Sweetest Desires (A Sweetest Day Romance) (33 page)

EPILOGUE

Feeling slightly nervous, Cindy
knocked
on the door. The man who opened it didn’t look as repulsive as she’d remembered. The crooked-toothed grin was somehow appealing.

“Ah, you must be Deanna,” the man said, coming out to offer her a fatherly embrace.

Deanna kept her arms straight and stiff along her sides, clutching the handle of her luggage firmly until he released his hug and stepped away.

“Felipe!” Cindy smiled and kissed his cheek. He held her tightly for several moments.
Glad I didn’t throw his number away
, she thought.

“Come in,” he said, stepping back to give them room and grinning widely. “Welcome back to Mexico. Let me help you with your luggage.”

READERS’ DISCUSSION GUIDE

1.
       
Carson opens with thoughts of trying to convince himself that he still loves his wife, but the fire is slowing dying. Although he comes off as a jerk when he confronts Katharine on her appearance, was he justified in expressing his feelings to her? How would you have handled it?

2.
      
As a woman, we sometimes go out of our way to look our best for our boyfriend/ fiancé. How important is it to continue to look your best even after marriage and after having babies?

3.
      
Put yourself in Katharine’s position.  Have you ever loved a man to the extent that you did or would do whatever it takes to keep him happy and satisfied? Even go under the knife for him?

4.
      
Natalie was Katharine’s best friend and voice of reason. Did she overstep her bounds by sharing Katharine’s situation with her movie producer brother, Vincent?

5.
      
Do you think the underlying cause of Cindy’s promiscuous behavior was because she was trying to find a replacement for her deceased husband? Or could it have been that she had a sexual addiction and was in denial?

6.
      
Cindy went overboard to try to win Carson (i.e., the fake divorce and marriage papers, the photos, the news article). Is this proof enough that she was really and truly in-love with him?  Or was it lust?  After all, when you love someone, isn’t there a measure of lust involved? What is the difference between lust and love?

7.
      
Officer Freeman was a cool dude who was just in-love with another man’s wife. Since he was so easy for Katharine to open up to, like Carson was with Cindy, do you think Freeman and Cindy would make a good couple?

8.
      
Was Deanna actually deranged or was she just confused and misunderstood? Do you think her decision to want to dispose of Bethany could be contributed to negative television, print media and radio influences?

9.
      
There are plenty of Christian women leaders (and lay female Christians) receiving breast and buttock implants, as well as plastic surgery to the face (i.e., nose reduction, Botox, collagen injections). Do you think this is acceptable in the eyes of God? Do you think this conduct will create a burning desire from men in the congregation to lust after her? 

10.
   
What do you think the scripture means when it states “putting a stumbling block in your brother’s way?” (Romans 14:13)

11.
    
Do you think Carson’s decision to leave Katharine was because of lust for another woman? Midlife crises? Finding himself? Or what?

12.
   
One of Satan’s top assignments is to destroy the institution of marriage. In the eyes of God, marriage is a lifetime commitment, just like He wants us to be forever loyal and devoted to Him.  God said that He is married to the backslider (Jeremiah 3:14), pledging He is faithful to them. Depending on the circumstances, is it better to just walk away from a troubled marriage and start over again? Or should you consult God and ask Him to make the necessary changes and to fix what is damaged? Before you answer, take into consideration the “for better or worse” vow.

13.
   
Carson’s single decision to leave his family affected each member personally. But
Sweetest Desire
was not solely about Carson and Katharine. What was Natalie’s and Stephen’s desire? Freeman’s? Cindy’s? Deanna’s?

14.
   
Normally, women do not have that same strong sexual urge that men have. The need and drive toward a marital union is strong because there is a biological urge in a woman’s body, placed there by God. The urge in the woman craves the love and attention of a man. She has certain nerves and parts of her body that respond to the loving caresses of a man and in turn this creates in her a sexual desire.  On the other hand, the love and beautiful body of a woman is appealing to a man. He can look upon the body of a woman and be instantly aroused to the depths.  This desire is God given and by him being a Christian does not stop this reaction. This is why men should never look upon the nakedness of any woman other than his wife, otherwise the sin of adultery will creep in.
Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart
(St. Matthew 5:28).  With this being said, is it possible for a man to be totally devoted and faithful to his wife?

15.
   
What do you think the psalmist meant when he spoke on the desires of your heart? (Psalm 37:4)

16.
   
Take this time to share what your spiritual desires are and come together in agreement, asking God’s favor and blessings.  James 4:3:
You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts
.

Check out other Sweetest Day Romance titles:

Sweetest Day Ever

Sweetest Day of All

You and Me Must Never Part

One Sweet Christmas

Made Just for You

Sweetest Moment

Sea of Passion

Rising Tide

Sweet Candy

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