Makin' Miracles (26 page)
Authors: Lin Stepp
Spencer took her hand as they started up the path toward the house. “I can't wait to see Aston's face when I tell him I managed to get married before he and Carole.” He looked down to catch Zola's eyes. “What are the Tahitian words for
I love you,
Zola?”
I love you,
Zola?”
She smiled at him. “
Ua here vau ia oe
. But I am happy to simply hear the words in English, Spencerâand often.”
Ua here vau ia oe
. But I am happy to simply hear the words in English, Spencerâand often.”
He squeezed her hand. “I'll do my best to remember to say them often . . . and to show them to you always, Zola.”
“I couldn't ask for more,” she said, her heart singing with joy.
A READING GROUP GUIDE
Makin' Miracles
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Lin Stepp
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About This Guide
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The suggested questions are included
to enhance your group's reading of
Lin Stepp's
Makin' Miracles.
to enhance your group's reading of
Lin Stepp's
Makin' Miracles.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.
Zola Devon has an unusual gift as a seer, often receiving messages or words from God for others. Remembering the first chapter of the book, how would you feel if you were shopping in Nature's Corner and Zola offered one of her messages to you? Stories of individuals with gifts like Zola's abound in biblical and other faith-based stories, but they don't occur as commonly in our world today. Why do you think this is? Do you think it was hard for Zola to be obedient in giving the words she felt God wanted her to share with others?
Zola Devon has an unusual gift as a seer, often receiving messages or words from God for others. Remembering the first chapter of the book, how would you feel if you were shopping in Nature's Corner and Zola offered one of her messages to you? Stories of individuals with gifts like Zola's abound in biblical and other faith-based stories, but they don't occur as commonly in our world today. Why do you think this is? Do you think it was hard for Zola to be obedient in giving the words she felt God wanted her to share with others?
2.
Spencer Jackson first met Zola in her shop, Nature's Corner. What happened at that meeting? They met the second time at the hut at Raven's Den. What happened at this encounter? How were the two meetings different? How did these early interactions highlight some of the differences between Spencer and Zola?
Spencer Jackson first met Zola in her shop, Nature's Corner. What happened at that meeting? They met the second time at the hut at Raven's Den. What happened at this encounter? How were the two meetings different? How did these early interactions highlight some of the differences between Spencer and Zola?
3.
What did you think about Spencer's business colleague Leena Evanston? Why was Spencer so drawn to her? Why was he reluctant to contact the police or prosecute her after she tried to rob him? What would you have done in a similar situation?
What did you think about Spencer's business colleague Leena Evanston? Why was Spencer so drawn to her? Why was he reluctant to contact the police or prosecute her after she tried to rob him? What would you have done in a similar situation?
4.
Spencer has a strained relationship with his brother Bowden. What things in the past happened to foster the problems between the two brothers? Spencer has also not been close to any of his family for years. What caused these breaches? Do you have strained relationships with any of your family members? Why do you think problems with close family members are often the most difficult to resolve?
Spencer has a strained relationship with his brother Bowden. What things in the past happened to foster the problems between the two brothers? Spencer has also not been close to any of his family for years. What caused these breaches? Do you have strained relationships with any of your family members? Why do you think problems with close family members are often the most difficult to resolve?
5.
Why is the hut at Raven's Den important to Zola? Why didn't Spencer tear down the hut when he built his home on the mountain? Later in the book, as a reader, you visit Spencer's childhood memory spot and Zola's island hut in Tahiti. Zola tells Spencer: “A person needs a place where they can go to find peace and get collected in their soul.” Do you think this is true? Do you have a special place where you go to find peace or did you have one as a child?
Why is the hut at Raven's Den important to Zola? Why didn't Spencer tear down the hut when he built his home on the mountain? Later in the book, as a reader, you visit Spencer's childhood memory spot and Zola's island hut in Tahiti. Zola tells Spencer: “A person needs a place where they can go to find peace and get collected in their soul.” Do you think this is true? Do you have a special place where you go to find peace or did you have one as a child?
6.
Zola Devon is both Tahitian and American, and she has spent parts of her life in both places. How does this multicultural background make her unusual? Was she always comfortable with the aspects of herself that made her different from others? Zola tells Spencer at one point: “The world is not always kind to non-conformists, to those who are different.” Do you think that is true? How has Zola found ways to be more comfortable in her own skin and to accept herself as the unique person she is? How has Spencer fought some of these same battles in being different?
Zola Devon is both Tahitian and American, and she has spent parts of her life in both places. How does this multicultural background make her unusual? Was she always comfortable with the aspects of herself that made her different from others? Zola tells Spencer at one point: “The world is not always kind to non-conformists, to those who are different.” Do you think that is true? How has Zola found ways to be more comfortable in her own skin and to accept herself as the unique person she is? How has Spencer fought some of these same battles in being different?
7.
Animals can often play an important part in our lives. How did Spencer get his dog Zeke? And how are they bonded as owner and pet? How did Zola get her cat Posey? What was Posey's story? Both pets played sweet roles as companions and comforts to their owners. Do you have pets that are meaningful like this in your life?
