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Reading Guides
Below are reading guides for some of Donna's books. Please feel free to print as many copies as you would like for use in your reading group/club. And also, please send us an e-mail and let us know you are using Donna's book for your club read - Donna is always encouraged by feedback from groups.
Click on which book you would like a reading guide for:
The Angels of Morgan Hill - Reading Guide
1. How would you describe Jane? What is her relationship like with Fran, John and Henry? How do those relationships change over the course of the book? At the beginning of the book what is Jane’s outlook on life? What is Fran and John’s? How do their perspectives change throughout the book?
2. One theme in the book is that God uses people to help shape our character. How did Lonnie Gable shape the lives (positively or negatively) of Fran, Jane and John? How was Henry and Loretta used? Willie Dean and Addy? Beef and the boys? Who has had a profound impact (good or bad) in your life? Share those as a group.
3. How would you describe Fran Gable? What is her relationship like with Jane and John? Henry and Loretta? What is it like with Joe Cannon and Addy? What role do you think faith plays in how Fran handles the circumstances in her life with Lonnie, then in the decision she faces about Milo?
4. Who is Henry Walker to Jane? How is his relationship different with Fran? How do the people of Morgan Hill view Henry? Was there anyone else within Jane’s reach that could have possibly stepped into the role that Henry held in her life? If yes, who? If no, why was Henry different from the other men in the book? How did you feel when Henry saved Fran? How does Henry’s character resonate with you?
5. Minor characters play an important part in the book. Besides the role of annoying aunt, how else does Aunt Dora play into Jane’s life? What other secondary characters provide enriching elements in the book? Can you describe how one of those minor characters contributes to the storyline?
6. In what ways do you think the war changed Joe Cannon? What were Joe’s strengths? Weaknesses? How do you think the fire that broke out on his property affected him long term? Why was it so hard for him to share his feelings for Fran?
7. Compare Fran Gable and Addy Turner (strengths, weaknesses, personality differences. How does Fran view herself and how does Addy view herself? How do they size up each other?) Why do you think they struck up a friendship with one another? What do you think the conversation about a cup of cold water has on Fran? Do you think Fran would have taken Milo into her home if she had not befriended Addy? Why or why not?
8. Describe Milo at the beginning of the book and note the changes he makes throughout the story. How does his relationship change with Jane and John? What do you think he really feels about Fran? Wouldn’t it have been easier to live with the minister and his wife? Why would he ultimately decide to live with the Gables? How did that one decision forever change his life?
9. Why are people opposed to a little boy living with Fran and her children? How is the opposition of Beef and the boys different from Margaret’s? How do Beef and the boys really view Fran? How do you think they view Joe Cannon and Henry? How do they view the Turners? How does Fran feel after Margaret’s betrayal?
10. In what ways is the community of Morgan Hill a major character in the book? How does the landscape mold the lives of the characters? What part of Morgan Hill is most alive in the pages to you?
11. At the end of the book Jane is a grandmother. What did you think of her as a grown woman? What kind of mother do you think she was? How do you think her relationship with Henry changed after Fran married Joe? Is Jane the kind of woman you’d like to have over for dinner?
The Christmas Shoes - Reading Guide
1. How would you compare Robert and Kate's marriage to that of Jack and Maggie? How are the relationships different? How are they similar?
2. One of the main themes of the book is that we must figure out what the most important questions in life are. How do the questions that Robert asks himself change over the course of the book? Do you ask yourself similar questions in your own life? Are they questions that get you closer to what matters most to you in life?
3. Another major theme in the book is that God can use even the smallest things to change us. How did God use the small things in life to change Robert? How has God used small things in your life or in the lives of loved ones to effect positive change? Share those as a group.
4. Faith in God is a significant part of Maggie Andrews' life. How would you describe her faith? What role do you think faith plays in how Jack, Maggie's mother and even Maggie herself handle her illness?
5. Besides the role of teacher, how else does Doris Patterson play into Nathan's life? What other secondary characters provide enriching elements to the storyline? How do they contribute to the story?
6. Compare Robert Layton and Jack Andrews. They are very different men but both make powerful contributions to the story. What makes them stick out in your mind? What unique contributions do they make to the book?
7. Robert's mother senses something is terribly wrong with Robert and Kate's marriage and she confronts him about it. Do you think she steps over the line or is she in line with her role as his parent? If you are a parent, is it easier to confront your children when they are younger or older like Robert is in this scene?
8. What contributed to Robert Layton seeing beyond a child that was simply getting on his nerves on Christmas Eve to actually helping that child? Do you think he would have helped Nathan had he met him earlier in the book? How does this simple encounter change Robert's perspective?
9. As you caught a glimpse of Nathan as an adult at the end of the book what did you think of him as a young man? What do you think his childhood was like? What sort of changes do you think Robert Layton faced during those years? Which storyline resonated with you and why?
