Fitness My Gear May 2024

Fitness My Gear April 2024

This post is an update of one written back in 2012. Over the years some gear has been added and some has been removed. Having spend the better part of 6 months on crutches late in 2023, and early 2024. I am basically starting my fitness journey again. Over the years I have has successes and setbacks. Starting about 6 years ago I started having problems with sprained knees or water on the knees. At the time I was doing Karate with the kids. And trying to compensate for the knees I caused some ankle issues, and plantar fasciitis. It was not until after prolonged time on crutches that I have really committed to getting back in shape. And now in my mid-50's I need to pay a lot more attention to my body, and to what doctors recommend. 

Because I work out predominantly at home I often get asked about the gear I use. In the past I have written some specific articles on specific pieces this will be a piece on what I have and use currently.

PowerBlock's

I wrote a separate review of my PowerBlock set a while ago. My set replaces 28 pairs of dumbbells and 2565lbs of free weights. The set of dumbbells replaced by this kit is:

2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 17.5, 20, 25, 27.5, 30, 35, 37.5, 40, 45, 47.5, 50, 55, 57.5, 60, 65, 67.5, 70, 75, 77.5, 80, 85, 87.5 and 90lbs.

This set is expandable by another 30lbs per side but at the current cost I doubt I will ever do it.

PowerBlock Barbell

PowerBlock no longer sells this and it only works with the older Pro and Elite sets of Powerblock But I love it.

PowerBlock KettleBlock

PowerBlock makes two different models of the KettleBlock. A 20LB model and the 40, the 40 is also upgradeable to 55. It is a great tool. The weights included are:

8, 12, 16, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40

It was a great investment. I wish the handle could take cores like the regular PowerBlock's. If you have newer Urethane sets you can buy a Kettle Handle for your normal weights, will be rectangle not square but they will get the job done. I really want the upgrade to take these to 55lbs.

York Barbell 306 Inline-to-Decline Bench

I got this bench this year for Christmas as an upgrade for an older Model York. It has no uprights for bench or squat use, but the variety of positions make up for that. It has 5 different back positions and 3 different seat positions. Best bang for the buck at $145 and for another $99 a preacher curl attachment.

Thera-Band Bands

Various lengths and resistance also a door anchor. I have short ones tied with loops for leg lifts and longer ones for pulls.

Nike Medicine Balls

I tried a lot of different size and styles of medicine balls before I decided on the Nike Balls. I love the weight, slight variations in size and that they are designed for both indoor and outdoor use. I have added mine slowly over time and currently have:

4, 6, 8, 10 pound balls.

They have held up very well and I love them. I want to add more.

Fitter First Balance Board

This is my newest piece of equipment. I got it because I have small feet and have injured my ankles in the past. I am using this to help strengthen them and develop better balance. Currently I am just using it for body weight but plan on eventually adding weighted exercises.

Manduka Black Mat Pro

Back when I was teaching Yoga I was using this mat for over 10 hours a week and used it at work, at hot yoga and at home. It had never developed a funky smell. It is thing and supportive. It is great for stretching, plyometrics, and other floor exercises.

Gaiam Exercise Block

My flexibility sucks. But I like using these they help me get towards poses that I just cannot do yet. With the three different sides there are progression they let me keep trying and improving.

PowerStands

These were one of the best investments I ever made. They have changed the design since I got mine. I tried numerous before buying these

TRX Force Kit Tactical

Sometimes you encounter something so great you just cannot stop talking about it. To be honest, that is how I feel about the TRX Suspension Training System. It is one of the best investments I have ever made for health and fitness gear. The versatility and flexibility of this piece of equipment combined with the portability and 'workout anywhere' option make it truly amazing. 

Adjustable Weighted Vest 40lbs

The vest is easy to put on and easy to remove. Adding and removing weights is very simple as well. It is easy to clean and the construction is excellent. I expect this product to last for years to come. Very satisfied with the purchase.

ONETWOFIT 48" Silent Mini Trampoline

A few years back I read a couple of books about Rebound Fitness, or using a mini trampoline for fitness. The science in the books is very convincing. But the books also specifically talked about what type of trampolines to use and not use. You can pick up mini trampolines for a cheap as $50 and as expensive as $1000. This one is not bargain priced nor is it overly expensive. It has been used for about 6 years, by myself, my wife and all three kids. I still have not got to 3 sessions of 5 minutes a day, but am back using it most days. 

