London Tides: A Novel (The MacDonald Family Trilogy Book 2) (30 page)

… a little more …

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the orchestra might offer an encore.

When a fine meal comes to an end,

it’s always nice to savor a bit of dessert.

When a great story comes to an end,

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AfterWords—
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We invite you to stay awhile in the story.

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• Great Questions

• About the Author

Great Questions

for Individual Reflection and/or Group Discussion

1. Grace has a hard time leaving behind her career because of her deep need to draw attention to the overlooked and oppressed. Ian tells her he feels he has an obligation to those who haven’t had his opportunities. What kind of responsibility do we have as both world citizens and people of faith to recognize and meet the needs of others?

2. The search for home and safety are two central themes in
London Tides
. How are those two related in Grace’s mind? How does the idea of purpose intersect with those themes?

3. How is the idea of “unveiling” and “revealing” used symbolically throughout the book?

4. Why do you think Grace relates so strongly to the oppressed, displaced, and forgotten?

5. Grace quotes Nietzsche when she talks about why she is leaving her career: she fears the darkness she has witnessed is changing her. What do you think she’s running from? 

6. Grace’s identity is wrapped up so tightly in her career, and then later in her relationship with Ian, that she feels lost and hopeless when it seems like she’s lost both. What is the danger in placing our self-worth in the changeable? In what other things should we find our value?

7. At the beginning of the story, Grace hides her tattoos from Ian because they’re a reminder of all the things she wants to forget but can’t allow herself to forget. Near the end, she chooses a wedding dress that shows every last tattoo. How do you think this might be symbolic of their relationship?

8. Both Ian and Grace come away changed from their short reunion without knowing if they will get a chance at forever. Can you think of instances when other people have been used as instruments of change in your life, even if you didn’t see the reason behind it at the time?

About the Author

Carla Laureano is the author of the RITA
®
award-winning romance
Five Days in Skye
as well as the Celtic fantasy series The Song of Seare (as C. E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons.

Photo by Amy Drown / Waverley Photography

LONDON TIDES

Published by David C Cook

4050 Lee Vance View

Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.

David C Cook Distribution Canada

55 Woodslee Avenue, Paris, Ontario, Canada N3L 3E5

David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications

Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6NT, England

The graphic circle C logo is a registered trademark of David C Cook.

All rights reserved. No part of this ebook may be reproduced, scanned, resold, or distributed by or through any print or electronic medium without written permission from the publisher. This ebook is licensed solely for the personal and noncommercial use of the original authorized purchaser, subject to the terms of use under which it was purchased. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

This story is a work of fiction. Characters and events are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is coincidental.

LCCN 2014957969

ISBN 978-1-4347-0822-9

eISBN 978-1-4347-0930-1

© 2015 by Carla Laureano

The Team: Ingrid Beck, Rachelle Gardner, Amy Konyndyk, Nick Lee, Tiffany Thomas, Jennifer Lonas, Karen Athen

Cover Design: Kirk DouPonce, DogEared Design

Cover Photo: istockphoto

First edition 2015

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What people are saying about …

London Tides

"In
London Tides
, Carla Laureano shows how fear and grief can hold us captive—unable to love ourselves and others. Yes, Laureano has written a beautiful reconciliation romance, but she also delves into deeper themes of identity and acceptance. The character of Grace Brennan, in spite of her unconventional life, speaks to all of us.”

Beth K. Vogt,
author of
Somebody Like You

“Achieving an aching depth and a resounding trueness within a heated, yet baggage-ridden romance, author Carla Laureano has proven herself a storyteller who is not afraid to take her characters into the darkest regions of their own hearts. An excellent follow-up to
Five Days in Skye
,
London Tides
tugs and churns every emotion … right up until the lovely, hope-buoying end.”

Serena Chase,
USA Today’s
Happy Ever After blog

“At times lighthearted; at times heart wrenching. Laureano has penned a delightfully romantic tale about the importance of finding home. If readers weren’t already smitten with the MacDonald brothers, they will be after
London Tides
!”

Katie Ganshert,
award-winning author of
The Art of Losing Yourself

“Another captivating story!
London Tides
is as compelling and engaging as Laureano’s award-winning
Five Days in Skye.
It’s deliciously romantic and filled with tension, wonderful characters, and vivid scenery. A must-read this summer!”

Katherine Reay,
author of
Lizzy and Jane

“War photographer Grace Brennan is the kind of character I love to read about—she’s savvy, fearless, and damaged, yet is determined to carry on. Returning to London means making amends with Ian MacDonald, the fiancé she left behind, and author Carla Laureano knows how to make the most of their chemistry. But a chance at love for Grace also means facing the realities of PTSD, a subject Laureano handles with great sensitivity and care. Vividly written and deeply felt,
London Tides
will sweep readers away.”

Hillary Manton Lodge,
author of
A Table by the Window