Rachelle McCalla - Survival Instinct

9. Mitch may have been a villain at first, but he soon became a victim of the devious plot he was involved in. When people welcome evil deeds into their lives, the evil often backfires and can ultimately consume them. Have you experienced anything like this in your life? In the lives of people you know? How did you respond?

10. In Abby’s desire to help Scott find his mother, Abby was willing to visit a frightening place (The Brick) and to revisit a person from her past (Tim). Have you ever gone somewhere frightening or faced a person from your past in order to help a friend? How did it turn out?

11. Do you think it was foolish of Abby to go to The Brick alone? How could she have protected herself from danger?

12. As Scott’s love for Abby grew, he tried to keep her from helping in order to shield her from harm, even though he was willing to take risks himself. How did Abby feel about Scott’s decision? What arrangement did they reach? How do you protect those you love?

13. Scott had experienced many losses and was frightened about getting close to Abby for fear he would be hurt again. How did he overcome his fear? How have you dealt with loss in your life? What strategies have helped you love again?

14. The pirate’s cave was well hidden under Devil’s Island, and the authorities had never realized it was there. Sometimes people in our lives hide things that turn out to be huge once discovered, and we wonder how we missed seeing their secret. What secrets have people hidden from you? What secrets are you hiding? Is it time to uncover your secret? See Psalm 32:3-5 for more insights on this topic.

15. Though Scott and Abby both felt attracted to each other years before, they were reunited only a short time before becoming engaged. Do you think they should have taken their relationship more slowly? What aspects of their relationship do you think will help make their marriage successful? What might work against them? Do you believe they will live happily ever after?

ate seventeen pounds of chocolate while writing this book. She also did 143 loads of laundry during that same time, and thinks folding towels is one of the best cures for writer’s block (the other best cures are exercise and insomnia).

A graduate of Hastings College and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, Rachelle has lived in Iowa, Illinois, South Carolina (briefly!), and Wisconsin, and now makes Nebraska her home. When she’s not writing, Rachelle spends most of her time at the church where her husband is pastor, or running after their four energetic children. For more information on forthcoming titles, plus fun background notes on the places and characters in this book, visit www.rachellemccalla.com. You can also find Rachelle on the message boards at www.eHarlequin.com.