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Leslea Wahl

Author

February 6, 2024 by Leslea Wahl

February News, Clues & Reviews

Welcome to Leslea’s February update.

An online puzzle and giveaway, news, tips, and book reviews!

Each bimonthly update provides news about my writing, faith-based book recommendations for the whole family, and, to bring out your inner detective, I include an online puzzle.

 

 

 

Clues:

In honor of Valentine’s Day, this month’s puzzle is about my characters and some of their romantic moments. See if you can match up the couple with scene. Click HERE to play.

 

News:

1) Just a quick update on my writing and events.

I had the great joy of joining two of my Catholic Writers Guild friends, Andrea Bear and Jennifer Thomas, on their new podcast, Mourning Glory. This beautiful podcast focuses on loss and the grieving process. I shared how I’ve used writing after the loss of both my parents in 2022, and how I’ve honored them by creating characters in their honor. Link to Mourning Glory

 

To Serve and Protect was featured on the StoryTime Pup YouTube channel. Please stop by and check it out HERE!

I’m currently working on several projects. I’m in the process of editing two teen novels, finishing a short story for a new anthology, and collaborating with an illustrator on a new picture book featuring Bertie, the little red bird!

2) Introducing…Josie

 

3) CatholicTeenBooks.com News

Here is the link to the newest collective Christmas story by CTB authors, Marie Keiser, Carolyn Astfalk, Antony Kolenc, Corinna Turner, and myself. Sit back and enjoy our newest creation as the authors read their individual sections of the inspiring Christmas story. Gift of the Angel Tree

 

4) Sale!

And just in time for Lent, Ashes: Visible & Invisible is 15% off at Amazon during the month of February!

This anthology is a fantastic book for teens to deepen their Lenten journey. My contribution, Finishing the Journey, happens to feature the main character, Liz, from my newest teen novel, Charting the Course. And she meets an elderly gentleman who was inspired by my father.

 

Reviews:

In My Mother’s Womb by Susan Joy Bellavance, Fr. Bill DesChamps, Christine Schroeder, Mary Roma, and illustrator Dan Andreasen

What a beautiful book for families to understand the growing baby from conception to birth. Each spread in the book represents a week as the baby develops. Scientific facts, bible verses, along with the baby’s thoughts make this a perfect book for the whole family to enjoy together. The beautiful illustrations of the baby at each week of life adds so much to this book. This would be a wonderful gift for families expecting a new baby, or a valuable tool to impress upon children that life begins at conception.

 

Armor of God series by Theresa Linden

Theresa Linden’s Armor of God series is a wonderful collection of children’s stories about the virtue of truthfulness. This series may sound familiar as I’ve discussed it before, but the books have a whole new look with updated illustrations that appeal to kids. This series is about a young Knight-in-training named George. Through his adventures he must learn valuable lessons in order to earn the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Boots of Peace, the Shield of Faith, and the Helmet of Salvation. The books are engaging and teaches powerful lessons of virtue in a format that children can understand. What a wonderful way for families to discuss virtues and life lessons.

 

Holy Mysteries!: 12 Investigations into Extraordinary Cases by Sophie de Mullenheim

One glimpse at the title of this book, and I was hooked. As a convert to Catholicism, I’ve long been intrigued by the many miracles and mysteries of the Church. While familiar with most of the cases, the book did include a few unexplained incidents that I had not yet heard of, but they are now on my radar to research.

Each chapter is a case study that shares a brief explanation of the mystery, as well as fun facts, additional information, and related scientific research. This book is written for kids but would be a phenomenal tool for families, providing an excellent tool for them to explore the incredible aspects of our Catholic faith.

 

The Centurion’s Daughter by Justin Swanton

Adventure, friendship, faith, love, and loyalty fill this historical teen novel. The novel is set in 486 during the war between the Roman Empire and the Franks, led by King Chlodovech, and is a fictional account of how one young woman could have possibly affected history.

When Amelia arrives in Soissons in search of the father she has never met, she has no idea how much her life will change. A series of right-place, right-time moments puts this young woman in some unusual situations where she uses her Catholic faith to influence history.

This was a time period I knew nothing about ,and while the fictional circumstances may have been a bit far-fetched, it was in interesting way to bring this time period to life.

 

Don’t by Gabriella Batel

Peyton is a young lady battling many things in her life. Her world has been turned upside down with the death of her stepfather, and the continued terror of being threatened by the hoodlums responsible for the heinous crime. She is doing all she can to bring justice and protect her family, all while battling for her own life as she’s slowly dying from a horrible disease.

I was quite impressed with this debut novel. The writing style is unique and reflects the tension of the story. The short chapters and intense story line made this one a hard book to put down. If you enjoy suspenseful, faith-based books, this is definitely one to check out.

 

The Interview by Karol Seydel

I was instantly drawn to this story—mystery, romance, and faith set in Rome. I was certainly not disappointed. This was such an enjoyable story full of great characters and plenty of intrigue. I don’t know what inspired the author but as I was reading the story over the last few months, the underlying premise of the story, about a Church in crisis, felt like parts of this fictional novel were unfolding before me. The Interview is a great story of redemption, truth, and never giving up on the Church that was founded by Christ.

 

 

The Life and Lessons of St. Zelie Martin by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

What a beautiful book about an amazing woman. I’ve been a fan of St. Zelie—the mother of St. Therese of Lisieux, for awhile, so was excited to discover a book just about her. As a child, she dreamt of being a religious sister, but God had different plans for her. And what amazing plans they were, as she was the mother of one of the doctors of the church. She became a working mother and devoted wife. There are some wonderful lessons for all of us to learn from the life of this devout woman. Her life didn’t turn out the way she dreamt it would but listening to God led her on a profound journey. She may have looked at her life as ordinary but her extraordinary family has affected millions around the world. Her story reminds me of a quote I used in one of my books: Dreams are like stars…you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny.

 

Until next time, happy reading!

Filed Under: Single Book Reviews

January 31, 2022 by Leslea Wahl

Monthly Book Review – Romances for Older Teens

February—the month of hearts, love, and Valentine’s Day—is the perfect time to highlight some fabulous Romances. While teen romances can bring up some sensitive topics, I think it’s beneficial to have choices available that deal with these real issues from a Christian perspective. Amid the themes of dating, chastity, and love, these three stories add intrigue, mystery, and historical elements. So, if you know an older teen who enjoys a good romance, you might want to check out these faith-based books.

Before we begin…

In case you are new to my blog, besides writing YA novels, I love reviewing them as well. Every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read each month in a new genre. I also send out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month, I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there – books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be difficult to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

 

One Night with a Rock Star by Chana Keefer

I’d heard many good things about this book, so I was anxious to start reading it. Although, to be honest, I had some mixed feelings about this one. Strangely, I went from adoring it to being completely frustrated, from thinking a scene was totally unrealistic to rereading sections multiple times because I loved the way they made me feel. But, such strong feelings means it drew me in!

This story is about Esther, a college student who has a chance encounter with her favorite rock star. That one night changes her forever. As readers, we travel with Esther for the remaining two years of college as she struggles with her emotions and thoughts of the future, unable to get that evening out of her heart and mind.

The story begins with modern-day Esther, now an adult, retelling the story. While the bulk of the book is set in the late 1980s, it doesn’t feel dated and is very relevant to modern teens. The middle felt a little slow, and some parts seemed unnecessary, but because it has the feel of a memoir, those sections may be important for the character arc.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It is filled with touching moments, romance, heartache, humor, and self-discovery. I especially liked the message that by living out our faith in an authentic way, we can truly affect and influence another person. Our actions and words can completely change someone, ultimately leading them to Christ.

 

The Truth About Romantic Comedies by Sean C. McMurray

Tim’s life is falling apart. His grandmother is sick, his single mom is overworked, and his girlfriend just broke his heart—over text. But when he meets the quirky Rachel, things begin to look up. Ready to find something to keep his mind off his problems, he’s happy to help Rachel on her mission to test romantic comedy cliches. But, just as things start to get interesting with this new relationship, Rachel reveals some bad news. Despite this new complication and her faith that he doesn’t quite understand, Tim remains determined to get to know this intriguing girl.

This book was a surprise. There were so many things that I enjoyed. The poignant moments amid the light-hearted story. The witty dialog. The faith aspects. And the interesting main characters—especially Tim, who was such a solid guy, despite some tough blows in his young life. The relationship between Tim and his grandmother was especially sweet.

The middle dragged just a bit, but the storyline kept me turning the pages. Overall, this book has a lot more depth than I first assumed. There were some really powerful messages about teen relationships, family bonds, and forgiveness. The truth about this romantic comedy is that it was very enjoyable.

 

Rightfully Ours by Carolyn Astfalk


Rightfully Ours is a novel for older teens about the importance and beauty of chastity. I’ve read a few books by Carolyn Astfalk and thoroughly enjoy her writing style. She is an accomplished Catholic romance writer and has brought her skills to the YA market with Rightfully Ours. This book is full of relatable characters, touching family traumas, and a beautiful love story.

