The Calling

by Michael Strickland, Gayle Blackstock (Editor), Edith Gavagan (Editor)

Richard Carver had only been a Catholic priest for a short time when he met and fell in love with the beautiful Elisabeth Downs. So began a titanic tug-of-war between Richard's love of his God and his love for Elisabeth. Richard was to rise rapidly within the ranks of the church before and during the upcoming years of WORLD WAR II. The brilliant priest from America would find himself disguised with many names, attired in different clothes including a Nazi uniform before his secretive work for the church and its allies was finished at the end of the war. Richard had been destined for greatness. His greatness in the world's eye had come at a great price for Richard, however. The struggle between Elisabeth and his God would continue to the end of his much-celebrated life. Perhaps though if the script of his life had been different the deeds that the American Cardinal had accomplished during the war would have never happened, including aiding in the escape of Jewish prisoners bound for Auschwitz. The Calling above all else, is a story of life and its inevitable turns of fate destined for every living creature on earth.

395 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 11, 2021

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot of good about this book but the “love at first sight” bothered me for some reason. That feeling stuck with me throughout the book but I did enjoy the story.

[Elizabeth Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have quit this one, but I borrowed it through Hoopla and so my library had to pay for the rental and I felt obligated to finish... The forbidden "love" was laughable. The two barely know each other and they fall into bed. They have zero rapport. They have barely spoken. She has pretty green eyes and that's it. Then she basically stalks him and eventually marries the priest's brother because it's the closest she can get to him. Ug. Meanwhile, I don't think the "priest" performed a single sacrament in the whole book or counseled a parishioner either. He's basically a bureaucrat and politician--who becomes a spy and is almost elected Pope but refuses it. Sure.

[Valerie Revolinsky · Rating 1 out of 5]

An Ok Story

The story itself was compelling but the characters were never well developed. Elizabeth's motives and inner thoughts were never really revealed until near the end. Richard was more developed but his origin story was lacking detail as it was for Joe and Lori. The closing epilogue was heavy handed and predictable..... No one wins in war....completely unnecessary

[Renata Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This was a totally amazing and inspiring book. An amazing man! I’m going to see about researching more about Cardinal Carver. He was a gift from Heavenly Father to this earth!

[hilary irkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

never read anything like it!

Not normally a subject of book I would read but was drawn by the synopsis. Once I started I couldn’t put it down and finished it in two days . Throughly enjoyed it and didn’t want it to end . It would make a great film .

[Marty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is calling you!

Well written, this book gives a view of WWII rarely seen. A reminder of the atrocities that happened and one man's fight to make a difference in the world.