Patricia A. Bridewell author of Reflections of a Quiet Storm
Website: www.patriciabridewell.com
Email: bridern@verizon.net
Buy the Book: http://www.xpressyourselfpublishing.org/bookstore.htm
Introduction to the book Reflections of a Quiet Storm
As CEO and owner of a new nursing registry, Pauline Bridges is striving to reach the height of success, and then unexpectedly tragedy strikes. After a near fatal automobile accident, she climbs from the wreckage unscathed, but shortly thereafter, God begins to reveal her past. Pain, once buried deep within, rises to the surface through memories that are revived as dreams and flashbacks. Chronicled in a series of stories, her life unfolds through a long journey; a pathway that unveils many secrets that not even her children had been told.
Visions of the past invade her days and nights as constant reminders of events from childhood through her adult life replay in her mind. Memories of her mother’s abuse at the hands of her stepfather, a rape during adolescence, her brother’s stormy lifestyle, and the agony of a marriage that was destroyed by her ex-husband, Naman’s infidelity and substance abuse, all drift through her mind. And then there is the shattering memory of the unsolved murder of her former boss, a vice president for a major recording company. All memories that Pauline had chose to forget, but now they’re back.
ISBN 10-0977939863
ISBN 13-9780977939862
FIVE TALKING POINTS OF THE BOOK:
1. RELATIONSHIPS
2. INFIDELITY
3. SOCIAL ISSUES
4. EMOTIONAL PAIN AND DISTRESS
5. FAITH
6. INSIGHT INTO A HELPING PROFESSION - NURSING (MAIN CHARACTER, PAULINE, IS A NURSE.)
Chapter 5 Excerpt The Adoption
Hi, Bethany , this is Pauline.”
“Pauline! Girl I was just thinkin’ about you the other day. How are things goin’?” She asked in her familiar southern twang.
“Not too bad, but I really miss you.”
“I know. I miss you, too. So, how’s Naman and Damien?”
“They’re okay. How is your family doing?”
“We’re hangin’ in there. The congregation is really growin’. We’re gettin’ new members all the time. How is the adoption comin’ along?”
“Well, we’re still having some problems with the foster mother, but we’re determined not to give up.”
That’s right. Don’t let her discourage you. African-American children need to be placed with African-American parents.”
“ Bethany , I just wish I was back in L.A. I’m really ready to move back.”
“Uh oh, I recognize that tone of voice. What’s wrong?”
Pauline hesitated a few seconds before speaking. “I think Naman is seeing someone else.”
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Reflections of a Quiet Storm Reading Group Questions
1. At the beginning of the story the author tried to show some of the personal challenges the main character, Pauline, encountered during her childhood and adolescence. How do you think her past experiences played a part in how she dealt with family and/or relationships in her adult life?
2. Pauline’s dreams and memories brought back painful thoughts of her past, but how do you think these dreams helped her deal with her present and future life?
3. Pauline stayed in a troubled marriage for a long time because she thought she could make things better. What do you think she should have done after discovering her husband’s chemical dependency problem and infidelity?
4. How do you think their marriage may have impacted Pauline and Naman’s children? Positively and Negatively.
5. Pauline discovered that Bethany’s husband, Darryl, had been cheating on his wife with Vangie, a long time friend of hers. Initially, she chose not to tell Bethany about the affair. What was your perception of how she handled the situation? What would you have done differently?
6. Why do you think Bethany stayed in her marriage after finding out her husband cheated the first time? And then the second time?
7. How do you think Bethany should have handled the situation after finding out her husband had been cheating the second time around?
8. Why do you think Vangie chose to keep seeing Darryl after she found out he was married?
9. What impact did Keith’s presence have on Pauline’s life?
10. In the story, what future did you see for Pauline and Keith?
Links to book:
www.xpressyourself.org
www.patriciabridewell.com
www.myspace/patriciabridewell.com
