Vatican Waltz

by Roland Merullo

Cynthia Piantedosi lives a quiet, unassuming life outside of Boston, guided by her Catholic faith. When she loses her beloved grandmother, she begins experiencing “spells” of such intense spiritual intimacy that she wonders about her sanity. Devoted to her elderly father and not particularly interested in dating and socializing, she develops a deep friendship with her parish priest. His congregation sees him as provocative and radical, but he encourages Cynthia to explore her faith -- however it presents itself.

When he is killed in a mysterious accident, a message begins to emerge from Cynthia's prayers: God is calling her to be the first female Catholic priest. Her revelation is met with ridicule by certain of the more reactionary officials she reaches out to within the Church. Unable to tune out the divine messages, she lets the power of unswerving faith drive her all the way to the Vatican in pursuit of a destiny she doesn't fully understand -- and a turn of events that will inevitably bring long overdue change to the Catholic Church.

Genres: Fiction, Religion, Adult, Contemporary, Novels, Catholic, Philosophy

293 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2014

About the author

ROLAND MERULLO is an awarding-winning author of 24 books including 17 works of fiction: Breakfast with Buddha, a nominee for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, now in its 20th printing; The Talk-Funny Girl, a 2012 ALEX Award Winner and named a "Must Read" by the Massachusetts Library Association and the Massachusetts Center for the Book; Vatican Waltz named one of the Best Books of 2013 by Publishers Weekly; Lunch with Buddha selected as one of the Best Books of 2013 by Kirkus Reviews; Revere Beach Boulevard named one of the "Top 100 Essential Books of New England" by the Boston Globe; A Little Love Story chosen as one of "Ten Wonderful Romance Novels" by Good Housekeeping, Revere Beach Elegy winner of the Massachusetts Book Award for nonfiction, and Once Night Falls, selected as a "First Read" by Amazon Editors.

A former writer in residence at North Shore Community College and Miami Dade Colleges, and professor of Creative Writing at Bennington, Amherst and Lesley Colleges, Merullo has been a guest speaker at many literary events and venues and a faculty member at MFA programs and several writers’ conferences. His essays have appeared in numerous publications including the New York Times, Outside Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Newsweek, the Boston Globe, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Boston Magazine, Reader's Digest, Good Housekeeping, and the Chronicle of Higher Education. Merullo's books have been translated into Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, German, Chinese, Turkish, Bulgarian, Croatian, Slovenian, and Czech.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book.

The Vatican Waltz follows a young devout Catholic woman and her journey to understand what God wants from her. She receives visions and messages from God directing her path towards priesthood. Beginning in Boston and ending in Italy you follow the main character as she tries to understand what God is asking her, and how to navigate the world of the Vatican to make it happen.

I did like this book and the concept behind it. But I did at times feel it was lacking. Especially at the end I wanted more from the story and characters. It was well written and the story flowed easily. I would recommend it to others just because of the topic which I found interesting.

One passage I enjoyed:
"I want us all to ponder the way we've been trying to remake Jesus, the way we cast certain members of the human family outside the embrace of his loving arms. Why are we doing that? What's in it for us? What do you think He would say if He were here?"

[Lisa Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this four stars mainly because I absolutely LOVE Roland Merullo and want to support him in every genius thing he does. That said, I did not love this book as much as some others of his. Merullo addresses topics of religion and church with so much humor and satire that he makes deep and intense points without the reader feeling like they are being preached at. Usually, I laugh a lot in his books, but come away understanding things differently. My favorite was American Savior. This book, while still making deep and abiding points about the resistance to change in the Catholic Church, was missing the humor and satire of his other novels. I don't think I laughed once, actually. Still, I'm glad I read it and would recommend it. If religion and it's many failures is an interesting topic to you and you haven't read Merullo, you'll like this book. If you've read Merullo, you'll still like it, but you may be slightly disappointed at how serious it is.

[Bobby Keniston · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is rare to find an examination of Christianity and personal relationships with God to dig down to the basic cores of being inclusive, and, beyond that, which examines how Christianity can be a tool to see the interconnectivity of all human beings. Roland Merullo's brilliant new novel, "Vatican Waltz" does just this: through it's narrator, the beautifully-drawn Cynthia Piantedosi, and her deep and rich life of prayer, Merullo talks of religion as a force to connect people, not push them into different sects. It is, as other major reviews have stated, Christianity as it should be.

