Book Reviews and More: SusanPeek

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Saturday, 30 October 2021

Saint Cloud of Gaul The Prince Who Traded Kingdoms - Susan Peek - God's Forgotten Friends Lives of Little-known Saints Book 4

Saint Cloud of Gaul

The Prince Who Traded Kingdoms

Susan Peek
Seven Swords Publications
ISBN 9780997000597

ASIN B09FFWCBSY

This was the seventh book I have read by Susan Peek over the last few months. I have been greatly impressed by them all. I loved Saint Magnus The Last Viking, and found it very well written. And her handling of mental illness and especially PTSD in The King's Prey: Saint Dymphna of Ireland was incredible. This volume was on a saint I was not familiar with and it is a fascinating story well written. I could barely put this book down. Peek does an amazing job of writing novels about lesser known saints. And really brings the characters, their history, their lives to life fo us. The books are written for young adult readers but can be enjoyed by tweens, teens, and adults alike. We are informed that the inspiration for this series is:

““In many chapels,

reddened by the setting sun,

the saints rest silently,

waiting for someone to love them.”

These words, penned by an unknown priest, long dead,

were the inspiration for this series on the lives of saints

who have fallen deep into the shadows of obscurity.

My hope is that, in reading their heroic stories,

you will make the acquaintance of some of

God's Forgotten Friends”

The description of this volume is:

“A horrific act of treachery. A hairbreadth escape. A decade of desperate hiding. And an encounter with Christ that changes it all!

When young Prince Cloud, grandson of the mighty King Clovis and heir to the Kingdom of Orleans, is suspiciously summoned to his uncle's castle, little does he know his world is about to implode. Hurled into a life of danger, where his royal identity must remain hidden at all costs, Cloud eventually stumbles upon the only Kingdom worth fighting for.

Nearly everyone has heard of St. Cloud, Minnesota, but few know the story of the inspiring saint whose name it bears. The time has come for Saint Cloud of Gaul to blaze forth from hiding!”

Now to be honest I was not familiar with St. Cloud, Minnesota nor Saint Cloud or Saint Clodoald as he is also known as. This book was a wonderful read. It is inspiring, encouraging, challenging. And at the end is an excellent prayer that I have added to my daily prayers.

The book draws readers in. It brings the characters to life. The story takes place between about 525 and 561AD in Gaul. We experience life in a very different time. But a faith we can learn from. It is a fantastic read. It is another excellent volume from the pen of Susan Peek.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Susan Peek:

Novels:
Crusader King: A Novel of Baldwin IV and the Crusades
Saint Magnus The Last Viking
A Soldier Surrenders: The Conversion of Saint Camillus de Lellis
The King's Prey: Saint Dymphna of Ireland
Saint Cloud of Gaul, The Prince Who Traded Kingdoms

...

Picture Books:
Animals of God
Animals of God, Volume Two
The Forgotten Christmas Saint: Saint Anastasia
The Man God Kept Surprising
Small for the Glory of God
...

Books published by Susan Peek:
Daily Pilgrimage to Purgatory
…

Contributed to:
Secrets: Visible & Invisible 7 Amazing Stories - Catholic Teen Books

Gifts Visible & Invisible 8 Christmas Stories for Teens
Treasures: Visible & Invisible 8 Stories for Teens

...

Thursday, 30 September 2021

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Third Quarter 2021

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Third Quarter 2021

It has been a good year for reading to date. So many great reads. I have read just over a book a day. I have read 281 books so far this year and 79 of them this quarter.

This past 2 years have been different year for us all. Last year I had about a 15% drop in my reading totals. I am very happy with this year so far. A bit of a drop this quarter, but part of that was holidays and being busier at work. Reading and reviewing books is my hobby, I am grateful to be able to do so.

Back to this quarter. By the numbers:

Books Read: 79

First Time Reads: 70

Fiction: 34

Non-Fiction: 44

5/5 Stars: 60

5/5 Fiction: 26

5/5 Non-Fiction: 38

Here is my top ten fiction and non-fiction books of the third quarter of 2021.