The Christmas Blessing - Reading Guide
1. Discuss the role that Nathan's mother's death may have played in his life. What effects, if any, do you see of Nathan's mother's death in the lives of the other characters in the book?
2. In The Christmas Blessing, what is Nathan feeling? How does he view himself? How do you think he may view others? How do you feel about his struggles as a doctor-in-training? At the end of the book, how do you feel about his chosen career path?
3. One of the book's main themes is that our humanly perspective is limited and we must have faith in God that he has a larger plan for our lives. How does Nathan lose perspective in the book? How does his view of himself and his purpose in life change? Can you share a time in your life when you had limited perspective of your circumstances? What was the outcome?
4) Why do Meghan's feelings for Nathan frighten her? What are her fears about falling in love with him? How do Nathan's feelings for her become more prominent in the book? How might his marriage to Meghan enhance his role as a doctor?
5) Describe the ways in which those who come in contact with Charlie are changed. What is Charlie's view of life? How is that different from the view of the other characters in the book?
6) Minor characters are an important part of The Christmas Blessing. Can you name three minor characters? Can you describe how one of those minor characters contributes to the fabric of the storyline?
7) Have you ever had a boss or work associate like Dr. Goetz? How could Nathan have handled Dr. Goetz' presence in his life better? How can people like Dr. Goetz enrich your life?
8) Someone gives a generous gift of money to Charlie's parents on Christmas Day. Why do you think they chose to give the money anonymously? Who might have given them such a gift? Do you think it could have been one of the other characters in the book? Can you share a story of something similar happening to someone in your community?
9) How has Robert Layton's awakening in The Christmas Shoes influenced his life? How have his relationships changed? How does he manage to become an inspiration? Does his change remind you of anyone you know?
The Christmas Hope - Reading Guide
1. Why do you think Patricia decided upon a career in social work?
2. What are the reasons Patricia’s life has spiraled into feelings of hopelessness? How do those feelings change over the course of the book and what brings about those changes?
3. What are the differences in how Patricia and Mark deal with tragedy? Compare that to how Emily deals with the loss of her mother. Do you know someone who believes they have been helped by an angel? Do you believe their story? Did you believe Emily’s experience?
4. How would you describe Patricia? How does she view herself? How does she view others? How does her view of herself contribute to her relationship with Emily?
5. How does Nathan Andrews play into Patricia’s life? What other secondary characters provide enriching elements to the storyline? How do they contribute to the story?
6. What contributed to Patricia seeing beyond a child in the foster system that needed a home to actually stepping out and helping that child? She and Mark were deep into personal problems so why do you think she chose to help Emily now? How does Emily’s presence in their home change both Patricia and Mark?
7. When Patricia was a child strangers pulled together and contributed to a large donation of money for her mother. How do you think that simple act changed the course of the life of Patricia’s mother and Patricia herself? What do you think Patricia’s childhood was like before her father left and after?
8. What would bring Patricia to the point of thinking of Emily as her own? Do you think those changes came easily for her? Describe some emotions Patricia may have felt as she began to pursue the idea of her and Mark becoming Emily’s guardians.
9. Considering the loss of their son, what feelings do you think Mark and Patricia have as adoptive parents? Both Emily and Mia come into Mark and Patricia’s home from the foster system. With that in mind, what sort of difficulties or blessings will the Addison’s encounter as a result of the girls’ backgrounds? Describe the kind of family you think the Addison’s are at the end of the book.
The Christmas Promise - Reading Guide
1. If Chaz were sitting this group, what would you ask him? Considering all that you now know about Gloria’s life, what would you ask her?
2. In what ways are the lives of Chaz and Miriam similar? Have you personally known anyone who is “difficult to reach” on a personal level? If you managed to get close to them, how did you do it?
3. In your opinion, what is the source of tension between Gloria and Miriam? In what ways are the two women similar? Different? Do you like, dislike, pity or have other feelings for Miriam?
4. Who was your favorite character in the novel and why?
5. How do Chaz, Gloria, and Miriam change over the course of the novel? Which character can you most closely identify and why?
6. How have the choices Chaz and Gloria made defined their lives?
7. As you read The Christmas Promise, did you begin to feel as if you knew the people involved? If so, would you rather have Miriam or Gloria as a neighbor and why?
8. How would you describe this book? Is it a love story or of heartbreak? Is it the story of a mother’s devotion? A novel of how choices define us? Or is it something bigger and deeper?
9. Why do you think Marshall Wilson gave Matt a second chance? If you were his employee would you have been inclined to fire him or keep him?
10. Why do you think Matt and Erin would have been drawn to each other?
11. One of the underlying themes of the book is that of destiny. What other themes did you discover in your reading?
12. What do you think Gloria’s relationship is like with her son today? What kind of father do you think Matt will be? What kind of mother do you think Carla is today? Is Miriam still self-absorbed or do you think she readily befriends others now?
13. What do you think the author is referring to by the promise of Christmas?
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