Free Catholic Bible Study DVD for Year of St. Paul

I'm so happy to share with you the great news that our friends at the Come and See Catholic Bible Study series have made another generous offer for our CatholicMom.com readers.

Take a look at my interview with series co-author Laurie Manhardt to find out how you can obtain a free DVD to help you begin your study of their new "Acts and Letters" bible study book.

As a side note, I've posted this interview over at the "currently under construction new CatholicMom.com site". Please know that this site is far from being ready for prime time, but I'm going to start posting content there so that it will be packed with great stuff once it's up and fully functional. The links and navigation don't work yet, so don't bother clicking on the sidebar links, but you can read all of Laurie's great thoughts on getting started with your own Catholic Bible study devotion! You can also leave a comment on the new site if you'd like to help me get started with testing our system.

Book Walk! Your Chance to Win

Our good friend Cay Gibson is hosting a book giveaway over at her lovely blog!  All you need to do is head over and comment for your chance to win two of Cay's wonderful books!  Easy as pie (or cake...!)

Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks: I Smell Something Baking

Catholic Moments #78 - Traci Matheu

Our guest this week is Traci Matheu, Catholic mom, speaker and author of A Survivor from the Lost Generation of Catholics on the importance of building a foundation of faith in our families. Deacon Tom Fox shares a reflection on the topic of Loneliness. Be sure to enter this month's contest - your chance to win two adorable Christmas Bracelets. To enter, email lisa@catholicmom.com with “Christmas Bracelets Giveaway” in the subject line and be sure to include your complete mailing address. Enter by November 30, 2008. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:
Traci Matheu
Paul's Men Podcast
FlockNote
Amazing Hero Art
The Catholic Company
Lisa's Facebook Profile, Plurk, Twitter
Catholic Mom Logo Store

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments #78

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Mom's Choice Awards

To my author friends, have you investigated entering your book in the Mom's Choice Awards? 

I know several of you who would be ultimately qualified, so be sure to check them out and consider applying!

Mom's Choice Awards

Catholic Moments #70 - Barbara Bartocci

This week, I'm thrilled to share my interview with inspirational Catholic author and speaker Barbara Bartocci, author of Grace on the Go: Quick Prayers for Determined Dieters, and Grace on the Go: Quick Prayers for New Moms. Deacon Tom Fox reminds us of the tremendous impact just a little bit of gossip can have on lives. Be sure to enter for your chance to win the Faith Database - send your email to lisa@catholicmom.com by September 30, 2008 with the subject line "Faith Database Giveaway" and your complete mailing address in the body of the email. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for This Episode:
Barbara Bartocci
Barbara's Books : Grace on the Go: Quick Prayers for Determined Dieters and Grace on the Go: Quick Prayers for New Moms.
Faith Database
Faith and Family Live
Fireproof the Movie
The Catholic Company
Lisa's Facebook Profile, Plurk, Twitter
Catholic Mom Logo Store

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments #70

Subscribe to the feed | Subscribe with iTunes

Emily's Hope News

Ellen Gable Hrkach, author of the wonderful book Emily's Hope wrote to share the following good news:

Brian Patrick of the Cincinnati-based Sacred Heart Radio Station will be interviewing Ellen Gable Hrkach on the Son Rise Morning Show regarding her first book, Emily's Hope. To listen to it live, go to www.sacredheartradio.com at 7:45 a.m. Friday, September 12th, and click on the upper right-hand corner box "On Air." If early mornings are busy, you can listen to it later by clicking "Podcasts" on the left of Sacred Heart's home page and download the show from September 12th.

For a limited time, you can get a free copy of this wonderful book online at the Full Quiver Publishing website here. The book shares a wonderful story and a great prolife message.

