Timely New Novel, Vatican Waltz, by Roland Merullo (Micronesia 1979-80)

Roland Merullo (Micronesia 1979-80) has written thirteen books, including Golfing with God and Revere Beach Boulevard. He has a novel coming out this December from Crown. It is entitled Vatican Waltz. This is a Catholic novel in the sense it is about a woman who believes she is called by God to be the first female Catholic priest.

In the course of the novel, the woman, Cynthia Clare Piantedosi, reaches out to other unreceptive officials within the Catholic establishment and is met with ridicule. (Hello? Being Catholic, I could have told the protagonist that.)

Unable to tune out the divine messages, she leaves behind all that she knows, letting the power of her unswerving faith drive her all the way to the Vatican in pursuit of a destiny she doesn’t full understand. (Well, perhaps Pope Francis will be more understanding.)

The book has already received positive reviews from the Chicago Tribune and the Boston Globe.

“Captivating…[Merullo] is adept at creating suspense, planting credible red herrings, and finally spilling the truth at just the right moment.” — Boston Globe

“Merullo has a knack for rendering emotional complexities, paradoxes, or impasses in a mer turn of the phrase.” —Chicago Tribune

Roland is really covering his flank on this novel. While the book lacks a Imprimatur Roland does dedicate it to his mother, and his mother-in-law…no fool he! But what about the third most important woman in your life? Your wife! (Also, there are your girls!)

Roland, you are in serious trouble inside and outside the church, and at home. (I’ll say a novena for you.)