If you’re a member of a Book Group, I’d love to provide materials to help your group in a discussion of my Amish books. E-mail me at marta@martaperry.com, and I’ll be happy to send you copies of my discussion guide for book clubs, as well as signed bookmarks and copies of my brochure of Pennsylvania Dutch recipes.

1. After her fiancé weds her best friend, Katie Miller decides to open a quilt shop in Pleasant Valley, near her cousins, where she won’t be constantly reminded of her loss. Did you understand Katie’s reasons for making the change? Did you think she was running away?

2. Have you ever felt betrayed by someone you loved? How did you handle it? What helped you deal with the betrayal?

3. Katie longs for a shop of her own after working with her mother for so long. Did you understand why she would want to set up on her own?

4. Katie is shocked and a little dismayed that her parents expect her to take on the care of her teenage sister, Rhoda. Do you feel the parents did the right thing by sending Rhoda to live with Katie after her problems with her rumspringa?

5. Caleb Brand is less than thrilled to have a quilt shop occupying the space next to his store. Did you understand his reasons?

6. Do you think the bishop might have had several reasons for thinking that Katie’s shop and Caleb’s would be a good match? Might he have been trying to involve Caleb with the community again?

7. Katie’s relationship with her teenage sister is a difficult one. Which of them did you empathize with the most? Did you understand why Katie felt overwhelmed at times?

8. Did it surprise you to find that Amish teenagers have some of the same rebellious feelings as teenagers in the outside world? Why or why not?

9. Do you think the Amish are wise to allow their teenagers to experience the freedom they do in rumspringa? What are the dangers? What might be the dangers of not allowing it?

10. Katie’s natural energy and enthusiasm found an outlet in working with other merchants to promote the town. Did it surprise you to find that many Amish are businesspeople? What were the varying reactions to their promotion efforts?

11. Katie is nearly cheated by the Englisch dealer, when Caleb intercedes to warn her. Sometimes outsiders think that the Amish will be easy marks because they are perceived as being less well-educated. How do you suppose the Amish might protect themselves from these people?

12. Katie’s relationship with her sister goes through several transitions during their time together. Do you see any of your relationships with teenagers reflected in Katie’s experience? What qualities did Katie have that allowed her to establish a good, strong relationship with her sister?

13. It can sometimes be difficult for Amish people to compete with other businesses which have the advantage of internet advertising, use of computers, etc. Do you think that the quality of their work is a sufficient balance to the disadvantages of their way of life? Have you ever purchased Amish-made goods for that reason?

14. When the vandal strikes Katie’s and Caleb’s shops, that terrible event pushes them to face their deepest feelings. What are some times in relationships that bring out deep emotions? How can couples grow through these experiences?

15. Do you think that Katie and Caleb are well-matched? What qualities do they have that make you feel their relationship will last?

1. Midwife Sarah Mast decides to start life over again in a new community. Moving is a common thing in English society, but relatively unusual for the Amish. Did you understand Sarah’s reasons for taking such a step? Did you think they were sound?

2. Have you ever moved to a new community? Who or what made you feel the most welcome and at home?

3. Who or what made Sarah feel at home in Pleasant Valley? Why?

4. Sarah is both shocked and in denial about the changes in her aunt. Have you ever encountered someone you haven’t seen in a while and been shocked by how he or she has aged? Did you have a similar or different reaction?

5. Aaron’s hostility to the midwife practice takes Sarah by surprise, and she has difficulty understanding it. Have you ever experienced the discovery that someone you know has a radically different opinion on something important to you? How can a friendship survive such a situation?

6. When Sarah learns about the death of Aaron’s mother and his blaming her aunt, she immediately wants to “fix” the problem, as people with nurturing personalities often do. How did her aunt and Aaron respond to Sarah’s efforts? Did they think she was interfering? What might she have done?

7. Aaron’s relationship with his teenage brother, Benjamin, is a difficult one. Which of them did you empathize with the most? Did you understand Sarah’s longing to help them?

8. Did it surprise you to find that Amish teenagers have some of the same rebellious feelings as teenagers in the outside world? Why or why not?

9. Do you think the Amish are wise to allow their teenagers to experience the freedom they do in rumspringa? What are the dangers? What might be the dangers of not allowing it?