Catholic Moments #67 - Marybeth Hicks

This week, I share my interview with Catholic Mom and author Marybeth Hicks, author of Bringing Up Geeks: How to Protect Your Kid's Childhood in a Grow-Up-Too-Fast World. Columnist Pat Gohn shares a wonderful family reflection and Deacon Tom Fox offers more tips for a successful marriage. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for This Episode:
Marybeth Hicks
Bringing Up Geeks: How to Protect Your Kid's Childhood in a Grow-Up-Too-Fast World
Pat Gohn - Write In Between
Faith and Family Live
The Catholic Company
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Moments Ustream Channel
Catholic Mom Logo Store

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments #67

Subscribe to the feed | Subscribe with iTunes

Newsflash! Teresa Tomeo's Latest Book

I wanted to bring to your attention my latest review - an indepth look at Newsflash: My Surprising Journey from Secular Anchor to Media Evangelist by Teresa Tomeo. I already had a tremendous admiration for Teresa and her work prior to reading this book, but Newsflash left me even more inspired by her story. As I state in my review, I was under the false assumption that Teresa must have led some sort of star-crossed life that kept her on the path to both stardom and sainthood. You need to read the book to find out the true story for yourself, but suffice it to say that Teresa shares all of the ups and downs that led her to her current vocation as an internationally syndicated radio host and bestselling author.

I know you will love Newsflash and that you'll want to purchase the book for friends and family members as well - this book and Teresa's honest sharing of her own path home to the Church have the potential to touch many hearts and souls. As a bonus, orders placed before September 1st will receive free shipping and handling. If you have a blog, podcast or website, I hope you will consider reprinting my review or linking to it to help spread the word about this great read. Enjoy!

My review of Newsflash by Teresa Tomeo

Catholic Moments #60 - Kelly Lynch

Lisa interviews Kelly Lynch, author of He Said Yes, the Catholic Press Association's first place winner in the 2008 Children's book category. Deacon Tom Fox shares a reflection entitled "WWJD and Would Be Followers". Enter for your chance to win our latest contest, three great books from Life Teen by emailing Lisa@catholicmom.com by July 31 - be sure to include your full mailing address and to write "Life Teen Books Giveaway" in the subject line. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:
He Said Yes: The Story of Father Mychal Judge by Kelly Lynch
Mychal's Message
Parish Media Liaison Kerry Madden's Pick - Health and Fitness with Christ
Home Biz MomCast - Uniting Families through Home Based Businesses
Music "How Can I Keep from Singing" by Lorraine Doan
The Catholic Company
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Logo Store

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments #60

July CatholicMom.com Book Club Picks

CatholicMom.com Book Club - Catholic Books and Catholic Authors

Please head over to CatholicMom.com and check out the great books we're recommending for the month of July:

• Passport by Christopher Blunt - Fiction selection
• 52 Simple Ways to Talk With Your Kids About Faith: Opportunities for Catholic Families to Share God's Love by Jim Campbell - Non-fiction selection
  
• Living the 10 Commandments for Children by Rosemarie Gortler - Children's selection
  

Catholic Moments #57 - Catholic New Media Celebration

Enjoy a morning at the Catholic New Media Celebration as Lisa interviews CNMC participants in anticipation of the big event. Our Parish Media Liaison Kerry highlights some great books and our friend Chris Cash tells us about some great happenings at the Catholic Company. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:
Catholic New Media Celebration
The Catholic Company
Parish Media Liaison Kerry Madden's Pick - Great Summer Reading
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Logo Store

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments #57

Bringing Up Geeks!

My good friend and our CatholicMom.com columnist Marybeth Hicks recently announced the release of her new website at BringingUpGeeks.com in anticipation of her book of the same name.

Marybeth's book focuses on raising "GEEK"s - Genuine, Enthusiastic, Empowered Kids. I can't wait to see the book and have had a blast exploring her new site. Some of my favorite features of the site are the Geek Parent Community, What's Really Cool in Middle School and Fun Stuff for Geeky Kids.

I'll remind you in early July when Marbeth's book is available, but if you'd like you can pre-order Bringing Up Geeks: How to Protect Your Kid's Childhood in a Grow-Up-Too-Fast WorldBringing Up Geeks: How to Protect Your Kid's Childhood in a Grow-Up-Too-Fast World at Amazon now.

