Tag Archives: new catholic novel

Castle Wolves

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Released just in time for Christmas!


Castle Wolves by Patricia La Barbera

Lady Merewyn and Prince Alexander face daunting circumstances. Werewolf hordes, slaughtering royalty and peasants, rampage King William’s empire. But even if she and Prince Alexander escape, Lady Merewyn fears he will discover her secret.

From the author: “This novel has romance, action and adventure, and Catholic elements, such as characters who pray, read the Bible, receive sacraments, and witness to the Faith.”

Put Castle Wolves on your Christmas list today!

Available in paperback and as a Kindle ebook.

Book Review: Stay With Me

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Stay With Me by Carolyn Astfalk is a poignant and believable
love story about two young adults from very different backgrounds.

Rebecca has lived a sheltered life under her domineering father in an alcohol-free home where dancing is frowned upon and religion is oppressive, not inspiring. Weighed down by her past, Rebecca is hesitant to live life fully. Chris, a Harley-rider and a new convert to Catholicism, opens up a beautiful new world to her. Still, life isn’t without dangers and trials as the new couple navigate their blossoming romance. Kind hearts and good intentions aren’t always enough, especially when faced with heart-rending challenges and temptations. When tested to the limit, will their love survive?

The characters are richly depicted and memorable, including the secondary characters. I particularly enjoyed Rebecca’s brash sister Abby, with her unrestrained opinions and off-beat ways. Also, I appreciated how Father John, despite being a priest, came across as a very real person with his owns trials and tribulations.

The story is sprinkled with humor and contains the perfect balance of reality and sweetness—and sometimes bittersweetness. The author deftly avoids sappy clichés, and her writing entertains while radiating substance and depth.

Stay With Me is a journey of discovery, forgiveness, and redemption—a beautiful journey of two hearts that long to beat as one.

Stay With Me is available in paperback and as a Kindle ebook.

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.

Book Review: Saint Magnus The Last Viking

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Wow! Let me begin by putting to rest any notion that this,
being a historical novel, is bogged down with details and facts. The balance and delivery of fact and fiction is flawless. Saint Magnus The Last Viking brings Saint Magnus to life while delivering action-packed excitement and suspense galore!

From the beginning, I couldn’t put this book down. A ruler’s deathbed decree sets in motion a dire future for the heirs to the throne of the Orkney Islands. When Saint Magnus, a prince, clashes with his ruthless cousin Hakon, Hakon is banished. Brooding and bitter, Hakon plots revenge.

Magnus faces hardships that would drive a lesser man to despair. But the battles of good and evil ultimately chisel Magnus into a saint.

Full of twists and turns, Saint Magnus The Last Viking is sure to be read with bated breath. Teen boys will devour the action, adventure, and bravery. I’m sure many, many young women will enjoy this thrilling story as well. Adults, you too!

Note that there is violence and some blood, but a story like this could not be done justice without it. Violence is not used simply for shock value; it brings home the reality of what Magnus suffered and how his sainthood was truly merited.

At it’s core, Saint Magnus The Last Viking is a most intense story of moral courage and forgiveness against all odds.

Those who’ve never heard of this saint before will never forget him after reading this book. It’s an absolute must-read!

Saint Magnus The Last Viking is available in paperback.

Book Review: I Thirst

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I Thirst is a poetic, unique first novel by Gina Marinello-Sweeney.
The writing is fresh, lyrical, and literary. The novel is definitely more character-driven than plot-driven. Twenty-year-old Rebecca meets an interesting young man and they instantly connect. They share a love of writing and embark on a writing project together, through which a deep friendship grows.

While the story moves with it’s own flow, I found it a bit disjointed in places and somewhat random. As I read, I kept hoping for more story tension. Symbolic and poetic as it was, some parts were a tad too abstract for me. The story didn’t always hold my interest, particularly the play within the play.

This is just my honest opinion, and tastes differ. From the raving reviews I’ve seen, there are certainly others who love this book. You might be one of them! I suggest reading the first several pages in Amazon’s “Look Inside” the book feature to see if I Thirst draws you in.

Catholic readers will appreciate the Catholic aspects, which are tastefully included and not overdone.

Marinello-Sweeney has quite a way with words and is certainly a gifted writer. I enjoyed her use of the first person voice and the writing is lively, descriptive, and contains zany touches of humor. The author did an excellent job fully fleshing out the characters and making some of them off-beat and eccentric. I also enjoyed her depiction of the true passion of a writer. The author’s own passion shines through in I Thirst, and I’m sure we will be seeing more of her work in the future.

I Thirst is available in paperback.