This coming-of-age story about two teens, Paul and Rachel, is set around a family tragedy and an intriguing treasure hunt. Rachel’s parents are quite strict, especially when it comes to the boy she likes, Paul. The fact that Paul has come to live with Rachel’s family for the summer definitely complicates things. The story does a wonderful job of portraying a genuine relationship and all the accompanying feelings and emotions.

Through an engaging story, this book tackles an important topic that teens face in our society—purity and the handling of temptations. While the subject matter might not be right for everyone, I appreciate that the author isn’t afraid to discuss the issue in a very real way by showing modern, Christian teens struggling to make the right decisions.

 

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

 

Filed Under: Single Book Reviews

June 22, 2021 by Leslea Wahl

Sample Chapters and Quarterly Update

I just discovered a fun new feature on Amazon – links to free excerpts! I’ve added these links for all my books. If you’re interested, you can check out this one for eXtreme Blindside

For a sample of this exciting adventure, click HERE!

There is not much else to report this quarter. I was hoping to have news to share about my newest stories, but I haven’t yet found the perfect home for them. I trust that God is leading me to the right publishing option.

Next month I have the opportunity to attend the Catholic Writers Guild conference. This annual conference will be a little smaller and look a little different this year, but thank goodness it has come together. If you’d like to attend in person or online, there is still time to register!  Click HERE!

I’m excited to be part of several panel discussions with some amazingly talented folks. It will be fun to learn from others and share my experiences on the following topics: Social Media, Marketing, and Self-Publishing.

Thank you for your continued support!

Filed Under: Single Book Reviews

March 6, 2021 by Leslea Wahl

Quarterly Update and New Release!

Welcome to my Quarterly Update!

New Release and Media Appearances!

The big news for this quarter is the release of CatholicTeenBooks’ third anthology Treasures: Visible & Invisible. As is the case with all our anthologies, this book gives readers a chance to meet several different authors and their writing styles. Treasures would make a wonderful Easter or Confirmation gift.

I’m so excited about this new collection of short stories as it is a little different than our other anthologies. This time, all the stories are connected through one item—a relic belonging to Saint Patrick. The anthology begins with a fictional story about Saint Patrick himself, continues through the centuries, and ends with a dystopian tale.

This book trailer will give you a little taste of each story.

Video

And to celebrate, we are hosting a giveaway!

To enter, click HERE!

Since Saint Patrick is known for using the shamrock to describe the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we took our inspiration from a fictional shamrock-shaped stone. Each author then chose a different time period in which to place our stories and we began to write—hoping the stories would somehow all fit together. This was a new process for us all and was so much fun to be part of. Each story in the collection is truly unique and inspiring.

I chose to create a flashback story set in the 1950s, giving me the chance to try my hand at historical fiction. My main character Grace is actually the Grandmother in my newest upcoming novel, A Summer to Treasure. The short story I created, Grace Among Gangsters, provided an opportunity to introduce Grace and her grandchildren as she shares with them a story from her childhood.

 Click HERE for a little snippet!

To find out more of Grandma Grace’s St. Patrick’s Day story which involves a famous shipwreck, missing artifacts, and gangsters, please purchase your own copy of Treasures: Visible & Invisible!

Purchase link

 

Also in the news…

Besides working on the anthology, February was a busy month with quite a few wonderful media opportunities.

I began this year praying that I would be willing to answer God’s call for my life and have the courage to say yes to new opportunities, no matter how scary and uncomfortable they might be. And indeed, new marketing avenues opened up and I’ve been meeting some incredible new people. God is so good. I’ve included the links in case anyone is interested in these interviews.

1 – I had the unique chance to be part of an online Catholic Dating Conference for the fantastic organization Smart Catholics (a really cool social media site worth checking out). My presentation focused on the importance of faith-based fiction and how books can counter the harmful Hollywood messages about relationships that inundate our culture. I shared some great books that deal with various dating issues from a Catholic perspective. I also participated in a question-and-answer panel, bringing years of relationship experience to the discussion since my husband and I will be celebrating 30 years of marriage this year! (Yes, it made me feel a little old!) I’ve attached the link in case you would like to listen to the 6-hour online conference. Yes, quite long, but there were some fantastic speakers. My segments are at the 3:10 and 4:14 marks. (One participant sent me this photo from the panel discussion.)

Smart Catholics Dating Conference

 

2 – I was also the guest on three different podcasts. The first was Danielle Bean’s Girlfriends show—it’s such a great show, like sitting around and chatting with your girlfriends! It was fun to appear with one of my own girlfriends, fellow CatholicTeenBooks author Carolyn Astfalk. We had such a fun discussion about the importance of faith-based books for teens. 

