BKMT READING GUIDES
A Lady Like Sarah (A Rocky Creek Romance)
by Margaret Brownley
Paperback : 320 pages
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Sarah Prescott has never known a respectable life. Just a hardscrabble childhood and brothers who taught her to shoot straight.
Justin Wells left Boston in disgrace, heading out alone on the dusty trail to Texas. But when ...
Introduction
She's an outlaw; he's a preacher. Both are in need of a miracle.
Sarah Prescott has never known a respectable life. Just a hardscrabble childhood and brothers who taught her to shoot straight.
Justin Wells left Boston in disgrace, heading out alone on the dusty trail to Texas. But when the once-respected clergyman encounters a feisty redhead in handcuffs with a dying US Marshal at her side, their journey takes a dramatic turn.
His high society expectations and Sarah's outlaw habits clash from the start. With a price on her head and a sweet orphan in tow, Justin and Sarah make the difficult journey toward Rocky Creek. There justice will be meted out. Perhaps--they hope--with a healthy portion of grace.
Filled with mishaps, laughs, and adventure, Margaret Brownley's inspiring romance will keep readers cheering for Sarah as she struggles to become a true lady.
Excerpt
Vultures signaled trouble ahead.“Whoa, boy.” Reverend Justin Wells tugged on the reins
of his horse, bringing his brown gelding to a standstill.
Adjusting the brim of his dusty felt hat, he narrowed his
eyes against the bright afternoon sun and peered across the
wide, arid plains. Trees grew directly ahead of him, the first he’d seen since leaving St. Louis five days prior. The graceful, tall sycamores suggested the welcome presence of water, perhaps a stream. ... view entire excerpt...
Discussion Questions
1.What made Sarah initially decide to stay with Justin and how did those reasons change during the course of the journey?2.Justin had no weapons and no knowledge of the wild west. Yet Sarah felt safe with him. Why?
3.Justin always took the path of least resistance and didn't even fight the false charges lodged against him in Boston. By nature a peaceful man, what happened during the journey that brought out his fighting spirit?
4.How did finding baby Elizabeth change Sarah? How did it change Justin? How did it change their relationship?
5.Justin's favorite hymn was Amazing Grace. Why do you think he identified so strongly with the words of that traditional hymn?
6.Sarah said the west didn't change a person; it simply made you more of who you were. What did she mean by that?
7.During the course of the journey to Texas, Justin was forced to grow and change in ways he never imagined. God tested him as both a Christian and a man. Name a time in your life when God put you and your faith to the test.
8.What drew Sarah to the Lost and Found church?
9.Sarah was told by the pastor of Lost and Found to follow God's signs. Describe a time in your life that you felt God leading the way.
10.Sarah believed in God but she was afraid to put her trust in Him. Yet, she took a big chance in going back to Rocky Creek. What part did her faith play in that decision?
11.When did Sarah's opinion of her brother George change and how did it affect her? Was there ever a time that you disapproved of a loved one's actions? How did this affect your relationship?
12.Justin said that God always sends someone to help in time of need. Name a time in your life when one of God's "angels" helped you. Were you aware of God's help at the time?
13.During the course of the story, Sarah learned that God loves you even if you aren't perfect and "don't know no four-footed words." How has your relationship to God changed through the years?
14.Justin knew how to minister to people in Boston, but he questioned his ability to help the folks in Rocky Creek. Sarah told him all he needed was his faith. Has there ever been a time that you doubted your ability to do something? What part did your faith play in overcoming your fears?
15.Rocky Creek is a wild frontier town where revenge passes as justice and God is an afterthought. In what way does the condition of the town (and church) mirror the spiritual decay of Rainbow Creek's citizens?
16.Justin questioned God's reasons for sending him to Texas. When did he finally understand why God sent him there?
17.How were the folks in Rocky Creek different from those in Boston?
How were they similar?
18.Justin didn't want to leave Boston and the church he loved. But by following God's plan, he gained so much more than he lost. Can you think of something bad that happened to you which later turned out to be a blessing in disguise?
Notes From the Author to the Bookclub
Howdy Reader, My name is Sarah, no last name. I'm takin' over for Margaret Brownley. Just between you and me, she writes rather dull letters, but don't tell her I told you so. I heard I'm the heroine in A Lady Like Sarah but I ain't no heroine and don't go sayin' I am, you hear? Anyway, I bet you're itchin' to know how Margaret came up with the idea for the book. Her inspiration came from the escapades of Pearl Hart who, desperate to help her seriously-ill mother, stopped a stage and convinced its passengers to help pay the medical bills. While preachin' the virtues of generosity, Pearl collected the money she needed to save her poor mama. (I know what you're thinkin', but let's face it: Some folks are downright uncharitable unless prodded by the barrel of a gun.) To my knowledge, I've never robbed a stage, though being an outlaw and all, I know plenty of folks who did. I might have tried it myself if it hadn't been for meetin' up with that handsome preacher. It was on a dusty road in 1879. The preacher found me handcuffed to a dying marshal and things went downhill from there. The preacher was determined to keep his promise to the marshal and take me to Texas. I was just as determined to miss the hangin' party in my honor. Since I'm still here, you probably figure I gave up my outlaw ways and became a lady, and you would be right, more or less. Going straight can be a pain in the you-know-where, but I ain't complainin' 'bout the rewards. Speakin' of rewards, I bet if you email Margaret through her website, she'll email you back. If you're real nice to her, she might even put your name in her cowboy hat for a book drawin'. The winner is gonna get to know me real well. So whatcha waitin' for? Gallop over to her homestead and you'll be glad you did. www.margaretbrownley.com You take care now, you hear? Sarah… Writing for Margaret BrownleyBook Club Recommendations
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