Questions for Discussion

  1. A major theme of A Wish for Winter is loss. Have you ever experienced the loss of a loved one? Especially at an early age? How did that change your life and the life of your family? Did it alter the way you celebrated annual holidays? How?
  2. Another significant theme is forgiveness. Have you ever been so angry at someone for hurting you that you found it difficult to forgive them? Conversely, have you ever hurt someone and found it hard to forgive yourself?
  3. Does your family—like Susan’s in the novel—have a legacy that defines it? What is it? Did that change your life? If so, how?
  4. What is the one wish you had in childhood? Did it come true? Why or why not? What is the one wish you have as an adult? Are you working to make it come true?
  5. A Wish for Winter covers a lot of favorite holidays. Do you have a favorite (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s, Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving)? Why? Which still makes you feel most like a kid?
  6. I love to write about characters who are over forty and filled with life experience, who have experienced pain, are flawed and are not considered “perfect” by societal beauty standards (like me and Susan). Have you ever felt “less than” in our too exacting world? How did/does that make you feel? How has it affected your life?
  7. My novels are meant as a tribute to our elders. Susan is raised by her grandparents; I grew up surrounded by mine and their impact still reverberates. How did your elders influence your life? How, in return, do you influence those in your life?
  8. This is a novel about finding love...not just later-in-life romantic love but love of oneself. Have you found true love? Discuss your journey. Have you ever not loved yourself?
  9. This is also a novel about not requiring the presence of a partner to be complete, fulfilled, worthy and happy. As I write, there is a difference between lonely and alone. Are you single? Discuss the pressure on women to be coupled in order to “be happy” in society.
  10. Susan goes on some awful dates in the novel. What are some of the worst dates you’ve ever been on? What are the best? Did any lead to true love?
  11. All three “Santas” that Susan dates are good, kind men at heart but not the one. Do you believe you must love yourself first to find true love? Have you felt you’ve ever let the one slip away?
  12. Sleigh By the Bay is inspired by McLean & Eakin, a real-life independent bookseller in Petoskey, Michigan. What is your favorite indie store? What do you love most about bookstores? (I love EVERYTHING about them!)
  13. Do you have a favorite book, or a favorite holiday book? What is your favorite book to gift someone? Is there a poem that’s impacted your life?
  14. Faith plays a big part in this novel. I believe faith comes to call when you are truly tested in life. Is it important in your life?
  15. Winter is as big a character as any of the novel’s protagonists. The season actually impacts Susan greatly. Do you like winter? Why or why not?