Colorado Mandala by Brian Heffron
What did you think of the overall story? This is a story about grief, love and a lot of sadness. The author does not drag the conflict and you are captivated with Michael, Sarah and Paul. It was a beautifully written story and the ending leaves you wishing for more. If you were to talk with the author, what would you want to know? Why he felt the need to have the cock fights in this story? I know there must have been some significance but sometimes it felt like Fight Club and this didn’t always fit with the setting or the characters. If you could rewrite the ending, would you? No, I wouldn’t. It was surprising but the ending was great and I think down the road I would like to hear what Stuart thought about the incident or a “where are they now” sequel. I really didn’t want this story to end, this was an extremely well written book. 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.
Intoxicated
Was the POV consistent? Yes. The story explored the relationships between Lauren - Blake - Matthew and then it explored the relationship Lauren had with Eric. In both cases, the POV was consistent and flowed well between chapter to chapter. What you liked about the book … I loved the plot. The author made it easy to connect with the situation, characters and the setting. I liked the way the author made it a point to mention and describe the settings in the book no matter how insignificant they may have seemed at first.
Favorite character(s) … Matthew. He's the hero you want him to be. Almost the perfect gentleman and I think this is where it went a little off for me. Matthew seemed too perfect. You have Eric who is ultra flawed and then Lauren trying to find her way and then you have Matthew who is close to perfect. The extremes were sometimes fun and sometimes a little unrealistic.
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.
The Darkest Lie
What did you think about the dialogue? I liked that the dialogue was like real teenagers talking. It wasn't put on or uninteresting. Each character has his or her own style and this was displayed in the dialogue. What did you think about the settling? I liked this a lot and it was balanced between the characters and plot. The setting wasn't overshadowed by the quirky characters or fascinating plot and served the story well.
What I liked. The author introduces the reader to her own magical world. She has crafted this well and readers are easily pulled in. Each scene had a good pace to it. Not too slow that you are bored and not too fast that you cannot understand what is happening.
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.
The Guilty
Formatting / Appearance. The book club received a .pdf copy of the book for review purposes. There were some minor glitches. Two words were joined together, it did not interrupt the flow of the story but it could have also been because of the conversion when we read it on different reading devices.Content (overall theme, idea and setting). Parts of the story are based on real-life events and many of us at the book club liked this the best of all. It made it even easier to connect with the story and characters. I have never read a Montreal court story before so this was definitely a first, and I everything about this book captured my attention. I'll definitely be looking out for more books by this author.
What I liked. When Robert has to choose between healing his relationship with his daughter and a new case that will elevate his job security. The twists that come after the court case with Claire and when he tries to defend Marlon's son, it's a side of people we don't see everyday but one we all know is there and the author takes the reader deep into these emotions.
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.
Almost a Senior
Do any characters grow or change during the course of the novel? Loresha, of course. She gains popularity and ignores her previous friends but soon learns that popularity and loyalty are two different things. Her family life is also fragmented with a single mother and a brother who is trouble with the law. How she copes with both elements in her life, allows the readers to watch her grow from a searching teenager to a young woman.What motivates a given character’s actions? She wants a better life for herself and knows that education is the key to achieving this. Loresha has to deal with real issues like drugs and peer pressure which is why many of the book club members felt that this book will be a good book to use in high schools.
Which characters do you particularly admire or dislike? I didn't like Jamie. He used Loresha in more ways than one and was an insecure person who wanted to always win. When he didn't win, he looked for a way to still stay in the spotlight even if it meant hurting someone else.
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.
The Druid legacy
How did the main character feel during the book? Mostly, Wess was scared. He was learning so many new things so fast, and he was making enemies at an even faster rate. The cover closely depicts how Wess was for most of the book although I think this will change in the second book. Wess is also very witty and uses this to his advantage when he finds himself between a rock and a hard place.What did the title have to do with the book? In my opinion, Wess is a druid. The book is called "Invasion" because this is when Wess' powers invade his life and change the world he has become used to for the past 12 years of his life. With his new powers comes the discovery of other creatures, fighting for his life and saving a few lives along the way.
In your own words, how did the setting of the story made it more interesting. Several book club members were discussing this. This book had a lot going for it and in no way is it bad. The storyline is entertaining and the characters are interesting. However, the setting is not a strong point for this book. Most times, you have very little information about what is happening in the background.
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.
Adverbs & Clichés in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Subversions of Adverbs & Clichés into Gourmet Imagery (Writing in a Nutshell Series) (Volume 2)
If this book was intended to teach the reader something, did it succeed? In most ways, this book succeeded. This reader has learnt how to understand adverbs and cliches. We were only curious about how readers are meant to include "your unique example" from an ereader or are the books meant to be sold as paperbacks?Was there a specific passage that had left an impression, good or bad? I, especially, liked example 6 which focused on adverbs like angrily and suddenly; cliches such as bristle with rage and make one's hair on end.
