Her laugh was a melody to his ears. Ryan could listen to her laugh all day. “Jackson said you would. He said if he died, you’d come with money. Blood money to ease your guilt.”
Ryan’s eyes widened. “Well, you and Jackson were wrong. I came to—”
“Please leave,” she said. “I don’t want your money. Keep your millions and wallow in it. It won’t bring Jackson back.”
“How about my heart? Can I give you that?”
Ryan could have slit his tongue at his corny words. Who said that to a virtual stranger? Apparently buffoons like I do.
Megan’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Leave now, Mr. Oakes, before I change my mind and call the cops.”
Ryan’s heart spoke. He held his hand out to her. “Marry me.”
“You’re insane,” Megan said, before slipping behind the door and slamming it in Ryan’s face.
Ryan walked away moaning. God had gotten him good. There was no way Megan would want the man she believed responsible for killing her husband. He tapped his chin. Or could she? Megan had said he was good looking. Granted it was a backhanded compliment, but it was a start.
Ryan hadn’t gotten where he was without being a risk taker. He made up his mind. He would marry Megan Higgins. Two weeks should be enough time for her to see things his way.
Ryan whistled all the way to the Lincoln. Once inside, he tore the check into small pieces. Megan didn’t need his money. She needed him. He would use all the resources at his disposal to make sure that happened.
He smiled.
Megan Higgins would be his.
His bride.
By any means necessary.
Reading Guide Questions
1. My Soul Then Sings is a tale of many secrets. Consider how the secrets unfolded between Ryan and Patricia. Was their marriage really built on love? Is there a chance for recovery?
2. Ryan struggled with his secret for years and came clean only because of the circumstances. Do you think there are some secrets not worth telling? Tell why or why not.
3. Brian and Karlie were best friends dating other people. Do you think it is possible for men and women to be just friends? Tell why or why not.
4. Jamaal’s faith wavered as he got older and his body craved intercourse. How can you counsel young couples battling lust and strong sexual temptation?
5. Karlie debated if she should give in to Jamaal to keep him from cheating on her. However, her love for God and her principles won over her fleshly desires. What counsel can you give other young women who are in this situation? Can you hold onto God and your man if he is pressuring you for sex? If he loved you, would he pressure you?
6. Karlie and Brian were friends for years before their love developed. Describe the importance of friendship in a relationship. Which is more important for a foundation for marriage: friendship or attraction?
7. Many of the characters had difficulty maintaining their faith when faced with life’s struggles. They often sought their own solutions. What practical advice can you give to keep our faith rooted and grounded in God?
8. Patricia admitted she was a sex addict. Do you believe this is a real addiction or just an excuse to sleep around? Tell why or why not.
9. Should Ryan have stuck by Patricia’s side after her admission, or does he have a legitimate reason to divorce his wife? In your opinion, are there ever good grounds for divorce in Christian marriages?
10. Patricia made a pass at Pastor Ward—oh yeah, let’s talk about that move. Discuss Pastor Ward’s actions following her bold behavior. Did you believe her reasons or was she lying to justify her actions? Do we sometimes develop inappropriate crushes on our ministers because of our pain? What suggestions can you give ministers to keep them from women’s advances?
11. Read the parable of the Sower and the Seed. Do you see Brian’s interpretation of the scripture? Is there hope for seeds that fall on places other than on good ground?
12. Brian was the seed that fell on good ground. Discuss his transformation from the beginning of the story to when he opened his heart to Christ. What role did Karlie play in his path to Christ?
13. Brian had psoriasis, a debilitating disease. He did not receive healing for this, but God healed his heart. What scripture or words of encouragement can we give Brian as a new believer to prepare him for when his next outbreak occurs?
About the Author
Michelle Lindo-Rice enjoys crafting women’s fiction with themes centered around the four “F” words: Faith, Friendship, Family, and Forgiveness. Her first published work, Sing A New Song, was a Black Expressions-featured selection. My Steps Are Ordered made the African American Literature Book Club bestselling list for the months of May/June and July/August 2014. My Steps Are Ordered was also #1 in UBAWA’s 2014 Top 100 list. The Fall of the Prodigal made #2 on Black Christian Reads Fiction List for March 2015. Michelle is proud to be a nominee for the 2015 Christian Fiction Author award by the African Americans on the Move Book Club.
When she is not writing, Michelle enjoys singing, reading and spending time with her two teenaged sons.
For more information about her other books or to leave an encouraging word, you can reach Michelle online at Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter @mlindorice, Pinterest, and Google+. To learn more about her books, please join her mailing list at www.michellelindorice.com.
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My Soul Then Sings: Book Two of the Song of the Heart Series Copyright © 2015 Michelle Lindo-Rice
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: 978-1-6228-6812-4
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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