Lucy Price fled California for the sleepy midwestern town of Drake, Iowa believing she could escape the trauma of a violent assault by a stalker whose fascination turned into hatred when he discovered her Mexican heritage.
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Three years later, Lucy must face the fear she thought she had left behind when the spirit of her stalker takes shape with a white supremacist organization called American Values in Democracy (AVID). She feels the weight of responsibility, as her way of life, and the lives of everyone she holds dear, come under assault.
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Like the Old Oak in the center of town, Lucy must find the strength and perseverance to move forward despite the fresh scar left behind by hatred and revenge.
Top Review
Spirit is an important and intricately detailed story of courage and hope in the face of trauma and
discrimination. The novel does a good job of breathing life into relevant issues, such as white supremacy,
sexual assault, and racial discrimination without losing sight of the plot, characters, and overall
storytelling. Lucy is a strong and engaging protagonist, and readers appreciate how she grows and
changes. Lucy and Eli share a natural, easy chemistry, which allows for their relationship to blossom
organically as the novel progresses. - Writer's Digest
Trainman5654
"I very much enjoyed this fascinating story so very well appropriate for today's times. The story is one everyone needs to read."
JustMyOpinion67
"I loved this book! The characters and dialogue felt so real. The storyline couldn't be more appropriate for the times we are living. I can't wait for her next novel to come out!"
Sue Reed
"I loved this book. The characters were people I would like to know. They made me smile. They made me cry. The anxious moments were well balanced with the loving interactions of a group of friends and lovers who were there for each other at all the important times."
SPIRIT - DISCUSSION QUESTIONS​
1. How do white supremacists set themselves apart from racism? In which camp would you place Ben Wyatt?
2. Do you believe groups like AVID support racism, or that racism supports such groups?
3. Does the far-right own white supremacy?
4. Lucy Price hid her true identity from Eli. Do you believe that was because of a trust issue? Either trusting that he may understand her origins as a Mexican-American or trusting that he could keep that a secret to protect herself? Something else?
5. How does Eli relate to her situation?
6. Would Mayor Church have as much power without the Chief or the Hill Brothers? Did Ben Wyatt make Mayor Church stronger?
7. Did Lucy’s move from California make her more secure or less? Why?
8. What are your thoughts on the Chrysanthemum School? Would you welcome this model into your own community?
9. Did Eli’s grief over his parents wane after meeting Lucy? Her problems being more immediate, having put his in perspective?
10. Lucy often considered leaving Drake to protect Eli and his family. When she shared this plan with Eli, he begged her to stay. Does that mean he takes some responsibility for Owen’s end? Should Lucy carry the burden alone? What about Bob Marshall’s role? The mayor? Ben Wyatt or his foster parents? How far back can the reader go to place blame for Owen’s death?
11. Why would Lucy see Kali and Mia’s relationship as ideal - almost enviable when her own parents have been such great role models?
12. What do you think of Javier’s transition to American life? Realistic? Reminiscent of a bygone era? Something else?
13. Before Lucy’s traumatic assault by Ben Wyatt, she’d had other negative sexual encounters. Does this place her in the Me Too movement?
14. Why was Ben Wyatt hell-bent on hurting Lucy even after he took out his anger on her in Santa Cruz, CA?
15. Summer had told Lucy to say, “I am not a victim.” But after the violence at Eli’s house during the Push Back, Dr. Chan said otherwise. “It’s okay to acknowledge the victim, as long as you realize that is not your only identity.” Then she asked Lucy three questions. “Who are you? What do you want out of life? What brings you joy?”
How would you answer these questions, and what would you add that might help a person find themselves?
16. Is AVID realistic? How do you see this social element playing out these days?
SPOILER
Many of you feel shocked, perhaps horrified, by the ending of this story. I feel that this is a safe place to explain myself. Lucy's story has two underlying themes: resilience in the face of repeated trauma, and grief.
I began writing this book in 2016, about a year after my youngest son's tragic death. His older brother died suddenly three and a half years earlier. A one, two punch that brought me to my knees. People often say, "I could never imagine how you feel." or, "You're so strong." Well, you never know how strong you are until it's your only choice. But as far as explaining how it feels to lose a child, I was at a loss for words, thus, the dramatic ending to this book.
How did it make you feel? Cheated? Stunned? Did you gasp at the audacity and horror? Had you imagined Owen growing up and raising a family of his own in that beautiful house, only to have that image stolen from you? Did you struggle to wrap your head around it? I'm still reeling many years later. Of course, I am. We are. I could never do this on my own. But I also wanted to paint a final picture of what it takes to start over. In the final chapter, you find Lucy and Eli living the best they can without their Little Bird, though his spirit lives on in countless ways.
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