1. Global News Network (GNN) creates the news to drive ratings. What tools do the real cable news networks—FOX, CNN, and MSNBC—use to drive ratings?
2. Nylan Hastings uses fear as a management tool. Drawing on your own experience, do you think fear is an effective management tool? Was it effective for Nylan?
3. Erica Sparks is determined to rise to the top in the news business. Do you think she behaves ethically in her pursuit of this goal? For example, she lies about having secured an interview with the Duchess of Cambridge. Is this an understandable “fib” or unethical behavior?
4. Erica is sabotaged by Claire Wilcox, her rival at GNN. She turns the other cheek. Do you think this is the strongest response to Claire’s underhanded behavior? Did you want her to confront Claire directly?
5. Erica grew up in poverty, with abusive parents. How did these circumstances shape her personality? How do they continue to influence her behavior?
6. While a student at Yale, Erica grows dependent on alcohol as a tool to ease her social anxiety. In light of this, is her subsequent descent into full-blown alcoholism understandable?
7. After being fired from her local anchor job for on-air intoxication, Erica hits bottom and puts her daughter’s life in danger. Is this forgivable?
8. Erica and Greg Underwood fall in love and by the end of the book they are engaged. Do you think they are a good match? What is your opinion of Greg?
9. Erica has a tortured relationship with her mother. Do you think she is right to cut off all contact?
10. Erica worries about her parenting skills. What do you think is the root of those insecurities? Do you think she is a good mother? If so, why? If not, why not?
11. When she becomes an enormous success, Erica is adamant about treating everyone fairly and ethically, and with kindness. How do these values help her stay focused in the harsh glare of stardom?
12. Erica is obsessed with uncovering the truth. In pursuit of this goal, she puts her own life in danger. Do you think she is foolhardy or courageous? Or some combination of the two? Can you imagine putting your own life in danger in pursuit of a noble goal?
13. In the next book in this series, do you think Erica will succumb to her inner demons and start to drink again? Now that she is wealthy, secure in her work, and has custody of Jenny, do you think she will put her life in danger again? Do you think she and Greg will marry? If they do, do you think it will be a happy marriage?