Synopsis: Emma Dodd has always taken care of everyone. She raised her niece when they were orphaned and she cares for the students that she works with. Deciding to move to Fairfield where her niece now lives, she was hoping to finally find a place to call home.
Jake Campbell, was gorgeous enough to catch any woman’s eye, but he had a hard time finding the right one for him. A Fairfield detective, he lives with his mother to help care for her since she was diagnosed with a debilitating disease. After meeting Emma, he knows he has met the woman of his dreams. Now he just has to convince the independent Emma that it is time someone took care of her.
While helping one of her students, Emma becomes suspicious of criminal activity in her new town. Will Jake be able to save Emma in time for them to build a life together?
A stand-alone novel; the books in the series can be read in any order.
For readers age 18+ due to mature subject matter.
Available on Amazon.
Questions:
1.) Emma does not appear the think twice about altering her life’s path at the age of eighteen to take on the guardianship of her niece. Is this a normal reaction from most eighteen year olds?
2.) Jake has reservations about being the date of a woman he assumes is much older than himself. How does our society view the difference in ages between men and woman romantically involved? Is it different if the man is older?
3.) Jake feels a responsibility toward his mother, who has a disability and knows that it will take a certain woman to be able to fit all of that into her life. Was this a realistic expectation? Is there something different you think he could have done or should have done?
4.) Emma is searching for a home to buy that has some land and a wooded view. Why is this important to her?
5.) Emma’s career is a high school counselor and she is develops a close relationship with her students. Did you ever have anyone from your teenage years that was a mentor? Who were they and why did they have an influence over you?
6.) Jake is described as an alpha male with a heart. What does this description mean to you? How would you describe him?
7.) Emma tries to discover the truth on her own when she becomes convinced that some of her students may be involved in something illegal or problematic. How could she have handled the situations differently?
8.) The relationship between Emma and her niece, Laurie, is very close. What led to this closeness? Have you had a familial relationship that was this trusting and special?
9.) Jake shows possessiveness and a “take charge” personality with Emma. Do you see this control as a negative? Does Emma see it as a negative?
10.) There is a mysterious twist near the end of the book. Was it a surprise? What did you think of Emma’s (and everyone else’s) reaction to this surprise?
Questions and Answers:
1.) Emma does not appear the think twice about altering her life’s path at the age of eighteen to take on the guardianship of her niece. Is this a normal reaction from most eighteen year olds?
Working with teens myself, I do find that Emma’s decision to become Laurie’s guardian to be unusual. Most eighteen year olds do not have the maturity to convince a social worker/judge that they are the best placement. It was essential to my story though, because Emma is a selfless person, always putting others first.
2.) Jake has reservations about being the date of a woman he assumes is much older than himself. How does our society view the difference in ages between men and woman romantically involved? Is it different if the man is older?
Our society definitely has a bias against older women and younger men together. They are called cougars (and other less complimentary names). When an older man is seen with a younger woman, it is seen as socially acceptable. In this case, Emma and Jake turn out to be the same age, but Jake definitely had reservations.
3.) Jake feels a responsibility toward his mother, who has a disability and knows that it will take a certain woman to be able to fit all of that into her life. Was this a realistic expectation? Is there something different you think he could have done or should have done?
I think many men and women take on the responsibilities of caring for family members that are ill. Jake’s caring for his mother was an essential part of his character and personality. He was not willing to settle for a girlfriend that was going to resent his mother and was willing to go without if he couldn’t find one who accepted the whole package.
4.) Emma is searching for a home to buy that has some land and a wooded view. Why is this important to her?
Emma had grown up in the city, near a park which she loved. But ever since she and Laurie had to move to a small apartment over the restaurant they worked at, she had no view outside the windows. Sunlight, green grass, trees, and flowers were very important to her. She needed a change. I think it also represented a bit of control – she finally had a chance to say “this is what I want”.
5.) Emma’s career is a high school counselor and she is develops a close relationship with her students. Did you ever have anyone from your teenage years that was a mentor?
As a high school counselor myself, I have had to opportunity to work with thousands of students over the years. Some I have become very close to and make a true difference in their lives. For me personally, there was a woman in our church who worked with a group of teenage girls. She was an amazing influence and we all loved her dearly.
6.) Jake is described as an alpha male with a heart. What does this description mean to you? How would you describe him?
This is a huge topic for me as an author. I have read many books – sometimes the males were dominant and seemed like jerks to me. Sometimes the males were just oozing sexiness. But my favorite to read, were men who were handsome, caring, liked to be in control but not to dominate a woman – but for caring and protection. Yes, they are a bit “larger than life” but it is fiction. It is make believe. Some reviewers have said that it is as though I know exactly what kind of man that women really want!
