Book Reviews and More: Falling into Place - Susan Brinkmann

Falling into Place

Chronicles of Ariella Book 2

Susan Brinkmann

Feminine Genius

ISBN 9781635825824

eISBN 9781635825831

ASIN B0GF95G9FS

Falling into Place - Susan Brinkmann - Chronicles of Ariella Book 2

I wanted to read the first book in this series, Lioness Lost, from the time I first saw the cover. While working on the review of that one I discovered it was the first in a series planned for 6 books. This is the second in that series. I had read one non-fiction work by the author and numerous articles. It took a while for these books to show up in Canada and even longer to be available digitally. With my dual form of dyslexia the eBooks make reading so much easier, my son has eye tracking issues and our deacon has low vision. eBooks help with all of these and other issues. Back to the volume at hand; the description of this book states:

“Investigative reporter Ari Dalton is once again forced to confront the evil workings of the Satanic gang, Hades Hood, while investigating two more hate crimes at local churches that leave yet another innocent sacristan dead. Working closely with FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jesse Sandoval, their attraction to each other becomes even more apparent, as does their paradoxical worldviews.

As she continues her Mystical Marvels series and delves into the dark worlds of witchcraft, goddess worship, and channeling, Ari's relationship with Jesse finally ruptures under the strain of their differing views. They just don't see eye-to-eye about religion and the painful breakup forces Ari to question herself and her beliefs like never before.

Meanwhile, she is introduced to another ancestor, Ariella Rose "Rosie" Everleigh, who lived during the reign of Queen Elizabeth the First whose vicious persecution of Catholics forced Rosie to live under the constant threat of imprisonment. Inspired by Rosie's courage, which was drawn from her deep faith, Ari finally reaches out for help, and finds it in the last place she ever thought to look—the Church.”

About the author we are informed”

“Susan Brinkmann, OCDS, is a Secular Carmelite, award-winning journalist, and author of seventeen books on the New Age and the occult, Catholic apologetics and Carmelite spirituality. She currently serves as the Director of New Age Research for Women of Grace® which houses the largest library of research on the New Age and the occult in the world. In addition to educating the public on the dangers of the New Age and counterfeit Christianity, Susan’s work will also open hearts to the glory of Christianity, the critical role of women in the Church, and the Truth that sets us free.”

The beginning of the authors note states:

“As engaging as this story may be, it’s important for the reader to understand that it is not entirely fictional. Only the characters, locations, and plot are imagined. Everything else is true and based on fact. The New Age and occult activity described in these novels is based upon the documented testimony of Catholic exorcists and experts in the various disciplines associated with the study of New Age alternatives. The diverse tactics of the devil, manifestations of demonic entities, and the Satanic rituals used by the gang members is also based on real events. Although it might make for a thrilling read, this information is the result of two decades of serious research, first while serving as a reporter at the Catholic Standard and Times newspaper of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and then in my work under the leadership of Johnnette Williams of Women of Grace, the great early pioneer in the field of New Age research.

In addition, the history of the Church that is presented in the various novellas of Ariella’s ancestors is also based upon real history as documented by historians such as Warren Carroll, Jay P. Dolan, and Eusebius, to name a few. The different eras in Church history that are represented in this series were carefully chosen to correlate to current issues in the Church today—the priest abuse scandal, the seemingly out-of-touch responses to social issues, bishops who cave to politics rather than defend the teachings of Christ, the ongoing problem of poor catechesis, and the impact of persecution upon the Suffering Church.

Also to be regarded as factual are the descriptions of the various types of prayer Ari experiences in the chapel. The anointings, infused states, and use of Scripture are all part of the Catholic mystical tradition as taught by the Carmelite doctors of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. John of the Cross.

