Reading Group Guide for The Summer Hideaway by Susan Wiggs (Mira Books, March 2010)

1. The book opens with a snapshot of a day in the life of a military med-evac unit. Ross Bellamy keeps two things close after the incidentÐthe image of the old man and his grandson, and the contact card given to him by Florence Kennedy. How do these two things come into play later in the story?
2. What is your first impression of George Bellamy? Does he remind you of anyone in your life? Can you create a really specific mental picture of your own grandfather? What did his voice and laughter sound like? How did he dress? What were some of his quirks? What did you enjoy doing with him?
3. What's your first impression of Claire Turner? Did you sense something "off" about her right away? What details gave you insight into her situation?
4. If you were ever forced to disappear to save your own life, what specific steps would you take to make it happen? What is the fantasy element of doing this? What are the drawbacks?
5. How is being a private care nurse for the terminally ill a perfect job for Claire? What are some of the issues she might face as a result of having this job, year in and year out? What are some of the hidden blessings?
6. Why does Claire feel so vulnerable in a small town like Avalon? What do you suppose was going through George's head as he revisited the places of his youthÐthe Sky River Bakery and Camp Kioga in particular were important places in his past. What emotions do they seem to bring up in the present?
7. Describe the dynamic between Ross, his mother and his best friend Natalie. How do these relationships fall short? In what ways is he haunted by war? Why does this make him eager to get on with his life?

Reading Group Questions for Lakeshore Christmas by Susan Wiggs

1. What is Maureen's role in her family, and how does that shape who she is?
2. Have you ever changed your dreams like Maureen did when she gave up on acting?
3. If you were the Havens, how would you have raised Eddie? Do you think they did the right thing by keeping him on the road?
4. What are your thoughts on Maureen's inability to trust men? Do you think her experience in Paris gives her reason to doubt all men?
5. If you were Daisy and you knew that one of those men, Logan or Julian, was carrying an engagement ring, who would you hope was going to propose? The man who holds your heart or the father of your child?
6. If you were Maureen, a dedicated librarian, how would you have reacted to the budget cuts and the imminent closure of the library? What would you have done?
7. Do you think that Maureen should have taken Mr. Byrne's offer and given Cecil the main role in the play if it meant saving the library?
8. Maureen's favorite time of the year is Christmas. What is yours? Do you get excited about the upcoming holidays or is it overwhelming?
9. What do you think Jabez's role in this book was? What purpose did he serve?
10. Have you ever had a life altering experience like Eddie had the night he crashed his van?
11. What are your fondest memories of the library?
12. What are some of your favorite traditions during the holiday and where did they come from?

Reading Group Guide for Just Breathe by Susan Wiggs

You can find a reading group guide on the Web here , and another in pdf format here .

Reading Group Questions for Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs

1. Noah has never lived anywhere but the dairy farm where he grew up, which he's converted into the veterinary hospital. How has this placed limits on him, and how does it contribute to the conflict in his relationship with Sophie?
2. Sophie has lived all over the world. How has this placed limits on her, and how does it contribute to her ambivalence about settling in a small town?
3. During the hostage crisis, Sophie commits an irrevocable act. Was it justified? Have you ever imagined yourself in a life-or-death situation?
4. Both Sophie and Daisy were extremely young mothers, but they both made different choices about their futures. Which would you choose?
5. After meeting Sophie, Noah's dreams of the future change. Is that realistic? Can meeting a certain person change your dreams? Has it ever happened to you?
6. Do you feel critical of Sophie for choosing to let her kids live with their dad while she moves overseas? If she was a man, would your opinion change?
7. Have you ever made a choice between career and family? Was it difficult, or a no-brainer? What sacrifices did you make?
8. If you read The Ocean Between Us (2004), you might remember that Steve Bennett was called by duty to go on deployment for six months at a time. How does his career and schedule compare to Sophie's? Are you more sympathetic to one or the other?
9. Have you ever dated someone significantly younger than you? Was the dynamic different?
10. Was Noah out of line, giving Max a dog?
11. Did Sophie earn a second chance to be a mom? What do you think she'll do differently this time around?
12. Do you think Noah will be fulfilled by the family he's made with Sophie? How is this different from the future he thought he wanted? The situation in Umoja, although fictional, is based on actual events in numerous nations of sub-Saharan Africa. What can an individual do to help alleviate the situation? How can one insure that a diamond is "conflict-free"?
13. Looking ahead, do you see a potential book starring any of the secondary characters? Which ones, and how do you see the story playing out?

Whew! All that work calls for refreshment. At the reception in The Hague, gougeres are served with champagne. Here's a sneak peek at this easy, elegant pastry recipe:

Gougeres originated in France, and are traditionally served this time of year, with champagne–dry, not brut.

1 cup water
1 stick unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups coarsely grated Gruyere cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the water, butter and salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to moderate. Add flour all at once and beat with a wooden spoon until the mixture pulls away from side of pan.

Transfer mixture–known as pate a choux–to a bowl and use an electric mixer to beat in the eggs, one at a time. If the batter is too stiff, add another egg.