Team Body Project

I have been using the workout videos from TBP for 6 years now, off and on. I was having some good success and then injuries set me back. What I love is a lot of their workouts have a knee friendly modification. I have done a number of programs from them and even recently started back just doing some seated workouts to start moving again. For all my reviews of TBP plans click here. I love the app on my phone and tablet, or using it through a web browser for the TV, or using it on the computer.

Infrared and Near Infrared Light Therapy

This has been a huge gamechanger for me this year. I was doing therapy at a podiatrist last year and was pay $50 for 18 minutes of treatment, 9 minutes infrared and 9 minutes ultrasound. I started doing so research as the infrared really seemed to be helping. With some birthday money I purchased this:

Red Light Lamp Belt, Hottoerak Red Light & Near Infrared Light Lamp Belt

It made a huge difference. I was doing about an hour a day, 10 minutes on each knee, ankle, and foot. Within a week my feet and knees were feeling better than they have in years. So I stepped up the game and purchased:

Red Light Lamp, 180LEDs Near Infrared Light Lamp with Stand

Now most days I try and spend 20 minutes doing whole body and if I am having any issues with knees, feet, shoulder I give them some extra attention with the other model.

Update May 14: The Rebounder has moved to the master bedroom so my wife can use it as well. And the TRX was mounted in the garage weight room to give more pull options.

Other Fitness Articles:

Fall 2011 Programs
Workout program March 2012
My Gear February 2012
Fitness My Retrospective

My Fitness Gear 2024

...

TRX Articles:

TRX an Introduction
TRX Force
TRX Force Tactical

...

My P90X Series:

Phase I, 

Phase II, 

Gear, 

Phase III, 

Fitness Options, 

P90X at 120 Days Out

...

Health & Fitness Book Reviews:

The Primal Blueprint 21 Day Total Body Transformation - Mark Sisson
The Ten Commandments Of Lifting Weights - Jared Zimmerer
Toadally Primal Smoothies - Todd Dosenberry
Caveman Resurection - Jeff Pickett
40 Days to Optimal Health - Dr. Scott Morris
Eat Stop Eat - Brad Pilon
The Primal Blueprint - Mark Sisson
The New Rules of Lifting - Lou Schuler and Alwyn CosgroveBench Press by: Sven Lindqvist
Sly Moves by: Sylvester Stallone
Fit for Eternal Life: A Christian Approach to Working Out, Eating Right, and Building the Virtues of Fitness in Your Soul by: Dr. Kevin Vost
Body for Life 12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strenght by: Bill Phillips Lose Fat Not Faith by Jeremy R. Likeness
Living The Good Life: Your Guide to Health and Success by: David Patchell-Evans
Dump your Trainer by: Ashley Marriott and Marc L. Paulsen

...

All In - Jennifer Lynn Barnes - The Naturals Book 3

All In 

The Naturals Book 3

Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

ISBN 9780316540841

eISBN 9781484719589

ASIN B010RLZRUE

I picked a copy of the first book a couple of years ago because my niece was reading it at the time. However, it got lost in the plethora of books on my kindle and I never got around to reading it. This year my youngest, 13, picked it to read in class for school reading and a book report. She has to read the physical copy and read it in class. She debated between this and the Inheritance Games series, both had come highly recommended, but a few other girls in her class were doing Inheritance. While picking it up I read the prologue and was hooked. My daughter is a little mad that I read it in 1 day and she has to wait and read it in class, but oh well! And she is even madder that I have now read the first three and she has still not finished book 1, and is not allowed past chapter 13 yet. (I had told her on March break to read book 1 and do the report on book 2.

The description of this volume states:

“Three casinos. Three bodies. Three days.

After a string of brutal murders in Las Vegas, Cassie Hobbes and the Naturals are called in to investigate. But even with the team's unique profiling talents, these murders seem baffling: unlike many serial killers, this one uses different methods every time. All of the victims were killed in public, yet the killer does not show up on any security feed. And each victim has a string of numbers tattooed on their wrist. Hidden in the numbers is a code -- and the closer the Naturals come to unraveling the mystery, the more perilous the case becomes.

Meanwhile, Cassie is dealing with an equally dangerous and much more painful mystery. For the first time in years, there's been a break in her mother's case. As personal issues and tensions between the team mount, Cassie and the Naturals will be faced with impossible odds -- and impossible choices.

With lives and love on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher in this fast-paced, thrilling novel from the #1 bestselling author of The Inheritance Games, perfect for fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and One of Us Is Lying.”