Ari’s discovery of these truths very much mirrors my own experience when reverting to Catholicism many years ago. Like her, I looked to the New Age and its Universal Mind for the kind of spiritual highs I could never seem to find in the Mass. And like her, I thought I knew what the Church taught, even though I never read a single encyclical or page of the Catechism. The only Scripture I knew was what I cherry-picked to fit my own narrative. By the time I found the courage to put aside my biases and self-imposed bigotry and really study Church teaching, I was already badly beaten and broken by a world that I thought had all the answers.

When this series ends, Ari will have discovered exactly what I did when I finally summoned up the courage to face what I had so long refused to accept: there is such a thing as objective truth, and we dismiss it at our peril.”

I trusted the book based on the author and publisher, even though this was one of the first books from the new publishing Feminine Genius, which is an imprint of Viident, which is the parent publishing house of Matthew Kelly over a number of imprints. This book and series have really hit home for me on many fronts. First the history with the occult and new age; second Troubling issues with my mother; and third the power of a praying grandparent. Brinkmann states that in some ways the journey in this novel and series mirrors her own. It also mirrored my own. I did not know much about the story before beginning. I had not read any reviews or even the whole description. When I picked that first story up unaware it was the first in a series, or that the series was planned for 6 volumes. Book 2 was out in Canada by the time I got around to reading volume 1, and book 3 is out in print, though not yet digitally in the US, as of the writing of this review not in Canada at all. I discovered the plan for the 6 books arc on Brinkmann’s site while researching for this review. I already have book 2 and it has jumped to the top of me ‘to be read’ pile. And I eagerly away the rest to be available in my region.

I do not often highlight in fiction novels but did a few passages in this. The first four are from the authors note and 2 from chapter 9.

“In addition, the history of the Church that is presented in the various novellas of Ariella’s ancestors is also based upon real history as documented by historians such as Warren Carroll, Jay P. Dolan, and Eusebius, to name a few.”

“By the time I found the courage to put aside my biases and self-imposed bigotry and really study Church teaching, I was already badly beaten and broken by a world that I thought had all the answers.”

“When this series ends, Ari will have discovered exactly what I did when I finally summoned up the courage to face what I had so long refused to accept: there is such a thing as objective truth, and we dismiss it at our peril.”

“Thus, if you accept the devil, you have to accept God. And along with God comes His moral code which is based on the principles of agape love.”

“An objective truth is something that is true for everyone whether they agree with it or not. This is opposed to subjective truth, which is based on someone’s feelings or opinions.””

This story has a story within the story. We have Ariella Dalton modern day investigative reporter, who is investigating the hate crime murder at a Catholic churches. We have the story of Ariella Rose Everleigh - Rosie, found by Ariella’s grandmother and shared over several sections. And we have Ari beginning to question many things, and realizing some of her own biases. She is thinking more deeply about her own life, assumptions she had made, and even some of the new age practices she uses, especially after her interview with an exorcist. We also have a relationship between her an and FBI agent, but they have a habit of butting heads.

The story is moving. It is inspiring, and it is encouraging. It has some great lessons, but not in a preachy way. It has amazing characters both in the modern story and in the past timeline.

It is a book I could easily recommend for young adults and adult readers, but for teens I would be selective because of some pretty heavy themes. Some of those themes include parental neglect, the new age, and satanic cults. Brinkman handles those subjects masterfully.

I have averaged about a book a day for the last several years. Book one is one of the best debut fiction novels I have ever read, and the follow up is even better. One of the best Catholic novels and series I have read this year. It is an excellent read in what is shaping up to be an amazing series!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Susan Brinkmann:

Day by Day in the Little Way: 365 Reflections on the Teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux

Live the Little Way: A Practical Guide to Living the Little Way of Spiritual Childhood

The Kinsey Corruption

We Need to Talk: God Speaks to a Modern: God Speaks to a Modern Girl

The Kinsey Corruption

A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness

With God Alone: Contemplative Prayer for Everyday People

…

Like A Catholic Series:

Fight Like a Catholic: Spiritual Warfare in the Catholic Tradition