Cynthia, who lives an unassuming life of prayer and studies to be a nurse while taking care of her father in Revere, MA, has had visions that sweep her away during prayer (these passages are very well-described by the author). Through the help of Father Alberto, her parish priest, she is able to interpret these visions as a calling to the priesthood. This sets the wheels in motion for a trip to Rome, some intrigue involving a fanatical group called "The Lamb of God", breathtaking descriptions of meals and churches, and, quite frankly, some of the most humane and wise writing on how people should treat one another I have ever read.

And the ending? Well, I must respectfully disagree with another reviewer here, and assure you that this ending is a knockout. If you are like me, it will leave you reeling, and, if you go back through the book, you will see it is not an ending that comes out of nowhere. That's all I'll say about it.

As a "radical" bishop observes of Cynthia, she is able to see people as the "full souls" they really are, despite their pain, societal class, addictions, or flaws. So is Mr. Merullo.

Even if you are not a deeply religious person (the book deals with such labels), and the thought of reading a book with a character who prays so much scares you a little bit, I implore you to put your fears aside and read this book. This is a book that is just as much about humanity as it is the spiritual life. It is a book that tackles the big themes of existence, purpose, and the complete and utter oneness of us all. While tackling these themes, it also manages to be an entertaining character study and a riveting story.

I sincerely hope this book will find a large audience. Its compassion is compelling and lovely, and, quite frankly, good for us. The sincere writing and message of kindness IS important. And the fact that it's a page-turner leaves no reason for it not to be gobbled up and become a bestseller.

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts on "Vatican Waltz". Give it a try, and I think you'll like it. Or, if you're like me, you might even love it.

(This review is written based on an ARC I was fortunate to receive from the author's newsletter. Also, I take my review title "Religion How it Should Be", from Kirkus Reviews' blurb, which truly spoke my thoughts on the subject.)

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update: rating raised from 4 to 5 stars 12/6/13

Since characters in novels are not real personalities but nothing more and nothing less than textual elements, I try not to let my partiality to a given personality depicted in a work of literature color my view of the work itself. That said, my review of Roland Merullo's novel Vatican Waltz is fundamentally rooted in my reading of the protagonist and narrator, Cynthia Clare Piantedosi.

It's not that I have come to have personal feelings about the character as I would a real human being. Rather, I viewed Merullo's selection of this character as the focal point of his story to be a wise and compelling one.

Very early on, Merullo reveals the character's generosity of spirit and imagination. For example, though the family life initially depicted by Cynthia seems dull and would likely leave much to be desired for some others; our narrator has found her personal relationships to be pregnant with meaning and value. For example, based on the bare facts, Cynthia's relationship with her grandmother could be viewed as unexceptional -- but not to Cynthia! My uncorrected proof features this telling bit of narration:

"She was--or seemed to be--an unspectacular soul: not particularly beautiful, not rich or famous, not well-educated, no one who would stand out in a crowd. But I always felt that she and I were linked at the heart, that God had spun us out of the same dust and blood and set us down together for some good purpose" (p. 7).

With Cynthia at the helm, the narrative is sensitive to the good, the beautiful, the worthwhile in an unusual places. The reader is in for a story that will raise his or her mind or spirit to an ennobling discourse -- whatever discourse that may be and whatever its subjective worth to the reader. I simply view it as a gift to the reader to be forced to view events, to some degree, through such a reverent and imaginative lens.

Vatican Waltz isn't perfect, but it definitely captured my imagination and is a read I'll widely recommend to others.