I will start this third review with this same preamble, this series started just a year after Barry Lyga’s I Hunt Killers series which I read as they were releasing. I absolutely loved killers. The two series share a lot of tropes, and have some similar events, I believe both are worth reading. This series has a somewhat similar feel, except it is a team of ‘naturals’ young adults with special abilities, such as: human lie detector, ability to read emotions and feelings almost exactly and of course natural profilers. Cassis is brought in as the newest member of the team. This story is set a few months after the first volume. The concluding events of that story are still having lasting impact. 

Things have changed a lot since book one. Book 1 was about Cassie’s recruitment and the team was mainly supposed to work on cold cases, until a killer starts sending them gifts. Book 2 has a copycat and is a case that hits close to home. And again they are working on an active investigation. This one starts right after most of the team has been home for Christmas break. They immediately are taken to Vegas and set up to assist with this active investigation. Following along the active agents via camera and microphones. Again the case turns personal when one of them is marked by the current killer. And when they realize this case has links to others, and the scope and scale of their findings are staggering to say the least. And even their guardian Judd gets drawn into the mystique surrounding this case and what they find out.

This story and series are very well written. I think this is the best book in the series, yet. The characters are masterfully written, both our key team of Naturals, Judd, the 2 agents, and even the suspects and victims along the way. This case is dark and grim, and becomes very personal, for all of them. But this time they are all in danger and have all received threats. Cassie and the team must work together and against a clock. This story moves at a great pace, with the whole story taking place over a few days in Vegas, and unlike the old saying ‘What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,’ the events in this story are going to have serious ramifications in both the short and long term. 

Overall, I was very impressed with this story and am desperate to start the next volume. But also hesitant for as of now there is only the fourth novel and a short story only available as an eBook after that to date. The end of the story is drawing near. I am still surprised it took me almost a decade to hear about this series. Especially since when it released, I was reading and reviewing a lot of Young Adult books. This story is a great third novel in a series, and it leaves you desperate for the next instalment. I will state again, because of the serial killer investigations absolutely not for all readers, one student in my daughters class read a few pages and passed on the series, for now at least. My daughter is mad that book four is now on the first page of my kindle, and again I say ‘sorry, not sorry’. A great read for mature teens and young adults, or even some of us older folks.

p.s. both my niece and daughter really prefer the original covers. And I admit I lean that way as well. Fortunately, the eBooks I have still have the original covers for the first three still.

Books by Jennifer Lynn Barnes:

The Lovely and the Lost (2019)

Nobody (2013)

Every Other Day (2011)

…

The Naturals Series:

The Naturals (2013)

Killer Instinct (2014)

All In (2015)

Bad Blood (2016)

Twelve (2017)

…

The Inheritance Games Series:

The Inheritance Games (2020)

The Hawthorne Legacy (2021)

The Final Gambit (2022)

The Brothers Hawthorne (2023)

…

Debutantes Series:

Little White Lies (2018)

Deadly Little Scandals (2019)

…

The Fixer Series:

The Ruling Class 

     formerly The Fixer (2015)

Lessons in Power 

     Formerly The Long Game (2016)

…

Raised by Wolves Series:

Raised by Wolves (2010)

Sweet Sixteen (2015)

Trial by Fire (2011)

Taken by Storm (2012)

…

The Squad Series:

Perfect Cover (2008)

Killer Spirit (2008)

…

Tattoo Series:

Tattoo (2007)

Fate (2009)

…

Golden Series:

Golden (2006)

Platinum (2007)

…

A Lion for a Tomb - Corinna Turner - Friends in High Places Book 4 Ignatius of Antioch

A Lion for a Tomb:  Ignatius of Antioch 

Friends in High Places Book 4

Corinna Turner

Unseen Books

Zephyr Publishing

ISBN 9781910806302

eISBN 9781910806319

ASIN B0CZ4T8MXG

I will be honest I greatly anticipated this volume. From the first concept art for the cover to the various descriptions as the work was being prepared for print. Both my son and I wanted to read it as soon as it released. I love the writings of Corinna Turner’s and this latest in this series is another excellent offering. I have been a fan of her work since I first encountered I Am Margaret, 9 years ago. Since then I have read her books a total of 73 times, and her contributions in Catholic Teen Books Anthologies, and other short works at least another dozen reads. I am a fan of everything I have read. She has many excellent books and great series. And this is the fourth novel in this series. The title of the series is Friends in High Places and is about friendship and devotion to specific saints and beatified. And this fourth volume is about Saint Ignatius of Antioch. The description of the series is:

“Friends in High Places is a short fiction series that presents saints’ biographies in the context of imaginary teenagers’ lives. The stories are written primarily to entertain, with inspiration and education thrown in for free!”

