The following book review was submitted by Rachael Dalhoff:

“Tyborne” is the story of two siblings, Walter and Isabel de Lisle, who are caught up in the anti-Catholic world of Queen Elizabeth I of England. Raised by good Catholic parents, Walter and Isabel become the wards of the Protestant Earl of Beauville upon their mother’s death. Each is faced with the choice between the compromising life of an apostate, or the sacrificial life of a recusant. Their souls hang in the balance. How will Walter and Isabel decide? This is a thrilling tale with all the suspense of a modern novel, heroic courage in the face of unimaginable suffering and torture, and true love which will leave the reader in awe at its triumph.

The 1994 edition is published by The Neumann Press.

“For Better, For Worse,” by Martin J. Scott, has a very old-fashioned style, and not surprisingly, since it is from 1923! Refreshingly, this means the Catholic aspects are strong and uncompromising. I found only a few minor flaws: Chapter 4 and 5 came across as unrealistic in that the pre-marriage information was presented like a question and answer catechism session. Readers don’t have patience for that in a novel! Some of the old slang is annoying, but my biggest gripe was the habit of the 13-year-old daughter sounding like a 6-year old and calling herself “Darling.” For example: “Darling must be with Mother.”

These minor setbacks aside, anyone looking for a truly Traditional Catholic novel will enjoy this book, particularly if you’re looking for a love story.

“For Better, For Worse,” is more than a mere love story, however. It begins with “falling in love”– the easy part–and then goes on to deal with after the honeymoon and the problems that may crop up in marriage when it truly becomes “for worse.”

The story is told interchangeably from two viewpoints, Jerry’s and Felicity’s. This young couple marries and thinks all will be smooth sailing. Time passes, Jerry becomes absorbed in business and neglects his religion. He leaves suddenly on a “vacation,” and meets a tempting young woman. (The unsavory aspects are written very tactfully.)

This is a story about mistakes and forgiveness, and how sometimes a spouse is called upon to rise to the occasion of giving 100%, not just the 50/50 deal toted by today’s society. Modern day couples and Catholics would certainly profit by reading this book, and it’s enjoyable, too!

Review of “Emily’s Hope”:

“Emily’s Hope,” by Ellen Gable, is a fascinating and poignant story about two women separated by years but bound by painful family ties. Their life experiences are similar, yet strikingly different.

At the start, petite seventeen-year-old Emily is a student looking for love and going along with modern attitudes despite the resulting conflict with her Catholic faith. This 353 page book is a fascinating journey through Emily’s emotional life as she makes many mistakes, marries for love, experiences tragedy, and uncovers a dark secret from her family’s past. Through it all, Emily grows in maturity and faith in a believable way, and the reader grows to love Emily while identifying with her trials and tribulations.

The story of Emily’s great-grandmother, Katherine, is interspersed skillfully throughout, and gives a disturbing picture of Katherine’s hard but selfish life. The consequences of her choices affect so many innocent souls, bur her heart is hardened to the truth, and the reader wonders if there is any hope for Katherine.

Keep in mind that it is certainly not a novel for children or young teens. Many unsavory situations arrive in the course of the story, such as pre-marital sex, suicide, infidelity, and abortion. These things are not used gratuitously, but are essential to the plot, illustrating the far-reaching consequences of such actions.

From a Traditional Catholic perspective, the book does have many modern “Novus Ordo” touches. “Guitar masses” are included and Natural Family Planning is used by the main characters as soon as they are married.

That said, decent modern Catholic novels are difficult to find, and this one has a lot of redeeming qualities, and the author obviously put her heart and soul into the writing. Also, the novel promotes saving sex for marriage and frowns on contraception.

In conclusion, “Emily’s Hope” is an absorbing novel with many admirable messages. The characters are vivid, the story engaging, and it may move you to tears while inspiring you.

Past Suspicion
$9.95

$2.99 Kindle Ebook

Past Suspicion has received the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval!

