In Name Only [Kindle Edition]

Ellen Gable (Author)

Book Description

Caroline Martin's life has finally taken a turn for the better. After years of hard work, she has met a virtuous and wealthy man whose love seems to promise the kind of life realized only within the comforting novels she keeps on her night table. Tragedy, however, will teach Caroline of the complexity with which God Himself authors the lives of those who turn towards Him. Gold Medal Winner in Religious Fiction, 2010 IPPY Awards.
 
Note: The author is currently working on a sequel to "In Name Only" entitled "A Subtle Grace," which continues the story of the O'Donovan Family.  It will be released in late 2013.

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, writer, novelist

"All in all, a pleasant summer read...I enjoyed it, and I'll be passing it around to the fellow readers in my life.."
Sarah Reinhard, author

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

"There are so many things I love about this book. The book is a very enjoyable read, neither predictable nor formulaic."
Elizabeth Kathryn Gerold-Miller

"Searching for a page-turning historical Catholic novel? 'In Name Only' by Ellen Gable is one book you won't want to put down until you finally reach its satisfying conclusion."
Anne Faye, author, "Through the Open Window"

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ellen Gable Hrkach lives with her husband and their five children in Pakenham, Ontario. This is her second novel. Her first, Emily's Hope, won an Honorable Mention Award for Religious Fiction in the 2006 Independent Publisher Book Awards, as well as the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval.

Product Details

• File Size: 655 KB
• Print Length: 413 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 097367363X
• Publisher: Full Quiver Publishing; First Edition edition (June 1, 2009)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003JTHOCQ
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,216 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #2 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Drama > Religious & Liturgical
  • #2 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > Religious & Liturgical

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 90 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Romance for Men? November 15, 2010

By Gerard Webster, award-winning author VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

There aren't too many historical romance novels that appeal equally to men and women, but Ellen Gable pulls it off admirably with IN NAME ONLY. My wife read the novel first--and kept telling me "You HAVE TO read this book!"--while at the same time not allowing me to pry it from her fingers until after she finished it.

Once I started IN NAME ONLY, I could see why. Ms. Gable is a talented writer who weaves several subplots throughout the story without ever straying from the main theme. The story is told from the viewpoint of Caroline Martin, a 19 year old girl in post-Civil-War Philadelphia. After her father dies--and leaves her with little--she goes to live with her rich uncle and his daughter. Although Caroline herself does not come from a wealthy background, she was brought up in an upright and Christian family--which leaves her in some ways ill-prepared to deal with the vagaries of the world.

Her first encounter with such is when she meets the two sons of her uncle's neighbor--Liam and David O'Donovan. The young men are polar opposites from each other in every imaginable way. She is immediately attracted to Liam--the more fair-haired, gentle, and chivalrous of the two. And she is equally abhorred by even the thought of David--a strong, dark-haired, Philadelphia version of Rhet Butler--with all the accompanying faults and a few extra thrown in for good measure.

Caroline's dreams seem to come true for her when she marries the man she most loves--Liam. But when tragedy strikes, she finds herself thrown together with the man she most despises--David. From the heights of newlywed bliss, she is thrown suddenly into the black abyss of despair--with seemingly no hope of ever being able to escape her fate. But the twists and turns of life never quite turn out as expected--as both Caroline and David eventually learn.

Ms. Gable's writing gave birth to very real, three-dimensional characters. I especially liked how she could portray a man given over to every immaginable vice without ever lapsing into too lurid detail. The changes that occur in the characters over time are also well-conceived and believable without ever being predictable. While the book may be geared towards women, there are some good lessons for men as well. It's great to read a Catholic novel that's not overly "sanitized," realistic enough to make you wonder if it's really fiction, and yet not at all offensive.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

51 of 60 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Morbid!!! March 25, 2012

By Elizabeth

Format:Kindle Edition

I borrowed this book from the lending library on my Kindle Fire. To be honest it was an accidental click of the buttons while exploring my new Kindle. I did decide to read the book. It was interesting and the story is actually in my opinion well put together and I was not aware it was also geared around religious faith and biblical priniciples but still enjoyable.

