The Calling of Ella McFarland

Women of Rock Creek #1

by Linda Brooks Davis

Ella McFarland sits on the precipice of her life's dream: teaching at Worthington School for Girls. But in the male dominated world of 1905, scandal clouds her family name and may limit her to grueling farm labor in Indian Territory. As hope for Oklahoma statehood rises, a new love buds in her heart, and the woman's suffrage debate rages, Ella encounters an abused sharecropper's daughter, forcing her to make decisions she never imagined about her faith, family, and aspirations. What toll will the turmoil demand of Ella's dream? And what call might God lay on her heart?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Romance, Christian, Christian Fiction, Mystery, Inspirational

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2018

About the author

Reared on a farm in South Texas, Linda earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Abilene Christian University and Houston Baptist University. She devoted 40 years to students with special needs and reared a daughter and son who are now veterinarians practicing together.

Linda was introduced to the world of publishing in 2007 by winning an essay contest that resulted in the Christian Writers Guild's Writing for the Soul Conference. Subsequently, Gospel Publishing House featured her article "The Choice" in their quarterly publication, LIVE. The article revealed the agonizing choice physicians presented her daughter in her at-risk triplet pregnancy. Linda published articles in two other collections of stories about God's grace.

BOOK 1 in THE WOMEN OF ROCK CREEK series, THE CALLING OF ELLA MCFARLAND, is a romantic historical written from a Christian worldview. Set in 1905, it won the 2014 Jerry Jenkins Operation First Novel contest and ACFW's 2016 Carol Award.

Sequel novella A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER picks up with Ella's and Andrew's love story. It's Christmas 1908, and Ella's about to learn which comes first—the "worthy" or the "work".

A second novella, A CHRISTMAS MEASURE OF LOVE, is set in 1910 and is a prequel to Book 2 in The Women of Rock Creek series, THE MENDING OF LILLIAN CATHLEEN. Mother and daughter reunite in the old shack where their tears and blood once mingled. Wheat gift will they find?

The third novella, A CHRISTMAS TALE FOR LITTLE WOMEN, is a prequel to THE AWAKENING OF MISS ADELAIDE, Book 3 in The Women of Rock Creek series. It's 1912, and Adelaide's about to discover the Yuletide surprise of a lifetime.

BOOK 3 in THE WOMEN OF ROCK CREEK series, THE AWAKENING OF MISS ADELAIDE, releases July 9, 2019. It is set in 1918-1919.

Reviews

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale recounts how a young aspiring schoolteacher needs to get a job from the school board or cut cotton with her family. Ella is determined but must be of good character; she is, but her sister has had a baby out of wedlock. The so-Christian board disapproves of the whole family in principle. Ella decides to occupy herself and put her own principles to good use by feeding, cleaning up and teaching a neglected sharecropper's daughter. This girl then comes in for physical abuse by her father and Ella takes over and tends her injuries. The young student becomes a firm friend.

Later adventures cast light on the issues of women's suffrage and other advances such as driving cars. I was impressed by the account of the girls fighting off a rabid dog, and there is a great deal of other physical work required as these were days before labour-saving machinery. Ella also doesn't know if she can have a relationship and still keep the prospect of teaching; a teacher was not supposed to walk out with men. Another character is a young man who has lost an arm, which would have been more frequent for the times than we'd realise. He needs to find an occupation.

The author has based some of the story on her own family's memories.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

From that first moment when Ella McFarland faces the all-male Worthington School for Girls Board of Directors with such aplomb, you realize she’s a woman worth knowing. In Ella, Linda Brooks Davis has created a complex character filled with the strength of her convictions, but tethered by the same human frailties as the rest of us. I found myself transported to turn-of-the-century Oklahoma Indian Territory through Davis’s meticulous attention to detail. I saw through Ella’s eyes what it meant for women like her to seek to empower girls by not only teaching them to read, but also to think for themselves. Davis does a beautiful job of weaving together a lovely romance and a powerful message of God’s enduring, steadfast love in even the most trying of times. The Calling of Ella McFarland is a powerful debut effort.

