Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

After Raine’s dad walked out, Ginevieve Lightly never lived in one place too long, a rambling lifestyle that defined her daughter’s youth. When their car dies in Banister Falls, Wisconsin, Gin promises Raine they can stay until she finishes her senior year of high school. Gin will do anything to make sure her daughter has a bright future . . . a future that’s compromised when Raine reveals she’s pregnant.

Dan Moretti has only ever called Banister Falls home. After losing his best friend in a tragic accident, Dan devoted himself to responding to fires, rescuing the helpless, and guiding Cody Bennett, his best friend's son, through life. With Cody being the epitome of the good kid, it was an easy job. Until he says four little words: “The baby is mine.

As Gin and Dan do the best they can to guide the two teenagers through their early entry into adulthood, they discover together that romance can bloom in the rockiest of situations. And God can turn the pieces of a broken past into a beautiful new beginning.

I am not a huge contemporary romance fan, but this one kept me up last night til I almost finished it! New-to-me author that I am really enjoying.

I'm in for this one! And I'm glad my library has it. :-)

Just received an e-mail from Kathryn Springer. She is going to be able to join us. Please make her welcome. Feel free to ask her questions about herself and her writing. I love getting to know the authors behind the books we enjoy.

That's wonderful Loraine!

Currently reading this one and I'm finding it very interesting.

I read this novel in a day. Loved it! It made my top ten list of reads in 2015.

I'm loving the storyline of Gin and Dan! :)

Staci wrote: "I read this novel in a day. Loved it! It made my top ten list of reads in 2015."

Mine too!

I am in for this one, loved it!!!!

I'm on pg. 49 so far and I'm enjoying it! Hopefully I can finish it up this weekend! Lord ne willing. :-)

Hey Everyone! This is the first time I've ever been involved in a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ discussion! Thank you for inviting me to drop in--and I LOVE the name of your group:) I will be going out of town this afternoon, but if anyone has any specific questions for me about the book, I will pop back in and answer them as soon as I can!

Welcome Kathryn. We are so glad to have you join us. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Let's start discussion. Please use the spoiler alert that is available by clicking on the (some html is ok) at the top right for those who haven't finished reading. If you would like to pose a question of your own or comment on some specific part of the story, please feel free.

1. Ginevieve Lighytly ended up in Bannister Falls when she and her daughter, Raine, were on their way to Minneapolis. Have you ever experienced an unexpected "detour" in your personal journey that had you questioning God's plans and purposes? What were the circumstances? The outcomes?

2. In what ways did Dan and Evie's friendship help the healing process after Max died? In what ways did it hinder it.

3. Gin told Dan that she and Evie were "apples and oranges" even though they were both single moms. What impact do you think their different backgrounds and experiences had on the two women? How were they alike?

4. What was the turning point in Gin and Dan's relationship? Why do you think Dan was able to share on a deeper level with Gin than he could with Evie, his childhood friend?

5. From the time Gin was a child, no one really looked out on her best interests. Who are some of the people in your life who cared about you? Protected you? What are some of the barriers people use to protect themselves from being hurt?

6. Discuss how each of these characters viewed God: Raine, Cody, Ginevieve, Evie, Dan. Does their perception change over the course of the book? In what way?

7. Which character could you relate to the most? Why?

8. Evie tells Dan that she thinks "two eighteen-year-old kids have more faith, more courage, than we do? What do you think she meant? Do you agree?

9. How did you feel about Cody's proposal? What do you think Cody and Raine's greatest challenge will be?

10. "You do whatever you have to do so they know you love them." Share a situation where this became true in your own life.

That's a great question, Loraine! I was probably ten years old when I decided I wanted to be a writer. I was reading Misty of Chincoteague and asked my parents if I could have a horse. You can guess what the answer was! So I wrote a story about a horse and I was the heroine--I think that's the first time I realized the power of story. And I liked it! I had as much fun writing stories as I did reading them and that hasn't changed!

We are certainly glad that you continued to write! Do you get much time to read? If so, who are some of your favorite authors?

I make time to read! I usually have a nonfiction and a fiction (or two, or three!) titles on my coffee table. When I'm getting close to a deadline, though, I won't let myself pick up a new book or I don't write my own! I will reread one of my favorites so I know the ending and can put it down. Some of my favorite authors. . .there are so many! Anything by Susan May Warren, Irene Hannon and Dani Pettrey write awesome romantic suspense. . .I'll stop there!

I'm glad to see that you like to read some of our favorite authors!

