by Amanda Tru
Philippians 1:6, Psalm 139:3-4, Ephesians 4:22-24
3. In the book, Bailey thinks she is a Christian, but later discovers that she doesn’t know the real and living God. Have you or anyone you’ve known had a similar experience?
Matthew 7:13-4, Matthew 7:21-23
Many people claim to be Christians. Even different religions claim to be “Christian.” What do you think is the true definition of Christianity?
Ephesians 1:12-14, Colossians 1:8-23, Romans 10:5-13
4. Love is another big theme in this book. What is Bailey’s view of love? What is Camden’s view of love?
What is your definition of love? What examples of God’s kind of love do you see in the story?
1 Corinthians 13:1-8, Romans 12:9-10, Mark 12:29-31
5. Bailey lives with her boyfriend, and Camden objects for spiritual reasons. What are Camden’s feelings about couples living together before marriage?another big theme in this book. What is Bailey’s view of love? What is Camden’s view of love?
What are Bailey’s?
Today’s culture has no problem with couples living together before or instead of marriage. What do you think the Bible says about this issue? What are your feelings on the subject? Do you think the same values should apply to our culture today as they did when the Bible was written?
1 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Corinthians 12:21, Colossians 3:5-8, Galatians 5:19-20, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
6. Israel’s story is a tragic one, in both his relationship with his wife, Marissa, and his brother, Camden. With Camden, Israel was upset for years over something he later learned involved circumstances he’d never realized.
Have you ever been upset with someone, only to learn later that you didn’t know the full story?
How did you react?
Marissa’s death leaves Israel devastated on many levels, plagued with guilt and haunted by the knowledge that it is too late to make things right with his wife. This is a common sentiment with death, as we wish for more time for a “do-over.” Looking back on your own life, is there anything you’ve ever wished to do over? How did you handle the feelings of guilt and grief?
Philippians 3:13, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 73:26, 1 Peter 5:7
7. The story contains multiple examples of deception and withholding the truth. Was Bailey wrong to deceive Camden, going behind his back to send Selby the names of Heath’s matches, and then again, posting his profile after he told her not to?
Camden was required by his job to not reveal information, but this withholding had a devastating effect on his family. He also had ulterior motives for the website which involved his job. Yet his job was directly involved in serving his country and protecting others. Were Camden’s deceptions wrong?
Is there a difference between Bailey’s deception and Camden’s? What is that difference? Where is the line? How much, if any deception is okay? Does the end ever justify the means?
Colossians 3:9, Acts 5:1-9, Jeremiah 17:9-10, Romans 13:1-7, John 15:13, Philippians 2:4, 1 Timothy 5:8
Tell of a time when you have been deceived or have deceived others. Was it ever justifiable?
8. Was there anything that spoke to you in the book or that you found spiritually significant? Did you have a favorite part or something you found the most touching?
www.amandatru.com/
Amanda Tru loves to write exciting books with plenty of unexpected twists. She figures she loses so much sleep writing the things, it’s only fair she makes readers lose sleep with books they can’t put down!
Amanda has always loved reading, and writing books has been a lifelong dream. A vivid imagination helps her write captivating stories in a wide variety of genres. Her current book list includes everything from historical, to action-packed suspense, to inspirational romance, to a Christian time travel/romance series. Amanda is also the author and organizer behind the unique, multi-author Crossroads collection series.
Amanda is a former elementary school teacher who now spends her days being mommy to her four young children and her nights furiously writing. Amanda and her family live in a small Idaho town where the number of cows outnumbers the number of people.
www.amandatru.com/
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by Amanda Tru
Find the latest information and connect with Amanda at her website: www.amandatru.com
Yesterday Series:
Yesterday
The Locket
Today
The Choice
Tomorrow
The Promise
Forever (coming soon)
Tru Exceptions Series:
Baggage Claim
Mirage
Point of Origin
Rogue
Brides by Mail Series:
(Written with Cami Wesley)
Bride of Pretense
Bride by Request
Bride of Regret
The Secret Bride Society Series:
The Secret Bride Society
Crossroads Suspense Series:
The Night of the White Elephant
Christian Romance:
Secret Santa
The Random Acts of Cupid
The Assumption of Guilt
The Christmas Card Series:
The Christmas Card
A Cinderella Christmas (coming soon)
Clean Romance:
The Romance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
Children’s:
(Under the pen name J. Lasterday)
Dog the Dragon Series:
The Dragon’s Escape
The Cabin Boy’s Treasure
The Great Expedition (coming soon)
Introducing Cathe Swanson
By Amanda Tru
Are you ready to find out about all of those dates Bailey and Camden set up through Betwixt Two Hearts? The rest of the books in this set follow the stories initiated through those website matches, and I’m thrilled to introduce the next book in the set, The Swedehearts Glory Quilt by Cathe Swanson.
