What kind of mother is Connie Sterling? How would you describe her parenting style?
Talk about the significance of “Moon and Stars.” What meaning does it hold for Faith, Connie and David?
Early on, we meet Faith’s best friend, Ellie. During the novel, Faith bonds with Tanya, Merrill and Grace. How do these female friendships affect Faith, and how important are they to the story?
How does the author use The Mermaid’s Purse, a run-down bed-and-breakfast, in the story? What does the inn represent for each of the characters? How is Faith transformed by her stay at the inn?
Of all the boarders at The Mermaid’s Purse, which one(s) did you like the most?
Connie wins The Mermaid’s Purse in a lottery. Would you ever enter a contest like that? What would be the pros and cons to consider?
Is Faith’s initial assessment and treatment of Bruce justified?
How is Faith transformed by the conversation she overhears between Connie and Roxanne?
It is often said that too many cooks spoil the broth. How does David’s presence in the kitchen affect Faith? Is the evolution of their relationship believable? Why is David so keen to take Faith surfing?
What did you think of Faith’s reaction when she finds her birth certificate? Was Connie justified in keeping this information from her?
There are more than seventy food references in the novel. What does food represent in the story? What did you think of Faith’s menu selections? Which was your favorite?
Faith works hard to save the inn. What does the inn’s future represent to her? If you had been a past guest at The Mermaid’s Purse, would you have been compelled to contribute?
Why do you think the author wrote this? What is her most important message?
What did you think of the ending? Would you want to read more about any of these characters, and if so, which ones?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A writer’s life may be solitary, but it takes a supportive team to place a book in readers’ hands. For their contributions along the way, I offer my deepest thanks to these individuals:
My agent Elisabeth Weed for her perennial encouragement.
My unparalleled Lake Union team, including Danielle Marshall, Kelli Martin and Gabriella Dumpit, who make collaboration a pleasure.
My developmental editors Susan Breen and Marianna Baer, each an accomplished author in her own right, who challenged me to dig deep for Faith’s sake.
My early readers for their forthright and unflinching reviews, including Jennifer Clark Callinan, Karen Cassano, Mita Chatterjee, Molly Donovan Foster, Ellen Easton, Judi Feldman, Carrie Godesky, Teresa Cooper Kislik, Deirdre McGuinness, Jenifer Morack and Lisa Vlkovic.
Members of my retired book club—dear friends who once again proved to be less than retiring with their feedback, which I deeply appreciated: Angela Flarity, Susan Kuper, Lisa Muir, Ginny Stewart and Nancy Swanson.
All who helped to polish this story, including Sara Addicott, Nicole Manager, Alyssa Matesic, Monique Vescia and Laura Whittemore.
My childhood friend Deborah Albury, whose dream of taking a chance on a New England bed-and-breakfast inspired Connie’s flight of fancy.
My daughters, Molly and Nora, and my new son-in-law, Bob (yay—another writer in the family!), for their faith and reassurance.
And finally, to Maurice: my port in a storm, my Moon & Stars.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2015 Benjamin Russell
The author of the novel Deliver Her, Patricia Perry Donovan is an American journalist who writes about health care. Several years ago, she began writing fiction, and since then, her work has appeared in literary journals such as the Bookends Review, Bethlehem Writers Roundtable, Flash Fiction Magazine, Gravel Literary Journal, and Hippocampus Magazine. The mother of two grown daughters, she lives at the Jersey Shore with her husband. Connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PatriciaPerryDonovanBooks/ and on Twitter @PatPDonovan. Learn more at www.patriciaperrydonovan.com.
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