7 Quick Takes Friday – Miscellaneous Book News

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.

1. My Four Novels in Top Six
It doesn’t happen often, but earlier this week, all four of my novels were in the top six books of Religious Drama on Amazon! (A Subtle Grace #1, In Name Only #2, Stealing Jenny #5, Emily’s Hope #6)

2. Adventures of Writing (Interview)
Special thanks to Victoria Marie Lees who interviewed me at her blog, Adventures in Writing. As well, she included the following review: “A Subtle Grace is alive with drama. The obstacles are many; the characters, lively. The devil lives in the historical world of the O’Donovan family. The writer knows her genre. This Catholic Fiction novel demonstrates the power of love and faith to forgive and protect. You won’t be disappointed.”

3. A World Such as Heaven Intended Print Edition
FQP’s new release, A World Such as Heaven Intended Print Edition (by Amanda Lauer)is now available on Create Space and will be available on Amazon soon. It’s currently available on Kindle.

4. Terrorism Comes Close
My thoughts on last week’s shooting at Parliament Buildings in Ottawa (I live about 40 miles west of Ottawa).

Photo courtesy K. J.

5. All Saints Day
Tomorrow is All Saints Day and, hard to believe, the beginning of November already!

6. Review/Reading Shelf
The Tree by Denise Mallett

7. Dust Bunnies Cartoon

image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach Please do not use without permission

Copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach

With God…

7 Quick Takes Friday – Interview, Free Books Etc.

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday!

1. FREE On Kindle: In Name Only (O’Donovan Family)
Free until Sunday on Kindle is my second book and the first in the O’Donovan Family series, In Name Only.

2. Bookgoodies Interview
I was recently interviewed by Bookgoodies.

3. Autumn Leaves

Photo courtesy K. J.

4. Win a FREE Kindle Copy of A Subtle Grace (leave comment below to be entered)
I’m giving away one free Kindle edition of A Subtle Grace (O’Donovan Family #2). Leave a comment below before Friday, October 31st to be entered to win!

5. Win a FREE Kindle Copy of A World Such as Heaven Intended
I’m also giving away one free Kindle edition of A World Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer, the new FQP book! It will be available in print next week. Leave a comment below before Friday to be entered to win.

6. Review Shelf
A Body in Prayer – Neil Combs
Hearts Awakening – Delia Parr
Love’s First Bloom – Delia Parr

7. Be Fruitful and Multiply Cartoon

Image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach (Please do not use without permission)

In Name Only FREE Today Through Sunday!

My second novel, In Name Only, is FREE today through Sunday on Kindle. The sequel to In Name Only, A Subtle Grace, was published earlier this year.

Here are the links:

Amazon Kindle USA In Name Only

Amazon Kindle Canada In Name Only

Amazon Kindle UK In Name Only

Amazon Kindle Japan In Name Only

Amazon Kindle Germany In Name Only

Amazon Kindle France In Name Only

Amazon Kindle Italy In Name Only

Amazon Kindle Australia In Name Only

Philadelphia, 1876: Caroline Martin foresees a joyous future when she meets a wealthy, moral man. But unexpected tragedy topples her illusions, opening the way to a profound understanding of God — a moving tale with over 220 five and four star reviews on Amazon. In Name Only won the Gold medal in Religious Fiction in the 2010 IPPY Awards and has been an Amazon Kindle Top Ten bestseller since February 2012.

Reviews:
“If you love romance but hate smut, pick up this beautiful story and let it carry you away. The characters are believable, layered, human and humorous even in the midst of tragedy. The reader never loses hope and is rewarded on every page with little gems of character behavior, dialogue, plot twists and romantic intrigue. I was so very sorry when it ended!”
Lisa Mladinich, author, founder Amazing Catechists

” …conveys the beautiful Catholic teachings on conjugal love, and shares both a pro-life story and a conversion story.”
Jean Heimann, Catholic Fire

Choose Life

Photo courtesy Josh Hrkach

30 Years Teaching NFP!

Today marks our 30 year anniversary of teaching Natural Family Planning with the Couple to Couple League! It’s hard to believe that we’ve been teaching NFP longer than we’ve been parents!

Here’s a few photos and links to celebrate!

NFP Goes High Tech

Teaching NFP Has Enriched Our Marriage

We now teach NFP online!

Image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach. Please do NOT use without permission.

Cartoon copyright James & Ellen Hrkach/Full Quiver Publishing. Please do NOT use without permission

If you’re interested in learning Natural Family Planning, here is the link to the first class of our upcoming course which begins on the evening of November 12. (Note: Class size is limited!)

CCL NFP Virtual Course Beginning November 12

7 Quick Takes Friday – Books Etc.

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.

1. A World Such as Heaven Intended
Have you checked out the new FQP novel by Amanda Lauer? It’s now available on Kindle! Print book coming soon!

2. Stealing Jenny #1 Fifth Week!
Stealing Jenny is now in its fifth week of being #1 in Religious Drama.

3. Seven Saints for Seven Virtues Book Review
Check out my review of this wonderful new book by Jean Heimann.

4. FQP Books at St. Patrick’s Gift and Book Store!
This is a repeat from last week…but very exciting news for my local readers. All Full Quiver Publishing books are now available for purchase at St. Patrick’s Gift and Book Store in Ottawa.

