The Winner's Game (29 page)

In chronological-ish order, I wish to personally thank the following people for their contributions and support in the creation of this book, prior books, or my career in general:

Robert & Diana Milne—Not just with my books, but with
everything
, you are always there to help, support, cheer…whatever is needed at the time. Specific to writing, you once made an investment in your son, and I hope you feel it has paid dividends. I love you, appreciate you, and thank you for everything.

Nancy McCusker—As my high school English teacher, you once said I should consider pursuing writing as a career. You also said I should spend less time sleeping in class, but that's beside the point. The key thing is that you believed in me and you encouraged me to do better. I've never forgotten…and I'm still trying to do better.

Jeffrey Lambson—Thanks, man. You read a book, liked a book, published a book, and distributed a book…and I can't thank you enough.

Richard Paul Evans—Little known fact, but when I was first getting started I modeled everything I did after you! Is it a coincidence that both of our first published works were Christmas novellas? Nope. I'm sure you don't remember, but at my first-ever book signing (in Sandy, UT) I was randomly paired at a table with you, and I couldn't have been more excited. Thanks for writing books that inspire readers and writers alike.

Joyce Hart—As agents go, you were a peach! Thanks for the hours you spent on my behalf, especially early on. Thanks for getting me in the door with such a fantastic publishing company. Thanks for your guidance and tutelage. And finally, thanks for your understanding.

Christina Boys—With each new book my appreciation for you grows! You are a master at your craft, taking my so-so ideas and seeing their potential. If only I could execute to the level of your vision. [Sigh.] Thank you for your patience, and thanks for buying into the idea that a good novel need not be bad to be good.

Jason Wright—How many blurbs have you given me now? And how much advice have you offered over the years? You've gone above and beyond to be a mentor and friend. Heck, you even put me in one of your novels, which is an honor I will forever cherish! Thank you, thank you, and thank you. I could say thank you till I'm blue in the face, and it still wouldn't be enough.

Rolf Zettersten—You add such a personal touch to leadership, and it has been appreciated for as long as I have been with Hachette Book Group. Thanks for your encouragement and support, and for going to bat for me through six novels!

Mikayla, Kamry, Mary, Emma, and Kyler—You're all growing up way too fast. Stop it! Thanks for joining me on this roller-coaster ride for the past handful of years. I know, sometimes on roller coasters we all just want to throw our hands up and scream, and that's OK. It's still been fun! I love each of you. You're all so talented and awesome in your own ways. Thanks for being the best kids a parent could hope to have.

Rebecca—What else can I say that I haven't told you before? I love you, and that's all there is to it! As this book comes to a close, hopefully I can spend a little more time on the verb and less on the noun, but I love you all the same. You, alone, have made it possible for me to do what I do. I couldn't ask for a better spouse or a truer friend.
Je t'aime
forever and ever…

1. At the very beginning of the book, Ann is given a diary and encouraged to document her thoughts, feelings, and experiences while battling for her life. The attending nurse labels this activity “expressive therapy.” In your experience, how does keeping a journal or diary help you sort through your troubles?
   
2. At the end of Chapter 9, Ann discusses her physical scars. She also reflects on the unseen scars within her family. What are the most obvious Bennett-family scars? Which are the deepest? In your opinion, what sort of scars are the hardest to heal?
   
3. In Chapter 13, Emily asserts that, “We shouldn't measure lives by their length. There's nothing that says eighty years is better than fifty years is better than fifteen. It's how we live that counts.” Do you agree or disagree with this? Why?
   
4. Would you live your life differently if you knew you only had a short time to live?
   
5. Chicken or egg question: What comes first, the noun of love, or the verb?
   
6. While lamenting the thought of losing her daughter, Emily tells her children the story of a train engineer who knowingly let his child die so that all of the people on a train could live. How do you feel about this story? Emily initially says she couldn't do it; she couldn't stand by and watch her child die when she could prevent it, even at the peril of others. If you were the engineer, what would you do?
   
