Fairy Tale Novels for Teens by Regina Doman

Ahhh!!!! =) I JUST finished reading Shadow of the Bear and LOVED it. I'm having to use extreme self-control to keep myself from reaching for book two just now, because I really should get some sleep.

Don't ever stop writing good (Catholic) fiction! I found the story really great, original, inspiring, cliff-hanging...I couldn't put it down.
I'm not going to be able to part with the books, so I am just telling all my friends to buy them at your website.

I especially like how the books don't really seem specifically Catholic or Christian, so that they can reach a wider audience. Can't wait to see the movie either!

I first want to start off by saying that this is my second time reading the series and I am an even bigger fan of these books because of that!!! Now, with the whole “Twilight” series obsession, these books really are what Catholic teens like me need as another option. They are defiantly what I look for in a good book, and love how I can finish any of the books in a matter of hours or days because I’m enjoying each book so much!! I want to thank you for writing these books, and I know every other reader like me can’t put any of them down. I know I’ll never be disappointed when I open one of your books!!

I first read The Shadow of the Bear when it came out as Snow White and Rose Red: A Fairy Tale Retold. I was about fifteen at the time.
At the time I was terribly confused about very fundamental things, like marriage, relationships, chastity, true love, true heroism. I was desperately looking around
for just one example of a couple who did things the right way, got married, stayed married, and did not regret it. I clung to examples that I found in books, mostly old classics, and fairy tales. A couple people close to me could not understand why I loved fairy tales so much. I don't think I really could have explained it to them, at the time. Then I found the book in the house of an acquaintence, and asked them to borrow it. In a time of my life when I was rather afraid of boys and men, I read your tale of the two young men, sleuthing the streets of New York City, risking their lives to bring the man who murdered a priest to justice. Bear and Fish were young, they were men, but they were strong and also kind. They were heroic. It was awesome.
-- Maria F., September 6, 2009

Aloha! I’m a 17 Year old girl from Hawaii and I read your book The Shadow of the Bear last week. I was so engrossed by it I read it in one day, and was itching to get my hands on the sequel. I thought it was a great book. It is so hard to find good books for teenagers now days that aren’t filled with raunchy garbage. All the main characters are very compelling and interesting. I’ve been an avid reader since I was little, and this is definitely one of my new favorite books. I’d recommend this for any teenage girl who is looking for a good read. Both this book and its sequel are great, interesting, mysterious, even romantic, while staying clean. Bottom line, I loved your books! I can’t wait for Waking Rose. -- Isabelle, 1/2/07

I absolutally loved this book, and am getting ready to read Black as Night. I really liked the fact that the story was catching and made a lot of good points for real life at the same time. Thanks, Natalie in Cincinnati, OH 5/27/06

Hi! Let me join the adoring fans in saying that your books are quite excellent. I'm an avid reader and usually a bit picky about what I read, but these books absolutely fit the bill. they've got it all-- adventure, suspense, good sound moral messages, and of course....romance, every girl's favorite. i love to write and its great to see a truly talented young catholic writer. Kudos! i reallly am looking fwd to Waking Rose! ~ Nicole, 3/25/06

The Shadow of the Bear is one of my favorite books ever. It's one of those books that I can't stop reading until it's finished. As a Catholic teenager, I can completely relate to the characters (especially Fish!). Thanks for writing such an awesome book! - Joe N., 3/29/06

I read your Shadow of the Bear a few weeks ago and I'm still gasping for breath. I have to say it was the best book I have read in long time. -Melody, 3/16/06

No question! Just wanted to let you know, my wife and I are seniors and we both enjoyed Black as Night and The Shadow of the Bear. Read them in reverse but no matter. Thanks - Edward, 3/15/06

You're my fav. author. These series are better than "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "Lord Of the Rings" and the book "Mara Daughter of the Nile". Ever heard of the later one? It's good,but not as good as yours. Thank you for my fav. books ever! I'm glad I got to read these books.
-- Vanessa, 9/10/05

A wonderful book, I could not put it down, for wanting more! As I am a 38 year old mother of 2, I find this book both refreshing and great for any age. Not just the young, but also the young at heart.
-Sherrie, 11/16/04

As a Catholic girl of 16 living in today’s world with today’s literature, it is so wonderful to be able to pick up a book like one of yours that is mature reading but not full of garbage about sex and drugs. I love a book with suspense and romance, but I can’t find a thing at the library for teens that doesn’t have something unacceptable in it. It drives me crazy how adolescent literature has just been “dumbed down” and reduced to nothing but the cheap-novel sort of thing. I have only read Snow White and Rose Red: A Modern Fairy Tale, but I have Black As Night on backorder for my best friend and I plan to borrow it once she’s finished with it! Also, as soon as Waking Rose comes out you can be sure I will be scanning the shelves. You are an inspiration to Catholic girls everywhere, Mrs. Doman, and we all truly appreciate it. Thank you for writing the way you do (meaning: “so well that I almost cried when the book was over - I wanted it to go on for 7 volumes!”). - Emily, 10/7/04

