Ellen Gable's Blog, page 129
June 6, 2011
St Anthony Novena
Over at Catholic Working Mom, Dana has posted a St. Anthony Novena in anticipation of St. Anthony's Feast Day on June 13th.
As I said in a previous post, St. Anthony has always been a powerful intercessor for me. I can think of no better way to spend the next ten days than to recite this beautiful novena.
Thank you, Dana!
June 3, 2011
Hiding the Stranger: The Trilogy by Joan L. Kelly
For Fiction Friday, I am happy to post an excerpt from Hiding the Stranger: A Trilogy. My thanks to Joan Kelly, who is the author of Hiding the Stranger: The Trilogy, which is available from Bezalel Books.
Chris knew that Ben was going to go into the burning building to try to save the boy. She grabbed one of the motorcycle helmets and handed it to him. "Put this on. It may help keep the heat out of your face."
"Thanks," Ben looked at Chris for a second, turned and ran toward the apartment building. Before Ben reached the door a middle-aged man stopped him and threw a small blanket that had been soaked with water over his shoulders. As Ben ran through the door and disappeared from view, the man who had given him the wet blanket heard the boy say, "I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me."
At the same time, Chris was asking the Lord to protect him. "Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name." She did not realize that she was speaking out loud until she heard the voices of the people around her joining in. "Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done…"
Ben felt the intense heat as soon as he entered the apartment building. The air was thick with smoke making it hard to see. He located the lower section of the stairway and quickly headed toward it. Running up the stairs and stopping at the top, the boy bent low to avoid some of the billowing smoke. He counted the doorways as he moved quickly down the hall.
"Tony," he called. "Tony, where are you? I've come to help you."
Ben stood at the entrance of the room and listened. He heard a coughing sound followed by a small whimper. It was coming from under the bed.
"Tony, come out. Hurry, we have to get out of here!" Ben didn't waste any more time. He grabbed the side of the bed and pulled it away from the wall. Tony was curled up in a ball on the floor. He looked up as Ben moved the bed, and his eyes opened wide.
When Tony looked up, he saw what appeared to him to be a tall man in a brown outfit. The man was wearing a cape draped over his shoulders and a helmet glowing against the background of smoke and flames. Tony sat up and between fits of coughing said, "Are you a super-hero?"
Ben looked at the small child and decided that anything that worked to get the boy out, to get them both out of there, was fine with him. He flipped up the face guard on the helmet so Tony could see his face and said, "Yeah, sure I am. I came to get you out." Ben reached down and scooped the little boy up.
He headed toward the bedroom door, but stopped as an explosion sent flames rolling down the hallway. Ben slammed the door shut and looked around the room. Seeing the window, he ran to it. He quickly turned the lock and pushed the window up. Looking down, he could see the people watching the burning building.
"Over here!" he yelled. "Over here; help!"
Joan is offering a free e-copy to one of my readers. Please leave a comment below before Monday, June 6 to be entered.
To purchase the book on Amazon:
Hiding the Stranger Trilogy on Amazon
To purchase the book on Barnes and Noble:
Hiding the Stranger on Barnes and Noble
May 31, 2011
Come My Beloved Now Available for Pre-Order on Amazon
Come My Beloved: Inspiring Stories of Catholic Courtship, my soon-to-be published book, now has an Amazon Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Come-My-Beloved-Inspiring-Courtship/dp/0973673613
If you've already read an advanced reading copy and have liked it, please click "like" below the title. You can pre-order the book by pressing the "pre-order: add to cart" button.
May 28, 2011
Offerings by Christine Sunderland Book Review
Offerings by Christine Sunderland is a wonderfully entertaining novel which includes an interesting and engaging story as well as rich historical and descriptive passages.
Madeleine and Jack have been together for many years and have endured many trials. The novel begins with a flashback of Jack's father dying, an event from which Jack has never truly recovered. The first chapter takes place at Madeleine's son's wedding where Jack collapses. Madeleine finds out that he has cancer and has months to live. The doctor convinces Madeleine not to share with Jack how serious his condition is. Her husband's life could be extended, the doctor tells Madeleine, if he undergoes a risky procedure. However, the physician who has perfected this risky procedure has gone "on vacation" and is not available to do the surgery.
Madeleine and Jack travel to Europe to search for the elusive Dr. Rachelle DuPres. Rachelle is not "on vacation," but is trying to discern the meaning of life and questioning her vocation to be a doctor after one of her patients dies. The story goes back and forth between Madeleine and Jack's story and Rachelle's compelling spiritual journey.
Sunderland's beautiful writing, descriptions and history were so real that I felt like I was accompanying Madeleine, Jack and Rachelle on their respective travels through Europe. Although I was familiar with some of the history she included, I thoroughly enjoyed the historical background of the different European cathedrals, the Crusades and the Miraculous Medal.
