Through the fence, carefully without touching it, she watched as so many friends, their bag in one hand their Certificate in the other, walked through the gate and boarded the bus. Not one of those open-windowed broken-down yellow oven-like hulks that had brought them to the “Happy Land” site, but new ones, cool with closed windows […]
I Jenny would stretch out for hours on the sand, rolling back and forth to feel its course, graininess rub against her body. Although most people hate the sensation of the sand that sticks in their swimsuits and between their toes, she relished this feeling. The coarseness of the sand continued to remind her of […]
I received an unexpected postcard in the mail the other day from an old friend. It made my day. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten a handwritten letter from a friend — it has to be 10 or 15 years. What’s worse, I can’t remember the last time I wrote one. The reasons […]
As she approached the hall where the wedding celebration was to be held, Mary was attentive to the individual people within the groups swirling around the festivities. She was aware, although not particularly conscious, of a certain deference that was accorded her and her son as they quietly made their way to their places. She […]
In the weeks that followed my father’s death, a phrase kept running through my head. All will be well, all will be well, and all manner of things will be well. Julian of Norwich said it, but here is the really odd thing. I had never read anything by Julian of Norwich. I had never […]
Thomas Welbourne had no children. His wife Mary had been pestering him, even pleading about it, for years. He hadn’t decided against having them, but then, he never quite made up his mind to have them. He had never quite made up his mind about anything much. He was waiting for something – for something […]
He is alone in the dream. The stink of the jail cell dissipates and the smell of the seashore plucks at the man’s memory. He stands alone on the seashore. Small waves kiss the shore, like some nervous school girl who knows she shouldn’t but kisses a boy anyway. He thinks of the waves, then […]
This is a heartwarming children’s book, but it will make readers of any age feel closer to the birth of our Savior. In 40 pages, Edward Looney crafted a story giving a message that does good to the soul: Christmas is about Baby Jesus. It’s about going with the Holy Family as they journey through […]
Ginaldiel, the angel, scowled at the bookshelf. It was half as tall as he was, and twice the width of his music stand. “Same old, same old,” he muttered, tapping a long forefinger against his lip. He counted the binders again. Twelve. “Twelve binders of music to sing and all eternity in front of […]
“About the Operation” (author’s note: the following story is an adaptation of a short story by Ernest Hemingway entitled “Hills Like White Elephants.”) They sit quietly together in their house. He has a beer; she has nothing. A look passes from man to woman. “I don’t see why you’re upset baby. You seemed fine […]
An Excerpt from “Inspired: the Case Book of Will Day” Winter Light “Six billion dollars, Mr. Day,” her words took eerie flight throughout the empty gallery. It was a Sunday morning and just before dawn. From the first floor of The Old Harbor Gallery, I stood listening and watching beyond the elegant silhouette […]
Author Janette Oke’s characters come to life again, in Love’s Christmas Journey. I remember that when I found out that my local library had The Love Comes Softly Series, I quickly began reading all of them. They are wonderful books that provide not only enjoyment, but also present people responding to the ups and downs […]
One day, as the scorching heat of the summer sunshine settled into the soft warmth of late afternoon, a traveler came, thirsty, to the gate of an ancient town. Anxious to find shelter and draw and drink from the town well, the weary walker passed under the decrepit portcullis and knocked firmly at the guardhouse […]
Since the Obama administration is so fond of fictional narratives, I thought I would write one too about Bill and Jill. Bill and Jill Green are entrepreneurs. The Greens met in college studying environmental engineering. Bill and Jill immediately knew they were destined to not only marry, but change the world together. After graduating, the […]
Rugby is a game played by most boys in New Zealand in their childhood, though some don’t want to play it at all. A significant section of the community have always preferred to play a different sport, like soccer. But Rugby gets all the status in New Zealand, commanding all the respect. So much so […]
Jewel – a romance [an excerpt from the book] Chapter One “This is all?” Carter Paxton, technology entrepreneur, frowned at the thin stack of printouts. “Yes, sir.” Kevin Johnston, able-bodied assistant, straightened his shoulders and waited. He knew from experience not to bother explaining until his boss asked. The two men were alike in […]
“I never, ever EVER want to go to school again!” declared Rose Parker dramatically, flopping on to a couch. She had just returned home after an unfortunate day at school. “Oh Rose, it’s not all that bad!” her friend Sarah Rae said, trying to comfort her. Everyone is sure to forget what happened, eventually.” “Eventually?” […]
Truth told, I rarely read fiction. My coffee table is covered by theology books, and when I do need a good “story” I get it the way God intended – the SyFy Channel. When I heard “pro-life novel” however, my interest was piqued. I am thrilled to report that Kari Burke’s The Life I Dreamed […]
Ruach by Sylvia Dorham Dark ran it’s finger around the outskirts of the city like a child licking the last of the brownie batter from a wide bowl. Dusk settled first around skyscrapers and funneled down to the brownstones and nondescript buildings which housed businesses below upper-storey homes. The stars flew open and shone from […]
HAWK! by Anthony Schefter Scout First Class David M. Halloway was a stoic. He never complained and he rarely cried, not about anything. But this hike was barely a morning old and he was already sick of it. He was ready to leave the Scouts anyway and didn’t see how this hike was going to […]
Anna’s Song Amy Lemoine Stout “Anna! Stay with your mother! Stay with your mother!” The panicked shrill of a woman’s voice outside her window awoke Ms. Anna Braun of 37 Pine Street as if God himself had spoken into her ear. Heart beating wildly, she leaned up against the window. At the corner Anna could see […]
This is an excerpt from an upcoming work of fiction about the life of St. Paul by Father Tucker Cordani. **** That night Ananias showed up at Judas’s house on Via Recta. This was where they had brought me after the vision. Ananias found me in my room in the back on my bed reading […]
The following is an excerpt from Jack Spring’s novel, The Rapture of Darkness. For more information about the book, please visit www.jackspring.com . CHAPTER TWO SILENT NO MORE “By my lively voice, I drive away all harm.” ~ Common Inscription, English Church Bells St. Patrick’s Catholic Church East Side, Honolulu, Hawaii […]
Looking at the cover of Sons of Cain, by Val Bianco, will send a shiver through your spine. It’s a true Catholic thriller and a fascinating story of grand proportions. “Sons of Cain” grabs your very mind, heart, and soul, and refuses to let go. The prologue provides a stunning beginning to the story because […]
