Monday, 7 December 2020

The Violet Mouse - Cedar Sanderson

The Violet Mouse
Sanderley Studios
ASIN B08DN3RPLH


This was the second stand alone work of Sanderson’s that I have read. I would classify it as a published short story or very short novella. But does it ever leave you wanting more. My introduction to the works of Cedar in Cracked: An Anthology of Eggsellent Chicken Stories, and after reading her piece there knew I had to track down and read something else from her pen. The first stand alone piece was The Groundskeeper: Raking Up the Dead. Which I loved. And there were a few others that really grabbed my interest. And I have been randomly buying them and giving them a read. I highly recommend this one, but warn you like everything else I have read by Sanderson it will leaving you wanting more. More stories that continue from this one, and just more stories from her pen.

This one was an excellent read. A bit of a Flatliners or Hulk back story feel to it. The description of the volume is:

“Trust me.
There are things in the lab no-one ever talks about.
Risk everything.
How far would you go to save a friend's last hope?

Three friends, one fateful conversation. You can’t let your closest friends do something drastic, not if you can help it. When one of you has a a brilliant mind, another is a skeptic, and the last one is willing to be a guinea pig… should you stop them?

A short story.”

What would you do if you had a progressive disease? No real hope. Things are getting worse. And you work in a lab and a co-worker has just come up with something revolutionary? That is part of the dilemma in this story. The other part is someone else from the lab finding out and agreeing to help. How far would you go for a chance, for a friend. Would you be willing to risk it all on a toss of the dice? But to find out you will need to read the story.

Be warned you might not like the ending. And will likely desperately want to know what happens to the three next. The ends of this volume has an excerpt of Lab Gremlins and a very humorous biography. I did not read the excerpt but am debating and it will likely be my next Sanderson read. A great little story that I highly recommend.

Books by Cedar Sanderson:
Warp Resonance
One-Eyed Dragon
Snow Angel
Inktail & Friends: A Coloring Book
Voyageur's Cap
Fairy Little Sister
Milkweed
Mindflow
Crow Moon
Zombie Maggots
Poor Gregory
…

The Groundskeeper Series:

Pixie for Hire Series:
Pixie for Hire: Omnibus Edition

Children of Myth Series:
Vulcan's Kittens 
The God’s Wolfling
…

The Tanager Series:
Jade Star
Tanager's Fledglings 
…

Witchward Series:
…  

Illustrated by Cedar:
Something Wicked #15
Jormungandr's Venom (Fenris Unchained Book 3)
Hunted Behavior
A Time To Die
Legion
…

Contributed to:
The Hearts' Enchantment
Calexit- The Anthology
Supernatural Streets
Something Wicked Anthology, Vol One
Something Wicked #15
Mythic Delirium Magazine Issue 0.4
The Haunted Library Anthology: Volume 1 
But Not Broken - Hope and Healing Book 2
Postcards From Mars - Postcard Stories Book 1
Space Cowboys - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 4
Space Cowboys 2: Electric Rodeo - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 5
Twisted Tropes
Steam-Powered Postcards - Postcard Stories Book 2
Space Marines - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 6
Fanta-Fly Postcards: A Micro-Fiction Collection
Postcards from Foolz: A Micro-Fiction Collection
Falcons of Malta
Space Marines 2 - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 9
Single Servings of Liberty - Postcard Stories Book 5
Tales From The Occupation: A Fae Wars Book 4
…

Books as Lilania Begley:
Slice of Pie
...

Sumire Series:

Bluehills Series:

Contributed to as Lilania Begley:
He Was Dead When I got There
...
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Sunday, 6 December 2020

The New Testament Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition - Blue Sparrow Publishing

The New Testament
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Dynamic Catholic (Previous Published)
ISBN 9781929266746 (Softcover)
ISBN 9781635820058 (Premium Edition)


I recently received two bibles to review. This one is The New Testament in a premium leather edition. And the full bible, which looks the same except green leather instead of Blue. The first thing I noticed was that they were almost the exact same size. The difference is the paper. The New Testament has much thicker paper. They are both single column design. With wide margins with lots of space for notes and thoughts to be written. This New Testament is a wonderful edition for reading. It has no footnotes and minimal endnotes. 

