Linda Howard Book Junkies discussion

A blistering romantic suspense novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Pursuit. Far from her sensible life as an English teacher in Kansas, Lora looks forward to a relaxing vacation in Cancun. But fate thwarts her careful plans when a darkly handsome American named Max jumps into her car with a loaded gun.

Wild Orchids is an older Karen Robards book and the blurb sounded so much like a Linda Howard book, and it fit another challenge I'm in for the month, that I recommended it for this group too.

I'm starting today and plan to formulate a set of questions to lead the discussion, or, you can just read and post your opinion. I've found that the discussion questions help me a lot.

Cast of Characters for Wild Orchids (view spoiler)[

Lora Harding - teacher from Augusta, Kansas
John Roberts Maxwell (Max) - Lora's kidnapper, Jail break facilitator, former DEA
Janice - Lora's older sister
Brian - Lora's fiancée for 4 years, Math teacher at Lora's school
Carlos Rodriguez - Owner of the farm where Max and Lora spend the night
Juana Rodriguez - Carlos' wife
Mamacita - Carlos' mother
Ortega - Drug dealer, owner of the plane filled with drugs
Lucia - Ortega's housekeeper
Clemente - member of Max's crew who died in the plane crash
Minelli - Shady dude who Max was paid to break out of jail. He makes Lora really uncomfortable. Probably a member of the mob.
DiAngelo - Another shady dude that Max was paid to break out of jail. Probably a member of the mob
Lowenthal - Member of Max's crew who died in the Minelli/DiAngelo jailbreak
Theodore Francis Cassaroli (Tunafish) - Max's best friend who suffered a broken leg in the plane crash.
Marybeth - Max's ex-wife
Colonel Bernard Brackinridge (Barney) - DEA Commander, Max's former boss
Annie Cassaroli - Tunafish's wife
Conchita - Max's former girlfriend (hide spoiler)]

Discussion Questions for Chapter I - Chapter V

(view spoiler)[1. A rough looking stranger jumps into Lora's car. She is terrified. What could she do to get away from him?

2. Was is fair for Lora to assume the complete care of her mother?

3. Is there anything Lora could have done to alert Senora Rodriguez to her problem?

4. Lora takes a chance to escape and uses her rape prevention training. Would Lora have behaved differently if he had told her upfront he wouldn't hurt her? (hide spoiler)]

Discussion Questions for Chapter VI - Chapter X

(view spoiler)[5. With the kidnapping how do you explain the insta-lust? Lora thinks it is Stockholm Syndrome, do you?

6. At 25% into the book we finally have a name for this mysterious stranger. What do you think Max did and where are they heading? Was the checkpoint set up to catch him?

7. Ortega has a magnificent and heavily guarded compound. What do you think he does for his money and how to you think Max is involved?

8. When Max is taken from the VW at gunpoint he tells Lora not to go to the police. Did Lora make a good decision in not doing what Max told her?

9. Did you expect Max to stage a jailbreak to get Lora out or her reaction to it?

10. Who are Minelli and DiAngelo and why did Max get paid to get them out? They make Lora uncomfortable. After The first day Max didn't make her fearful, why is she afraid of them? (hide spoiler)]

Discussion Questions for Chapter XI - Chapter XV

(view spoiler)[11. The story has now taken a twist with the plane crash. Who would you want to find them, Minelli’s pals, Ortega, or the feds?

12. Their plan is to hid the drugs and money then trade them for their freedom. Do you think this will work? Why or why not?

13. Mei Veng was a village in Vietnam. This was a tragic war event. How do you think it affected Max?

14. Lora's feelings for Max are growing serious. She does know who Max is, right? Why does she need a "relationship"? Given what he has already done, she has to know it's more than just sex for him. What do you think of Lora's plan to win Max's love?

15. This is an older book, first published in 1986. Max is a Vietnam vet. Does the book feel dated to you? Why or why not? (hide spoiler)]

Discussion Questions for Chapter XVI - Chapter XXVIII

(view spoiler)[16. What did you think of the showdown at the cave? Did you like how Max was able to negotiate their release?

17. Why do you think Max left Lora at the hotel to make her own way home? What did you think Lora is going to do once she gets home?

18. Max sends Lora a share of the money. What do you think Max expected Lora to do with the money?

19. Max admits that if Lora didn't come to him, he was going to go to her. Are you happy with how the story ended?

20. Any other thoughts or comments? (hide spoiler)]

Karen Robards is usually hit or miss for me but I've enjoyed her newer books very much. As this book's synopsis sounded interesting I really looked forward reading it. But my library and bookstore where I usually buy my books did not have copy of this book. Have to look some other places too.