Friday, 16 October 2026

Stowaway to Saturn - Karina Fabian - Zach Augustine Book 1

Stowaway to Saturn
Zach Augustine Book 1 
Karina Fabian
ISBN 9780819827722
eISBN 
ASIN 

Stowaway to Saturn - Karina Fabian - Zach Augustine Book 1

The reading of this story marks the 49th time I have read a story by Fabian, not counting her contributions to Anthologies. I remember when this character was mentioned in a Rescue Sisters Story, and am so excited having read this first story in this new series. In the beginning of the Acknowledgements section Fabian states:

“When I was a kid—and even now as an adult—I’d sometimes skip the Acknowledgements section. Too often, it’s just a list of people to thank, mixed with a couple of factoids about the book. But I want you to learn something from this section, whether you want to be a writer, an engineer, a scientist, or a landscaper! We seldom accomplish things on our own. Just like Zach needed Jake and Anna (and Putterbot!) to rescue the kids, I needed people to make this story as good as it is. So read on!

The Adventures of Zach Augustine got its start as a mention in my short story, “Moonboy.” In it, Cory Taylor, the first boy born on the moon, reads the Zach adventures and decides to go have one of his own. I only ever meant them to be a bunch of titles. But then editor and friend, Rebecca Martin, talked about the need for middle-grade Catholic books, and I remembered how much I loved sci-fi at that age. (Still do!) Why not make Zach Augustine a real thing? I suggested it to Rebecca, who gave me a lot of encouragement. Lesson: Be open to suggestions. Sometimes an idea can bear more fruit than you think!”

Fabian has written an excellent story for the young and young at heart. I have mentioned in a few reviews and several times over the years on my blog that I have a dual form of dyslexia. Maybe in part because of that I still love Middle Grade reads and Young adult novels. But when I met Madeleine L’Engle she spoke about writing for youths and kids is harder because they ask more questions, and do not just accept things older readers would read over. And Fabian does an excellent job in this her debut Middle Grade novel. The description of this story is:

“The first book in the new Zach Augustine series--page-turning, faith-filled, sci-fi adventures for ages 9 to 12. 

Zach Augustine is on the run. He's a spacer--born and raised on a ship in the asteroid belt. But now he's on his own. Will Zach be able to prove himself to his new crew and earn his place aboard their ship? Or will his faith and diligence prompt him to choose a different path when dangerous secrets come to light?”

About the author we are informed:

“Karina Fabian grew up reading the classics of science fiction and fantasy. Now the author of over 45 books in sci-fi, fantasy, and comedic horror, she loves to entertain readers of all ages with the adventures of her characters. Her books have won the Mensa Award, the EPPIE, the INDIE, and most recently, the Catholic Reads Editors’ and Readers’ Choice awards. She and her husband live in Florida where they can watch rockets launch from their front yard. Discover her books at fabianspace.com. Karina is glad to do school visits to share Zach’s adventures and the real-world adventures of space and science.”

Every time I read a book by Fabian, no matter the series, I think ‘it can’t get better than this’ and yet somehow it almost always does. This story really took me by surprise, in some ways it reads like a Johnny Quest or TinTin in space. Except for the fact that Zach Augustine is an orphan. Zach is trying to live by a code:

“He closed his eyes and recited the Creed. I am a Spacer. My life is among the stars. My ship, my suit, my God, are my protection. To survive, I must use my brains, my faith, my heart. A Spacer never panics. A Spacer survives first, feels second. A Spacer knows his situation, his priorities, and his orders ...”

This is an excellent story. And certain characters and their arcs really stay with readers, even after they finish it. Especially Saint and even Pinky, but especially Zach and Putterbot. The pace of the story is excellent, and the plot fascinating. We have a story with an orphan who is desperate to stay in space, pirates, a repaired robot, and so much more. Sometimes you need to be careful what you wish for, and Zach finds that out in a big way. He also learns that the world is not black and white, and he needs lessons in faith and virtues. 

This is the type of science fiction I had  access to when my own children were younger, and even when I was younger myself. It is a much better story than a lot of what I read as a youth. 

This book is another very entertaining read, and start to what looks to be an excellent series. It is a great offering from Fabian’s pen. Give this book a try; I am certain you will be entertained. Another amazing read from Fabien’s masterful pen that I can easily recommend.      

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!