I love your book- its one of my favorites. Thank you so much for writing "Shadow of the Bear"- we had a homeschool girls seminar in our area, and we all talked about it. . . too bad it couldn't be made into a movie, huh? It is written so well that I feel as if I'm really there! -- Cecelia, Santa Paula, CA. 8/25/04

Hey, Ms. Doman!!! I just wanted to tell you I think Snow White and Rose Red is the most awesome book I've ever read! I had no idea that there was a book out there with mystery, adventure, and romance all with Catholic undertones! I think it's so cool how Rose and Blanche speak about modesty and their Catholic faith so easily. I can relate to them so well! (I just turned sixteen.) Thank you sooo much for writing these wonderful stories. You are an inspiration to me, because my aspiration is also to become a writer. May God bless you in your fruitful efforts! P.S. My friends' and my favorite part in the first book was when Rose and Fish were locked in Mr.Freet's basement. I just flipped out when I read on your website you're making another book mainly about them! That is tooo cool! - Sincerely, J. W., 8/30/04

Just wanted to thank you so very much for both Black as Night and The Shadow of the Bear. I've been an avid reader since I was seven, laying hold of everything I could and can get my hands on. Unfortuantely in today's world, so much of the literature that is offered appeals only to the desires, referring to the skin-deep. Your books reach further into the abstract, making it concrete through modernized fairy tales. When I read the part in The Shadow of the Bear about people in the world being different than what they appear- like the supposed gypsy-realtor -- I understood what you meant. Things like that give a kind of new perspective to life; how maybe we tend to lose our real selves for a time when we get caught up in worldly things, but in the end the real part of us shines through the way God intended. I can't wait for Waking Rose, too little is known about Rose and Fish's story...! ;) Thanks again, and may God bless all that you do! -- A.M.D., Peoria, IL

I have read your book several times, and boy! you can write! I am a Catholic teenager from Australia and I have been homeschooled all my life, but I have to smile reading your book because it is SO familiar! The same outlook on life, the same attitudes as we are brought up with! Even the rule of having skirts to the knee! I LOVED your book! Good on you for writing something so wholesome and so enjoyable! But it really should have a "WARNING: READING THIS BOOK IS ADDICTIVE" on it! I picked up your book for the second or third time the other day and got really behind in my assignment coz I couldn't put it down till I'd read the whole thing again! Can't wait to read the sequel! God Bless! - Brigid 5/23/04

Hello Regina,
I'm writing to you because I love your book Snow White and Rose Red! I have six children. The eldest is 19 down to 5. Five girls and one boy (he is in the middle). The three oldest have read your book and LOVED IT! They have recommended it to many, many of their friends. I also loved the story........so many moms have also read your story. Have you ever considered having your book made into a screenplay? It has all the ingredients for a wonderful movie! Please write me back with your thoughts. Blessings on you and your family...... Pamela, 2/3/04

Dear Ms. Doman,
I just finished reading several of the pieces published on your website and felt the urge to write you. I was introduced to your Snow White and Rose Red several years ago and just concluded this year's reading. May I encourage you to continue working on a sequel! I have enjoyed the retelling of fairy tales since I first read Robin McKinley's Beauty over 20 years ago. Like you I have enjoyed reading Madeleine L'Engle's and C.S. Lewis' books. I have 5 children and one of my greatest joys has been to introduce these books (as well as MANY others!) to my kids. Thank you for the time you have spent writing, especially a great book from an unapologetically Christian perspective! God's blessings on your Christmas! -- Karen, 12/14/03

"My siblings and I have greatly enjoyed your book Snow White and Rose Red. It is a great favorite of ours. When are the sequels going to be coming out? We thought we heard that the next book was coming out around this December, but have not found it yet. I admire you for writing such good Catholic books. Right now I'm in my last years of high school but afterwards I'm hoping to write Catholic fiction books for young adults. My sister and I love the picture of you and your two oldest children on one of your web sites. Your children are so cute! I was wondering if you happen to homeschool? I thought you might as you mention homeschooling in your book. I am the third oldest of nine and all of us are homeschooled. I love that you have homeschooling in your book. Thankyou for all the great work you do. May God bless you and your family. Have a blessed Advent." - MaryClare, 12/12/03.

