Discussion Questions
1. Talk about the many family-related issues found in Heart of Gold.
2. Bernadine did her best to incorporate Reverend Paula’s theme of kindness over rightness into her life. Was she successful? How difficult would it be to incorporate that theme into your life?
3. Through Diane, we know a bit more about Bernadine’s childhood and the issues she faced growing up with her mother. Does this new knowledge alter your perceptions of who you thought Bernadine was?
4. Did you approve or disapprove of the way Bernadine handled Crystal’s return?
5. Discuss the growth and maturity shown by Amari and Preston since Bring on the Blessings.
6. What’s up with Devon?
7. What should Bernadine do about Astrid Wiggins?
8. What do you think the future holds for Zoey Raymond Garland?
Author’s Note
HEART OF GOLD is our fifth visit to the small town of Henry Adams, Kansas. As with the previous books in the series, Zoey’s story widened our view of many characters and answered some questions, but also paved the way for new ones, such as: What is Bernadine going to do about Astrid Wiggins? Will Kiki and Bobby really move to town, and how many more beatdowns is Devon going to need before he gets a clue? In my travels around the country promoting book four, A Wish and a Prayer, babies were frequently brought up. “Henry Adams needs babies!” or “Lily needs to have a baby!” or “Bernadine needs to marry Mal and have a baby!” Folks, Lily would probably rise up off the page and smack me into next week should I even think about making her pregnant. After all, she already has Davis, and now Amari and Devon! She’s also past her childbearing prime, so no babies for Lily. As for Bernadine, she’s over fifty-five. No babies for her either. As for marriage to Mal: readers under the age of forty desperately want them to marry. Those fifty and above simply shrug. Like Bernadine and Mal, they don’t see the need to make the relationship any more formal than it is, but we’ll see what the future holds.
Heart of Gold was a joy to write. The first draft differed greatly from the final one—scenarios changed and characters appeared, disappeared, and were replaced by others. Cassidy Sullivan walked into this story unannounced. I had no idea she was waiting in the wings. One of the joys of writing by the seat of my pants is that characters like Cass appear out of nowhere bearing magi-type gifts that make a writer smile.
I want to thank Dr. Paul King of Atlanta for taking time out of his busy day to answer my questions about Zoey’s care. Any mistakes I may have made in the writing are mine—not his. Big thanks to my editor for granting me the time I needed to give Heart of Gold the TLC it needed. Her patience is exceeded only by her editorial savvy—both of which make me a better writer. As always, many thanks to my agent, Nancy Yost of NYLA. Sixteen years and counting! She’s the best. I also want to thank Avon/Harper. Who knew when my first novel, Night Song, was published in 1994, that twenty years later, I’d still be an Avon Lady and that my fictional town of Henry Adams would still be alive and kicking. I’m blessed to have such a remarkable publishing house behind me. From marketing to publicity to art, a writer couldn’t ask for a better team. I couldn’t ask for better readers either and to them I bow because without you, I’m nothing. Your encouragement, praise, and blessings fill my heart.
See you next time!
B