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books:

1. Great Saints Series - The Catholic Truth Society

Augustine of Hippo - Father Ben O'Rourke

Clare of Assisi - John Paul Kirkham

John Bosco - Jennifer Moorcroft

Padre Pio A Holy Priest - Jim Gallagher

Saint Catherine of Siena - Mary O'Driscoll

Teresa of Avila - Jennifer Moorcroft

2. Life if Messy - Matthew Kelly

3. Encounter the Saints Series - Pauline Books and Media

Saint John Paul II: Be Not Afraid - Susan Helen Wallace FSP and Charlie Craig

Saint Andre Bessette Miracles in Montreal - Patricia Edward Jablonski and Barbara Kiwak

Saint Clare of Assisi: A Light for the World - Marianne Lorraine Trouvé and Mary Joseph Peterson

Saint Faustina Kowalska - Susan Helen Wallace and Joan Waites

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini: Cecchina's Dream - Victoria Dority MSC, Mary Lou Andes MSC and Barbara Kiwak

Saint Thomas More: Courage, Conscience, and the King - Susan Helen Wallace FSP and Patricia Edward Jablonski, FSP and Dani Lachuk

4. Finding Frassati: And Following His Path to Holiness - Christine M Wohar

5. The Shepherd Who Didn't Run - Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda - Blessed Stanley Rother, Martyr from Oklahoma

6. Benedict XV & World War I - Father Ashley Beck - CTS Biographies

7. The Handy Little Guide to Spiritual Communion - Michael Heinlein

8. Nine Days with Saint Joseph - Andrew Offer, O.P. and Jonah Teller O.P., Sebastian White O.P. (Editor)

9. Saint Cloud of Gaul, The Prince Who Traded Kingdoms - Susan Peek

10. A Novena to St Columba - Fr Ross Crichton SJ

Bonus Books:

Saint Ignatius of Loyola - Pat Corkery SJ - A Convert's Story

Blessed John Sullivan SJ - Fergal McGrath SJ

Saint Patrick: An Ancient Saint for Modern Times - Edmond Grace

The Story of Nano Nagle: A Life Lived on the Razor's Edge - Anne Lyons PBVM

The Gunpowder Plot - Herbert Thurston SJ - CTS Onefifties Book 9

Top Ten Fiction Books:

1. Linked - Gordon Korman

2. This Thing of Darkness - Fiorella De Maria and K.V. Turley

3. Dragon Eye PI Books - Karina Fabian

A Winkle in Time

Magic, Mensa, & Mayhem

4. Friends in High Places - Corinna Turner

Old Men Don't Walk to Egypt: Saint Joseph

Child, Unwanted: Margaret of Castello

5. Novella's from Jon Mayhew

6. The Dark Tower - Donal Anthony Foley - The Glaston Chronicles Book 2

7. Corn Dolls - K.T. Galloway - Annie O'Malley Book 1

8. Heaven’s Hunter - Marie C. Keiser

9. The Deadliest Sins - Andrew M. Seddon

10. The Case of the Campground Creature - Karen Kelly Boyce and Sue Anderson Gioulis - Sisters of the Last Straw Book 7

Bonus Books:

Every Mother's Son - Alex Smith - DCI Kett Book 7

Jack of Hearts - Diane Capri - Hunt for Reacher Book 12

McCracken and the Lost Lagoon - Mark Adderley - The McCracken Adventures Book 4

No Time for Sorrow - J.E. Mayhew - DCI Will Blake Book 7

This year was my fastest to 200 books read, it took me 173 days. But Q3 had a bit of a slow down. There were so many great reads so far this year. It was very hard picking the top ten. You should check out my Favourite Books Year by Year list.

Note: I do not include books that have been read in previous years and were reread this year in my top ten lists; they are in sometimes in the bonus section. It was not easy again this quarter, making my picks.

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2020
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2020

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2020

Top Ten Fiction Books 2020

Top Ten Books First Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2021

...