7. One line from Chapter 17 poses an interesting question: “We, as a family, treat complete strangers better than we do each other. Why is that? Why are we so hostile to those we're supposed to love, yet kind and courteous to people we don't even know?” Have you ever witnessed or experienced this phenomenon? How do you explain it?
   
8. Given the circumstances, are Emily and Dell too protective of Ann? If you had a child with serious health risks like Ann, how would you respond?
   
9. The members of the Bennett family are certainly not without flaws, but they also have some strong points. How would you describe each of their various individual strengths and weaknesses?
   
10. Discuss your thoughts on the idea that we can all be “God's hands” in doing good for others. Have there been times in your life where your immediate needs or prayers have been met through the generosity or sacrifice of others?
    
11. Of all of the characters in the book, who do you think learned the most from playing The Winner's Game? Discuss how this character grew and evolved from the beginning of the story to the end.
    

“Inspirational and heartwarming, Milne's newest work weaves his familiar feel-good tone into an enjoyable story about friendship, love, and family that is sure to please fans and newcomers alike.”

—
Booklist

“Milne's latest is a touching story about a legacy of love. Although the plot is a simple one, it will resonate with readers looking to reach outside themselves and spread kindness to others.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“The magic of Kevin Milne's books is that they make you stop wishing the world was a better place and inspire you to actually get up and go make it one.
The One Good Thing
is exactly that kind of book.”

—Jason Wright,
New York Times
bestselling author of
The Wednesday Letters

“Stirring and dramatic, Milne's work echoes that of Nicholas Sparks in its focus on love, commitment, faith, and the ultimate heartbreak of being human.”

—
Booklist

“…the story is ultimately heartwarming, and readers will be cheering for Sophie the whole time. This short book might not contain long-lasting happiness for us all, but it's certainly a good place to start.”

—
San Francisco Book Review

“Fans of Nicholas Sparks will enjoy this uplifting novel about second chances, circumstance, coincidence, and, of course, happiness.”

—
Booklist

“I love this story…”

—Diana Page Jordan, host of
Open Book with
Diana Page Jordan

“No book has ever inspired me more to be a better father, son, and husband…Simply put,
The Nine Lessons
is a book every father and son should read. You will reflect on its powerful message long after the book returns to the shelf. Guaranteed.”

—Jason Wright,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Christmas Jars
and
The Wednesday Letters

“
The Paper Bag Christmas
is one of the most inspiring and emotionally endearing books I've ever read.”

—Shirley Howard, President,
The Children's Cancer Foundation

“[An] affable yuletide yarn…The story is unexpectedly heartwarming, and Milne mostly avoids sap while delivering his warm fuzzies and dashes of Christmas hope and magic.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“[T]he book is just right for a family reading-aloud project…Milne also provides an…unforgettable story, forcing us to believe in all of his characters…and in something more.”

—
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

“This is a small book in size but the message it sends is so big—this book points out the true meaning of Christmas.”

—
American Chronicle

“[It's] sweetly honest, ushering in the holiday season with joyful ease.”

—
Deseret News

“[
The Paper Bag Christmas
] provides a beautiful and moving reminder of the true joy of life, selfless acts, friendship, and the holiday season.”

—
The News-Times

“This one's a keeper.”

—
Omaha World-Herald

The Paper Bag Christmas

The Nine Lessons

Sweet Misfortune

The Final Note

The One Good Thing

The Winner's Game

Available from Center Street wherever books are sold.

The Paper Bag Christmas

Two young brothers volunteer at a hospital children's ward, where they form new friendships and discover the true spirit of Christmas.

The Nine Lessons

Terrified of becoming a new parent, a man reconnects with his estranged father as he teaches him about life in the guise of golf lessons.

Sweet Misfortune

When her bitter past leads a candy shop owner to create “misfortune cookies,” her ex-fiancé vows to convince her that happiness is not just a myth.

The Final Note

After his wife is involved in a serious car accident, a man fears it may be too late to deliver a gift he promised her years ago—a song that expresses his love.

 

The One Good Thing

When a woman discovers one of her late husband's many good deeds points to a secret that makes her question their whole relationship, their daughter sets out to learn the truth.