When I initially imagined this set, I knew I needed to recruit some fabulous authors who could write a wonderful story on a short turnaround and had the communications skills necessary to work closely with me to tie our stories together. Cathe’s name came up more than once, though I’d never actually met her. By reputation, Cathe is very conscientious, organized, and works hard. She is also great at communication and writes wonderfully. Hearing that, I arranged an introduction with a mutual friend, hoping I’d found a kindred spirit.
The good news is that I definitely had! Cathe is great, and I’ve enjoyed working with her. She is very detailed-oriented, and we worked closely to get everything just right. Besides all of that, given my own Swedish heritage, I’m thrilled with how she brings that aspect into her writing. In the end, I love the way our stories connected, and I’m really excited about her book.
Remember in Betwixt Two Hearts, when Bailey and Camden first argue about matching a couple? Camden wants her to approve a match, and Bailey doesn’t want to, thinking that there is more to Eleanor’s story. Now you’ll find out what all that more involves!
In The Swedehearts Glory Quilt, Eleanor signs up for Betwixt Two Hearts because she wants a date for her parents’ party. Her life is in limbo, and she’s not sure what she wants. David, on the other hand, has his life planned out. He signs up for the matchmaking website, looking for the woman he can marry and start a family with. However, this story is so much more than a matchmaking date, and a boy meets girl scenario. It is in part a family saga, full of extended relationships, genealogy, Swedish heritage, Minnesota history, and so much more. It is funny, sweet, sad, and a story you surely will love.
Off you go! Read Cathe’s story and the rest of those in
this set. Find out how God touches multiple hearts and lives, creating something wonderful Betwixt Two Hearts.
Author of Betwixt Two Hearts
a novella by
Copyright Notice
The Swedehearts Glory Quilt, original copyright © 2019 by Cathe Swanson
All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or recording—without express written permission by the authors and publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed or broadcasted articles and reviews.
Each book in this collection is the intellectual property and the copyrighted material of the respective author and/or publisher and is reprinted as a part of this collection (anthology) only once and only by permission of the owners. The publisher makes no claim on, or to, the property of the owners which exceeds that permission. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the authors’ imagination or intended to be used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, organizations, places, or persons living or dead is purely coincidental and beyond the intention of either the authors or the publisher. The characters are products of the authors’ imaginations and used fictitiously.
Eleanor Nielson looked around the table at the familiar, beloved, beautiful, perfect people and wondered if she was adopted. Her parents, like reigning monarchs, smiled benevolently at their well-behaved family. Even the twins, newly promoted from high chairs, sat upright in their boosters, neatly eating moderate portions of turkey and stuffing. A perfect family of blond, blue-eyed, Minnesotan Swedes.
She hadn’t come prepared to dress up for dinner, and when Soren came downstairs sporting a striped shirt and bow tie, she laughed at him. Then Zack and Laurie arrived, bearing pumpkin pies, flowers, and grandchildren. Zack’s suit looked like it was made for him. Laurie wore a long corduroy skirt and ivory cashmere sweater, loosely belted around her slim middle. Her floral scarf draped gracefully into elegant folds. If Eleanor wore that, it would collect crumbs like a bib, like a chipmunk, saving morsels to consume later. It might, however, protect her sweater from gravy stains.
“There are bound to be openings for the spring semester, not just at Westerfield but other schools in the area, too. Or you could do substitute work for a while. Eleanor!” Kathy Nielson didn’t raise her voice; she just changed the pitch. “I was talking to you.”
“Sorry, Mom. I did hear you. I’m going to stick it out up north for a while, though.” Lather, rinse, repeat. She’d given up on explanations and discussion. Just say no and take advantage of her mother’s refusal to engage in a quarrel at Thanksgiving dinner.
“You may change your mind in January, though,” Soren said. “Winter up there is different from being in the city. You could get snowed in at that cabin and no one would find you for weeks.”
“And that would be bad because…?”
Her brother ignored the comment and continued. “Uncle Gary will want the cabin, too, like this weekend, for hunting and fishing. You can’t leave town every time he wants to have a party.”
“You won’t want to stay there while the cabin is full of his friends,” her mother said. “And he won’t want you there.”
“I’ll stay at his house in town, or I can probably stay with Uncle Carl and Aunt Constance. They’ve got a lot of room there now. It would be fun to see Penny and Lisa.” She rather liked the idea of a nomadic existence, but that sentiment would undermine her position. “I’ll be looking for a place of my own in the spring.”
“You’ll be back here by then.” Zack handed a napkin to his daughter. “You’d miss Tara and Tyler too much to stay away that long.”
“I don’t imagine they’ll change much by Christmas.” Cold, Eleanor, Cold. She tried again. “I probably wouldn’t see them again before Christmas even if I lived here!”
