Lookin' Back, Texas
by Leanna Ellis

List Price: $14.99
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780805446975
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group

In author Leanna Ellis’ newest novel, Lookin’ Back, Texas, character Betty Lynne Davidson is planning her husband’s funeral, but the man isn’t dead, he just wants a divorce.

Set in present day Luckenbach, Texas, we learn Betty Lynne has worked hard to protect the façade of raising a perfect family. So when her husband threatens to leave, she would rather bury him than face the scorn of her neighbors.

But for Suzanne, Betty Lynne’s daughter, the scenario and heading home to Texas to try to fix it all, will mean facing the faulty foundation of her own marriage.

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1. Which character did you most identify with: Suzanne, Betty Lynne, Josie, Mike, Drew, Oliver, Archie or Hazel? What personality trait or aspect of this person’s life did you relate to?

2. What is perfectionism? Have you ever feel like you are a perfectionist? If so, how is it beneficial or detrimental to your life? Do you know someone who is a perfectionist? How does this trait affect those who work or live with this person?

3. Do you know someone who is a perfectionist? Does their perfectionism make it hard to deal with this person? How does this trait affect others who work or live with this person?

4. What does forgiveness truly look like? What’s the best definition of forgiveness you’ve heard?

5. Think of a situation where you found it hard to forgive someone else. How were you finally able to break through and offer forgiveness? Is there someone you need to forgive even now?

6. Think of a time when you had to humble yourself and seek someone else’s forgiveness. How did the other person respond? What did this mean to you?

7. Have you ever had a difficult time forgiving yourself and accepting God’s forgiveness and grace? Describe it.

8. Are you familiar with the song, “Let’s Go to Luckenbach, Texas” by Waylon Jennings? Can you relate to the concept of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’? How was Betty Lynne Davidson doing this? Did it help her family or cause harm?

9. What do you think will happen in the coming years for Suzanne’s family? Do you think Suzanne, Mike, and Oliver will be able to overcome the past and newfound difficulties? Do you think Archie and Betty Lynne’s marriage will survive?

10. What do you think could have prevented Suzanne’s affair with Drew? Have you ever been tempted to stray in your marriage? What steps did you take to prevent that from happening? What steps can you take to prevent that type of problem in your marriage?

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"With her grace, humor and unexpected twists, Ellis turns this story into a message of hope for marriages shrouded in secrets."

— Romantic Times Book Reviews

"What a hoot! Leanna Ellis has a gift for storytelling and for quirky, fun, eccentric characters entirely true to the human experience."

— Arlene James, Author of His Small-Town Girl

"A wacky, off-the-wall read that’s spiritually right on target!"

— Cathy Marie Hake, Author of Forevermore and Fancy Pants

"In a smooth pairing of wit and grit, Leanna Ellis weaves a tale of flawed relationships and crippling regrets with wonderfully timed comedic threads. A fresh, clever look at the audacity of love that forgives."

— Susan Meissner, Author of Blue Heart Blessed