Girlfriends Podcast Link

 

3 – Jedlie’s Reading With your Kids podcast hosted several of the Treasures: Visible & Invisible authors to share about our individual stories and how the anthology project came together. This episode will air HERE on St. Patrick’s Day.

By the way, Jed also hosted several of us CatholicTeenBooks author for a Christmas Special. He suggested a prompt and I started a story then handed it off to another author, who added to the story then handed it off, and so on. We all then appeared on his show to read the story aloud, hearing the entire story for the first time as we taped the episode. It turned out really well. You can check it out on the below link!

Reading With Your Kids Podcast Link

 

4 – Anne DeSantis and Bill Snyder invited me to join their inspiring Sewing Hope podcast to discuss my journey to become an author and about CatholicTeenBooks.com. This is another fantastic podcast that features lots of intriguing guests. Bill and Anne are wonderful hosts.

Sewing Hope Podcast Link

 

5 – And finally, I had the amazing opportunity to be on CatholicTV’s This Is Your Day. Despite a few technical issues (God teaching me humility, I guess), it was such a pleasure to share about eXtreme Blindside and CatholicTeenBooks.com to a larger audience.

This Is The Day Link

 

I’m excited to see where God leads me next on my mission to strengthen teen’s faith through fiction.

Thanks for being part of this journey. Until next time – God Bless!

Leslea

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Single Book Reviews

June 11, 2020 by Leslea Wahl

June 2020 Update

Welcome to my Quarterly Update! Thanks for your interest in my books and ministry. There is not a lot to report this quarter probably because, like everyone else, I’ve spent the last three months stuck at home. Since I generally spend a lot of time at home writing, my life wasn’t altered very much, except for a trip that had to be canceled.

There are a few things I focused on during this time at home.

1 – Reading more great books for my Monthly Book Reviews.

2 – Polishing up my newest novel. I will hopefully have more updates on this project later in the year.

3 – Creating Swag! I had a lot of fun searching Etsy and found some fun new promotional items! I’m excited about the products. Too bad all the events I had scheduled were canceled. Hopefully, I’ll soon have new opportunities where I can share these items.

There are just a few other things to mention.

Book Promotion

Since I don’t have much going on this month, I thought it might be fun to participate in a group promotion through mybookcave.com. This promotion features free stories in exchange for signing up for an author’s newsletter. My novella Unlikely Witnesses is one of the choices. I don’t know any of the other authors that are part of this event, but there looks to be some interesting stories represented. Please click on this link if you are interested in checking out the choices. AND… there’s a chance to win a $25 gift card!  PROMOTION

eXtreme Blindside Update

eXtreme Blindside has just received the Catholic Writer’s Guild Seal of Approval.

And finally…

A few CatholicTeenBooks.com authors have new or upcoming releases. I’ve had the chance to read the advanced copies and thoroughly enjoyed all of them.

Theresa Linden has two new books available.

Breastplate of Righteousness – a children’s chapter book.

AND,,, Fire Starters – the last book in her West Brothers Series.

Corinna Turner has two new chapters in her unSPARKed series.

T.M. Gaouette‘s thrilling new novella, Shadow Stalker, will be out soon.

Well, that’s it for this quarter! Thank you so much for your continued interest and support!

 

 

 

Filed Under: Quarterly Updates, Single Book Reviews

November 12, 2019 by Leslea Wahl

SPECIAL POST – Ella’s Promise Book Tour

Every once in awhile, I get the opportunity to help another author with the launch of a new book. Today, I’m excited to share about Ellen Gable’s new book, Ella’s Promise. Scroll down for my review and an excerpt of this wonderful book.

Blurb:  When she joins the war effort during the Great War, American nurse Ella Neumann doesn’t see allies or enemies. The daughter of German immigrants, Ella sees only human beings in need of care. A promise to herself and a promise made to her by an enemy officer become the catalyst for the life she plans to lead after the war. But a handsome Canadian soldier may complicate her plans. In this third installment of the Great War – Great Love series, join Ella in a tale of promises, betrayal and unconditional love.

My Review: 

This is the third book in the Great War, Great Love trilogy by Ellen Gable. While this book is part of a series about young couples who meet amid the heartbreak of war, it is a standalone book as well. There are a few characters that are in each of the books, but this story is mostly about Ella, a young American woman working at a field hospital during World War I.

It’s hard to know for sure, since I enjoyed each of these wonderful books, but I do believe this is my favorite of the three. I adored the strong, competent, faithful Ella. I also enjoyed the secret agent intrigue of the story.

