From the time I met with my very first book club four years ago (shown here with hostess Judy at her beach house), I’ve enjoyed my contacts with every one of them whether in person or by phone/Skype. Most even understand my southern accent;) As another novel releases, I wanted to post a huge THANK YOU to the church groups and clubs who read and discuss Christian fiction. With that in mind, I’ve added reader guides or discussion questions to my site here. Just go to my main page and click on BOOKS at the top. There you’ll find thought-provoking questions for each of my novels beneath the cover image and synopsis. There’s also a printable version of the questions if you’d prefer that.
Bless you ~ and happy reading!
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What a great idea! I’m not in a book club, but I always enjoy reading the book club questions because I feel like it helps me get a firmer grasp on the book and to think more in depth on themes and get more out of the reading in general.
Heather, I so agree:) Those questions really add an extra dimension to the book and make you think – or should! I do wish we had a book club here! But in the woods it’s hard to do. I am sure Seattle and other parts are swarming with them!
I have never thought of you with a Southern accent!! Isn’t that funny?!?! Even though I knew you are from Kentucky!! Do you say “Well, I’ll be John Brown!” My mammaw used to say that frequently! I miss her a lot!
Love you friend!
Stacie, LOL:) Your mammaw sounds wonderful and I can see why you miss her! My guess is that she had a southern accent, too! Nope, I’ve never even heard that saying but I DO know who John Brown is or was! Love you back!!
Oooh, I love that you are adding discussion questions. I have a book club with my 2 sister-in-laws, my mother-in-law, and one of my sister-in-law’s mom. I don’t think of you as with a Southern accent either, think I thought you’d have a West coast accent with maybe a tiny hint of twang.
I’m anxiously awaiting your book and a certain sandwich book that’s being released by one of my blogmates any day now. Just love Krista’s writing and her heart :).
Julia, Somehow I just knew you’d like those questions:) So happy you’re part of a club! And a family one, at that! I imagine there are some lively discussions! I’d like to be a fly on the wall;)
Go, Krista! Love how you say you love her writing and her heart. The two are truly linked. I’ll have to check her release out! It’s such a great thing that there are so many good books to choose from when just 20 years ago CBA fiction hardly filled one shelf if that!
Funny thing about accents. We live very close to the Canadian border and those Canadians sure have accents:) I think mine has faded over time but when I get excited or upset, lol, it’s very strong!
You would love Krista’s blog, if you haven’t been there. She has a beautiful ministry to other heart patients! Its been so neat to be flies on the wall of her journey 🙂
Hoping someday I’ll get to have some of that coffee with you for real. Were you terrified going to your first big conference? I am a bit. Although I’m so excited to room with my Alleymates, I’m sure it will be lots of fun but I’m seriously nerve-wracked just a bit and I’m not even trying to pitch. 🙂
Julia, I was nervous before that big conference so those jitters of yours are entirely sane! Part of the joy for me of that first conference was my anonymity. No one knew who I was. My first book had come out the month before and since I didn’t know anyone in publishing except a few people at Revell, I could just blend in and relax learn all that I could. I didn’t even know anyone so roomed alone. And since I didn’t pitch the pressure was truly off! I’m so glad your fellow alley cats will be there:) You are going to have SUCH a ball!!
I will certainly check out Krista’s blog – I didn’t realize about her ministry to heart patients! That sounds wonderful.
Oh, thank you. You have no idea what a relief to know others feel a bit shaky too. There’s so much hype and I know I’ll have a blast. I’m going to be rooming with Casey Herringshaw and Renee Ann Smith 🙂
Oh, I love knowing it’s 3 of my people together under the same roof and in the same room:) I couldn’t have picked a better trio! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures when you come back. Only my guess is it will be hard to leave!
P.S. Would you ever “raffle” off one of your lovely book discussions? 😉
For you, yes, dear Julia:) That sounds very fun and creative! I’ve actually been part of something like that where my books were “auctioned” at an event along with a discussion with me at a local coffee house, etc. Readers and book clubs are very creative at what they come up with. I love being a part of that.
Hi Laura–
I ordered Love’s Reckoning today! (B&N)– a favorite hang-out of mine and where my crit group meets. Can’t wait to get to see study questions–and guess what? As I’m an instructor for Leah homeschool classes, the parents have graciously entrusted me with teaching the basics of fiction writing with the 9-12 kids this fall. What an opportunity to influence for Christian authors! Am also going to show the study questions available to them that you’ve put up.
I’ve decided to go from lurker to actually trying to keep up to my favs on their blogs/FB. Hope I can be consistent. I don’t know how you do it and write too! Have you gotten used to it, or does it become more stressful at times?
Oh–before I forget–do you ever have any trailers? Some of my friends never knew they even existed for books!
Enjoy your week!
Pat, HUGE congrats on that teaching position! You’ll be terrific!! I’ve heard teachers say they’re beginning to use historical fiction from the CBA to teach history and that’s a wonderful thing. I’ll be praying that the classes are a blessing for you and everyone. LOVE that you like the study questions and am happy you found the trailer:) Book trailers are really neat when they’re done well.
It’s hard keeping up with a blog and writing fulltime and all else. I’ve had to cut back on my commitments and that’s hard. My boys return to school next week so my time will be a little less hectic or more quiet. A gettting ready to start another book. Prayers appreciated. You have mine! And I’d love to see you here anytime you come! Bless you.