Carly Leigh Sinclair grew up in the last decades of the twentieth century in the home of her independent and ambitious mother, Leigh. Scarred by a childhood trauma, Carly finds that constantly trying to please her mother by hiding her own fears only causes them to mount. In a bold attempt to face them head-on, Carly decides to join the army.

Military life is a shocking change for the young woman. But through the experience, she examines and begins to dismantle her self-doubt. When she suffers abuse from another recruit and then is sent to Kuwait as a part of Desert Shield and Desert Storm, courage becomes crucial for survival.

All too soon, Carly finds love, is wounded, and is sent home to Ivy Manor. There, under the care of three generations of women who have endured their own wars-personal and otherwise-Carly must determine if she can truly cope, not only with her physical injuries, but with her emotional and spiritual ones as well. Can Carly find peace at last?

2 My generation, the baby boomers, has also often been called the "sandwich generation." Why do you think this situation has evolved? (A hint: think life expectancy.) Was this true for Leigh-was she "sandwiched"?

3. Have you ever been in a situation like Carly's in boot camp? Did anyone ever make you the target of bullying or gossip? How did you handle it-or wish you'd handled it?

4. If you've read all four books, compare and contrast how each generation, starting with Lily Leigh and Chloe, clashed with the next. What caused problems between mothers and daughters? What created harmony?

5. Every action brings consequences. What consequences did Carly experience from her kidnapping? How did she try to deal with those consequences?

6. Why do you think Carly enlisted? Explain your reasons.

7. In my humble opinion, the way to true peace is to be honest with yourself, genuine with others, and open and humble with God. Consider each of the Women of Ivy Manor: what resulted when each lived up to this-or didn't?

9. How did Lorelle's life differ from her father Frank's and her great-grandmother Minnie's?

10. Besides the heroine, which of the characters in this book did you enjoy most? Discuss the same for each previous book.

11. Are there any characters in the previous books that you wished you'd read more about? Why?