Each of these books highlights a beautiful, Catholic love-story but they also showcase interesting historic elements as well. I think these pieces will be quite interesting for today’s teens – such as medical advancement, roles of men and women, communication technology, etc. This would be a great supplement to a lesson on the Great War.

While the books can be read without having read the other stories, the author also provides a nice conclusion to the series for those fans that have read them all.

Please visit my Book Recommendations for reviews of Julia’s Gifts and Charlotte’s Honor.

Purchase Link:

Excerpt:

Ella’s head snapped up. She turned and saw that the lavatory door was still open.  Where is Major Schmidt?

She stood up, then took mental attendance of the cots. The occupied cots all seemed occupied, even the major’s cot.  But that couldn’t be.  He couldn’t have finished his business in the lavatory and covered himself up and gone to sleep that quickly.

No, someone had left the barrack.  A feeling of dread came over her, and she raced across the barrack to the back door.  It was unlocked!

Ella pulled the door open and stepped outside into the warm spring evening air. She could just make out the silhouette of a soldier creeping along the side wall of the barrack.

“Excuse me, sir?” she called out loudly in German, her heart pounding.  “Please step into the light.”

The man didn’t move.

“Sir?  Step into the light so I may see who you are.”

Still no movement.

Instead of waiting for him to comply, she straightened, took a breath and walked toward him. It was only then that the man inched forward, a shadow on his face. She couldn’t see him, but she was certain it was Major Schmidt.

“I…uh…was…uh… just stepping out for some… fresh air,” he said in German, waving his hands.

Ella scowled.  I don’t think so.  She continued in German, “I don’t remember you asking for permission to come outside. You asked permission to go to the lavatory.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Well, I will remain with you while you finish breathing in the fresh air, then I will accompany you back into the barrack. You must understand that I will be reprimanded if I allow a POW soldier to be outside.”  She paused. “Why did you unlock the door?”

The man smiled, but it seemed forced. Then he replied, this time in English, “I don’t remember unlocking it. I suppose I should just go with you back inside. I’ve had enough fresh air for the evening.”

“I should say so.”

This man had no German accent when he spoke English and certainly no English accent when he spoke German.  His smooth voice sounded kind and gentle.  Ah, yes, she remembered him: this was the man with the large birthmark on his shoulder.

***

Now what? He could run, but she would call the nearby guards to apprehend him.  He tried to appear nonchalant, but he balled his fists in frustration.  He’d have to wait until a future date and try again.

Garrett considered reaching for the gun tucked in his waistband.  Collins had given it to him. He could use it to threaten her so he could escape.

The girl folded her arms across her chest, smiled, her foot tapping, waiting for him to comply. She was brave, but he was twice her size and could easily overpower her.  He could knock her unconscious, leave her in the shadows and take off.  She’d be reprimanded for letting him escape.  She—the sweetest and most intelligent girl he’d ever met – would get in trouble because of him.

Strange that he’d never considered the repercussions for the person in charge when he had escaped the other POW camp.  Truthfully, he’d never cared.  Even so, this camp was one with little security.  He should have known that this nurse would be so aware of everything going on around her.

He would have to contact Collins in the morning to inform him that it was not going to be as easy to escape this time. Until then, he would bide his time and do nothing.

Filed Under: Single Book Reviews

November 29, 2017 by Leslea Wahl

Book Review – Chasing Liberty

Chasing Liberty by Theresa Linden

This dystopian Catholic YA novel by Theresa Linden is the first book in her Liberty series for older teens. This novel provides a fascinating look into a future world where religion has been eliminated. What I love about this book is the concept that God would still reach us and communicate with us even if we had never been told about Him.

The main character, Liberty, has grown up in a world void of families and faith. But she has been guided through her life by an inner voice she refers to as her “friend”. Until she is given an opportunity to live outside this controlled environment, she wonders if this inner voice is something she has made up.

Dystopian stories are always an interesting premise to think about. I love the Christian viewpoint that goodness, love, and faith will continue no matter what we might face. This is a wonderful read with plenty of discussion opportunities for older teens.

 

Set in the not-so-distant future where faith, family and freedom do not exist . . . Liberty 554-062466-84 of Aldonia lives in a responsible society that cares for the earth and everyone on it. They have learned to balance resource consumption with replacement initiatives, unavoidable pollution with clean-environment efforts. Science ensures that every baby born is healthy. The government ensures that every baby born is needed. All are cared for, taught, and given a specific duty to perform, their unique contribution to society. Why is Liberty so unsatisfied?