All Top Ten Lists on Book Reviews and More

Statistics Books Read By Year:
281 - 2021 (January-September)

317 - 2020
392 - 2019
359 - 2018
380 - 2017
272 - 2016
177 - 2015
130 - 2014
88 - 2013
176 - 2012
163 - 2011
302 - 2010
142 - 2009
98 - 2008
83 - 2007
191 - 2006
151 - 2005
60 - 2004
52 - 2003
97 - 2002
50 - 2001
41 - 2000
71 - 1999
73 - 1998
131 - 1997
101 - 1996

Monday, 15 March 2021

Treasures Visible & Invisible 8 Stories for Teens - Catholic Teen Books

Treasures: Visible & Invisible
8 Stories for Teens
From Catholic Teen Books
ISBN 9780997971873

ASIN B08XP2TW5D

This is the third collection from the authors of Catholic Teen Books. It was an inspiring read. Some stories are of miracles, and others about change. Two contributors from the previous collection did not contribute and two new ones have joined the fray. In this collection are8 stories from the 14 authors who currently compose the collective. My first thought was wow! What an amazing collection of stories around Saint Patrick! I am aware that not everyone likes short stories, but I love them, and this collection is amazing! Short stories are a different art form than novels, and not all novelists have mastered the craft. For a short story to be good, the writing needs to be tighter, cleaner and crisper. And each of the 8 in this collection is extremely well written. One of the things I normally love about reading anthologies is discovering new authors. That was not the case this time. I have read books by all but one of the contributors and had very high expectations for this collection. I loved the previous two anthologies Secrets Visible & Invisible and Gifts Visible & Invisible from the authors at Catholic Teen Books.

The contributors in this volume are:

Theresa Linden

Susan Peek

Antony Barone Kolenc

Amanda Lauer

Carolyn Astfalk

Leslea Wahl

T. M. Gaouette

Corinna Turner

In this collection we have one short story from each of the contributors. Some contain characters you may encounter in novels by the authors, that are already in print or have plans to be soon. Some are characters that are like old friends that we will be visiting again. And others are people we are just meeting for the first time. I have read this anthology once and I have listened to it a second time, and already plan to read it again closer to the feast of Saint Patrick. I said it last time and I state it again, this is one of the best anthologies I have ever encountered containing Catholic or Christian fiction!

The stories are:

Treasure In The Bogs - Theresa Linden

A Single Day . . . Or Not - Susan Peek

Lucy And The Hidden Clover - Antony Barone Kolenc

Lucky And Blessed - Amanda Lauer

Danke - Carolyn Astfalk

Grace Among Gangsters - Leslea Wahl

In Mouth Of Friend And Stranger - T. M. Gaouette

The Underappreciated Virtues Of Green-Fingered Monsters - Corinna Turner

As I have mentioned, this is a great collection of short stories. I really could not pick a favorite or least favorite from the collection. Each of the stories are well written. And I greatly enjoyed each of them. In the collection, we encounter 3 Historical Fiction stories, a Dystopian, and 3 Contemporary, and one involving time travel or what some would consider Science Fiction. There is a story classified as Historical that I consider more a contemporary. Though I might argue that the last is Science Fiction and not Dystopian, or at least this story, but the world it is set in is definitely Dystopian. And here is a summary of each story.

Treasure In The Bogs

A wonderful retelling of the life of Saint Patrick. Drawing from his own writings, and the legends surrounding this saint. Linden has written a fantastic version. An excellent way to kick off the collection.

A Single Day . . . Or Not

A story adapted from an Irish legend. An unnamed monk given a name. A name that means forgotten. Susan Peek is known for her exceptional historical fiction. For bringing the lives of lesser known saints to life. And she has done so wonderfully yet again.

Lucy And The Hidden Clover

This story is set in the world we first encountered in Shadow in the Dark and in it Antony Barone Kolenc surprises us yet again. The novel is the first in the Harwood Mysteries. And this short story has a mystery of its own. A mystery of a secret, a stone, and lives given and transformed by God.