And of this particular volume:

“WILL HE HAVE TO CHOOSE?

Razim’s family are Muslim. His best friend, Daniel, is Christian. It’s never mattered before. But now Razim’s brother has become a crazed Islamic extremist and Daniel has turned into a total Jesus freak—and Razim is caught in the middle.

When Razim stumbles across a prayer card of an old man with brown skin just like his, who seems mind-bogglingly happy that he’s being eaten by lions, Razim’s curiosity overflows.

What could possibly make a man happy to face his own death?

And will Razim have to risk his own to find out?”

I will be honest with you. This was a volume that was very hard to put down. The events could be taken from the news in many part of the west over the last few years and especially since the Hamas attacks in October of 2023. It might remind us of friends or acquaintances we know. It is a powerful story, and the most important part is being open to truth, and believing there is truth. It is twrribly well written. This is the first time in this series we have returned to characters from a previous volume. It is set later. And it does an excellent job picking up on some of my favourite characters from story between the first two volumes in this series. 

At the end of the volume are a few sections well worth working through:

Discussion Questions

Prayer To Saint Ignatius Of Antioch

A Prayer For The Dead

Saint Ignatius Antioch Novena

Hymns To Our Lord

     Our One Physician

Saint Ignatius’s Letter To The Romans

The Martyrdom Of Saint Ignatius

The Letters Of Saint Ignatius

There is within the text of the story a prayer to Saint Ignatius of Antioch Prayer:

Lord, let me please You under whom I fight,

and from whom I receive my wages.

Let me never be found a deserter.

Let my baptism be my shield;

my faith my helmet;

my love my spear;

my patience my full armor.

Let me lay up my good deeds as a soldier deposits his savings,

that I may one day receive what is due to me.

May I be patient and gentle with all,

as God is towards me.

Amen.

which I added to my daily prayers even before I finished the novel. It is not the first time a prayer in one of Turner’s books has ended up being in my daily prayers. 

This story deals with some very serious issues. Turner does an amazing job presenting the material in a balanced and respectful way. The conversion of a Muslim, even a cultural Muslim is handled well. And having family members that are extremist is masterfully written. This is an excellent story in a wonderful series. I can easily recommend this volume. It is an amazing read. I already plan to go back and reread the two stories featuring Razim later in the spring. The highest praise I can give books is: 1. I want my children to read them, 2. I keep mentioning them to friends and family, and 3. I want to reread them. This book hits top marks on all three. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan!

For reviews of other books about Saint Joseph click here.

Related posts about Saint Ignatius:

Consoling the Heart of Jesus: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat Inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius - Michael E. Gaitley

Take Five: On-The-Job Meditations with St. Ignatius - Mike Aquilina and  Kris D. Stubna

Saint Ignatius of Loyola - J.A. Philips - CTS Great Saints

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

Saint Ignatius of Loyola For the Greater Glory of God - Donna Giaimo and Patricia Edward Jablonski - Encounter the Saints Book 8

A Lion for a Tomb Ignatius of Antioch - Corinna Turner - Friends in High Places 04 

A Prayer of the Day Suscipe Prayer

Prayer of the Day Saint Ignatius of Loyola

...

Books by Corinna Turner:
I Am Margaret Series:
0.0 The Underappreciated Virtues of Rusty Old Bicycles (A prequel)
0.5 Brothers (Prequel)
1.0 I Am Margaret
1.5 How Snakey Got His Name (Short Story)
2.0 The Three Most Wanted
3.0 Liberation
4.0 Bane's Eyes
5.0 Margo's (Attempted) Diary & Notebook
5.5 An Unexpected Guest
6.0 The Siege of Reginald Hill
6.5 Buttons (Short Story)
7.0 A Saint in the Family
I Am Margaret The Play - Fiorella de Maria

...

Yesterday and Tomorrow Series:
Someday
Tomorrow's Dead
...

unSPARKed Series:

Prequel Short Stories:

Liam and the Hunters of Lee'Vi

0.1 Breach

A Truly Clawful Christmas

0.2 A Mom with Blue Feathers 

0.3 A Very Jurassic Christmas

0.3a A Very Jurassic Lent

0.4 A Dino Whisperer at the Zoo

Three Clawsome Tales

A Very Jurassic Hallowtide

...

