From the Publisher:
After Katie Charmaine's husband is killed in Iraq, all she has left is a closet full of his clothes, a few pictures, and fond memories. She not only lost her love, but her last chance to have the children she's always wanted. Until Zack Ferguson shows uop in town...with the daugter Katie gace up for adoption nearly seventeen years ago.
Zack Ferguson has never forgotten Katie, or the one magical night they spent together. Seeing her again brings up a tidal wave of emotions: regret over the way he left her, anger at the secret she kept, and desire he hasn't felt in years. But he's in town for Gracie. Their daughter is sixteen, angry at the world, and-worst of all-pregnant. She needs the love of her two parents now more than ever. Can these three forgive the hurts of the past and open their hearts to one another?
About the Author:
Before becoming a full-time writer, Robin Wells was an advertising and public relations executive, but she always dreamed of writing novels—a dream inspired by a grandmother who told “hot tales” and parents who were both librarians.
When she sold her first novel, her family celebrated at a Chinese restaurant. Robin’s fortune cookie read “Romance moves you in a new direction”—and it has. Robin has won the RWA Golden Heart Award, two National Readers’ Choice Awards, the Holt Medallion and CRW’s Award of Excellence.
Robin lives just outside New Orleans with her husband, two daughters and an exceedingly spoiled dog named Winnie The Pooh-dle.
She loves to hear from readers, so drop her a note on-line or by writing her at P.O. Box 303, Mandeville, LA 70470-0303.
Book Club Discussion Questions:
Still the One addresses several different themes. Here are some questions to consider as you discuss the book:
1. FAMILY INFLUENCE
In what ways were Zack’s life views shaped by his parents’ marriage?
In what ways were Katie’s choices shaped by her mother’s lifestyle?
In what ways were Gracie’s views shaped by the things her adopted mother told her about her birth mother?
How did their views change over the course of the book? How did the characters in the book influence each other?
2. INFIDELITY
Did the fact that Dave had a drinking problem mitigate his behavior? Why or why not?
How big a role did social embarrassment play in Annette’s decision to divorce Dave and leave Chartreuse? Was that a valid reason?
Which was a bigger wrong: Dave cheating on Annette, or Annette’s unwillingness to forgive him?
Does forgiveness of an infidelity mean that the wronged spouse should always take back the straying spouse? Why or why not?
Katie felt that loving Zack was somehow a betrayal of her love for Paul. Why do you think she felt this way?
3. AMBIVALENCE
Gracie had ambivalent feelings about the baby when she was pregnant. Do you agree with her decision to keep the baby instead of giving it up for adoption? Why or why not?
Was Katie wrong to encourage Gracie to keep the baby? Do you think she was influenced by her own regrets or by her desire to help Gracie raise the baby? If so, were those selfish or loving motives?
4. CHANGE
Dave’s heart attack was a moment of awakening for Annette. The birth of Gracie’s baby was a break-through moment for Zack.
Do you believe that a life event can profoundly change a person? Why or why not?
Are these changes permanent, or do people usually revert to their old ways?
Have you ever had a profound life experience that changed a core belief or made you take your life in a new direction?
5. FORGIVENESS
Annette needed to forgive Dave’s infidelity and his lack of time and attention when they were married. What did Dave need to forgive Annette for?
Who did Gracie need to forgive?
Zack and Katie needed to forgive each other. Who else did they need to forgive?
Does the father of Gracie’s baby deserve forgiveness? Are some things unforgivable? Why or why not?
6. LETTING GO
All of the characters in the book let go of something-- emotions, objects, beliefs, habits, etc. Name the things that each had to let go of in order to gain the things they wanted:
Katie
Zack
Gracie
Annette
Dave
What things have you let go of in your life? Is there anything that you need to release in order to move forward?
This book sounds like a fantastic read.
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