Review: Dance for a Dead Princess by Deborah Hawkins
What are some of the book's themes? Murder, lies, love and betrayal. At the very heart of this book lies a conspiracy theory that many are curious about even if they are not interested in Princess Diana's death. Was the car crash really an accident? The author explores this conspiracy theory in the most imaginative way possible.
Did the book end the way you expected? The ending was filled with surprise and took many of us at the book club by shock. Definitely, the art of good storytelling to to keep your readers in suspense until the last minute.
Top 3 things I liked about the whole book – Anything about the English Royal family is my new favourite read so I was definitely excited about discussing this book. I loved that the author included Princess Diana and now I'm really wondering / wanting to know what was on the tape that Diana made.
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.
Colorado Mandala by Brian Heffron
Did you find that the cover and title represented what the story was really about? The cover fit the story and I liked the beautiful mountain setting. I applaud Michael for everything he had to go through and was really hoping he would get better in the end. It must have been hell on earth to have killed someone you know and then can’t say anything about it. Yikes. What did you think of the story structure? I found it very effective for this story. This book is about life and in no way is it perfect or a fairy tale. The characters are in turmoil and the author then gives them structure in a most engaging manner. Which secondary character resonated most with you and why? Ms. Moffat who was also known as the queen of Pike’s Peak. Her family had been there for years and she was the back bone of the community. 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.
Family Magic: 1
Consider the ending. Did you expect it? Most of us at the book club were taken aback by the ending. It was a pleasant surprise. This was a book that was filled with magic, a dysfunctional family and the way it all came together in the end. Is the story plot or character driven? Character driven. It appeared to me as if for every good character in the book, the author introduced an opposite. Some of this made the story a bit unrealistic but overall it was a good book.
Is the plot well-developed? The plot is well developed and most parts are believable. Through her array of characters, the author introduced many Interesting details that made the story magical. For this reader, the book picked up pace when Hayle Coven is threatened and the excitement did not stop after that.
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.
Chasing the Lost
Does the plot come across clearly? Not all the time. I think this was intentional so readers would be surprised by the ending. At some points, this was frustrating because it takes awhile for the story and characters to get to where they were going but when they do, it will surprise you. Content - I think the timing of Horace going back to his mother's house and then a mother losing a child to Russian mobsters was all mighty convenient and the old girlfriend coming into the story was also added drama but the suspense and action made up for this. Definitely one of Bob Mayer's best books.
What I liked - When Horace holds Sarah and says "We'll figure it out. Karralkov must be holding him somewhere else." Between the guns and the blood, this scene was really touching and painted the crazed emotions a mother feels when she cannot find her child.
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 Granite Key: Arkana Archaeology Thriller Mysteries #1
List of facts? Sybil was murdered by Leroy. Abraham said he was a profit. Daniel was his son. He had many wives and said, women were around just to have children. There was a secret society called Arkana. They searched for artefacts. Cassie seen Sybil's murder n a dream. Abraham ordered Leroy to kill to get the key. The Arkana wanted the key too. Abraham ordered Daniel to decipher the codes.
Places in book? Chicago, India, Africa, Portugal, Holy Land, Greece, Illinois, England, Britain, North America, United Nations, Alaska, New York, Europe.
Would you recommend this book? I would, the author is definitely a writer you need to read at least once BUT I would prepare readers for the open ending.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Straight Dope A 360 degree look into American drug culture
List the characters and describe them. Characters were all addicts. They started with pot and or alcohol. Then hit the hard stuff. They lie, steal and cheat. Drugs are all they care about.If your book was a mystery, tell what the mystery was and how it was solved. The mystery was “Why anyone is stupid enough to try or deal drugs” sadly that was not answered and probably never will be answered.
Where did the story take place? The interviews were from all over the US.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Sin of Forgiveness
Structure? It was told in parables, just like the bible.Did the cover and title represent book well? The cover and title represented forgiveness.
