A brand new inspirational romance featuring a Catholic heroine!
A Perfectly Good Man (Coffee and Donuts Book 3)
by Amanda Hamm
Heidi Ray has a decision to make. It’s a decision she probably should have made before she accepted the engagement ring. But Tyler is a good man. Why wouldn’t she want to marry him? After much prayer and reflection, several of Heidi’s relationships begin to look different.
Available in paperback and as a Kindle ebook.
Now and at the Hour of Our Death by JSB Morse
Book review by Wendy:
In the provocative and captivating novel Now And At the Hour of Our Death, the reader is taken on a journey of self-exploration and asked to challenge preconceived notions about faith and science and to reflect on their personal beliefs. It’s a unique story, a page turner with several shocking twists and turns.
When the story opens, Mary Credence, a devote and virtuous seventeen-year-old, the daughter of a candidate for the U.S. Senate, harbors a desire to bring an unbelieving world back to faith like a modern day Joan of Arc. What she doesn’t expect as a zealous virgin is that she’s pregnant. When her family finds out, she holds fast to her belief in her virginity and to her conviction that the conception is a God-given miracle. What she unleashes as her discovery becomes a sensational high-profile news flash is a fight against cynicism and scorn, and to be stalked by a psychopath who believes she’s carrying the anti-Christ. This is the story about a faith that doesn’t spring from a miracle, but a miracle that springs from faith when faced with the impossible.
Into the heart of this plot is woven messages about love, charity, faith, forgiveness and self-sacrifice. The storyline progresses smoothly and quickly as events and tension heat up.
The characters are realistic and complex as they deal with the chaos of events that surge around them. Mary Cadence is very pious, a teen with a pure heart who seems mature beyond her years, the opposite of her jealous, promiscuous sister Hannah. Her father Benjamin is honest, truthful, compassionate and supportive while her mother Madeleine (Maddie) is an egotistical social climber with a Machiavellian personality. Mildred Hawthorne is Mary’s delightful grandmother with her frank honesty, humor and wit. She’s tough around the edges but has a good heart. Will Vernick, a broken-hearted writer, is an unmotivated dreamer who believes in the impossible. When influenced in unexpected ways he will become determined and inspired. In stark contrast, Christopher Austin III is an arrogant, charming, self-engrossed cad who’s changed by love and finds deliverance from his mistakes through self-sacrifice. Aliyah Touma, the obstetrician, is a perfectionist, ambitious and self-oriented, her faith in science and medicine uncompromising.
But the evil in this story is prevalent in two men: Dugan Singer, who’s disturbed and antisocial; and Ethan Cooper, an immoral teen, both weak and easily influenced. All the characters in Now and at the Hour of our Death add depth and dimension to a story that will grip your emotions and challenge your beliefs.
I enjoyed this novel immensely and highly recommend it.
Now and at the Hour of Our Death is available in paperback and as a Kindle ebook.
A Soldier Surrenders by Susan Peek is an incredible story about
Saint Camillus de Lellis, a great sinner of the 1500s who became a great saint. He is entirely human, very flawed, and thus easy to empathize with. His story is sure to inspire anyone who struggles with temptation and sin–and who among us doesn’t?!
With his pious mother dead, young Camillus follows in his soldier father’s footsteps, making many bad choices and even, for a time, siding with the Turks against the Christians. A tall, formidable man, Camillus is brought low by bad habits such as drinking, gambling, and brawling–becoming, in fact, a slave to his vices.
Due to the profound impact of his father’s death, Camillus attempts to change his life, but his hot temper and intense pride repeatedly thwart his efforts. Additionally, he is plagued by a mysterious ulcer that refuses to heal.
Besot by temptations and failures, Camillus is rejected and dismissed in shame from places where he attempts to build a life. A lesser man would give in to despair, but Camillus soldiers on and is shaped by the soul-shaking trials he endures.
At long last, after struggling to find his way alone in the world, Camillus realizes he’s not alone. He discovers that it takes humility to have true courage–the courage to surrender to God’s will.
As always, Peek knows how to keep readers hooked! She treats us to lively writing, entertaining situations, and crisp dialogue. A Soldier Surrenders is filled with action and drama and is perfect for ages fifteen and up. Peek’s novels are among the most worthy and inspiring I’ve ever read. I fervently recommend all her books and eagerly anticipate her new ones!
A Soldier Surrenders is available in paperback.
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.
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.
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.
The Gift of Summer Snow by Donna Alice Patton is
Eleven-year-old Becky loves to garden and she is determined to win a top prize at the county fair with her Summer Snow rose. The problem? Someone is snatching her best blooms! With time running out, Becky determines to hunt down the culprit and solve the mystery. Along the way, she learns lessons in faith, friendship, and kindness. She also increases her devotion to a favorite saint, St. Theresa.
