At the start of Hearts Surrender, Kiara does battle with temptation. She's been offered a deluxe trip to Europe that might fulfil a seductive fantasy with her boyfriend, but sell-out her soul. When have you been confronted by a temptation, or a life circumstance, that required doing battle with the good and bad elements of your life, and faith walk? How did you resolve it?
A1. Depends on the reader's response
Q2. Emotionally speaking, Ken Lucerne is a man on the run. He copes with the loss of his wife, Barb, by keeping as busy as possible, both as Pastor of Woodland Church, and in mission work that carries him across the country. How does Kiara's evolving presence in his life force him to revaluate that pattern of living?
A2. He comes to realize he can, and will, fall in love again. He learns that while his wife's life ended, his didn't. And, not only does he have a God-given mission to perform, but a heart, and love, to share as well.
Q3. In what ways does the Woodland Church mission to Pennsylvania force Kiara away from her comfort zone? How does she adapt? Describe and discuss a situation when you had to leave the familiar behind and embrace something completely new and foreign. How did it feel? How did you overcome? What did you learn?
A3. Kiara wants to help, but has never performed mission work before. She doesn't know what to expect when the team helps restore the Kidwell's home. At the start of the mission, this fact sets her on edge, but her natural effervescence, her genuine desire to make a difference, endear her to the teen volunteers, the Kidwells, and most especially Ken. She realizes that giving back isn't nearly as overwhelming as she feared it would be.
Q4. As their relationship develops, Ken and Kiara quickly realize they'll need to contend with people at Woodland Church speculating about them, and the changes the mission trip has brought about between them. Discuss the topic of gossip, and well-meaning intrusivness in your own Church's setting, and in your own life. What are the ramifications?
A4. Depends on the reader's response
Q5. Kiara is described as 'supermodel chic' but we learn she is actually the wall-flower who bloomed. She has self-esteem issues that would surprise most people who see and meet her because she has very carefully crafted herself, both physically and emotionally, to gain acceptance from the world at large. Have you gone about life or physical change in order to gain acceptance? In what way? How has it affected you over the long term?
A5. Depends on the reader's response
Q6. Ken doubts his ability to fulfill Kiara's life, which he considers to be painted in bold colors, with excitement and modern, more culture-driven influences. In what way does he discover how far from the truth, and trust in God, that doubt places him? How have you handled connections God weaves into your life that are powerful, and positive, despite what may seem to be a combination of 'oil and water' at first?
A6. Collin Edwards forces him to confront the fact that during the mission trip, Ken became more 'man' than 'pastor' to Kiara, and that Kiara, meanwhile, became far more than a realistic, spirited member of his parish than fashion model beautiful woman. Ken realizes he can't let Kiara's spiritual growth, and their opportunity to be together, be stymied by his inability to practice what he preaches: Faith, and trust in God's plan and guiding hand.
Q7. What elements of the conclusion of Hearts Crossing reveal the truth that when we let go of preconceptions, and reach out in faith, not only does God answer our call, He exceeds our greatest hopes and dreams? When and how have you experienced the abundance of God's grace and mercy? How did you thank Him?
A7. Kiara and Ken's Caribbean honeymoon is not just meant to be a 'happily ever after.' It's meant to illustrate the fact that God knows best. Reaching out in faith, Kiara attains the idyllic 'fantasy trip' with the man of her dreams, Ken Lucerne. Ken never dreams of moments like this after Barb's death. By God's grace, they both find a true, and anointed happiness.