Lucky And Blessed

Amanda Lauer is the only contributor whose works I am unfamiliar with. But this story is so well written that even though Laurer writes primarily in a genre I tend not to read I am itching to pick up one of her books. I have read a lot of non-fiction set during the time period of this story over the last few years. Many biographies and histories. This story could easily be from real life. And if a novel with these characters is published, I will be picking it up the day it is available.

Danke

Again in this story we encounter characters from what is a work in progress. The story is set in historical Johnstown Pennsylvania. A few years before the great flood. The mysterious Shamrock stone again makes an appearance and changes hands. Legends around the stone are growing. And this story adds to them. A brother, a family, a stranger, and the fear of scarlet fever.

Grace Among Gangsters

The characters in this story also appear in the novel A Summer to Treasure. This is a story about a family, legends about the treasure of the Sultana, the DiGiovanni crime family in Kansas City, and archeologist that end up getting more than they bargained for.

In Mouth Of Friend And Stranger

Saints or angels in disguise. That is my thought upon rereading this story. This story fits in a long history of Saints appearing and helping someone in great need. It is masterfully written. The story is very moving. To be honest I would love to know more of both Pat's and Hannah's stories. It is well written and keeps your attention. I love the use of St Patrick's Lorica. I love where Gaouette’s writings are going. They have more edge. It is masterfully written and keeps your attention. An excellent story.

The Underappreciated Virtues Of Green-Fingered Monsters

This story gives us a very different look at a leader of a sorting facility. It gives us new insights into Kyle, Margaret and Bane. But even if you have not read any of the I am Margaret stories this is a well crafted short story with a few twists and surprises.

I will state that for fans of the authors in this collection, you need to pick this book up to read their contribution, of the pieces that expands their universe you are already familiar with. For readers who love excellent short stories, this collection is also for you. If you want some great reads that are clean Catholic\Christian fiction focused around the Saint Patrick and a stone shamrock, this is the book for you.

This anthology is amazing! And I can only hope that Catholic Teen Books releases another collection soon. I cannot imagine what they would come up with in a collection focused on Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. If you love great short stories you owe it to yourself to give this collection a try!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!

Links to other reviews of books by the contributors:
Antony Barone Kolenc

Carolyn Astfalk
T. M. Gaouette
Theresa Linden
Susan Peek
Corinna Turner
Leslea Wahl

Anthologies from the Catholic Teen Books Authors:

Secrets Visible & Invisible 7 Amazing Stories

Gifts Visible & Invisible 8 Christmas Stories for Teens

Treasures: Visible & Invisible 8 Stories for Teens

Ashes Visible & Invisible 10 Stories for Teens

Shadows Visible & Invisible 7 Stories for Teens

...

Other books from Catholic Teen Books:

The Christmas Lights

A Foul Christmas

A Saint Nicholas Eve Carol

The Gift of the Angel Tree

A Lack of Christmas Spirits

…

Sunday, 29 December 2019

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Fourth Quarter 2019

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Fourth Quarter 2019

This quarter I have read 95 books, and a total of 392 this year. I am reading at the pace of about a book and a quarter a day. Of those a total of 49 books received 5/5 stars and 45 are first time reads and are therefor eligible for this quarters top ten list. That left me to choose from 22 non-fiction and 23 fiction.

Here is my top ten fiction and non-fiction books of the fourth quarter of 2019.

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books:
1. Memento Mori: Prayers on the Last Things - Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP
2. Learning to Love: Journeys Through Life with the Rosary - Father Nigel Woollen
3. How to Make Great Decisions - Fr. Mike Schmitz
4. Reclaiming Catholic History Series

The Early Church (33–313) St. Peter, the Apostles, and Martyrs - James L. Papandrea

The Church and the Roman Empire 301–490: Constantine, Councils, and the Fall of Rome - Mike Aquilina