Review of “Past Suspicion”:

It is not often that I write about a woman who cut her first draft of a mystery at age eighteen, but it is true in the case of Therese Heckenkamp, a fellow Wisconsinite! Heckenkamp has already won numerous awards for writing at her young age and lives in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

Robin Finley has just lost her mother, her home, and any family except an uncle in some small town in Wisconsin, where she is headed for an uncertain future. She meets two young men, almost right off the bat. One is a newspaper reporter, and the other is a “free spirit” who captures her imagination and desire for freedom. Then there is the matter of just what happened to her mother in this small town. She had a mysterious fall off of a balcony at a deserted mansion more than twenty years before. Robin begins to unravel the story of her mother’s high school years: the romances; the “fall”; her relationship with Robin’s quiet but caring uncle; and the map, which turns into the focal point of the story. Robin also overhears a conversation which leads her to believe she might be in danger:

“The words were spoken with such wrath, it hurt my ears to hear what little I did, but I had to stay and listen. What did this mean? I trembled in my hiding place. The very fact that these two guys the only two guys I knew in this whole town were together, alerted me that something was up…”

Being home-schooled, Heckenkamp probably understands something about the brilliant recluse. It shows in her writing. Her heroine is sensitive, angry, hurt, intelligent, stubborn, curious, and has a large heart underneath all of her confusion. She is a typical seventeen year old…Heckenkamp captures the angst of those years beautifully. Her plot is solid, and is very movie or television friendly…lots of action; pathos; conflict; glamor; etc. It’s all there, and Heckenkamp is a confident and sure writer. She has no trouble keeping all of her balls in the air and resolving them at the end of this page-turner with a flair. Her denouement is terrifying, exciting, and then whoosh…she brings in the romantic element with panache.

Past Suspicion is a terrific first mystery/novel from a very promising talent. It is a particularly compelling achievement considering Ms. Heckenkamp has her future ahead of her. Bravo!

Reviewed by Shelley Glodowski
for the Midwest Book Review

A Case of Conscience
by Isabel C. Clarke

Published in 1927 by Benziger Brothers
370 pages

Review of A Case of Conscience:

In this highly readable and entertaining novel by Isabel C. Clarke, the plot does indeed revolve around issues of conscience. What do you do when your conscience seems to stand in the way of what your heart desires? This novel deals with love, vocations, keeping the faith, and mixed marriages–all without preaching or being heavy-handed.In nineteen-year-old Elizabeth’s case, she falls in love with Timothy, but she must guard this fact so as not to come between him and her half-sister Opal. As a fervent Catholic, however, Elizabeth cannot in good conscience support the idea of Timothy marrying outside of the Church, as Opal’s family demands. Thus Elizabeth is put in an awkward position. She already feels unwanted by her mother (who left Elizabeth as a baby and abandoned the Faith). The animosity is increased when Elizabeth’s mother accuses Elizabeth of driving a wedge between Timothy and Opal for her own selfish benefit.

In Timothy’s eyes, Opal is a vision, an enchanting beauty, all he’s ever wanted–he only wishes she’d see how important his faith has become since his visit to Italy, which awakened him to his previously lax ways. Yet Timothy is convinced he cannot be happy without Opal. He cannot give her up an any cost. He is given an ultimatum by Opal’s imposing father. What can Timothy do when love and the Catholic faith are at such odds? How can he choose one and forsake the other?

Finally, there’s Opal, the stunning beauty raised as a wealthy and spoilt only child. She’s captured Timothy’s heart. She wants to marry him, but can’t go against her Father, whom she adores and yet who decrees that the two cannot marry in the Catholic Church. (Her mother and father hate the Catholic Church, for reasons revealed in their history.) Opal thinks Timothy is being stubborn over a silly “scruple,” and if he truly loved her, he’d make this little sacrifice and marry outside the Church.