Content, setting, theme? All content was pulled from the bible or his personal experiences.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
How You Leave Texas
Favourite quote … "If you're not gone by midnight, I will set fire to the house." and "She looks like she could scrap paint off a ship with that hair."What is the time period in which the book happens? During the fall/autumn season which related to the theme of the book - leaving the old behind, and moving forward with the new.
If you were in a problem situation like one in the book, how would you have acted? I wouldn't have given so much to Walker. He had planned everything for years. He needed to pay dearly. I would have made sure, he did. Then we would be divorced.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Shadow Cay
What are some of the major themes of this book? Corruption, deception and the Colombian drug cartel. Some of the passages about drugs funding companies were truly revealing and I wonder if this really happens in real life. Favourite character(s) … I am at a cross between Peter and Madeleine. Peter was the typical hero, while Madeleine was a combination of a damsel in distress and Ms.Marple. It was a power combo that kept the pages turning.
Did you find that the cover and title represented what the story was really about? Shadow Cay, I understood but quite a few of us at the book club didn't understand the cover. Was it a window? A brooch? In other words, the title represented the story but not the cover.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Evergreen (A Serial Killer Thriller)
How main character felt? 3 evidence. He was scared, angry, frustrated. He couldn't figure out who the killer was. And he couldn't control the crowd. He couldn't understand why his mother committed the murders.Time period? No year was given although I don't think this was crucial to the story and could have been set in any time period.
Favorite character? Patrick was my favorite. His whole life seemed to be like one lie after another and I felt really bad for him. The author did a good job with the portrayal of him as the head of Evergreens.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Tainted Love: The Faith McKenzie Story
Forced read or pulled in? It sucked me right in and I could feel her pain. A few of us at the book club were wondering if the author had experienced some of the issues as well. Characters plausible? Very real, just hated that she took it for so many years. Her defending him over and over was tough to take.
How does setting come to life? Almost everything took place in their home. He was a coward, he only beat her at home. He felt safe there.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Kings of Charleston (Volume 1)
Top 3 things I liked about the main character. She was down to earth. She tried to help her parents. She snooped, till she got answers.Cover. The cover was good. Casper's legs showing the tattoo was catching. Looked mysterious and dangerous.
If you were in a problem situation like one in the book, how would you have acted? I guess, I would have joined too. Given the families predicament and I would have left after the murder.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Book of Paul
What kind of book is this? Fantasy Fiction. Paul was able to jump from one body to another. Tattoo's, scars and piercings disappear. Martin's eye reappeared in the socket.What did you dislike? All of the malevolence, but felt it was needed. The story would have been completely different without these elements.
For banned books: Why was this book banned? This was not a banned book, although there were some controversial elements that may raise questions. I would not be surprised if some stupid idiot tried to ban it so other cannot enjoy this author’s work.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Morph (Gate-Shifters, #1)
What alternative title would you choose for this book? I wouldn't pick an alternative title. "The Morph" suited the story and it made complete sense very early on in the story.Share a quote or two from the book.
Does it keep you in the form you're in currently? Like, you're locked now, so you stay human until someone unlocks it? I liked this quote the best because it came at a time when I was asking the same question Dakota was and really needed some kind of explanation.
Share a favorite scene from the book. When Nik falls to the ground and I thought he was hurt or never wake up again. I really felt Dakota's despair in this scene and wanted things to get better for her.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Some Are Sicker Than Others
Did anyone in the book do something you did not like? Why?I didn't like any of the stuff the addicts did although I understand that it really does happen.
Content (overall theme, idea and setting) –
The theme was focused on people whose addictions are far more serious than some people..
What did you think of the ending?
It was sad and depressing but also realistic.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Refuge
Did the book description relate to the story? The description was very accurate.Top 3 things I liked about the main character. He was such a good man. He had a big heart. He tried to always do the right thing. He helped the people any way, he could. He was teaching them survival.
What was the problem in the book, and how was it solved? The problem was teaching people how to survive in their country. Charlie taught them how to recognize the mines and deactivate them.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.