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Many have said Catholic literature has produced nothing new since Tolkien and O'Connor. First time novelist, Katy Carl in her beautifully written new book "As Earth Without Water" published by Wiseblood Books  shows Catholic writers are indeed producing new faithful creative masterpieces.  Ms. Carl's book is truly astounding in her literary prose and masterful story telling.  The story follows the lives of two artists as they come to know themselves and eventually come to know  God.  This weaving of a story between the reality of relationships and the journey toward faith is nothing short of beautiful.  One of the rare times when a reader can realize  that within a young artist, like Katy Carl a of literary genius is unfolding.    Highly recommend for a book club reading and discussion.
 
Ms. Carl is part of the newly launched Masters of Fine Arts in Catholic and Creative writing at the University of St Thomas.  You can find a link to the program here.         
ttps://www.stthom.edu/Academics/School-of-Arts-and-Sciences/Division-of-Liberal-Studies/Graduate/Master-of-Fine-Arts-in-Creative-Writing/   This beautiful book can be ordered from Wiseblood.com    @  https://www.wisebloodbooks.com/

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want to truly understand what happened in the 2016 election?  Why it happened may be scarier than what happened. While the purported collusion between President Trump and the Russians was disproven with the findings of the Mueller Investigation and now the Durham Investigation, Russian malfeasance was still very much present in the 2016 election.  Rebekah Koffler,  author of Putin's Playbook; Russia's Secret Plan to Defeat America  published Regnery Gateway  talks about how President Putin's ultimate goal is to defeat America.  Ms. Koffler, an immigrant from the former Soviet Union and now an American citizen worked as an intelligence analyst for the Defense Intelligence Analyst. She uses her incredible experience and knowledge to warn all US citizens about President Putin's true intentions and ambitions toward the United State.  An absolute must read for all Americans. 

You can follow me @MicheleMcAloon 1         

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Join me in this dynamic interview with Dr Louis Markos, author of   From Plato to Christ; How Platonic Thought Shaped the Christian Faith.  People of all religious backgrounds or no religious backgrounds  will benefit from this very accessible and enjoyable discussion about Plato and Socrates.  These old dusty philosophers are actually more important than ever as we talk about the social cultural issues of the day. Dr Marko writes "I can attest that reading Plato has made me want to become a better man. a better teacher, and a better Christian, to ascend the rising path and to find my true telos, the higher purpose for which I was born." Socrates and Plato talk to us through the centuries to find the truth of who are and who we can become as individuals and a society.
You can follow Dr Markos on https://www.amazon.com/Louis-Markos/e/B001JSBEBG%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share    

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This is a heck of an interview with the one and only Mike Duncan, creator of the History of Rome series podcast about his blockbuster,  best seller  Hero of Two Worlds: The Marquis de Lafayette in the Age of Revolution published by Public Affairs.  Mike Duncan has written an engaging biography of the Marquis de Lafayette, famous and infamous in both America and France.  From the dizzying heights of the world of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI to a prison in Eastern Europe, Mr. Duncan follows the life of the irrepressible Lafayette as he pursues the ideals of freedom and liberty.  Lafayette's life is a glimpse into the foundation of Modern Europe and the birth of America.  His life is a novel and Mr. Duncan writes the biography  of Lafayette in a way that is both profound and fun to read.

Help celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Lafayette's 1824-1825 return trip to the United States.  Check out http://thelafayettetrail.org         

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A discussion with award winning author  Mary Jo Thayer about her novel  Close to the Soul, published by Full Quiver Publishing.  The story follows the life of a sixteen year old girl, in the early 1960's. who is sexually assaulted at a party.  When she chooses to carry the child her life takes a predictably difficult, but rich and rewarding path.  Ultimately Close to the Soul is a story about choices and love. This is a timely discussion in the wake of last week's Supreme Court decision not to block a Texas law banning most abortions after six weeks.  

You can connect with the author at maryjothayer.com 
and Michele at Twitter: MicheleMcAloon1  

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Join me in a great discussion with author Rhonda Ortiz about her historical romantic fictional tale In Pieces.  For those out there who think "I do not read this genre," I understand. This is not what I am normally search to read either.  Foolish me.  This is a great story about the adventure of human relationships   and the enduring tale of life's questions of family, marriage and careers.  The novel set in  18th century Boston follows the travails of a young beautiful woman who tries to establish an adult life after suffering a traumatic loss.  Only when she is  able to see clearly can she truly come to know the reality of  herself and those around her.

Catholic fiction is an emerging genre on the literary scene.  Chrism Press  is a new  exciting publisher paving the way for high quality fiction with a Catholic character.
You can connect with Rhonda at  https://rhondaortiz.com/  and Chrism Press at  https://chrismpress.com/
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Mystery tales and morality in a medieval setting woven into a charming coming of age story. Join me in my discussion with author Antony Barone Kolenc as he talks about his award winning mystery series  The Harwood Mysteries Series published by Loyola Press.  A three book series that follows the life of a 12 year old boy in 12th century England as he discovers his identity and learns of life, faith, and friendship.   
Follow Michele on twitter @MicheleMcAloon1   

Antony Barone Kolenc can be found at www.antonykolen.com 
 

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An interview with Dr Ronald J Pestritto , author of America Transformed: The Rise and Legacy of American Progressivism  published by the fabulous Encounter Books.  Dr Pestritto of Hillsdale College illustrates how progressive thought, in the past and today. endangers the fundamental understanding of  basic freedoms as framed in the US Constitution.   Go to my twitter account to see where I had to record this episode    @MicheleMcAloon1. 

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Where are the Werewolves?? Join me for a thrilling discussion with Catholic author Eleanor Bourg Nicholson in her new Gothic Catholic Thriller Brother Wolf published by the brand new Chrism Press.  A thrilling adventure story with the truth of Catholic teaching. 
You can find Eleanor at eleanorbourgnicholson.com and Chrism Press @ chrismpress.com.  

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Where do we go after this life?  Join in a fascinating discussion with author Catherine Wolff about her book  Beyond: How Humankind Thinks About Heaven published by  River house Books an imprint of Penguin Random House Publishing.  In this wonderfully well researched and well written book Catherine explores the realms of human imagination through a survey of beliefs and faiths about the afterlife.  Her work is simultaneously informative and uplifting as she tells the history of our pursuit to define heaven, humanity, divinity. and consciousness.

You can purchase Beyond at The Kings English Bookshop in Salt Lake City Utah  or online at  https://www.kingsenglish.com/          

You can follow Michele on Twitter @MicheleMcAloon1