Sunday book notices: Fr Lanzetta on Fatima, and the "Sword and Serpent" trilogy

The Caxton Celebration - William Caxton showing specimens of his printing to King Edward IV and his Queen

Fatima at the Heart of the Church: God's vision of history and oblative spirituality by Fr Serafino M. Lanzetta
Fr Lanzetta explains that Fatima offers us a theology of history and that "history is not already written to the detriment of the freedom of God and of humanity." On the contrary, he argues,
Fatima tells us that history can change, must change, that history is the result of the freedom of people over which rules God’s Providence, with a look of love imbued with justice and mercy.
His book goes on to examine the message of Fatima with particular focus on the offering up of penance in atonement for our sins and for those of the world in accordance with Our Lady's wishes. A sometimes challenging book that rewards perseverance.

Sword and Serpent by Taylor Marshall
The Tenth Region of the Night: Sword and Serpent Book II by Taylor Marshall
Storm of Fire and Blood: Sword and Serpent Book III by Taylor Marshall
I wasn't expecting Sword and Serpent to be as good as I found it to be, so in case you are skeptical of Catholic historical novels, I recommend that you give this one a try. Having finished it, I immediately bought books II and III and was not disappointed. The series is set in the time of  Diocletian and builds up tension as the persecution gains pace.

Taylor Marshall manages to weave in various saints of the period in original yet convincing ways, keeping up the momentum throughout in what proves to be an uplifting series of thoroughly enjoyable thrillers.

(Links go to the Amazon UK page for each book. I link to the Kindle edition because that is how I read most new books these days, but you can easily click around if you want the paper and glue version. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

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