The book is well put together. And should last for years. My son loves it and wants his own copy now. I started reading both editions when they arrived. One in Genesis and one in Matthew. I have read the RSV version before and was one of three we could quote from academically when I did my Religious Studies Degree with a focus on Roman Catholic Thought. 

To be honest this is my new favorite bible for just reading. My son likes the look of both the leather and softcover editions. The cover of the softcover really appears to him. I like the heft and feel of it. It is great an awesome New Testament.

Note: The publisher has undergone some name changes, from Dynamic Catholic to Wellspring, to Blue Sparrow. Even if you order directly from Blue Sparrow you will likely end up with one with a different publisher’s name inside. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Full Bible Softcover (9781929266821)
Full Bible Premium (9781635820003)
NT Softcover (9781929266746)
NT Premium (9781635820058)



Reviews of Different Editions of the Bible:
The Catholic Study Bible - NABRE - Oxford University Press
Spiritual Warfare Bible - Saint Benedict Press
The Great Adventure Bible - Ascension Press
Proverbs: Douay Rheims Bible Version - Fr. Mark Goring and Sr. Penolope Nguyen SC
New Testament and Psalms for Men - Saint Benedict Press

Books in the CTS Scriptures Series:
The CTS New Catholic Bible - Jerusalem Bible
The Gospel of Matthew - English Standard Version
The Gospel of Mark - English Standard Version
The Gospel of Luke - English Standard Version
The Gospel of John - English Standard Version
…
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Saturday, 5 December 2020

Mystery of the Magi - Father Dwight Longenecker - The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men

Mystery of the Magi
The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men
Father Dwight Longenecker
ISBN 9781621576297
eISBN 9781621576563
ASIN B06XZF7D4X
 

I have followed Father Longenecker on social media since I started blogging 15 years ago. I have picked up a few books that he has written, and a few that he has contributed to. I became aware of this volume after reading From Afar by Roger Thomas. And though that volume is fiction and this one non-fiction they are great compliments to each other. I picked this book up based on the title and author. I did not even read the description. When I started reading I thought ‘wow this is some great history and research’ and then I realized the whole book is history. It was an absolutely fascinating book to read. Once I got going, I could hardly put it down. I read it over 4 days because things were busy at work. And now a week later I am still thinking about it often. The chapters in the volume are:

Introduction
The Three Wise Men: Facts or Fairy Tale?
Is the Bible True?
Matthew: Man of History
Fantastic Flights of Fantasy
Sages and Stargazers
The Riddle of the Nabateans
The Middle Eastern Melting Pot
Prophecies or Predictions?
The Herod Connection
The Three Treasures
The Star of Bethlehem
Wise Men from the East
What Happened to the Wise Men?
Conclusion
Why Does It Matter?
Acknowledgments
Bibliography
Notes

This is one of those books that I was blessed to have read. And one that I cannot stop talking about. I have recommended it to about 2 dozen people through email, live chats, or calls. And if it were not 2020, and I wasn’t working from home that number would be tripled. 

The book examines prejudices on both sides of the field. And then goes into a deep dive on historical sources, pilling the threads and string until a tapestry is revealed that leads to only one real possible conclusion of who the Magi really were. 

This book is a mix of theology, history, archeology, and to be honest pure genius. This volume would be an excellent read during Advent over Christmastide, or to be honest at any time. I read it just before Advent and it has really help set the tone going into that season this year for me. There was not anything to non like in this volume. The information is presented in an engaging manner. It goes deep into the history and politics of the region and time. This book will help you see the Magi in a new light, and you will likely consider them in a new way going forward. 

Another great aspect of this work is the examination of different theories regarding the star of Bethlehem. Longenecker presents a number of theories that might account for these events. And he presents both pros and cons of the theories. 