Please be advised I received my copy through the Early Reviewers program on Library Thing.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this well-written novel can be summarized as “young, devout Catholic woman receives a strong & unique calling from God to become the first female Catholic priest.” The rest of the story focuses on Cynthia’s quest to live out that calling and the obstacles/encouragement she finds along the way. I absolutely loved Cynthia’s character; her tangible “real-ness” was outstanding. Similarly, the author’s depiction of a Church in crisis, struggling with identity, power, scandal, and change was spot-on accurate. This novel held me rapt right up until the last forty pages of so. Then (without spoilers), the ending was so random & contrived that it honestly cheapened the entire rest of the narrative. There was eye-rolling, sighing, and “tsk-ing” on my part and I felt extremely let down by the author’s resolution to the main thematic dilemma. Thus, I highly recommend reading this book for Cynthia and not finishing the last forty pages! 😋😁

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

(nb: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley)

Cynthia Piantedosi has always been different from her peers. In high school, when other girls were obsessed with boys and parties, Cynthia found her fulfillment in prayer. She was raised by her widowed father and her grandmother in a fairly tough Boston suburb. The Church was always important in her family.

But for Cynthia, it went beyond Sunday Mass. She spent hours praying every day. When she wasn’t praying, she engaged in deep theological discussions with her parish priest. As Cynthia continues in her devotions, the glimpse-like visions she had as a little girl expanded, until she knew God was calling her to a higher purpose.

When her beloved priest is killed, Cynthia suspects the radically conservative Catholic group Lamb of God is behind it. She finds another priest she trusts, and he ends up being banned from the Church.

Cynthia makes the rounds of the Boston Catholic hierarchy, till she’s finally granted an audience with a Vatican official. That meeting doesn’t go nearly the way she hoped. Worse yet, Cynthia finds it tough to know whom to trust. If she can only speak to the right person, she’s convinced this mission God has given her will be explained.

However, she soon learns that Lamb of God has its acolytes in Rome as well, and if Cynthia trusts the wrong person, she could end up dead.

I really enjoyed “Vatican Waltz.” Cynthia makes a wonderful narrator. Author Roland Merullo does well portraying her as consistently humble—she doesn’t feel special because of her “spells” or visions, nor does she make a big deal out of praying three hours a day. It’s just part of who she is. She’s never had a boyfriend, but she doesn’t pine over it. Boys have just never been a big priority for her. When she feels compelled to expand her search for answers—traveling to Rome to do so—she doesn’t hesitate.

We sense, too, that her home life with her devout grandmother fed Cynthia’s spiritual hunger as well. Most of all, she comes off as a person with a deep faith in her religion and her God, and wants to devote her life to their service.

I’m not Catholic, and I was initially worried that I might have some difficulty following “Vatican Waltz.” This was no problem at all.

Cynthia’s story drew me in quickly, and I devoured the book in one sitting. It’s not that there is wall-to-wall action, either. Something about Cynthia being such a rare person in today’s world made me curious to see how things turned out for her. At the end, this is a story of faith: Cynthia’s faith in God, in The Church, and—ultimately—in herself. The way they end up being sorted out is nothing short of miraculous.

Highly Recommended.

[RACHEL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vatican Waltz came to me through Goodreads First Reads, and I am so glad it did. This is a beautiful book whose main character is both a mystic and the most ordinary girl in the world at the same time. A contemplative young women living in the modern world and the Roman Catholic church bring up many issues with an honost yet grace filled look. Beautiful literary gems are found throughtout this book. I will certainly read more of Roland Merullo's work.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was especially meaningful for me because I am a practicing Catholic, one who often goes on about the current state of the Church. Priests and Religious are in very short supply, and if something isn't done soon. there will be no Church. There should be women priests. and priests should be able to marry. Maybe someone like our heroine will call me along and change things - I hope and pray so.

[Dixie Keyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I don't know that I've read such beautiful prose since Annie Proulx; this Roland Merullo novel shines. Philosophical and purposeful, Merullo meticulously creates a female character of such normalcy yet such naturally forceful spirituality-- a person of great character who makes sense of the synchronicity she finds in relationships with those closest to her and those who enter her life for just a few days.

Take a journey with Cynthia--around Boston, to the pews of churches for quiet prayer, and then to the Vatican, for a waltz you'll never forget. This novel is one of the most unforgettable that I'll ever read.

[Esther Bradley-detally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am now going to read Roland Merullo's other books. I liked this and I identified with the spirituality and her progressive thoughts, and I also used to take the metro to Revere Beach. I enjoyed it all, but I would have hoped for a different ending, more out of the box; still an intriguing novel.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads. I can appreciate the messages throughout the book and it was well written, but this just wasn't my "flavor" of book.