I highly recommend this beautifully written book to anyone who enjoys a great story with well-developed characters and the occasional history lesson.
I can certainly understand why this novel won the Bronze Medal in Religious Fiction at the 2010 IPPY Awards (the same year my novel, In Name Only, won the Gold Medal.)
Offerings is available through Amazon.
Copyright 2011 Ellen Gable Hrkach
May 27, 2011
Fiction Friday – Olivia's Gift
I was introduced to Nancy Carabio Belanger last year through the Catholic Writers Guild and Catholic Fiction.net. I was asked to review her first book, "Olivia and the Little Way," (my review here), then later her second novel, "Olivia's Gift" (review here). These beautiful books are ideal for pre-teens and teens, although adults would also enjoy them. Enjoy this excerpt below from Olivia's Gift, Chapter 20.
Olivia's heart started to beat wildly. This wasn't right. They weren't supposed to be doing this. She thought back to Danny's book. The Loggerhead turtle eggs were supposed to stay covered until they were ready to hatch, right? They shouldn't be disturbing them in this way.
"Okay, you found the eggs!" she pleaded, desperate. "Now cover them back up and let's go!"
The boys said nothing as Brandon picked up one of the eggs and held it in his hand. "Looks like a ping-pong ball," he said with a grin. "It's squishy. Wanna hold one?"
Olivia stared at him in the moonlight. "No way. Put it back."
Brandon stood up. "Come on; it won't bite. Here." He gently placed it in Olivia's palm. She stared down at it in shock, her eyes wide. She breathed heavily. This felt totally wrong, yet, after reading Danny's book, she was curious. Was there really a baby turtle in there? She lifted her hand and peered at the tiny egg for a closer look. It was leathery and soft.
Okay. I looked at it. Time to put it back. She started to lower her hand and give it back to Brandon, but something stopped her.
It moved.
Olivia's heart skipped a beat as she watched the tiny egg tremble back and forth in her hand. It rolled around a couple of times, then stopped.
The baby turtle was inside and it was moving!
Oh Lord, she cried inwardly. What have I just done?
Oh God, Oh God, Oh God, Oh God…her mind raced. She suddenly thought of Mrs. Duggan and her baby moving and kicking inside her belly.
Doing somersaults. Alive.
"I don't want this! Put it back. It moved! Put it back and cover them back up!" she demanded frantically. She gave it back to Brandon, trusting that he would do the right thing once he knew the truth: that there was a live baby turtle inside.
Next to her, Hayley gasped. "She told you it moved! Brandon, they're alive! Put them back NOW!" cried Hayley.
Brandon held up the egg with a sinister look on his face. This was not about to happen. This was not…Olivia's face grew white with horror.
Helpful links:
Book trailers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iby9uuBMMLI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B9r65oGuvM
Olivia and the Little Way on Amazon
Olivia's Gift on Amazon
Nancy's iCatholic profile: http://icatholic.catholictv.com/profile/NancyCarabioBelanger
Nancy's My Catholic Blog interview:
http://www.mycatholicblog.com/interview-with-nancy-carabio-belanger/
Thank you, Nancy, for allowing me to post an excerpt from your wonderful book!
May 26, 2011
Catholic Family Bootcamp by Mary Lou Rosien
My latest review at Amazing Catechists is for a fabulous new book designed to assist families in growing in virtue:
Are you looking for a book which will help your family increase in virtue? Catholic Family Bootcamp is an ideal resource for assisting your family not only in reinforcing the spiritual virtues, but also in strengthening emotional bonds with your closest family members.
"I have only one goal in providing you with this devotional book: to help your families increase in virtue," says author Mary Lou Rosien at the beginning of this terrific new book, Catholic Family Bootcamp, a 30-day devotional workout for families. The boot camp, in this case, is a training camp in the virtues: hope, love, justice, temperance, fortitude, prudence, faith.
The author shares with readers that her son is in the military and that when he went to boot camp, he came back physically and mentally stronger and prepared to fight the enemy.
So too are American families "fighting an enemy. It is a strong, fierce enemy that attacks us through the media, in our schools on the playgrounds, and even sometimes in areas of worship. It seeks to destroy families."
This wonderful book is filled with Scripture, Catechism and saint's quotes, true stories, activities and refreshingly honest admissions from the author that even as adults, parents have areas which need improvement.
The best thing about this book is that all the work has been done for you…it's easy to follow and very user-friendly.
Some of my favorite quotes from the book are: "Observation is the biggest part of learning," "When you love someone you become an expert in them," "When someone acts unlovable, that is when they need love the most."
I absolutely loved Catholic Family Bootcamp and I highly recommend this wonderful, easy-to-follow resource to everyone who wishes to increase in virtue and grow in holiness.