[C.J. Darlington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching story from days gone by. I love the innocence and purity of these characters... which isn't to say they don't struggle just like all of us. Linda Brooks Davis has written a novel that somehow spans the generations. Anyone from nine to ninety can read this book! She places you directly in early 1900s Oklahoma (before it became a state) with lots of accurate historical details, though she never overwhelms the reader. They flow naturally out of the story of Ella McFarland, a girl with a dream and a calling who must decide whether to follow her heart or cave to the hardships she faces.

[Paula-O · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Calling of Ella McFarland written by Linda Brooks Davis

Linda is a first prize winner of the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild Operation First Novel Contest..
A first but I am sure not the last of this authors books.

A calling,This is what the Bible tells us of this:Romans 8:28

~And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.~

Ella has a strong dream and has worked toward the purpose of being a teacher,she feels this is what she should do with her life and works hard toward this goal. The Worthington School for Girls is the elite place for the girls that are well off. She has always felt this is where she should teach so when they do not accept her, she is devastated. The only good thing about her visits there with the board is that she met the newest member , Andrew.
Andrew wanted to court Ella but she was sure she should have a school and teach young girls so she started with one Lily that worked in the fields. Lily was the young abused daughter of a sharecropper. She brought Lily to her home -bathed and fed her-then started helping in anyway that she could to better the girls life. This caused her fathers abuse to be even worse not wanting charity from others.
Frank was a childhood friend that she had known many years but He proved false in his doings as an adult and hurt her in many ways...unbeknownst to her -he went after her sister secretly and caused so much heartache for the family and also the community.
The early 1900's brought Hope of Oklahoma statehood and the women's suffrage debate is raging, Ella meets women working in this and feels led to make her voice heard as she speaks for those that can't. Education is her heart's desire but there is also another desire that she cannot deny , Andrew pursues her and lets her know he is willing to let her do and be whatever she feels she has to do.
God's will is so important to Ella...She is a strong determined woman that will not let personal life deter her helping those that need her.
Her sister that she loves so strongly seems to always be doing things that hurts her. She flaunts her caring for Frank and he for her in front of the family. Viola thinks only of herself and is always shirking responsibility when it comes to helping at home, leaving Ella to help so her mother won't have to do so much.
Ella is determined to teach-to work towards women's rights yet she wonders can she have more..Andrew is such a warm caring loving person that she knows they can help one another in this journey called life. Finally she accepts his courtship and blossoms in the days to come.

I challenge you to read this story ,learn more about Ella McFarland ,the character named for the authors Grandmother and her journey in life, I loved the fiction and facts blending into a fictional story that gives us a bit of history from an earlier time. I will be looking for other books to come and am sure you will to from Linda.

[Mbetke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching story, well written, engaging! I enjoyed it.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were many nuggets of interesting writing in this book. Davis gives excellent descriptions and a little humor here and there. I did like Ella; but I never understood how Lily became such a focal point in this book. I just didn't enjoy that aspect of it. I was expecting a read that focused on Ella teaching and learning in the same; and this read more like a family drama. I will admit to becoming lost a few times as things skipped around but I did enjoy the writing style just not the story-line.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this audiobook, the first book in Linda Brooks Davis’ Women of Rock Creek series, which features Ella McFarland, a young woman seeking God’s direction for her life in early 20th century Oklahoma Territory. Times were changing and the women’s suffrage movement was in full swing. Ella’s usually close-knit and supportive family were less so with Ella’s interest and involvement in the movement. Ella’s desire to help disadvantaged women and children intersected with an ongoing mystery surrounding the disappearance of a young woman in her care as well as the suspicious behavior of a few secondary characters. The sweet romance developed slowly and endured its own trials before reaching a very satisfying conclusion. While the genre of Christian historical romance can include varying levels of spirituality depending upon the story and author, faith is an integral part of this story and there are numerous references to prayer, hymns, and seeking the Lord’s guidance. Christian romance is my favorite genre so I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I mention this so that readers not seeking books with strong faith themes know ahead of time what they can expect and be fair in their evaluation of them. If you are a fan of Christian historical romance with strong faith themes, then this is a book you should check out.