Stir the Gruyere into the pate a choux and drop by tablespoons about one inch apart on the baking sheet. Bake for about twenty-five minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Reading Group Questions for Summer at Willow Lake:

1. What are some of the feelings evoked by the phrase "summer camp"?
2. Have you ever been to camp? If so, what are some of the memories you have of that time? Were there friends? Rivalries? Romances?
3. Olivia has some unfinished business leftover from her less-than-happy childhood. How do her family and friends help and/or hinder her efforts to come to terms with the things that happened?
4. Do you think Olivia handled her parents' divorce in a healthy way? How did it affect her relationships with men as an adult?
5. As children, Olivia and Connor were from different worlds, yet at camp, they bonded. Why do you suppose they were drawn to one another?
6. How did Olivia's body image as a teenager affect her sense of self esteem? What do you suppose caused her to transform herself as a young woman, and how did this affect her career choice?
7. She's had two broken engagements. In your opinion, what caused those relationships, and the one with Rand, to fail?
8. Discuss some of the ways Connor's childhood shaped that man he is now. Why do you suppose he's still single?
9. Olivia discovers something about her father's past, and it changes the way she sees him. Have you ever thought you knew someone, only to discover something completely surprising?
10. What do you suppose the future holds for Olivia and Connor?

Reading Group Questions for Table For Five:

1. If you are the parent of minor children, are they provided for in your will? How did you determine who will take care of them if something happens to you?
2. Suppose an estranged husband and wife disagreed on who should raise their children if something happened to both of them? How should the question be settled?
3. What was behind Lily's reluctance to engage in a long-term relationship and start a family of her own?
4. Did Sean initially strike you as good family man material? What traits did he possess that ultimately transformed him?
5. What did you think of Lily's decision to give up her summer plans for the sake of the children? Was it a no-brainer, or should she have debated the issue more?
6. How did Cameron's grief manifest itself in his behavior? What's the best way to deal with a teenager coping with Cameron's issues?
7. How would you react if you suddenly lost your best friend? Would you be willing and able to raise her kids? In what ways would your life change if you suddenly found yourself with three kids you hadn't planned on?
8. What was the key trouble with Charlie? Why, in the midst of her grief, did she start doing better in school? What effect does the pressure of secrecy have on a young child?
9. How and when should Ashley be told about her parents? Should Greg be a part of her life?
10. Mark Twain said, "Grief can take care if itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with." How does the story illustrate this?

Readers' Group Questions for The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs

1. Have you ever parted on bad terms with a loved one? Did you feel regrets about it or was it justified? Should Grace and Steve tried to put their differences aside when he shipped out?
2. How much input should a parent get when it comes to advising kids what to do after high school? Did Brian and Emma make good choices? What were other choices they might have explored? Does Steve’s job make it easier or harder for the kids to plan their futures?
3. How did you feel about Steve’s decision to hide the past from his present family? When is it all right to keep something in the past a secret from your loved ones?
4. What’s missing from Lauren Stanton’s life? How do you think she and Josh will fare in the future? Is happiness possible for this couple?
5. How does the life of a Navy wife differ from the life of a civilian woman? Does it seem exciting to you, or would it be a nightmare? Would you like or dislike moving every three years? What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing this?
6. What did you think about Emma’s ordeal? Was her decision to keep silent understandable? Did you agree or disagree with her parents’ reaction when they found out the truth?
7. Steve’s decision in the end was a bombshell. How do you think this will play out for the family? Have you ever made a life-changing decision without being sure of the outcome? How did it work out for you?
8. This quote is featured on the author’s web site: "One advantage of marriage, it seems to me, is that when you fall out of love with him, or he falls out of love with you, it keeps you together until you maybe fall in again." —Judith Viorst, "What Is This Thing Called Love?" (Redbook, Feb. '75). What’s your opinion of that? How does it apply to the characters in The Ocean Between Us? Is this a factor in you own life?

Home Before Dark: Reading Group Guide

1. When you first met Jessie, what did you think about her decision to come home from abroad after fifteen years? Was her motivation valid? Self-serving? Understandable?
2. What do you think the real story is behind the break-up of Simon and Jessie?
3. What's your opinion of the "situation" between Jessie, Ian and Luz? Each of Luz's kids is at a
different stage of development. Did you recognize the stages? Did they remind you of anyone you know?
4. Was it fair and/or wise for Jessie to take matters into her own hands and keep her secret from the man who fathered her child? Why do you suppose she made the decision she made? What would have happened if she'd come clean right from the start?
5. What would you have done in her situation? Would you have a problem raising a niece or nephew as your own child? Why or why not?
6. Luz and Ian kept a big secret, too. Do you agree or disagree with the way they handled it? Why or why not?
7. When Lila found out the truth, did she react as you would have expected, or did her reaction surprise you? Did it seem realistic, contrived or understandable?
8. Dusty's initial reaction to Jessie is instant attraction. Do you believe, if not in love at first sight, at least the sense some people have of destiny? Why or why not? Have you ever experienced it?
9. Rather than leveling with her sister, Jessie takes off without explanation. As Part 2 opens, several weeks have elapsed. What do you imagine her life was like during those weeks?
10. How does the novel's conclusion echo its beginning? How do you think the future will unfold for each of the principle characters? Jessie and Dusty, Luz and Ian, and finally, Lila.