Animals can often play an important part in our lives. How did Spencer get his dog Zeke? And how are they bonded as owner and pet? How did Zola get her cat Posey? What was Posey's story? Both pets played sweet roles as companions and comforts to their owners. Do you have pets that are meaningful like this in your life?
8.
What did you think about Zola's grandparents Nana Etta and Papa Vern? How did they influence Zola's life positively? Are you a part of a big, extended family like the Devons'? What aspects of their family life seemed similar to yours? How did Zola's family contrast with Spencer's in interacting together, sharing in a dinner or family event, and in caring for one another?
What did you think about Zola's grandparents Nana Etta and Papa Vern? How did they influence Zola's life positively? Are you a part of a big, extended family like the Devons'? What aspects of their family life seemed similar to yours? How did Zola's family contrast with Spencer's in interacting together, sharing in a dinner or family event, and in caring for one another?
9.
What kind of photographer is Spencer Jackson? How did he become a photographer, and what brought him to Gatlinburg to open the Jackson Gallery? Why didn't he choose to work in his family's photography business?
What kind of photographer is Spencer Jackson? How did he become a photographer, and what brought him to Gatlinburg to open the Jackson Gallery? Why didn't he choose to work in his family's photography business?
10.
Good friends enrich our lives. Rachel and Maya are two of Zola's friends. How did these friendships develop and how is Zola's friendship different with each woman? How did Spencer meet Aston Parker? What factors drew them together? In what ways do Spencer's and Zola's friends help and support them in the story? Which of your friends are especially meaningful in your life? Do you have close bonds with friends of other races or cultures like Zola and Spencer did?
Good friends enrich our lives. Rachel and Maya are two of Zola's friends. How did these friendships develop and how is Zola's friendship different with each woman? How did Spencer meet Aston Parker? What factors drew them together? In what ways do Spencer's and Zola's friends help and support them in the story? Which of your friends are especially meaningful in your life? Do you have close bonds with friends of other races or cultures like Zola and Spencer did?
11.
Zola's and Spencer's relationship hits many snags as it struggles to develop. What problems hinder their relationship? What things about Zola most worry Spencer? What things about Spencer trouble Zola the most? What events occur that bring resolution to these problems and finally bring the couple together at the end?
Zola's and Spencer's relationship hits many snags as it struggles to develop. What problems hinder their relationship? What things about Zola most worry Spencer? What things about Spencer trouble Zola the most? What events occur that bring resolution to these problems and finally bring the couple together at the end?
12.
Two serious problems evolve for Zola in this story in relation to her gift as a seer. The first is with Madame Renee, and the second is with the missing daughter of Benwen Lee. What causes difficulties for Zola in both of these situations? How do both come to a head before the book closes and how are they resolved? What did Zola learn about what happened to Ben's daughter Seng Ryon Chen? How and in what way did learning this knowledge frighten Zola?
Two serious problems evolve for Zola in this story in relation to her gift as a seer. The first is with Madame Renee, and the second is with the missing daughter of Benwen Lee. What causes difficulties for Zola in both of these situations? How do both come to a head before the book closes and how are they resolved? What did Zola learn about what happened to Ben's daughter Seng Ryon Chen? How and in what way did learning this knowledge frighten Zola?
13.
Why did Aldo Toomey throw a smoke bomb into Zola's store? What things happened in his life that led up to this event? Why didn't Zola press charges? How does Aldo later take revenge on Madame Renee?
Why did Aldo Toomey throw a smoke bomb into Zola's store? What things happened in his life that led up to this event? Why didn't Zola press charges? How does Aldo later take revenge on Madame Renee?
14.
How does Spencer gain the opportunity to photograph the hoarfrost on the mountain? What new respect does Zola find in watching Spencer work in this situation, and what new appreciation for Zola does Spencer gain from this day? On another photo outing together, Spencer lends a hand to help Zola find a lost child. What happens in this situation? How does finding Eddie bond the couple in a new way?
How does Spencer gain the opportunity to photograph the hoarfrost on the mountain? What new respect does Zola find in watching Spencer work in this situation, and what new appreciation for Zola does Spencer gain from this day? On another photo outing together, Spencer lends a hand to help Zola find a lost child. What happens in this situation? How does finding Eddie bond the couple in a new way?
15.
At the waterfall on Buckner Branch, Zola helps Spencer give up and release some of his past hurts and pain. She has him throw pebbles into the water, remembering the sorrows or sins he wants to be free of. What did you think about this scene? How did this time help bring a cleansing and new lightness to Spencer? What criticisms did Zola's grandmother have about it afterward?
At the waterfall on Buckner Branch, Zola helps Spencer give up and release some of his past hurts and pain. She has him throw pebbles into the water, remembering the sorrows or sins he wants to be free of. What did you think about this scene? How did this time help bring a cleansing and new lightness to Spencer? What criticisms did Zola's grandmother have about it afterward?
16.