In less than two weeks, Liberty must begin her vocation. Every girl in Aldonia wishes she had Liberty’s vocation. Liberty would rather flee from Aldonia and live on her own, independent of the all-controlling government, the Regimen Custodia Terra. The high electrical Boundary Fence crushes any thought of escape. The ID implant imbedded in her hand makes it impossible to hide. She has no choice but to submit. Liberty is slated to be a Breeder.
As vocation day draws near, a man with an obsession for Liberty attacks her and injects her with a drug. She’s about to lose consciousness when someone comes to her rescue, a man in a mottled cape and dark glasses. She wakes in an underground facility where people watch over Aldonia with an array of monitors and surveillance equipment. These people are full of secrets, but she discovers one thing: they rescue a man scheduled for re-education. Liberty gains a glimmer of hope. They rescued him. They can rescue her.  

Filed Under: Single Book Reviews

November 5, 2017 by Leslea Wahl

Book Review – The Relic of Perilous Falls

The Relic of Perilous Falls by Raymond Arroyo

Fans of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Peter Lerangis’s Seven Wonders series will embrace this epic adventure in a rollicking new series by a New York Times bestselling author.
 
Will Wilder didn’t mean to unlock his otherworldly gift. But that is exactly what happens when Will “borrows” a sacred relic believed to protect the town of Perilous Falls for nearly a century. Even though his intentions are good, the impulsive twelve-year-old unwittingly awakens an ancient evil endangering all of Perilous Falls.
 
As boats sink and hideous creatures crawl from the rising waters, it is up to Will to confront a nightmarish enemy and set things right before it is too late. Along with his sweet—if lethal—great-aunt Lucille, the curator of a museum of supernatural artifacts, Will proves that the actions of one twelve-year-old boy can change the world.

 

If your child likes the Percy Jackson series they’ll probably enjoy Raymond Arroyo’s action-packed Will Wilder books. The Relic of Perilous Falls is the first book in this series about Will Wilder, a young boy with unique gifts. Will doesn’t realize he has special powers but when he accidentally unleashes some demons in his hometown he learns that there is a secret society of believers that all have special powers to keep people safe from the dark side. There are many unique characters in this book that add a fun element – Will’s Aunt, friends, siblings and parents all help to make this story fast moving and enjoyable.

Filed Under: Single Book Reviews

October 9, 2017 by Leslea Wahl

Interview and Review! Playing By Heart

Today, I’m excited to share about another new Young Adult novel – Playing By Heart. Not only am I including my review but an interview with the author, Carmela  Martino.

Not only does this book have one of the most beautiful covers ever – it is a wonderful, compelling historical fiction novel for teens.

Book Description:

Emilia Salvini dreams of marrying a man who loves music as she does. But in 18th-century Milan, being the “second sister” means she’ll likely be sent to a convent instead. Emilia’s only hope is to prove her musical talents crucial to her father’s quest for nobility. First, though, she must win over her music tutor, who disdains her simply for being a girl. Too late, Emilia realizes that her success could threaten not only her dreams for her future but her sister’s very life.

Playing by Heart is inspired by two amazing sisters who were far ahead of their time—one a mathematician and the other a composer. At its core, the novel is the story of two teens struggling to follow their true calling, even when it conflicts with their father’s goals. It’s a clean historical romance appropriate for ages 12 and up.

My Review:

This beautifully written Young Adult novel centers around the strong faith of two sisters, Emilia and Maria, and their extraordinary talents. The book is set in 18th Century Milan, Italy and focuses on their relationships with their father, as well as their struggle to follow the paths they believe God wants them to take. Unfortunately, they lived in a time when young women were subject to their father’s wishes. And their father hoped to showcase their incredible gifts to advance himself to nobility and was not interested in their desires.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and loved her writing style. In fact, the moment I finished the book, I read her first novel Rosa Sola, which I also thoroughly enjoyed. Her beautiful descriptions bring her books to life. I found the passages describing Emilia’s music particularly lovely. The author does a wonderful job of showing society and culture of 18th century Italy. This time period makes for a very interesting book, especially for young women, to see the choices and educational opportunities available to girls their age at that time in history.

This book highlights something that’s near and dear to my heart – that we all have gifts from God and we should find ways to use these gifts to help others. I loved that these young women knew their talents were from God and they longed to use them in a positive way. I also really liked the underlying passages of jealousy. This is something we all can relate to, feeling envious of another’s successes. How Emilia deals with this and works through it is a wonderful example for readers to emulate.

Interview with Carmela Martino:

—Playing by Heart contains so many historical details. How long did it take you to write and research?

