tapestry of love, hope, and courage. She has such a talent for writing wholesome yet real stories. I’m also very in awe of the fact that she wrote Erin’s Ring in a matter of months. That can only be done with extreme dedication and a true passion for the story. Like Pearl’s debut novel (Finding Grace), Erin’s Ring is another keeper for my bookshelf to pass on to my daughters!

Erin’s Ring is available in paperback.

Book Review: Underlake

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Underlake by Kia Heavey is an incredible coming-of-age story
that is rich with elements of love, mystery, suspense, even a touch of fantasy that you wouldn’t think could work–but WOW!–does it ever!!

This unpredictable story is packed with clever twists and turns, and superbly written. The prologue grabs you by the heart, and then we meet Katie, a teen who is very miffed to be separated from her trendy city friends and deposited in a boring hick town for the summer. But it turns out to be the opposite of boring. Charmed with life here, Katie doesn’t want to leave at summer’s end. She particularly doesn’t want to leave behind John, the impulsive, endearing young man who is so different from anyone she’s ever met. Little does she know, he’s concealing a deep, ancient secret that will change both their lives forever.

When I had to set this book down, I couldn’t wait to pick it up again. In fact, I admit I let my kids watch too much TV so I could keep reading. I read with particular anticipation for the other-worldly aspect that is tantalizingly hinted at. The story takes a fantastical turn, yet the author makes it completely credible and so intriguing.

This is a modern, fast-paced story that teens (and their mothers!) will certainly enjoy, but besides being highly entertaining, it has moral value as well. Katie is a teen trying to find her place in the world, but she comes to realize that the mainstream “answers to happiness” that are pushed at her, won’t make her truly happy. She’s a smart young woman, and as she sees the consequences of bad choices (drinking, drugs, premarital sex) playing out around her, she is no longer fooled by the lure of “all things popular.”

Katie and her mother stopped going to church after her father died, but through the course of the story, Katie finds her way (believably) back to the Catholic Faith. The religious content is a credible, influential part of the story, and is never forced or out-of-place.

Underlake has the most magical, satisfying, heart-tugging ending. I loved how the final pages take you further down the road of the main characters’ lives than you would expect. You want to know the details of how their lives turn out because you care that much about them.

Underlake is one of those rare books that has the power to leave you with a lasting and meaningful impression. You close the book, but you continue to marvel over a story that has become so very real and dear to you.

Underlake is available in paperback and as a Kindle ebook.

Book Review: End of the Road

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Come visit the Black Horse Campground, where mystery abounds!

I have only great things to say about End of The Road by Amy M. Bennett. Vivid writing makes each scene unfold before your eyes. Bennett has a true talent for character development, lively dialogue, and strong plot. Well-seasoned with humor, End of the Road features an enjoyable cast of memorable characters in an authentic New Mexico atmosphere.

Corrie Black, owner of the Black Horse Campground, is spunky, proud, curious, independent, strong, and she has a big heart. When a dead body of a long-time guest is discovered and thousands of dollars stolen, Corrie becomes embroiled in a mystery and a hunt for the thief/killer. She won’t stand idly by while her old flame, the sheriff, investigates. And she’s not sure what to think of the shady, yet attractive, Harley rider who rolls into the campground one night. In fact, the chemistry between Corrie and the two guys was my favorite part. Watch out for flying sparks!

End of the Road is a charming, clean novel with upstanding morals, yet there’s never a dull moment. This cleverly crafted novel never crosses the line into anything distasteful, crude, or gory. While the Catholic characters attend Mass, the Catholicism is subtle and the story easily enjoyed by all readers.

Between the mounting plot and juicy character development, the story moves along at a fun pace. The twists and turns keep you thinking, guessing, and reading. The novel comes to a satisfying end, yet readers will want to revisit the campground and the characters to see where life takes them in the next mystery, No Lifeguard on Duty. And the third, most recently released, book is No Vacancy. I recommend starting this series today!

End of the Road is available in paperback and as a Kindle ebook.

Book Review: The Search for the Madonna

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It’s always a pleasure to read a novel by the talented Donna Alice Patton.
Woven into her stories are enticing themes of mystery, suspense, faith, hope, and trust. The Search for the Madonna incorporates all these elements in an adventure story for girls. It reminds me of an American Girl novel, but longer, with more substance, and geared especially for Catholics!

The characters come to life in a genuine historical atmosphere. In the midst of the Great Depression, eleven-year-old twins–timid Maggie and spunky Em–spend the summer on their Aunt Sophie’s beautiful farm. Maggie hopes this idyllic place can finally be a permanent home. Unfortunately, the bank is ready to snatch the farm if the overdue taxes aren’t paid soon.

To save the farm, Maggie determines to find the family’s long-lost Brandenburg treasure and the priceless jewel-studded Madonna statue. But mysterious “ghost” trespassers, eerie lights, and confusing clues frighten and befuddle Maggie’s efforts.