I just finished tonight and I must say... I loved this book so much!! I was so sad it ended... 'cause I just want to read more about the Characters in this book!(Sigh) :-)This story was just beautifully written! And how can you not fall for the Moretti Fam!! I definitely cannot wait to read more in this series.

I wish I had more time to write my thoughts here! I loved this book, my favourite character was Gin because I was curious to know if she would face her fears eventually. Glad she did! :D I loved that Raine and Cody "helped" the adults make important decisions -they were so mature and really taught something to their mothers and Dan- and I agree with Chantel, the Moretti family was wonderful!

I loved the Moretti family and hope we find out more about them in another book from Kathryn! Is there a possibility Kathryn?

Thank you for all the encouraging comments! And if you enjoyed the book, you don't have to wait for the sequel, either. "The Hearts We Mend", Evie Bennett's story, is available now!

Thanks so much Kathryn for spending time with us. I will definitely be looking for "The Hearts We Mend!" Blessings on your continued writing!

Maria wrote: "I wish I had more time to write my thoughts here! I loved this book, my favourite character was Gin because I was curious to know if she would face her fears eventually. Glad she did! :D I loved th..."

I totally agree with you Maria' I believe that Raine and Cody had such a maturity level that you normally don't see at the age. Despite the mistakes that they made, they didn't let that stop them from going back to God, repenting and relying on His grace and guidence on what to do.
One of my favorite qoutes came from Cody;

"But then I remembered there isn't anyone who can stand before God and tell Him they did everything right. If I curl up in a ball and stay on the ground when I fall down it's like saying I don't believe God has the power to lift me back up."

This part really moved me because it shows the importance that if we do sin against God, that we can .repent sincerely and move forward with Him. I'm so glad we have an Advocate who is Jesus Christ who will help us. I'm telling you I just love this book so much! Such a great message love, grace and redemption. :-)

Kathryn wrote: "Thank you for all the encouraging comments! And if you enjoyed the book, you don't have to wait for the sequel, either. "The Hearts We Mend", Evie Bennett's story, is available now!"

Yay!!

Chantel - I can get "The Hearts we Mend" on ILL and have already requested it. Maybe this would be a great buddy read for October.

Maybe so? I've requested it from my library also, so I'll see if it comes.

Great Hannah!

Chantel wrote: "Maria wrote: "I wish I had more time to write my thoughts here! I loved this book, my favourite character was Gin because I was curious to know if she would face her fears eventually. Glad she did!..."

Raine and Cody were faced with problems at a young age but made mature decisions that led them back to God. I loved both of them. Gin was definitely unique and interesting.

Loraine wrote: "Chantel - I can get "The Hearts we Mend" on ILL and have already requested it. Maybe this would be a great buddy read for October."

I'm in!

Chantel wrote: "Loraine wrote: "Chantel - I can get "The Hearts we Mend" on ILL and have already requested it. Maybe this would be a great buddy read for October."

I'm in!"

Great - we can figure out a time that works for everyone.

Ladies I've had the pleasure of reading The Hearts We Mend already. It has me looking forward to the third book in the series!

Staci wrote: "Ladies I've had the pleasure of reading The Hearts We Mend already. It has me looking forward to the third book in the series!"

Well join in our Buddy Read discussion Staci!

Will do Loraine!

Staci wrote: "Ladies I've had the pleasure of reading The Hearts We Mend already. It has me looking forward to the third book in the series!"

I am so glad to read that their are more books in the series!!

I thought that every character had something special in them and I just love when a book is inspiring! I like to reflect upon all the situations that a character experiences and this story was definitely thought-provoking!

I'd love to read the second book with you all! I hope I can get a copy when the group read starts! :)

Ladies that were interested in buddy reading "Hearts we Mend" let me know if October 10 to Nov 10 would work and I'll put it on the Buddy Reads thread.

Kathryn, thanks so much for joining us in our discussion. Blessings on your continued writing career.

Loraine wrote: "Ladies that were interested in buddy reading "Hearts we Mend" let me know if October 10 to Nov 10 would work and I'll put it on the Buddy Reads thread.

Kathryn, thanks so much for joining us in ou..."

I am interested in the buddy read and that date works for me or even pushed out a week. Thank you Lorraine!

I just loved loved this book!

I'll set up the Buddy Read for Oct 10-Nov 10. If we need to make it last longer we can. I just got an e-mail that my ILL copy is at the library.

Awesome! I'll request it from my library! :-)