Dining with Joy (40 page)

2. Joy's “lie” about her career seems to be justified. Her producer and family support her in this role. She's made the situation work. But is this the best way to pursue a life? Is there ever a time to hide the truth for the good of others?

3. Luke moved to the lowcountry to regroup after losing his restaurant. But not all of us have the luxury of picking up and moving at will. What are ways to regain our center after a loss like a relationship or business? List ways you deal with disappointment or stress.

4. The verse Joy has on her dashboard carries a lot of meaning. Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me.” What do you make of this verse? How does it apply to your life? Do you know God's “food” for your life?

5. One of the reason's Joy took over the show was to honor her father with whom she had a stormy relationship. Discuss things you've done or said in order to bridge a broken relationship. Was the action successful?

6. Love is an amazing emotion. Meeting someone special comes with all kinds of highs and lows. Reminisce about how you met your spouse or someone special. What were those awkward moments you now laugh about? Since not everyone is in a romantic relationship, talk about how you met your best friend.

7. Show of hands, does anyone have a Wenda Divine character in their life? Discuss ways to love this person.

8. What character did you relate to the most and why?

9. If you could learn something you never took the time to learn, what would it be? Why can't you take the time to learn now?

10. How many like to cook? Share a favorite cooking moment. If you don't like to cook, share how you prepare food for yourself or your family. Why do you like to cook? Why do you not like to cook?

11. Discuss family food traditions. How many still eat a traditional evening meal? If not, what eating traditions have your family or friends developed?

12. Luke discovered the power of food when his father smiled for the first time after his mother's death. Have any of you experienced the power of food in your life or observed it in others?

13. When the spontaneous softball game takes off, Luke tells Joy, “This is the power of you.” We all have some kind of “power” or charm that wins over others. Go around the room and tell the person next to you what you see in them, the same way Luke encouraged Joy.

14. What is the symbolic message of Joy finally cooking for herself? In what ways do you need to “cook” for yourself?

15. Discuss any final thoughts or ideas you had about the story.

Author to Author

The Thomas Nelson Fiction team recently invited our authors to interview any other Thomas Nelson Fiction author in an unplugged Q&A session. They could ask any questions about any topic they wanted to know more about. What we love most about these conversations is that they reveal just as much about the ones asking the questions as they do the authors who are responding. So sit back and enjoy the discussion. Perhaps you'll even be intrigued enough to pick up one of their novels and discover a new favorite writer in the process.

Rachel Hauck

Jenny B. Jones

RACHEL HAUCK: Who are you? (snort, snicker) Seriously, tell us a bit about yourself.

JENNY B. JONES: Oh, that's the most dreaded question, isn't it? Can't I talk about someone else? Like George Clooney? Well, I write YA and women's romantic comedies. I am a genteel lady as southern as sweet tea and currently reside in the fabulous state of Arkansas. Okay, the genteel thing might be stretching it (as I wipe the ice cream mustache off my face . . .). I spend half my day with ninth graders, changing lives (aka assigning homework and detention), and I spend the other half slaving away at the keyboard. When I'm not working, I love to travel, watch tons of movies, sing show tunes, and read Rachel Hauck novels.

RH: You're too kind! What's your favorite thing about teaching?

JBJ: It goes without saying that June and July are fabulous. (We teachers had to give up August, so we can no longer claim that one.) But mostly I love, love, love hanging out with teenagers every day. I know. It's weird. As frustrating as they can be, they are also funny, smart, and entertaining. I'm never bored. And of course, they're good fodder for novels. I love to talk books with them too. We're a school that is big on reading, so many of them appreciate a good book chat.

RH: How did you start writing?

JBJ: In the first grade I wrote a one-woman play and created hand puppets and forced my class to watch. It's a wonder they didn't beat me up at recess. I've always loved to write. In 2005, I decided loving it wasn't enough, and it was time to
do
something instead of just wishing. I went to my first writer's conference soon after, made a connection that led to my first contract for my book called
In Between
, and the rest is history. Total God moments. I love it when you can look back and connect the dotsâdots you didn't even know where there.

RH: Me too! God is always working for us. So tell me what's your favorite thing about being an author?

JBJ: Wow, lots to love. I love getting feedback from readers, hearing that I've touched a heart with the story God led me to share. I think most importantly, I love to make people laugh and the ministry of joy and laughter. I just want people to read the books and be uplifted. We need reasons to smile, to escape, and to giggle.

RH: I know you're a lover of Jesus. How did you come to know Him?

JBJ: This is a mystery, but we're pretty sure I was one of those obnoxious kids who answered the altar call every single week in Sunday school. I guess I wanted to make sure it really took. And apparently one of those few hundred times of stepping forward did the trick because I've been saved since childhood. It's a process though, isn't it? Some days I feel like I'm just now really getting it . . . and yet I still have so far to go.

RH: If you had one minute to speak to women around the world, what would you say?

JBJ: That God has come so that we may have life and have it in abundance. To enjoy it. It's the enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. When I got that, I realized how we do this life is a choice. I have to put on joy, kindness, and peace every day. We don't have to live unhappy or miserable. That's not God's plan for us and opens way too many doors for Satan to step in and get a foothold. What about you? What would you say?

RH: Amen to what you said. I'd probably add not to spend so much time worrying but surrendering the journey to God. He is more than able. And He's more than willing.

If you want to know more about Jenny B. Jones, visit her website at
jennybjones.com
and check out her latest novel, Just Between You and Me. Dining