Ellen Gable's Blog, page 83
August 20, 2013
Emily’s Hope, Stealing Jenny Photo Endorsements
Special thanks to Erin McCole Cupp, author of Jane_E and Don’t You Forget About Me (to be published November 1st), for this photo endorsement of my books, Emily’s Hope and Stealing Jenny!
photo copyright James Hrkach
August 17, 2013
Sunday Snippets – August 17
Image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at RAnn’s Place for Sunday Snippets, where we share posts from the previous week.I’ve missed a few weeks of Sunday Snippets because we’ve been away.
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 84
Special thanks to Barb, “Franciscan Mom,” for this wonderful review and photo endorsement of Stealing Jenny!
August 16, 2013
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 84
Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.
It’s been a whirlwind two weeks with visiting family in New Jersey, then helping to organize the Catholic Writers Conference Live (held in conjunction with the Catholic Marketing Network Trade Show) in Somerset, NJ. I gave three presentations, organized the CWG Booth and basically spent 16 hours a day on my feet. It was a great two weeks, but understandably, I’m exhausted. I met many new people and connected with long-time friends. More on the conference and trade show in upcoming posts.
1. Cool Odometer Reading (again, it’s kilometers, not miles) 
2. Famous Philly Water Ice Place
Special thanks to my cousin for treating me to some delicious water ice.
photo copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
3. Lucy the Elephant, Margate NJ
When I was a child and my family visited Margate, NJ, I was always in awe of the giant elephant, Lucy. Back in the 60′s, however, it was in disrepair. Thankfully, in the 1970′s, it was restored and, since then, it has been a popular attraction in the seaside town. 
photo copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
4. View from the Top of Lucy
photo copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
5. EWTN Live Radio Interview at the CMN
For me, one of the highlights of the Catholic Marketing Network Trade Show was being interviewed live on EWTN radio: 
photo copyright James Hrkach
photo copyright James Hrkach
6. Reading Shelf
My reading/review shelf now has an additional 40 books, thanks to the publishers who gave away books at the Catholic Marketing Network’s “Author Reception” and various author signings throughout the Trade Show. Here are two of the best books that I received and will be reviewing in upcoming posts:
Treason by Dena Hunt (Outstanding Catholic novel! Review coming soon!)
The Miraculous Medal: Stories, Prayers and Devotions by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
7. EWTN Bookmark
I was interviewed briefly again by Doug Keck for EWTN’s Bookmark and I spoke about the Catholic Writers Guild’s Seal of Approval process.
photo copyright James Hrkach
Copyright 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach
August 14, 2013
August 2, 2013
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 83
It’s Friday so it’s time for Catholic bloggers to meet at Jen’s Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.
1. Catholic Writers Conference Live
It isn’t too late to register for the Catholic Writers Conference Live, which takes place next week from August 7-9 in Somerset, New Jersey.
2. Huge Summer Giveaway!
It’s also not too late to enter my blog’s giveaway to win $125 worth of books! Click here to see which books I’m giving away and leave a comment to be entered (before midnight!)
3. Journey to the Father
A few weeks ago, I had a wonderful weekend at the Journey to the Father Youth Conference. I have been attending this conference for nine years as a vendor. I always feel spiritually edified and uplifted and this year was no different. Thank you to all the organizers and volunteers that work so hard to make this weekend such a success!
4. St. Raphael’s Ruins
The Journey to the Father Conference takes place near St. Raphael’s Ruins (see history below). 
5. Carol Burnett – Jim Nabors Medley
I recently found my favorite medley from an episode from the Gomer Pyle show on youtube and wanted to share it with my readers!
6. Review of Unlovely
Earlier this week, I reviewed a great new book, Unlovely, by Carol Walsh Greer.
7. Ten in a Bed Cartoon
Image copyright James & Ellen Hrkach (Please do not use without permission)
I’ll be taking the next week or so off from blogging since I’ll be visiting with family and attending the Catholic Writers Conference. I’m scheduled to be interviewed by EWTN Radio live from the CMN on Friday, August 9th at 10:30 a.m. so if you’re around your computer, click http://www.ewtn.com/radio/index.asp, then click on “Listen Live.”
Copyright 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach
July 30, 2013
Unlovely by Carol Walsh Greer – Mini Review
Carol Walsh Greer is certainly an author that knows her characters and especially the main protagonist of her novel, Unlovely. Claudia Milford isn’t just a character, though. She is a your cousin or your sister-in-law’s friend or your brother or…anyone you might know. Like many people with mental health challenges, Claudia’s problems are virtually unknown to her.
For me, the measure of a good book is that I cannot put it down until I’m finished. This book is definitely one of those “can’t put it down” books. The plot is compelling and the characters, especially the character of Claudia, is brilliantly defined and illustrated.
I did find the ending abrupt (I personally like more resolution), and the edition I read had typos and some editing issues (although the author has informed me the typos have been addressed). Editing issues aside, this was an outstanding read and I thoroughly enjoyed this story by a first-time novelist. I look forward to reading more by her. Highly recommend!
To download it, click here. If you’d prefer a print edition, it will be available soon!
July 28, 2013
Huge Summer Giveaway!