This book is masterfully researched. It was written as part of a personal quest to understand, and to know. Longenecker really wanted to know and he dug and dug until he found what might have been. Stripping away the fantastical latter addons to the story and looking at the account from Matthew and using it as a basis for the research he has written a book that is both well researched and easily accessible. It is a volume that high school students could engage with. And the older you are and more you have read the deeper you will be able to go with this material.

This is an excellent read. And one I am certain will bless any reader. I would encourage you to give this a read and see where it leads you.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Father Longenecker:
A Sudden Certainty: Priest Poems 
Adventures in Orthodoxy 
An Answer Not An Argument: Essays on Apologetics 
Catholicism Pure and Simple 
Challenging Catholics: A Catholic Evangelical Dialogue 
Christianity Pure and Simple 
How to be an Ordinary Hero 
Immortal Combat 
Is Anybody There?: The Question of God 
Letters on Liturgy 
Listen My Son: St. Benedict for Fathers 
Mary: A Catholic-Evangelical Debate 
More Christianity: Finding the Fullness of the Faith 
Mystery of the Magi 
Our Lady?: A Catholic-Evangelical Debate 
Praying the Rosary for Inner Healing 
Praying the Rosary for Inner Healing: Second Edition 
Praying the Rosary for Spiritual Warfare 
Saint Benedict for Busy Parents 
Slubgrip Instructs 
St. Benedict and St. Therese: The Little Rule & the Little Way 
The Gargoyle Code 
The Great Battle: Living by Faith 
The Path to Rome 
The Quest for the Creed 
The Romance of Religion 
The Vicar of Great Snoring 
Why Do You Believe That?: A Protestant-Catholic Conversation 
…


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Friday, 4 December 2020

Prayer of the Day Prayer for the Canonisation of Pier Giorgio Frassati

Prayer for the Canonisation of Pier Giorgio Frassati

O merciful God, 
who through the perils of the world 
deigned to preserve by your grace 
your servant Pier Giorgio Frassati 
pure of heart and ardent of charity, 
listen, we ask you, to our prayers and, 
if it is in your designs that he be glorified by the Church, 
show us your will, 
granting us the graces we ask of you, 
through his intercession, 
by the merits of Jesus Christ, Our Lord, 
Amen.

IMPRIMATUR, 1932 +Maurillo, Archbishop of Turin


Note: This prayer came from the Hozana Prayer group dedicated to Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.






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Thursday, 3 December 2020

Treasure of the Gold Dragon - Tracey West and Sara Foresti - Dragon Masters Book 12

Treasure of the Gold Dragon
Dragon Masters Book 12
Tracey West (Author)
Sara Foresti (Illustrator)
Scholastic
ISBN 9781338263688
eISBN 9781338263701
ASIN B07CNDHG2R


As a family we really love these books! A few years ago, I read the first eight books of this series to my son. My youngest daughter really enjoyed it and the three of us read them. This year my youngest has been reading them to me. And this was the first book we had not read previously. This year we found out that my nephew has been reading them and was only 1 book ahead of us. He is reading the physical books and We are reading the eBook editions. It is a great story in a wonderful series. My youngest daughter is insistent that we will read the whole series. And she has spent her reading challenge money buying all the kindle editions that are available.

I have said it before, and I state it again, ‘this series really has staying power’. I have read some of the stories 4 or 5 times now. And have been reading them for over 4 years. And I still enjoy the stories as do my children. My son who thought he had outgrown these stories has been sitting in and listening to his sister read them to me again lately. It is also great to know that my brother’s family loves them as much as ours. It is fascinating to watch the kids interact and compare notes about the books that they are both reading. And to predict what will happen next based on the endings of the book, or title of the next as we queue it up. And when we started this one she read 2 chapters beyond her daily required reading time. 

One of the best things about this series is that it is a true series. In that each story builds upon the next. The stories are strong enough to be read on their own, but as a whole we get to watch the growth of the group as they come together as a team and learn to work together and support each other. And we see some characters come in and out of the stories. And in this one we meet a new dragon master and the golden dragon has a very special skill and power. And all of this while events of the previous stories are still not completely wrapped up. It is fantastic to have a series for readers this young that do not just reset at the beginning of the next book. 

