I hope that if you are struggling with something in your life, like Ross and Sugar, you will trust God, and know that He will not leave you or forsake you. As God has been in my life and in the lives of my characters, so is God with you all the way, and in His perfect timing, you will be able to see clearly.
I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at PO Box 1125, Madisonville, Texas, 77864; through my Web site, debraclopton.com; or through the Steeple Hill offices. Check out my new blog for up-to-date things happening in my life and my books at debraclopton.blogspot.com.
God bless you, and until we see each other again, live, laugh and seek God with all your heart.
P.S. I hope you join me in early 2009 as the sparks continue in Mule Hollow. That’s when Texas Ranger Zane Cantrell comes to town and brings someone’s secret past with him!
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. The Mule Hollow series is written with a sense of community as its core. In THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE, Sugar Rae had never felt a sense of belonging or responsibility to a community before. How do you feel about your community? Do you get involved? How about with your local church?
2. Sugar was so determined and single-minded in her quest to achieve her dream that she was afraid to fail. How did she handle that fear once she confronted it?
3. Do you have a dream that you’ve struggled with? Do you believe God would give you a deep desire and then ask you to lay it down at His feet as your sacrifice?
4. Sugar got so caught up in reaching her dream that she sometimes forgot to live life in the now. Do you have balance in your life between living for today and preparing for tomorrow? What does the Bible say about this?
5. Sugar Rae had valid reasons for being convinced she was supposed to be an actress. How has your past influenced your dreams?
6. How about Sugar’s family—do you believe they acted badly in supporting her dream early on and then pulling back? Why do you think they did this?
7. Why did Ross not want to have anything to do with Sugar’s production? Do you think he had valid reasons?
8. Sugar was convinced God had put her dream of being an actress in her heart, and when she couldn’t reach it, she became frustrated at the Lord. In your own life have you ever felt this way? Some people believe you should never question the Lord. What are your thoughts?
9. The pastor pointed out to Ross that his life in the entertainment industry might have been only the preparation for this moment when he had the chance to step up and help Sugar attain her dreams. What do you think about this, both in the book and as it pertains to life as you’ve seen it?
10. Sugar wasn’t one to totally immerse herself in the word, but on a day-to-day basis she had an ongoing dialogue with the Lord. He was always a variable in her life, whether she was upset, happy or struggling to understand. How would you define her relationship with God? Was it a healthy one? Do you find that when you struggle you are brought closer to the Lord?
11. At the volleyball game, Lacy told Sugar that she knew Sugar could be famous. But then she said, “Or maybe God has prepared you for a different kind of fame.” What do you think Lacy meant? Do you believe God gave Sugar her dream so that it would lead her to Mule Hollow?
12. Sugar understood that Lacy had a missionary’s heart, but she hadn’t ever realized that she could use her talent in a similar manner until she encouraged Stacy to read the part in the play. Do you have abilities that you could use to show others God’s love? How could you do this?
13. Sugar realized that Ross was right that she was living life always for tomorrow and never for today. How do you think they will handle life in their future?
14. Ross thought if he loved Sugar, he had to let her go to achieve her dream—but then he decided differently, and spoke up. Do you think he shouldn’t have? Was he right in putting his feelings on the table? His choice would require some compromise on both parts. What do you think about that?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-1970-4
THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE
Copyright © 2008 by Debra Clopton
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.
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