The Price of Trust

by Amanda Stephan

  Joe leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "I think whatever you decide will be just fine."

  "Everything, Carly," Jed said. "A major part of this company's shares, which would keep you both nicely for the rest of your lives. All the money that's in the bank, stocks, bonds, his apartment, cars, belongings. Everything."

  Carly was silent for a while, contemplating what to do. "Not everything, Jed," she said finally, turning and walking back to Joe. "I think this is what I'll do." She took a deep breath. "I'll take my back pay and enough of the money to pay off all the medical bills, plus what it's going to cost to have this baby. I'll keep the shares of the company, stocks, and bonds. But for the rest, I don't want it. I don't want him still having a hold over me. I want this whole thing to be done and over. You take the rest that's left over and keep it for yourself. You've always been kind to me, and he's been rotten to you as well. I've seen it, so you deserve it."

  "Don't you think you're being stubborn?" Jed said, confused. "Joe. Make her listen. You both could be living the high life. You can have everything you've ever wanted, and she's just going to throw it away. Don't let her do this."

  "Don't you see, Jed?" Carly asked compassionately, taking Joe's hand in hers. "Money can't buy happiness or peace and security. All I ever wanted I've got it right here. God's already given it to me."

  The Price of Trust

  READING GROUP GUIDE

  1. In the opening chapter, we see Carly about to stall out on the expressway and she begins praying for God to take her just one more mile. What insight does this give you about Carly? Is it a reasonable assumption? Why or why not?

  2. Throughout this book, we see Carly praying often in various situations - even about little, seemingly meaningless things. Do you think this gives a taste of her relationship with God? When do you find yourself praying the most? After a difficult time or all the time?

  3. Is a prayer life important? Why or why not? Would you change your prayer life? In what way?

  4. After a time, we see Carly and Joe falling in love. Do you think this was an easy thing for Carly, or difficult? Why? Is it possible for an abused woman to overcome the pain of her past and learn to trust someone again enough to love them? How did Carly’s relationship with Christ help her with this?

  5. Why would Joe be so willing to take care of Carly and what showed you, the reader, that he was concerned for her?

  6. Billy Pruit was the typical, unsaved, from the wrong side of the tracks character. What was your first reaction to his character? Why did you feel this way? After you were finished with the book, did you feel differently about him? What made you change your mind?

  7. Joe has been hurt in an emotional way, while Carly has been hurt in a physical way. How do both these situations influence the way they handle life? In what ways are these two similar? Different? What is it about their past that bring them together?

  8. Is it believable for Billy’s character to readily accept Carly’s forgiveness? Why? What about Billy’s conversion? Is that possible and what makes you think that?

  9. Have you ever done something that someone wouldn’t forgive you for? How did that make you feel? If you could do something--anything--about it, what would it be? Does your reaction fit with Scripture?

  10. Which character did you find yourself drawn to the most? Why? The least?

  11. If you could change one thing about the book, what would it be and why?

  12. Is there anything in this book to which you personally can relate? Is there any advice or ideas you can take and apply to your own life?

  About the Author

  Amanda Stephan is a Christian romance author and homeschooling mother that enjoys life to the fullest. Her first novel, The Price of Trust, was released in May 2010, and the keys have been smoking since! She emphatically believes in happy endings, and is living her real-life fairy tale with her husband in Columbia, TN, with their children, three cats, one dog, many chickens, and tons of laughs.

  Visit Amanda Stephan:

  Website: http://www.booksbyamanda.com/

  Twitter: @amandastephan https://twitter.com/#!/amandastephan

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativehomemomma?sk=wall

  Blog: http://www.thepriceoftrust.com/

  Lonely Hearts

  By Amanda Stephan

  One lonely mother. Two matchmaking kids. Three eligible bachelors.

  What could possibly go wrong?

  When widow Becky Callis moves to a new town, her intentions were to start over in a place where she's not reminded of her dead husband. Her kids, however, take it as a chance to help her start over romantically. They soon realize it's easier to find someone to like their mother than it is to figure out which man is best for her.

  Lonely Hearts is a heartwarming story of second chances and choices, and includes an exclusive apple pie recipe!

  Available at online booksellers and at

  http://www.booksbyamanda.com

  What others are saying about

  Lonely Hearts

  This story was a delight to read and one I had a hard time putting down until I finished it. This is the second book by Amanda Stephan that I have read and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. A 'thrilled' fan.

  ~Judy Glidden, blogger of good Christian fiction

  Lonely Hearts … tugged at my heart and made me laugh and cry. I hated putting it down and wished it had continued… a beautifully written story of love, family, friendship, struggle and faith. Amanda does a wonderful job of pulling the reader into the story.

  ~ Ursula Gorman, Author of Old Acquaintances

  Author Amanda Stephan does it again! She has a wonderful way of weaving faith in the Lord, everyday life, heartache and romance into terrific stories. Lonely Hearts is uplifting and full of adventure.

  ~ Kelly Hagen, author of Jake & Jesus

  Beautifully written story about second chances at love and life. This was a clean, uplifting story that was not overly mushy like some romance stories can be. Amanda Stephan did an amazing job pulling me into the story so I was sitting on the edge of my seat as it unfolded. I will recommend this book to my friends and family.

  ~ Anastasia Watson

  I LOVED this story. Loaded with zippy dialog and great characters made for a fun and very satisfying tale. I felt happy, sad, excited, angry, and frustrated. You know a story is good when it has that effect. It's a great reminder that man looks on the outside but God looks on the heart. If you enjoy an easy-to-read, fun and entertaining story with a great message, I highly recommend Lonely Hearts.

  ~ Sherry Kuhn ~ Avid reader and Reviewer

  Amanda Stephan addresses an issue that too few authors write about—second chance at love. This book will capture your heart and like Becky’s kids, your heart will flip-flop as you embrace one bachelor then the other for Becky. This book is full of hope, anticipation, optimism, faith, and possibilities. Amanda will capture your heart from the first page with this delightful story.

  ~ Theresa Franklin, author of Journey to Fulfillment

  Just when I thought I had the story figured out, Ms. Stephan would throw in an unexpected twist, tossing a monkey wrench into her characters’ lives. If you like romance, a touch of sweet humor, and characters who face life head-on, this is the perfect book to curl up with!

  ~ Karin Kaufman, author of The Witch Tree

  For all you who love romance and a bit of humor Lonely Hearts is definitely for you!

  ~ Brenna, avid reader and book reviewer

  Enjoy this

  Lonely Hearts Preview

  A Sweet Christian Romance by Amanda Stephan

  Chapter 1

  Becky Callis was new in town, and she felt her intrusion.

  A bearded man outside the hardware store stopped sweeping, broom held in mid-air and watched them narrowly as they drove past, perhaps wondering if she were the type to plunder and loot his shop. A couple of older women that had been chatting outside a tiny florist shop sudden
ly turned to stone, their mouths gaping open, snickering about what kind of woman would be caught dead in such an old pick-up truck. Becky even imagined one of their tongues hung out.

  She repressed a giggle and waved, receiving an incredulous half-wave from one of the women, and no acknowledgement from the others.

  She hated being stared at, and tried to keep a somewhat pleasant smile pasted on her freckled face as she drove through. She could feel her fair skin literally burning with embarrassment.

  Her thirteen year old daughter, Jen, gave her a twisted frown. “Mom, what is wrong with these people?” Her pixie face turned dark red as a teenage boy waved at her. “They act like they’ve never seen strangers before.”

  Becky’s grin grew larger and more realistic as she gave a two-finger salute to the policeman leaning on his squad car with arms crossed as if daring her to go faster than the posted thirty mile an hour sign. Obediently, she stopped at the one red light the town could boast of and waited for it to turn green.

  “I guess,” she said with a shrug, watching an old man sitting outside a diner pretend to read a newspaper. He spit tobacco juice into a jar and set it down next to his chair, his bushy eyebrows making it very clear he was looking at them. “They don’t get too many newcomers here.”

  Jen grimaced and pushed her sleeping brother’s head off her shoulder onto the vinyl headrest instead. “Well that’s fine, but they don’t have to stare. Makes me feel like we’re pets in a pet shop.”

  “Or beef at a cattle auction.” Becky laughed at her discomfort, noticing that the green light flickered faintly before going completely out. She drove on at the urging of the honking car behind her before she spoke. “Oh don’t worry, they’ll get used to us and I’m pretty sure you’re going to like it here. Just think,” she said brightly, turning onto a dirt road the ratty map indicated. “We’re celebrities!”

  Jen laughed and looked out the window, taking in the country scene before her, the nosy townsfolk left behind. Large open fields of tall grass, trees lining the road, and mountains off in the distance made it a lovely scene she couldn’t find fault with.

  Becky smiled a sad, wistful smile, thankful she had her kids. In the nine lonely years following Frank’s death, she often found herself wondering how she was supposed to cope and go on as she desperately missed her ‘better half.’

  At least I’ll never forget what Frank looked like, she thought a little morosely to herself as she glanced over at Jeff.

  Tall for his eleven years, he liked his dark hair short so he wouldn’t have to mess with it, and his cherubic face hid a wealth of mischievousness and humor that always brightened her day. Especially when he looked at her with his guilty dark brown eyes as if to say he were extremely sorry for some prank he was about to pull or had pulled. Just like his father. Her heart wrenched with sadness, and she quickly turned her thoughts to another source of comfort. Jen.

  When she looked at her daughter, it was like she was looking into a mirror. Petite, sassy copper hair that loved being just a tad on the unmanageable side, her hazel eyes full of compassion and loyalty, quick to laugh and quick to cry, she promised to be a beauty when she got older. Like her mother.

  That’s what Frank had always said, Becky fought against the lump that insisted on forming in her throat as more memories of her dead husband flooded in.

  Just in time to stop a tirade of reminiscent thoughts that would have pushed her into a melancholy spirit, Jeff let out a tremendous snore and wetly smacked his lips, making them erupt into giggles as his head lolled once again onto his sister’s shoulder. She rolled her eyes, but didn’t move him.

  A few minutes later, Becky pulled into what looked like a tractor path instead of a driveway and stopped abruptly when a home came into view. “Jen, would you please check the address and see if this is the right place?” She asked solemnly, studying the old, dilapidated farm house, complete with thigh-high weeds for a lawn.

  Brittle shutters hung on by sheer will-power next to dusty, grimy windows that hadn’t seen a washcloth in years. A huge, antique antenna had fallen off the roof and now hung dejectedly by a thin wire as if for dear life and swung endlessly against the side of the house, knocking off peeling paint with every slight breeze. A rustic lean-to that served as a shed, as well as termite dessert, stood forlornly off to one side of the drive. She tried to stifle a laugh and ended up snorting instead.

  “Mom,” Jen answered doubtfully, looking at the paper in her hand. “This is the right place,” she wrinkled her nose, “but I don’t think the guy you’re renting it from told you the truth. Didn’t he say it was nice?”

  They looked over at each other and burst out laughing, waking Jeffrey out of a terrific snore storm.

  He bolted upright and rubbed his eyes, looking out the window. “Huh? What? What are you guys laughing at? Why are we stopped here?”

  “Welcome home kids,” Becky said, grinning as she pulled up alongside the drooping porch and turned off the truck.

  Jen opened her door and glanced down at the weeds. Becky could almost see her thinking about ticks and bugs getting on her. “Oh my word,” she muttered as she looked around, a dismal frown on her face. “How are we supposed to get in? Is he going to meet us here or something?”

  Jeff, always ready for an adventure, hopped out of the truck and ran to the porch. “He said he would leave the key under the mat by the front door. Come on,” he said as he ran, wanting to be there before his more cautious sister.

  Always in a hurry, he yanked on the handle of the screen door, causing the whole thing to fall right off the frame on top of him. “Uh, mom?” He hung his head in shame, embarrassed that he’d already broken something. “I think we’re going to need a new screen door.”

  “I’m pretty sure that’s not the only thing we’re going to have to work on.” Jen laughed, thankful that it had happened to him, and not her.

  “Noted,” Becky answered good-naturedly, giving him a thumbs-up. She unlatched the tailgate and smacked her hands across her jeans in an effort to erase the dust she’d accrued during their long hours of driving with the windows down.

  “Hey mom! You should see the beehive up here.” He pointed to a gigantic paper wasp hive in the corner of the porch ceiling.

  Jen jumped off the porch, squealing as Jeff picked up a stick to poke at the hive. “Jeffrey Allen! Don’t you dare!”

  “Did you find the key?” Becky called, trying to distract Jeff from the beehive.

  “You don’t need it,” he said, innocently trying to hide the stick behind his back. “The door’s open.”

  “Leave it alone,” warned Becky just as he was about to give the hive a good whack.

  “Aww,” mumbled Jeff, dropping the stick and shuffling with his hands in his pockets. “Do you have eyes in the back of your head or something?” He grumbled, stepping up next to her as she pulled some boxes toward the edge of the tailgate of her old beat-up Chevy.

  “Here,” she said, handing him a smaller box. “Why don’t you two help me and take some of these boxes in the house. And no, I don’t have eyes in the back of my head. I just know you awfully well.” She smiled indulgently at him, ruffling his thick hair.

  Jen grabbed a box and started hauling it to the porch. “Too bad we sold our mower. Maybe we should get a cow!” Hopefully, she looked back at her mother.

  “What’s the matter? Don’t you like the grass?” Becky laughed as she pushed more boxes near the end of the truck making it easier for the kids to grab them.

  “Grass?” Jeff asked dubiously, struggling with his load. “If it were any taller, it would be over my head!”

  Sensing an opportunity to pick on her brother, Jen blurted, “What do you mean, ‘would be’? It already is.” Somewhat sensitive about his size, he glared ferociously at her and she stifled any more comments she might have had.

  “Come on,” Becky said repressing a grin as she slapped him on the back. “Let’s all get along now. We’ve got a lot of work to do, a
nd I’m going to need lots of help. Here,” she handed a box of cleaning supplies to Jen, and a broom and mop to Jeff. “Please take these into the kitchen.”

  They did as they were told, quietly quarreling amongst themselves as they left her to stack things on the porch. Becky was just setting down another load when she heard a loud crash and screams coming from the kitchen. Immediately dropping everything and with her heart in her throat, she raced into the house expecting something terrible. A large box of pots and pans lay ominously in the middle of the tiny kitchen and several lids had rolled over toward the antique refrigerator. This had obviously been the loud crash she had heard outside. Nudging the upset box with her toe, she wondered momentarily if a large poisonous spider had hitched a ride from their previous home and had scared them.

  Looking wildly around the kitchen, she was surprised to see both kids standing on the chipped white Formica counter, their faces white with terror. “What is it?”

  Jen pointed to the small utility closet at the end of the room while she clutched Jeff’s arm with the other. “There’s an animal in there!” She said, shuddering with horror. “I think it’s a huge rat.”

  “Of all the things we have to have in the house, it’s got to be a rat.” Becky said shuddering convulsively, her lips stretched in a thin line. She hated rats and mice more than anything, and was always disgusted whenever she had to deal with them for some reason or other.

  Cautiously, she grabbed a broom and tiptoed to the door, listening intently for any sound inside. Jeff shrugged off his sister’s hand and lightly jumped down off the counter, interested in seeing for himself what was in the closet.