“I haven’t seen the Anderson cousins in years,” Rob said. “Probably since Jeremy’s wedding. Uncle Carl said we’re welcome to come for a visit whenever we want.”
Eleanor smiled gratefully at her oldest brother. “They’re really nice.” She turned to her mother. “Did you know I used to be afraid of him?”
“Afraid of Carl? Why on earth would you be afraid of Carl?”
“It was a long time ago, when we were on our way back from some family event. You said he didn’t care about any children except his own. You were mad about it.”
Kathy stared at her. “I never said any such thing.”
“Yes, you did. I remember that,” Rob interjected. “It was some political thing. He didn’t support something you did, or you didn’t support something he did. It was probably about homeschooling.”
“Well, if I said that—and I don’t remember it!—I didn’t mean you should be afraid of him. He just sees certain things differently than we do. He has a limited view of the world, from up there in the country.” In other words, they were all united in their enlightened views, and her brother was a backwoods hick.
This Thanksgiving, Eleanor was most devoutly grateful she’d been away from home over the election season.
“Anyhow, at Westerfield, you’d be able to substitute whenever you like, and you’d have a foot in the door when they hire for the new campus this summer.” Kathy held up a hand to prevent interruption. “I know you want a break, but if you wait too long, you’ll be set back another year. They’ll have openings for every subject and grade level.
Eleanor broke off another forkful of pie. She didn’t want to teach at all. She’d tried to tell her mother that, but she’d made the mistake of over-explaining it, talking too long, with not enough resolve.
“Westerfield’s going to be in demand,” her father said. “You’ll do well to get in at the start.”
“I’m going to stay up north.” She hoped she didn’t sound as desperate as she felt. She still had two days before she could go home. Back up north, away from her dear family.
“You won’t like it up there for long,” Zack said, “and you aren’t getting any younger. You’re going to want to be near Mom and Dad and the rest of us once you get married and have kids.” He chucked Tyler under the chin. “You’d like a couple cousins, wouldn’t you, fella?”
Zack and Laurie, having efficiently completed their family with only one pregnancy, had recently turned their attention to Eleanor’s biological clock. They—and her other brothers and parents—had introduced her to a parade of teachers, politicians, and other suitable bachelors. She knew they meant well. They were genuinely concerned about her professional career and anxiously listening to that ticking clock. She ran a hundred miles away, and they could still hear it.
“Wouldn’t it be fun if they had the same nanny?” Laurie asked.
Eleanor blinked. “The same nanny?”
“Well, when the twins are in school full-time, Ilse will be available.”
“So,” Eleanor said, “if I got married next month, got pregnant a few months later, had the baby and stayed home for at least a few months, that timing would work out for you?”
Laurie shook her head, not responding to the sarcasm. “Weddings take at least a year to plan, and the kids won’t be in kindergarten for another two years.” She sipped her coffee. “It was just a thought.”
“Not to mention the fact that she doesn’t have a boyfriend,” Soren said, “but I suppose she could go ahead and start planning the wedding now.”
“She’s twenty-seven.” Zack cut open a roll and spread cranberry butter on it. “She’d better start planning something.”
“I don’t need this.” Eleanor stood, pushing her chair back. “I don’t know if or when I’ll get married, or if I’ll have kids, but I’ve made one decision: I won’t be returning to school in the fall. I am not going back to teaching.” She almost enjoyed the moment of stunned silence. Even Tara, who’d been running a finger through the whipped cream on her pie, stopped and looked at her. “I don’t know what I’m going to do,
but I don’t think I’m cut out to be a teacher.”
“Not cut out…” Kathy Nielson’s appalled voice trailed off.
“You’re a good teacher,” her father said. “Maybe you should look into high school or even college. Middle school can be rough.”
“No, Dad. I’m just not good at it.” She gestured widely, to encompass all of them. “That’s you. Just because it’s what you do, doesn’t mean it’s for me. I’m not like you.”
“What else would you do?” Her mother asked.
“I don’t know.” She picked up her phone from the table and stuck it in her pocket. “I need some time to think about it.”
They didn’t give her time. They tag-teamed her, nagging and lecturing and reasoning, until she threatened to apply for a job as a Walmart greeter.
“You’re a little overqualified for that,” her mother said.
“I think I’d be rather good at it.”
“I hope you’re joking.”
“Really,” Eleanor insisted. “You say hello when they come in, help them with their carts, give stickers to the kids and then wave goodbye when they leave. It sounds like the perfect job.”
Her mother reached out and caught Eleanor’s hands. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry we’ve been pressuring you, but we just want the best for you. You are a good teacher, and it’s important, meaningful work. You’re making a difference in the lives of children. Investing in the future of America. The world!”
Was that supposed to be encouraging? It sounded like more pressure. “I don’t think I was making a difference, Mom. I never felt like I was accomplishing anything at all. The world had better not count on me.”
