Review: Open Door (The Legacy, #1) by Christine Locke

Open Door by Christine Locke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Do any characters grow or change during the course of the novel? The main character, Carin, grows wiser when she is forced to come to terms with her past. She goes from a teenager trying to make some money to a young woman whose life is changed forever by the secrets revealed to her at Mallace Mansion.

What motivates a given character’s actions? With the exception of Carin, most of the key characters were manipulative and motivated by selfishness. The secrecy of Carin's real identity and the pace of the story made me think of books by Virginia Andrews.

Which characters do you particularly admire or dislike? I liked Carin, detested Helen. She was sneaky and you never knew what she was going to come up with. It is obvious that she was torn between jealousy of Carin and craved for power / titles she was never given.

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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Review: Too Many Secrets (Cleo Sims Mystery #3) by Lynn Osterkamp

Too Many Secrets by Lynn Osterkamp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Did you find this book a quick read? Started this book on the ride home from work. Finished it the same night. Very quick and appealing read.

What would the main character be likely to do if s/he visited? Cleo would talk about how keeping secrets during a crisis is a bad idea. When someone is missing any bit of information may find that person.

How did the main character feel during the book? Cleo was feeling sorry for herself when she was able to break away from her investigation. She’s pregnant and her boyfriend wants her to move. She is having a hard time giving up her home.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.

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Review: The Book of Paul by Richard Long

The Book of Paul by Richard Long
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Did you learn something new from the book? Learned there are all kinds of evil in the world.

Who in this book would you most like to meet? I would love to meet Rose.

What are some of the major themes of this book? Murder, sex, betrayal, apocalyptic prophecy.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.

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Review: Semmant by Vadim Babenko

Semmant by Vadim Babenko
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tell five ways the main character is like you

Driven, hard worker, passionate, loved to travel. Inquisitive. All of these qualities worked to some extent but also led to his downfall.

Find one word that describes a character in your book very well. Give five reasons for your choice of words.

Bored - Nothing satisfied him for long. The reader sees so many changes over the course of his life - job, school, career, women and location as he was always travelling to other countries.

Compare two of the characters in this book.

Bogdan - Genius, scientist, attracted to the dark side, always unhappy. Anna - Rich, married, beautiful. One of the few that never slept with Bogdan.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.

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Review: Jack Canon's American Destiny by Greg Sandora

Jack Canon's American Destiny by Greg Sandora
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What were the main relationships explored in this book? John (Jack) - Lisa - Sandy - Bud - Kathy. These are all layered characters whom I expect we will hear more off in the second book of the series.
3 things I liked about the book … I liked that the author used real-life problems to bring Jack Canon to life. The story offered a realistical view into campaigning and politics. Although, there was more than one main character, it was easy to keep up with the story. Third thing I liked was the dialogue, it was realistic.
Favourite character(s) …Sandy. Her interactions with Jack made me think of the new television series, Scandal but I won't say too much or else I will give too much information away.

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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Review: The Titan Drowns by Nhys Glover

The Titan Drowns by Nhys Glover
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Was the book different from what you expected? Interestingly, yes. I didn't expect for the romance to become so complicated. They were also many details that the author used to make the time travel parts realistic and I liked that about the story.

Is it easy to follow the timeline from scene to scene? The story does jump around quite a bit and if you think you'll be lost in time or beween past and present, you'd be wrong. The author is skilful in making sure the reader is tuned in to the story.

Was the time period important to the story? Yes. The story focuses on time travel (and lots of romance) so getting the time period right was crucial and the author did a good job with this. Her settings, background and location went hand in hand with the time period she had set.

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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Review: Tainted Waters by Maggie Thom

Tainted Waters by Maggie Thom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What did you think was climax of the story? When Keegan finally told Sam & her family, who he really was. This book was filled with secrets and I really liked the author's style of keeping things bottled up to the point you know things are going to pop.

Who do you think the author intended to read this book and why? This is a great book for all ages. There are no vivid sex, just tender moments and is filled with a lot of mystery that will keep readers second guessing every move a character makes.

Would you recommend this book? I would definitely recommend this book. It grabbed me from the very start. It had lots of mystery and secrets. It was a wonderful, fun and exciting read which was coupled with the author's excellent writing skills.

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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Review: Chasing the Lost by Bob Mayer

Chasing the Lost by Bob Mayer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What did you like about the main character - He makes a thrilling adventure seem like a walk in the park. Something about him reminded me of Hugh Laurie's character, Dr. House. Every page is action packed to the point you must finish the book in one seating or you'll keep wondering what is Horace Chase going to do next.

Is the plot interesting and engaging? Very much. Amidst the guns, mobsters, kidnapping and the chance meeting with an old girlfriend, Bob Mayer uses the emotions of his main character to suck the reader in and I'm hooked. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Cover - When we received the book for review, it had a different cover. I prefer the newer cover as it relates more to the story. I also like the fact that the author has maintained similar covers for the rest of the series.

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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Review: Gabriela and The Widow by Jack Remick

Gabriela and The Widow by Jack Remick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Favorite quote … "Now you're mine and you will give me sons, many tall sons.” This scene was bittersweet and almost creepy but this was the part in the book I was pulled in. It came at a time when Gabriela was running away but found herself caught in an uncertain position. Would her 'saviour' give her a better life or was she worse off?

If you were to talk with the author, what would you want to know? On the dedication page of the book, the author says the book dedicated to his mother and her caregiver which got me thinking, is this a true story? Or at the very least, are some scenes based on real life?

