Summary: Shawn Wayne is single, employed, hard-bodied, a former All-American, and looking for his ideal woman. He may have an obsession with ESPN’s SportsCenter, money, and going to the gym, but he’s a good guy. After a ten-year hiatus from the dating scene, Shawn finds out from a street-wise buddy that technology and dating go together. Armed with a cell phone, an alpha pager, an answering machine, and his mother’s wisdom, Shawn’s back in the game, a little out of shape, but ready to play. Shawn’s search for the woman of his dreams leads to dating misadventures ranging from nightmare blind dates and under-age flings to married swingers. Then he meets Troi. Is she the one?

About the Author: Van Whitfield is a secretary/clerk at Howard University. Whitfield established the “Education Works!” Foundation to encourage literary excellence among young people. Currently, he is working on his second novel. He’s single and lives in Lanham, Maryland.

Topics to Consider

The main characters seem to toss aside the idea of safe sex after two dates. Do you think most single Americans are as care-free about sex?

Shawn Wayne's answering machine pulls his "date diary" and plot together. How is this book a reflection on modern technology and the way it helps or hinders our lives?

Shawn's mother offers Forrest Gump-like advice throughout the book ... "Don't trust women with satin sheets," "Available women wear ankle bracelets," "Women have a higher mental capacity for second-time sex." Does this maternal advice aid in Shawn's maturity? Our own?

Everybody's mother has a pithy saying or two. How about yours?

Shawn meets six types of women, from bitter and sour to shallow and greedy. Do you think he finds his perfect mate? Someone who will accept him as he is?

The author characterizes several different dating stories. Reflecting on your own experience, did any of them sound familiar? Which one do you think is the author's true tale?

Troi and Shawn met at a conference dance. How do men and women meet today?

One of the most touching moments in the book comes when Shawn returns to DC after Troi tells him she's not interested in a relationship"friendship" is all she wants. What does this scene reveal about the pain of one-sided love? About being misled?

The main character is obsessed with SportsCenter. How can obsessions like sports affect a relationship? Enough to ruin it? What other obsessions might have a similar impact?

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