#catholicnovel

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In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews S.R. Crickard on her book Misshelved Magic. (May 29, 2024)  Adelina is content to be a humble librarian with no magic, organizing ordinary books and leaving the magical section of the library to the management of the mysterious creature called a cervara…until she finds a misshelved spellbook that refuses to stay in its proper place. Despite warnings from the College of Magic and her superiors, she decides to return the book to the magical section, where she befriends the mysterious creature. Contrary to what she’s been told, the cervara is trying to protect humanity from dangerous magic by hoarding it in the library. But is it also hiding an even greater danger? Leon is a mage in his final year at the college who needs to write something impressive for his final thesis. But when he meets the charming Adelina, and she confides her discovery to him, Leon’s world turns upside down. He’s forced to try to mediate between the mysterious creature and the power-hungry magi who surround him, all while trying to pursue his favorite librarian. Can Adelina and Leon protect the cervara from the world—and the world from the dangers of the library? Or will both sides be destroyed by the secrets they hide and the greed that drives them to seek forbidden knowledge? https://www.srcrickard.com/misshelved

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In this episode of Author to Author, Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews Carmela Martino on her book Playing by Heart (March 21, 2024) Emilia Salvini dreams of marrying a man who loves music as much as she does. But in 18th-century Milan, being the "second sister" means she'll likely be sent to a convent instead. Emilia's only hope is to prove her musical talents crucial to her father's quest for nobility. First, though, she must win over her music tutor, who disdains her simply for being a girl. But before she can carry out her plan, a tragedy sends the family into mourning. In her sorrow, Emilia composes a heartrending sonata that causes the maestro to finally recognize her talent. He begins teaching her music theory alongside Antonio Bellini, the arrogant great-nephew of a wealthy marquis. Emilia's feelings toward her rival gradually change as she strives to outdo him. But just when her dreams seem within reach, Emilia learns that her success could destroy not only her future but her sister's very life. Readers are calling this beautifully crafted novel inspired by the lives of composer Maria Teresa Agnesi and mathematician Maria Gaetana Agnesi the "Italian version of Pride and Prejudice."  https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Heart-Martino-Carmela/dp/0997173297

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/author-to-author--4129285/support. In this episode of Author to Author, Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews Rich Agnello on his books Going to Williamsport and Our Marian Pulpit: From a Lector’s Soul House (February 27, 2024) Going to Williamsport What would you do if you were the 12-year-old new ace pitcher of a very small town baseball team, and you and your teammates went on in one magical year to represent your far western Oklahoma panhandle roots at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and you were much too embarrassed beyond mere words to see your own mother cheer you on in the bleachers as you take the big stage hundreds of miles away? This is Sooner's situation, and his story is Going to Williamsport, as he experiences his mom suffering through acute paranoid psychosis during the early years of deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill in the Eisenhower administration. Without the option to "just put her away" anymore, the only child Sooner sees his own embarrassment and severe contempt for a Semper Fi father who will not deny his marriage vows, nor his unbelievable love for his own son. Going to Williamsport matters more than anything to Sooner, but definitely not at the expense of seeing "her" in those stands. In his own words, he takes as much as he possibly can, and then makes incredibly clear in the clearest of places that he alone, with his Cimarron Coyotes team is Going to Williamsport, without Dad and certainly without Mom. Amazon.com: Going to Williamsport: 9781643786537: Agnello, Rich: Books Our Marian Pulpit: From A Lector’s Soul House Humans can be devoted to many things. For Catholics Christians in particular, devotion has special purpose and meaning, especially to Our Savior’s Mother. Too often for those in the Lector ministry, though, devotion is synonymous with dedication, as it merely applies to the skill or craft of performing a role in liturgy. Preparation and execution then become separate and apart from any prayer and purpose, and this demeans both God’s Word and the Liturgy of the Word building into the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Author Rich Agnello can certainly advocate from a craft view, applying 50 years nationally to this ministry, including eight at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., not to mention his Marquette University College of Communication academic training. Yet this is not Agnello’s focus, nor that of his book Our Marian Pulpit: From a Lector’s Soul House. Undoubtedly, mechanics are indeed important here, and the author’s detailed and desire-focused review of twelve Lector Elements, or LEs, are evidence of this. What is much more essential, however, is primary intention, or in the spiritual sphere, primary devotion. Agnello builds this devotion development in a manner similar to building a house, or to the individual Catholic Lector, their own soul house. For the author, the depth of our devotion to life as a time of salvation preparation is most essential. While we may think we fully know Christ and his Church through reading the Sacred Scriptures, the Catholic essential is that nobody knows Him quite like She does, both on earth and in heaven. Therefore, the Lector’s place to proclaim the Mass’ readings is Our Marian Pulpit. From this place, all Lay Ministers of the word see the Bible--and ultimately see Jesus--through Our Lady’s vision. Incredibly, from that vision born in us, most any spiritually devout Catholic can share their own testimony of faith effectively through their Lector ministry. This is identical to our relationship with the Lord: Lectors must own this responsibility and lead all of us to the Eucharist, just as Mary guides all of us to Jesus. Those who are new to this ministry will find Our Marian Pulpit: From a Lector’s Soul Housea tremendous foundation to use a prayer life of depth for a humble role of service. Moreover, experienced Lectors will discover a springboard for renewal in this book, as they take a profound Marian way from very good to profoundly better in both their personal and liturgical holiness. Our Marian Pulpit: From A Lector’s Soul House: Agnello, Rich: 9798874003326: Amazon.com: Books

