Review: Dance for a Dead Princess by Deborah Hawkins
What kind of book is this? Fiction with a twist of reality. The secrets at the abbey have been buried for many years without anyone taking the initiative to read the journals. Fiction meets truth when the idea of a hidden tape by recorded by Diana is brought into the story. Objectively speaking, it may seem strange that the police did not take a second look at the strange events in the abbey but this book is so well-written it’s easy to gloss over things like that.
What was your favourite scene? When Taylor grabs the gun from the floor to save herself and Nicholas. I was at the edge of my seat. As you start the novel, you may feel like it’s going to be a slow read but as you race to the truth about the abbey, Lucy and Nicholas, the author magnificently takes the wheel to offer readers a thrilling ride.
List the places mentioned in the book. The settings and locations of the novel were captivating and for a travel junkie like me, it was so easy to fall in love with this book. Some of the locations mentioned were Paris, New York, England, Boston and Brussels.
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.
Open Door (The Legacy, #1)
Is the overall POV of the book consistent? The author did a good job of allowing the reader to get involved in the thought process of the main character. This way, it is easy to understand and connect with how she feels and why she makes some of the decisions she does. Is the plot satisfactorily resolved at the end of the book? Although the lead character's past and present become clearer to the reader, I think the ending wasn't as clear or as resolved as I would have liked it to be.
Does the setting fit the mood of the story? Mallace Estate was a lot like Miss Havisham's mansion in great expectations. Monetary wealth which hides a dark past and affects the life of a young 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.
Dear Adam
Which did you find more appealing, the introduction or the conclusion? The author offered two different endings which all of us at the book club thought was unique. Either ending suited the story and offers resolution to the character but if I had to pick, my favourite is the original ending. Why would you recommend or not recommend this book? This book is a more modern version of "You've Got Mail" (the movie starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks). I can understand the challenges of writing a Twitter conversation and multiple emails between the two main characters. I would have preferred a more graphic approach as how online newspapers do it. I would recommend this book to anyone who is patient enough to discover a new style of fiction.
Did the book description relate to the story? It did and I think the author made every effort to entertain the reader by including dramatic twists within a simple plot. Nothing in the description prepares the reader for Adam's secret and I liked the surprise element that came with the main section of the book and the epilogue.
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.
Tainted Waters
Content. In terms of originality, the story isn't something new. You have two people who are on the hunt for answers. However, the content, ideas and themes come alive under the skillful hand of Maggie Thom. What I liked. I liked everything about the book. There wasn't a single dull moment in this book. I especially liked that the author used the combination of family and strangers to drive the plot.
Did you find that the cover and title represented what the story was really about? The title fit the book as the whole story line was based around the lagoon.
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.
y1
Do any characters grow or change during the course of the novel? I understand that this book is a "companion novel" in a yet to be completed series. The book club started reading from y1 and we've just started z2. Given there must have been some sort of introduction in the first book, I felt that the story took awhile to kick in. You know something good is coming, but you have to wait a long while until you finally get to the point you don't want to put the book down.What motivates a given character’s actions? It's okay to be different. All of the characters in this book are set apart by a significant ability, behaviour or background. How they then use this to interact with each other is the fascinating part of this book.
Which characters do you particularly admire or dislike? I liked Joy and Zane. Both their characters brought complexities to the story in fun, page turning way and both had to deal with past issues before it started eating into their present.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Bloodstorm (Heart of a Vampire, Book 1) (Volume 1)
Which character resonated most with you and why? Obviously, Niki. She looks good, she's smart and she can suck the blood out of you, literally. She is emotionally complicated but logically simple.How do you define the central theme in this story. Niki was turned into a vampire by Thomas who was also the vampire who killed her family. She hunts him down but has to do it quietly because the committee does allow for vampires to kill their "creators".
What did you think of the ending? Loved it, I was so worried this was going to be one of those books that had an open ending and we'll have to wait for the next book, but this wasn't quite that and it was great.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Book of Paul
Name your favorite thing overall about the book. Your least favorite? The foresight Paul thought he kept seeing in the book.What did you think of the story structure? The story had to jump back in forth to get all the secrets out. Made it very interesting.
