Mother's Promise (48 page)

Justin couldn't seem to control the grin of pure joy that spread across his face. “Yeah.”

Just like his mom had promised.

  1. What is Rachel's promise to Justin?

  2. Why does she feel such a promise is needed?

  3. How does she try to keep her promise in the early days after she and Justin arrive in Florida?

  4. Twelve-year-old Justin and twelve-year-old Sally are struggling with different challenges—how does each face those challenges and deal with them as the story progresses?

  5. What are your impressions of Darcy Meekins and how her story develops?

  6. What role does faith play in the romance between Rachel and Ben—how does it keep them apart and how does it bring them together?

  7. How does Rachel's daring rescue of the boy trapped underground change her relationship with Justin?

  8. Almost all of the main adult characters are struggling with the choices they are making for themselves in terms of their careers and their personal lives—how do each of them (Rachel, Ben, Darcy and Zeke) meet those challenges?

  9. One of the underlying themes of the book is the impact bullying can have. Other than Derek, who else in the story might be identified as a bully in certain situations and what are those situations?

10. Does Rachel truly live up to the promise she made to Justin after his father died and she decided to move them to Florida? If so, how, and if not, why not?

A
NNA
S
CHMIDT
is the author of over twenty works of fiction. Among her many honors, Anna is the recipient of
Romantic Times
' Reviewer's Choice Award and a finalist for the RITA award for romantic fiction. She enjoys gardening and collecting seashells at her winter home in Florida.

A STRANGER'S GIFT

A horrific hurricane has devastated the area of Sarasota, Florida. Enter Hester Detlef, a field director for the Mennonite Disaster Service, who has dedicated her life to helping others. Will this Old Order Mennonite find love amid the debris? Having refused to evacuate his cluster of beach cottages at the onset of the hurricane, former Amish man John Hafner now finds himself homeless, jobless, faithless, and badly injured. Will his limited patience for a Mennonite do-gooder keep him from accepting the help he so desperately needs? Or will Hester find a way to restore his faith, love, and livelihood?

A SISTER'S FORGIVENESS

Sisters Emma and Jeannie are best friends, as are their teenage daughters Sadie and Tessa. But when a tragic accident results in Tessa's death—and Sadie is to blame-both families reel from grief and loss. Can they find a way from heartbreak to forgiveness?

Available wherever Christian books are sold.