Now that you have read Unforgiving, consider the following discussion questions.
1. Although he didn’t love her, Joel initially decided to stay with Zarah because she was pregnant. Do you think that was the right decision? Why or why not?
2. Joel has established quite a track record, one lined with an abundance of successes and failures. He seems to be serious about restoring his relationship with God and turning away from his pursuit of power and fame. Do you believe his commitment to change is sincere?
3. At times, members of the Mitchell family are out of control. Based only on Unforgiving, which Mitchell would benefit the most from psychological therapy? Tamara, Madeline, Zarah, Sherry, or Joel?
4. Is Joel and Sheba’s relationship finally over, or will he find a way to maintain their “unconventional friendship”? If you believe they’re truly platonic friends, is it okay for them to stay in contact? Throughout the series, did you ever think that Joel and Sheba’s relationship would get serious? Why or why not?
5. Who do you think will get married (in the church) first? Don or Joel? Why?
6. Is it realistic for Joel to believe that Zarah’s love for him is so strong that she will truly be able to walk away from her religion and accept Christianity? How long will her conversion last?
7. Although intent on getting Joel appointed as CEO, Madeline actually had five options for filling the CEO position: herself, Abigail, Joel, Tamara, and outside candidates. Who was your choice to replace Don and why?
8. Who’s your favorite character and why? (Note: base your answer on any title in the series.)
9. As the Mitchell family drama series winds down (or so we think), what do you believe is going to happen to each character? You probably have your own list of scenarios to ponder. If not, here are some questions to consider. Do you see Don actually getting married? Will the hold that the Mitchells have on Abigail draw her back to DMI? Will the company fall apart again under Joel’s watch, and will Don be forced to come back yet again? Will Joel get involved with Uncle Frank’s shady dealings when financial decisions don’t go his way at DMI?
10. It’s quite a feat to have the Mitchell clan on a twenty-hour flight together. Do you think they will still be thrilled and happy when they arrive in South Africa, or will old wounds cause someone to act out on the plane and plunge the trip into disaster?
11. Will Madeline or Sherry remarry? If so, to what kind of guy(s)?
12. Let’s say the Mitchell family drama series is being made into a movie, and you are the casting director. Who would you select to play Madeline, Sherry, Don, Joel, Abigail, Zarah, and Tamara?
13. At the core of the Mitchell family’s discord is an unwillingness to forgive. Regardless of how much money, power, and influence they possess, it doesn’t help them fix their family issues. Don understands the freedom that comes from forgiveness early in the series. It looks like others have finally come around too. How about you? Is there anyone you are estranged from or have been unwilling to forgive? Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you endorse their betrayal, hurtfulness, or violation. Forgiveness means that you are no longer willing to let that infraction provoke a negative reaction from you. Forgiveness is liberating, and it’s the best gift you can give to yourself, as well as to someone else.
Note: The Mitchell family drama is loosely based on the story of a mighty biblical warrior, King David, who had God’s unprecedented favor and a profound purpose. However, King David was also plagued with family problems, personal failures, and sinful mistakes. Because he was able to forgive himself and those who had wronged him as well as go the extra step of forgetting (letting go of) the pain, the anguish, and the bitterness associated with mistakes of the past, he was at peace regardless of what was going on around him.
Acknowledgments
God is good, and His mercy endures forever. I thank Him for the opportunity to write and touch the lives of so many wonderful readers. I sincerely hope you found Unforgiving and the entire Mitchell family drama series entertaining, funny, insightful, and thought provoking.
In addition to my readers, I must thank my beautiful, comical, and incredibly talented daughter, T.J.; Deacon Earl Rome, Jeraldine Glass, Bethany Tenner, Gracie Hill, Mom Dottie Fisher, and Frances Walker. Many thanks and much love to my dear friends, spiritual parents, church family, god sisters/brothers, goddaughters, and the rest of my loving family (Haley, Glass, Tennin, and Moorman). I also take this opportunity to honor the memories of my beloved Aunt Lela Haley Dockery, Uncle Jim Haley, Uncle Bill Walker, and Aunt Vera Ford in their recent passing. Love never dies.
Thank you to my Delta Sigma Theta Sorority sisters, especially my chapter, Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates (Illinois), Valley Forge alumnae (Pennsylvania), and my home church, World Overcomers-Encounters (Illinois) with Pastors Jim & Joni DePalma. Special thanks to my editor, Joylynn Ross; the Urban Christian team, Andrew Stuart, Shirley Brockenborough, Dale-Lee Shape; the ladies of Circle of Hope-Jones Memorial (Pennsylvania) and First African–Sharon Hill (Pennsylvania). I’m grateful to all readers. However, I must acknowledge my 90+ year old supporters who got caught up in the series and had very distinctive opinions about the characters: Dear Washington (IL), Ellen Wilson (OH), Ms. Christine Vailes (Mischelle’s grandmother in D.C.), and Minnie Hamilton (IL). Much love to my prayer warriors, a long list of book clubs, media venues, booksellers, ministries, and Sirius Web Solutions.
There’s no way I could list all my supporters by name. So, I will simply say thank you to everyone else who has helped me in this incredible literary journey. I pray that the Lord blesses each of you for your kindness and generosity.
P.S. Congratulations to my very special niece, Azhalaun Haley, on her high school graduation in Illinois. Enjoy your college years. May God’s blessings and favor always be with you. Congrats to my oldest nephew, Fredrick Haley II on his graduation in Arkansas. Happy Birthday to my many loved ones in the 80 years old and over club: John (Emma) Foots, Sr., Don and Mary Bartel, Lorena Skelton, Uncle Charlie (Mary) Beasley, and Aunt Vernell Tennin. Much love and many blessings to Will, and my girl, Kimberla Lawson Roby, as they celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. May you enjoy many more happy and healthy years together.
Author’s Note
Dear Readers:
Thank you for reading Unforgiving. I hope you found this addition to the Mitchell family drama series as entertaining as Anointed, Betrayed, Chosen, Destined, Broken, and Humbled. Look for Relentless, the first installment in Redeemed, my exciting new faith-based drama series, and coauthored with the dynamic Gracie Hill.
I look forward to you joining my mailing list, dropping me a note, or posting a message on my Web site. You can also friend me on Facebook, at Patricia Haley-Glass, or like my Author Patricia Haley fan page.
As always, thank you for the support. Keep reading, and be blessed.
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Unforgiving Copyright © 2015 Patricia Haley
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
ISBN: 978-1-6016-2695-0
First Trade Paperback Printing April 2015
This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.
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