In this one the battle with Maldred heats up. This time Rori and Drake travel to the lair of the Golden dragon. And with the aid of Darma they try and take on the wizard. But the story does not wrap up and continues into the next volume. Be sure to have it on because you will want to begin it right away.

This is the first volume illustrated by Sara Foresti. And She is the fourth illustrator so far for the series. The illustrations keep a consistent feel and look. But Each artist leaves their own mark on the books they work on. Some illustrations stand alone and some wrap around the text and span two-page spreads. 

Another excellent read in a great series. These are excellent books for young readers, but also entertaining enough for older readers. I am continually impressed with the staying power of this series. After multiple reads over several years I still really enjoy returning to the Dragon Masters. And look forward too many more reads in this series, as my daughter is insistent, she will read them all to me! And she insisted we give it 5/5 stars! A great read in a great series!

Dragon Master Books:
1. Rise of the Earth Dragon
2. Saving the Sun Dragon
3. Secret of the Water Dragon
4. Power of the Fire Dragon
5. Song of the Poison Dragon
6. Flight of the Moon Dragon
7. Search for the Lightning Dragon














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Wednesday, 2 December 2020

All Manner Of Thing Poems 2013-2019 - Niall Gooch

All Manner Of Thing
Poems 2013-2019
ASIN B08HXDPMCG


I am by no means a poetry critic. In fact, it has been a few years since I have picked up anything but a few favorite volumes. I do enjoy the form and do not hesitate to pick it up from time to time. Niall’s about me on his site states that he is: “an amateur poet and writer of unfinished novels.” I would state after reading this volume of poetry through twice that he can strike out the amateur. And hopefully he will finish some of those novels for us to pursue.

I have found that I appreciate poetry, though by no means critique it literarily. With my dual for of dyslexia I always struggled with English academically. In the early grades they never bothered teaching me, and by later grades it was so difficult because I did not know the basics. But I love to read and have since I learned how to. And when It comes to poetry, I know what I like and what elicits a response intellectually, spiritually, or viscerally. And this volume did stir responses.

The poems in the volume are:

Secret London 
Leftovers 
On Putting Him To Bed 
The Thing Itself 
Sensus fidei 
Pro defunctis 
Confiteor 
Presence 
English College (1) 
English College (2) 
Brothers 
When He Was Still Far Off 
The Club 
A Way Of Death 
Fences 
Express 
Some Facts I Didn’t Know 
The O Antiphons Haiku 
Epiphanies 
Shrove Tuesday 
Pilgrim's Way  
The Unquiet 
A Loser  
Faith 
Doubt 
Spring 
An Ending

I am not typically a fan of haiku but did enjoy the one in this volume. I especially appreciated the two poems English College. The Thing Itself is particularly good. And Presence is another great one.

I was told by my grade 12 English teacher that half of what I wrote was worth publishing, and half not worth wiping his … all of the poems in this collect are worthy of having been published. And some deserve a much wider forum. 

The book is very reasonably priced. And well worth the read. I know that I will likely return to it again and again. I wish there was a print edition to leave on my bedside bookcase. And typically, I am all about the eBooks. With a print edition you could randomly open and read from time to time. A great little collection of poems, and what I hope will be the first of many works that I read of Gooch’s pen.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan!  
 
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Tuesday, 1 December 2020

The Groundskeeper Raking Up the Dead - Cedar Sanderson

Raking Up the Dead
The Groundskeeper Book 1
Sanderley Studios.
ASIN B08LR2NN39

Raking Up the Dead - Cedar Sanderson - The Groundskeeper Book 1

I first encountered the works of Cedar in Cracked: An Anthology of Eggsellent Chicken Stories, and after reading her piece there knew I had to track down and read something else from her pen. And this one came out just as I was looking to pick something of hers up to read. I was intrigued by this story from when I first heard it mentioned. Sanderson states:

“This book is dedicated to the Junior Mad Scientist, my pastel goth. May you find your happy place, dear heart.”

