Winter Reunion (17 page)
Authors: Roxanne Rustand
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Dear Reader,
I hope you've enjoyed your visit to Aspen Creek! This is the first book in the ASPEN CREEK CROSSROADS series, involving the members of a book club in a scenic little Wisconsin town. Though my next book,
Murder at Granite Falls
(April 2011) will be a Love Inspired Suspense title, I can't wait to come back to Aspen Creek after that, for Sophie's story!
Writing for Steeple Hill Books has been a dream come true. I love writing about people like Devlin and Beth, who have encountered challenging times in their lives and find it difficult to let go of the past. Finding a way to forgive, heal and move on can free all of us to enjoy a happy and abundant lifeâ¦but sometimes it's just so hard to take that step. I have always found such comfort and encouragement in the following Bible verses, and if you are hurting inside, perhaps it will touch your heart, too.
“Don't worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Jesus Christ.”
âPhilippians 4:6, 7
I love to hear from readers. If you are online, you can reach me at www.roxannerustand.com or through my “All Creatures Great and Small Blog,” where authors and readers can exchange stories about their favorite
friends with feathers, fin or furâ¦and horses, too! The blog is at roxannerustand.blogspot.com. You can also e-mail me at www.roxannerustand.yahoo.com. My snail mail address is P.O. Box 2250, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403-2550.
Wishing you many blessings,
- Beth treasures her friendships with the book club members who meet at her store, and considers these women her extended family. Are you geographically close to your family? Far away? What people are you closest to emotionally, and why?
- Beth worries when she realizes that her ex-husband and her mother are going to be back in town at the same time. Do you have to deal with awkward relationships when certain friends or members of your family are together? How do you think Beth should have handled this situation?
- What were Devlin's reasons for wanting a divorce? Were they valid? Is divorce ever an appropriate option? Why or why not? Do you think his emotional issues, from what he experienced in the war in the Middle East, played a part in his reactions and decisions when back in the States?
- Devlin struggles with feeling at ease when back in his hometown. Do you think this is a common reaction for those coming home from the military? Is there a way you could ease the adjustment for someone in your own community?
- Devlin believes that God has ignored his prayers for yearsâeven his heartfelt prayers during
battle. How does God answer prayers? How has He answered yours? Were you ever surprised by a perfect answer to your prayersâan answer or solution that you hadn't even thought to ask for? - Maura has urged Beth to reveal her biggest, most painful secret to Dev. Should Maura just go ahead and tell him? Is it better to keep secrets that may cause someone pain? Does Devlin have a right to know this one?
- Frank longs to be an active, contributing member of society again, and though he has been a bachelor all of his life, he has strong feelings for Reva. Do you know of older couples who have finally found the love they've always longed for?
- Elana is frightened and wary, after her past experiences. Does your community have services for abused women like her? How might you help someone who is, or was, in Elana's situation?
- Several characters in this book are hoping for a fresh start in life, after troubling circumstances waylaid their plans. Are there community colleges or social services in your area that are designed to reeducate and then help people reenter the work force?
- Vivian was not a loving, attentive mother, but she seems to have become a different person as she
grew olderâmore giving of her time and more involved in her church. What might have spurred her to change? Can a person ever undo all of their past wrongs? Is there anything that cannot be forgiven? Vivian and Devlin were still estranged at the time of her death. How might she have handled her relationship with Devlin better in the last few years of her life? - Book club member Sophie has been widowed for ten months, and is still mourning the loss of her late husband. She notes that some people think she's had plenty of time to move on emotionally. Do you agree? How long does it take to feel “normal” again after the loss of a loved one? What can friends and family do to help? Do you think it's better to bring the subject up, so the person can have a chance to talk about her feelings, or does it just make them feel worse?
- Devlin returns to town, wanting a second chance at a relationship with Beth, and hoping to readjust to civilian life. What challenges do you think he will face in trying to do so? Since he walked away from Beth once before, do you think she can trust him to stay?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-7536-6
WINTER REUNION
Copyright © 2010 by Roxanne Rustand
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.
® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
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