Clementine Ellis has always hated the fact that she is named after a long list of dead aunts, despite her father’s reminders that her name means ‘one who is merciful’ and that her challenge in life will be to live up to her namesake. The Ellis family has recently rented an old house in the community of Normaway, Cape Breton. Clementine is not pleased to discover that an odd man, Harry, comes with the house. Adjusting to sharing a house with Harry is yet another challenge in Clementine’s life, but as time passes, a strong bond is established between the two of them. Clementine’s growing compassion for Harry is reinforced when she discovers the dark family secrets that have hung over Harry’s head since he was a baby, secrets laden with stories of murder and revenge.

Christena Gillis lives in West Bay Marshes, Cape Breton, with her husband, Brian Goyetche. They have three daughters and two grandchildren. Christena can often be found dipping a paddle in the pristine waters of the Bras D’Or Lake. A Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Adult Education gave her a solid foundation, enabling her to apply her passion for social justice issues through her career in adult education and community development volunteerism. For many years she was employed at the Strait Area Campus of Nova Scotia Community College in Port Hawkesbury as a teacher and administrator. Man Included is Christena’s debut novel.