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Category: My Scribbler’s Heart

7 Catholic Books For Christmas Including 2 You Should Get NOW, Before Advent

Published by CAstfalk on 11/15/2018

The stores are bedecked in Christmas decorations, and I hear tell there is Christmas music playing on the radio, though I refuse to partake of it just yet.

Even so, it’s not too early to think of Christmas gift-giving , and Advent is just around the corner!

7 Catholic Books for Xmas and Advent

For Adults

Gaze Upon Jesus*Gaze Upon Jesus: Experiencing Christ’s Childhood through the Eyes of Women edited by Kelly M. Wahlquist

This is the perfect tool for a Christian woman’s Advent study – either individually or in a group. In six sections examining six virtues, the reader meditates on a separate event (i.e, the Annunciation, the Visitation) starting with scripture but including analysis, a fictional story to bring the events to life, reflection, group questions, and the study of sacred art. The addition of the artwork and Stephanie Landsem’s wonderful storytelling set this apart from other studies. Useful any time of year, but most fruitful for the Advent season.

Drinking with Saint Nick*Drinking with Saint Nick: Christmas Cocktails for Saints and Sinners by Michael P.  Foley

This beautiful hardcover book includes beer and wine recommendations and dozens of cocktail recipes for Advent through Candlemas. Pick and choose among drink suggestions made according to the calendar, the twelve days of Christmas, the Golden Nights, and more. With each entry, learn more about the saints, the liturgical calendar, and Church history. Makes a lovely gift!

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Flash Fiction: Disposal

Published by CAstfalk on 11/12/2018

The stench of decay floods my nostrils, and with my arm pressed to my nose and mouth, I make a futile attempt to block the vile odor. I stride past the rot decomposing in the sun, having been left to the elements. It has rained for days.

Inside, I locate a lawn and leaf bag from beneath the kitchen sink, shoving aside cans and bottles of cleaners and polish. Their pungent odors offer my lungs a brief reprieve. With a snap of the wrist, I flap the bag open and steel myself for the task at hand.

Outside, my dreaded duty awaits. I do what I must. With the base of my palm, gaze askance, I deposit the disgusting remains into the bag. With the addition of each bloated fragment, the bag weighs heavier, its dead cargo stretching taut the brown plastic.

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Charlotte’s Honor Blog Tour

Published by CAstfalk on 10/29/2018

Charlotte's Honor Book Tour Promo

Learn more about the book, read advance reviews, my review, an excerpt, an author interview, follow the blog tour, and connect with the author.

About the Book:

After receiving news that her brother – and only relative – has been killed in action during the Great War, 21-year-old Charlotte Zielinski enlists as a medical volunteer. She eventually begins working in the death ward of the field hospital near Soissons, France, holding dying men’s hands and singing them into eternity.

Dr. Paul Kilgallen is a Canadian surgeon working at the field hospital. During a siege by the enemy, everyone evacuates except for Paul and Charlotte, who volunteer to remain in the basement of the chateau to care for the critically ill soldiers.

During those three days, Charlotte sees a side of Paul that very few have seen and finds herself falling in love with him. Before Paul leaves for the front, he abruptly tells her that he cannot love her, and it would be best to “forget him.”

Just when the war is coming to a close, Charlotte is surprised by two events that are destined to change her life forever.

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Inside the Minds of Authors: An Author Interview Index

Published by CAstfalk on 10/15/2018

Since I began blogging at the beginning  of 2015, I’ve been interviewing authors, asking them about their new books, the themes about which they write, and their writing process. About half of the interviews are with Catholic authors, and the remainder are mostly (but not all) Christian authors, writing in a variety of genres.

It’s been my privilege know and associate with these authors, whose work I so enjoy reading and who inspire me in my own writing.

typewriter
Photo by KoalaParkLaundromat
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Novels for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Published by CAstfalk on 10/10/2018

Eight years ago this month, I was powering through the early weeks of pregnancy nausea with my fifth pregnancy. At that point, I’d experienced two full-term pregnancies with two miscarriages sandwiched in between. I thought (hoped, maybe) that since my most recent pregnancy had ended after 41 weeks with a beautiful, healthy baby girl, that my miscarriages were behind me.

I was wrong.

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