Book Club Questions for Betrayed by Donnell Ann Bell

1. In Betrayed, Irene Turner is a trapshooting champion and Kinsey Masters is a world-class soccer player. Do you think an inner spirit is required to make a champion? Did you see this spirit reflected in these two women?
2. When Irene sees the file on Kinsey, she immediately knows she’s been betrayed. Instead of seeking civil action, she heads to Denver to meet her daughter for the first time. Knowing she will be up against a powerful Denver family with resources, was she right to go to the Denver police? Or should she have gone through the court system to meet Kinsey? What would you have done?
3. Detective Nate Paxton has been in love with Kinsey since they were teenagers. He also is committed to his job. Two issues separated Nate from Kinsey. What do you think they were?
4. Betrayed addresses black tar heroin, a deadly drug making its way through all Colorado schools including the elementary school system. Were you aware of black tar heroin, and did the book provide an accurate picture?
5. There were two strong antagonists in this book. Did you sympathize with the antagonists in any way? Why or why not?
6. Betrayed is a single-title suspense with romantic elements, meaning it has more than one thread. In addition to threads, the novel has several characters. Did the threads appeal to you, or would you have preferred the novel focus on one or two characters? Which characters were the most compelling?
7. What other books have you read that have a mentor to the protagonist? Irene and Nate both have a mentor in Betrayed. What function do the mentors serve in this novel?
8. Kinsey has siblings. One of the challenges was to get them to accept Kinsey’s biological mother in the course of the storyline. Do you think the author accomplished this goal? Did the siblings add to the conflict, and, in effect, the story? Why or why not?
9. The author used several area landmarks in Betrayed. Do you like to read stories based in familiar locations, referencing current events?
10. In addition to physical traits, Irene and Kinsey share an emotional fear. Do these traits and character flaws add to the story in your opinion?
11. In addition to all the evidence, Norma Mitchell presented to Irene at the story’s beginning, what one element convinced Irene that Kinsey was her biological daughter, and was revealed near the end of the story? Would that element have convinced you?
12. A federal agency is called into play in Betrayed and assists the Denver Police Department with Kinsey’s kidnapping. Additionally, two unlikely characters participate in a sting operation in Rodrigo’s office. What was special about these two characters?
13. In the end, two potential love interests develop and the protagonist at last finds happiness. Do you prefer happy endings?

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