The writing, plot, and characters are lively and entertaining enough to hold the attention of the most reluctant readers, and suspense will keep readers turning pages to reach the satisfying conclusion.
The Gift of Summer Snow is a refreshing, sweet, and interesting story that you can feel good about giving your daughter to read. The role models and the depiction of a solid family unit are inspiring. This book would make a great gift or addition to a homeschool collection. In addition, the black and white illustrations are quite charming.
I would have loved the opportunity to read this book as a child. My little girls will read this someday for sure. It’s a keeper!
The Gift of Summer Snow is available in paperback from the author’s website.
There is plenty to love about this beautiful novel, including the graceful flow of the story, 
A Subtle Grace by Ellen Gable is an inspirational historical romance, and more. It takes you on a genuine journey into the past, into the lives of the endearing O’Donovan Family. While the main story focuses on the oldest daughter, Kathleen, I enjoyed the intertwining, equally interesting, stories of the close-knit Catholic family and how they coped with life’s challenges: losses, tragedy, vocations, and temptations.
At 19 years old and living a privileged life in 1896 Philadelphia, Kathleen longs to be married and to begin a family before she reaches “old maid” status. She becomes fascinated by the attentions of a certain young man, but when her sparkling expectations for the future are savagely crushed, she has to learn to hope and love again. With time and trials, she matures into a selfless, instead of a somewhat self-absorbed, young woman. Even though she cannot fathom God’s plan for her life, she must trust in Him. Meanwhile, a lurking threat follows her like a dark shadow, marring her happiness.
A Subtle Grace is the sequel to the lovely book In Name Only, yet A Subtle Grace can be enjoyed independently. Of course, readers of the first book won’t want to miss this one! We get to see where life has taken Caroline and David and their family, and how the journey of life continues. The story kept me so interested that I hardly realized this was, in fact, a lengthy book.
A Subtle Grace is a novel to stir your heart, your emotions, and your soul. I highly recommend it!
A Subtle Grace is available as a Kindle ebook and will soon be available in paperback as well.
Don’t You Forget About Me by Erin McCole Cupp is a rollicking fun
and exciting cozy murder mystery. I found it genuine and fascinating in every way: the characters, the setting, the plot, and the twists.
Mary Catherine Whelihan, a successful author in her thirties, has no desire to return to the town where, as a young girl, she discovered a dead body in the creek. But a nun’s funeral and a strange email from Gene, an old grade school classmate (and her secret crush), lure her back–into a net of danger as she encounters foes from her childhood class, mystery, mayhem, and murder.
When another dead body turns up, Cate finds herself held as a suspect. Will Cate be able to escape the so-called “Curse of ’87” that seems to strike almost everyone from her grade school class? Together, Cate and Gene search for answers, uncovering secrets that could cost them, and their loved ones, their lives.
The author’s strong and clever command of the written language makes this book an entertaining page-turner. Don’t You Forget About Me is well-plotted with never a dull moment. From a narrow escape from a window, to a gunfire-in-the-woods scene, this novel will have you reading with bated breath.
Fans of Christian fiction will particularly enjoy the elements of faith that add to the richness of the story without hampering the plot. Fallen away from the Catholic faith of her childhood, Cate encounters not preaching, but simple, strong faith in action, even in the face of deadly adversity.
The ending of Don’t You Forget About Me is satisfying without being predictable, and an epilogue hints at just enough danger to tantalize a sequel. I recommend this highly-enjoyable, cozy, clean, lively mystery to all readers!
Don’t You Forget About Me is available in paperback and as a Kindle ebook.
Laura H. Pearl’s first novel, Finding Grace, was a pure delight to read. The story is absorbing on so many levels.
The characters are fully developed, easy to relate to, and real. Grace’s relationships with her parents, her many brothers, and her friends, are genuine. Readers will become invested in Grace’s fate, and yearn for her to win her true love in the end. While this book is a wonderful coming-of-age story for teens, it is also great for adults looking for a romantic story that is deep and meaningful. Not a shallow romance, Finding Grace has all the hallmarks readers could want: romance, conflict, humor, life, love, laughter, and tears.
Parents can feel confident in buying this for their teens. Finding Grace is a moral read, without being bland or boring. The importance of family and faith is highlighted. Yes, there are lessons to be learned, but readers will be highly entertained along the way.
I laughed out loud. I shared in the heartaches as Grace learned who she is, and who she can be, with the grace of God. I really do miss the characters and I’m sad to be done with the novel, even though it has a beautiful ending! This is a book that I will definitely recommend to my own daughter someday.
Finding Grace is available in paperback and as a Kindle ebook.
