Book Club Information | Recommended Reading | Subscribe to Mailing List | Author News

Reading Discussions

Behold the Dawn
View Book Information | Buy Now | Printable Version

1. What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story?

2. What specific themes did the author emphasize throughout the novel? What do you think she is trying to get across to the reader?

3. In what ways do the events in the book reveal the author's world view?

4. Early in the story, Annan tells Gethin, "All men put their backs to the past. We cannot turn about and live it again." Do you agree? Is this view proven right or wrong by the end of the book?

5. Was King Richard justified in killing the prisoners of Acre when Saladin was late in paying the ransom?

6. How did Lady Mairead feel when she had to marry Annan? How would you feel in her situation?

7. When Mairead wants to name the gray courser, Annan tells her he doesn't name his animals. She asks him why. What is the significance of his response? What is the unspoken message when he later tells her to name the horse?

8. Fire is used throughout the book in connection to Annan; hawks and birds of prey are used in connection to Gethin the Baptist. What does this use of symbology tell you about each of these men?

9. Annan refers to his "misguided sense of compassion that was forever entangling him with the dregs of mankind." How is this compassion evident in his actions? Do you think it was incompatible with his more ruthless behavior?

10. Mairead eventually learns to love Annan. Was there one event that caused her to see him in a new light or several things combined? Explain your answer.

11. At the beginning of the book, Annan has little purpose in life except to fight in the tourneys and one day be killed in them. Does he achieve a different purpose over the course of the book? How does Mairead influence this?

12. Why does Marek follow Annan to Jaffa to rescue Mairead, even after Annan warned him stay with Brother Warin and Lady Eloise?

13. How do the characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? What events trigger such changes?

A Man Called Outlaw
View Book Information | Buy Now | Printable Version

1. Why does Shane feel so indebted to Wilcock, even though he knows Wilcock's actions are wrong?

2. What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story?

3. Anna refuses to sell her ranch, even though she knows she has no way of maintaining it by herself. What keeps her from submitting to Wilcock?

4. In the beginning of the story, when Andrew buys the Sundally Ranch, why is he unafraid of Wilcock, even though he's seen what Wilcock has done to Walt Ford and his wife?

5. Andrew is thrilled to learn of Celeste's pregnancy, but he's worried that his past as a bounty hunter makes him unfit to be a good father. Are his fears justified?

6. Wilcock wants Shane to marry his daughter, but Shane refuses. What are their individual reasons for doing so?

7. After Wilcock's men attempt to steal the Sundally cattle, Lane and Èmile want to retaliate against Wilcock, but Andrew talks them out of it. Was Andrew right to do so?

8. The book features two timelines, one in 1858-59 and one in 1887. How do the conflicts in these two timelines mirror each other? How are they different?

9. Even though Jim and Paul Morrelay's father died when they were very young, how do you think their lifestyles were influenced by his choices?

10. After Paul accosts her and Shane intervenes, Anna tells Shane that she doesn't want to see him again, even though she still loves him. Why do you think she sent him away?

11. In the end, Shane has to make a choice between hurting someone he loves and doing what he believes is right. Have you ever had to make a similar choice? What did you choose? Do you think Shane made the right choice?

12. What specific themes did the author emphasize throughout the novel? What do you think she is trying to get across to the reader?

13. How do the characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? What events trigger such changes?

For Book Club Members

Exclusive discount rates are available for book club bulk orders. Learn more.