Calais
Calais

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“Lucas Hayden possesses a secret to change the life of his girlfriend, Tessa Fellows. For years, Lucas diligently prepared for the role to protect and teach the young goddess. Tessa, only sixteen years old, considers herself to be very average from her intelligence and athletic abilities to her looks. Being raised by two overprotective parents, she experiences an overwhelming shock when she discovers her biological grandfather contracted Michael and Patricia Fellows to raise his infant granddaughter until an appointed time. Lucas claims to be twenty-six hundred years old, more or less, and will direct and defend her as she learns who she is, half-nymph, half-Greek god. Her mind spirals as she tries to take inventory of all of the new information while at the same time experiencing a metamorphosis. Abilities develop to confound her as she witnesses herself heal a friend of appendicitis or when her unchecked pheromones consistently attract unwanted suitors. Filled with horrific visions, mythological creatures, and celestial counselors, Tessa wonders if she really could be more than average as she struggles with her incomprehensible future. Despite counsel to trust Lucas, doubts continuously ramble in her mind causing her to abandon her destiny to flee her home” (Amazon summary).

 

Preface:

  • What do you imagine Anicetus meant when you first read the preface?
  • How could one prepare for an expected transition in life?

Chapter 1: Mustang

  • Did/do you find high school to be a time filled with a good experience? Why? Why not?
  • How do the aching feelings of nightmares bleed over into daily life?
  • What makes Tessa think that someone else would be more interesting than herself?
  • What assets do close friendships bring to life?
  • What motivates jealousy?
  • How would Lucas gather so much personal information about Tessa?

Chapter 2: Manipulation

  • What could have humbled Ryan?
  • What magnetizes females to Lucas?
  • Could Jennie’s complexion have been imagined? Why or why not?
  • How do experiences keep returning to memory or the mind?
  • What is an observer?

Chapter 3: Assaulted

  • Why does Tessa acquiesce to Ryan’s desires?
  • Why would Ryan hurt Tessa?
  • What is the relationship between jealousy and anger?

Chapter 4: Duplicity

  • How are the people in Tessa’s life duplicitous?
  • What would you imagine if you’d been Tessa and overhear the discussion?
  • Why would Ryan lie?
  • How does Lucas bring comfort to Tessa?

Chapter 5: Revelation

  • How did Lucas’ information change Tessa’s perspective?
  • What new vernacular did Tessa need to learn?
  • How would you feel learning you were adopted?
  • What special role do you play in life?
  • What would be worse than death for you?

Chapter 6: Curetes

  • Would learning about the Curetes bring comfort to Tessa? Why? Why not?
  • What would Zeus’ siblings owe him for saving them?
  • What kind of ‘Curetes’ figuratively exist in your life?
  • How can someone be protected in public?
  • What is Tessa experiencing after learning of her adoption and the Curetes?

Chapter 7: Claim

  • Would having a claim be dismaying or comforting to you? Why or why not?
  • How do we determine how close others get to us?
  • How does Tessa show self-determination and self-reliance?
  • How does the new information alter Tessa’s routines?

Chapter 8: Reprieve

  • Why is Patricia worried about Tessa?
  • How does the lack of privacy impact Tessa’s individuality?
  • How do nicknames become a part of one’s identity?
  • How can Tessa balance the identities?

Chapter 9: Nauggies

  • Have you ever felt nauggies in your room?
  • How do Lucas’ special abilities complement Tessa?
  • Does Lucas’ explanations seem condescending? Why? Why not?
  • Would knowing the identity of an intruder be comforting? Why? Why not?
  • How can concentration steal energy from people?
  • How can trusting Lucas help Tessa?

Chapter 10: Blessing

  • What ways could Tessa explain away her exhaustion?
  • Why would she want to hel the fingernail marks?
  • What caused her fear of Mr. Baker?
  • What did the blessing mean to Tessa?

Chapter 11: Confrontation

  • How does having a companion help in trials?
  • How was Tessa reckless?
  • What would it be like to discover Lucas was a god?
  • Why would she feel unworthy of him?
  • Is Michael wrong or right for calling out Lucas? Why or why not?

Chapter 12: Doomed

  • How would reality seem surreal given what Tessa knew?
  • What causes Tessa to be emotional?
  • What would you do if you’d received a vision of doom?

Chapter 13: Replenished

  • What would you do if you were in Tessa’s place?
  • Why would Zeus be proud of her?
  • How does cooking make things seemingly better?
  • What does Tessa see herself as weak?
  • What or why not is happiness difficult to find?

Chapter 14: Glory

  • Can a playful nature be an asset?
  • Why would a celestial aura be terrifying?

Chapter 15: Romp

  • Why does Tessa need to learn about the Greek gods?
  • Why can’t she simply look up the information when she needs it?
  • Where do you base your happiness?

Chapter 16: Jewels

  • Why would Tessa name a tree?
  • How does pretending take extreme effort?

Chapter 17: Surprises

  • Why is Tessa worried about Momus discovering her abilities?
  • How would you greet Herakles?
  • How can nymph attributes be an asset?

Chapter 18: Happiness

  • How is Tessa’s bliss and happiness short-lived?
  • Can happiness endure? Why or why not?
  • How can serving others distract us from our trials and shortcomings?

Chapter 19: Betrayal

  • How had Ryan been betrayed just as Tessa?
  • How is one chosen?
  • How is Ryan not able to see the truth?
  • Why does Tessa’s vision cost her so much?

Chapter 20: Darkness

  • How are avoidance and depression comforting?
  • Why would Tessa need to say goodbye?
  • How do tears help? Crying?

Chapter 21: Spyridon

  • Why would she see the happy memory of Lemosa?
  • Why would being a half-god make a difference to Spyridon?
  • How does Momus continually trick others?

Chapter 22: Lullaby

  • What would a lullaby mean to you?
  • How difficult would it be for Tessa to handle Sophie in the role of a god?

Epilogue: Mighty Change

Lemosa

Click on image for book two of the series …

  • What does the future look like for Tessa?

 

By Tracy Atkinson

Tracy Atkinson, mother of six, lives in the Midwest with her husband and spirited long-haired miniature dachshunds. She is a teacher, having taught elementary school to higher education, holding degrees in elementary education and a master’s in higher education. Her passion is researching, studying and investigating the attributes related to self-directed learners. She has published several titles, including MBTI Learning Styles: A Practical Approach, The Art of Learning Journals, Calais: The Annals of the Hidden, Lemosa: The Annals of the Hidden, Book Two, Rachel’s 8 and Securing Your Tent. She is currently working on a non-fiction text exploring the attributes of self-directed learners: The Five Characteristics of Self-directed Learners.

 

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