I’m cleaning out my storage area/bookcase and decided to give away ten books I’ve reviewed in the past four years. Some are Catholic fiction; a few non-fiction. Around $125 worth of books here. If you would like to be entered to win, leave a comment below (before Saturday, August 3rd at midnight).
Here are the books I’m giving away. Click on the link to read more about them at Amazon.
The Admiral’s Daughter
Fatherless
Offerings
I Believe: The Creed and You
Seamus O’Flynn
Faith Beyond the Trials
Bleeder
Gripped by Fear
A Garden of Visible Prayer
Sex and the Sacred City
Remember…you must leave a comment before Saturday, August 3rd at midnight to be entered!
Image from iStock.
Sunday Snippets – July 28
Image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at RAnn’s Place for Sunday Snippets, where we share posts from the previous week. I haven’t been participating in Sunday Snippets for the past few weeks because I’ve been away and working on several deadlines. I’ll be away for the next few weekends preparing and attending the Catholic Writers Conference Live so I will only be able to post sporadically. Until then, here are my previous week’s posts:7 Quick Takes Friday – NFP Edition
Teaching NFP Has Enriched Our Marriage
Theology of the Body in a Nutshell
NFP Awareness Week – NFP Cartoons
July 26, 2013
7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 82 (NFP Edition)
Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.
To wrap up the celebration of NFP Awareness Week, my 7QT will be NFP-related:
1. NFP Awareness Week!
Tell at least one person about NFP! Better yet, give them an NFP book (see below) or refer them to an NFP class. 
2. 45th Anniversary of Humanae Vitae
Excellent article by George Weigel on the 45th Anniversary of Humanae Vitae.
3. Humanae Vitae
To read Pope Paul VI’s encyclical, Humanae Vitae, in its entirety, click here. Some critics feel that Pope Paul VI did not go far enough in condemning contraception, but if you read the full encyclical, I don’t think there’s any doubt that he condemns birth control unequivocally.
4. Devout Catholic Couples Have Better Sex
Who knew? Interesting article on why devout Catholic couples have better sex.
5. NFP and Responsible Parenthood
The following article was originally published in Family Foundations magazine and reposted on my blog: Difficult Anniversaries/Responsible Parenthood.
The first photo shows the two babies I was told NOT to have. The second shows what they look like today.
image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
Image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
6. Great NFP/TOB Books To Read
Fiction: Emily’s Hope, Passport, Angela’s Song, Stealing Jenny, (to name a few).
Non-Fiction: Theology of the Body for Beginners, Love and Responsibility, Growing Up in God’s Image.
7. Fertile Time Cartoon
Image copyright 2013 James and Ellen Hrkach (Please do not use without permission)
Copyright 2013 Ellen Gable Hrkach
July 25, 2013
Teaching NFP Has Enriched Our Marriage
The following is an article that was originally published in Family Foundations and updated for my blog:
We have been teaching Natural Family Planning (or NFP) for nearly 29 years. We have volunteered much of our time preparing and teaching classes over the past 28 years, as well as lecturing to marriage preparation courses and youth groups. However, I’d like to share what we have gotten out of it.
Admittedly, when we first decided many years ago to become NFP teachers after only two years of marriage, we thought about what we would give, not what we would receive. We had no idea of the abundant fruit it would bear.
First, we have made so many wonderful friends through teaching NFP. Most of our close friends are couples we have taught over the years.
One particular couple was considering sterilization when they met us 20 years ago. Having four children born one right after the other, they were being pressured by friends and relatives into having a permanent procedure done. We taught them NFP and they used it for many years. Nine years ago, they welcomed another child into their family.
Second, we have been able to evangelize in a way that has allowed friends and relatives to take a second look at NFP. Our many contracepting friends and relatives have seen what NFP has done for our marriage. They see a couple with a loving, sacramental relationship, with God as the third partner. And while they may not ever use NFP, they cannot argue with the success of our marriage.
As well, we have convinced some of these friends and relatives that contraception is not only physically unhealthy, but also spiritually unhealthy. One day we were at a friend’s anniversary party and a woman asked how we knew the couple celebrating their anniversary. “We taught them NFP.”
“What’s NFP?” asked the woman. This started a 45-minute conversation on the benefits and morality of NFP. At the end of the conversation, the woman told us to sign her up for our next class.
Third, teaching NFP is a good example to our children because they are seeing us give our time freely to other couples. They see us doing something to try to “change the world.” When our oldest son was a teenager, he came with us to a pro-life conference. We were speaking on the “Joys of NFP.” Later, he asked us, “What can I do to change the world? What can I do to help make the world a better place?’
“What brought this on? Why do you ask?”
“Because you and Dad teach NFP, do chastity talks, go on pro-life marches, help out with marriage preparation. I mean, you do so much. I’d like to do something like that.”
I was shocked that he had even noticed.
The rewards we have received through friendships, evangelization and example to our children are priceless.
Teaching NFP is one of the most time-consuming things we have ever set out to do. And although there are frustrating times, it is definitely one of the most satisfying decisions we have ever made.
We now teach NFP online (photo above). If you’re interested in learning NFP or in teaching it, email us at info(at)fullquiverpublishing.com
Photo and text copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach
