© Full Quiver Publishing - a division of Innate Productions.  Site Managed by Mark Cassanto. Chapter One      Death, Caroline’s father had once told her, was a natural part of life, one that she did not like, not in the least bit. This aversion was not based on the eventuality that she would have to yield to it someday, but because losing someone so precious took its emotional toll on one’s heart and often at a most inappropriate time.    Presently, she was surrounded by more people than she had seen in five months, and it unnerved her.  In fact, Caroline expected the other passengers to point their fingers and urgently declare, “That woman ought to be traveling in the front cars with the rest of the third-class passengers!”     It was a cloudy, threatening-to-rain day, the 21st  of April in the year of our Lord, 1876.  Caroline stared blankly out the window of the train.  She attempted to take a deep breath, then concluded that in the dictionary, there ought to be a new definition beside the word corset: vexatious.  The horrid garment made her sit so straight, she felt like one of those wax figures at the museum.      On the seat beside her sat Mrs. Shepherd, who had been employed by her uncle to serve as Caroline’s chaperone for the journey.  The elderly Mrs. Shepherd seemed like a kind lady who had skin that was almost translucent, and gray hair that seemed a shade of light blue under her indigo-colored hat. She sat rather straight and unmoving which led Caroline to believe that the elderly woman’s own corset was most likely the cause of her severe posture.      Caroline smoothed out her black dress then folded her hands on her lap. Papa had often told her that she was beautiful, but Caroline knew that her physical traits, namely, her copper hair and pale, freckled skin, were not as sophisticated as the upper class women she had seen in Boston, the ones with the finely-made dresses, fashionable hairstyles and face paint.     With her father now gone and her mother having already passed years before,  Caroline had few choices. One was to  take a job as a kitchen servant at an upscale home in Boston.  The other was to move in with her Uncle Edward and her cousin, Elizabeth, in Philadelphia.  She knew that they lived in a grand mansion but couldn’t remember when, if ever, she had met them.  Uncle had generously sent her money to remain in her small row house in Boston, as it was her desire to spend the bulk of her initial grief in private.  In the past few weeks, however, Uncle Edward had been sending constant telegrams urging her to come to Philadelphia.  Since he had been so kind, the least Caroline could do now was to yield to his request.     The train had not yet begun to move as passengers were still boarding.  Glancing around the interior, Caroline was in awe of the plush seats, freshly painted walls and sparkling fixtures.  The pungent odor of smoke suggested that a man behind her had lit his pipe.     “There aren’t very many people on the train,” offered Mrs. Shepherd, in a faint British accent.   “In a month, the  Centennial Exhibition will open and there shall be many more people traveling to Philadelphia. Perhaps you and your uncle and cousin might attend, my dear.”  Caroline nodded and smiled in the most polite fashion she could muster, but in actuality, she wanted the woman to be quiet.  Right now, she only wished that life could return to the way it had been, a simple life with her father.    When Papa was well they were not penniless, by any means, and the two of them always had enough to eat.  However, once he became ill, Caroline worked hard trying to make ends meet mending for neighbors, although her father’s care occupied most of her day.    “All aboard.” The conductor stood on the platform of the train just below her closed window.  Behind him, Caroline noticed a young man holding onto his hat and running toward the train.  She glanced at the man who had struggled to make it to the train on time.  He was sitting across the aisle and one seat ahead.   His hat now off, he was endeavoring to catch his breath.  The train whistle blew and it began to move.     The elderly Mrs. Shepherd leaned close to Caroline. “Isn’t this exciting, dear?  What a fine way to travel to Philadelphia.  I remember years ago as a young girl traveling from London to. . .” The woman’s nostalgic memories became background noise as Caroline loosened the tie on her black bonnet.  She smiled at Mrs. Shepherd, then stared at the young man, now seated calmly and reading a newspaper.  His  shoulder length blond hair was pulled back neatly and he had a  short, well-kept beard.  As she studied him, she concluded that, despite the facial hair, he couldn’t be  much older than her own 19 years.  He wore a dark blue coat and lighter blue breeches.  He reminded Caroline of the Union officers who had played cards with her father back in the latter days of the Civil War.     She again peered out the window of the now fast-moving  train, which was making its  way  through  the city of Boston with  row houses, markets and other businesses still the common sight.  Caroline had never traveled to the southern section of the city and she found herself staring at the quaint shops and houses.     Caroline turned to find the elderly woman asleep. She nonchalantly glanced at the young blond man across the aisle as he was reading the newspaper.    