Children of the Fog
What were the main themes of the book? Parenting, friendship, marriage and adultery. I think what I liked most about this book was the way the author used real situations and real people to tell a fiction story. The way each character is described, they are more like people from down the road or a friend who sits and pours out her heart to you.Describe 2 different settings or locations. When Sadie and Leah are picking a birthday present for Sam and then go on to talk about where to go for coffee. This is exactly what any two female friends will do and was a suitable introduction for the book to pull the reader in. When Sadie finds out about one of the women Philip slept with. This was a slap in the face. I was expecting it to be anyone else, but the truth even had me reeling.
Were you able to connect with the main character and why? Most definitely. Sadie and Leah were both central characters to the story and they are both easy to connect with because they represent different sides of a single story. You have Sadie, who has a picture perfect life on the outside but her life is crumbling on the inside and then there's Leah who (in some ways predictably) is part of Sadie's crumble and also the glue that holds Sadie together.
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.
Neverlove: Shadow Jumpers series (Volume 1)
What did you think of the style of the writer? Unique. She's taken everyday concepts and combined them into a captivating, intriguing read that I will definitely recommend to other readers who enjoy a tinge of paranormal.Was the story credible? It most certainly was. You have Abigail and Basil, two teenagers who have seen the worst in life and they are now moving on with their lives the best way they know how. When their paths cross and they are faced with a decisions that will affect their future, this book then becomes about what is most important in a person's life.
Did you find any flaws in the book? Not a single one. The book was well-written, the editing was spot on and every character in the book had me turning the pages. I'm not sure if this book is part of a series, but I do know I would like to read other books by the same author.
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.
Not a Whisper: Book One, A Klondike Mystery
What have you read that is similar to this book? The book has many different elements which bring to mind similar plots and settings. These include books from authors like Nora Roberts, Agatha Christie, Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich.What are some of the major themes of this book? Romance, murder, mystery and of course, lots of drama. Let's not forget the unlikely heroine who meets her hero and then solves the mysterious body count that gets more twisted as the pages go by.
What do you think the author was trying to accomplish with this novel? To provide an introduction to her book series with intriguing, likeable characters and a well-developed plot set against the backdrop of a small town.
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
What are some of the book's themes? Guilt and courtroom dealings. Robert has previously defended a rapist who was set free. This man has now raped his daughter's best friend and he now has to wrestle with his conscience. Claire is painted in the ugliest of lights and Robert has to deal with the negativity that comes with his job.Did the book end the way you expected? In many ways, yes. This book has many good moments but it is also predictable. It doesn't bore you with legal technicalities but it describes everything and every scene in a detailed manner that some readers may mistake as dragging but once you get through these sections, you'll become immersed in a courtroom drama that is much like Grisham's earlier books.
Top 3 things I liked about the whole book. It was easy to connect with the main character. I liked that the book focused on the weaker side of him. It makes him an unlikely hero and offers readers a sense of reality. Second, I can only assume that the author based some of the incidences on real life experiences because of how strong they felt. The intensity of the story captured me right from the beginning.
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
Formatting / Appearance. I not sure I understand the formatting of this book. We were given a pdf file for review purposes and while this said the book was 220 pages long, the text was clumped together in the middle of book which looked poems. It was strange reading a full story like this and I am not sure if this was intentional or something had gone wrong.If you were to talk with the author, what would you want to know? How much of the book had she experienced in her own life? Loresha's teenager years are no different than most. She has to deal with studies, friends and of course, her first love. How she combines all of these and the lessons she learns makes for a very interesting read.
If you could rewrite the ending, would you? The ending was perfect the way it was. The reader sees Loresha grow from page one to the end. She overcomes problems at school and she is filled with hope about a better life and a higher education. This would be an excellent book to use in schools.
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 Hunter's Son (JC Mather, #1)
What are some of the book's themes? Murder, lies, secrets and witches. Everything a good book is made of. Did the book end the way you expected? No, it didn't and that was the best part. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the ending was a surprise.
Top 3 things I liked about the whole book. It was a fast read. I like fantasy books and this book did not disappoint. It was easy to connec with JC and I felt like I knew him.
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 Final Straw
What were the main themes of the book? Drama, tragedy, family, death and revenge. The author's execution was flawless simply because you never knew what was going to happen in the next page. Colin Bailey is a character with many different layers, and the author assures readers that in every chapter, at least one layer is peeled off.
Describe 2 different settings or locations. When Colin is nervous about telling Karen that he can't buy her a movie ticket and as it turns out, she's buying tickets for both of them - this was funny and cute at the same time. When Colin feeds his mother an overdose of pills. This scene was spine chilling and for the first time, it hit me how very little emotion Colin actually had.
Were you able to connect with the main character and why? Tough one. I really wanted to connect with Colin and I think the points when he gets angry, you can understand why he is mad but there are still quite a few sections I found it quite difficult to connect with him.
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)
What is the central idea discussed in the book? This is a pocket size guide about how to write better. As the author indicates, she has written this and other books in the series based on her own experiences. This is the second book we are reading from the same author and she did not disappoint. This book is focused on the usage od adverbs and cliches.What evidence does the author use to support the book's ideas? Each chapter is a different example on the correct use of adverbs and cliches. I found this especially interesting. There are so many errors we do not realise we are writing or reading.