Novels:
 1.0 Drive!
 1.0a Please Don't Feed the Dinosaurs

 2.0 A Truly Rapror-Ous Welcome
 3.0 Panic! 
 4.0 Farmgirls Die in Cages
 5.0 Wild Life

 6.0 A Right Rex Rodeo

 7.0 FEAR

 8.0 A Different Kind of Camouflage

 9.0 A Different Kind of Freedom

10.0 What’s Done is Done

11.0 Weigh the Odds

12.0 A Nest of Piranha’saurs

...

Mandy Lamb Series:
Mandy Lamb and the Full Moon

The Wolf The Lamb and the Air Balloon

...

Friends in High Places:

1.0 The Boy Who Knew: Carlo Acutis

1.5 Do Carpenters Dream of Wooden Sheep? 

2.0 Old Men Don’t Walk to Egypt: Saint Joseph

3.0 Child, Unwanted: Margaret of Castello

4.0 A Lion for a Tomb: Ignatius of Antioch

5.0 The Higher We Go Pier Giorgio Frassati

...

Elfling Series:

Elfling

The Most Expensive Alley Cat in London

...

Last Things Series:

Three last things or The hounding of Carl Jarrold, Soulless Assassin

A Changing of the Guard

…

Other Books:
The Raven & The Yew
Man or Beast 
...

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

The Christmas Lights

Ashes Visible & Invisible 10 Stories for Teens

A Foul Christmas

A Saint Nicholas Eve Carol

The Gift of the Angel Tree  

Shadows Visible & Invisible 7 Stories for Teens

A Lack of Christmas Spirits 

Alien Family Traditions

Pilgrim Tales An anthology of fiction by the Catholic Writers Guild 

...

Author profile and interview with Corinna Turner

Prayer of the Day A Hunter's Prayer.

Death Department - Bill Knox - Thane and Moss Book 2

Death Department

Thane and Moss Book 2

Bill Knox

J.D. Kirk (Forward)

Zertex Crime

ISBN 9781912767809

ASIN B0CSWQHJ1L

I picked up book 1 in this series, Deadline, because J.D Kirk was plugging it. I became even more interested in reading the book and series after reading the forward by Kirk, in volume 1. I feel that forward should be in each of the volumes so that if someone randomly starts the series they will get that excellent background. I picked up this volume as soon as it released, but it got lost in the plethora of titles on my kindle, and I only started reading it when Book 3 released, and brought it back to mind. I highlighted a few passages in Kirk’s introductory note from book 1, they are:

“I had been expertly drawn into the world that Bill had created, and was right there alongside detectives Thane and Moss as they carried out their investigations. I had identified with the detectives right away–the imposing Chief Inspector Colin Thane, with his no-nonsense attitude and dogged determination, and his trusty Inspector, Phil Moss, whose loyalty to his friend was second only to his worries about his grumbling ulcer. They immediately felt like real people. More than that, they felt like real Scottish men, whose evident care for one another was masked beneath gruff exchanges and barbed banter.”

“Yes, some of the terminology was different, and there was a lot less swearing in Bill’s book, but down below the surface, down where it mattered, we were both writing about good but complicated men doing their best to bring killers to justice.”

“Aside from the slight change to the title, and a few ten-thousand-word chapters being broken into shorter segments, the book you are about to read is the same one first published in 1957.”

The fact that Kirk though these books were good enough to spend some time and effort tracking down the rights and bringing them back into print indicates the quality of the writing and the power of the stories. This novel was originally published in 1958 and this Zertex edition is from 2024. The description of the new edition is:

“Every secret has its price.

Return to the gritty, fog-choked streets of 1950s Glasgow in Bill Knox's, Death Department, the second thrilling case for detectives Thane & Moss.

From the mind of one of Tartan Noir's original masters, this gripping tale weaves through the bustling aisles of a Glasgow department store, where a seemingly ordinary case of organized shoplifting spirals into a shocking, brutal murder.

Thane and Moss find themselves in a race against time, as their relentless hunt for justice leads them deeper into Glasgow's underworld, with every clue and twist drawing them closer to a final chilling confrontation.

More than just a crime novel, Death Department is a stark exploration of the extremes of human nature, set against the backdrop of a city wrestling with its own identity.

Rediscover this essential piece of Scottish crime fiction history, from one of the grandfathers of Tartan Noir.”

This second volume in the series was just as interesting as the first. It was with great interest that I dove into this series after reading all of Kirk’s Scottish crime novels that were available to date; and having read Alex Smith’s DCI Kett novels and J.E. Mayhew’s DCI Will Blake Series. It was fascinating to read this story and series set nearly a hundred years earlier. It was intriguing reading stories before cell phones, and technology that so many modern crime books and shows rely on. But back to the work at hand.