10. Sarah experiences varying reactions to midwifery during her career, from physicians who welcome her assistance to those who want to put her out of business. The court case was based in part on an actual case involving a midwife to the Amish in Pennsylvania. Why do you suppose some health care professionals are opposed to Amish midwives? Do you see a value in physicians and midwives working together?

11. Have you or someone you know experienced a midwife-assisted birth? What were your opinions of it?

12. Sarah’s relationship with her aunt goes through several transitions during Sarah’s first months in the practice. Do you see any of your relationships with older people or younger people reflected in Sarah’s experience? How? What qualities should people strive for when seeking the best relationships between generations?

13. It is not an easy thing for Amish people to take a stand on political or legal issues because of their history and beliefs. For the Amish of Pleasant Valley, showing their silent support of their midwife was a serious decision. Did you understand why they did that? Were you surprised that other groups would join them?

14. The birth of Molly’s baby is a crucial point in the relationship between Sarah and Aaron, when they are forced to face their deepest feelings. What are some times in the life of a family that bring out deep emotions? How can families grow through these experiences?

15. Do you think that Sarah will find comfort for her childless state in her clients and their babies? Or do you think this might make it more difficult for her as she and Aaron begin their married lives?

December, 2010, HQN Books

 SCRIPTURE VERSE:

The course of the righteous is like morning light, growing brighter until it is broad day; but the ways of the wicked are like darkness at night, and they do not know what has been their downfall.  Proverbs 4:18-19

1. Can you understand why Trey was troubled by the doubts about his relationship with his father after his father’s suicide? What else could he have done to resolve those feelings?

2. Trey was raised to take responsibility in every situation. Is that always a good reaction? Can you think of a time in which that might backfire on a person?

3. Jessica struggles with to live up to the expectations her father has of her. Has this ever happened to you? How do you sort out God’s calling from the demands of others?

4. Jessica thinks that her father was unable to love her because of his grief over her mother’s death. Is there a right or wrong way to grieve?

5. Jessica drifted away from faith during her college years. Have you ever experienced that? If so, how did you come back to God?

6. The scripture verse for this story reminds of God’s care for the righteous. Sometimes we find it difficult to do that when the world seems filled with guilty people who flourish. How do you reconcile those things?

7. Jessica finds her situation difficult, but she perseveres for the sake of her client. Have you ever found you’re able to do things for others that you couldn’t for yourself?

8. Why do you think Trey was so antagonistic to Jessica at first? What was he afraid of? Did you understand his feelings, even if you didn’t agree?

9. Thomas is completely lost and vulnerable when he’s caught up in the law. How was he supported?

10. Many people in the community expressed anger and resentment toward the Amish. Why do you think that was the case? How hard is it to be fair to people who are different from you?

11. Bobby reacted hostilely to Trey’s kindness when they were in high school. Why do you suppose he did that? Should a hostile response prevent us from doing what is right in God’s sight?

12. Jessica begins to realize that in the bad times, all she has to cling to is God. Do you think God can use the difficulties we encounter to help us to turn him? Has that ever happened to you?

13. Which character in the story did you feel was living the most Christ-like life? Why?

14. How did you feel about the glimpses of Amish culture in the story? Did it make you interested in learning more?

15. In the end, Jessica and Trey were able to find the truth about the crime. How did their reliance on God help them?

Can you understand the difficulty Rachel has in facing life without her husband? Have you ever struggled to deal with a major life change like this? If so, how did God and other people help you? 

Rachel finds herself hating to see Gideon because he reminds her too much of her husband’s death. Do you feel this reaction is part of her grieving process? How?

Rachel realizes that everyone around her has a different opinion as to what she should do. Has this ever happened to you? How did you deal with it?

The doubts Rachel feels about her ability to raise her children without her husband troubles her. Have you ever doubted your ability as a parent? Has God, or other people, helped you to gain insight?

Gideon is in despair because he survived when people he loved died. How do people deal with this kind of tragedy?

The scripture verse for this story has always seemed a difficult one to me, tying God’s forgiveness of us to our forgiveness of others. The Amish exemplify this, particularly in their reaction to the Amish school shootings and their forgiveness of the shooter. Do you ever have difficulty in forgiving? How do you cope with that?