The characters are richly and deftly written so that they strike the reader as vivid and real. Description is well-done without being overdone. The story moves at a fine pace, with new turns of events keeping the reader’s interest. This novel with a conscience is highly recommended for high school students and young adults alike.

To give you a glimpse inside the book, here is an exchange between Timothy and Elizabeth, from page 159:

He stood alone, defending a lost hope, a forlorn position.

“If I hadn’t gone to Italy–” he said suddenly.

“You must be glad, not sorry that you went,” she said softly, with kindling eyes.

“Elizabeth, you’re a little saint, but you’re only fit for the cloister, not for this hard work-a-day materialistic world! Didn’t you ever want anything you oughtn’t to want and that you knew it would be bad for you to have if you could only get it by going against the Church?”

His shining blue eyes sought her face with an almost painful scrutiny. But in its grave unchanging pallor it offered no indication of emotion.

“Lots of times, Timothy. You mustn’t think life is any easier for me than for you.”

As she spoke she visualized Timothy and Opal standing side by side just as she had seen them on that first evening of her arrival in London, when it had seemed to her that they possessed all the gifts that human beings could possibly desire. They were young and beautiful, they loved each other. And while she looked at them she felt that her heart had been pierced by a sword . . . .”

In-Sight
by Gerard D. Webster

Published in 2009 by Outskirts Press

In-Sight has received the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval!
In-Sight is also a Readers Favorite 2009 Award Winner!

Review of In-Sight:

In-Sight, a novel by Gerard D. Webster, is not only a thoroughly enjoyable read, it is a page-turner with a purpose. I read this 415 page book in less than a week, but I know I will remember it for much longer.

In-Sight is actually the story of many people—some good, some bad—whose lives intertwine in a dangerous conflict over transforming a little island community into an extravagant resort. Political and personal interests, power, corruption, and greed come into play. The full cast of characters include Ward McNulty, who is living a “successful” worldly life as a syndicated columnist who eventually must face the disturbing consequences of his actions; Carrie Hope, a beautiful, ambitious news woman with personal issues; Dan McNulty, Ward’s father (who is too Catholic for Ward’s liking); Father Bart, an old army chaplain; Bob Rohrbach, a defense-lawyer-turned-real-estate-lawyer who champions for what is truly right; and, of course, plenty of bad guys! Here’s a brief passage from the book that illustrates one of the villains, a heartless drug baron:

Galarza scoffed at the weakness of lesser men whose scruples kept them from ever becoming truly powerful. Of all the things he ever killed, he thought, his conscience was the easiest.

It is in fact how the characters deal with their consciences—whether they listen to them or smother them—that makes this story. Worldly vision of life can be—and often is—far from accurate, and the author’s take on this theme is intriguing. A little less than half-way into the book, the story takes a twist that makes you say, “Ah-ha! Now I really get the title. Great double-meaning!” This dramatic twist would be hard to believe without the convincing context that Mr. Webster has created throughout the story.

It is important to note that this is definitely not a book for kids, as the very adult content deals with issues such as immoral lifestyles, drugs, abortion, and some very low-life characters. However, realize that these are used with a purpose to simultaneously further the plot and reveal the dark results of evil choices. Many of the characters swear and use bad language. While all in this book is not strictly “traditional” Catholic, it is a worthy book in its depiction of moral issues with consequences. Also, In-Sight contains precious bits of wisdom without resorting to awkward preaching.

Normally, this is not the type of book I would read, as a glance would make me assume that it’s a boring, confusing, political book for mainly male readers. Happily, this is not the case with In-Sight. Mr. Webster has obviously done his research. He is a talented writer who managed to pull off a work of this magnitude successfully, while including nice touches of humor. The story appeals to males and females, contains no gore, yet culminates in an exciting, gun-fire climax, then slides into a satisfying resolution.

To sum up, I’d like to leave you with a short excerpt from the book, one that I think emphasizes the skill of Mr. Webster’s writing and the reality of what sets his book apart from the masses:

It was not just a run-of-the mill investigation. Nor was it just another legal battle. It was nothing less than the epic battle between the Truth and the Lie—between Good and Evil. And it was being played out on their tiny earthly stage—but with eternal consequences.