I really enjoyed the characters of Thane and Moss. And in this one we get an even closer look at them and their process of working crimes. This one starts out as robberies at a local department store, thefts of a magnitude beyond a normal year over year growth, and increasing each week. They are very reminiscent of DCI Logan and DI Ben Forde. The language is not as extreme as in Kirk’s books. But the team, and working to solve the case, especially after the body is found. The characters are fascinating. And while reading it, it is like being transported back in time. The story moves at a good pace, not as brisk as book one, and a lot more old gumshoe or leg work in this one. But we watch as they focus on the small details and clues that are then worked on open up the case. 

The story again leaves you wanting more. Kirk has already announced book 4, Leave it to the Hangman. And I sincerely home he sees this series and maybe other series by Knox through to publication. Reading this was in some was like watching Mike Hammer with my dad, or reading his old Ian Fleming or Robert B. Parker books. I have already recommended the book and series to my dad, my manager at work and a few friends. I can easily recommend this story for fans of crime fiction, historical fiction or to be honest anyone who loves a good story. But be warned it leaves you wanting more, fortunately I believe there are 25 volumes in this series from the pen of Knox alone.

Books by Bill Knox:

Thane and Moss:

1 Deadline for a Dream (1957)

  aka In at the Kill

2 Death Department (1959)

3 Leave It to the Hangman (1960)

4 Little Drops of Blood (1962)

5 Sanctuary Isle (1962)

  aka The Gray Sentinels

6 The Man in the Bottle (1963)

7 The Taste of Proof (1965)

8 The Deep Fall (1966)

  aka The Ghost Car

9 Justice On the Rocks (1967)

10 The Tallyman (1969)

11 Children of the Mist (1970)

  aka Who Shot the Bull?

12 To Kill a Witch (1971)

13 Penalty Shootout (1973)

  aka Draw Batons

14 Children of the Water (1974)

15 Rally to Kill (1975)

16 Pilot Error (1977)

17 Live Bait (1978)

18 A Killing in Antiques (1981)

19 The Hanging Tree (1983)

20 The Crossfire Killings (1986)

21 The Interface Man (1989)

22 The Counterfeit Killers (1996)

23 Blood Proof (1997)

24 Death Bytes (1998)

25 The Lazarus Widow (1999)

…

Webb Carrick Series:

1. The Scavengers (1964)

2. Devilweed (1966)

3. Blacklight (1967)

4. The Klondyker (1968)

  aka A Figurehead

5. Blueback (1969)

6. Seafire (1970)

7. Stormtide (1972)

8. Whitewater (1974)

9. Hellspout (1976)

10. Witchrock (1977)

11. Bombship (1980)

12. Bloodtide (1982)

13. Wavecrest (1985)

14. Dead Man's Mooring (1987)

15. The Drowning Nets (1991)

…

 

Talos Cord Series (as by Robert MacLeod)

Cave of Bats (1964)

Lake of Fury (1966)

  aka The Iron Sanctuary

Isle of Dragons (1967)

Place of Mists (1969)

Path of Ghosts (1971)

Nest of Vultures (1972)

…

Jonathan Gaunt Series: (as by Robert MacLeod)

1. A Property in Cyprus (1970)

  aka A Flickering Death

2. A Killing in Malta (1972)

3. A Burial in Portugal (1973)

4. A Witchdance in Bavaria (1975)

5. A Pay-off in Switzerland (1977)

6. An Incident in Iceland (1979)

7. A Problem in Prague (1981)

8. Mayday from Malaga (1983)

9. A Legacy from Tenerife (1984)

10. The Money Mountain (1987)

  aka A Flight from Paris

11. The Spanish Maze Game (1990)

…

 

Andrew Laird Series (as by Robert MacLeod)

All Other Perils (1974)

Dragonship (1976)

Salvage Job (1978)

Cargo Risk (1980)

Witchline (1980)

…

 

Novels

The Cockatoo Crime (1958)

Death calls the shots (1961)

Die for Big Betsy (1961)

Court of murder: Famous trials at Glasgow High Court (1968)

The View from Daniel Pike (1974) (with Edward Boyd)

Storyland Wall Frieze (1981)

Country Club Wives (1997)

A Cut in Diamonds (1997)

Drum of Power (1998)

…

Miraculous II Catholic Mysteries for Kids - Kathryn Griffin Swegart - Catholic Stories for Kids Book 4

