Book 1 of The Gift Legacy

Spoiler alert: These discussion questions contain spoilers that will ruin the story for those who haven’t yet read the book.

1. Emelynn’s relationship with her mother is markedly different from the one she had with her father. What are the clues to those differences? What impact does her father’s death have on Emelynn’s relationship with her mother? Are there other family traumas that could produce the same result?

2. Emelynn was twelve years old when Jolene gifted her. At that time, Emelynn promised Jolene she wouldn’t tell a soul about the gift. What might cause a child to misplace their loyalties by making such a promise? Is there something parents can do to prevent a child from making this kind of error in judgment?

3. Even as an adult, Emelynn maintains the secrecy of Jolene’s gift. Do you think this is a mistake? How might her life have been different if she’d divulged the secret of Jolene’s gift a) immediately? and b) after she became aware that she could shed gravity?

4. Lonely versus alone; how do Emelynn’s circumstances isolate her, and what are her coping mechanisms. Are they effective?

5. If you were Molly and learned that Emelynn could fly but had kept that secret from you, how would you react? What if you were her mother, Laura? Do you think Emelynn is doing the right thing in keeping her gift a secret?

6. In some regards, Emelynn is naïve, and in other regards, she is mature beyond her years. What are some examples of her naïveté/maturity?

7. The author does not treat Emelynn with kid gloves. In Secret Sky, Emelynn suffers a catastrophic fall, a near-drowning and an devastating betrayal. How does the severity of these events impact Emelynn’s character? How do these events impact your impression of Emelynn?

8. Knowing Jackson’s personal situation at the end of Secret Sky, what clues did Emelynn miss that might have informed her? What, if any, motherly advice would you offer her?

9. Dreaming you can fly is one of the most common dreams humans have. “In almost every culture, flying dreams represent freedom or a release from daily pressures.” —Jeffrey Sumber, MA, MTS, LCPC. In the Victorian era, Sigmund Freud was of the opinion flying dreams released sexual tension in an age of sexual oppression by society morals. Do you agree with either of these opinions? Do you dream you can fly? If so, do you fly face down, or upright? Indoors or out? If you could fly, where would you fly to?

10. If you were casting Emelynn’s character for the big screen, who would you choose? Who would you choose for Jackson’s character?

11. If you could ask the author one question, what would it be? Would your organization or group like to arrange an author appearance in person or online? If so, please contact the author at jpmclean(at)jpmcleanauthor(dot)com.

For a printable version of Book 1's discussion questions, click here.

Book 2 of The Gift Legacy

Spoiler alert: These discussion questions contain spoilers that will ruin the story for those who haven’t yet read the book.

1. In Hidden Enemy, Emelynn finds an ancient book hidden among her father’s journals. Have you ever discovered a hidden treasure? What was it and where did you find it?

2. Detective Samuel Coulter is introduced in Hidden Enemy. Is he a friend or foe of Emelynn Taylor’s? Why?

3. If you were casting Detective Samuel Coulter’s role in a movie, who would you choose to play him?

4. In a culture where one-night stands and walks of shame are, if not commonplace, certainly a part of our lexicon, how does Emelynn’s relationship with Casey Stockton compare? If you were her best friend, how would you advise her?

5. The Tribunal Novem’s calling card is a dead dove. How is this choice symbolic? Effective?

6. The Tribunal Novem practices vigilante justice. Is there a place for vigilante justice in society?

7. What makes it possible for the Tribunal Novem to act with impunity? Can you think of other organizations that act with impunity?

8. In Hidden Enemy, James reveals that he can read memories. Is this a skill you wish you had? Why? What would be the upside and downside of having this skill?

9. When Emelynn is at the mercy of Carson Manse and capitulates to his demands, do you think she made the right choice? Were you disappointed? What other options did she have?

10. The author had a real-life villain in mind when she chose the name Carson Manse. The real-life killer and Carson Manse share the same initials, and their names are similar. Can you guess who that mass murderer was? Who would you cast in the role of Carson Manse for a film adaptation of Hidden Enemy?

11. If you could ask the author one question, what would it be? Would your organization or group like to arrange an author appearance in person or online? If so, please contact the author at jpmclean(at)jpmcleanauthor(dot)com.

For a printable version of Book 2's discussion questions, click here

Book 3 of The Gift Legacy

Spoiler alert: These discussion questions contain spoilers that will ruin the story for those who haven’t yet read the book.

1. Jolene Reynolds’s motives for gifting Emelynn Taylor are not definitively known, but Mason Reynolds believes his sister’s motive was her own suicide. Is Mason’s assumption reasonable? Why do you believe Jolene gifted Emelynn?

2. Mason Reynolds’s mother is a stroke victim and rarely present in scenes with her son or husband. Do you think the author intentionally closeted her away, or might there be other factors at play? What might those factors be?

