Reading Guide
MAKES YOU GO “HMMM!”
Now that you have read
Humbled,
consider the following discussion questions.
1.
How would you define or label Joel and Sheba's relationship?
2.
Joel and Zarah seem to have very little in common. Their most significant disconnect is religion. Ironically, both their fathers based the family business on religion. For DMI, it is Christianity, and for Harmonious Energy, it is an Eastern religion. Do you think Joel and Zarah can or should stay married even though their beliefs differ?
3.
Can Joel be a good father without being married to Zarah and living in the same house? If yes, how? If no, why not?
4.
Tamara and Zarah have a friendship. Do you believe Tamara sincerely cares about Zarah, or is the friendship based on her ulterior motives? Did you agree with Tamara's advice to Zarah on how to get Joel's attention?
5.
In the early pages of the novel, who did you want to end up with the West Coast division? Tamara, so she could gain independence from the family; Joel, so he could get a fresh start; or Madeline, so she could restore the company?
6.
Who do you think should run DMI if Don resigns? Are you siding with Madeline, who has set her sights on Joel, or with Don, who wants Abigail to fill the post?
7.
Why do you think Tamara is reluctant to embrace her mother fully and rekindle their relationship?
8.
According to Sherry, Joel is repeating the same mistakes his father made. Agree or disagree?
9.
Who do you think will get married first? Tamara or Abigail? Why?
10.
Do you think Don will leave DMI and go back to South Africa, or will something keep him in Detroit? If he does go back to South Africa, do you think he'll actually marry Naledi after having strong feelings for Abigail over the years?
11.
Who's your least favorite character in the novel, and why? (Base your answer solely on
Humbled,
and not on the other stories in the series.)
12.
Do you believe Madeline and Joel have truly made peace? Is it possible for them to reconcile after so many years of bitterness?
13.
Has Joel really changed, or does he have a hidden agenda?
14.
Let's say the Mitchell Family Drama Series is being made into a movie and you are the casting director. Who would you select to play Madeline, Sherry, Don, Joel, and Tamara?
15.
At the core of the Mitchell family's discord is an unwillingness to forgive. All the money, power, and influence they possess cannot help them fix their problems, particularly those within the family. Don realizes the freedom that comes from forgiveness early in the series. It looks like others are coming around too. How about you? Is there anyone you are estranged from or have been unwilling to forgive? Remember that forgiveness is liberating and is the best gift you can give yourself as well as others.
Note: The Mitchell family drama is loosely based on the story of a mighty biblical warrior, King David, who had God's unprecedented favor and a profound purpose. However, King David was also plagued by family problems, personal failures, and sinful mistakes. Because he was able to forgive those who had wronged him and went the extra step of forgetting (letting go of) the pain, the anguish, and the bitterness associated with mistakes of the past, he was at peace and achieved great success regardless of what was going on around him.
Acknowledgments
I thank God for each reader. If
Humbled
brings a smile to your face, entertains at least one person, evokes a laugh, stirs emotion for a character, or provokes you to think about forgiving someone, then my writing will have accomplished its purpose. I pray you will be blessed and encouraged. This book is for you.
There is a long list of family and friends who consistently support me. Although it is humanly impossible for me to personally thank everybody, please know that I am sincerely grateful to those who have contributed in any way to my writing. Even if I don't list your name, we know the Lord knows who you are and has the ability to bless you abundantly, far beyond what I can do.
My circle contains an amazing group of people who I definitely have to acknowledge. My heart beats in unison with that of my beloved husband and best friend, Jeffrey Glass, whom I am incredibly blessed to have as a soul mate. Many thanks to my beautiful, smart, and encouraging daughter (TJ), my nieces and nephews who keep me laughing with their quick wit. I must say thank you to my dear family (Haley, Glass, Tennin, and Moorman), my friends, goddaughters, spiritual parents, god sisters/ brothers, my brothers (Rev. Fred, Little Freddy Deon), my cousins who always get the word out about my books (Kattie Starnes, Soror Alesha Russey, Kimberla Lawson Roby, and Kim/Ron Haley Bolden); and my beloved mothers, Fannie Haley Rome and Jeraldine Glass, who keep me covered in love and prayer. With abiding love, I honor the memories of my dad (“Luck”), my brother (Erick), and my father-in-law (Walter).
Special thanks go to my freelance editors, who continuously challenge me to make every book better: Emma (John) Foots, Laurel Robinson, Tammy Lenzy, Dorothy Robinson, and Renée Lenzy. Much love to my publishing editor, Joylynn Ross. You are simply the best. I couldn't ask for a better person to work with in the publishing arena. Thanks to the Urban Christian team, especially Smiley Guirand, for doing such an awesome job with the covers. Thanks to my agent, Andrew Stuart, for making the business aspect easier. I especially have to thank my Delta Sigma Theta Sorority sisters and church families. I'm always grateful to a long list of book clubs, including the Williams Temple COGIC Book Club in Maine, the Bookees in Maryland, media venues, booksellers, and those who continuously support and bless me, such as my beloved family friends Eddie, Regina, Sierra, and Mariah Martin. I also honor a very special person, Mother Peggy Wright at Jones Memorial Baptist Church in Philadelphia, who passed away in July 2013. The love, support, wisdom, and huge smile that she showered upon me year after year, at each book signing, will always be with me.
P.S. Congratulations to Dana Reed and my goddaughters, Nicole Rashida Prothro and Rochelle Patricia Renee Burks, on their college graduations. Congrats to Shantel Haley and Leah Reed on their high school graduations. Happy birthday to Deacon Earl Rome (80th) and Deacon Robert Thomas (85th). Congratulations to my “other parents” on sixty-six years of marriage for Don and Mary Bartel and twenty-eight for Ron and Dottie Fisher. Wow. Much love to the newlyweds: cousins Mike & Marilyn Stapleton and dear friends Larry and Susan Greene. May God's grace and favor always be with each of you.
Author's Note
Dear Readers:
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Thank you for reading
Humbled.
I hope you found this addition to the Mitchell Family Drama Series as entertaining as
Anointed, Betrayed, Chosen
,
Destined,
and
Broken.
Look for
Unforgiving,
the next book in this saga.
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I look forward to you joining my mailing list, dropping me a note, or posting a message on my Web site. You can also friend me on Facebook, at Patricia Haley-Glass, or like my Author Patricia Haley fan page.
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As always, thank you for the support. Keep reading, and be blessed.
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Many Blessing to You!
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Shelia E. Lipsey,
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President, UC His Glory Book Club
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Humbled Copyright © 2014 Patricia Haley
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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
ISBN: 978-1-6016-2714-8
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This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.
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