I received a free audiobook copy from the author in a giveaway in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed here are completely my own.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Davis has crafted an historical novel based very loosely on her family history. Set in pre-statehood Indian Territory, The Calling of Ella McFarland deals with many issues of the time - prohibition, women's right to vote, and compulsory education for all. Readers will hurt with Ella when her dreams are seemingly shattered. They will rejoice when they read the end of the story. Ella exhibits the can-do spirit of many single women trying to make it in a male-dominated world. Linda Davis has done a great job of character development with both major and minor characters. Many of the characters in this story show growth both in their relationship to others and their relationship to the Lord.
The plot does include some twists which make it unpredictable as to the final outcome of some of the plot lines.
If you enjoy historical fiction from the turn of the last century or a sweet romance, I recommend The Calling of Ella McFarland.

I would not hesitate to place The Calling of Ella McFarland in my k-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for high school and up.

I want to thank Celebrate Lit for the complimentary e-copy of The Calling of Ella McFarland.

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

1905 was a difficult year for women, and Ella McFarland especially. She wanted to be a teacher, at any cost, but what was she willing to give up to become one? Love? A family? An opportunity to serve those around her? Ella needs to decide what is most important to her, and how to best follow the Lord’s plan for her before she can find ways to compromise. But she is determined, and with the support of friends and family (minus one angsty sister scarring the family name as an unwed sister), she will find a way to fulfill the calling of the Lord for her.

Admittedly, it took me a while to get into this book after reading a fast-paced thriller, but once I did, it was hard to put down. Ella McFarland is a strong-willed young lady who is determined to accomplish everything she can in this life despite the challenges thrown at her. I love her efforts to maintain her ladylike appearance according to the standards of the day while she pushes the boundaries and fights for women’s rights. She is inspirational, even then she gives in to the discouragement and momentarily loses her faith (like anyone is susceptible to once in a while).

This was a great, uplifting book.

[Karol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. The fight for the right for women to vote, and the fight for a good education for girls beyond 3rd grade were major themes in this novel. The author did a great job showing the plight of women who had limited options in the early 1900's, and how individual women were able to help others rise through education and political involvement.

Although I wasn't enamored of the writing style I did enjoy the story. It made me think of my grandmothers (both were born a few years before 1900) and how what they experienced as girls and young women would have been very different than what I did. The book talks about women before they could vote - and before a good education was just as essential for girls as it is for boys. One of my grandmothers was educated through 8th grade, but many of her female classmates had left school years before she did. So she was very proud of her 8th grade education. My other grandmother was a bit of a trend-setter, getting a high school education and then leaving her farming community by train after graduating to go to the city to look for work. I saw bits of them that I could relate to in this book's characters.

[Kim Bakos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella is called to be a teacher, but is that her only calling? And in an era where getting married means an end to your teaching career, do you forsake your calling for love and family? These are the questions that Ella must grapple with during an era where "having it all" wasn't even a concept. You'll have to read to see how Ella figures it all out.
I love the sense of timelessness in this novel - domestic violence and classism are things that we still deal with today. But other issues, like women's suffrage, mandatory education, and working outside the home with married are thankfully areas in which progress has made major changes.
Ella's faith and her struggle to believe in times of adversity is SO real. I don't think anyone can honestly say they haven't dealt with that in their own life, too.
Such a great story and now I have to read more by this author who was new to me.

[Joleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve had this book for years. I don’t know why I put off reading it for so long, but I finally picked it up, intent on finishing it.

I just finished reading a book where a young lady who was a preacher's daughter cursed God because her sister was so sick.

In this book, Ella, a woman raised in a loving Christian home cursed God and gave up her faith because of sudden hardships. This sort of thing is hard to read. Oh, of course they turn around and find happiness again. I guess it’s encouraging to people who are facing difficulties, to see someone else go through life's ebbs and come out victorious.

The whole suffragette storyline could have been shortened or even left out as it really didn’t add much to the story.

This is the first book I’ve read by Linda Brooks Davis. I will definitely consider another book by her.