Written and dedicated to her own daughter the story is spun off from a chance real life event. The story is well written. It was a humorous read with a very dark twist. The story really grabs your attention and keeps you hooked. The book was released a week before Halloween, and it is a great story for that time of year. It is a quick read and leaves you desperate for more. 

The story follows Chloe as she is working at the Belleview Cemetery and Memorial Gardens. The job description was for a caretaker and to inquire within. Chloe was up for the job but soon found out that the description was a little nebulous and her responsibilities are constantly growing. She is determined to get the grounds in order. To clear the overgrowth, trim the verge, and clear the paths. What she had not expected was to be providing care for the residents. And her life has become a balancing act between the physical upkeep and the supernatural needs. And some of the residents are very needy. 

The story starts when Benny the resident ghoul comes looking for some help. He cannot sleep because one of the residents is crying all the time. And thus, begins our adventure. 

“The ghouls, wraiths, and ghosties had not been part of the job description. Or maybe they had, just not in so many words. The neatly printed sign next to the ornate gates had simply read: “Cemetery groundskeeper and caretaker needed. Inquire within.””

But back to Benny, he needs Chloe to help a lost crying green ghost. So he can rest a little more peacefully. And soon she is playing a Gothic Nancy Drew to help find out where the lost ghost belongs. After a trip to the library, a lesson on microfiche, an encounter with a ghost at the library and the resident animals there. Chloe seeks help from her boss Mr. Cruor. And his assistance proves more valuable than she could ever have imagined. But to find out how, you will need to read this excellent little novella.  

This story is well written. Great characters both alive and dead ones. Fun and yet with a serious edge. I really hope it is the beginning of a series because I want to know what else happens to Chloe and the residents we have encountered and those we have yet to meet at Belleview Cemetery. It is a place I hope we can return to in other stories again and again.

Books by Cedar Sanderson:
Warp Resonance
One-Eyed Dragon
Snow Angel
Inktail & Friends: A Coloring Book
Voyageur's Cap
Fairy Little Sister
Milkweed
Mindflow
Crow Moon
Zombie Maggots
Poor Gregory
…

The Groundskeeper Series:

Pixie for Hire Series:
…
Pixie for Hire: Omnibus Edition

Children of Myth Series:
Vulcan's Kittens 
The God’s Wolfling
…

The Tanager Series:
Jade Star
Tanager's Fledglings 
…

Witchward Series:
…   

Illustrated by Cedar:
Something Wicked #15
Jormungandr's Venom (Fenris Unchained Book 3)
Hunted Behavior
A Time To Die
Legion
…

Contributed to:
The Hearts' Enchantment
Calexit- The Anthology
Supernatural Streets
Something Wicked Anthology, Vol One
Something Wicked #15
Mythic Delirium Magazine Issue 0.4
The Haunted Library Anthology: Volume 1 
But Not Broken - Hope and Healing Book 2
Postcards From Mars - Postcard Stories Book 1
Space Cowboys - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 4
Space Cowboys 2: Electric Rodeo - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 5
Twisted Tropes
Steam-Powered Postcards - Postcard Stories Book 2
Space Marines - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 6
Fanta-Fly Postcards: A Micro-Fiction Collection
Postcards from Foolz: A Micro-Fiction Collection
Falcons of Malta
Space Marines 2 - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 9
Single Servings of Liberty - Postcard Stories Book 5
Tales From The Occupation: A Fae Wars Book 4
…

Books as Lilania Begley:
Slice of Pie
...

Sumire Series:

Bluehills Series:

Contributed to as Lilania Begley:
He Was Dead When I got There
...

Raking Up the Dead - Cedar Sanderson - The Groundskeeper Book 1

The Hoodoo That You Do - Cedar Sanderson - The Groundskeeper Book 2

Raking Up the Dead - Cedar Sanderson - The Groundskeeper Book 1 Original Cover
(Original Cover)
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