This journey, traveled over the course of a week through the lives of four single women, is sometimes funny, sometimes raw, and always real. These women face real-life struggles. Real-life heartaches that many of us face every day. And yet this is more than a story of survival; it is about learning to live. My hope is that as you close the pages, you will be more aware of what real living is all about, more aware that inside your soul is the ability to survive even the toughest storms, and that paradise can always be found—even in the middle of a hurricane—if you are willing to look.
Acknowledgments
I’ve always said nothing in life is truly ever accomplished by one person. At the end of the day all our efforts are collaborative. Which, I think, makes life a beautiful mosaic. In the course of this book there were quite a few people who helped make it what you hold in your hands today, and if you’ll permit me, I’d like to take a few moments to thank them.
My agent, Greg Daniel, you came at just the right time with a belief in my stories. Thank you for walking this road with me.
To my Tyndale team: My publisher, Karen Watson, you just make me smile. I love to hear your voice on the other end of the phone, and I’m grateful for this new journey together. To Stephanie, Babette, the creative and sales teams at Tyndale, thank you for believing in Hurricanes in Paradise and for helping me share a little bit of my story with others. To my editor, Kathy Olson, you tweaked me, challenged me, and encouraged me. And then you just made my story better. Thank you for your time and your talent.
To my family, who consistently believes in me completely separate from what I do, and who have walked with me through some pretty brutal hurricanes. We survived. And are stronger for them.
To my new family, one thing I know is that hurricanes come, but I am certain that we will weather them well, and I am so grateful to be able to weather them with you.
To you, the reader, I never take for granted the gift you are giving me when you pick up one of my books. I pray I will be a good steward of both your time and your money. And I hope that after reading this book, you will see life a little differently, understand yourself a little better, and know how much you are completely valued and loved in a way you never have before.
And to my heavenly Father, my, what hurricanes You have brought me through. There were days I felt bruised and bloody, and You wrapped me in Your arms. There were days I was just plain scared to death, and You filled me with a supernatural peace. And there were days when I was standing in the eye of the storm, with chaos all around, and knew I was in the hollow of Your hand. Thank You for being a constant in this ever-changing flow. And for being Paradise to me in the middle of my hurricanes.
About the Author
Denise Hildreth has spent the last six years writing fiction that has been hailed as both “smart and witty.” Her ability to express the heart of the Southern voice has led to her being featured twice in Southern Living and receiving the accolades of readers and reviewers alike, but it is the simple joy of writing stories that keeps them coming. Her previous books include the Savannah series, Flies on the Butter, and The Will of Wisteria.
Denise makes her home in Franklin, Tennessee. And on her days off, she will settle for a long walk or a good book and a Coca-Cola.
Visit Denise’s Web site at www.denisehildreth.com.
Discussion Questions
1. At the beginning of the story, Laine and Riley each misjudge the other. How much credence should we give our first impressions of people? How can we wisely and charitably relate to people who initially rub us the wrong way? How should we respond if our first impressions are proven false? when they are proven true?
2. Laine is a demanding guest at times, forcing Riley to cancel some personal calendar events. How does she treat Laine with compassion and humility? What causes Riley to snap at Laine? How should we deal with difficult people?
3. Riley chooses to work in the hospitality field and takes responsibility for her guests’ needs, no matter how small or nitpicky. There are times we “may be entertaining angels,” so what are some practical ways we can show hospitality to those around us?
4. Winnie seems especially attuned to the problems of others but is seemingly unaware of the “hurricane” she’s experiencing in her own life. Why do you think that is?
5. Though relationship problems aren’t often as extreme as Tamyra’s, each of us has encountered people who, given the opportunity, might manipulate, use, or abuse us. How can we recognize unhealthy relationships? What are appropriate measures when we find ourselves in these situations?
6. Tamyra was afraid that God was upset because of her poor choices. Have you ever felt you’ve done something to anger God? What was the healing process like for you? If you still feel that this comes between you, what steps can you take to reconcile with Him?
7. Both Riley and Laine have difficulty forgiving themselves for significant events they were responsible for. Why is it so hard sometimes to forgive ourselves? Psalm 103:8-12 has some beautiful thoughts on forgiveness.
8. Throughout the course of the story, Winnie learns that the pain she experienced in losing Sam showed the depth to which she loved. Have you ever lost something dear to you? How did you respond in that circumstance?
9. Riley trusts Mia with her life story, only to