[Becky Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful historical fiction that has so many wonderful truths in it. Some of my favorite lines are: “The Lord sees what we cannot. So we trust Him.” And this one:
“The cross that He gave may be heavy
But it ne’er outweighs His grace.
The storm that I feared may surround me,
But it ne’er excludes His face.”
And this: “God’s goodness runs through every hard place like veins of gold… Hard as it is to hear, He brings His loved ones closer through suffering.”
I won this book at a FaceBook party and I highly, highly recommend it! I chose freely to leave my own honest review.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about twice the length I usually read, so it seemed to be pretty long, but it has a wonderful Christian story to tell.  Throughout this story run a couple of romances, a mystery, thickening plots, a historical side story about women voting and the sufferagates movement.  Every thread of this story is sewn with the evils of alcohol abuse and the family members who suffer in multiple ways from it as well as the grace and mercy of a loving and benevolent and omnipotent God. Just about everything you could hope for.
There may be areas that would trigger certain readers who have been abused by neglect, physical, or sexual abuse.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early 1900s: A beautiful story encompassing a young woman's challenge in the choice between what she longed to achieve and her overriding compassion for helpless women of the time. Schoolteacher or suffragette? Could she do both? Should accept marriage or should she remain single? Although Ella belonged to a typical Christian family of the era where the father reigned and mama obeyed, she was destined to forge her own way in life. And I appreciated the very human touch of bickering between siblings even with parental love to spare. An absorbing read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I received a complimentary audio book of this story and found it engaging and not fully predictable (which is a good thing). Ella goes through a lot of growth over the course of the story, along with a number of other people around her. Insights into the human condition of pride and stubbornness abound. I enjoyed hearing about the different trials and conflicts that would have been occurring during this pre-state period of history for Oklahoma in 1905.

Worth the listen - clean, uplifting, not fluffy.

This is my honest review.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

1900’s before Oklahoma became a state. Applying to teach, the board tells her that teacher’s that marry are dismissed. The initial interview had been six weeks prior and they were still at a deadlock. It was a question of the family reputation. Which gives a humorous look at their family members, one has only to remember this was in the early 1900’s . Well written and gave a good account of the strict rules of proper behavior back then, which included more than just the woman herself.

[Bonnie E Case · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story

Ella proved to be a very strong women and knows her mind while also listening to the Lord. I kinda expected that the Mr Evans in the beginning was the Andrew later on. Their's was a beautiful love story woven with the storys of Lily, Viola, and Frank, and the rock her parents proved to be. This story set in 1905 and all the turmoil going on in the USA then, is a great read.

[Gay Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was captivating....

I was hooked immediately upon starting this book. The characters were portrayed in such a way that they leapt off the page and into my heart. The struggles and joys of Ella were so real and the way the Lord transformed her touched me.....read this book, you’ll be glad you did!

[Sandra Bagwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is based in the early history of Oklahoma. Women's suffrage, bootlegging, and spouse abuse are all a part of this historic novel. There is a clean romance woven into the story while both tragedy and hardships seem to hit from every direction yet the characters learn to trust God and grow in their faith. The story is worthy of the five star story rating.

[The Film Director's Wife · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I have read by this Author and thoroughly enjoyed it - so much so that I have downloaded her other two books in this series to read.

It was an engaging story and I liked how she kept the topic of Faith and preserving even when it is hard at the forefront of the reader's mind - definitely recommend this book!

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic Historical Christian fiction book written by a new Christian author -- now added to one of my favorites! I'm looking forward to reading Adelaide's story next! I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, but it did not in any way affect my review. All opinions are my own.

[Beverly Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong Christian female lead character

This is a fantastic book with a strong Christian female lead character. Where life, love and problems are all laid before God to be worked out in His time and His will.

[Pat Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ebook

She is the oldest daughter of a family that is dealing with an unwed daughter and a failing family business. She wants to be a teacher but when the job is offered to her she declines feeling a stronger calling from God. It’s a hard toad she chooses but highly full filling.

[Karen Amunson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relevant

Beautiful story. This story is relevant in any decade. Good versus evil. Faith which sometimes or circumstances wavers. Struggles and joys common to all of us which can be endured with a strong family support.

[Ruth Hansum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

Admired Ella’s passion for the downtrodden woman. The story line was strong and I could not quit reading. This book has everything I like - Christian values, adventure and love.

[Sherry Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely wonderful!!!
It is set back in 1905. Ella McFarland has a dream to become a teacher. She has up’s and down’s and so much more going on.
I highly recommend this book! I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

[Martha J. Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully told story

This story keeps moving deeper into the characters lives becoming more interesting as it progresses. Loved it and look forward to more stories like this one.

[Donna Nealy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wholesome Realistic Story

I would recommend to anyone who likes happy endings, realistic accounts that describe ups and downs of life and wholesome romance is realized by two who overcome obstacles with faith in God.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful book. I love books like this that really show what it looks like to be a real Christian...in good and bad times.