Discussion Questions: Hold Her Close

  1. What is your favorite scene from the book and why?
  2. Which character did you most relate to or connect with? Why?
  3. Hold Her Close is inspired by the Parable of the Pearl (read it in Matthew 13:45-46). What do you think the message of this parable is? How do you see that played out in Hold Her Close?
  4. Nicholas loves books and has memorized many quotes, ballads and scriptures so that he might always have them with him. Have you ever tried to memorize a long passage of scripture or verse? What was it? Do you have a favorite book to read or a verse you come back to time and time again?
  5. “Here, before the Almighty, she could rail and cry and weep and show every emotion she was too afraid to show anywhere else. The Almighty accepted her. Dirt, mess, and all.”
    Rose has always felt closer to God than she does those around her because she knows that nothing—no regret or emotion or fear or joy—is hidden from Him. Does the thought that someone sees every part of you make you feel loved or embarrassed? Do you have someone who knows you that well? Would you want to?
  6. “Sometimes, the greatest way a man could care for his people was to stand down and let someone else.”
    King Lior surrendered his crown to Lord Cavendish to stop a war before it began. Do you think this was the right decision? What do you think you would you have done in his place?
  7. One of the major themes in Hold Her Close is sacrifice, asking the question ‘what would you be willing to sacrifice for the sake of a prize?’ Lior gave up his kingdom, Nicholas surrendered his right to rule, Cavendish gave up his right to get even, Rose surrendered her dreams. While it’s unlikely too many of us these days will be asked to give up a crown, there are many times in life we’ll be asked to make sacrifices. What in your life might you be willing to sacrifice for? What would make the sacrifice worth it?
  8. “Mykah fought on the battleground, Evangeline in her mind, but this—This was where Rose fought her battles. In the chapel. On her knees.”
    Mykah, King Lior and Nicholas (and even Darrek, with Evangeline) all struggle with the fact that they can’t fight their loved ones’ battles. They can’t pick up a sword or fight someone or fix them. Sometimes the best, and only, thing you can do for a friend or child is to pray for them. Do you think prayer has power? What do you think of the idea of ‘fighting on your knees’?
  9. “There’s no shame in being unwell. Or letting someone help.”
    Much of Rose’s life has been affected by her illness—what today would be called endometriosis. She hides because it’s easier than finding ways to let others in or see how weak she really is, and struggles to ask for help, often feeling like a burden to those around her. Endometriosis is just one of many ‘invisible’ illnesses affecting people today. Do you know anyone with one?  How might you be a friend to them or encourage them today? Why do you think Rose has such trouble asking for help?
  10. Rose, Mykah and Evangeline are sisters with very different personalities. Which of the three daughters do you most relate to and why?
  11. “My precious daughter, beloved of mine. If only you could see yourself as I do.”
    How do you think God sees you? How do you think your life might be different if you could see yourself through God’s eyes?
  12. Rose and Nicholas are still childless at the end of the book, despite Rose’s prayers that God would give her a child. Have you ever had a prayer that wasn’t answered the way you hoped? Though this is the end of the series, what do you think happens next in Rose and Nicholas’s lives?