We will be continually updating the following list with worthy Traditional Catholic Website links of interest, so check back often!

www.DatingTraditionalCatholic.com
Catholic Family News
www.TraditionlCatholic.net
www.OurLadyofGoodSuccess.com
www.TraditionInAction.org
www.FishEaters.com
Little Flowers Family Apostolates

Sunday Morning Pancakes

Do you enjoy a hearty, home-cooked brunch after Sunday Mass? How about gathering the family around a stack of fluffy, warm pancakes? Find a delicious collection of all things pancake related, including recipes, tips, and products, at www.PancakeLovers.com

Catholic Brides

Find beautiful Cake Toppers at www.FloralCakeToppers.com !

The Shadow of the Bear

Black as Night

Waking Rose

Three exciting novels. One amazing author. Regina Doman has taken three timeless fairy tales and rewoven the magical threads of plot, character, and setting into an original, modern mystery trilogy that teens and adults alike won’t be able to put down.

Most refreshingly, Doman’s books have a Catholic flair that is both compelling and convincing. She skillfully tells a powerful, plot-twisting story featuring teens confronting challenges with the help of their faith. Yet the pace is not bogged down with preaching. The characters simply live their faith, and this forces them into many suspenseful situations.

The first book, “The Shadow of the Bear: Snow White and Rose Red Retold,” introduces Blanche and Rose, two teen sisters living with their mother in New York City. After encountering a mysterious stranger one winter night, the girls become entangled in a dangerous plot involving stolen Catholic treasure, an abandoned church, and a dead priest. Once you read this first book, you’ll fall in love with the characters and be hooked on the trilogy.

Book two, “Black as Night,” based on “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” focuses on Blanche and Bear. Blanche, pursued by evil, seeks shelter in a friary while Bear, far away, tries to make sense of his life and where he belongs. When evil closes in and time runs out, a night of death arrives. Who will survive?

The final book in this trilogy, “Waking Rose,” is based on “Sleeping Beauty.” Rose has long loved Benedict (nicknamed “Fish”), but it is an unrequited love that tortures her. Little does she suspect the demons of Fish’s past that prevent him from letting anyone near. But when Rose is involved in a shocking accident, it is up to Fish to rescue her from the nightmare world where she is imprisoned. Will true love conquer all?

With the Christian fiction market saturated with Protestant novels, it is refreshing to read such thoroughly Catholic tales. These books have everything: mystery, action, danger, adventure, humor, romance, and-most refreshingly-moral values. This, combined with clever writing, results in three novels very worth reading!

Would you like to connect with a community of other like-minded Traditional Catholic mothers? Check out the Traditional Catholic Moms group on CafeMom.

The group’s description reads:
“There’s much more to being a Traditional Catholic then just attending the Tridentine Mass; and this is the place to discuss it!!”

You can post questions and comments, or just read what others are writing about. This is also a nice outlet for stay-at-home moms.

What do you think?

Nursing Covers by a Traditional Catholic Mom

Check out CoverNursing.com for high quality, modest, yet stylish and affordable nursing covers–all handmade by a stay-at-home, traditional Catholic mom!

Prices start at $14.99.

These nursing covers are great for use in church and any public places!

Check out the many chic Fabric Choices here.

You can also find informative, helpful breastfeeding articles.

I finished reading A Case of Conscience, by Isabel C. Clarke, last night.  It was an enjoyable read, and besides being entertaining, it makes you think.  The story involves a love triangle between a man and two half-sisters.  You could almost call it a love square, because the Catholic faith is presented as a very solid obstacle to love and marriage.  The handling of this issue is quite interesting, as it is vitally important, yet many people think nothing of mixed marriages today.

Read the full review of Isabel C Clarke’s A Case of Conscience on our Novels page.  (Click on the link above.)