You can purchase it at the book's website. Right now until June 1st, if you leave a comment and include your email address, you'll be automatically entered to win a free copy of Catholic Family Bootcamp.
To pre-order the book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Catholic-Family-Boot-Camp-Rosien
Copyright 2011 Ellen Gable Hrkach
May 24, 2011
Coping with Infertility
My column this month for Catholic Mom is entitled "Desperately Seeking Pregnancy" and is an edited version of my column of the same name at Amazing Catechists.
Coping with infertility is challenging, especially in this day and age when new reproductive procedures are making it easier to give birth to a biological child. However, it is important that a couple ensures that whatever assistance they receive be in accord with Catholic Church teaching.
For the past 26 years, in our capacity as NFP teachers, my husband and I have counseled many infertile couples. They often come to us after actively seeking a pregnancy for many months. In some of the cases, teaching them NFP and helping them to determine the most fertile time (as well as giving them ways to increase their fertility) eventually results in a much-desired pregnancy. However, there were some who, despite those tips, did not become pregnant.
Here are some pointers which may help couples to cope with infertility and to increase the likelihood of pregnancy:
Pray. While this might seem like an unimportant part of the process, it is probably the most essential. Pray for God's will. Ask others to pray for you. In our own case, when my third son was a year old, I became pregnant with an ectopic pregnancy and nearly hemorrhaged to death. Afterwards, we were told to avoid pregnancy for at least one year (although our doctors strongly advised against ever getting pregnant again). When the year was over, with much thought and prayer, we decided to actively seek another pregnancy. More than a year went by, 17 cycles. No pregnancy. We were praying for God's will. I really wanted another child, but I was open and began to sell all my baby furniture and clothes. I stopped charting and all of a sudden, I realized that I hadn't gotten my period when I thought. Because I hadn't been keeping accurate charts, I bought a pregnancy test and was shocked to discover that it was positive! Never underestimate the power of prayer.
Take accurate basal body temperatures and mucus readings to determine whether the wife is actually ovulating.
Pay attention to nutrition. For more information on this, I highly recommend Marilyn Shannon's excellent book, Fertility Cycles and Nutrition.
See a fertility specialist NaPro Technology has helped many women become pregnant. For more information on Natural Procreative Technology http://www.naprotechnology.com/
Do not consent to immoral practices for semen analysis. Use moral procedures to enhance the marital act; not replace it. For semen analysis, a couple can use the Sims-Huhner method of semen collection (which involves the couple engaging in normal marital sex and using a condom with a hole to preserve the procreative aspect of the marital act, but still collecting the semen for analysis).
Fertility drugs are acceptable, as long as the couple does not consent to selective abortion if multiples are conceived.
Artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilization are not morally acceptable (see CCC 2376-2377) because they omit the unitive aspect from the marital act.
Consider adoption: At 2379, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The Gospel shows that physical sterility is not an absolute evil. Spouses who still suffer from infertility after exhausting legitimate medical procedures should unite themselves with the Lord's Cross, the source of all spiritual fecundity. They can give expression to their generosity by adopting abandoned children or performing demanding services for others."
Copyright 2011 Ellen Gable Hrkach
May 23, 2011
Five Signs the Pro-Life Cause is Winning
Excellent article by Trevin Wax over at LifeSiteNews: http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/five-signs-the-pro-life-cause-is-winning?utm_source=LifeSiteNews.com+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=958e5d1560-LifeSiteNews_com_Canada_Headlines05_20_2011&utm_medium=email
The pro-life cause is winning. In state legislatures, in the media, and in grassroots efforts to reduce the number of abortions, pro-life activists have put abortion rights advocates on defense. The pro-life movement certainly has hurdles to overcome before the United States can become a place where all human life is legally protected. Yet the eventual outcome is certain. Here are five reasons I believe we have reached a tipping point in favor of the pro-life cause.
Click the link above to read the rest of this article.
May 21, 2011
Come My Beloved Book Trailer
My new book, Come My Beloved: Inspiring Stories of Catholic Courtship, will be released on June 15th. The book's website has been updated with a new book trailer as well as some advanced reviews. Many thanks to my son, Ben, and my husband, James, for helping with the book trailer.
Also, if you are on Facebook, please feel free to "like" the Come My Beloved Facebook page:
May 20, 2011
Fiction Friday – Excerpt from In Name Only
Today, for Fiction Friday, I'm running an excerpt of my Gold-medal winning novel, In Name Only. I will be giving away two Kindle (or PDF) copies of my novel. Just leave a comment below before Monday, May 23, 2011.