5. 12 Life Lessons from St. Thomas Aquinas: Timeless Spiritual Wisdom for Our Turbulent Times - Kevin Vost
6. 20 Answers Conversion - Shaun McAfee - 20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers
7. Daily Pilgrimage to Purgatory A Powerful Devotion for the Holy Souls - Seven Swords Publications and Susan Peek
8. Friendship with Jesus: Pope Benedict XVI talks to Children on Their First Holy Communion - Pope Benedict XVI, Amy Welborne and Ann Engelhart
9. Inseparable: Five Perspectives on Sex, Life, and Love in Defense of Humanae Vitae - Edited by Todd Aglialoro and Stephen
10. Whatever Happened to Friendship? - Henry Menzies

Bonus:
In Conversation with God - Francis Fernandez
Be Strong in the Lord: Spirituality for Men - Harold Burke-Sivers
Saint Maximillian Kolbe Martyr of Charity - James E. McCurry

Top Ten Fiction Books:
1. From Afar - Roger Thomas
2. Father William's Daughter - Fiorella De Maria
3. The Last Ugly Person: And Other Stories - Roger Thomas
4. Ungifted - Gordon Korman

Ungifted - Supergifted

5. All in Good Time - Carolyn Astfalk
6. The Watchful Sky Series by Roger Thomas

Under The Watchful Sky

Rising Darkness

The Wounded Land

7. The Attic Saint - Tim Drake and Theodore Schluenderfritz
8. Ella's Promise - Ellen Gable - Great War Great Love Book 3
9. The Advent of Christmas - Matt Maher and Merce Tous
10. Blue Moon - Lee Child - Jack Reacher 24

Bonus:
Hunt for Jack Reacher Books by Dian Capri

Get Back Jack - Book 2

Jack and Joe - Book 3

Deep Cover Jack - Book 4

Black Jack - Book 6

Jack of Spades - Book 8

Ten Two Jack - Book 7

My reading has been up over each of the last few years. I attribute part of it to Brandon Vogt’s course Read More Books Now, removing all games but 1 brain game from my devices. And I now commute to work on a bus and read on the bus every day. Last quarter was an almost 2/3rds fiction and non-fiction, this quarter it was split almost equal.

Note: I do not include books that have been read in previous years and were reread this year in my top ten lists, they are in the bonus section. It was no easy task making this quarter. But if you want more options check out my favorite books year by year list.

Sunday, 15 December 2019

Daily Pilgrimage to Purgatory - Seven Swords Publications - Susan Peek - A Powerful Devotion for the Holy Souls

Daily Pilgrimage to Purgatory:
A Powerful Devotion for the Holy Souls
Susan Peek (Editor)
Seven Swords Publications
ISBN 9781080597369

This volume edited by Susan Peek and reprinted is from a text from 1884. It was a pious practice started by Saint Margaret Mary. It was recommended to the members of the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. We are told in the introduction that:

“A Daily Pilgrimage deserves to be propagated. My Christian friends who read these lines, priests, religious, or devout lay people, help to spread this devotion. It is so simple, and requires so little effort. You will be rewarded for it. Let at least one tiny drop of water trickle into Purgatory every day. If everyone does this, many souls will be released, and a refreshing stream of grace will flow without ceasing through that prison of fire.”

I can admit I never really thought much about purgatory until about a year ago. The novel Tortured Soul by Theresa Linden a retelling of a true encounter really impacted me. After reading that I read Purgatory A Mystery of Love by Donncha Ó hAodha part of the CTS Deeper Christianity Series. When I saw this booklet I knew I had to read it. Each of the 7 days in this devotion contain:

A meditation
Pious Exercises
Resolution
Thought for the day
Exercise
Special Intention
Motive
Prayers
Ejaculation

There is some teaching about the benefits of this devotion before the seven daily devotions. Then there are some instructions on The Heroic Act of Charity. Then there is an appendix with two devotions to help souls in Purgatory, and one to help us avoid it. At the end is a short list of books recommended by the author including Linden’s mentioned above and books by Susan Tassone and others.

This is a wonderful devotion and I have worked through it twice now. I just wish there was an eBook edition so I could always have it on me on my phone. We owe Susan Peek a debt of gratitude for bringing this devotion back into print, and in such a wonderful edition. I highly recommend this booklet to you and your family.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Susan Peek:

...