Synopses & Reviews
From the author of fiction favorite
Sunday Brunch comes an inspirational novel about two bitterly divided sisters struggling to forgive each other and renew their faith in God.
Everything is not always sweet on Magnolia Lane, where the Ledoux clan had always gathered under the watchful eye of the family matriarch, Hannah. Years later, Hannahs granddaughter Summer, a soon-to-be bride, has planned a weekend event that prompts a major family reunion. But once relatives come together to celebrate Summers wedding, generational secrets that have spanned decades slowly come to the surface.
Blowing in belatedly and stoking long-standing resentments is Summers older sister, Misa, an international model. Unbeknownst to them, the sisters share something besides a feud: they have inherited the depression that had darkened the life of their mother, Elizabeth. While Summer relies on God to keep her from the abyss, Misa submerges herself in drinks and men. But neither can avoid what happens when, after a particularly vitriolic argument, one of the sisters flees in anger into the darkness of a rain-swept night.
The aftermath leads the sisters to uncover the truth about their family and themselves, testing their spiritual reserves. And along the way, Gods spirit continues to send them messages about the beauty of faith and love.
Spiritual, dramatic, and a memorable tribute to our beloved New Orleans, Jarretts second novel is a confident step forward in an already bright career.
About the Author
NORMA L. JARRETT is the author of Sunday Brunch and is an honors graduate of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. A native of New Jersey, she now lives in Houston, where she works at a local university and is an active member of Pastor Joel Osteens Lakewood Church.
Reading Group Guide
Sweet Magnolia deals with issues of forgiveness and family communication while keeping matters of the spirit close at heart. Here are some questions meant to provoke discussion and gentle debate about the impact the novel has made on your life.
1. How do you feel about Misas decision to accept her modeling opportunity? Do you think her decision to leave affected her mothers health? Was her mother being fair by asking her to stay?
2. Do you think the relationship that Alfred and Joy shared was inappropriate? Explain. If yes, at what point do you think they may have crossed the line?
3. What do you like and dislike about the character Hannah? How do you feel about her decision regarding her will? How do you think Summer and Misa could have avoided their big confrontation? Why do you think they had such a hard time communicating with one another?
4. How do you think Summer and Misa could have avoided their big confrontation? Why do you think they had such a hard time communicating with one another?
5. Some readers might perceive Summer as having a martyr mentality. Why does she feel so committed to solving her family issues and protecting the family name?
6. Why do you think it took so long for “the Hens” to find themselves?
7. Why do you think Hannah had such a big influence on her family in terms of money, religion, and career choices?
8. Do you think the mental illness that threatened Elizabeth and her daughters was a generational or a spiritual issue? Or both? What types of things could be done to break such a negative cycle in a family?
9. What are some things that cause siblings who grow up in the same household to take completely different spiritual, personal, or familial paths?
10. How important is preserving and creating family traditions today compared to previous generations?
11. What are some of your past and present family traditions?
12. Why do you think some people are healed through prayer alone and others may need a combination of prayer, counseling, and medication? Why do you think Misa was able to see Phillip Souchon differently as an adult? What are some of the spiritual factors that contributed to her new vision of him?
13. Why do you think Misa was able to see Phillip Souchon differently as an adult? What are some of the spiritual factors that contributed to her new vision of him?
14. What do you think of Phillips decision to stop his communication with Misa to get spiritual clarity?
15. What do you think of Quinton and Paige coming together? Why was he able to see her differently after his breakup with Misa?
16. Do you think Summers husband, Evan, was being unreasonable about wanting her to come home after Misa got better? Why or why not?
17. Misa entered into a relationship with Van relatively quickly. Why was she able to trust men she didnt know more easily than her own family members?
18. Could you relate to Summer and Misas relationship? Why or why not?