Novels
Ellen Boneparth enjoys writing novels that involve social and political issues in need of solutions. Research for her latest book, Transitions, took her to new physiological and cultural frontiers. Her focus on Virginia in this novel stems from her political concerns and commitments as a Virginia resident. In Transitions, when Jennifer Howe—wife, mother, and leader of a small nonprofit—discovers to her dismay that her ten-year-old son wants to be, and feels like, a girl, she ventures into the unfamiliar world of gender dysphoria. With the help of a close friend, a psychologist, and an endocrinologist, and against the objections of an outraged husband, she helps her son transition to a female. Transgender issues become more than personl as Jennifer evolves from a well-heeled do-gooder to a grass roots activist. With the help of Ben Jacobs, an ACLU lawyer, she takes on political organizing, opposing candidates and officeholders who are trying to ban transgender rights and care. Political success and, after her divorce, a romance with Ben set Jennifer and her family on a new path, although transgender remains a polarizing issue in American life.
While Ellen has vigorously supported women candidates for the U.S. presidency, this novel brings to life her unmet dream of a woman as national leader and of a heroine, who as presidential special adviser, finds policy solutions outside of the box and romance in An Unusual Commitment. Working as President Kay Dixon’s Special Adviser, Ariel Winston plunges into the world of international diplomacy (around desertification) and national policy struggles (over immigration). Along the way, she encounters a high-level Chinese diplomat, Jun De Lieu, who is superb at his job and devastating in his appeal. How Ariel and Jun De overcome the many obstacles to collaboration between their two countries, as well as to a personal relationship. makes for intriguing international relations and an unusual romance.
A Summer in France (2024) At seventeen, Sara Levi goes off with an American student group to live with a French family for a month and then take a camping trip with American and French companions for two weeks in Provence. Sara must deal with the family’s secrets, mostly revolving around Suzanne, the female sibling, while she gradually falls in love with Yves, the older male sibling. The camping trip offers a chance to culminate Sara and Yves’ romance amidst the beauties of Provence. While her love story engenders objections from the group leader and dismay from her parents, the summer provides a tender and enduring coming-of-age experience.
WomanCare (2024) Keep your ban off my body — this is the cry of women threatened by state legislative bans on abortion. MotherCare, a novel, is the story of Nicole Evans, the director of WomanCare, a reproductive health care center in Virginia. Nicole fights to provide access and abortion services to pregnant women in the South injured by these bans.
In Guardian Angels (2023) my most recent novel, I drew from past experiences as an academic, diplomat, and political activist to provide the settings of Capitol Hill and in Washington. D.C., both worlds I know well. Immigration is an incredibly complex political issue that becomes personal as well for Jessica Lowe, who finds herself housing Lupe, a pregnant Cuban refugee.
Noa’s Arc (2023), describes the path taken by Noa, a lawyer, to confront the opioid epidemic and the failures of the drug war. She partners with Tony Palmer and discovers a way to deal with drug abusers as victims rather than criminals.
Philogyny (2022) is about a nonprofit staffer who engages in developing women’s fair trade products in West Africa. Musa, her Nigerian assistant, helps her unravel a stolen antiquities operation and they thrive in a new relationship.
In Diplomatic Quarters (2021), Eve moves to a retirement community for diplomats in Virginia and encounters a resident who was involved in the past murder of one of her State Department colleagues. With the help of Joe, a university teaching peer, she ends the career of the perpetrator.
Friends and Lovers (2020) tells the story of Jen, a university administrator, who has an affair with a peer who wants to marry her. It’s not right for Jen, but, happily, a professional associate becomes “right” for a true love story.
Homeless (2017) traces the career of Miri as she matures from law student to New York City municipal official to Congresswoman, all the time working on the issue of homelessness. Her congressional battle connects her to a fellow member of Congress with whom she develops a close professional and personal bond.
In Where the Sky Is Born (2017), Miri discovers Tulum in the Yucatan and the nearby nature reserve, Sian Ka’an. When she learns the reserve is threatened by a hotel development, she creates an environmental nonprofit to fight for preservation with the help and admiration of Bill, an environmental consultant.
In Foreign Exchange (2017), Andy, a woman foreign student advisor at the University of Hawaii, Hilo, discovers corrupt university officials are trying to turn her program into a profit-making operation. Stan, a graduate student from Singapore, helps uncover the corrupt operation in his home country and joins her in a romantic partnership.
Unwanted (2016) describes Syrian refugees trying to flee to Europe through Lesbos, Greece. Sophie, an American journalist, and Nikos, a Greek painter, help Farid escape to Germany where a sinister operation has entrapped refugee women.
Do Not Hurry The Journey (2015), my favorite work, is a love story about Alzheimer’s and physician-assisted suicide. Paula and Bill start out as work colleagues and end up as lovers facing mortality.
In Positive Women (2013), Riana takes on big Pharma to secure an antiretroviral for women with AIDS in the developing world. With the help of Bill, an American diplomat in Tanzania, Riana and local allies obtain the critical product for distribution.
In Foreign Relations (2012), Lydia, a university professor finds herself smuggling Aisha, an abandoned Iraqi child, from Turkey to Greece. Kovan, a Turkish professor helps, but Lydia’s deceased husband turns out to be the hero, as Lydia learns from his Greek assistant.
In Salud y Amor (2009), Andrea, her separated husband and her new boyfriend struggle to work out their lives and are turned around by a young Guatemalan boy visiting California, who steals their hearts. He becomes the inspiration for Andrea and her husband to re-unite.
In Tatiana (2008), Judith discovers her dear Russian friend, Tatiana, is suffering from ovarian cancer and can’t get treatment in Moscow. She brings together a group of American friends and professional women who bring Tatiana to San Francisco for treatment. By trying to heal Tatiana, they end up healing themselves.
Days Of Atonement (2005) takes Beka on a journey to Greece to track down her Greek Jewish forbears. She learns many stories about her family during World War II. Grigoris, a Greek urban planner, joins her journey, and, during her search, becomes an answer. In
Death At The Olive Press (2000), Alexis dreams of restoring a century-old olive press but the experience becomes a nightmare of harassment. Framed for murder, she follows a crime that leads to a vicious smuggling ring.
Memoir
Journeying (2010) recounts my travels over the years, focusing on my bond with Greece, my search for my heritage in Israel, my many women’s tours throughout the world, and my experiences of traveling alone.
In Nona—A Different Kind of Motherhood (2007) I describe my years as a godmother to Katerina, my Greek god-daughter. I emphasize the years she lived with me in California and what I learned about parenting.
