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[dawn]

Never Ceese by Sue Dent
Prologue by Dawn
 

Merideth is a minister and Julia is the mother of 6 children. Julia's family has gone to church and she has some very rare free time. As she tidies up, she turns around to see a large man who grabs her arm. He tells her that he wants her and Merideth to leave the area. He leads her outside and hands her off to another man who he instructs to not speak or kill Julia.
 
Julia is sexually assaulted by the second man. When it's over, the first man tells Julia to never forget this day and to tell her husband to go - for "only evil will stand here." The large man suddenly turns into a wolf as Julia stares disbelievingly. The wolf comes toward her and claws at her side.
 
Once the men have left, Julia stumbles into the house intent on cleaning herself up so her husband won't find out what has happened to her. Days pass as Julia struggles to hide her pain from her family.
 
We find out the story takes place in the late 1700's in Llandyfan Wales. He soon realizes that his wife is troubled and he questions her about it. Reluctantly, Julia tells Merideth what happened that awful day. He gently comforts her and lets her know that he would never leave her. Even when Julia admits that she is pregnant, he will not forsake her. He immediately vows to raise the child as his own.
 
As Julia tells Merideth about the man/wolf, he thinks she must have been delirious until she shows him the horrible scars...
 
Two men watch from behind the bushes as Julia tells her husband. We find out one of the men is centuries old and cursed, held captive by some evil....We learn the "older" man bribed the other man to rape Julia. The man/wolf knows his scratches will affect the child Julia carries. When the rapist threatens to go after Julia again, the man/wolf kills him.

Later on, as Merideth is reading the last rites at a funeral, Julia recognizes the dead man as the one who attacked her. Merideth takes Julia home and they pack their belongings and within a week they have moved on.
 

Questions for consideration:

What were your first impressions of the men who came to Merideth and Julia's home?

What did you think of Merideth's reaction to what happened to Julia?

How did you feel when Julia realized that she recognized the man at the funeral?

Is there something you noticed in this chapter that you'd like to discuss with the book club?

What is your favorite quote from this chapter?

Did you notice any foreshadowing in this chapter? If so, what?

[suedent123]

Just one quick note, while it's clear Merideth is a minister and it seems he favors the doctrine of the Baptist, there's no specific mention of his particular brand of faith--I don't think. *Sue rushes to reread just in case.*

addendum: LOL I did mention Baptist. I wrote ". . . to the Baptists who had established themselves in the area, Merideth was a Godsend . . . " so there ya go. Although it didn't say Merideth was Baptist. I suspect he ran more closely with this doctrine though. 

[Krystal109]

What were your first impressions of the men who came to Merideth and Julia's home?
Okay so at first I didn't know what to expect. Afterward I was really creeped out by what they did. I knew something was up with them, but I was really surprised when the one guy attacked Julia.

What did you think of Merideth's reaction to what happened to Julia?
That's a really loving husband she has. Some men might think that she didn't fight hard enough, but he's very understanding and sympathetic to her.

How did you feel when Julia realized that she recognized the man at the funeral?
It was obvious that he wanted them to leave the area and I think that was his purpose. He wanted to make sure that she knew that it wasn't a one time event. If they don't leave he will do something again.

Is there something you noticed in this chapter that you'd like to discuss with the book club?
I kinda of feel sympathy for Julia and her child. How do you think her siblings will react to the new kid and having to move so quickly.

What is your favorite quote from this chapter?
I actually really liked the rapist's character. So my favorite line is:
"So when do I get the money you promised? Or maybe I'll visit Julia again."

Did you notice any foreshadowing in this chapter? If so, what?
There's some definite foreshadowing of events that are to come. For example, the whole thing with the wolfman saying that the child will be his in some way. I really get the feeling that we will not only see this man, but the child again soon.

[dawn]

What were your first impressions of the men who came to Merideth and Julia's home?
It freaked me out, but I did not see the rape coming. I get that he wanted to scare her but, yeah I don't even know what to say.