Which character could you relate to best? Rose, she just wanted to be when Martin.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Evergreen (A Serial Killer Thriller)
Secondary character? The mother. She only showed up at the very end. But she had all the answers.How would I react with the same problem? I would have gone straight to the police.
Favorite character, what they believe in? Patrick - He believed in trying to understand his mother and why she did what she did.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Kings of Charleston (Volume 1)
Using information from the book, rewrite the ending of the book. Casper would have been able to take her favorite horse with her, when she left town.What are your concerns about this book? No concerns at all. This is definitely an author I'll be reading more of.
Top 3 things I liked about the setting in this book. Loved the horse ranch. The serenity that Casper found with the animals. The overall settings of the book were tranquil, relaxing.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Eyes Behind Belligerence
Favourite location / setting … In the introduction of the third chapter when Jim's daily activities are described and it ends with so little hope, the scene reaches out to you because you sense his desolation and you truly appreciate the freedom that we have nowadays.Favourite scene …. When suicide is described as a worthy sacrifice. This was an eye-opener for me because I learnt something new about a different culture.
Favourite quote … "Then fight for your family's honour". This quote wasn't just about family. It was about trust, loyalty and motivation all rolled into a power scene.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Dissolution of Peace
What was the most exciting part of the book? The destroying of Roger's ship because they were chasing it for most of the book. They didn't know, who the captain was. The captain played on all sides.What problems does one of the characters have, and how does he or she solve it? Mike has to work very hard on protecting Christina and his friend Janis.
What are your concerns about this book? For the most part I enjoyed the book, I found some of the dialogue to be a little stiff but other than that I was entertained as though the events were unfolding in front of me.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Redwood Violet
Which secondary character resonated most with you and why? Marshall, he was willing to cross the line to help Katie solve her mystery. Especially like it when he lost it interviewing a criminal.Favourite location / setting ... Katie watching Marshall interview a criminal. The knows the evil look in his eyes. She has seen it in the past, she know the fear, the pain that look can inflict.
Were you able to connect with the main character and why? I easily connected with Katie. She is likeable, willing to help anyone, loyal and wants to know the truth.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Too Many Secrets (Cleo Sims Mystery #3)
Do you find the characters convincing? All of the characters are convincing and very believable. They seemed like a group of people I might meet in daily life.Who in this book would you most like to meet? Sabrina, so strong yet so trusting and willing to help everyone.
What did you think of the story structure? Each character delivered parts of the past in small chunks. I believe this was intentional and very effective for the story.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Italian Connection 1 (Dojo Boys, #4)
Did this book remind you of anything that has happened to you? Nothing in this book has happened to me butit was definitely an interesting book to read.Who do you think the author intended to read this book and why? Anyone who likes M/M romance would love this book.
Who was your favorite character? Gabriella I appreciated her kindness and willing to help people.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Eyes of Ember (Imdalind #2)
Make a list of facts you learned from the story. Llyan, loved Joclyn. He was her protector. He and Jocyln had magic powers. Llyan saved Joclyn's life. Edmund was Llyan's father and his brother was Ryland. Llyan could never be together in a real relationship. Edmund and Ryland wanted to kill Jocylan and Llyan. Jocyln would go inside the touha to see Ryland as a little boy. Jocyln's father might be alive. Llyan called Jocyln, Silny, which means most powerful. Silny was a drake, like her father. Touha was a dream state that Silny could go in to.What motivates a given character’s actions? Llyan is motivated to protect Joclyn, because he has loved her for hundreds of years.
Who in this book would you most like to meet? Would love to meet Llyan. His character is so interesting.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Blown Circuit: Explosive Spy Action for Mystery Thriller Fans (#2)
What is stronger in the book: plot or character development? Quite a few book club members said that it was character development. I'm going to go with plot development. Each sequence of events made the book pop.If you could only save one character from the book in the event of a disaster, which one would it be and why? Mike, our world needs his expertise.
Top 3 things I liked about the setting in this book. It changed a lot. Was mysterious. Different countries.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.