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Wise Media Group

By Wise Media Group

Cathleen Ellis - Teen Romance in the American Heartland

Gumption (#gumption) is defined as “shrewd or spirited initiative and resourcefulness.” Since 2013, Cathleen Ellis has been writing coming-of-age stories for high school readers. Gumption is the consistent theme. Young women must overcome hardships and in doing so develop character and find a sense of identity. They discover love and deeper relationships.

 

As conflicts arise, young women are faced with a ‘what now?’ decision that changes the course of their lives. Gumption is what empowers them to face life-altering decisions with grace. The characters show gumption to resolve conflicts and seek help from loved ones displayed by acts of loving-kindness.

 

Topics of suicide, illnesses, death, and abandonment, are wrapped in mysteries to solve. The characters discover that sorrow can be a source of growth. The characters are diverse: Caucasian, Black, Hispanic, Eskimo, Canadian Indian, Iran-sunni Muslim, Asian - a more accurate reflection of America today. Each title takes place ‘on location’ in these ‘heartland’ states: Montana, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, and Georgia.

 

Her books are geared towards the audiences of Hallmark & Lifetime television, which we can imagine would be likely targets for eventual adaption to screen. Her stories of wholesome romance mirror the values of the American heartland and appeal to the growing ‘normcore’ audience uncovered by Colleen Hoover.

 

The average word count of each title is 40,000 words (approx. 3 hr reading time).

bookcover for Roses for Meredith

Roses for Meredith

Cathleen Ellis 

$12.95

$12.04

bookcover for Tend My Flowers

Tend My Flowers

Cathleen Ellis 

$12.95

$12.04

bookcover for Humble Task

Humble Task

Cathleen Ellis 

$12.95

$12.04

bookcover for A Loving Presence

A Loving Presence

Cathleen Ellis 

$12.95

$12.04

bookcover for Shadow to Sunshine

Shadow to Sunshine

Cathleen Ellis 

$12.95

$12.04

bookcover for Carry Me On

Carry Me On

Cathleen Ellis 

$12.95

$12.04

bookcover for Future Bright Light

Future Bright Light

Cathleen Ellis 

$12.95

$12.04

bookcover for Compass North

Compass North

Cathleen Ellis 

$12.95

$12.04

bookcover for Running Shadow

Running Shadow

Cathleen Ellis 

$12.95

$12.04

bookcover for I'm Mortuary Girl

I'm Mortuary Girl

Cathleen Ellis 

$12.95

$12.04

bookcover for Back To Now

Back To Now

Cathleen Ellis 

$12.95

bookcover for To The Beet

To The Beet

Cathleen Ellis 

$12.95

$12.04