Dex Hollister Series:
The Old Man and the Void
Dex's Way
...

Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator Series :
Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator
I Left My Brains in San Francisco
Shambling in a Winter Wonderland
…

DragonEye PI Series:
DragonEye PI Novels:

Space Traipse Series:
Space Traipse: Hold My Beer, Season 1
Space Traipse: Hold My Beer, Season 2
...

Zach Augustine Series:
Escape to Enceleadus! 
…

Write Boost Books:
Persevere in your Writing
Develop your Author Voice
Fun with Worldbuilding
The Dubious Joy of Editing
Torture Your Characters
Creature Creation
The Art of Critique
Goal Setting
Humor Writing
Idea Generation
Publicity Package
Scene Fixes
Character Creation
AI for Writers
Faith in Fiction
…



Contributed to:
Firestorm of Dragons
The Zombie Cookbook
The Book of Tentacles
Twisted Fayrie Tales
FRIGHTLINER: And Other Tales of the Undead
Mother Goose is Dead
Word by Word: Slowing Down with the Hail Mary
Image and Likeness Literary Reflections on the Theology of the Body
Corrupts Absolutely? Dark Metahuman Fiction
Weird Noir
The Complete Guide to Writing Paranormal Novels
Manifesto UF
Avenir Eclectia
Planetary Anthology: Jupiter
Planetary Anthology: Pluto
Planetary Anthology: Luna
Planetary Anthology: Uranus
FlagShip Science Fiction and Fantasy v2i5
My Little Book of Headdesks
To Be Men: Stories Celebrating Masculinity
...

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Thursday, 15 October 2026

Dreams of the Storyteller, Volume II - Richard Paolinelli

Dreams of the Storyteller, Volume II 
ISBN 9798906107244
eISBN 9798906107244
ASIN B0HFDV2GJF


I first encountered the works of Richard Paolinelli in the Anthology Cracked An Anthology of Eggsellent Chicken Stories edited by Bokerah Brumley, in 2020. And that story appears in this collection. Since that first story, I have read work by Richard 40 times. The stories in this collection span years of writing, and encompasses numerous genres and styles. That being said they are great stores. And between this and the companion Volume II we have all of Richard’s publishes stories (outside his Sherlock pastiches) and a few new works see print for the first time.

The description of this volume states:

“Dreams of the Storyteller by Richard Paolinelli gathers the imaginative short stories of his Dreams of the Storyteller series into a definitive two-volume collection.
From the far reaches of space—where desperate missions to Mars go awry, polar shifts strand survivors on the Moon, and humanity faces extinction-level threats or alien invitations that may doom Earth—to haunted lodges where the living confront the departed, post-apocalyptic landscapes stalked by the undead, tense hunts for serial killers, and even a hilarious barnyard parody of interstellar epics, these tales span classic science fiction, supernatural mystery, thriller, and unexpected humor.

Paolinelli, an award-winning author and former sportswriter whose works include Dragon Award finalist Escaping Infinity, delivers tightly crafted stories that draw readers in with vivid characters, high-stakes dilemmas, and the classic storytelling flair of mid-century speculative fiction, while adding modern twists of sacrifice, survival, friendship, and the thin line between life and what lies beyond.

Whether exploring the last human on a dying world, a War of the Worlds-style invasion in the American West, ghostly “fixers,” or time-traveling pirate crews, this two-volume set offers a rich tapestry of dreams that linger long after the final page—perfect for fans of imaginative short fiction who crave wonder, chills, and the occasional laugh.”

The stories in this volume are:

Spinster’s Manor 
The Sorceress Curses 
The Medallion 
The Last Hunt 
A State Of Revenge 
Memory Island 
Death On The Range 
Far Away 
The Guardian 

Most of these stories is available as an individual eBook. They are collected here and available as an eBook or in print direct from the publisher. I have yet to work through the complete canon of Paolinelli’s back catalogue but have been working my way through it. It was wonderful to resist these stories. I enjoyed them the first time I read them so much I wrote an overview of the series. This new collection of the 15 stories in a single collection is excellent, and almost half of them are new stories. 

I love that each of these stories is preceded by the story behind it. They are well worth reading and I highly recommend them.