Miraculous II Catholic Mysteries for Kids
Catholic Stories for Kids Book 4
Kathryn Griffin Swegart
John Henry Folley (Illustrator)
ISBN 9798879489149

ASIN B0CZ4VR1K6

This is the seventh book by Kathryn that I read and the fourth in the Catholic Stories for Kids Series. The first of her books I read was a historical fiction, Perilous Days, Brave Hearts Book 1, after reading that volume I picked up all her books that were currently available and I read and reviewed them. I was very excited when I found out about this volume, and greatly anticipated reading it. I loved each of her books. I picked up this volume the day the eBook released. And I read it within the next 24 hours. It is excellent.. The first volume in this series, Heavenly Hosts: Eucharistic Miracles for Kids, was an excellent read. And this one is just as good. The description of this volume is:

“Miraculous II is Book 4 in the popular series of engaging stories for young readers. What better way to learn about the Catholic faith than through intriguing tales of apparitions, great escapes, and a surprising archeological discovery?

This illustrated treasury of episodes in Catholic history brings us along side Emperor Constantine who experiences a miraculous vision just before going into a battle to save Rome. Stand at the cross with Longinus and crawl through the tombs beneath St. Peter's Basilica. Witness St. Francis of Assisi receive the stigmata. Learn about a miracle of light with Mother Theresa.

Included in the back is the fascinating collection of historical evidence behind each story.

Don't miss this inspiring book written by award-winning author Kathryn Griffin Swegart.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction 1

Longinus Witness to the Crucifixion 

Miracle of the Fiery Cross 

The Stigmata of St. Francis 

The Miraculous Escape of Fr. Rale 

St. Bernadette 

Our Lady of Champion 

Our Lady of Knock 

Jacinta of Fatima 

The Discovery of St. Peter’s Tomb 

The Miracle of the Light 

The Facts Behind the Stories 

About the Author 

About the Illustrator 

The introduction of this volume states:

“Welcome back as we explore together stories of miracles found in our Catholic faith, filled with heroic figures and mysterious visions. Travel from Golgotha to the deep woods of Wisconsin, from the fields of Fatima to the crowded streets of Calcutta, and witness how God works miracles in the lives of ordinary people, even children like you.

Imagine what it must have been like to see our Blessed Mother shining like the moon before astonished eyes. Marvel at the courage of Father Sebastian Rale as he stands up to British soldiers, only to lose his life in defense of the Abenaki

people. Read about St. Francis of Assisi, the first person in history to receive the wounds of Christ. High atop a lonely mountain in Italy, he was branded with the stigmata, given to him in a spectacular encounter with Our Lord. So deep was the saint’s love of Christ that he desired to suffer as Jesus did on the cross.

Many hours of research made this book possible. It truly is a labor of love. I hope and pray that you enjoy and are inspired by each story you are about to read.”

The book is an excellent read. Great to read to young children, and to read with older children. And for tweens ad teens to read themselves. This book was loved by the three of us who read it, 13, 16 and 50 years old. 

The stories in this volume span church history. From the Crucifixion to more recent times. The stories are written in a very engaging and entertaining fashion. The volume was terribly hard to put down once I started reading.  

It is an excellent little volume for readers of all ages. It is marketed as being for children, but anyone can be blessed by reading this book with an open heart. This is another wonderful book from Kathryn Swegart. Great for readers of all ages! I can easily recommend this book it would be a great addition to any home, school, or church library.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Kathryn Griffin Swegart:
Brave Hearts Series:
Perilous Days
Martyrs
Lucia of Fatima

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Catholic Stories for Kids Series:
Heavenly Hosts: Eucharistic Miracles for Kids
Miraculous! Catholic Mysteries for Kids
Rescued! True Stories for Catholic Kids

Miraculous II Catholic Mysteries for Kids

Rescued II: True Stories for Catholic Kids

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Other Books:
The Wreck of the Essex: The Story of Thomas Nickerson
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Author profile and interview with Kathryn Griffin Swegart.

Joan of Arc The Girl Who Fought For France - Jeannie Meekins - 15-Minute Books Book 617

Joan of Arc: The Girl Who Fought For France

15-Minute Books 617

Jeannie Meekins

Learning Island

eISBN 9781301371860

eISBN 9781301054053

ASIN B00CWQOMEA

This is the fourth volume I have read in this series by this author. The first was excellent, the second was meh, the third one wasthe middle and is a pretty good read. This one was back to excellent. I picked this up to read after reading Mary MacKillop: Australia's First Saint, from the same author in the same series. I enjoyed that first one so much, I picked up the eight volumes in the series about saints. Prior to reading this I have read a number of biographies and other books about Saint Joan, both biographies and historical fiction. I have read much about Joan because of my own interest and because my youngest daughter picked her for her confirmation saint. With that being said this volume was a great read and I even learned a few things. 