She studied him more closely and observed that he was impeccably dressed, from his coat and breeches to his shiny shoes.  Definitely upper class.  She turned her attention to the countryside moving quickly beyond her window.  Caroline was happy to see the green grass and spring flowers dotting the landscape, despite the dullness of the day.  Lulled by the movement of the train,  she began to close her eyes.    “Excuse me, Miss?”    Caroline opened her eyes to see a young man with dark hair and a  mustache bending down close to her.  She glared at him and, with her elbow, nudged her chaperone to wake up.  The woman continued to breathe heavily beside her.  Mrs. Shepherd sleeps so soundly.     “Miss, haven’t we met before?” the man whispered as he leaned ever closer to her ear.       Caroline’s eyes narrowed and she sank back against the seat.      “Excuse me, sir, may I help you?” she heard someone say.   As Caroline allowed herself to look up, she could see that the blond man from across the aisle was standing next to the stranger, almost leaning on him.   “I was just. . .”    “Leave off, sir.  Are you a fool? This young lady is in mourning.”  His sharp tone demonstrated that he meant what he said.    The dark-haired man stroked his mustache.  “I. . .thought that I . . .was acquainted with her.   I must be mistaken.  My apologies, Miss.”  Caroline exhaled as he retreated to the back of the train, then she made eye contact with the blond gentleman.  “Thank you, sir.”   The man smiled.  “It was my pleasure.”   “I have no idea what has come over my chaperone. She sleeps so soundly.   May I know your name?”  “Liam O’Donovan.”  “I’m Caroline Martin.”  “I am most pleased to make  your acquaintance, Miss Martin.     “You’re Mr. Martin’s niece, are you not?”  “Do you know my uncle?”    He lives next door.  And I am very sorry for the loss of your father.”  “Thank you.”  “Your uncle is quite delighted about your impending arrival.  It is the only topic he’s been talking about for weeks.”     Had Uncle told them that I’m lower class?  Caroline glanced at her hands and was grateful that Mrs. Shepherd insisted she wear gloves.  “So,” he continued, “I suppose that we shall be neighbors.  Again, I am very pleased to make your acquaintance.”  Caroline allowed herself to smile.  “Thank you, Mr. O’Donovan. You have been so kind.”  “It was my pleasure, Miss Martin.”  He nodded towards her, then moved across the aisle.  The train was not fully occupied, perhaps a quarter full.  If Mr. O’Donovan had not stepped up to her rescue, who would have helped her in that most troublesome situation?  Certainly, her chaperone was in no position to assist her.  She cringed when she thought of the alternative. IN NAME ONLY is set in 1876 Philadelphia.  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. IN NAME ONLY, in 2009 was awarded the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval. Listen to a CatholicMom.com Podcast Interview with Ellen Gable - Apr 22, 2010. CLICK HERE to begin. Catholic TV's Father Robert Reed and Jay Fadden, hosts of THIS IS THE DAY, recently interviewed Ellen Gable to discuss her second novel, IN NAME ONLY.  This is part 2 of her original interview; part 1 she also discussed EMILY’S HOPE. AN EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT OF IN NAME ONLY is available just below >> including critical reviews since the 2009 release.   home shop newsletter publications Double Click Video To View Full Screen Press <ESC> To Restore 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 and so thrilled to hear a rumor that she is writing a sequel. Let it be a series, Lord! Lisa Mladinich, writer, novelist, Amazing Catechists.com   All in all, a pleasant summer read, and a nice example of an author growing in her work. With this novel, Gable's writing matured in that the plot well-defined. I enjoyed it, and I'll be passing it around to the fellow readers in my life or encouraging them to get their own copy.  Sarah Reinhard, Just Another Day of Catholic Pondering “Gable has skillfully crafted this intriguing novel, introducing many turns and twists in the plot, which will keep her reader’s eyes glued to the page, eager to learn the outcome of her tale. As the reader proceeds, he/she discovers the true depth of the novel – which conveys the beautiful Catholic teachings on conjugal love, and shares both a pro-life story and a conversion story.” Jean Heimann, Catholic Fire (Jean’s Blog, click here) “The book is a very enjoyable read, neither predictable nor formulaic...Gable shows the dire consequences of sinful behaviors; but also that it is never too late to turn your life around. The healing power of forgiveness will not bring back the lives that are lost, but it will help the survivors to move on. Gable’s tale is no Pollyanna story. The ending is both uplifting and realistic.” Elizabeth Kathryn Gerold-Miller, Divine Gift of Motherhood  Click here for more on the review.   "In Name Only" is a fascinating and moving read, sure to please historical fiction fans." Midwest Book Review "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’       home shop newsletter publications UP UP Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval 2009 buy now buy now Buy with us or Amazon.com Independent Publisher Book Awards 2010 Gold Medal Winner for Best Religious Fiction