[Brigette Streeper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed the book. It was beautifully written, and in a way, poetic. The only drawback was, there was not enough suspense. The book was easy to put down.

[Lisa]

December 13 Library Reads Pick

[Steve H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminded me of a more thoughtful, personal, introspective version of a Dan Brown novel dealing with the history and somewhat inner workings of the Catholic church but through the lens of an introverted, selfless, and devout young woman from Boston and devoid of the outlandish thriller antics.

As part of the synchronicity of my reading, this came up shortly after I read Philip Gulley's "If the Church were Christian," and dealt with or reinforced a lot of the same themes but in a fictional setting. Not being Catholic myself, I was a bit detached from the references to ritual and hierarchy, but I figured many friends of that faith would be interested in this book, and I'd be interested in hearing what they think of the ending.

[Ron Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Religion usually doesn’t have a prayer in literary fiction. From novels, you’d never suspect that tens of millions of Americans attend services every week and pray every day. Sure, there are lots of religious books published in the United States, from sacred texts to inspirational tracts and even sizzling Christian romances, but ascend into the heavenly realm of Serious Fiction, and you’ll find that Nietzsche was largely right about God. Marilynne Robinson, Alice McDermott, Bob Shacochis — the authors who take matters of the spirit seriously could barely fill one pew.

Roland Merullo’s last few books have been gently comic novels about faith and spirituality, from “Golfing With God” to “Lunch With Buddha.” Although those cloying titles may sound like purgatory, the stories themselves are redeemed by Merullo’s winning sweetness. Of course, if you need your religious figures frozen in dark stained glass, you should probably pass by on the other side, but if you’re hip to a little irreverence and humor in divine matters, you might like him very much.

His new novel departs from such recent comedies as “American Savior,” which presented Jesus running for president. In “Vatican Waltz,” we meet a young, Catholic nursing student in Boston named Cynthia Piantedosi. Bland and unusually devout, she spends hours every week in prayer, even as she acknowledges how out of style that is nowadays. “We’re a society of doers,” she says, “people who believe contemplation is suspect, the province of the lazy and foolish, but that stillness always lit a fire of pleasure inside me, and it does so even now.” She might have continued with this private practice indefinitely if she didn’t frequently experience moments of spiritual transcendence. “Visions would be another word for them, though that sounds pretentious,” she says. “I felt I’d opened a door into another room in the enormous castle or mansion I was being given glimpses into now and again. I felt that I had traveled to a part of the stratosphere where fear couldn’t breathe.”

Encouraged by a liberal priest to nurture this spiritual sense, Cynthia realizes that she’s being led to consider something impossible: becoming a priest. But behold, Church officials already embroiled in the Boston sex abuse scandal don’t meet her radical proposal with hallelujahs.

Weirdly, “Vatican Waltz” feels lifeless whenever the plot moves but vibrant whenever it just stands still and reflects on the church or the nature of prayer. The best parts are Cynthia’s simple descriptions of grace: “The God I imagine and worship, the Being I give thanks to for every breath and pulse,” she tells us, “doesn’t care as much about labels as about love; and my style of prayer isn’t so much about asking for things (though I sometimes ask) as it is about searching, in an interior silence, for my truest self, my reason for being here.” She also offers a wise, sympathetic critique of an organization that, like most, finds it difficult to distinguish its hurtful enemies from its inspired reformers. “Being a loyal Catholic,” she says, “was starting to feel to me like being friends with someone who’s doing something hurtful and refuses to listen when you try to talk about it. . . . The Church I loved and cherished was shrinking down to a place where it would no longer have the power to remind people of that other dimension.”

But unfortunately, Merullo has dressed Cynthia and her pillowy theology in the vestments of a thin religious thriller. A cabal of Catholic conservatives is pushing back against reform with divisive policies that Cynthia abhors — and they may even have killed her spiritual adviser. As she wends her way toward Rome to plead the case for female priests, “Vatican Waltz” keeps exhaling little gasps of Da Vinci Codesque intrigue — Secret meetings! Veiled threats! Vast conspiracies! God save us!

