The Forth Conspiracy
What were the main relationships explored in this book? Marriage and family. Saving the family home becomes a priority for William and Elizabeth but they soon find out that the Forth family has one deep secret after another. This is where the book becomes exciting and you won't be able to put it down.3 things I liked about the book … I haven't seen writing like in a long time - correct use of expressions, language and formal speech. It felt good. There was no slang and references to social media. Secondly, I liked the plot. It was unique and almost had a Dan Brown feel to it. Lastly, I loved the locations it touched on.
Favourite character(s) … William, he's definitely my knight in shining armour and we all had a William in our lives, we'd all be more than happy. He stands up for what he believes in even if it means risking his life.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Granite Key: Arkana Archaeology Thriller Mysteries #1
Anyone do something, didn't like and why? Leroy and all the grubby work he completed for Abraham. Kind of book? Fiction - Secret society. Murderers never questioned and police seemed to do very little about solving cases.
Purpose for writing book? For readers to explore a historical mystery. This is the first time I am reading such a book and I loved it.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Dark Corners
Do you find the characters convincing? All the characters were convincing. You don't really suspect who they really are or what they are capable of right until the end of each story.How would the book have been different if it had taken place in a different time or place? Considering that most of the main characters probably needed medical help, I think this book would have been great at any time and place.
What was the main thing you learned from this book. Short stories can be extremely interesting. None of us at the book club were expecting to be sucked in as much as were when reading Curnow's work.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Critical Flaw: How to Profit and Protect Wealth in History's Greatest Opportunity
Formatting / Appearance. Book club members received a pdf copy and we had no issues. Each chapter was clearly indicated with a header and a quote.Content (overall theme, idea and setting). What is the actual function of money? Is it to create progress or is it used as a quick fix for countries who are facing recession. I kept asking myself this over and over again. I'm definitely going to be reading this book again to grasp a better understanding of my own financial situation.
What I liked. With an economic book, one would expect jargons and fancy terms only an economist understands. This is not the case for this book. The author explains every problem / solution in a simple and straightforward manner.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Did the book description relate to the story? Yes, the description fit the book.Summarize the book without giving away the ending. The book was about a baroness who was poisoned. Lies and deceit, laced with a mistress and smuggling.
What are the most revealing scenes? When the truth came out and Nolda shot his father.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
ARIA: Left Luggage
What were the main relationships explored in this book? I think the relationship that popped the most was the one Ryder had with his boss, Derek. Where Ryder was charismatic, Derek struck me as a know-it-all who wanted all the credit for himself. Although it may not seem obvious, I think Ryder's biggest challenge next to the alien suitcase and the mayhem it caused was Derek.
3 things I liked about the book … It was easy to understand. One mistake a lot of sci-fi writers make is the way they clutter the story to the point readers no longer understand what is happening but this is definitely not the case for this story. The writing technique was spot and this is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Secondly, I liked that the author used a simple "outbreak" tool. No complicated explosions, no back and forth. A single suitcase that unleashed outspread chaos. Lastly, I liked that although the book is part of a series, enough questions were answered in this book without leaving too much hanging.
Favourite character(s) … Ryder, of course. He is transformed from normal person into an overnight hero. Most of the lead characters are strong in this story and none seems to outshine the other but Ryder was a favourite for many of us at the book club.
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.
Mars Rising
Did the plot pull you in or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book? It sucked me right in, the drawings at the beginning of each chapter, how can anyone not love this book?How realistic was the characterization? It's science fiction, so you very clearly know all of this is not real but each location was described in such an eloquent manner, you wanted to be there.
Favourite quote … "What are left are those who are angry and hungry to avenge those deaths. How can they be reconciled? They must be surely." This is happening in the real world as well.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Straight Dope A 360 degree look into American drug culture
Who in this book would you most like to meet? Personally, I have no desire to meet any of them. Do any characters grow or change during the course of the novel? A couple beat the drugs, the rest wallow in the drugs.
Is the plot well-developed? Plot isn't developed. Just the same junkies stories over and over.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Newbie Author's Survival Guide
Cover. This was spot on. Blogging, social media and self-publishing does feel like the wilderness.Formatting / Appearance. There were no issues at all. We received a pdf copy and all headers, paragraphs were in place.
Content (overall theme, idea and setting). This book is intended for those who want to be their own publisher and attempts to cover all business angles of this venture.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Orange Karen: Tribute to a Warrior
What were the main themes of the book? There were 39 short stories in this book and while they each had a theme, I don't think that's the attraction for this book. The most important part of this book is WHY the authors are doing it.Describe 2 different settings. I liked the setting in Seeds by Francis Setnocis and Raeanne Revealed by Valerie Haight.
Were you able to connect with the main character and why? I was definitely able to connect with Laycella when she finds out Raeanne is missing, any mother's worst nightmare.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Do Not Go Quietly: A Guide to Living Consciously and Aging Wisely for People Who Weren't Born Yesterday
What did you think was the most interesting part of the book? The bucket list. I have always associated the bucket list as waiting to die or negativity. But after reading this book, I now understand that the bucket list is about achievement.What did you enjoy about this book? It was well-written and it was easy to relate to the numerous quotes and situations both authors brought up.
What have you read that is similar to this book? I haven't read anything similar and I will definitely be recommending this book to friends and senior citizens I know.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
An Unquiet American
How did the main character change during the novel? He becomes more determined to clear his name.What was the book's central question? Is Rufus Reed a terrorist? Considering the various ways they went about framing him, I really wonder if this has happened before.
Did you learn something new from the book? Yes, don't believe everything you watch in the news. The more obvious it may seem, the more some other issue was covered up.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
How You Leave Texas
List the places mentioned in the book. Fast Binders Mortgage Company, Midland, Pecan St., Odessa, New York, LA, Denny's, Ft. Worth, Pedro's Hyde Park, Dallas, California, Las Vegas, Turners Bait Pond, Marriott, Mexico City, Jakarta, Queens, Yale, Hawaii, Houston, Rodeo Drive, Universal Studio's, Indonesia, Four Seasons.What lesson did you learn from the story? You can't really trust anyone. You better always have a backup plan.
Is the title a good one or a poor one and why? The title fits the story line as all the main characters wanted to leave Texas.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Tainted Love: The Faith McKenzie Story
What were the main themes of the book? The book was about abuse, betrayal, money, murder and heartache. These themes were executed pretty well and all were necessary for this story. Describe two different settings or locations. Faith's house - Beautiful, lavish, big. The best of everything. My next favourite setting was the night scene on the beach, when Cal asked Faith to marry him.
Able to connect with the main character and why? Was able to connect with Faith. She was believable and compelling. Couldn't help but, feel sorry for her.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Kings of Charleston (Volume 1)
What problems does one of the characters have, and how does he or she solve it? Casper's problem is finding out about why they moved. She ask questions, went to the paper and the library. She searched on the internet and as some of her questions were answered, the reader receives more insight as well. Did you find that the cover and title represented what the story was really about? The cover and title suited the story.
Did the plot pull you in or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book? The plot pulled me in. This was a quick read with very strong characters. There were many unanswered questions in the beginning but all issues are resolved at the end of the book.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Covert Dreams
Consider the ending. Total surprise.What I liked. I liked everything about this book and if I had to pick one element, I would choose the author's writing style.
How realistic was the characterization? The characters were very realistic and all their actions made sense.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.