Spencer and Zola enjoy many happy times outdoors, both loving and delighting in nature. They share a happy day with Spencer photographing frogs, spiders, and scenes around the farm. Another day Spencer takes Zola with him to hike and photograph outdoor vistas on top of the Smoky Mountains near Mount Buckley. What happened to spoil that day and bring Spencer's and Zola's relationship to a turning point?
Spencer and Zola enjoy many happy times outdoors, both loving and delighting in nature. They share a happy day with Spencer photographing frogs, spiders, and scenes around the farm. Another day Spencer takes Zola with him to hike and photograph outdoor vistas on top of the Smoky Mountains near Mount Buckley. What happened to spoil that day and bring Spencer's and Zola's relationship to a turning point?
17.
When Spencer finally goes home for his parents' anniversary, taking Zola with him, what happens at that family gathering? What did Zola see about Spencer's family on her visit? Did you like Spencer's family? What does Spencer learn and realize about Geneva that he didn't know before? How did this free him and yet make him angry at the same time? What did you think about how Spencer's family kept truths from him?
When Spencer finally goes home for his parents' anniversary, taking Zola with him, what happens at that family gathering? What did Zola see about Spencer's family on her visit? Did you like Spencer's family? What does Spencer learn and realize about Geneva that he didn't know before? How did this free him and yet make him angry at the same time? What did you think about how Spencer's family kept truths from him?
18.
Why does Zola go home to Mooréa unexpectedly near the end of the book? What is troubling her that drives her home? How does her father help her? What causes Spencer to follow Zola to Moorea and how does the story end?
Why does Zola go home to Mooréa unexpectedly near the end of the book? What is troubling her that drives her home? How does her father help her? What causes Spencer to follow Zola to Moorea and how does the story end?
Photo by Katie Riley
Dr. Lin Stepp
is a native Tennessean, a businesswoman, and an educator. She is on faculty at both Tusculum College and King University, where she teaches psychology and research. Her business background includes more than twenty years in marketing, sales, production art, and regional publishing. But closest to her heart is her beloved series of contemporary novels set in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Visit her on the Web at
www.linstepp.com
.
is a native Tennessean, a businesswoman, and an educator. She is on faculty at both Tusculum College and King University, where she teaches psychology and research. Her business background includes more than twenty years in marketing, sales, production art, and regional publishing. But closest to her heart is her beloved series of contemporary novels set in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Visit her on the Web at
www.linstepp.com
.
D
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BY THE
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OWN
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Set against the backdrop of Tennessee's breathtaking Smoky Mountains, Lin Stepp's
Down by the River
is a warmhearted novel that proves it's never too lateâor too earlyâfor a fresh start . . .
Down by the River
is a warmhearted novel that proves it's never too lateâor too earlyâfor a fresh start . . .
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While on a visit to the Smokies, Grace Conley makes a stunning decision: she's going to walk away from her busy life in Nashville to move to tiny Townsend and open a bed-and-breakfast. There's a beautiful old inn for sale along the Little River that will do perfectly. Of course, Grace's family is scandalized. After all, she's a middle-aged widow! And as a career homemaker, she's
always
been available for babysitting, chauffeuring, and generally being the peacemaker among her grown children. Has Grace lost her mind? She begins to wonder the same thing once she finds herself attracted to the local ladies' man. But the surprises don't stop there....
always
been available for babysitting, chauffeuring, and generally being the peacemaker among her grown children. Has Grace lost her mind? She begins to wonder the same thing once she finds herself attracted to the local ladies' man. But the surprises don't stop there....
To further complicate her move, Grace's daughter, Margaret, has grudgingly come to live with her. Remote Townsend is not where she envisions her future. Yet the handsome young minister next door is convinced he and Margaret are meant for each other. As life choices abound, soon both women will discover that the biggest decisions require confidence, a sense of humorâand a deep, abiding faith.
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HEN THE
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NOW
F
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HEN THE
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Something's in the air this holiday season, and it could be the beginning of a wonderful Christmas romance....
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“Candy Canes and Cupid” by Fern Michaels
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All private investigator Hannah Ray wants for Christmas is a quiet day at her Florida beachfront condo. When her biggest client insists she join him on a Colorado ski trip, she has little choiceâbut what she finds on her arrival could melt the coldest heart....
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“White Hot Christmas” by Nancy Bush
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Aspiring PI Jane Kelly likes to pretend she's a bah-humbug kind of girl, but she's had mistletoe on the brain ever since she shared a kiss with her boss, Dwayne. Before she can hope for a repeat performance, Jane must solve a kidnapping that's as twisted as a candy caneâand not nearly as sweet.
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“Seven Days of Christmas” by Rosanna Chiofalo
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Five years ago, Bianca Simone received a wonderful early Christmas gift from her boyfriend, Markâa week amid the stunning Alpine scenery of Innsbruck, Austria. Now she's back under very different circumstances, but Mark has one more special gift in mind....
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“A Smoky Mountain Gift” by Lin Stepp
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Veda Trent is back in Townsend to fill in as temporary manager of the Crafts Co-op, but she's not planning to stay. Though the mountain town is small, it holds lots of unsettling memories. Yet the wind can change, bringing with it new opportunitiesâand the chance to create the kind of Christmas Veda has always longed for.
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