None of this adventure seems even remotely plausible — and the novel’s final revelation is a corny bit of deus ex machina that only further obscures the story of a simple woman trying to find her way. But if you can overlook these clanging notes, you’ll find here a sweet exploration of the purpose of church and the true function of prayer — “to align ourselves with His will.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/enterta...

[Jeanette · Rating 2 out of 5]

So much to say on this subject and yet this book is NOT it. I almost gave it one star but then had to be fair to the writing. And that I enjoyed the Italian locations also. But that was just about it.

As a Roman Catholic from the cradle, and one who loves the Church, having spent the last 17 years of my work life in their midst as my employer and within two different religious orders as the usual single laity person, my take on this book? That this author just does not know the Church in any meaningful way. This book should be put into the alternative universe genre. The main was not as bad as the ending was. Change from above and God's plan for the next 2000 years would never put the woman in the same silent and subservient role. WHAT CHANGE? The biggest disappointment was that the prime perception and utilitarian role of woman as priests or on some more prime platform of vocation and convocation could have been meaningfully addressed. It was not.

Because of Pope Francis having seated his era in charity and forgiveness, as the first Franciscan, St. Francis, did- I feel that we may come upon a plethora of these kinds of exercises now, like this book. Because many people of other religions or of no religious beliefs whatsoever are continually misreading and misleading re Francis' message. And it is does not change structure nor any rules of practice, these daily pronouncements or blessings. Encyclicals are the only voice of "in the chair" infallibility. Read Lumen Fidei- Pope Francis' first, if you interested. Or this quicker summation.

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-...

Humility and charity and love by example are love as Christ lived the perfect example for all human sinners. But the structure and beliefs are not changed- read what Francis says about "Unless you believe you will not understand."

This kind of book denotes a Church that is pure fantasy.

[Larry Strattner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good read, particularly if you have some knowledge of the Roman Catholic religion, although Lutheran, Episcopalian or other Protestant faiths might do as well. The underlying issues of women's place in historically male hierarchies is pervasive almost anywhere you look.

The story has thriller elements and plot twists although they are treated subtly and without histronics making them effective as plot-drivers.

I would say the outcome of the story is worth the read and is a semi-satisfying constuct with some plausibility. On the downside however, I'm not sure the outcome of the story is an answer to the original question posed - to be fair though, I'm also not sure I got the original question exactly right either.

This is not a category I read in very much. So, to its credit the book moves right along, is involving and holds reader interest well. I enjoyed it.

***
Upon re-reading this review I sense a certain Casper Milktoast consistency pointed out by my brother who admits to being a Duck Dynasty fan (now there's literature) but he had a point.

So let me add this. I would never fail to pick up this book and read it because it wrestles with the question of female potential, place and value, a question always of interest to me. If the question is of interest to you, read it. If not, suffer the consequences.

There. That seems to give it a bit more bite.

[Lee McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many feelings and emotions that this book invokes, that it's hard to put into words. As someone that grew up a mixture of Catholic and Baptist and is now an avid Episcopalian, I tend to understand the complicated world of having strong beliefs that don't always mesh with what your church believes. Roland Merullo's book digs deep into a topic that would make some in the Catholic Church cringe or even angry. Vatican Waltz is about a woman's spiritual quest to find what God has planned for her. She knows it's something big and it's even big enough to send her to Rome looking for answers. The book is very well written and it's one that I will probably read again because I enjoyed it so much. There are many twists that this book takes that it honestly makes it hard to put down. The ending left much to ponder and questions that are not answered. It didn't beg for another book, but at the same time, I would be delighted with a sequel.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