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In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Lucy Underwood-Healy on her novel The Guest of Night (February 15, 2024) Three teenagers are drawn into the hidden underside of Elizabethan England: a world where how you pray can get you hanged, and misplaced trust can kill. Catholicism is forbidden in this world, and Catholics walk the line between faith and fear. Protestant Stephen distrusts treacherous Papists but values his friendship with Catholic Hugh; Hugh and Bridget resent Protestant tyranny but find themselves relying on Stephen’s help – and his silence. All of them understand both less and more than their parents realize of the dangers hovering on the margins of their lives. And this is the kind of volatile mix that can put nooses round necks. https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/guestofnight/

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In this episode of Author to Author, Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews Amanda Knackstedt on her book Dragon's Heart (June 21, 2023) ‘You have much sorrow and trouble ahead of you.’ Princess Rina V of Occorom has been promised in marriage to Prince Hangree of Airegla. But as he’s vain, selfish, and greedy, not to mention a sore loser, she’s sure that won’t end well. So, as any self-respecting princess would, she runs away. It is in the wilds of the ancient mountains that she meets Roozan, a wise and hospitable dragon, and for the first time, she feels at home. Life in the mountains is simple and beautiful, but dangerous as well, and it isn’t long before Rina meets other magical inhabitants of the forest. Ogres, elves, and a tyquin monsineis all point to a warning etched in Rina’s very being: she is living in a time-bomb of an enchantment and the clock is ticking. Her life is split in two as she discovers one past is a secret and the other is a lie, and she can’t bind them together into a single future. As time catches up with her, she must decide which path to follow, which part of her she can bear to lose, and where her home truly is. Home - Amanda Kenney's Notebook (amandaknackstedt.com)

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In this episode of Author to Author, Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews Mark Baker on his book Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight (April 13, 2023) The Devil always begins by giving thee work that is just,” Horrocks said. “Then he tells thee, thou dost just work, therefore thou art just. And then he tells thee, thou art just, and therefore any work thou dost is just.” When Isabel kills the Elf Knight and takes his horse, sword, and horn, she believes that she has done just work. She has broken his enchantment and has rid the twelve kingdoms of a great evil. Horrocks' advice to lay down the Elf Knight's tools falls on deaf ears. But something old is waking in Isabel, something that longs for the gallop and the chase, for bright sun and the rush of wind against the cheek, for glimmering steel and bright blood and the dying of light in the eyes of the slain. Without the Elf Knight's sword at her side, Isabel feels lost and terrified, but after almost murdering the man she is supposed to marry, she realizes that either she must put the Elf Knight's tools aside or exile herself forever. But already it may be too late, for Isabel is losing herself and within her the Elf Maiden grows in strength and fury. Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight: Baker, G. M.: 9781778066320: Amazon.com: Books

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In this episode of Author to Author, Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews Karina Fabian talks about her series Rescue Sisters. As Man ventures into Space, the Church follows. Join the adventures of the sisters of Our Lady of the Rescue, who perform dangerous search and rescue operations in space. Tales of adventure, danger, and deep faith. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L59B69G

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In this episode of Author to Author, Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews Mark Baker on his book The Needle of Avocation (Cuthbert's People) (March 28, 2023) Hilda is the second sister, the plain one, the overlooked, the put upon. She is also the finest needlewoman in Northumbria, though she distrusts anyone who tells her so. Her mother, Edith, was born a slave and seduced and married a thegn's son, a fact which embarrasses Hilda greatly. Edith has tricked the local ealdorman into betrothing his only son and heir, Anfaeld, to Hilda, an arrangement unwelcome to everyone but Edith, and particularly to Hilda who would rather retire to a nunnery and spend her life in embroidery. It is Hilda’s right to refuse the marriage, but the future of her mother and sisters may depend on her making the match, a role that should have fallen to her enchanting older sister Elswyth, who was kidnapped by vikingar three years earlier. On the way to her wedding, Hilda meets a heartbroken king, his petulant child bride, an abbess who wrestles with a great torment, and the shy young man she is supposed to marry. Feeling herself mistreated by them all, including her prospective mother-in-law, Hilda resolves to refuse the marriage and become a nun. But first she must solve the double enigma of what really happened to Elswyth, and why Anfaeld himself has not refused the marriage. The Needle of Avocation (Cuthbert's People): Baker, G. M.: 9781778066375: Amazon.com: Books

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In this episode of Author to Author, Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews Fr. Lawrence Tucker, SOLT, on his book Masters of Interior Space (February 3, 2023) Is it possible that the real threat to Man’s future is not energy, climate change, or a host of other potential calamities we hear about on a daily basis? Could it be that the greatest danger Man faces is his own lack of spiritual insight and development? Ride along with three college students and a university professor as they fulfill a special mission given them by God to address this very question. Hold on to your camel for the adventure of a lifetime with the… Masters of Interior Space. https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/mastersofinteriorspace/

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Episode 197: Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews David Ross on his book Goat-Song and Other Stories, Part 1 (August 24, 2022)

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Episode 3: Grace Bourget on her book Vale of Hope (August 10, 2022)

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Episode 138: Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews Christopher Zehnder on his book A Song of Else (January 13, 2022)

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Ronda Chervin interviews Mary Kloska concerning her book Out of the Darkness (May 16, 2019)

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Episode 45: Leticia Velasquez interviews Catholic novelist Michelle Buckman (April 28, 2019)