Why a 2 star then? The book is too morbid! Too many people dying uneccessarily. Even in the midst of happiness the author slaughters her characters. You are then on an emotional road to recovery reading along and hoping for the best.....there is happiness,the characters are building and moving forward and the author does another drive by on another character not limited to babies dying or miscarriages... and more death!! I mean really? The last portion of the book you expect a happy ending...surely a happy one. And lo and behold there must be TRAGEDY on the way to the convent!! Again. REALLY?????!!! At that point I just flipped through the pages toward the end to save myself the disappointment.

Stop with all the death! Understandably a few characters may die or ocassional tragedy but there was too much here. There are at least 4 deaths to begin with and it doesn't stop there.
Does faith in God have to be surrounded by death and unhappiness? Good book but emotionally SUCKS!!

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Finelly Crafted Catholic Historical Romance August 23, 2010

By Therese Heckenkamp

Format:Paperback

"In Name Only," by Ellen Gable, is a powerful Catholic historical romance novel layered with rich story lines, vibrant characters, and authentic atmosphere. I read this 406 page novel over the course of one week, and when I wasn't able to indulge in reading, I found myself pondering the story--it was that absorbing!

In "Name Only" is Ellen Gable's second novel, and she has once again written a finely crafted Catholic romance. This time, she demonstrates her diverse writing abilities by transporting readers back to 1876 Philadelphia. Amidst a convincing historical setting, readers follow Caroline Martin through the course of several years during which she faces challenges and heartaches which cause her to grow and mature. At the start, nineteen-year old Caroline journeys by train after her father's death to live with her wealthy (and practically unknown) uncle and cousin in an impressive mansion. Caroline also meets her new neighbors, two brothers--Liam and David O'Donovan--who apparently couldn't be any more different. While Caroline admires gentle Liam and even grows to love him, she despises David, who lives a callous, crude lifestyle and seems to have no sense of shame or remorse.

When tragedy strikes, Caroline's life shatters. David's presence only increases her torment, yet she cannot escape him. But God works in mysterious ways, and Caroline discovers first-hand how He can bring good out of evil, and that God's plan really is more amazing than anything she could imagine. Ellen Gable manages the Catholic elements deftly, without preaching and slowing the story's pace. The religious aspects are not forced, but interwoven naturally and believably. (Incidentally, I enjoyed the inclusion of the Latin Mass and Douay Rheims Bible.)

"In Name Only" reads true to life, with crosses, temptations, blessings, redemptions, and happiness. Despite how it sweeps you in, this is not a light and airy romance novel; it has substance and does not skirt serious issues, nor rely on graphic "love" scenes to hold your attention. Indeed, it depicts true love. The preciousness of life--particularly of the unborn--is emphasized. In addition, "In Name Only" illustrates the weakness of human nature, the far-reaching consequences of giving into temptation, and the power of forgiveness. Serious issues involving abortion, chastity, conversion, and marriage are dealt with skillfully. Due to such mature themes and subjects, please note that this is not a novel for young teens. One other warning: You may need a box of tissues. But your heart will glow at the story's end.

In conclusion, this is the the best book I've read in a long time. It has all the qualities that make for an outstanding, memorable novel--and it's Catholic as well! I highly recommend it!

Reviewed by:
Therese Heckenkamp
Author of "Past Suspicion"
and Reviewer for:
[...]
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and Ivory Tower Press

More About the Author

Ellen Gable is a novelist and freelance writer living in Pakenham, Ontario, Canada. She is the author of the Amazon Kindle Bestseller, Stealing Jenny, a contemporary thriller about a pregnant woman who is kidnapped. Her other books include Come My Beloved (a book of true courtship stories), In Name Only (Gold Medal winner in Religious Fiction in the 2010 IPPY Awards) and Emily's Hope (Honorable Mention, 2006 IPPY Awards). The Kindle editions of her novels have been in the top ten of the Religious & Liturgical Drama category since February, 2012. Ellen is currently Vice President of the Catholic Writers Guild. She is a reviewer for CatholicFiction.net, a monthly columnist for AmazingCatechists.com, a contributor to CatholicMom.com and she blogs at http://ellengable.wordpress.com. She and her husband are the creators of the Family Life cartoon which illustrates Catholic family life, a topic she knows much about as the mother of five sons ages 13 to 25.