A Thread of Truth (34 page)

Dear Reading Friend,

Thank you for joining me on this armchair journey to New Bern. If this is your first visit, I hope you enjoyed getting to know Evelyn, Ivy, Abigail, Margot, Liza, and the rest of the Cobbled Court characters and will search out the first book in the series,
A Single Thread
. If you've read both books and are anxious for more, you won't have long to wait. The third Cobbled Court novel is set for release in the summer of 2010.

In the meantime, I hope that you will drop by my website, www.mariebostwick.com. You can check out my blog, send me a note (I always love hearing from readers), read excerpts from all five of my novels, or check out my calendar to see if I might be coming to visit your area. If you register as a “Reading Friend,” you'll also be entered in my monthly Readers' Contest, be able to post in the forum, receive my seasonal newsletter and personal invitations for appearances in your area, and have access to special content available only to registered Reading Friends, including the free downloadable pattern for the “Broken Hearts Mending” quilt that was featured in
A Single Thread
.

If you don't have access to a computer or, like me, you still enjoy the pleasure of letter writing, you can write to me at the following address:

Marie Bostwick

PO Box 488

Thomaston, CT 06787

Again, thank you for visiting New Bern. I hope you had as much fun reading this book as I had writing it and that you'll be back soon.

Blessings,

Marie Bostwick

A READING GROUP GUIDE

A THREAD OF TRUTH

 

Marie Bostwick

 

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

The following questions are intended to
enhance your group's reading of
A THREAD OF TRUTH.

1. An avid quilter, Marie Bostwick has been known to turn to quilting when working through tough life issues—not unlike the women in
   A Thread of Truth
   . What is it about working with one's hands that cultivates a sense of serenity? Can you recall a time when quilting, knitting, or some other handiwork helped you through a tough time?
   
2. Evelyn Dixon has built more than a successful small business in Cobbled Court Quilts—she's created a community of quilters. How did she accomplish this? What are the pluses and minuses of approaching staff and employees like an extended family? Does it work for Evelyn? What does she gain? What price does she pay?
   
3. One of the first people Ivy Peterman meets in New Bern is Abigail Burgess Wynne, and Ivy immediately is both dismayed by Abigail's refined intimidation skills and touched by Abigail's insistence that a place be found for Ivy and her two children at the women's shelter. Does Abigail's power come solely from being the richest woman in New Bern? If not, to what can one attribute her confidence? Would you welcome a friend like Abigail? What would it take to incorporate such a personality into your circle of friends? Is it fair that Abigail's wealth and power make it possible for her to get her way, even in the name of a good cause?
   
4. The specter of domestic violence forms the underpinning of Marie Bostwick's plot in
   A Thread of Truth
   . What moment in the story best captures the fear and helplessness Ivy feels about her situation? How else does Bostwick convey the reality of being a mother on the run from an abusive husband?
   
5. According to a 2005 CDC survey, one in four American women have been abused by a husband or boyfriend—and on average more than three women are murdered by their husband or boyfriend every day. What would you do if you thought someone you knew was being abused by a significant other? To whom would you turn if it happened to you?
   
6. The most dangerous time for a woman being abused is when she tries to leave someone. Does that explain why Ivy is less than forthcoming with the details of her life? Does that justify lying to her boss? To her caseworker at the shelter? Where would someone in your community go if she was trying to escape from an abusive spouse?
   
7. In
   A Thread of Truth
   , Ivy presents herself to the shelter intake worker as “poor, powerless, and poorly educated,” counting on the stereotype of victims of domestic violence to quell any doubts the woman might have about her. Yet studies show abuse happens in all kinds of families and relationships, and persons of any class, culture, religion, sexual orientation, age, and sex can be victims—or perpetrators—of domestic violence. Why do such stereotypes endure? What would it take to change them?
   
8. What do you think about Ivy's reluctance to come clean with her new friends about her past? Is her reluctance reasonable? Or does it contribute to her problems? Why are people so reluctant to share the less-than-perfect aspects of their lives with others? With whom do you share your unvarnished truth?
   
9. Many people hesitate to delve too deeply into the lives of those around them, yet the 2004 Allstate Foundation National Poll on Domestic Violence found three out of four respondents personally knew a victim of domestic violence. And the American Psychological Association estimates 40 percent to 60 percent of men who abuse women also abuse children. Do those statistics make you more inclined to report suspected abuse? Do they make you more inclined to reach out to someone you suspect might be in an abusive relationship? Do you know the signs of abuse?
   
10. Evelyn set out to New Bern, Connecticut, all on her own from Texas, but when it came to opening Cobbled Court Quilts—and keeping it open—she had the support of a wonderful circle of women. Some of these women work for her; some are simply fellow quilters. Yet all pitched in to help in a way once seen only in families. What one thing had to happen before these women could come together? How would you go about building such a foundation of friendship in your own life? Or have you already done so? Given the mobility of Americans today, are those we work with and those we choose to let in our lives our new family?
    

Dear Reading Friend,

I hope you enjoyed
A Thread of Truth
and will want to read more of my stories. For a change of pace, you might want to pick up a copy of
Snow Angels
, a Christmas collection of four heart-warming Christmas novellas from four different authors, including my novella,
The Presents of Angels
, on sale from Zebra in November 2009.

The Presents of Angels
tells the story of Kendra Erickson-Loomis, a retired Radio City Music Hall Rockette who has found love and a new life in the charming village of Maple Grove, Vermont. After falling in love with and marrying Andy Loomis, the handsome local minister, and becoming stepmother to Andy's adorable daughter, Thea, Kendra finally has the family she'd always longed for. Learning that she'll be welcoming a new baby in the New Year is just icing on the cake.

But when Andy's ex-wife makes an unexpected appearance in Maple Grove, Kendra fears that her dream of living happily might turn out to be just that, a dream. As the holidays approach, it seems that only a miracle will keep her dream from shattering, but fortunately for Kendra, Christmas is the season when miracles abound.

This Christmas, if you're looking for stories to warm your heart and put you in the spirit of the season, look no further than
Snow Angels
, on sale in November.

I so appreciate your support and wish you all the best at Christmas and in every season of the year.

Blessings,

Marie Bostwick