3. Ghosting is a skill Emelynn learns in Burning Lies. Is it a skill you wish you had? When would you use it? Are there circumstances where using it would be detrimental? Why?

4. Emelynn has had suitors from both of her worlds, Cheney and Dean from the normal contenders and Jackson and James from the Flier contenders. If you were her, which one would you pick, and why?

5. Emelynn rebels when she feels she’s being controlled: against the gift itself, against the Fliers who taught her how to fly, against detective Coulter, and against the Reynoldses. Is she justified in her rebellion? Are there times in a free society when controlling measures are justified?

6. Mason confesses to having failed his sister which resulted in her disappearance and ultimate death. Do you believe his explanation? Why or why not?

7. If you were casting Mason’s role in a motion picture, who would you choose?

8. When Emelynn discovers one of her kidnappers at Cairabrae, we see a side of her we’ve never seen before, a side with no compassion and a willingness to inflict pain and even death. Is her reaction realistic? Is this a turning point for her? Can you imagine a scenario where you might take the same actions?

9. Do you think Carson Manse’s Redeemers had justification for their rebellion?

10. The authorities covered up what happened at Cairabrae. Do you think this has ever, or would ever occur in the real world?

11. If you could ask the author one question, what would it be? Would your organization or group like to arrange an author appearance in person or online? If so, please contact the author at jpmclean(at)jpmcleanauthor(dot)com.

For a printable version of Book 3's discussion questions, click here.

Book 4 of The Gift Legacy

Spoiler alert: These discussion questions contain spoilers that will ruin the story for those who haven’t yet read the book.

1. International Covert Operations, or ICO, is introduced as a clandestine government organization that handles sensitive “incidents” that governments either won’t or can’t get involved in. Do you think organizations such as these exist? If so, would you support the government’s use of them? Why or why not?

2. When Emelynn Taylor exposes her secret in order to save Detective Coulter’s life, the Tribunal offers up her services to the authorities in exchange for continued protection of the secret of their existence. Do you think the Tribunal was vengeful or justified? Was there another viable solution for the Tribunal?

3. Emelynn agrees to bend the law in order to retrieve some racy photographs from Sydney Davenport’s lover’s apartment. If you were Emelynn, would you have done the same? Do you think breaking the law is ever justified?

4. People often keep mementos from loved ones who are gone. Throughout The Gift Legacy series, Emelynn Taylor drives her father’s restored MGB. How is this car a particularly good memento for Emelynn? Do you have a memento that keeps you close to a loved one who’s gone?

5. Emelynn Taylor believes Detective Yurkov has some psychic ability. Do you believe in psychic abilities?

6. Emelynn Taylor and Sebastian Kirk have a disagreeable relationship, to put it mildly. It began when Kirk interrogated Emelynn after the Tribunal learned she possessed Jolene’s gift. Is there something either one of them could have done to fix their relationship before it festered? If you were Emelynn, would you accept a mentorship from Sebastian?

7. If you were casting the role of Sebastian Kirk, which actor would you choose?

8. In Emelynn Taylor’s undercover role, she is tasked with gathering intelligence from Clayton Cooper, a male suspect who has shown more than a passing interest in her. Do you think Emelynn should have taken on this role? Do you think real life undercover agents are tasked with this type of role? What might be some of the real-life consequences of taking on such a role?

9. Emelynn and James are involved in an international long-distance relationship. Do you think long-distance relationships can work?

10. In today’s society, the choice to not have children is becoming less stigmatized. Emelynn has expressed that she is uncertain if she wants children, but James’s circumstances have changed and he now wants a family. What advice would you give this young couple?

11. If you could ask the author one question, what would it be? Would your organization or group like to arrange an author appearance in person or online? If so, please contact the author at jpmclean(at)jpmcleanauthor(dot)com.

For a printable version of these discussion questions, click here.

Book 5 of The Gift Legacy

Spoiler alert: These discussion questions contain spoilers that will ruin the story for those who haven’t yet read the book.

1. The opening scene in Deadly Deception has Emelynn learning how to pull off a successful B&E under Sebastian Kirk’s tutelage. They gauge the value of a target based on the security signs in windows or on lawn stakes. Do you think these security signs are a good deterrent to would-be thieves or not?

2. Who would you cast in the James Moss role for the movie version of Deadly Deception?

3. Closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) are installed and in use in many public places recording people whether they know it or not. In Deadly Deception, Emelynn and the detective use film gathered from CCTV to help track a kidnapper. Do you think CCTV should be used in public spaces? Is it an effective tool? Is it an effective deterrent?

4. Drones are used by the police and by criminals for surveillance in Deadly Deception. How do you feel about the use of drones? What, if any, restrictions should be placed on their use? What are the pros and cons of drone use in modern society?

