Synopses & Reviews
Kristen Wakefield grew up the privileged, beloved daughter and sister of a wealthy family...yet she felt eclipsed by the achievements of her older brother, Adam, a renowned neurosurgeon. In New Orleans, Kristen believes she now has the opportunity to prove herself and forget a rather disastrous past relationship. But life is much harder than she expected in the Big Easy. Then she meets a man from her past, Rafe Crawford...a man battling his own demons and keeping his own secrets.
The beautiful, but down-to-earth Angelique Fleming has always had to fight to get what she wanted in a world dominated by men and she has the chip on her shoulder to prove it. Which is why she takes great pleasure working at a local strip club, hoping to expose a few naughty little secrets of the community's upstanding men. But before she gets all the dirt, she's going to find out a few things about life, men, and forgiveness she thought she already knew.
Claudette Thibodeaux Laurent comes from old New Orleans money and had always adhered to the family code: honor above all else. But she shocks polite society when she marries a man much younger than herself, a man everyone suspects is only after her money. Claudette has done her duty to her family and now she wants a little happiness for herself. And yet doubts eventually begin to creep in and she isn't sure which Maurice loves more: her or her money, as his desire for the finer things in life become more and more lavish. Just exactly how much is her happiness is going to cost her?
Told with Francis Ray's trademark emotion and passion, Somebody's Knocking at My Door is a powerful story of betrayal and forgiveness, love and healing.
Review
"This novel is Rays finest work to date. Extremely well-written characters display a wide array of emotions-individuals whose lives and loves intermingle in each others story and a plot that flows smoothly from the first page to the last. ...A powerful story!"
-- Romantic Times (May 1, 2003)
Synopsis
From "Essence" and "Blackboard" bestselling author Ray comes a novel about a man's struggle to come to grips with his violent past in order to find love in the present.
About the Author
Francis Ray is the New York Times bestselling author of the Grayson novels, the Falcon books, the Taggart Brothers, and Twice the Tempation, among many other romances. Her novel Incognito was made into a movie aired on BET. A native Texan, she is a graduate of Texas Woman's University and has a degree in nursing. Besides a writer, she is a school nurse practitioner with the Dallas Independent School District. She lives in Dallas.
Reading Group Guide
1. In doing the research for this book the author spoke with several people who were physically and emotionally abused as children. Only a few were able to let go of their hatred and move on. Could you forgive and forget?
2. Angelique had a great deal to say about the double standards between men and women. Do you feel a woman can be intimate with a number of men and still be considered a "good woman"? Why or why not?
3. What do you think of Kristen's decision not to expose Maurice? Is sexual harassment still as prevalent or has all the sensitivity training helped? What would you do if you were a victim of sexual harassment? Would you tell your significant other?
4. Kristen and Jacques realized how much Rafe and Claudette needed them and were willing to keep their love a secret for fear it would end their friendship. Could you be a long-suffering, "silent" lover and put the other person's happiness ahead of your own? Why or why not?
5. Angelique's past as an exotic dancer caused problems for her and Damien. How important is background and family when you're dating? If you're thinking of getting serious? Marriage? Do you think whatever happened before you met should stay in the past?
6. Kristen, Angelique, and Claudette were greatly influenced by their first love. How about your first love? Is he/she still a part of your life or do you count your blessings that you moved on?