This story has a different plot that took me by surprise. With how much I read that is saying something. There were several occasions while reading 12 of the other stories in this collection, where I almost started this one. But I kept putting it off. This story involves a ghost hunter’s type crew from a show called Haunted America looking for disappearing staircases in a national park. The head ranger, District Ranger Blanchard tries to dissuade them. Their leader is Larry Kincaid, and he is supposed to be the brains of the outfit. Vicki Grace is his co-host and Randy Phillips is the cameraman and tech crew.

But Larry has a plan, and his picked a few locations to check out. Unfortunately for the three of them he plotted correctly. And with disastrous consequences. To Find out what befalls them you will need to read this chilling tale.


This story took me by surprise. A little bit supernatural, in part a ghost story. It is about friendship, betrayal, forgiveness and life after death. It is a story that will stay with readers. I find myself still thinking about it days after reading it. 

This is a great short story. It draws you in quickly, it keeps your attention. The main character is excellently written. The plot will surprise you. I look forward to the other stories in this series and many of Richard’s other series.


This is a dark and disturbing story, especially once we start putting all the pieces together. It is a chilling tale for mature readers. And having read both stories that contain this surprising character, I can only hope there will be more.   

This is another great short story from Paolinelli’s masterful pen. It really took me by surprise and I had a pretty good idea who the surprise character was going to be. I can easily recommend this story for mature readers!


Judas is given a mission by the Pope, it is delivered in person by the Camerlengo, Cardinal John E. Konecsni in person. The bishop of Luna, Bishop Joseph Igwe, was surprised by the mission of the Camerlengo, and the hermit he was here to visit. The story begins on Armstrong City, Moon Base Alpha, 2117, Cardinal John E. Konecsni is there to begin an investigation of the Diocese on Mars. He is there to task The Jesuit with this mission. Traveling under the name Brother Julian, he soon realizes thing are in fact dire on the red planet. And The Jesuit must face off with an old foe. To find out more you will need to read this excellent story.

Spinster’s Manor 

An intriguing story. Set just before Thanksgiving in 1868 Tessa Palmquist, a 25 year old spinster had a traveling house guest. A mister William Charles Aspinwall III. Aspinwall does not appear to be a nice character and has unsavoury plans. But Tessa has plans of her own. A dark horror story with some real bite. Or should I say nibbles. Read and find out. 

The Sorceress Curses 

The author describes it as a mash up of Ladyhawke and Lord of the Rings lite, and it is a good description. It is an intense and moving story. And they are willing to take great risks for a valued reward. Weary traveller named Rodrym Maglar arrives in the village of Tenaxx driving a covered wagon. He seeking out Arexnar, a renowned wizard. Trying to end a curse of opposing slumbers. Does it work, read and find out.

The Medallion 

Something things are worth far more than they appear. And some things come with a bigger price than ever expected. In this story we encounter both scenarios and for the same object. A thief gets far more than they bargained for. And has a very hard decision to make. An excellent story. Would love to see it expanded into a novel there is so much that could be done in this world and with this story.


A previous edition had the subtitle “The Dyson's Comet Killer” which reveals a bit more about the story. This story starts with an event at the Golden Gate Bridge and then jumps back in time. I loved the sequence in the story about the Motorcycle Bandit, would love to see that expanded into a full story itself. The main story is a hunt for a serial killer. The lack of clues gives Bolton a clue and sharing that hunch changes everything. 

This is the most intense of the stories I have read in this collection. It draws you in and though you see a train wreck coming you just cannot look away. By the ends you will understand the beginning and feel the same sense of loss as characters in the story.

The Last Hunt 

Written three years before Covid they story could almost be prophetic. Far in the future most humans live in walled mega cities. In North America there is groups is smaller independent cities. A plague rips through The Walled Cities, some escape, they are a threat to all of humanity. This story follows the last hunter tracking for the last kill. An intense read!

A State Of Revenge 

It was interesting to return to Paolinelli’s handling of Churchill. A story of revenge and maybe by the end regret. A secret mission that is intended to send a message but without harm to humans. But things do not go as planned. Historic fiction at its best.

Memory Island 

You wake up on a desert island with no memory, not even your name. There are several bodies and 1 other survivor. You do what needs to be done to survive and have a plan. But then a mysterious chest floats towards shore, And things are never the same. A great little story tightly written. Would love to see other stories with the main character. 