With a developing devotion to the Blessed Virgin, Maggie learns to overcome fear and to trust in the Madonna not only in times of crisis, but always.

Entertaining, educational, memorable, and moral, The Search for the Madonna makes a delightful read for girls seven and up.

And stay tuned, because the author has a sequel in the works!

The Search for the Madonna is available in paperback and as a Kindle ebook.

Free Catholic Novel Giveaway!

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Visit popular Catholic author Susan Peek’s new website and enter to win a FREE autographed copy of her latest book, Saint Magnus The Last Viking.

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Come back in time 900 years, to the fierce and desolate Northern lands, where Norsemen ruled with ax and sword. A dying king, a shocking death-wish, his heirs divided with an oath of blood . . .

In this fast-paced  new novel by the highly popular Susan Peek, the conflict unfolds between Magnus Erlendson, a heroic young prince aflame with the love of God, and his outlawed cousin Hakon, who blames Magnus for his banishment from their kingdom. What follows is a tale of betrayal and revenge, bravery and forgiveness, as Magnus seeks to restore his father’s vanquished kingdom to its rightful hands.

Entertaining and inspiring from start to finish, a must-read for all those who thrill to learn the life of a saint we never knew existed!

Contest ends May 15, 2015. Enter now!

Newly Released: Erin’s Ring

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Just in time for Christmas, the latest novel by Catholic author Laura H. Pearl is now available! Perfect for readers 13 and up.


Erin’s Ring by Laura H. Pearl

What story might this ring tell, if only it could talk?

When thirteen-year-old Molly McCormick, who has recently moved from the Midwest to Dover, New Hampshire, finds an old Irish Claddagh ring poking up out of the dirt in a garden outside her local parish church, she is immediately intrigued. The ring’s inscription, “To Erin–Love, Michael”, fills her head with romantic possibilities. She teams up with her new friend, Theresa Grant, to uncover the story behind the lost ring. With the help of the head librarian at the public library, the two girls become immersed in the rich history of the Irish immigrants who came to Dover in droves during the 19th century, to escape famine and poverty in their homeland and make better lives for their children and grandchildren.

Molly and Theresa learn about the courage, tenacity, and deep faith that were the hallmarks of the Irish immigrants–people with names like Ann and Seamus, Cara and Finn, and of course, Erin and Michael. The young girls eagerly delve into old records tucked away in the dark corners of the library and learn how instrumental Dover’s Irish-Catholics were in getting the first Catholic church built in their New England town.

Molly and Theresa set out to discover the origins of the mysterious ring, but they unearth a story that is far stranger and infinitely more touching than anything they could have ever imagined.

Erin’s Ring is available in paperback.

A Visit with Catholic Mystery Author Erin McCole Cupp

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Erin McCole Cupp, author of the recently Erin McCole Cuppreleased mystery Don’t You Forget About Me, shares what it means to be a writer of Catholic mysteries in her guest post on Catholic author Therese Heckenkamp’s blog:

I Don’t Know. It’s a Mystery:
The Catholic Mystery Author

The camera lens glared in my peripheral vision like an outsized doll’s eye. I stood with a proof of Don’t You Forget About Me in my icy, trembling fingers. Don't You Forget About MeMy publisher and another Full Quiver Author hovered in the background, giving me “thumbs up” signs and encouraging grins. My mind was a great jumble of cries to the Holy Spirit, all of which could be translated best as, “HELP ME!”
Continue reading here.

Site Disclaimer

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Please note that the owner of Catholic-Fiction.com has not read each and every book (or watched every movie) included on this site and therefore cannot personally vouch for the true and traditionally faithful Catholic nature of the content and teachings contained in the listed books (and movies).

Your own discretion is suggested, and if a book or movie is discovered to be offensive to the Faith, please do contact Catholic-Fiction.com (by using the box below) so we can investigate and remove the listing if necessary.

Thank you and God bless you.

Catholic Fiction Book Trailers

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We are happy to announce that we will now be featuring Catholic fiction book trailers on our site. This is an exciting, fun way for potential readers to peruse books by by watching short, dramatic film depictions instead of simply reading synopses. Done right, book trailers are as engaging and effective as movie trailers, offering vivid glimpses into fictional worlds.

Visit the page devoted to Catholic fiction book trailers here. We expect this page will be growing with more book trailers over time, so check back.

For authors, book trailers are a stunning way to showcase your work. If you’d like your book trailers featured on Catholic-Fiction.com, please submit them here.


Frozen Footprints by Therese Heckenkamp

New Catholic Fiction and Reviewers Welcome

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Announcing the launch of two new pages on the Catholic-Fiction.com website:

Newest Catholic Fiction Releases
Here you will find up-to-date notification of the newest Catholic fiction books. Also, you can let Catholic-Fiction.com know about any upcoming releases.

Submit Your Review
Interested in writing specifically Catholic fiction book reviews? If so, please submit your reviews here and share them with Catholic-Fiction.com readers.

So take a look at these two latest pages and help spread the word.
Thank you!