Catholic Fire

  1.  Hooray! I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my book, Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir just won the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval.   2.  Another sweet surprise this week was this movie .  I went to it not knowing whether I would like it or not, as the original with Charlton Heston has a special place in my heart. Unexpectedly, I was moved by it and recommend it. It is a powerful film on redemption and forgiveness. Sure there is violence, but it is there for a reason. I would advise that only mature teens and adults see this due to the violence. 3. CALLING ALL CATHOLIC COLLEGE STUDENTS. Are you a passionately Catholic college student who loves you faith? Do you seek to evangelize through apologetics and personal witness? Do you attend Christendom College, The University of Dallas, Ave Maria University, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Mount St. Mary’s University or a like minded Catholic institu...

Today, Storyteller, Author, Blogger, Podcaster and Radio Host Tony Agnesi reviews Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir at Finding God's Grace in Everyday Life . Tony is well-known for his inspirational writing and storytelling, so take a look to see what he has to say about Learning to Love with the Saints and while you're there, check out his other reviews, podcasts, stories, and quotes.

Today, Virginia Lieto, inspirational author, speaker, blogger, and theology professor reviews my new book, Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir and will be giving away an autographed copy! Go visit her at Virginia Lieto and enter to win! There's only one more day for the blog tour, but you won't want to miss this last stop! On Tuesday, May 24, Tony Agnesi reviews Learning to Love with the Saints at Finding God’s Grace in Everyday Life. 

Today, Melanie Jean Juneau hosts the blog tour for my new book, Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir at Association of Catholic Women Bloggers and Joy of Nine9 . She is a top notch writer and blogger, so be sure to read her review! Here are the remaining stops on the Blog Tour and Book Giveaway for Learning to Love with the Saints: Monday, May 23--Virginia Lieto, Review, Virginia Lieto  Book Giveaway! Tuesday, May 24 -- Tony Agnesi, Review, Finding God’s Grace in Everyday Life 

Today, Patrice Fagnant - MacArthur at Spiritual Woman hosts the blog tour for my new book, Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir . An avid reader, a gifted writer, and a seasoned reviewer, Patrice shares her honest opinion of the book. Here are the remaining stops on the blog tour: Sunday, May 22 -- Melanie Jean Juneau, Review, Association of Catholic Women Bloggers  and Joy of Nine   Monday, May 23--Virginia Lieto, Review, Virginia Lieto   Book Giveaway! Tuesday, May 24 -- Tony Agnesi, Review, Finding God’s Grace in Everyday Life 

1. This has been a very busy week! My new book, Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir officially launched on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima exactly one week ago today. My shipment of books and new business cards arrived on Wednesday along with a second shipment of books  on Thursday. There have been speaking requests plus book signings and more... Whoa! It's exciting and exhausting all at the same time. In addition, I have been conducting a book blog tour this past week which extends until Tuesday, May 24. Today, on day 8 of the blog tour, the sweet Jeannie Ewing interviews me at Love Alone Creates . She asked me some very intelligent and insightful questions, so go check it out! Be sure to enter to win a first edition, autographed copy of Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir. If you would like to learn more about Learning to Love with the Saints and enter to win a free book,  here is the blog tour schedule: Friday, May 13 -- Ellen G...

On Day 7 of the blog tour for my new book, Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir , a long-time popular blogger whom I have known for many years, the avid reader and talented writer BarbSzyszkiewicz, also known as Franciscan Mom, reviews my book at both Franciscan Mom and Catholic Mom today. Go visit her and enter to win at both sites and enter to win a free, first edition, signed copy of my book at Franciscan Mom. Visit these sites for the remainder of the tour: Friday, May 20--Jeannie Ewing, Interview, Love Alone Creates  Book Giveaway! Saturday, May 21-- Patrice Faganant McArthur, Review, Spiritual Woman Sunday, May 22 -- Melanie Jean Juneau, Review, Association of Catholic Women Bloggers  and Joy of Nine Monday, May 23--Virginia Lieto, Review, Virginia Lieto , Book Giveaway! Tuesday, May 24 -- Tony Agnesi, Review, Finding God’s Grace in Everyday Life

On Day 6 of the blog tour for my new book, Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir , a long-time blogger whom I have known for many years, the extraordinary Esther Gefroh at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii reviews my book. She is a sweet, humble, loving lady, a fervent Catholic, and a powerful prayer warrior. What are you waiting for? Go visit her! While you're there, check out the great graphics and phenomenal prayers posted on the right side of her site.  Visit these sites for the remainder of the blog tour: Thursday, May 19 -- Barb Szyszkiewicz, Review, Franciscan Mom , Book Giveaway! and Catholic Mom  Friday, May 20--Jeannie Ewing, Interview, Love Alone Creates  Book Giveaway! Saturday, May 21-- Patrice Faganant McArthur, Review, Spiritual Woman Sunday, May 22 -- Melanie Jean Juneau, Review, Association of Catholic Women Bloggers  and Joy of Nine Monday, May 23--Virginia Lieto, Review, Virginia Lieto , Book Giveaway! Tuesday, May 2...

Today, on Day 5 of the blog tour, the charming and gifted Nancy Ward at JOY Alive in our hearts reviews my new book Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir.  She is also offering a GREAT GIVEAWAY! She will be giving away a first edition, signed copy of my new book, Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir . Visit her website, read her review, and enter to win! Visit these sites and enter to win more prizes during the book blog tour: Wednesday, May 18 -- Esther Gefroh, Review, A Catholic Mom in Hawaii Thursday, May 19 -- Barb Szyszkiewicz, Review, Franciscan Mom , Book Giveaway! and Catholic Mom  Friday, May 20--Jeannie Ewing, Interview, Love Alone Creates  Book Giveaway! Saturday, May 21-- Patrice Faganant McArthur, Review, Spiritual Woman Sunday, May 22 -- Melanie Jean Juneau, Review, Association of Catholic Women Bloggers  and Joy of Nine Monday, May 23--Virginia Lieto, Review, Virginia Lieto , Book Giveaway! Tuesda...

Today, the lovely Lisa Mladinich , the author of  True Radiance: Finding Grace in the Second Half of Life , interviews me at Amazing Catechists , where she is giving away a FREE paperback copy of Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir and at Patheos . So Be sure to enter to win! This is what Lisa has to say about Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir: "Jean M. Heimann's Learning to Love With the Saints is wise and full of beauty, a memoir to be savored and brought to prayer. Read it and be blessed, and then share it with someone you love."  Visit these sites for the remainder of the blog tour: Tuesday, May 17—Nancy HC Ward, Review, Joy Alive in our Hearts Book Giveaway! Wednesday, May 18 -- Esther Gefroh, Review, A Catholic Mom in Hawaii Thursday, May 19 -- Barb Szyszkiewicz, Review, Franciscan Mom   Book Giveaway! and Catholic Mom Friday, May 20--Jeannie Ewing, Interview, Love Alone Creates Book Giveaway! Saturday...

With Lent only two weeks away, it's time to start looking at some inspiring reading material to help us grow in holiness. Of the books I have read, the following are my favorites for Lent: 1.   Bringing Lent Home with St. John Paul II: Prayers, Reflections, and Activities for Familie s by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle 2. Bringing Lent Home with St. Thérèse of Lisieux: Prayers, Reflections, and Activities for Families   by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle 3 . Seven Saints for Seven Virtues by Jean M. Heimann (helpful in learning to replace sin with specific virtues) 4. Practical Theology: Spiritual Direction from Saint Thomas Aquinas   by Peter Kreeft 5. The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living by Lisa Hendey 6. Walking with Mary: A Biblical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross by Edward Sri 7. Magnifcat Lenten Companion All of these books are very readable and relevant. 

1. Last weekend, we had a bit of fun doing one of our most favorite activities: apple-picking and pumpkin picking. We drove a  considerable distance to find both this late in the season. It's our favorite orchard in Kansas -- Pome on the Range. 2, We visited the orchards and picked red delicious apples -- Bill's favorite -- and only 50 cents/lb. 3. Then we hitched a ride on the tractor pull -- a hayride without the hay -- to the pumpkin patch. 4.  As we rode back with our wares, a cute couple snapped our picture. Oh, no! I have hat hair! You can certainly tell we had a good time. Look at those smiles! We passed by the winesap orchard on the way back to the store, where we picked up some Jonalicious and Jonagold apples. 5. Riding back home, we enjoyed the beautiful Kansas landscape and the sunset. 6.  I saved the best for last. Today, my book, Seven Saints for Seven Virtues , is now available on Amazon! 7. If you m...

Today, Janet Moore at Entering into the Mystery hosts the final day of the Blog Tour for Seven Saints for Seven Virtues . She was written a beautiful review entitled, "Do you Want to Be a Saint? Seven Saints for Seven Virtues Book Review and Giveaway!" She is giving away TWO copies of Seven Saints for Seven Virtues ! Go there, read her review, and enter the drawing! Here is a recap of the blog tour: Monday, Oct. 13 -- Plot Line and Sinker  Ellen Gable   Book Review and Giveaway Tuesday, Oct. 14 -- Contemplative Homeschool  Connie Rossini Book Review Wednesday, Oct. 15 -- Franciscan Mom  Barb Szyszkiewicz Book Review and Giveaway Thursday, Oct. 16 -- Can we Cana?  Karee Santos Book Review and Giveaway Friday, Oct. 17 --   Bergers Book Reviews  Alice Berger Book Review Saturday, Oct. 18 -- Seven Angels Four Kids One Family Jane Lebak Book Review Sunday, Oct. 19 -- Spiritual Woman  Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur Book Review Mon...

Today, at View From the Domestic Church, Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, EWTN TV host of "Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms," and "Catholic Mom's Cafe," journalist, speaker, and reviewer,  interviews me . Go there and check out her interview! There's only one more day left to the blog tour! Don't miss it! Tomorrow, Janet Moore at Entering into the Mystery  will host the blog tour. Here is a recap of the blog tour: Monday, Oct. 13 -- Plot Line and Sinker  Ellen Gable   Book Review and Giveaway Tuesday, Oct. 14 -- Contemplative Homeschool  Connie Rossini Book Review Wednesday, Oct. 15 -- Franciscan Mom  Barb Szyszkiewicz Book Review and Giveaway  Thursday, Oct. 16 -- Can we Cana?  Karee Santos Book Review Friday, Oct. 17 --   Bergers Book Reviews  Alice Berger Book Review Saturday, Oct. 18 -- Seven Angels Four Kids One Family Jane Lebak Book Review Sunday, Oct. 19 -- Spiritual Wo...

Today, Leticia Velasquez at Cause of our Joy reviews Seven Saints for Seven Virtues . You can read her review HERE. The remaining blogs in the tour are: Tuesday, Oct. 21 -- View from the Domestic Church Donna-Marie Cooper-O'Boyle Wednesday, Oct. 22 -- Entering into the Mystery Janet Moore

Today, Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur at Spiritual Woman is our hostess for the blog tour. You can read her review of Seven Saints for Seven Virtues HERE . You can follow the rest of the tour by visiting these blogs on their scheduled days: Monday, Oct. 20 -- Cause of our Joy  Leticia Velasquez Tuesday, Oct. 21 -- View from the Domestic Church Donna-Marie Cooper-O'Boyle Wednesday, Oct. 22 -- Entering into the Mystery Janet Moore

Today, Jane Lebak at Seven Angels Four Kids One Family is our hostess for the blog tour. You can read her review of Seven Saints for Seven Virtues HERE. Here is the blog tour schedule: Sunday, Oct. 19 -- Spiritual Woman  Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur Monday, Oct. 20 -- Cause of our Joy  Leticia Velasquez Tuesday, Oct. 21 -- View from the Domestic Church Donna-Marie Cooper-O'Boyle Wednesday, Oct. 22 -- Entering into the Mystery Janet Moore