7.) Emma tries to discover the truth on her own when she becomes convinced that some of her students may be involved in something illegal or problematic. How could she have handled the situations differently?
Emma reacted out of fear. She could have told Jake right away about the threats, but the desire to protect was just too strong.
8.) The relationship between Emma and her niece, Laurie, is very close. What led to this closeness? Have you had a familial relationship that was this trusting and special?
The relationship between Laurie and Emma is essential to the story. It is the catalyst for everything that happens. When the two of them find themselves alone (both orphaned) they cling together, physically and emotionally. When they are adults, Emma encouraged Laurie to move out on her own, but they find that they need each other. Emma moving to Fairfield sets up the stage for their continuing close relationship. I was actually this close to my mother, finding that letters and phone calls through the years kept us going. When she was elderly, she moved to be closer to me (and her grandchildren), allowing us to keep making more memories.
9.) Jake shows possessiveness and a “take charge” personality with Emma. Do you see this control as a negative? Does Emma see it as a negative?
This question ties into question #7. Jake is dominant. He likes control, whether chasing criminals, investigating crimes, or protecting those he loves. He was raised to be a “man’s man”. But it is always about the one he loves. Emma’s pleasure comes before his. Emma’s needs come before his.
10.) There is a mysterious twist near the end of the book. Was it a surprise? What did you think of Emma’s (and everyone else’s) reaction to this surprise?
I did not set out to write a mystery. But as the story evolved and there was a “bad guy”, I needed to figure out who he was. It came to me that I wanted it to be a surprise. Most people tell me they never saw it coming, which was important because I wanted the book to be interesting. It not only caught the readers by surprise,
but the characters in the book were clueless as well. Therefor the reader could move right along with the suspense with the characters.
Chapter 6
Laurie’s Home (Fairfield Series, Book 2)
by MaryAnn Jordan
Synopsis: Beautiful Laurie Dodd was perfectly happy with her life. Raised by her loving aunt, she was ready to discover life out on her own. A new town, a new teaching job, a new apartment, and new friends. Finding a new man was not on her list, especially not one with the reputation of a player.
Rob McDonald, a local firefighter, had grown tired of one-night stands, but had no desire to be paired with the new woman in town. Until he met her. One look was all it took and Rob knew that Laurie was the one for him, but he was going to have to work to convince her that he was a changed man. One that was worthy of her.
A fire at the elementary school brought them together, but illness and deceit threatened to tear them apart.
Will Rob be able to find the missing pieces of Laurie’s past to help her fight for her future?
Will Laurie be able to forgive Rob’s deceit in order to have a future with him?
A Stand-alone novel; the books in the series can be read in any order.
For readers age 18+ due to mature subject matter.
Available on Amazon
Questions:
1.) This book gives the background on Laurie’s parentage. Why did her mother choose to not tell her the truth about her father? Why did she choose to give the t-shirt to Laurie on her eighteenth birthday?
2.) Rob is described as a player, in the worst possible way. He had begun to envy his friend Tom’s newfound girlfriend and wondered if it was time for him to find someone special. How difficult was it for Rob to see himself as a player and see that trait as a negative?
3.) Laurie is determined to protect her heart. What was it in her background that made her feel this way?
4.) Rob’s family is described in great detail. What about the McDonald clan appealed to you as a reader?
5.) The fire at the elementary school was also a catalyst in the change in Rob and Laurie’s relationship. How did that scene change their relationship?
6.) Laurie began having health problems. How did this affect her relationship with Rob? How did Rob, who likes to be in control, deal with these issues?
7.) One of the major themes of the book is the relationship (or lack of relationship) that Laurie has with her father. What thoughts did you have as you read the character of Brock and his reaction to hearing about and then meeting Laurie for the first time?
8.) The first book in the series, brought the friendships in Fairfield out in the open, and this book continued that theme. The book isn’t just about a couple, but their friend group as well. What were your thoughts on this group as you read? Many readers have said they wish they could move to Fairfield; is this your view? Why or why not?
9.) The book also deals with the agreement between Rob and Laurie about “no secrets” between them and then Rob keeps a major secret. Is it ever right to break a promise made to a loved one? Do you agree with Rob’s decision?
10.) A side story to this dealt with Laurie’s relationship with one of her students in protective foster care. In Laurie’s Time, the therapeutic foster placement for the little girl is wonderful. How is this setting different than foster placements from other novels that you have read?
Questions and Answers:
1.) This book gives the background on Laurie’s parentage. Why did her mother choose to not tell her the truth about her father? Why did she choose to give the t-shirt to Laurie on her eighteenth birthday?