Death On The Range 

The shortest offering in the collection. Written as flash fiction and under 1100 words. But does it ever leave you wanting more. A great story with a nice twist at the end.


This is a hilarious story and a mush up parody of some many fandoms. It is well written. It will have you laughing out loud. Join Brooster on his training regime. Be thrilled by his first battle with the hound dog. And watch as he loves ‘when a plan comes together’ to go after the four legged farm animals and the Evil lord the old farmer.  

At the end of the volume it states:

Coming Soon - BARN WARS 2: The Hare Menace

It has been a few years and we have not seen it yet. But after how much fun this story was, I can hope we someday see it in print.  It was fitting that this was the last story in the series I read as it was my introduction of Richard’s work.

Far Away 

Originally published under the pen name Lucca DeJardins. I had read and reviewed this not knowing it was a pen name. This was a fantastic read right from the get go. I was hooked very early on and as the story progressed appreciated the skill and craft in writing this story even more. Novels give you a lot of room to tell a story, but short stories and novellas are a very different creature. Not all people who write novels can write novellas, or short stories. But this story is masterfully written. The characters are amazing. The plot is engaging, intense and deeply moving. In some ways the story reminds me of some of Frank Herbert’s non Dune stories, or some of the stories of Alfred Bester. The writing is tight, clean and crisp. 

The Guardian 

I have picked up several of the Fantastic Middle Schools Anthologies over the last few years. But Have yet to read them. This appeared in the volume Wisecraft. It is an interesting story. Feels like a mashup of A Wizard of Earthsea and Potter. It is a short story that sets the stage. I cannot help but wonder where Paolinelli would take it in future works. An excellent little story. 

I read this collection thus rereading these stories over a long weekend. Reading some of the stories was like a visit with long lost friends. Some were more like nightmares revisited. All were great reads! Writing short fiction is a very different skill that writing novels. Paolinelli is a master of both; trust me. So I encourage you to pick up this collection and the companion volume and you will be in for some very entertaining reads! I guarantee it.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!

For reviews of all books from Tuscany Bay click here.

Books by Richard Paolinelli:
Maelstrom
When the Gods Fell
The Calling
The Last Lonely Trail
A Zombie Christmas Carol

Infinity Series:
Exploring Infinity
Expanding Infinity
…

Starguest 4th Age Series:
Ranger
Cassandra's Line
…
Starquest 4th Age The Complete Saga
...

Timeless Series:
Odin’s Runes
Empire Of The Golden Dragon
Blackbeard’s Treasure
The Last Quest
…

Jack Del Rio Series:
Betrayals
Endgames
…
Del Rio Omnibus Edition
Del Rio The Complete Trilogy 
…

Divine Trolls Comedies:
The Fall Of The House Of 770 Vile Aromas 
The Corvo
…

SeaDragon:
SeaDragon 1 May 1986
SeaDragon 2 June 1996
Sherlock Holmes Pastiches:

Non Fiction:
Perfection’s Arbiter
From The Fields
The Space Shuttle: 1981–2011 
…

Contributed to:
To Be Men 
Places Beyond The Wild
Space Force Building The Legacy
Secret Stairs 
A Tribute To H.G. Wells (2019 Edition)
Beyond Watson 
Holmes Away From Home, Vol. 2 
Sherlock Holmes Adventures In The Realms Of H.G. Wells 
Sherlock Holmes Aventures In The Realms Of Edgar Allan Poe
The Art Of Sherlock Holmes 
The Mx Book Of New Sherlock Holmes Stories, Part Xxii
…

Planetary Anthology Series:
Sol
Earth
Luna
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
…
Best Of Planetary Anthology Series
…

Dreams of the Storyteller Series - Richard Paolinelli

Dreams of the Storyteller, Volume I - Richard Paolinelli

Dreams of the Storyteller, Volume II - Richard Paolinelli


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Wednesday, 14 October 2026

He Is Coming Rise of the Antichrist - Joe McClane

He Is Coming Rise of the Antichrist
Chi Rho Impact Media
ISBN 9798996599400
eISBN 9798996599424
ASIN B0H6KNNH3R

He Is Coming Rise of the Antichrist - Joe McClane

I must admit I picked up this volume and a nonfiction volume called, Catholic by Design: God's Blueprint for His Church from Eden to the Garden of Revelation, as soon as I saw them on social media. I knew nothing about the books, but based on my social media interactions with Joe I knew I wanted to read them. I pre-ordered both, and read this one first. Wow! This is an excellent debut novel. It completely blew me away. I could hardly put it down. 

