SB03 - The Defender's Duty Read online

  “Of course.” She threw herself into his arms hugging him close, so thankful for the gift God had given her. A new life. A fresh start. A chance to replace the scars with memories. Good ones.

  “I guess this means I’m going to have to move her suitcases all the way back to my place.” Morgan sighed heavily, and Jude smiled in her direction, not loosening his hold on Lacey.

  “Lacey is going to stay here until we get married. I’m going to keep bunking at my brother’s place.”

  “So let’s make sure this marriage happens quickly.” Grayson stepped into the room, smiling, his arm around his new wife.

  “It will if I have anything to do with it.” Jude pulled Lacey close, kissed her deeply. In front of his family. Her family. In their home. A place she’d never thought she’d have. With people she’d never have imagined she’d feel so close to.

  She smiled up into Jude’s eyes, glanced around the room at all the people who had become so dear to her. “How does next month sound?”

  “Next month sounds perfect.” He kissed her again, the sound of his brothers’ and sister’s laughter filling the room, drowning out the voices from the past until there was nothing left but that moment and the beautiful gift of family God had given her.

  Dear Reader,

  When I began writing Jude Sinclair’s story, family was in the forefront of my mind. No matter who we are, the things we learned as children set the cornerstone of who we are today. Despite many years spent living life on his own terms, Jude has never forgotten the values he was raised with. As he struggles to come to terms with his physical limitations, he must revisit his childhood, reassess his dreams and goals and make choices about the way he will live the rest of his life. Despite knowing this, it isn’t until he meets Lacey Carmichael that he begins to realize how his choices have impacted his relationships with the people who love him most. Only by realizing this can he move forward into the plans God has for his life.

  I hope you enjoy Jude’s story and that reading it reminds you of the things we should all value most—faith, family and friends.

  I love to hear from my readers. You can visit me at: shirleemccoy.com

  Or drop me a line at [email protected].

  Many blessings,

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  Years ago, Jude made a decision to move hundreds of miles away from his family. What led him to make that choice?

  How did leaving change his life?

  Does he view those changes as good changes? Why or why not?

  It is obvious that Jude loves his family, but his need for independence and his desire to live life on his own terms was more important to him than maintaining close ties to them. Does he still feel this way when The Defender’s Duty begins?

  What are Jude’s first impressions of Lacey?

  How accurate are those impressions?

  It is easy to judge others based on first impressions, but the Bible makes it clear that what we see is not necessarily the entire picture of who a person is. Can you think of a time when you’ve made quick judgments of a person based on a first meeting but have later had to reassess your ideas?

  The underlying theme in this book revolves around the past and the way it shapes us. Lacey and Jude had very different childhoods. How do those differences make it difficult for them to trust each other?

  The road has never been easy for Lacey. Her life has been filled with trials. How does she maintain a tender spirit and positive attitude despite what she’s been through?

  Lacey has left the ugliness of her past behind, but it is still part of who she is. How did her childhood shape her?

  Adversity can make us bitter or it can make us stronger. Lacey has chosen to become stronger because of it. She clings to her faith, but she has a much more difficult time clinging to others. How does this impact her relationship with Jude?

  It is human nature to want to forget things that hurt us, but forgetting doesn’t always mean moving on. What does the Bible teach about living life after we’ve been hurt?

  Has Lacey truly forgiven those who have hurt her?

  In Isaiah 43, God calls Israel to forget the past and to focus on what He is doing in the present. What things in your past do you think God is exhorting you to let go of? How will doing that allow you to move forward into what God has planned for you now?

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-3314-4

  THE DEFENDER’S DUTY

  Copyright © 2009 by Shirlee McCoy

  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.

  ® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

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  *The Sinclair Brothers

  *The Sinclair Brothers

  *The Sinclair Brothers