Life Altering Reads
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Review: Gabriela and The Widow by Jack Remick
If you could continue the story, what events would you include? I would have liked for Gabriela to find someone who truly loved her. She never had a man’s love and throughout the book I always wondered it would be like if she had known different kinds of love did exist. What did you like about the beginning? When Gabriela went back to her village and everyone had been slaughtered. All homes were burnt to the ground and loss she felt seemed so out of reach yet depicted with a lot of meaning by the author, Jack Remick. . How did the pacing of the story feel for you? This book had a dark, twisted foundation and Gabriela was a compelling character who was a single light in the darkness. I really liked this book and recommend it to anyone who likes a dramatic coming of age story. 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.
For Gods and For Men (Lifeblood Saga, #1)
Content (overall theme, idea and setting) - The idea was good enough to provide me with the literary escape I needed. Readers are pulled into a whole new world where Castimus finds out that he is immortal and becomes embroiled in a mission to save the world. What I liked - The idea of immortality and the extinction of the human race. The setting was strong although more than one book club member agreed that the background often overpowered the characters, I agree with this.
What I didn't like – The plot seemed jerky to me. You had this absolutely intriguing concept that would be really fast and nice to the point it would drag as it dwelled on the many secondary characters.
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.
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Would you recommend this book? Without a doubt, I will recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a unique science fiction read. As you start to read, you think how can a story about shape shifters become interesting. Then the author layers shape shifting with a little fantasy, and layers that with a string of emotions.How did you feel about the main character? He is an unlikely hero and not at all someone you would consider as the lead character. Many parts of this story are about Zane Zeitman finding himself.
Was the book well-written? Yes. Each page seemed to top the previous one and this reader felt captivated by this string of characters that seemed so quirky and yet, people you could connect with easily.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Granite Key: Arkana Archaeology Thriller Mysteries #1
Feel about main character? Cassie was easy to like and connect with and reminds me a little of Patricia Arquette's character in Medium or Jennifer Love Hewitt in the Ghost Whisperer. Style of writer? The author isn't like Dan Brown (as her bio states) but she has a unique writing style that is easy to understand and like.
Summarize book? The book was about murder and a secret society. It contains elements of religion and history which was a little like the Da Vinci Code peppered with a few paranormal elements.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Book of Paul
If you could rewrite the ending, would you? No, I liked the ending. Everything seemed to fit and all characters received what was coming to them. Did this book give you any new ideas about yourself? No new ideas, although I am starting to see how some cruel people end up the way they do.
What lesson did you learn from the story? No lessons learned. Also, I would love for this book to be made into a movie.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Spare Change
Was the story credible? Yes, everything about the story and characters were credible.What did you think of the style of the writer? Crosby is a fresh voice that provides readers with an enjoyable read.
Favourite scene …. Fred and Olivia coming back to the apartment complex and seeing Ethan & Dog asleep against the door. Ethan mistakes Fred for Charlie Doyle.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Shadow Cay
What did you think was the most interesting part of the book? When Salazar's involvement with AJ Hartman is brought to light. I really didn't know what to think. They were both so driven by greed that they refused to realise that what they were doing is illegal. Did this book remind you of anything that has happened to you? Thankfully, no but many elements of the money laundering have been the centre of other real life investigations.
What did you think of the ending? Overall, I liked it. Everyone got they what they deserved and readers received closure.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
How You Leave Texas
What kind of book is this? Fiction - There are no obvious reasons and quite of few the book club members felt the stories were based on real people. Which secondary character resonated most with you and why? Dan, because he was a realistic choice for Nicky. He would keep her grounded.
In your own words how did the setting of the story made it more interesting. Los Angeles is a huge exciting place for someone to start a new life.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Eyes Behind Belligerence
What were the main relationships explored in this book? Culture. No matter what is said, a different culture within the majority doesn't always sit well and this book explores Japanese-American relations in ways I have never seen. The last time I saw it in this much detail was during the Okinawa rape case in 1995.3 things I liked about the book … It was well-researched, historical fiction is never easy because large parts of it are based on fact and the author did a fantastic job at blending fact and fiction. Second thing I liked was the way she used so many different characters. I had to keep checking the list in front to make sure I understood everything. Lastly, it was her writing. She described every scene as if it was a water colour painting and sometimes you forget that the book was about war.
Favourite character(s) … Goro. At times his self-doubt is passed on to the reader and you feel his pain.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Sleeper's Run
What were the main relationships explored in this book? The relationship between Eric and Tony; Trisha, Eric and Michael; Eric and James; Eric and Nathan.Did you find that the cover and title represented what the story was really about? The cover and name fit the book. It was mysterious and the name was what the book was mainly about.
Do you find the characters convincing? All of the characters were convincing, believable and compelling.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Covert Dreams
What were the main relationships explored in this book? BJ - Gina / BJ - Dabbie / Stan - Valerie / Stan - Linda Content (overall theme, idea and setting). The ideas and themes were great. Although the storyline fits any action movie, I still found Stan's pursuit of the truth to be page turning.
If you could continue the story, what events would you include? Would have liked Stan to have found Valerie. He couldn't lose her too. She was his only foot hold in life.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Redwood Violet
What were the main themes of the book? Remembering the past, recovering lost memories, figuring out who committed the crime/crimes.Did the book end the way you expected? That is a big fat NO! I honestly thought the author would write in the criminal that is haunting Katie.
Did you find that the cover and title represented what the story was really about? Yes, the cover relates to the story, I am assuming the trees are supposed to be redwoods? That is the only thing keeping me from fully enjoying to cover. They do not look like a redwood tree. I can see how the author used redwood for the title but the violet is still a mystery. It is touched upon in the book but not in detail.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Zoo Academy Special Edition (Vol. 1-3): History, Science & Art Lessons
Did the book description relate to the story? The description was perfect. Provides a wealth of information for parents or teachers.Cover – The cover was nice, but seemed like a standard text book cover.
What I liked – The pictures provided. My nieces and nephews just loved it.
If you could rewrite the ending, would you? This book was perfect. I would not change anything. The children gave it 10 stars.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Refuge
Which did you find more appealing, the introduction or the conclusion? The conclusion. It tied up loose ends and it gave me a full view of the pain people can go through. Favourite quote … "When a stranger seeks help, it is a Muslim's duty to be of service."
What did you think of the story structure? The book was a straight forward read, which I liked.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Lessons from the Lemonade Stand: A Common Sense Primer on Investing
Were the characters and their problems believable? Yes. Their problems were real and believable.Did you learn something new from the book? Yes. Read this book before investing in a business.
Was the book different from what you expected? Surprisingly, yes. I was expecting a lot of numbers and data but this was to the point and offered real experiences from real people.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Characters In Search of a Novel
Which characters do you particularly admire or dislike? I truly loved each character. So interesting. I wonder if the author will take any of the characters and write a book. If you could continue the story, what events would you include? I would continue just to have some more laughter. As they say “Laughter is the best medicine.”
Did this book give you any new ideas about yourself? Yes, I wonder if someone in my daily life has given me a weird name and fanatical description.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
