Carolyn Astfalk author

An Attitude of Gratitude and the Miracle of the Chocolate Milk

Published by CAstfalk on 03/30/2022

Something about me changed when I started making an effort to be more grateful. It didn’t happen overnight. It happened over the course of years. But it started with a conscious effort to name the many things I’m grateful for.

We have a habit of listing the things we are grateful for each day during bedtime prayers with our children. There’s a round of thanking Jesus by each of us. One kid repeats a boilerplate list of family members’ name and animals, specifically puppies. One is grateful for “getting through the day.” Another makes an exhaustive list of every detail (and is sometimes encouraged to take some of that list to private prayer). One takes it as an occasional opportunity to grumble–but, hey, we’re to be grateful for those things too, according to Saint Paul.

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Relevant Fiction Reviews: I Want to Suck Your Blood!

Published by CAstfalk on 03/21/2022

Vampire novels aren’t necessarily my thing, but I do enjoy a good one from time to time. Here are some that either feature or include vampire characters and are written from a Catholic worldview. (There are a couple of outdated book covers here, but that is how they appear on Goodreads.)

Jennifer the Damned by Karen Ullo

Part angsty teen vampire story with requisite immature romance, part existential examination, and subtle part Catholic theology of the Eucharist, Jennifer the Damned is a novel in a class of its own.

Jennifer, an orphaned vampire under the guardianship of a Catholic religious order of sisters, matures into her soulless fate, her craving for human blood destroying her relationships with the beloved sisters, classmates, and her newly acquired boyfriend.

Running from both her past and her future, Jennifer longs to love and be loved, despite being condemned to soulless immortality.

There is a lot in Jennifer the Damned to chew on (pun intended), from the meaning of love to culpability to the capacity for change and conversion.

Due to content and language, I recommend it for mature readers only, but beyond the superficial vampire trappings (and some well-placed humor), there is a lot of depth ripe for discussion in Jennifer the Damned. Relevant Fiction Reviews: I Want to Suck Your Blood! Vampire novels from a Catholic world view. Share on X

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5 Titles to Download for St. Patrick’s Day

Published by CAstfalk on 03/14/2022

Treasures: Visible and Invisible is a collection of short stories by eight CatholicTeenBooks.com authors.

A teen boy sets out to save a friend from pagan druids, but maybe he’s the one who needs saving.

A young girl seeks a mysterious treasure that holds the key to granting a nun’s dying wish.

Honora is desperate—then a peculiar clover and a mysterious young man change everything.

William’s weekend job is a little gift from heaven, but now his family needs a real miracle.

When threatened by mobsters, Grace receives help from a surprising source.

Alone and afraid, a young girl finds friendship in a stranger. But could this boy be trouble?

Kyle was determined to save the precious relic–but now his whole family is in danger.

(Also, some of these authors have now indecently published the individual short stories included in this anthology , so check for those releases as well.)

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An Open Book

Published by CAstfalk on 03/02/2022

Welcome to the March 2022 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com! My husband has been listening to Slaying Dragons: What…

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5 Resources for Lent

Published by CAstfalk on 02/28/2022

Lent’s almost here. Again. Yikes.

I’m becoming more of a minimalist when it comes to Lent. Less is more, no? One resource or one thing to concentrate on. After numerous Lents in which God delivered a more suitable, fruitful penance than I’d ever dream up, I’m learning to better accept God’s gifts, even those I’d just as soon re-gift.

Here are five resources to accompany you on your Lenten journey. Maybe one here will suit you this year. Or ready you to accept God’s plan for these forty days.

5 Resources for Lent: Books, Downloads, Support & More #Lent Share on X

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The Armor of God Series: An Interview with Author Theresa Linden

Published by CAstfalk on 02/21/2022

For those who are unfamiliar, what inspired the Armor of God, your fantasy-adventure chapter book series for children?

This series was inspired by the scriptural amor of God as described in Ephesians 6:13-17.

The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the boots of peace . . . I just love the connection in that Bible passage between individual pieces of armor and specific virtues. They paint a picture in my mind and a story in my heart. I just had to write the stories that brought those elements to life!

Children recognize the spiritual battle at a very young age . . . when they are tempted to lie or to take something that isn’t theirs, or when they can’t get their way or they’re feeling selfish. So I wanted these stories to have characters that shared those struggles, those spiritual battles, and then armed themselves to fight.

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“The Visigoth’s Reward” by F.P. Astfalk

Published by CAstfalk on 02/14/2022

In another edition of, ‘What good is a blog if I can’t publish my own children’s work?,’ I’m sharing my then seventh-grade daughter’s, ”The Visigoth’s Reward,” her entry in The Hershey Story History Contest for Young Writers for 2021.

Read her 2020 entry, “My Captain.”

Read M.T. Astfalk’s “Asimov.”

Audvakr roused from his sleep.

“Brother, wake up. Get your things. It’s time to go.” Vulfila stood next to him, tying a belt around his tunic.

Audvakr pushed the soft deerskin off himself and reached for his clothes and armor. He opened the tent flap. A full moon shone brightly on the camp. Men gathered in small groups, talking in low, gruff voices. Most appeared to be gravitating towards the biggest tent.

Tonight was the night. The Romans would pay for their arrogance and mistreatment of Audvakr’s people. The Visigoths had gone unnoticed far too long. It was time everyone recognized them.

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