Jeannie Meekins according to amazon has over 120 unique titles geared for young readers. Many are biographies, some are in a Fun Facts Series, and other appear to be short fiction. This one I picked up because I loved another by the author in the series. This is part of a series tagged as 15-Minute Books, which are geared to get children reading for 15 minutes a day. 

The website is now defunct, but Learning Island when I checked the internet archive machine appears to have been a site with contributors from around the world. The oldest archived versions show books available for download in PDF format and exercises to go with the books. Later iterations of the site show link to purchase cheap eBook and later even print editions of the works. There are some numbered even into the1000’s. With the most recent being from early 2013 and numbered at 1014. But I only find 163 when I search Kindle. The description of this volume is:

“Joan of Arc was a young farm girl who claimed to have heard the voices of saints. She led an army in many battles to drive the English out of France and put the rightful King on the throne.

After she was captured, the King and the armies did nothing to help her. She was sold to the English and put on trial for crimes against the Church. Joan was convicted and burned at the stake.

She was nineteen years old when she died.

Find out about the life of this girl who fought for France against the English, and was burned at the stake for wearing men's pants!

Ages 8 and up.”

The description of the Series is:

“LearningIsland.com believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.”

The sections in this booklet are:

Early Life

The Throne of France

Joan goes to the Dauphin

Joan wins Orleans

The King is Crowned

Joan is taken Prisoner

Joan’s Trial

The Death of Joan

After Joan’s Death

Blessings and Images

I highlighted a few passages while reading this volume. They are:

“Joan of Arc (or Jeanne d'Arc as she was named in French) was born in the small village of Domremy, in north east France, on January 6, 1412. Her parents were Jacques d’Arc and Isabelle Romee. She had one sister and three brothers.”

“At thirteen, Joan began hearing voices. She had visions of saints appearing and talking to her. The saints of her church were the Archangel St Michael, St Catherine of Alexandria and St Margaret of Antioch. They were also the saints who appeared to her.”

“Joan went to her uncle and told him what the saints had said. He told her to go to Robert Baudricourt. He was Charles VII’s commander in Vaucouleurs, a town near Domremy.”

“Charles gave Joan a suit of white armour. He had a banner made for her, with a picture of angels kneeling before God and presenting Him with a fleur-de-lis. It had the words “Jesus Maria”.”

“Today there are many shrines, churches and museums dedicated to Joan of Arc in France and throughout the world. Many statues have been created in her honor. The most famous is the statue in the public square on Rue de Rivoli, in Paris.”

This little booklet provided a wide range of information. There were some items I was unaware of such as. It is a great introduction to the Saint or as a source of additional information about her. It is a quick read. 

I really enjoyed this book. This one was close. I have picked up a number in the series and will continue to read and review them. This was a good little introduction and for then intended audience would be a good read. But even in my 50’s I appreciated the book. I can recommend this book as a starting point for exploration of Saint Joan, the woman and the legends around her life. It would be a great addition to a home, school or church library.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Other books about Joan of Arc:

Coached By Joan of Arc - Alexandre Havard

Joan of Arc - Paul Dunn and Colin Jeffery - CTS Biographies

Saint Joan of Arc: God's Soldier - Susan Helen Wallace – Encounter the Saints

Saint Joan The Girl Soldier - Louis de Wohl – Vision Books

Joan of Arc The Maid of Orléans - Andrew Votipka

Joan of Arc The Girl Who Fought For France - Jeannie Meekins

Born to Do This 30 Days with Joan of Arc - Jaymie Stuart Wolfe - Great Spiritual Teachers Series

…

Prayer of the Day Prayer to Joan of Arc

9 Year Novena Prayer to Saint Joan of Arc 

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Books in the 15-Minute Books Series about Saints:

Saint Nicholas The Man Who Became the Patron Saint of Children - Melissa Cleeman 

...

 

Books by Jeannie Meekins:

Saint Patrick Ireland Beloved Saint 

Saint George: Dragon Slayer

Saint Valentine: The Man Who Became the Patron Saint of Love

Saint Francis of Assisi: The Patron Saint of Animals

Joan of Arc: The Girl Who Fought For France

Mary MacKillop: Australia's First Saint

The Lives of Seven Saints

…