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Dance for a Dead Princess - Deborah Hawkins
What motivates a given character’s actions? Taylor is motivated by the discovery of truth. She is inquisitive and wants to uncover the truth at all costs. Sometimes, it seemed she was naive and that she was overlooking the consequences of her actions but overall as the plot progresses, her actions are justified.
Which character(s) do you particularly admire? I liked, more like adored Nicholas. I never for a minute believed he was involved in his wife’s murder. From the instant he was described, it felt as if his gentleman-like behaviour was what got him into more trouble than he liked.
Do you find the characters convincing? This is one of those stories that kept me turning the pages. The characters were (mostly) convincing and believable. Each of them kept things interesting and by the time you finish the book you feel like you have personally met each of them.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
White Chalk
What were the main themes of the book? Growing up, literally. At first, when you meet the main character, Chelle, she is no different from any other teenager. She is confused and finding her way. Then, chaos starts and as Chelle reels so does the reader. Tyler bring out emotional instability like never before and when Chelle "uses up all her fight" you really wish you had strength to give her.Describe your favourite scene. When Chelle and Mr.Harris are together and she says "let the warmth of Mr.Harris's hand seep into my heart". This really showed how desperate she was.
Were you able to connect with the main character and why? I think all readers will be able to connect with Chelle. At some point in our lives, we've all felt a little like she has. I think it's far worse for Chelle because her family life is beyond bad and with parents like that it is no wonder that her life is in so much turmoil.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Gabriela and The Widow
Summarize the book without giving away the ending. The book was about a young Indian girl who struggled to survive. She was abused by many men.Consider the main character: what does he or she believe in? She fights to live, to survive on her own terms which seems to be far more complicated than she or this reader anticipated.
How would rewrite the ending of the book. Gabby would have found a loving man. I think the ending in the book was necessary but a reader can wish.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Big Book of Dumb White Husband
What were the main relationships explored in this book? Marriage and family life. I especially liked Dumb White Husband and the tooth fairy. In a world that is changing so fast, it is difficult to keep up with our kids / grandkids.3 things I liked about the book … Many of us at the book club loved the writing style. In some ways, it was very Adrian Mole. Then, in others, it was almost a reflection of the person we are and it makes you think. Second thing, I liked about it was the humour and lastly, the topics he had chosen.
Favourite character(s) … Chris. He seems so contradictory, it's just too funny.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Shadow Cay
Were you able to connect with the main character and why? I was able to connect more with Peter than Madeleine. She seemed very impulsive and these may have been because of her past but it was really hard to connect with her sometimes. As a reader, her pain seemed exxagerated sometimes. Cover. I liked the colour but none of us at the book club understood the window / mirror. We saw the ship but didn't quite get the wooden circle or the teardrop at the corner of the page.
If you could continue the story, what events would you include? Because the book came with so many different plots and they were all explained in the end, I don't think there's any part of the story I would continue other than Peter and Madelein's relationship.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
How You Leave Texas
Did the book end the way you expected? I was a bit surprised at the ending. Most of us at the book club were not expected each story to have a twist right at the end. Who in this book would you most like to meet? Camille. Her situation was the most realistic of them all.
What was the problem in the book, and how was it solved? The problem was for everyone to get out of Texas. They all managed to do that. Successfully or not, that was a different story.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Tainted Love: The Faith McKenzie Story
Kind of book? Fiction - But every word could be true. It has happened over and over and will happen again.Purpose for writing book? To educate women. Trying to show, what the abuser is capable of doing, if they do not protect themselves.
Continue story, why? I would have given Faith a happy life with John.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Kings of Charleston (Volume 1)
What did the title have to do with the book? The society that ran Charleston and New Orleans.Compare two of the characters in this book. Casper's dad - Rich, lost money in the stock market. Selfish, manipulative and weak.
Jacob - Wasn't in Kythera. Wasn't rich, just a ordinary kid that got used and murdered.
What have you read that is similar to this book? The Stepford Wives.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Covert Dreams
How did the main character feel during the book? Most of the book was hinged on BJ's reoccurring dreams.If you could only save one character from the book, which one would it be and why? I guess, I would pick Stan. He was the only one that hadn't been experimented on.
Consider the main character: what does he or she believe in? BJ believes in finding the truth about Dabbie. He risks everything to find out what really happened in 1984.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Dissolution of Peace
How did the main character feel during the book? He was in constant turmoil. Trying to protect Christina, he loved her. His best friend was a traitor.Which characters do you particularly admire or dislike? I admire Mike, Christine and Janis. I intensely disliked Roger.
Content (overall theme, idea and setting). The idea was good and original but the sinking of Australia really wasn't clear to me.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Barbed-Wire Butterflies
Did you find any flaws in the book?No flaws at all.
Do you feel as if your views on a subject have changed by reading this text?
My views are the same. This problem is real and they need to go after these people more aggressively.
What did you think of the style of the writer?
The style of writing was charismatic. This writer is fantastic. Can't believe it's her first novel. Would gladly read anything, she writes.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Some Are Sicker Than Others
Top 3 things I liked about the whole book –For me, it would be the realistic characters, the meaningful reflections and a truthful approach to a situation that is often covered up.
Secondary characters play an important role in this book. Which secondary character resonated most with you and why?
Robby - Monty's sponsor at AA. He set up a intervention and he tried everything to help Monty.
What were the main themes of the book? How well did the author execute these themes?
Addiction, lies, betrayal, death. The author did a pretty good depicting the different life stories and how bad addictions can get.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Lessons from the Lemonade Stand: A Common Sense Primer on Investing
What was the problem in the book, and how was it solved? People who have lost money from investments and learned how to reinvest to make a profit.What kind of book is this? Non fiction, investing, the author explains how to invest and that no matter what all investments are risky.
What was the author's purpose or purposes in writing this book? Teaching people how to invest money safely and to make a profit from their investments.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Titan Drowns
Which secondary character resonated most with you and why? Paulo. I liked that Marco thought about his well-being and wanted to make sure that he was taken care of in any possible manner.How do you define the central theme in this story. I had a bit of difficulty trying to figure out the central part of the story. It starts with the main characters going to save the women and children. Then, they become conflicted / engrossed in their love lives and their priorities appear to get sidetracked. So if I were asked to pick a central theme, I'm going to say it was the romance.
What did you think of the ending? I liked how the book ended and look forward to reading other books by this author.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Eyes of Ember (Imdalind #2)
Did the book end the way you expected? Not really, which gives me the impression that there will be another book. Would have liked a little closure. Which characters do you particularly admire or dislike? Really did not like Edmund. He seemed to have an agenda that was hard to see in the story.
At the end of the book, do you feel hope for the characters? This is hard to answer. To a certain extent I did feel hope for the characters but I can only assume that everything is wrapped up in the third book.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Blown Circuit: Explosive Spy Action for Mystery Thriller Fans (#2)
Did anyone in the book do something you did not like? Of course, I didn't like the terrorists. And the mole in the CIA.List the places mentioned in the book. New York, China, Turkey, Asia, Bosporus Straight, Istanbul, Virginia, Vietnam, Singapore, Seattle, Grand Bazaar, Grand Canyon. As you can see, this was one exciting read.
Do you find the characters convincing? All characters are convincing. Everything they did was plausible and let me stress that the book had enough action for me to read this book at least twice.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
