A Summer in Oakville
A Summer in Oakville has arrived. It can be purchased at amazon.com, bn.com, and Black Lyon Publishing, LLC.
Book Club Discussion Guide (below or clickable download)
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Authors: Lisa Lickel and Shellie Neumeier
Publisher: Black Lyon Publishing, LLC
September 1, 2011
ISBN: 1934912395
One Magical Summer in Oakville, Wisconsin,
Love Finds its Way through Four Entwined Lives.
Tessa Hasmer Murphy has a secret. Estranged from her husband, will she let a past love and a fight to save the family farm destroy her marriage and daughter Lindsay’s happiness?
Lindsay Murphy plans to live on her grandparents’ farm until she can find a job, but developer Brandon Calloway has other plans for the property. As she wages war against him, will she lose her heart and the farm both?
Widower Arthur Hasmer’s life and that of his son, Andy, spiral out of control. Then old friend, Dana London, reenters the picture with the power to help them all back to love, joy and faith.
Andy Hasmer has the ultimate bummer life. No mom, not much of a dad, no future. When he’s sent to the farm and wrecks the truck, nothing could be worse than the lousy job he takes to pay Grampa back—except maybe putting up with the pastor’s daughter, Ella.
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Discussion Guide for A Summer in Oakville, by Lisa J Lickel and Shellie Neumeier
OVERALL
Each of the four novellas comprising A Summer in Oakville is from a different perspective over nearly the same time. Each story builds on the others. Did the way the stories play out challenge or enhance your reading experience? Create or relax tension? Was there something you looked forward to in each tale?
A Summer in Oakville is a story about a typical American rural contemporary family with secrets and troubles. What was the underlying issue that brought everyone home? Which story and character did you relate to more and why?
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERS
Tessa tended to fill up her social calendar with events and nosiness meant to gain attention. What were some of her better qualities? Least likeable? Why do you think she felt the need to seek outside approval?
When Tessa refused to move away with her husband did you agree or disagree with her decision? What might have happened if she’d made a different choice? Do you think she might have let her nesting desires take over more of her life than was good for her? Have experienced a situation in which you had to make a difficult decision that went against reason? Did you seek and/or heed advice?
Lindsay went through graduate school then faced a series of setbacks. She was both headstrong and a little spoiled, and expected to work out any problem with simple sense and diligence. When something got in her way, what did she usually do? What did she need most? Did she get it? She wanted to help others. How was she like and unlike her grandparents and her parents?
Andy had a lot of anger stored up, despite therapy and a loving, if distracted, father. Was he unfairly punished for his behavior? How did he handle his exile? Ultimately, what mattered to Andy the most? Did he receive the care help he needed to learn to deal with his grief and wrath? How was he like and unlike his parents and grandparents?
Art seemed to take the easy way out of dealing with the deep pain of life and death by holding everyone on the edge of intimacy. Is it ever better to attempt to force someone to face his fears? What made him run away each spring? Was that healthy? How did he eventually face his hurt and guilt? When was Art finally ready to go home again?
The supporting characters, Grandma LuAnn, Grandpa Otto, Phil, Dana, Brandon and Josh Calloway, and Ella, had lessons to teach and to learn in the Trust, Faith, Pride, and Forgiveness departments. Describe the life lessons you most identified with.
IN CONCLUSION
What traits and lessons do/did you hope most to pass on to your children/family members?
A family has many definitions in today’s society. What makes a family, and what holds it together? What are some of the ways your family sticks together?
[...] A Summer in Oakville [...]