That’s a difficult question to answer because I didn’t work on it consistently. I started the project in 2008 but I kept getting bogged down by research. Then, in January 2009, I banned together with a group of fellow writers to create our own version of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which takes place every November. We decided January has fewer distractions than November, and we called ours a New Year/New Novel project, or NYNN (which rhymes with “win”). Thanks to the support of the NYNNies, I managed to complete a pretty horrible first draft. But I don’t think I had a polished draft until nearly two and half years later, in September 2011. That’s when I started submitting it. As the rejections came in, I kept revising and submitting, sending the novel to editors and agents, and entering it writing contests. But I eventually gave up and put Playing by Heart in the proverbial drawer sometime in 2014.

–Why did you give up on the novel? And how did you end up getting it published?

Playing by Heart did well in several writing contests, and even took first place in the YA category of the 2013 Windy City RWA Four Seasons Romance Writing Contest. Several of the editors and agents who judged the contests asked to see the full manuscript. Unfortunately, they all told me pretty much the same thing: Playing by Heart was well written but historical fiction is a “tough sell” in the young adult market. After studying the market, I realized that the YA historicals that sell well seem to incorporate fantasy, witches, secret societies, or a murder mystery. Playing by Heart has none of that. I’d thought my sales “hook” was that the novel is inspired by two amazing 18th-century sisters who were far ahead of their time, one a mathematician, the other a composer. Frustrated, I set the manuscript aside and hoped the market trends would change, as it often does in publishing.

Then, in March 2016, I had the opportunity to pitch to an editor from Vinspire Publishing as part of the 2016 Catholic Writers Guild Online Conference (CWCO). The editor liked the pitch, asked to see sample chapters, and eventually offered me a contract!

–You mentioned getting bogged down in the research. You include so many wonderful visual details, from the Latin inscription on the harpsichord to descriptions of specific paintings. How did you research all that?

I’m a visual learner, myself, so I need visual details to be able to picture my setting. I researched what harpsichords looked like at the time and found several with Latin inscriptions above the keyboards. That was too delicious a detail to pass up. So I researched Latin mottoes of that time and found one about joyful music that fit perfectly into the story.

Regarding the paintings: while looking at illustrations of the interiors of 18th-century Italian palazzos in the books I researched, I noticed the walls were typically covered with paintings, many of them religious. So I researched the popular artists of the time and used their paintings as models for those I mention in the novel. For example, there’s a painting I refer to in Playing by Heart as the “Cerulean Madonna.” It’s loosely based on the painting Madonna and Child with Angels by an Italian Renaissance painter known as Masaccio.

Panel on Carmelite church in Pisa

–How did you manage to write a novel set over 200 years ago in Milan, Italy in a way that today’s teens can relate to the characters?

I spent a great deal of time and effort trying to make my characters relatable for modern readers. That’s part of the reason I chose Emilia Salvini as my main character even though there’s more research available about the real woman who inspired her older sister, Maria. I feared readers might feel Maria’s story would be “too good to be true.” Besides being a brilliant linguist and mathematician, she longed to be a nun to help the poor. Today’s teens might find a story from such a person’s point of view “boring.”

Instead, I chose Emilia as the viewpoint character. Although she, too, is gifted, she also has flaws, such as her jealousy of her sister. Sibling rivalry is something modern readers can relate to. I also focused on other problems that today’s teens could empathize with, such as the pressure of parental expectations and discerning a life’s calling. And, of course, the quest for true love.

–Are you planning a sequel to Playing by Heart?

I intentionally left one aspect of the story open to speculation at the end of the novel—what will happen to Emilia’s younger sister Isabella? I’d really like to write a companion/sequel to Playing by Heart with Isabella as the main character. Right now, though, I’m working on a short story set in the same time and place as Playing by Heart that I plan to submit to an anthology.

Thanks so much for hosting this interview, Leslea. I hope your readers will visit the other stops on the Playing by Heart Blog Tour. I invite them to go to my website for the complete list of tour links and enter for a chance to win a copy of the novel:

http://www.carmelamartino.com/blog/posts/2406

 

Carmela is hosting a Facebook Launch Party on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 7-9 p.m. Central Time, where readers can win not only copies of Playing by Heart but other great books and prizes.  www.facebook.com/events/1926037200756000

Filed Under: Single Book Reviews

September 25, 2017 by Leslea Wahl

Book Review and Giveaway – Standing Strong

I’m very excited to post today about Theresa Linden’s newest book – Standing Strong  , the next chapter of the young adult West Brothers series comes out on the Feast of St.Francis, October 4th.

Theresa is offering a giveaway until October 4th, for a chance to win a copy of this new YA book.

