Rooted in Love: Book Review and Book Giveaway

I feel blessed to be able to participate in this blog tour because Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women is an exceptional book written by a very special lady.

By Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, released November 2012, Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, Indiana, 224 pages, Paperback $14.95. Available from Ave Maria Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble, Major books stores and Catholic and Christian book stores.

Reviewed by JEAN M. HEIMANN, wife and mother, M.A. in Theology, freelance writer, retired psychologist, and oblate with the Community of St. John.

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women is not quite the book I expected it to be.  This particular book exceeded my expectations. Not only was it inspiring and uplifting, but it was candid, funny, enlivening, encouraging, and enlightening. In Rooted in Love, Donna-Marie engages her readers in her intimate, conversational way, which makes you feel as if you are chatting with a close friend over coffee or tea, sitting in front of the fireplace in your living room. There is a warmth and naturalness that comes across in her writing, which draws the reader into her story. Her unique brand of feminine spirituality, nurtured by Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Venerable John Hardon, gently guides the reader spiritually through chapters on discovering: who they are in Christ, how Christ works in their lives, how they can find Christ in others, and the joy of Christ. Following each chapter are questions for reflection to help the woman explore the multiple dimensions of her personhood – her mind, heart, soul, and body.

Rooted in Love beautifully unravels the truths of the Catholic faith as they relate to the whole woman and shows her how to use them to her own advantage and for the benefit of those she encounters in her life – family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, and even total strangers. Rooted in Love is lovingly sprinkled with: saint quotes from some of my favorite saints, Scripture quotes, and excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and papal documents. Donna explains everything clearly and thoroughly, applying it all in practical, down-to-earth ways you can use in your life.

Although I enjoyed the entire book, my favorite part was Chapter 7 – “In My Struggles.” I think we all have a tendency to think that others – especially those who are successful in their careers, like Donna-Marie – are probably much better off than we are and have not had to deal with the really difficult, painful situations we have had to face in our lives. This chapter dispels those myths. Donna shares some rather shocking, traumatic episodes in her life, which show that she writes with authority about suffering and struggles. She uses her own examples and advice to help us deal with our own trials and tribulations and to fill our hearts with hope.

Rooted in Love:  Our Calling as Catholic Women was written primarily for women – married, single, divorced, widowed—but I believe that men could profit from reading this book, too. I think it would help them to understand a woman and her spirituality better.  I believe that it is beneficial reading material for all adult women and would be a wonderful supplement for: adult education, Christian/Catholic women’s groups, and book discussion groups. This is an excellent gift for all occasions. I highly recommend Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women.

~ Copyright Jean M. Heimann, December 2012.

You can enter to win a copy of Rooted in Love. To qualify for the drawing, just send me an email with your full name and mailing address at jean.heimann(at)gmail(dot)com and you are entered! The deadline is December 21.