Caroline descended the back staircase to the kitchen. Although she hadn't taken note of the room before, she found it to be spacious with two cast iron cooking stoves which lined the far wall and a large wooden table with a grinding apparatus attached to it in the center of the room. Servant bells lined the wall above the door. Patsie was chopping a yellow squash at the center table and Selly was washing dishes at a long table which lined the outside wall. The smell of baking bread caused Caroline's mouth to water and, for a moment, she forgot why she had come down to the kitchen.
"Well now, top o' the mornin', Miss Caroline," said Patsie. Selly turned around and nodded her greeting.
"Selly?"
"What is it, Miss?"
"I intend to speak with a woman at the church to find you a place where you can stay for the duration of your confinement."
"You've been so kind. Thank you."
"You should not be going through this alone."
Just outside the kitchen, a loud voice bellowed. "Get the damn horse or I'll be telling Mr. Martin to fire your black ass."
One of the bells above the door began to ring.
"I must go. I do not wish for him to see me," Selly was wiping her hands on her apron and walking toward the stairs to the main floor.
"Him?"
"Mr. David," she whispered, and pointed toward the back door.
"Yes, well, I want to see him. I should like to tell him what's on my mind."
"But, Miss," Patsie called out. "Sure an' ye can't be talkin' ta a man by yer lonesome, tain't proper. I'm just after tellin' ye that."
"I'm not alone. You'll be in the kitchen. Besides, it's improper for a man to not take responsibility for his child."
Patsie shook her head as Caroline rushed out the doorway. David O'Donovan was speaking to the black servant. She had no idea what they were discussing, but Mr. O'Donovan had a distinct frown on his face. She approached him, her chin raised. The moment that he noticed her, his expression softened and he became charming, almost inviting.
"Miss Martin, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" As he spoke, she could smell alcohol on his breath. She stepped back, kept silent and glared at him.
"Pray tell, have I done something to displease you?" he asked, his mouth curved in slight amusement.
"Displease may be an understatement, sir." She regarded him with the angriest scowl she could muster.
"Well, you certainly have gotten my attention, young lady. And may I just say that you are looking lovely today, despite the frown on your beautiful flawless face. If every girl looked as you do in black, she would want only to wear that color."
She walked closer to David and whispered, "Why do you refuse to help the girl who carries your child within her?"
His face darkened. "Oh, so that's what's troubling you. Well, you know, Miss Martin, with girls of her sort, one has to. . ."
Caroline cut him off with a slap to his face. Surprised, he rubbed his cheek, his frown quickly turning to a smile. "Oh, dear. Would you like to slap the other side," he asked, then turned his other cheek toward her.
Caroline remained silent, her eyes narrowed with contempt.
He leaned close to her face, his voice quiet but firm. "Did Selly tell you I was the only one? Well, my dear Miss Martin, I'm certain I was not."
"And you know this how?"
"Miss Caroline?" Patsie's high-pitched voice stopped Caroline from continuing.
She quickly leaned her head through the kitchen doorway.
"Patsie, what is it?"
"I'm havin' ta tell ye, Miss," she whispered, "a colleen shoun't be a talkin' 'bout such things."
"I don't care." Turning back toward David, she walked close to him, the top of her head an inch or so away from his chin. "Mr. O'Donovan, Selly told me there was no other."
"And you believe a common lower class servant?"
Caroline cringed. Common, lower class?
"Of course. Why would she lie?"
"Well, no one forced her."
"Today if ye shall hear his voice, harden not your heart."
David raised his eyebrows. "I never took you for a Bible thumper, Miss Martin."
"I'm a Christian, Mr. O'Donovan."
"Your naivete is endearing and I don't want to destroy your obvious innocence, but the servants freely do this."
"Your behavior makes me ill."
"Ah, you are even more beautiful when you're angry. Do you realize your freckles darken? It's very becoming."
Caroline again glared at him.
"Aren't you going to slap me again? I was hoping you would."
"You are. . ."
"What? I'm what?" He stepped back and eyed her up and down. "Well, Miss Martin, I'll tell you what I am. I am. . .shocked!" he said, a huge smirk on his face.
"Whatever do you mean you are shocked?"
"Most certainly I am, Miss Martin." He leaned in close to her and whispered. "You're. . .not wearing a corset, are you?" His eyebrows were raised and now he was smiling broadly.
All of a sudden, Caroline's face became flushed, her eyes widened. Now she was embarrassed that she had left her corset off. David O'Donovan, of all people, had noticed.
"Miss Caroline?" she heard Patsie call her again.
Caroline sighed and hurried into the kitchen.
To view a book trailer, see interviews and read reviews, click on the link below:
In Name Only is available on Amazon Kindle at the following link:
In Name Only also has a Facebook page. Please consider "liking" us:
Copyright 2011 Ellen Gable and Full Quiver Publishing