The description of this volume states:

“December 2030. In America the Mass is a crime, practicing Catholics are classified as domestic terrorists, and an AI surveillance system called the Task List watches every citizen, every hour, everywhere. The visible Church has made its peace with the regime. The real Church has gone underground.

Father Edmund Fisher tends a community garden on Long Island. To the state, he is a gardener with a clean record and a quiet manner. To the hunted faithful of his sector, he is something else: the priest who hears confessions among the roses and offers the ancient Mass in hidden rooms before dawn.

One year ago, Edmund watched his bishop die rather than surrender the secret entrusted to him — a sealed cedar box, carved with the Keys of Saint Peter, to be opened on a single appointed date and carried to a man whom God would reveal. That date has come. Edmund opens the letter, lifts the Box, and steps onto dark water with no idea that he has exactly three days — or that the most powerful man in the world wants what he carries.

Because the regime’s master is about to reveal himself. The world will call him a savior. Scripture has another name for him.

Hunted by Richard Topcliffe — a priest-hunter who carries a deck of cards bearing the faces of the men he has sworn to kill slowly — and guarded by a federal agent living a double life sworn to a dead bishop, Edmund must cross a surveilled America with the Church’s last treasure, and decide, mile by mile, whether he has the courage to follow his bishop all the way to the end.

He Is Coming: The Rise of the Antichrist opens a trilogy — a Catholic apocalyptic thriller with the pace of a techno-thriller and the clock of a countdown. Three days. One box. The fate of the Church on earth.

For readers who sense the headlines beginning to rhyme with the Apocalypse — and who wonder what they would do when the knock comes.”

About the author we are informed: 

“Joe McClane has spent more than twenty years behind the microphone and the camera—in radio broadcasting, podcasting, and internet video—using every medium he can get his hands on to share the good news of Jesus Christ and His One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. He is the producer of two feature-length documentary films and the founder of Chi Rho Impact Media.

He Is Coming: The Rise of the Antichrist, the first novel of a trilogy, is his fiction debut.

Joe lives with his wife, Michell; they have six children and a growing crowd of grandchildren—the people for whom, in the end, all of it is made.
Connect with him at his site.”

In the author’s note he states:

“He Is Coming is fiction. The Task List, the garden, Father Edmund and the men who hunt him came out of my imagination, and any resemblance to real people or places is the accident of a writer borrowing from the world he lives in. But the thing underneath the story is not fiction. The Church has always taught that history is going somewhere, that the Lord who came once in Bethlehem will come again in glory, and that before He does there will be a testing such as the world has not seen. I did not invent the Antichrist, and I did not invent the warning to keep our lamps lit. I only asked what it might feel like to live in the hour when the lamps begin to go out—and whether I, or you, would have the courage to keep ours burning.

Let me be plain about what this book is not. It is not a prediction. I have set no dates and decoded no headlines; the year on the page is a storyteller’s “what if,” nothing more. Where the novel touches doctrine—the Mass, the sacraments, the Last Things, Our Lady—I have tried to stay inside the lines the Church has drawn, leaning on Scripture, the Fathers, the Roman Catechism, St. Thomas, and the apparitions the Church has approved. Where I have used material that is devotional rather than defined, I have tried to treat it as exactly that: color, not certainty. Nothing here is meant to contradict a single article of the Catholic faith, and if it does, the fault is mine, and I submit it without reservation to the judgment of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.”

This is a compelling story. And I am sure there will be comparisons made with the evangelical Left Behind Series. Or Jenkin’s Shadowed series written later. Writing about the end of days is not new, evangelical Christians have had a fascination with it for decades now. And there are other Catholic offerings. But this volume is a stand out in the genre. It is one of the best debut novels I have every read. And I would say the best End Times one!

