Journey's Thru Books
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Deborah Hawkins - Dance for a Dead Princess
What do you think was the author’s purpose in writing this book? She wanted to present a fictional account of murder, mystery with some facts thrown in. The inclusion of royalty would of course have fans of the royals reading and enjoying the book. Personally, I liked the overall plot and the depiction of the main characters.
If you could continue the story, what events would you include? I think it ended in a good place and I wouldn’t change anything. Events such as Taylor discovering the truth and the way their paths crossed (Nicholas and Taylor) were timely and I particularly liked that the ending wasn’t rushed or forced where their relationship was concerned.
List five major events in the story. ***MAY HAVE SPOILERS*** The Duke wanted to sell the abbey and Taylor was hired to orchestrate the sale. In the process of finalising the sale, Taylor found the journals which revealed that Nicholas was not what the media said he was. Betty framed Lucy and then tried to kill Nicholas and Taylor. Taylor killed Betty.
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 by Ted Tayler
Do you find the characters convincing? Sue Owens was quirky but loved how her character was developed into the story and by the end she had become a central part in Colin’s life. Karen was the most convincing. She wasn’t sure how to go on after Sharron’s death and clung to whatever shreds of hope, lust and normalcy she could. What did you think about the overall tone? Each character’s voice is significantly different from the other and the tone of the story changes as they each make an appearance. Karen’s tone and setting is gloomy and unappealing, Sue is over the top and Colin is dark. Is the plot satisfactorily resolved? We discussed this in every way we could. The plot was satisfactorily resolved up to the point Colin and Karen but the police investigation and the way things ended with Colin leave the resolution to the reader. I really enjoyed this 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.
A 3rd Time to Die by George Bernstein
Several of us at the book club have read this author before and were thrilled to hear that we would be reading a new book by Bernstein. The first book was top rated so we knew this one would be the same. For me this book started out a little slow, but when it got going and I worked several things out in my head I could not stop turning the pages. What really grabbed my attention with this story is how well Bernstein kept everything straight with the different centuries. When reading in the 17th century I felt like I was in the 17th century when reading 19th century I felt like I was in the 19th century. The amazing way this tale was put together is just astonishing. Three different centuries, with the same people over and over. This book almost makes me want to believe in reincarnation. I questioned a friend who owns horses about some things from the book and they were spot on. George did not just write a story, he wrote a tale weaving through time. A true challenge for writers when keeping everything straight, I admire anyone who achieve this. This story will keep you wanting to turn pages and wondering which century you will be in. 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.
A 3rd Time To Die
Several of us at the book club have read this author before and were thrilled to hear that we would be reading a new book by Bernstein. The first book was top rated so we knew this one would be the same. For me this book started out a little slow, but when it got going and I worked several things out in my head I could not stop turning the pages. What really grabbed my attention with this story is how well Bernstein kept everything straight with the different centuries. When reading in the 17th century I felt like I was in the 17th century when reading 19th century I felt like I was in the 19th century.
The amazing way this tale was put together is just astonishing. Three different centuries, with the same people over and over. This book almost makes me want to believe in reincarnation.
I questioned a friend who owns horses about some things from the book and they were spot on. George did not just write a story, he wrote a tale weaving through time. A true challenge for writers when keeping everything straight, I admire anyone who achieve this. This story will keep you wanting to turn pages and wondering which century you will be in.
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.
Gabriela and The Widow by Jack Remick
At the end of the book, do you feel hope for the characters? Yes, I feel hope for Gabby. She was part of an amazing plot that is filled with expectations, dreams, sacrifice and courage. I always felt as if the writer was connected to these characters in more ways than he was telling. Very enjoyable book and I cannot recommend it enough. What are the most revealing scenes? When Laviuda is telling her life for Gabby to record. This is when young and old meet. Their backgrounds are different but emotionally there seems to be a bond that the author uses to emotionally engage the reader. What did you think of the style of the writer? This is a story about personal struggles, ethics, friendship and love. If a young girl has an impossible dream, how far would she go to make her dreams come true? Jack Remick answers this in a most interesting way. Really liked the writer’s style. 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.
Gabriela and The Widow
At the end of the book, do you feel hope for the characters? Yes, I feel hope for Gabby. She was part of an amazing plot that is filled with expectations, dreams, sacrifice and courage. I always felt as if the writer was connected to these characters in more ways than he was telling. Very enjoyable book and I cannot recommend it enough. What are the most revealing scenes? When Laviuda is telling her life for Gabby to record. This is when young and old meet. Their backgrounds are different but emotionally there seems to be a bond that the author uses to emotionally engage the reader.
What did you think of the style of the writer? This is a story about personal struggles, ethics, friendship and love. If a young girl has an impossible dream, how far would she go to make her dreams come true? Jack Remick answers this in a most interesting way. Really liked the writer’s style.