Was the purpose of the book to bring to light an issue? With the rise of self-publishing I think many writers (and readers) need guides on how to write more eloquently. This book definitely sets out to do that.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Straight Dope A 360 degree look into American drug culture
Five ways the main character is like you. I am grateful that I am nothing like the inmates in the interviews. Although, I understand that some of them had horrible circumstances, their drug usage was selfish, dangerous and illegal. In your own words what was the setting of the story. The prison had a strong impact on the reader, but it still did not change the fact that drugs are bad.
Find one word that describes a character in your book very well. Addict – more interested in drugs than people, does not care about his fellow human beings, more concerned with how much money they will make, or wondering when they will be able to get that next hit.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
disappearing in plain sight
What I didn't like. There are still quite a few unanswered questions from the book. I am not sure if this was intentional for the readers to think or if these will be answered in another book.Did you find that the cover and title represented what the story was really about? Absolutely. We expect our problems and grief to disappear but when we run away from them, they only disappear in plain sight but not permanently.
What did you think of the story structure? The story flowed perfectly. The reader is never distracted from too many characters or the strong emotions they feel.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Newbie Author's Survival Guide
What I didn't like. Nothing at all. She even makes it a point to highlight offline marketing which I think is very helpful for any writer or blogger.Did you find that the cover and title represented what the story was really about? Most definitely. At first, whem he heard the title and got the book, I didn't get it. But yes, as you read the full title, it's obvious.
What did you think of the structure? This was done very well and flowed in the order of pre-publishing, publishing, and post publishing.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
How You Leave Texas
What did you like most about the book? It was a fast read. Characters had depth. Enjoyed that all the characters wanted out of Texas.Using information from the book, rewrite the ending of the book. Would have given more details about how Walker and Dusty were affected by the freezing of their assets. Would have enjoyed their misery.
Top 3 things I liked about the setting in this book. LA is a fascinating place. Great restaurants and shopping. A melting pot of people.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Book of Paul
How you define yourself is a central theme in this story. Don’t think I can place myself in this book. Most of the characters were too extreme for me but one of the main discussions at the book club was this - if we allowed ourselves to become the worst we could be, is this how we would turn out?
What did you like most about the book? The nail at the beginning of each chapter and how the chapters were short. Can't say enough about the nail, such a simple object with so many different meanings.
Is the title a good one or a poor one and why? I felt the title was perfect. Paul was a central character in the book and because he had a God complex, this was his "bible" of sorts.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Dissolution of Peace
Were you able to connect with the main character and why? Connecting with Mike was really easy. He was straight forward and a good, kind man.What are some of the book's themes? Murder, betrayal, lies, secrets, love. Although the setting seemed to overthrow the plot at times, each theme was executed to perfection and this is definitely one of my favourite new books.
What was the author's purpose or purposes in writing this book? To focus on a story that shed ligh on betrayal, murder, and share his love of science fiction.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Tangled Secrets
Top 3 things I liked about the main character. Beth was strong, willing to always try and mend fences between her adversaries, even when things were bleak she was not looking for a handout. She was willing to make do with what she had. What did you like least? That Bill would not be open with his boys as to why he was actually in Australia.
Was it a good book? I enjoyed the book especially the historical aspect the author used in writing. Not many people are willing to use their past family members as characters for a book. This was refreshing.
What major emotion did the story evoke in you as a reader?
Empathy for Beth. She had it hard. Bridget hated her, William did not understand how to be a husband and could not provide for her. Then when Beth gets pregnant, William does not fully understand how it happened.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Some Are Sicker Than Others
What are some of the book's themes? How important were they?Addiction, lies, betrayal, manipulation, disease, suicide.
If your book was a mystery, tell what the mystery was and how it was solved
Wasn't a mystery.
Using information from the book about one of the main characters, rewrote the ending of the book.
Angie would get well and be a part of her children's lives again.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Lionslayer's Woman
Which did you find more appealing, the introduction or the conclusion? I think I like the conclusion more because it was more straightforward than the introduction. It took a few of us at the book club awhile for the book to kick in. There was just so much detail to absorb in the beginning and not all of it was relevant to the story itself.Why would you recommend or not recommend this book? I think this book will be enjoyed by people who specifically like this genre. Anyone who does not have a preference for historical fiction with some steamy bits, will not like this book.
Did the book description relate to the story? Not really, the book description was confusing and the book itself was far better.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.