The author wanted to write in the mind of a sixteen year old girl. Young. Pregnant. Assuming that she was not wanted by the baby’s father. The lie to her parents about not knowing the name of the father kept her from the embarrassment of having it become knowledge that he did not want her. The lie to her daughter protected the young child from the harsh reality that her daddy would have abandoned them (she assumed). Sarah did think it was important for Laurie to at least have her father’s name when she was an adult. Perhaps she thought that it would then be up to Laurie to decide what to do with the information.
2.) Rob is described as a player, in the worst possible way. He had begun to envy his friend Tom’s newfound girlfriend and wondered if it was time for him to find someone special. How difficult was it for Rob to see himself as a player and see that trait as a negative?
Our society has always encouraged men to “sow their wild oats”. Men are often seen as “studs” when they have random sex with strangers. His sex life was for the physical relief of the act of sex, not for the emotional ties that come with it. The author thinks that it is difficult for men to realize that in some women’s eyes, the sexual act is emotional and they do not want to be with a man who has shared his body so freely.
3.) Laurie is determined to protect her heart. What was it in her background that made her feel this way?
When Laurie found out from her mother’s letter that her father considered her mother to be a “fling”, Laurie became defined by her mother’s experience. Knowing how her mother had stayed alone since being with her father and knowing the difficulties from being raised by a single parent, Laurie was determined to not become anyone’s one-night stand.
4.) Rob’s family is described in great detail. What about the McDonald clan appealed to you as a reader?
The scene where Rob went to talk to his mother and father was a pivotal scene in the book. Most books about players who find the right girl, never take the reader on the journey of self-discovery of the former player. Rob’s parents knew of his reputation but had never chastised him about it. There was unconditional love, but also hope that one day he would find what they had.
5.) The fire at the elementary school was also a catalyst in the change in Rob and Laurie’s relationship. How did that scene change their relationship?
Laurie had already begun to soften toward Rob, seeing a change in his personality and his loyalty. The fire represented the first time that Rob had been personally involved in a rescue of someone he knew. For Laurie, it was natural for her to protect the children but then she allowed Rob to care and comfort her afterwards. The shared traumatic experience made them closer.
6.) Laurie began having health problems. How did this affect her relationship with Rob? How did Rob, who likes to be in control, deal with these issues?
Watching someone you care about have health concerns is difficult. Rob, whose life had been fairly stress free up to this point, did not know how to help Laurie. It was something out of his control and for a man who likes control, he was at a loss. Laurie wanted to keep it from him at first, but Rob did not like not knowing. The health issues gave both characters a chance to evaluate their relationship, both from the standpoint of the person with the illness and the person who is a caregiver.
7.) One of the major themes of the book is the relationship (or lack of relationship) that Laurie has with her father. What thoughts did you have as you read the character of Brock and his reaction to hearing about and then meeting Laurie for the first time?
As the author, this character developed as the books did. In Emma’s Home, I just wanted to introduce Laurie as the daughter of a teen mom who did not know her father. In this story, I found that I wanted there to be a true character, with his own knowledge and history to evolve. I wrote the meeting between Rob and Brock, keeping in mind that Brock would have no idea he had a child. I wanted him to be happy and I wanted Laurie to be welcoming as well. I wrote the scene between Sarah and Brock as ending in a miscommunication – I did not want to lay blame on either of them, therefore this kept the possibility of his having relationship with his daughter open.
8.) The first book in the series, brought the friendships in Fairfield out in the open, and this book continued that theme. The book isn’t just about a couple, but their friend group as well. What were your thoughts on this group as you read? Many readers have
said they wish they could move to Fairfield; is this your view? Why or why not?
This story continues the friendship between three men who met as children and have continued through adulthood. Jake, Tom, and Rob have always been there for each other no matter what. As Laurie’s situation continues, Jake and Tom support Rob in the decisions he makes. Laurie develops relationships that are nurturing as well with Jean, a co-worker and Carol, Tom’s girlfriend. The scene in Jean’s house where the friends meet to discuss Laurie’s illness is another pivotal scene where a group of people, who may disagree, can put aside those differences for the common good.
9.) The book also deals with the agreement between Rob and Laurie about “no secrets” between them and then Rob keeps a major secret. Is it ever right to break a promise made to a loved one? Do you agree with Rob’s decision?
As the author, I needed to bring some conflict into the story so I wrote about Rob finding Laurie’s father against her will and not telling her about it. Each reader has to decide if they agree or not, but ultimately it came down to the reasoning. Rob was willing to do anything (include keep a secret) in order to keep Laurie safe. In his mind, this made all the difference and after she had time to process it, Laurie agreed.
10.) A side story to this dealt with Laurie’s relationship with one of her students in protective foster care. In Laurie’s Time, the therapeutic foster placement for the little girl is wonderful. How is this setting different than foster placements from other novels that you have read?
The Ultimate Romance-Erotica Book Club Guide Page 4