Ella Endures: Book 2 of the Daughters of Evolution series

by Flo Parfitt

The strength and perseverance that made American women what they are today is brought to light in an emotional and heart-wrenching tale in Ella Endures.

Sara Dewberry’s oldest daughter, Ella, married Dr. John Ellington in the Roaring 20s. Prohibition was a joke and gangsters were rampant. Then, the Great Depression hit. The Ellingtons recovered, but not without scars. Orphanages and poorhouses were stretched to their limits and having a good heart, Ella grew her family to ten. She had children born of her blood and even more who found their way into her heart.

World War II left its devastation. Ella’s brother was missing in action. Two of her sons enlisted and were at risk. She faced not only the dangers of war but the deadly diseases of tuberculosis and polio, which struck her family hard. Ella had many struggles but fought for her family’s survival.

Author Bio

Flo Parfitt is a lifelong student, attending schools, seminars, workshops and other educational programs throughout her life. She attended Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and Downer College in Milwaukee. Most recently, she completed a program at Rubart Writing Academy and currently is enrolled in Lifelong Learning Institute at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She worked as a business manager at Everson, Whitney, Everson & Brehm, S.C. law offices, Seering & Company Advertising Agency, and Warner Bros Television.

She’s published in several trade journals including the Wisconsin Bar Journal, Callaghan’s Law Office Management, Integrated Office Technologies “The Word”, “Footsteps”, a writer’s showcase published by the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and other publications.

She has worked with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for abused and neglected children and various charitable causes. She is a member of the League of Women Voters, The Green Bay Area Writers Guild, and Authors & Allies writers’ groups.

Flo is in the process of writing a trilogy based on more than 100 years of American history. She writes historical fiction with an emphasis on strong women. The first in this series, Sara’s Sacrifice, was released in October of 2019 and sold in nine countries. The novel is about a suffragette who sacrificed everything. Book two, Ella Endures follows Sara's daughter, Ella from Prohibition thru the Great Depression and WWII. Melissa’s March, book three will feature two more generations from the feminist movement of the 70s through the Me Too movement today. For more information on Flo and updates on her publications, visit her Facebook page @FloParfittAuthor.

Reviews

“Ella Endures takes the reader on a journey back in time to experience the joys and trials of the Greatest Generation. The author draws from a deep well of historical knowledge and brings the past to life. I was immediately pulled into the story and connected with Ella. I didn’t want to put the book down!”

—Laurie Winter, Award-winning Author of the Warriors of the Heart series

“As someone who contracted polio in 1946, I can identify greatly with Parfitt’s depiction of her young character, Henrietta Ellington, who endures living in an iron lung in Ella Endures. Readers will understand how horrifying it is to live in this breathing substitute and how important the eventual vaccines are to eliminate dreaded diseases. Ella Endures has so much humanity and love in it, you will be rooting for Ella and her family.”

—Cookie Anderson, Polio Thriver

“This wonderfully written historical fiction, Ella Endures, with its engaging characters and iconic descriptions, takes the reader back in time in such realistic fashion that you will feel part of their lives and their fight. I have a much better idea of what my grandma and mother endured so I could have the freedoms I have today.”

—Gail Buntin Blohowiak, Author and Playwright

“The Roaring Twenties have arrived and with it a face-paced, ever-changing world where Ella faces the changes with trepidation, determination, strength, and joy. As you read Ella Endures, you will find pieces of you so like Ella—able to endure what life brings your way. Flo Parfitt has written an inspiring novel!”

—Deb Olsen, Elementary Teacher and Cancer Survivor

“With limited exposure to historical fiction, I opened Ella Endues with anticipation. Women’s issues, family, and romance piqued my interest, but turn the page and I met intrigue. I’m hooked!”

—Susan Teti-Finnegan, Natural Health Consultant

“Wow! In scenes from Ella Endures such as the bombing of Pearl Harbor, I felt like I was there. It was so real. I had a sense of pride in the nurses and what they went through. They endured an unimaginable situation. Being a former nurse, I can really appreciate their dedication and how Flo Parfitt wrote this story.”

—Elvi Ruotsala, a nonagenarian survivor from the Greatest Generation

“Ella Endures is a historical fiction gem that transports you to the Roaring 20s and incorporates historical events with a lovely tale of life, love, loss, and liberation. Ella Dewberry Ellington is an inspiring, strong female lead with gumption in spades and her family and friends will draw you in and make you want to be a part of their story.”

—Lindsey Marantos, Organizational Leadership & Effectiveness Consultant