Paul Dinter, a New York priest, explores his journey in the Catholic Priesthood.

By telling this riveting story about his own intense struggles to live in accord with his deepest spiritual and emotional needs, Mattimore offers help to Catholics and non-Catholics alike who wrestle daily with their own demons and their own angels.

The story of Frank and Valerie Cull: when a love story is included, particularly one with a happy ending, it makes for a highly recommendable story.

"Vows: The Story of a Priest, a Nun, and Their Son" (Free Press, $25) isn't sensational or hostile, but rather a revelatory and nuanced exploration of his parents and their relationship with the Catholic church, which has both blessed and wounded them.

"My parents seem so hurt by the church and yet so committed to it," said Manseau, who himself spent time in a monastery to explore a calling he felt to the priesthood. Both of his parents had to leave the religious life in order to marry, but William Manseau kept up a campaign to be allowed to continue in the role of a priest and for Rome to recognize married priests.