Click here for a chance to enter: Giveaway

 

My Review:

Theresa Linden is an amazing talent in Catholic teen fiction. I’m a huge fan of her writing and her ability to completely draw the reader into the moment with her outstanding descriptions. Her newest novel, Standing Strong is the next chapter in her West Brothers series.

There are a few things that make this series for older teens, very special. First, these powerful books are all written from slightly different perspectives, whether from one of the three West brothers – Roland, Jarret or Keefe, from a friend – as in Life-Changing Love, or, as in Battle for His Soul – the demons and angels that are constantly battling around us. Her newest chapter in this series, Standing Strong focuses on Jarret and Keefe West, the twin brothers who are struggling with very different aspects of their faith.

The other element that makes this series unique is that it is one of the few books I’ve found in the Catholic genre that is written for teen boys. Books for middle school age boys are prevalent but, gripping, character driven books for High School boys are more difficult to find. Don’t misunderstand though, Linden does such an amazing job of writing from this perspective that any teenager would enjoy and be moved by these books.

Linden has perfectly captured the heart and soul of the tough Jarret West in this new novel. During the first book, Roland West, Loner, I couldn’t stand his older brother Jarret but as the series has continued, Jarret really developed into a fascinating character. This character that I loathed, transformed into one that I found myself rooting for. He’s made lots of mistakes, did many horrible things, treated people badly, but in the end, realized his mistakes and the importance of his faith. Standing Strong finds Jarret struggling to keep his new found faith focused and strong, while his twin brother Keefe searches for answers to his own calling.

When authors write a series, they hope that all the books will be intriguing and connect with their readers. Linden has not only mastered this goal with her West Brothers Series, but as she’s continued with this powerful family saga, each book has been better than the last. Standing Strong is by far her most powerful and gripping book yet. I devoured this novel, needing to find out what happened next.

Book blurb:

STANDING STRONG

When the path is not clear…

When temptation is near…

When God speaks in a whisper you can barely hear…

Ever since that life-changing night in the canyon, Jarret has felt the presence of the Lord in his soul. Now that presence is fading. Is it his fault? How will he remain faithful without it when he still struggles against the same temptations?

​Questioning whether he has a true calling, Keefe reads everything he can about St. Francis and the Franciscans, but he’s afraid to talk to his father about an upcoming discernment retreat because his father seems closed to faith. Is he ready to go all in?

Early Reviews

“Another chapter in Theresa Linden’s masterfully-developed series for teens that will resonate with everyone who has struggled to find his place in the world, been tempted to take the easy way out, or doubted the work of God’s hand in his life. A realistic portrait of the slow and subtle work of grace in our lives.”

     ~Carolyn Astfalk, author of coming-of-age romance Rightfully Ours

“Standing Strong refutes one-dimensional stereotypes and redefines the power of Bro. Recommended for teenage boys as well as for anyone who would like to fathom their world.”

     ~Virginia Bliss, Catholic author

“Linden is a master at getting inside the heads of today’s teenagers, and her own deep faith and love of God shine through and inspire on every page. After readingStanding Strong, your own spiritual life cannot but be strengthened, making you also want to stand strong for God. Highly recommended!”

     ~Susan Peek, author of St. Magnus, The Last Viking and many other saint stories for teens and children

“Standing Strong is a beautiful testament to how God works—in the whispers, in the quiet moments, in the gentle guidance of our hearts. It’s a reminder that Jesus is with us in ways we may never understand, and that, if we allow it, the Holy Spirit will give us the strength to stand strong for God!”

     ~Lisa Mayer, author of The Aletheian Journeys Series

“It’s not easy to reinvent yourself while you’re still in high school, as Jarret West discovers as he seeks a way to turn his life around after an intense spiritual experience. His twin brother couldn’t be more different: Keefe contemplates joining the Franciscan friars. Theresa Linden recounts twin spiritual quests in her newest novel, Standing Strong.”

     ~Barb Szyszkiewicz, editor at CatholicMom.com

Author bio:

Theresa Linden is the author of award-winning Roland West, Loner and Battle for His Soul, from her series of Catholic teen fiction. An avid reader and writer since grade school, she grew up in a military family. Moving every few years left her with the impression that life is an adventure. Her Catholic faith inspires the belief that there is no greater adventure than the reality we can’t see, the spiritual side of life. She hopes that the richness, depth, and mystery of the Catholic faith will spark her readers’ imagination of the invisible realities and the power of faith and grace. A member of the Catholic Writers Guild and the International Writers Association, Theresa lives in northeast Ohio with her husband, three boys, and one dog.

Filed Under: Single Book Reviews

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