This story is an apocalyptic thriller. It is written by a documentary filmmaker and broadcaster. It could easily be done as a movie. The story begins in December 2030 set in a dystopian future. The US still has a president, but the real power appears to be at the UN. Most traditional religions are repressed, but especially Catholicism. Nearly everything we do and say is tracked and that surveillance and monitoring is called the Task List. Our protagonist is Father Edmund Fisher he lives working in a community Garden and offers clandestine sacraments. But this is after he is given a heavy burden by his bishop. That mission is to survive a year, and deliver hidden artefact, a sealed cedar box carved with the keys of Saint Peter. He has a letter to open on a specific date and that letter will provide directions. Father Edmund is being hunted by Richard Topcliffe. And from our first encounter with him we know something is off. It is the story of faith and faithfulness.

Some fiction you read and it was entertaining, some are informative, some are transforming. This one is that third type. It has left me thinking and praying for several days. It prompted me to pray often while reading. It inspired and it has challenged me. Over the last decade I have averaged reading about a book a day, and this is one of the best debut novels, if not one of the best novels I have read!

When I started this I was unaware that it is the first in a planned trilogy. And by the end it leaves you desperate for the next volume. This is an excellent novel. I could not put it down. The characters are masterfully written. The plot moves at an excellent pace. And the story grabs your attention and does not let go. This is an excellent read, once I can easily recommend it. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Joe McClane:
Muscle Memory: Beating the Porn Temptation!
Catholic by Design: God's Blueprint for His Church from Eden to the Garden of Revelation 
Catholic By Design Sorrowful Mysteries 
…

He is Coming Series:
The Great Tribulation
…

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Tuesday, 13 October 2026

My Den – Home Office 2026

My Den – Home Office 2023

A few years ago I wrote a piece called My Den – Home Office 2022, and then it was updated a year later My Den – Home Office 2023; since that time we had to move because the landlord sold the house we were renting. After we moved I had my den set up, but waited until all the public living spaces and my three children's room were set up and they were happy before deciding how I wanted to do the den. I work in a hybrid model and om only in the office 5 days a month. I also read and write reviews as evidenced by this blog, so I spend a lot of time in this room. It is used for work, fore devotional time, for my hobby of reviewing and more.

We have been settled here nearly a year now, and this is my current space. It is my space to Work, Play, Pray! 

My Den – Home Office 2026 My Den 1

My Den – Home Office 2026 My Den 2

My Den – Home Office 2026 My Den 3

My Den – Home Office 2026 My Den 4

My Den – Home Office 2026 My Den 5

My Den – Home Office 2026 My Den 6

My Den – Home Office 2026 My Den 7

My Den – Home Office 2026 My Den 9

My Den – Home Office 2026 My Den

Across the top above the desk:

Saint Pier Gorgieo Frassati 
Saint Josemaria Escriva
Our Lady Immaculate Heart 
Divine Mercy (a copy of the one in our church.)
Our Lady of La Salette 
Pope Benedict Praying the Rosary
Mary (Have had this one for years from my grandmother)

The three coming down from these on the left of the desk are my children's confirmation saints.


Inside these my:

On the right of the desk are a series of mini icons:

Top Row:

Two icons of Jesus.

Middle Row:

Saint Patrick of Ireland
Saint Brigid of Ireland
Saint Brendan

Bottom Row:

Pope John Paul II
Damien of Molokai
4 Archangels
Saint Gemma Galgani

On the wall to the left of the desk:

Top Row:

Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Middle Row:

Sint Nicholas
Saint Charles de Foucauld
Saint David of Wales
Saint George and the Dragon

Bottom Row:

Our Lady of the Snows
Saint Genesius of Rome
Saint Kyriaki

Beside bookcase:

The Father Icon (from St Mark's School of Reading)
Jerusalem Cross
Holy Water Font
Venerable Emil Kapaun
Saint Kevin of Glendalough

On the desk:

Memento Mori Skull
2 Stands for Prayer Cards That I have a box I rotate through.
Statue of Mary
Desk Standing Crucifix Wood
Desk Standing Crucifix Metal
Pope Leo Challenge Coin

On the Bookcase:

Second Class Relic of Fulton Sheen
Homeless Jesus - Timothy Schmalz
When I Was a Stranger - Timothy Schmalz
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Saint Joseph
Saint Gabriel Challenge Coin
Armour of God Challenge Coin
A crucifix with candle holder base a friend made for me.

The new icons and artwork come from a variety of sources, for some I have linked to the sites above. Some more detailed pictures below. 



Timothy Schmalz has some incredible sculptures, and they are all over the world.