5. Many employees at one point or another have had to bite their tongue when working for an arrogant boss. Sebastian Kirk is Emelynn’s arrogant boss. Is she handling him effectively? How would you advise her to deal with him?

6. Legitimate businesses whether knowingly or not, sell products and services to the criminal set. If you were the owner of such a business and had proof of their criminal activity, would you report the criminal? Some businesses are legally bound to report criminal activity. Do you think they should be?

7. Emelynn’s parents never told her about her father’s son who had died. Do you think they should have? If Emelynn had known about her half-brother sooner, would it have made a difference in her life?

8. The scene inside the Tex-Mex bar where Emelynn is harassed came close to being cut from the book. Do you think this scene should have stayed or been cut?

9. When Emelynn delivers a ghosted James to Redmond’s room at the hotel, he jolts her. Was his reaction justified? Do you think it was out of character for Redmond?

11. When Emelynn’s mother learns about the gift and Emelynn’s cover-up, she packs her bags and leaves. Do you think Emelynn’s mother overreacted? If you were her mother, how would you have handled Emelynn’s revelation?
12. If you could ask the author one question, what would it be? Would your organization or group like to arrange an author appearance in person or online? If so, please contact the author at jpmclean(at)jpmcleanauthor(dot)com.

For a printable version of these discussion questions, click here.

Book 6 of The Gift Legacy

Spoiler alert: These discussion questions contain spoilers that will ruin the story for those who haven’t yet read the book.

1. At the end of the previous book, when Emelynn is compelled to tell her mother about the gift, she discloses only the “positive” aspects of it. In this book, Emelynn is caught in her lie of omission. Was it a mistake for Emelynn not to have told her mother everything immediately? How would you have handled telling Laura about the gift?

2. Emelynn’s mother suggests that using the media to publicize their search will prevent the Tribunal from sabotaging it. Is the same strategy that whistleblowers use? Is it a sound strategy generally? Is it a sound strategy in Emelynn’s case? Why or why not?

3. During the caucus, drones and other technology that actually exists are demonstrated. Do you think this technology is dangerous? Why? How might authorities curb their misuse?

4. James leaves Emelynn after the decision she made at the caucus. Was James justified?

5. Mason forgives Emelynn her accusations and actions, despite how serious they were. Is this out of character for Mason? Do you think Emelynn got off lightly?

6. Do you think Emelynn is worthy of being credited with having a moral compass? Why or why not?

7. Detective Coulter turns his back on the laws he’d previously sworn to uphold and joins ranks with Emelynn’s kind. Is this behaviour in keeping with his character?

8. The author sets the series in the cities of Vancouver and Bodega Bay, the Napa Valley and the fictional town of Summerset. Which of these locations would you most like to visit?

9. If you were casting the role of Emelynn’s mother, Laura Aberfoyle, which actress would you choose?

10. Are you satisfied with the way the series ended? Is there an alternate ending you’d like to see? Would you like to see the series continue?

11. If you could ask the author one question, what would it be? Would your organization or group like to arrange an author appearance in person or online? If so, please contact the author at jpmclean(at)jpmcleanauthor(dot)com.

For a printable version of these discussion questions, click here.

The Gift Legacy Companion

Spoiler alert: These discussion questions contain spoilers that will ruin the story for those who haven’t yet read the book.

1. When Jackson’s wife leaves him without a word, do you think he gave up on her too soon?

2. When parents dislike a child’s choice of spouse, can the marriage still thrive? How?

3. Does Sandra shoulder any of the blame for the way her family treated Jackson? If so, what could she have done to improve their treatment of him?

4. Though the reader never meets Jackson Delaney’s father, Matthew, does the author draw a clear enough picture of him?

5. The Des Roche family hires ex-cons to protect their company’s construction sites. Is this wise? Why or why not?

6. Do you think Jackson was doing Emelynn a kindness when he abruptly ended their affair?

7. Do you think Lover Betrayed is an apt title for this book? What are the betrayals depicted in this book?

8. If you were casting this book, who would you choose for the role of Cole? For Sandra?

9. The author chose to explore the father/son relationship in this book. Do you think she did this effectively? How did Jackson’s character change in terms of his relationship with his father from the start of the book until the last line?

10. Lover Betrayed is Jackson Delaney’s perspective on events that unfold in Secret Sky, the first book in The Gift Legacy series. The author wanted to highlight how gender and culture inform our understanding of words and body language and often result in vastly different and sometimes conflicting interpretations. If you’ve read both books, did you see where the misunderstandings occurred? Do you think your own gender influences which perspective you think is correct?

11. If you could ask the author one question, what would it be? Would your organization or group like to arrange an author appearance in person or online? If so, please contact the author at jpmclean(at)jpmcleanauthor(dot)com.

For a printable version of  The Gift Legacy Companion's discussion questions, click here.