VATICAN WALTZ was a gently intriguing read with a fascinating twist at the end that raises questions about the way in which believers accept certain doctrines as factual (I can’t say anymore without giving the ending a way). I imagine the book will be of particular interest to Catholics but there is much in it about the nature of spiritual experience in general — particularly that of mysticism and its connection with the reality of life. The story is written well with a genuinely unpredictable plot. More than that, it explores issues of the nature of spirituality and the way in which organised religion often undermines it. The story is probably not for those who have a rigid view of religion constructed around rules and ritual. But for those who are willing to allow a story to question the way they look at religion and spirituality, it is a rewarding read.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didn't know what to expect from this book but there were some good reviews, and I like books that take place in Italy, so,I thought I'd give it a try. I think it should rightfully be placed in the "Christian literature" genre. It was filled with religion and references to the Catholic church, neither of which I am particularly opposed to, but it became overpoweringly weird as it reached the ending and the "virgin birth" scenario. Just a little more than I could realistically stomach, and not a very satisfactory ending. I felt like the author had gone about as far as he could go,with the story and really didn't know how to end it, so this was a way out. Not my cup of tea. I did enjoy the descriptions of Rome and Genoa.

[AJourneyWithoutMap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynthia Clare Piantedosi is no ordinary person. She has always been different. During her high school days, when the other girls were busy with worldly obsessions, she was spending her time in prayer. Raised by her widowed father and her grandmother in a Boston suburb, the Church was an important part of her life and she knew God was calling her to a higher purpose. And she is preparing for that.

Vatican Waltz by Roland Merullo is a portrayal of life as a young devout Catholic, being true to oneself and to one’s calling with humility and faithfulness. The narration is simply amazing. It is a compelling read and an enjoyable book.

[Jon Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quirky, vastly enjoyable in an intellectual way, novel about a young woman, a modest woman, from Revere with an active prayer life in a Catholic venue. She has a leading to do something not currently allowed in the religion. She tests her earlier ideas as a teen with her parish priest; later, as a young woman, with priests up through the bishop and archbishop of Boston.

She follows accurate paths through the dioceses and ultimately to Rome. It is not a diatribe for any side of the many debates within that faith, at least as far as I can tell. I read it as story about spirituality.

[LibraryReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Cynthia Piantedosi has always lived an interior life filled with a devotion to prayer. As she becomes older and her world changes, the spiritual messages that she receives become more and more urgent with a message that appears to be counter to the Church’s doctrine. Should she trust her faith, or should she meekly follow the teachings of the Church? Merullo’s writing gives depth and breadth to this winning heroine and her spiritual quest. You can’t help but love her and cheer her on her way.”

Jennifer Dayton, Darien Library, Darien, CT

[Kathy Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book while searching the library catalog for some Vatican art books for my religious education class. I was intrigued by the story line and by the fact that the main character was Catholic. I feel like that is a rarity--you'll find books with Christian characters but I feel like few are specifically Catholic. Once I got into the book I was totally enveloped in Cynthia's prayers and visions. To me they portrayed a beautiful spiritual, Catholic message. I enjoyed the suspense of the story and felt enriched by the spiritual imagery.

[Mary Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it was because I was raised in the same Catholic tradition as the heroine; I certainly identified with her. She enjoyed her prayer life as I was supposed to enjoy mine. She was a saint, as maybe I was supposed to be. She had visions....a bit unusual...., but not something my community would have sneered at.

She is younger than me and was raised when the church was in scandal, was dying. Perhaps she has been appointed to save the Church.

The character haunts me. The ending is surprising. Could be real.

[Gerard · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you can look past the specific religion detailed in this book, this is probably an interesting for anyone that is curious about theology.
Personally I didn't fully enjoy it, but the book is very well written and balanced out.
Ultimately, I would like to see the catholic faith allow for female priests as the world is always moving forward so why not religion as well?

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Tami Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Roland Merulo and Goodreads first reads for thus book I won in the giveaway. It was okay. Interesting yes but hard to wrap head around Vatican priests are typically men but in this novel it's a women who wants to take the cloth. I like it, I enjoyed it. It was just a little tough to chew.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this novel to book clubs. A young woman's draw to her church, finding the right church and a trip to the Vatican are todays hot topics. Yet with a surprise in the story.


I recieved a copy from Goodreads.

[Lainie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book from library thing. I enjoyed this novel. It was well written and easy to read. A story about a girl prayer's and visions that tell her to try to get the church to allow female priests. This book is about that journey.

[Nomie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was going to give this 4 stars but I was disappointed with the ending so it bought it down to a 3, if halves where allowed it would get an extra half.
It's so far from what I normally read but the style and quality of writing drew me in within the first couple of chapters.