These are icons from Theophilia on Deviant Art. I love that they are younger versions of the saints than often we encounter. I picked up Saint Patrick for me, Joan of Arc for my 26 year old daughter I just found out about last year. And the other three for my children here at home. 


These are 3 of 6 Greek Orthodox Catholic Icons I purchased. They are smaller than I expected. But on a nice thick piece of stained wood. The Smaller icons come from Holy Art.

Finally the two painting on either side of the entrance were both painted by my youngest. She is 11 now Jack Skellington was painted a few years ago. The Fall Scene this last fall at school.

The Divine Mercy at out church was painted by a local artist for a previous pastor. I love her rendition of it.


The main sources for my religious art are:


As a side note about the confirmation saints for my children I pray for them each time the icon catches my attention. When they are older and moving out for work or school I plan on taking them down and giving them to them. I hope you enjoyed the tour of my space. And maybe it will inspire you to add an icon, sculpture or two to your own work space. 

Related Posts:
…
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Monday, 12 October 2026

Whales A Short Supernatural Eco-Thriller - Simone Nespolo - Dark Futures Book 2

Whales: A Short Supernatural Eco-Thriller
Dark Futures Short Sci-Fi Horror Book 2
ASIN B0GX2GZY2P

Whales A Short Supernatural Eco-Thriller - Simone Nespolo

This is the eighth volume I have read by Simone, and I have picked up a number of others, almost all his fiction that is available in English, and a few of the non-fiction. At the time of writing this I believe there are 19 available in English and a few others that currently are not available. After reading The Baptism of Lucid: A Sacrament in the Red Silence of Mars I became fascinated with Simone’s works and wanted to dive deep. Some of his fiction titles really grabbed my attention. It is hard to categorize this volume. Some would claim it is science fiction, some as Eco-Thrillers, some as Horror. But no matter how you classify it, it is an intriguing read. I had picked this up weeks ago, but only just got along to reading it. 

The description of this volume states:

“When animals begin attacking humans across the world, no one can explain why.

Paolo, a mountain park ranger, has lived with a secret since childhood: animals speak to him through flashes of intuition and vision. When a mysterious seagull appears in the mountains and shows him terrifying images of slaughtered whales and a sea turned red with blood, Paolo realizes the attacks are not random. They are a warning.

As fear spreads and powerful forces close in, Paolo and his partner Stefania are drawn into a dangerous race to uncover the truth before the balance between mankind and nature is broken forever.

A short supernatural eco-thriller about instinct, guilt, and nature striking back.”

About the author we are informed:

“Simone Nespolo is the author of practical guides focused on artificial intelligence, digital marketing, and automation for small and medium-sized businesses. He holds a degree in Economics and has developed solid experience in professional training, customer service, and the creation of strategic, results-driven content.

Occasionally, he devotes time to writing fantasy short stories and to analyzing contemporary geopolitics, approached with a critical and accessible perspective.”

The disclamer states:

“This work is a piece of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, and events are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously for narrative purposes. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or existing, organizations, or real events is purely coincidental. Created with AI assistance under the author’s supervision.”

I will state I did enjoy this, but desperately want more. It feels more like a summary or outline than a completed work. The mystery focuses around the animals, snakes, … from around the world are attacking and killing humans. Intentionally, deliberately, and started as a coordinated attack. Paolo is a park ranger and has had the ability to receive communications from animals for most of his life. He has kept this hidden. 

It is an interesting piece. But it could be so much more. Each section could be a chapter in a much larger book. As it is it feels like it could be amazing but has just not been developed yet. It is a good read and an interesting story; it just really feels unfinished!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books by Simone Nespolo:
A Collection of Three Film Plots
Ancient Maps for New Journeys
Local autonomy: The Natural Antidote to Fascism and Communism
Praying for Money
The Imperial Revival and Japan’s Demographic Crisis
The Necessary Schism of the American Catholic Church

Books of Guided Prompts:
10 Prompts to Sell with ChatGPT
15 AI Prompts for Small and Medium Enterprises
20 AI Prompts Ready for eBook Writers
…

Fiction:
Doge – Martian Colonial Ship
The Garden of Ashes
The Last Venetian Painter
…

Dark Futures Series:
…

Catholic Science Fiction Series: 
…

Selfie A Psychological Urban Horror Synopsis - Simone Nespolo

Whales A Short Supernatural Eco-Thriller - Simone Nespolo
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