It's time to redefine what's cool for kids

Catholic Moments #54 - San Francisco, Christian Frank

Lisa podcasts this week overlooking the bay in San Francisco. We share an interview with Christian Frank, author of the June CatholicMom.com Book Club fiction pick, Catholic Reluctantly. Deacon Tom Fox shares an inspirational Catholic Deacon Moment on the gift of the Eucharist. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:
Catholic Reluctantly
Kelly the Kitchen Cop
Parish Media Liaison Kerry Madden's Pick - Catholic Music
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Logo Store
Lisa's Facebook Profile
Catholic Mom Logo Store

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments #55

Rest In Peace Ann Ball

I am so sad to hear of the sudden death of one of my very favorite Catholic authors, Ann Ball. Ann's talent and faith shone through in everything that she wrote. Her books grace my bookshelf and have touched the lives of many Catholic families. I was never able to personally interview Ann, but have been a big fan of her books and website for years.

Please join me in praying for Ann's soul and for the children and grandchildren she loved so dearly, who will definitely miss her.

May Ann's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen



Well-loved Catholic author Ann Ball passes away

Catholic Moments #52 - Heidi Hess Saxton, Behold Your Mother

Our guest on today's show, Heidi Hess Saxton, is an author, Catholic adoption advocate, magazine editor and speaker. Lisa shares some information on her "super secret project" and we look forward to the Catholic New Media Celebration. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:
Heidi Hess Saxton
Heidi's books:
Raising Up Mommy: A Study in Womanly Vice and Virtue
Behold Your Mother
Canticle Magazine
Catholic Hack sponsors Tarek Saab
Media Liaison Kerry's recommendation: Grace Before Meals

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments #52

Fr. Jim Martin's Upcoming Blog Tour

Thanks to Catholic Meme for the heads up on one of my favorite author's upcoming blog tour.  Visit Jesuit James Martin to see the dates and locations for the tour.  So cool!

Jesuit James Martin

Take Time for Your Own Gut Check

At first glance, most of my readers might not think a book entitled Gut Check: Confronting Love, Work, and Manhood in Your Twenties would be one of this Catholic Mom's favorites. But you'd be wrong - it truly is one of the best books I've read this year. You can read my interview with the book's author Tarek Saab here and please seriously consider buying this one - you will be glad you made the time to read it.

Behold Your Mother

I'm happy to share the following book trailer for an important book written by our Adoption columnist, Heidi Hess Saxton. Heidi's book, Behold Your Mother paints vivid and compelling portraits of Mary as an intercessor who will take us by the hand and walk with us toward Jesus, who waits with open arms to receive our hearts and lives. I know you will enjoy it!

Catholic Moments #45 - Regina Doman

We welcome Pope Benedict XVI on his historic visit to the United States and reflect on his message of "Christ Our Hope". Lisa interviews Catholic author and editor Regina Doman. Deacon Tom shares a reflection on the "Rice of Baptism". Check out "Shine Like the Son" from Matt Maher's new Empty and Beautiful CD. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272 or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:
Regina Doman
Regina's books: Black as Night: A Fairy Tale Retold, Angel in the Waters
Catholic, Reluctantly by Christian Frank
Matt Maher, Empty and Beautiful
Lisa's Facebook Profile

Click here to listen to Catholic Moments Podcast #45

Great News for Readers!

Great news for teen readers (and their moms too!). Regina Doman has announced the release of the first installment of her planned Catholic Teen Novel Project series: Catholic Reluctantly by Christian M. Frank. Here's part of the description:

One start-up school.
Seven mismatched kids.
Catholic truth.
...Craziness...

When their parents decide to start a new high school,George, Celia, Liz, J.P., Brian, and James are all thrown together, although they have almost nothing in common. George and Celia attended the local Catholic high school, Brian and James were homeschooled. Liz just wants to attend a school where she can play sports, and J.P. just wants to make trouble.

Then there's a shooting at the local public high school, and Allie Weaver joins the class ...

I love, love, love Regina Doman's writing, so I know this book is sure to be a winner since she's associated with the series (even though I haven't had the chance to read it yet!). You can learn more about the John Paul II High series here.

This is also a great chance for me to remind you about Regina Doman's latest book Waking Rose, which is the third installment in Regina's series based upon the tales of the Brothers Grimm, retold in a fascinatingly beautiful way from a modern, Catholic perspective. Great stuff!