What did you think of Merideth's reaction to what happened to Julia?
I thought he was such an amazing man. Not many men could over look something like that.

How did you feel when Julia realized that she recognized the man at the funeral?
I'm sure she realized as easily as the rapist could be killed, she could be killed too. It was like her last warning.

Is there something you noticed in this chapter that you'd like to discuss with the book club?
Their whole lives changed in an instant. And as much as Merideth thinks he can raise the child as his own, can he really? and can Julia also love this child as much as her others considering the circumstances under which she got pregnant?

Did you notice any foreshadowing in this chapter? If so, what?
I wondered what the scratches meant for the unborn child.

And it seemed that the area was populated with some weird issues and people. You can feel that there's much more going on than meet's the eye.

[Krystal109]

Is there something you noticed in this chapter that you'd like to discuss with the book club?
Their whole lives changed in an instant. And as much as Merideth thinks he can raise the child as his own, can he really? and can Julia also love this child as much as her others considering the circumstances under which she got pregnant?

That's a really good observation dawn. I mean how can one fully love something born of hate. It takes a strong person. I think Meri could, but I think Julia might always resent the child

[suedent123]

Author's perspective:

What were your first impressions of the men who came to Merideth and Julia's home?
I was very worried for Julia. She was so innocent.


What did you think of Merideth's reaction to what happened to Julia?
Unbelievable! He must truly love Julia.


How did you feel when Julia realized that she recognized the man at the funeral?
I felt bad that she couldn't draw some relief at knowing her rapist was gone. Now she had to worry about a murderer.

Is there something you noticed in this chapter that you'd like to discuss with the book club?

It's interesting I think that despite the fact that Julia pointed out this place is where Merideth thought the Lord led him, Meri left it all to protect  her and their family.
 
What is your favorite quote from this chapter?
Merideth's words were hard. "You shall have to find the Devil himself to bury that one."

Did you notice any foreshadowing in this chapter? If so, what?
I'd have to agree with the previously mentioned foreshadowing.

[Krystal109]

Is there something you noticed in this chapter that you'd like to discuss with the book club?

It's interesting I think that despite the fact that Julia pointed out this place is where Merideth thought the Lord led him, Meri left it all to protect  her and their family.
 
What is your favorite quote from this chapter?
Merideth's words were hard. "You shall have to find the Devil himself to bury that one."

Oh I love that quote Sue. It's so direct while not revealing to anyone else the details.

Also yea I have a friend who's parents are ordained and they always talk about the Lord sending them to this and that. I'd imagine it would be a hard decision for them to have to choose between the lord and their family. I mean that's a tough one.

[dawn]

Merideth didn't even hesitate though. He stepped up to that plate regardless of the consequences for his ministry.

[caroMR]

What is your favorite quote from this chapter?
Merideth's words were hard. "You shall have to find the Devil himself to bury that one."

Agreed! thats a good quote

[Krystal109]

Merideth didn't even hesitate though. He stepped up to that plate regardless of the consequences for his ministry.

Yea Meri is freakin' amazing. I really love him. I'm kind of hoping to see him more.

[suedent123]

it would be a hard decision for them to have to choose between the lord and their family. I mean that's a tough one.

I think some often mistake what their ministry is. Meri seems to understand that his family is his ministry.

He is freakin' awesome to me too. Wish I could find someone like him.

[caroMR]

What were your first impressions of the men who came to Merideth and Julia's home?
Bad, I usually always have a bad feeling with things like this,lol. But i thought that he was going to kill her, but what he did hurts more for a woman.

What did you think of Merideth's reaction to what happened to Julia?
Surprised. Not many men would have actted that way. It shows that his a good husband, person and that he loves her and understands.

How did you feel when Julia realized that she recognized the man at the funeral?
Worse. It was a warning, Julia and her family were in danger.

Is there something you noticed in this chapter that you'd like to discuss with the book club?
Their different reactions. The compassion, guilt, anger, sadness, fear.