5. Autumn Beauty

Photo courtesy KJ

6. Reading/Review Shelf
Trusting God with St. Therese by Connie Rossini

7. Dust Bunnies Cartoon

image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach Please do not use without permission

Copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach

Infant Loss Awareness Day – 2014

Today is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day.

I have lost four babies through miscarriage and three babies through ectopic pregnancy. My novel, Emily’s Hope, is the fictionalized true stories of myself and my great-grandmother, and the story of loss and triumph. This excerpt describes Emily’s loss of baby “Seth.”

“I need to push.” She wanted so desperately not to push, to allow her baby to stay inside of her, and for her to continue to nourish and nurture her child, but her body wouldn’t allow that. She pushed only twice and her small child was born. Emily heard a sound like a kitten crying, then realized that her baby had let out a small, soft, weak cry.

As soon as the umbilical cord was cut, the nurse immediately carried the baby across the room as the pediatric staff attempted to work on their child. Emily and Jason sat quietly, their hearts heavy with emotion. A few minutes later, she felt another contraction and her placenta was delivered. She could hear a nurse referring to “him,” and realized that their child was another boy. After a few minutes, the doctor brought him back, his small form still hidden in the blue hospital blanket. He spoke in a hushed, almost apologetic voice, “There is nothing we can do for him.”

He handed the tiny one-pound baby boy to his mother. Jason held on to Emily’s shoulder and watched as she cradled the smallest baby they had ever seen. He was so perfect and looked identical to their oldest son, Jake. His small body was covered with minute white hairs. He was perfect as he struggled to breathe. He was perfect as he opened his mouth to cry. Emily held her new son as gently as she could. Jason reached over and poured a few drops of water on him and said, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Emily could feel the vibration of his tiny heart beating so fast.

The nurse came in with a Polaroid camera and asked if they wanted her to take a photo of their child. Emily nodded as the nurse took a photo of her and Jason and their tiny son. She gazed in awe at this miniature human being and marveled at the fact that even though he was tiny, he was so perfect. His little hands looked like a doll’s hands. She removed the baby blanket and laid his small, warm body on her chest. She could feel his heart beating rapidly. After several minutes, she wrapped him again in the small blue blanket.

Then, in an instant, he was still. She could feel that his heart had stopped and he wasn’t breathing, but he continued to feel warm and soft. He looked like a sleeping angel.

If you have lost a baby through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or infant death, please click on the link above “Baby Loss” for resources and helpful links.

In memory of our seven little souls in heaven: Baby H Twins (June 1986), Baby H (February 1990), Baby H (June 1990), Mary Elizabeth (June 1993), Seth (March 1998), Lucy (March 2006).

Copyright 2005 Ellen Gable (Emily’s Hope)

Seven Saints for Seven Virtues Book Tour

Seven Saints for Seven Virtues by Jean Heimann (Book Review) Published 2014, by Servant Books

Jean Heimann’s beautifully written and inspiring new book is entitled “Seven Saints for Seven Virtues.”

The author focuses on the seven virtues: charity, chastity, diligence, humility, kindness, patience and temperance as well as the saints who illustrate them so beautifully: Blessed Mother Teresa, St. Agnes, St. John Paul II, St. Joseph, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Monica and St. Augustine.

Each chapter begins with the author telling the reader about a saint whose life was an example of that particular virtue, defining the virtue, then sharing a modern example of someone (sometimes a personal relative or friend) who was also an example of that virtue. Next, the author asks: “How Can We Practice” each virtue. Each chapter ends with examples of that specific virtue in action and what we, the reader, can do to put that virtue into practice.

This is an absolutely wonderful book, inspiring, edifying, informative and beautifully written. It can be read slowly, reflecting on each chapter/saint/virtue or it can be read quickly, taking in each virtuous saint’s life story and example.

Seven Saints for Seven Virtues is an ideal gift for anyone who wishes to grow in holiness and virtue. Highly recommend!

To purchase the book on Amazon, click here.

If you would like to win a copy of this book, please leave a comment below before Friday, October 17th!! (North American readers only, please!)

These blogs will be participating in the blog tour. Please visit them too!

Tuesday, October 14th, Connie Rossini
Wed., October 15th, Barbara Szyszkiewicz
Thursday, October 16th Can We Cana, Karee Santos
Friday, October 17th, Alice Berger
Saturday, October 18th, Jane Lebak
Sunday, October 19th, Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
Monday, October 20th, Leticia Velasquez
Tuesday, October 21st, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
Wednesday, October 22nd, Janet Moore, Book Review

7 Quick Takes Friday – Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.

1. A World Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer
Now on Kindle! Click here to download the Kindle edition!

2. Working Mother by Erin McCole Cupp
Erin McCole Cupp has more information over here at her post.

3. Thanksgiving Weekend in Canada
This weekend we celebrate Thanksgiving up here in Canada and I’m looking forward to welcoming some of my American relatives to join in the festivities!

copyright James Hrkach

4. FQP Books Are Now Available at St. Patrick’s Gift and Bookstore!
All of my books and Full Quiver Publishing‘s books are now available at the largest and most comprehensive Catholic bookstore in the Ottawa area, St. Patrick’s Gift and Bookstore!

5. Autumn Beauty in Pakenham

copyright Josh Hrkach please do not use without permission

6. Review Shelf
Seven Saints for Seven Virtues by Jean Heimann (Look for my review this Monday as I participate in Jean’s Virtual Book Tour!)

7. Thanksgiving Cartoon

Image copyright 2013.James and Ellen Hrkach Please do not use without permission

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!