Book Review: Darkling Fields of Arvon

A book review I recently did for catholicmom.com.




Darkling Fields of Arvon is book two of the Legacy of the Stolen Harp fantasy series written by James G. Anderson and Mark Sebanc. The first book, The Stoneholding is a fascinating read, full of adventure and written so eloquently that the reader can just imagine themselves being there. The riveting story of Kal Wright and his friends wasn’t quite over and it lent itself to the authors to continue the intriguing tale and produce another to the delight of their avid fans everywhere.

Hoping that Darkling Fields of Arvon is comparable in literary genius as its predecessor, I went about my task of reading it with understandable apprehension. To create one book of exceptional quality is quite a feat and to be able to repeat the phenomenon again in another book is unfathomable. Usually if the first one is excellent, the odds are that the next one in the series is mediocre at best. With that said, I read Darkling Fields of Arvon and outlandish as it seems, it is as good as the first installment, if truth be told, maybe even better.

In Darkling Fields of Arvon Kal and his friends continue their daunting quest to find the stolen sacred harp and the lost heir to the throne, Prince Starigan. Their heroic journey is riddled with action-filled encounters, engaging characters, and tantalizing mysterious creatures making it an exciting read that you cannot put down.

Written in Tolkien fashion and descriptive style, Anderson and Sebanc capture the essence of a time long ago, mythological to be sure, but so realistic that the reader can somehow actually picture it happening in the far distant past. The authors are excellent story tellers and can weave a tall tale better than most. You will find yourself wrapped up in the adventure becoming totally involved with the story, begging for more.

Two more books in the series are forthcoming. Readers will undoubtedly be looking forward to their release for the continuation of the exciting quest of restoring peace and harmony to Ahn Norvys.



Click here to read chapters 1 through 7.



Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Stoneholding

A book review I recently did for catholicmom.com.




The Stoneholding is the first of two epic fantasy novels about the legendary kingdom of Arvon and the sacred objects that they treasure most. It is considered to be an outstanding book, very imaginative with a riveting story that will be reread over and over again. The sequel is supposedly worthy of unending praise as well and devoted fans all over the world eagerly await for more of the mythical series.

Somewhat daunted and perplexed to my endeavor ahead to review such an undertaking, I set my expectations high hoping to relive what some avid readers have experienced with this book. I read it and I was not disappointed. I found it totally fascinating and I was hooked from the very first page.

In the dark of the night, King Colurian of Arvon is slain; the queen and prince are abducted and never seen or heard from again. The Council of Mindal places Gawmage on the throne who is not of royal blood. He is extremely dangerous and is therefore rejected by most especially those in the highland region of Arvon, the clanholding of Lammermorn.

It is thought that the seed of Ardiel was destroyed forever when the Mindal seized power from the faltering line of King Colurian. Eighteen years go by and Gawmage’s oppressive control continues to grow throughout the entire kingdom.

Gawmage does not know what befell Prince Starigan but he is convinced that Wilum, High Bard of all Ahn Norvys is somehow privy to this secret and that he actually had a hand in spiriting the Prince away. Gawmage has one of his men extinguish the Sacred Fire to force Wilum to bring the Prince out of hiding. The Sacred Fire must be rekindled and the only ones that can retrieve the sacred spark is a descendant from Ardiel’s bloodline. Prince Starigan is the only known last descendant and no one knows where he is or if he is still alive.

The highlands are besieged with aggressors, many are killed and Wilum is afraid that the sacred objects will fall into their hands. Wilum must then send his young and inexperienced apprentice, Kalaquinn Wright and a few of the other survivors on a relentless quest to find the missing heir to the throne, Prince Starigan and find a way to relight the Sacred Fire.

The Stone Holding will take you on a ride of your life in an exciting world of castles, sword fighting, and mythical creatures. All the twists and turns that Kal and his friends encounter along their heroic adventure will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The writing style of the authors is reminiscent of Tolkien, very descriptive, but necessary to evoke the beautiful and somewhat grim world of Arvon and its characters. The focus on detail to depict the gripping story is awe inspiring and readers will be mesmerized by the authors’ expressive thought and prose throughout the book.

I highly recommend this book and I am looking forward to the second novel of this fascinating series, Darkling Fields of Arvon which is a continuation of the story of Kal and his friends. This epic will surely gain notoriety as more readers become aware of it making it a potential movie series in the near future.



Click here to read the Prologue and the first six chapters.



Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Catechist’s Toolbox by Joe Paprocki

The Catechist’s Toolbox: How To Thrive As A Religious Education Teacher by Joe Paprocki

New and veteran catechists will find The Catechist’s Toolbox an invaluable “tool” to use to become the best catechist enabling their students to learn at their fullest potential. The techniques and tips that are disclosed cover everything from A to Z helping the catechist know what they should do for class management and how to handle certain situations and challenges. The catechist will learn how to plan and prepare properly and how to conduct their class efficiently and effectively to promote learning. Joe Paprocki explains in easy understandable terms how to write lesson plans, what to include in them, which activities to use, and how to provide a variety of learning activities that keeps in mind how your students learn best. He even addresses how to help students learn who have special needs and what you as a catechist need to do to integrate them into the classroom.

The author uses an innovative approach in divulging this information by using various shop talk (plumbing terms, electrical, construction, etc.) making it a delightful read. The 17 chapters allow the reader to dig deeper into understanding what makes a good catechist and what they should do. Some of the chapters include the following subjects:


• Planning and Preparation
• Which Activities To Use and Why
• Adapting to Learning Styles, Special Needs, and Diversity
• Practical Advice about Things That Can Go Wrong
• How To Get Your Students To Participate and Engage in Learning
• Skills, Tips, and Practical Advice for Leading Others in Prayer
• Discipline
• Polishing Your Technique
• Using Textbooks and Catechist Manuals
• Skills, Tips, and Practical Advice for Using the Bible in the Classroom
• Using Technology
• How To Ask Questions
• Assessing Student Progress
• Teaching and Learning by Doing


An appendix is also included and it gives you a guided reflection and reliable Catholic websites with navigational hints.



After reading this book catechists will know how they can be a better teacher. They will know how to implement the best techniques so that all their students will learn about the faith and enjoy coming to class. The Catechist’s Toolbox is a must have for all catechists.



Limited preview- To see some of the book.



*Be sure to check out Joe Paprocki’s blog: catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com where he shares his methodologies, techniques, and tips for catechists.