"I loved Snow White and Rose Red ssssssoooooooo much that it is hard even to tell you. I attend an all girl's Catholic high school and I can relate to Blanche the most, she's a passionate character but still shy and quiet. I've read over and over, again, I loved it so much. I recently had to steal it back from my best-friend who had kidnapped it for several months. It's so nice to read about teenagers who are like me in their morals and in their actions. It's also a change to see a positive view of Catholism in books and movies. Speaking of which, there should be a movie! Thanks for writing it. I can't wait for the sequel." - Nora, 7/9/03

"I only discovered The Shadow of the Bear last year, but since then it has become one of my favorite (if not favorite) books. I can't say enough great things about the characters, story, theme, and writing--I admire it all! Also, congratulations on your new book coming out this fall. Obviously, I am eagerly awaiting it!" -- T.H. from Wisconsin, 6/18/03

"Just had to let you know that I finished your book this afternoon and liked it very much. I especially liked the "reality" sub-theme. Can't wait to see your sequel. God Bless!" -- Alicia at www.love2learn.net, 3/16/03

"My Mom gave the book to me for Christmas and I Totally Loved it!!! I Love any kind of fairy tales and This was a wonderful Retelling of one! The Characters were so Lovable! I am looking forward to the Sequel!" - a reader from Colorado, 4/10/03

"Thank you so much for writing this terrific book! I absolutely love it! I am a homeschooled Catholic girl, and I absolutely love your book. I borrowed it from my friend yesterday and have already read it three times! The book is making the rounds of our circle of teenaged Catholic homeschooling girls, and we all love it! I relate to Blanche more than to Rose, though I can be extroverted when I want to be. Actually, my problem is the opposite of hers - my cheeks are too red! I have not read any G. K. Chesterton books yet, but I certainly will now. I really love poetry, especially Tennyson. I like to write it too. I hope to become a writer when I grow up, and your book has given me inspiration and hope that a wholesome book can succeed today. Well, if you'll excuse me, I have to go and reread your beautiful book!" - Serena from NY, 4/5/03

"Hi, I loved The Shadow of the Bear. In the back of the book it says that their will be a sequel. When will it come out? I can't wait to read it!!! Thanks for writing such a great book!!!" - Jamille, 3/23/03

"Just had to let you know that I finished your book this afternoon and liked it very much. I especially liked the "reality" sub-theme. By the way, 'Paper Moon' is one of my favorite songs from my senior year in college. Can't wait to see your sequel. God Bless!" -- Alicia at www.love2learn.net, 3/16/03

"I got your book from my mom a couple of years ago for Christmas and have read it countless times since. I love that this is a story about Catholic teenagers in today's society. I may not have had the amazing experience that Rose and Blanche encountered, but it is nice to have a novel about Catholic teens. Anyways, I have read that you plan on writing more about thier story and was wondering when the next novel would come out. I loved the first book and can't wait to hear more about all of the characters. Thanks a lot." -- Katy S. Omaha, NE, 1/5/02

"Just had to tell you I am LOVING your book! I read through the whole middle part - from the prom sequence until the conversation between Sr. Geraldine and Blanche - at one go, because I couldn't put it down." -- L.K., VA, 10/20/01

"Hi, I was just wondering about what you said in the back of your book, about this not being the end of the story. I love your book and I give it to all my friends to read, it is my all time favorite and I am a total book worm. Are you writing another? If you are I will definently buy it." -- Sarah, 5/29/00

"I purchased your book for my 13-year-old daughter for Christmas. I just finished reading it on the sly, hiding it whenever she came into the room. What a lovely book. The parts I liked the best were the opening chapters where Bear spends time visiting the Briers, and the chapter that cuts back and forth between Rose and Fish in the basement, and Blanche and Bear at the church. By the way, I'm a recently converted Catholic. I teach philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We'll look forward to reading more of your work.
Best wishes for your continuing success and congratulations on your achievement with this book." -- Leslie, Madison, WI, 12/18/99.

"When I was growing up, my favorite fairy tale was "Snow White and Rose Red." It was with great interest that I purchased your book. I was not disappointed!" - a reader from Oregon

"I gave my daughter a copy of your book for Christmas. First she, and then my other teenager devoured it in one sitting. I finally started it this morning at their urging. Needless to say, home-schooling was a slap-dash affair today since your book hardly left my hand all day."
- D. S. from Pennsylvania

"I crave your indulgence for not yet having read your book. The fact is, my wife and daughters have quite monopolized the thing and simply refuse to surrender it." - Dr. Regis Martin, professor of Theology at Franciscan University, Steubenville, Ohio