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Ella’s Promise , by Ellen Gable, is the third in a series of romance novels set during World War I, in France. In this third book, Ella Neumann volunteers as a surgical nurse in war-torn France, only to quickly learn that her surgical nursing skills are unwanted. It seems that because she comes from German heritage, discrimination prevents her from making the most of her skills. Albeit, that Ella is American, her supervisor does not trust her, as Ella is fluent in both German and English. Instead, Ella’s supervisor assigns her to work in the Prisoner of War ward. It is here that Ella meets undercover agent Garrett Smith, a Canadian spy for the allies. Will Ella ever get to use her surgical skills in the operating theater? Will Garrett’s cover be protected? Or will he suffer the tragedies of war? Will the ignited spark of love, lit in the Prisoner of War ward, lead to something lasting? Or will the flame die out like everything else in this blasted war? To get the answers to these...

Stealing Jenny , by Ellen Gable, is an interesting read about a wife and mother, named Jenny Callahan, who is nine-months pregnant with her sixth child. Just before Jenny’s due date, Denise Kramer, an unstable woman desperate to have her own baby, kidnaps Jenny. In this riveting, and page-turning novel, we see the Ontario police’s perseverance to find Jenny. We also learn about faith, courage, love and forgiveness. This book exhibits much virtue. Jenny Callahan, a loving wife to Tom Callahan, is a stay-at-home mom. One sunny afternoon, she goes to meet her children at the bus stop. However, before the bus arrives, Jenny disappears, leaving her young son tethered to the bus stop sign. From there the pursuit begins to find Jenny’s kidnapper, but more importantly, to find Jenny. You see, Jenny needs to deliver by Cesarean birth, or she risks losing not only her baby’s life, but her own! Time is ticking away, and Jenny needs to be found quickly! Will the Ontario Police find Jenny i...

Charlotte’s Honor , by Ellen Gable, a sequel to  Julia’s Gifts , is set in wartime Europe during the summer of 1918. Here, we find Charlotte Zielinski, working as a nurse at a field hospital in France. In  Julia’s Gifts , Charlotte was a supporting character. Here in  Charlotte’s Honor , we see Charlotte, with her hopes and dreams, take center stage along with the reality of war. The days are long, and the work is hard, but Charlotte finds solace tending to the dying, as each takes their last breaths. Someone needs to be by their sides, as no one should die alone. As Charlotte tends to the dying, she meets young Dr. Paul Kilgallen. She’s smitten with him, and he’s smitten with her. However, there was this thing called a war that seemed to continuously get in the way of Charlotte and Paul’s developing relationship. Then, there is a third person, named Hannah, who was “determined to make him her own” (p. 25). Hannah would do anything to discredit Charlotte, so that Dr...

In  Emily’s Hope , by Ellen Gable, Gable gives us a glimpse into the two mindsets of the abortion/pro-life movements. In this fictional tale, Gable introduces us to Katherine Clayman, circa early 20 th  century, when women did not have the right to an abortion, let alone the right to vote. We learn of the illegality of ending a pregnancy and the lengths women would go to do just that.  Kathryn is a proponent of ending unwanted pregnancies and she doesn’t believe in God. Her philosophy was, “ we live our lives, then we die and that’s the end of us .” (p.304). Contrast that thought with that of Emily Greer, Katherine’s Great-Granddaughter, who believes in the sanctity of life. Emily, born in 1959, sees life as a precious gift from God. She believes in a God who is the giver of life; seeing children as the fruit of self-giving love between a husband and wife. Katherine and Emily’s viewpoints on life offer a stark contrast, worthy of the read. Throughout the novel, Gabl...

  On March 19, 2014, Ellen Gable, a Catholic Fiction author, released another beautifully written Historical Romance called A Subtle Grace which is Book 2 of the O’Donovan Family Series. This Kindle book is published by Full Quiver which will publish the print version on March 25, 2014.  1896, Philadelphia. In this sequel to “In Name Only” (2009 FQP), “A Subtle Grace” continues the story of the wealthy and unconventional O’Donovan Family as they approach the dawn of a new century. At 19, Kathleen (oldest daughter) is unmarried with no prospects. Fearing the lonely fate of an old maid, her impatience leads to an infatuation with the first man who shows interest. The suave, handsome son of the local police chief seems a perfect match. But will her impulsive manner prevent her from recognizing her true beloved? A disturbing turn of events brings a dark shadow that threatens   continue>