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 would the main character talk about? He would have the attention of everyone in the room as he spoke about his experiences with witches and harpies. If you were in a problem situation like one in the book, how would you have acted? One of the scenes that has stayed with me from this book is when JC goes after Abby. If I were in his shoes, I would have done the same thing and I would have done so in the same manner.
What did you learn something from the story. Sometimes the past needs to be dealt with in the future. James tried to keep the society secret but in the end had to share it JC.
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 Tortoise Shell Code
Which did you find more appealing, the introduction or the conclusion? The conclusion. Without providing any spoilers, I would like to say that it was the second half of the book that really got me going. The first half dragged a little too much for my liking. Why would you recommend or not recommend this book? Yes, I would recommend this book. Once you bypass the long introduction, it was a quick read, it held my interest and it was very believable .
Did the book description relate to the story? The description was spot on and you certainly want to know about Anthony by reading the description.
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.
Spare Change
Top 3 things I liked about the whole book. Ethan, Dog, and the powder blue Chevy convertible.Which did you find more appealing, the introduction or the conclusion? Oh, this is a hard one. The ending even if it was a little sad.
If you were to talk with the author, what would you want to know? What inspired her to write this story?
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
What kind of book is this? Sizzling hot romance. Okay, that's not a specific genre but this book is sizzling hot.What was the author's purpose or purposes in writing this book? To entertain and to share the story of a couple trying to stay together despite the external circumstances surrounding their relationship.
In your own words what is the beginning of the book. Jasmine needs to use the ladies but after a series of mishaps ends up in the men's toilet and meets Kane. Yes, not at all romantic but trust me, you'll be surprised.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Shadow Cay
Favourite quote … “People are living longer, plus the incidence of tachycardia and bradycardia is on the rise. What I’m saying is,” he emphasized, “the need is growing for pacemakers to restore normal heart rate and maintain a steady, healthy pace.” It was a bit strange to see how such a vital healthcare option was regarded as an item on the marketplace. What is the time period in which the book happens? 1999 and mostly set in the Bahamas. This was really fun, I've never been so it was a good bit of armchair travelling.
If you were in a problem situation like one in the book, how would you have acted? I think I would have reacted the same way Madeleine did and teamed up with someone who could get to the bottom of all the strange tragedies.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Evergreen (A Serial Killer Thriller)
Did description relate to story? The description fit and I immediately wanted to read this book. Question to author? Planning on writing anymore books in this genre? I would love to see what stories he comes with.
Kind of book? Fiction - This book could have been true. These communities do exist and they do have lots of secrets and govern their own. Since no one left, they were no reports to the police about problems within the community.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
SPOILER ALERT!
The Book of Paul
Favourite quote … "Aye, son. Freedom is a terrible responsibility," Paul said kindly. We all take freedom for granted and I think in a very twisted way, Paul wanted people to see this.
Find one word that describes a character. Paul - Evil. Raped Norine. Tortured Martin over and over. Nailed Striker to the cross. Cut out Martin's eye. Left Martin and Michael to die in the fire, he started.
What alternative title would you choose for this book? The Prophecy
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Covert Dreams
Where did the story take place? Saudi Arabia and Munich. Both places I have never travelled to before so it felt like armchair travel to me. Compare two of the characters in this book. Dabbie - The girl in BJ's dreams. Died in Munich 27 years ago. Valerie - Kidnapped wife of Stan. Was being brain washed.
Do you find the characters convincing? All are convincing. I believed every word of this book.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Morph (Gate-Shifters, #1)
List the characters and describe them. The main characters are Dakota and Nikhil. Of course, as Dakota lands in this strange planet she meets a string of people who are curious about her.What was the mystery was and how it was solved. I don't think the mystery was solved entirely as the readers uncover the mysteryof this new planet and the morphs.
What problems does one of the characters have, and how does he or she solve it? Dakota needs to get back to Earth and to present time. She does her best to solve this issue but whether she actually succeeds won't be revealed till the next book. I think.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Destination Dealey: Countdown to the Kennedy Conspiracy
What were the main themes of the book? Time travel and this was executed very well in most sections. The only thing that irked me about the book was the illogical minute by minute timeline. When you are watching a movie and the scenes move quickly it's fine. But when you reading and playing out the events in your head, the timeline provided is illogical.Describe 2 different settings or locations. Mrs.Paine in her car, listening to the radio and wondering if Jaqueline Kennedy would be. I think this was a setting that many people can relate to. And later when Mrs.Paine goes after the Russians with J.D. It was a little out there but I enjoyed this scene.
Were you able to connect with the main character and why? Not really, it was hard to read and connect with the characters when the timeline seemed a bit distorted which was a pity because I did like the story and writing.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
