Read The Blackmailed Bride Online
Authors: Mandy Goff
The Blackmailed Bride (25 page)
Dear Reader:
I’ve had Nick and Olivia in my head for the past ten years. These two have been squabbling and falling in love in my imagination for what seems like forever, which sounds crazy but seemed completely normal at the time.
It’s been nice to set these two lovebirds free.
I adore Regency England for its customs of courtly romance, lush scenery and beautiful dress—I am a woman after all. But I also love writing about Regency England because I find these fictional people are not so different from modern-day folk. Olivia’s grief over her mother’s suicide, Nick’s unfairly gained reputation, Marcus’s duty to his family—and others—and God’s supremacy and care for His children are all universal emotions and truths. They can touch any of us, at any time…regardless of what period we live in or what clothes we wear.
I pray this story has blessed you in some way. And I hope you are as happy to read Nick and Olivia’s tale as I was to write it.
Blessings,
Mandy Goff
- After her mother commits suicide, Olivia finds herself questioning the goodness of God. What events in your life have made you question your faith?
- At sixteen, Olivia conceals her mother’s suicide in order to protect her brother, Marcus. Discuss whether there is ever a situation where deception would be justified.
- When Olivia is honest about her anger toward God, Reverend Thomas responds with a kind and nonjudgmental attitude. How does this loving approach begin to help Olivia repair her relationship with God?
- When Nick returns to England, he finds he is the subject of much gossip and speculation. Why does he choose not to defend himself to the gossips? What biblical explanation is there for his choice?
- How hard would it be if you, like Nick, knew people believed lies about you? How would you react?
- Both Nick and Olivia have been shaped by shameful family secrets. What is the difference in how they choose to cope with the legacy?
- God assures us that we are not tainted by the sins of our parents. Have you, because of a difficult family background, ever harbored fears that you are doomed to repeat your parents’—or others’—mistakes?
- In an effort to protect her good name, Nick plans to marry Olivia after the suspicious meeting in the garden
with Finley. Why does he believe protecting her honor is more important than the pain he might experience by marrying a woman who is possibly in love with someone else? - In Regency England, arranged marriages—especially among nobility—were common and a way of generating monetary or social benefit to the involved parties. What would the challenges be in a marriage that wasn’t founded on love?
- Nick is a master of restraint. He must initially fight his attraction to Olivia because he knows she isn’t a Christian. He also must rein in his desire to pummel Finley—on a continual basis! How important is self-control in a Christian’s life?
- The Bible likens a person without self-control to a “city broken down without walls,” (Proverbs 25:28). Why is it crucial for believers to always watch their behavior and actions?
- Although he is attracted to her, Nick is initially opposed to any serious relationship with Olivia because she does not share his faith. Why is the Bible so firm on not marrying unbelievers? What kind of problems could two people of different faiths have in a marriage?
- After Olivia becomes a Christian, Nick feels confident that God is leading him to marry her, but she rebuffs him because of her agreement with Finley. This makes Nick doubt what he feels God is saying to him. Have there been times you’ve been convinced God wanted you to do something, even though things aren’t exactly going as planned?
- Because of his relationship with God, Nick commits to marrying Olivia and doesn’t waver in spite of Olivia’s rebellion and Finley’s interference. How far would you go to honor a commitment? Where would you draw the line and say, “enough is enough”?
- The concept of reaping what you sow is prevalent in the scriptures. Is Marcus and Nick’s handling of Finley at the end of the book a just punishment for the blackmailing baron? Why or why not?
ISBN: 9781408938102
The Blackmailed Bride
© Amanda Goff 2011
First Published in Great Britain in 2011
Harlequin (UK) Limited
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
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