What kind of language does the author use? The author's language is simple and to the point. From the title, one would expect the book to be over-crowded with explanation but it isn't. She directly points out examples. Think of it like this, I'm not telling you what to do. I am showing you how to do it.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
City of the Fallen (Dark Tides, #1)
Did you find that the cover and title represented what the story was really about? Absolutely. I particularly liked the use of the word "fallen" because in the end it wasn't just the city that was fallen it was how the main characters were as well. Belle was fallen to the point she knew she needed to do something about saving the city from vampires. Marcus falls for Belle. She pretends to return his affections only to become bothered with how she is achieving her goals, a fallen angel of sorts.What did you think of the story structure? This reader loved it. The balance between character and plot development was perfect. Neither overpowers the other and readers are offered colourful emotions amidst dark, morbid settings. I especially liked how the author introduced the "rabids". Who says vampires don't have problems.
What I didn't like. I know a few of my book club members are reviewing this book and quite a few will be saying the same thing. So here goes. You know the feeling when you've been expecting a good piece of steak all day. You finally sit down at the table and then you get chicken instead. It's still a meal, and a good one at it. But you're left craving for so much more. That's what the ending was like. We don't have a clue when the second book will be out so by the time it is released, I'm really not sure if we will still remember enough of the first book to continue with the second.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
What are some of the major themes of this book? Murder, lies, secrets, adultery. The best ingredients for a muder / mystery. What did the title have to do with the book? It's where the murders occurred and where the story is set. I must say, it did provide for a lovely backdrop.
Make a list of facts you learned from the story. Serafina had 7 children. The baroness had been murdered two years ago. She was poisoned. Sister Genoveffa was strangled. The baron had a mistress. Drugs were being smuggled on the baron's ships. Someone tried to kill Serafina. Serafina was a midwife. She was having an affair with a married man.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
White Chalk
What were the main relationships explored in this book? Relationships in school - the ones that Chelle has and the ones she sees others having. Sometimes, it was as if Chelle was an outsider to a world she longed to be part of.3 things I liked about the book. It is disturbing enough to be used as an example for teenagers and for families with troubled teenagers. Second thing I liked was the writing and lastly, the character development was spot on. Each and every single character came to life and not many authors are able to do this.
Favourite character(s) … I know many of my book club members picked Chelle, but I'm going to go for Troy. The way he was written, you wanted to hate him but then his character is also the perfect example of a teenage boy controlled by his hormones and what he wants others to think of him.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
disappearing in plain sight
Top 3 things I liked about the main character. Lisa-Marie is very realistic and can be your neighbour or friend. Crater Lake seems to be a destination we all know to well, the place we go to run away from our problems but end up facing them head on. The writing brought these characters to life and I definitely want to read more by this author.What is your favourite scene. When Izzy looks at the team photo of the Crate Lake Timber Wolves. The way the memories came back to her is a sentiment many people can share with her.
Cover. With a title like "Disappearing in Plain Sight" the shades of grey amidst what I assume is Crater Lake, everything about it is perfect.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Spare Change
What are some of the major themes of this book? Love and hope.Where did the story take place? Richmond and Wyattsville
Is the plot well-developed? Yes, everything about this was believable. I question how many grandchildren lived with someone other than parents while growing up in the 1950’s
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
ARIA: Left Luggage
What were the main themes of the book? Widespread amnesia, violence and end of the world situations like starvation and looting. Some elements of the book were almost like The Invasion with Nicole Kidman. This strange virus (ARIA) threatens the human race and the memories of our past as we know it. In a world that depends so much on online activities and 'cloud' storage, imagine one day if all this were wiped out. This book held my attention from the first page although some sections were a little hard to connect because of the technicality involved.Describe 2 different settings or locations. When Ryder opens Derek's emails and he realises that his boss isn't quite who he is supposed to be. This was my second favourite scene - when Ryder, Derek and Teresa are talking about the virus. It was hard to pick a favourite because each scene offers detailed backdrops and gripping suspense. Will the situation be resolved? Will the aliens offer a remedy?
Were you able to connect with the main character and why? Most definitely, if I were in his shoes, I would feel the same way he did. I'm surprised he did not feel more despair but then again, that's why he's the hero. In a story that was more focused on it's plot, each character was well-developed and believable. Even the action scenes were not exaggerated and were able to capture my attention without the usual unrealistical 'Hollywood' effects that some books have started using.
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.
Deleting GOD
What have you read that is similar to this book? Not a book, but there have been quite a few articles that stress on the importance of not cluttering our lives with social and white noise. In some ways, this book also focused on that.What are some of the major themes of this book? Prioritizing what is important in your life and not to follow the the crowd.
What do you think the author was trying to accomplish with this novel? He wanted to share his experiences and views on Christianity nowadays.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Would you recommend this book? Of course. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a some spark this summer. The characters are absolutely entertaining and the writing is sharp. Who was your favorite character? Jasmine. She's the typical romance book main character but everything about her is page-turning and you really want things to work out for her.
What I liked. Can I say everything? The writing was great. The characters strong and the plot although predictable was entertaining.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.