by Krista McGee
“It’s a deal.” Jonathon laughed.
Acknowledgments
Have you ever been around a potty-training toddler? It is messy. Literally. Puddles on the floor, presents beside, but not quite in, the toilet. Yellow Elmos and soggy Spider-Men. And it’s a group effort. Mom and Dad are involved, of course. But so are the older siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, the babysitters and nursery workers. It’s a thankless, stinky, exhausting job. But it’s so worth it.
I am kind of like that toddler. As a writer, I am like a little girl trying to put my words where they should go, and sometimes they just don’t make it. But, thankfully, many people have come along to help me learn what to do with all these words. People who have held my hand through the process of writing this book. People who have run with me, cried with me, sat with me, and cleaned me up.
My husband believed in me enough to give me a whole summer to drag my laptop to our local library and type, just because I had an idea and I wanted to see if I could turn that idea into a book. My kids give me constant inspiration and encouragement, reminding me that no fictional characters can ever be as amazing and fun as the three characters I have living right under my roof.
My proofreaders, Alexis Scott, Jill Ferguson, Amy Busti, and Laura McKenzie, read as I wrote, encouraging me to keep trying, keep working. Their input was, and is, invaluable. Their friendship is priceless.
My students at Citrus Park Christian School allow me to daily peer into their hearts and minds, giving voices to my characters. I don’t even think I would have thought about writing this if it weren’t for my AP Lit class of 2010. Those four girls became more like little sisters than students. I still miss our “Starbucks Fridays.”
My agent, Lauren Yoho, spent hours reading my book, offering suggestions, talking me through the process I knew so little about. She is fantastic. Amanda Bostic, Becky Monds, and the entire fiction team at Thomas Nelson have been incredible. I am honored to be working with such talented people. Julee Schwarzburg edited this manuscript. Then edited it again. And again. (I wasn’t kidding when I said I was like a toddler.) But she always did it with happy faces and encouraging comments. Her suggestions and advice have made me a better writer, and I am so excited to get to work with her again.
But this book is really a result of one person: Jesus Christ. It is by him, for him, and because of him that I write and that I live. As I grow as a writer, I am growing to know his heart more. The creator, the author. The stories he tells are breathtaking. I never get tired of reading them and thinking about them and praising the God who shows himself behind the scenes and on center stage to a world he loves so very, very much. My prayer is that you know his heart better every day and that his story in you will take your breath away.
Reading Group Guide
1. Addy’s story is loosely based on Esther. What parts of the biblical story did you see in First Date?
2. Addy did not want to be on The Book of Love reality TV show. How would you feel if you were asked to be on a show like that?
3. One of Addy’s biggest fears is sharing her faith with others. Is that hard for you? Why or why not?
4. Kara loves being on the show, but she doesn’t get caught up in all the “drama” like Lila and some of the other girls. Why do you think that is?
5. Lila will do anything to win. Have you ever known anyone like that? How did you respond?
6. By reading her mother’s journals, Addy learns more about her parents’ life in Colombia, South America. Have you ever known any missionaries? What did you think about their experiences living in another culture?
7. If you were on The Book of Love, which of the challenges would be your favorite? Which would be your least favorite? Why?
8. Uncle Mike tells Addy, “Nobody makes Jesus look so bad as those who say they’re following him.” What do you think about that statement?
9. In the book of Esther, God prepares Esther to stand up for the Jewish people. How does God prepare Addy to stand up for her faith?
10. Mike teaches Addy that we are happiest when we are obeying God. Have you experienced that in your life? Have you experienced the opposite?
11. Addy says she won’t date Jonathon unless he is a Christian. Do you think it’s important that guys you date share your faith? Why? Why not?
12. What do you think Addy learned most from her time on The Book of Love? How did she change from the time she began the show until it ended?
Message from Kara McKormick
Addy,
So I know you’re still basking in the “Jonathon loves me so much he had his mom redecorate my house” glow. But I need you to take a break from thinking about you so you think about . . . me! I have HUGE news. And when I say huge, I mean, monstrous, colossal, enormous (that’s right, I’m using my thesaurus) news. Earth-shattering, sky-is-falling, I-can’t-believe-you-can’t-hear-me-screaming-all-the-way-from-New York news. But you have to call me. No way can I tell you this over something as impersonal as a computer. Because—did I mention?—this is HUGE!!!!!!
Kara
About the Author
Krista McGee writes for teens, teaches teens, and, more often than not, acts like a teen. Along with her husband and three kids, Krista has lived and ministered in Texas, Costa Rica, and Spain. Her current hometown is Tampa, FL.
Visit KristaMcGeeBooks.com