What problems does one of the characters have, and how does he or she solve it? Gabriela was very poor and struggled to make ends meet. It didn't help that her skin color is different from most and she is also trying to fit as best as she can. She took care of La Viuda for two years. La Viuda died and left Gabriela everything. This was a beautiful tale of young and old, lust and love, life and death.

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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Review: The Mountain City Bronzes by Madeleine McLaughlin

The Mountain City Bronzes by Madeleine McLaughlin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Where did the story take place? Somewhere at the base of a mountain. Unsure about the exact place.

List the places mentioned in the book. Jail, sculptor’s room, campsite, mountains. Other than the mountain, most of the key areas in the book seem isolated and 'small'. Not sure if this was the writer's intention to create these differences.

What is the time period in which the book happens? The book club and I are unsure about the time period. Some readers thought the book is historical and others felt that it takes place in modern times.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.

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Review: Be Good Dakota Madison

Be Good by Dakota Madison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you could rewrite the ending, would you? Would not exactly rewrite the ending. But would add some additional information about the characters.

Is the story plot or character driven? This is a character driven book all the way.

Where did the story take place? The book mainly takes place Phoenix Arizona, but also on a couple of locations in Palo Alto.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.

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Review: Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker by Marla Martenson

Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker by Marla Martenson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


How you define yourself is a central theme in this story. Cannot see myself as a matchmaker. After reading this book, I now know it obviously takes a lot of skill.

Consider the ending. Did you expect it or were you surprised? I expected the ending and I liked it.

Did you find that the cover and title represented what the story was really about? How so or how not? Liked the cover and the title fit perfect.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.

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Review: Primal by D.A. Serra

Primal by DA Serra by D. A. Serra
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Would you recommend this book? How would you rate it? I liked this book a lot and I would highly recommend it. I would rate it a 4.

Was the book different from what you expected? Very different, and so much better than I thought.

What alternative title would you choose for this book? Do not think I would change the title, it fits perfectly.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.

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Review: Sleeper's Run by Henry Mosquera

Sleeper's Run by Henry Mosquera
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Do any characters grow or change during the course of the novel? Yes, some people did change their opinion about Eric and events in this book.

Top 3 things I liked about the main character. I liked that Eric was cunning. He was resourceful. He was adaptable.

How realistic was the characterization? The characters were fairly realistic. Their actions made sense and the sotry flowed from one chapter to another.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.

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Review: Bad Traffick by D.V. Berkom

Bad Traffick by D.V. Berkom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What have you read that is similar to this book? The Green Hornet.

Five aspects of the main character. Serious, trustworthy, punctual, dedicated and tough.

Find one word that describes a character in your book. Determined - She found her target and killed them. She kept her clients safe. Nothing detoured her from her task at hand. She knew, what she wanted and went after it. She changed her life.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.

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Review: A Tale of the Other Kind by Leandi Cameron

A Tale of the Other Kind by Leandi Cameron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Did you find this book a quick read? Very quick. Started and finished in a few hours. It was descriptive, imaginative and held your attention. I loved this book.

What did you enjoy about this book? I enjoy reading books of this nature. This book had exceptionally good characters amidst a well-decorated setting. It was a fantastic book.

Compare two of the characters in this book. Astrid - 450 year old vampire that lost her true love to the curse of Quinn. Kai - 17 yrs old. Shape shifter. He is in love with Sienna and she is human.

What was the author's purpose or purposes in writing this book? To entertain us and to allow readers to expand their imagination. To explore something different.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.

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Review: Jack Templar, Monster Hunter (The Templar Chronicles, #1)

Jack Templar, Monster Hunter by Jeff Gunhus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Were there any other especially interesting characters? Aunt Sophie. Although not really family, Jack looked up to her as his mother and the two of them shared a strong connection which was important to the plot.

From whose point of view is the story told? From Jack, these were his adventures although I would have liked to read about the father's perspective or listen to what his father has to say about him.

Were the characters and their problems believable? Not really but they did provide good escape and the writing was absolutely fun.


Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.

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Review: Some Are Sicker Than Others by Andrew Seaward

Some Are Sicker Than Others by Andrew Seaward
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

How realistic was the characterization? Did the actions of the characters seem plausible?

The characters were definitely realistic and acted as addicts would.

What would the main character be likely to do if s/he visited?

Probably get sick, since that's what he did over and over.

What are the most important relationships in the book?

Monte – Vicky; Monte - Dave - Angie

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.

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Review: Pain and Gain - The Untold True Story by Marc Schiller

Pain and Gain - The Untold True Story by Marc Schiller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Favourite location / setting … When Marc and his wife got their house & most of their belongings back



Did the plot pull you in or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book? Everything about this book was fabulous. It was a fantastic read and it never felt like forced read at any point.


How does the setting figure into the book? The entire story came alive. The warehouse was frighting & the pain was real. I could see it all clearly in my mind as I read.



Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.

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The Symbolon by Delia Colvin

The Symbolon by Delia J. Colvin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What motivates a given character’s actions? Alex is motivated by his lost love Cassandra. He never got over her. Don't think he should have married Kristina. He settled for less than he deserved.

How realistic was the characterization? I thought the characters were realistic. They fought for love and wouldn't give up.

How does the setting figure into the book? The author used a lot of detail. I appreciate that in a book. Could almost see these characters running on the beach.

What are some of the book's themes? How important were they? Mostly about vampires and their ability to be with one mate. Also explored the idea of reincarnation. Was the back bone for the entire book.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.

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