Leaving Lancaster (26 page)

Acknowledgments

Thank you, Don Pape, and the entire staff at David C Cook. Thank you, Jamie Chavez, for your inspired editing.

Deepest gratitude for my steadfast and encouraging critique group: Judy Bodmer, Peg Kehle, Kathy Kohler, Thornton Ford, Paul Malm, and Marty Nystrom—each a talented writer.

I greatly appreciate Lancaster County readers and advisors Sam and Susie Lapp, and Norma Gehman. Many thanks to relative Mark Roberts, who shared his childhood years with me, and to his mother, Miriam Roberts, of New Holland, Pennsylvania.

Thanks to the kind and informed staff of the Lancaster Historical Mennonite Society, an incredible resource. And to authors Donald B. Kraybill and Stephen M. Scott.
Ich bedank mich
to Professor Emeritus C. Richard Beam and his wife, Dorothy. Thank you to novelist Suzanne Woods Fisher, who helped me at the drop of a hat.

Enormous gratitude to my literary agent, Sandra Bishop!

… a little more …

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When a great story comes to an end,

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• Discussion Questions

• About the Author

Discussion Questions for
Leaving Lancaster

1. How would you feel if you discovered a parent or guardian had kept momentous secrets from you—in Holly's case that she has relatives she's longed for but has never met? What were Esther's motivations?

2. What are Holly's emotions when she learns her mother has been lying to her? Has a trusted person lied to you? What was your response?

3. Esther's lifelong goal has been to protect Holly. In what ways has she uplifted and helped Holly? Can you identify with Esther?

4. Esther feels responsible for her former husband Samuel's death. Do you think she is? It's safe to say most of us harbor a hidden secret. What is the worst scenario should your secret be revealed?

5. Holly is a grown woman, but inside, in many ways a child. What messages from her youth does she carry that have kept her from maturing and maintaining a good self-image?

6. How could growing up without a dad cause a young woman to feel insecure and not trust men? How did it affect Holly's belief in God?

7. Are Holly's visions of her deceased father unrealistic? Will visiting his gravesite, traveling to the Vietnam War Memorial, or tracking down his old buddies help her heal her wounds? What are other ways to come to peace with her loss? What does Zach mean when he mentions a heavenly Father?

8. If Holly and Esther were separated, as Esther was from her own mother, Esther feels she'd be losing a part of herself. How will having her sons living in Montana affect Mommy Anna? Keep in mind: The Amish do not use airplanes. How would having a beloved family member or friend move away affect you?

9. It seems both Holly and Esther are jumping into relationships and taking great risks with men they barely know. What are Zach's and Nathaniel's good qualities? Can they be trusted and, if so, why? Do you think after growing up in the city Holly can be content living in the country with a veterinarian? Will their relationship last?

10. Holly's mother, Esther, is planning to take baptism classes and join the Amish church. Do you think Holly should explore the Amish church more thoroughly? Is she making a wise choice attending the Mennonite church with Zach's family?

11. Holly is going to be nearby when Beth's dog, Missy, delivers her litter of pups. As far as we know, Mommy Anna has never kept a dog in the house but might be willing to make an allowance for Holly. What other exceptions are Holly's grandmother making for her and Esther? When has someone shown you bounteous generosity?

12. How would this story have differed if Mommy Anna, Holly's grandma, had harbored bitter resentment toward Esther and not forgiven her? How would this have affected Holly? Do you cling to resentment toward anyone?

13. In Matthew 18:22, Jesus instructed Peter to forgive seventy times seven. Does this sound unrealistic and impossible? How did you feel when Holly's mother, Esther, and her dad's mother forgave each other? How do you feel when someone forgives you?

14. As kids, Holly's parents were instructed that no violence is justifiable. What are your thoughts on total passivism? Have you ever turned the other cheek in the face of adversity? What was the outcome?

15. What other insights and information did you learn about the Amish through reading this book? Are there any Amish customs or practices you might wish to emulate?

About the Author

Photo by David Hiller

Kate Lloyd is a novelist, a mother of two sons, and a passionate observer of human relationships. A native of Baltimore, Kate spends time with family and friends in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the inspiration for
Leaving Lancaster.
She is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society. Kate and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest, the setting for Kate's first novel,
A Portrait of Marguerite.
Kate studied painting and sculpture in college. She has worked a variety of jobs, including car salesperson and restaurateur.

Kate loves hearing from readers and can be reached through her website,
www.katelloyd.net
; on Facebook,
www.facebook.com/katelloydbooks
; or writing to her at:

Kate Lloyd

PO Box 204, 4616 25th Ave. NE

Seattle, WA 98105

www.davidccook.com