A Novel Design

The Final Straw by Ted Tayler

10:10 am 1 January 2014

Does the premise make sense and is it engaging? The premise was engaging and held my interest but I’m not sure I fully understand Colin Bailey and his motivations. It was easy to understand Karen and Sue but Colin was a puzzle and it felt like he had more than revenge on his mind. 

What did you think about the dialogue? It was colloquial and easy to understand. There wasn’t too much dialogue because the story read like it was studying / analysing Colin’s mind. I wonder if there’s going to be sequel where Colin’s relationships are explained from a different perspective? I highly recommend this book but it did feel as if some more resolution was needed for Colin. 

Which characters do you particularly admire or dislike? I’m still not decided about Sue. The scene where she flirts with Colin after Eric’s funeral, it was weird. In all fairness, she did surprise me more than once in the book but she’s definitely not my favourite character in the 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.

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A 3rd Time to Die by George Bernstein

7:05 am 1 January 2014

Did you find that the cover and title represented what the story was really about? The book is about horses so the cover was connected to the story, the title was also accurate although you do not expect a story with so many twists. Kudos to the author and I loved it. 

What did you think of the story structure? Highly entertaining, wonderful story with characters that drew me in from page one. When Ashley thinks, “We’ll stay buddies with no complications,” you absolutely know that the story is going to get far more twisted than they already are. Unique idea and although it seemed complicated at first, the story structure made it easy for the reader to understand. 

What did you think of the ending? I would have preferred the ending without the epilogue. The epilogue seemed to add a new twist to the story and made me think there was going to be a second book which I doubt and it gave the book a surreal feel which spoilt the beauty from a few pages before. 

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.

Source: http://anoveldesignblog.wordpress.com

Does the premise make sense and is it engaging? The premise was engaging and held my interest but I’m not sure I fully understand Colin Bailey and his motivations. It was easy to understand Karen and Sue but Colin was a puzzle and it felt like he had more than revenge on his mind.

What did you think about the dialogue? It was colloquial and easy to understand. There wasn’t too much dialogue because the story read like it was studying / analysing Colin’s mind. I wonder if there’s going to be sequel where Colin’s relationships are explained from a different perspective? I highly recommend this book but it did feel as if some more resolution was needed for Colin.

Which characters do you particularly admire or dislike? I’m still not decided about Sue. The scene where she flirts with Colin after Eric’s funeral, it was weird. In all fairness, she did surprise me more than once in the book but she’s definitely not my favourite character in the 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.

A 3rd Time To Die

12:00 am 31 December 2013

A 3rd Time to Die by George Bernstein Did you find that the cover and title represented what the story was really about? The book is about horses so the cover was connected to the story, the title was also accurate although you do not expect a story with so many twists. Kudos to the author and I loved it.

What did you think of the story structure? Highly entertaining, wonderful story with characters that drew me in from page one. When Ashley thinks, “We’ll stay buddies with no complications,” you absolutely know that the story is going to get far more twisted than they already are. Unique idea and although it seemed complicated at first, the story structure made it easy for the reader to understand.

What did you think of the ending? I would have preferred the ending without the epilogue. The epilogue seemed to add a new twist to the story and made me think there was going to be a second book which I doubt and it gave the book a surreal feel which spoilt the beauty from a few pages before.

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.

Finding Claire Fletcher

12:00 am 8 December 2013

What were the main themes of the book? The themes were murder, lies, kidnapping, torture and rape. All themes were executed well and the author has obviously studied the emotions / well-being of a person who might have faced similar situations.

Describe 2 different settings or locations. Connor's house was a simple, one story white house with black shutters . It was neat and clean . It was surrounded with small yellow flowers. The Johnson estate on the other hand was the size of a city block. t was surrounded by a huge salmon colored wall. There was a large gate with an intercom system. It also had vaulted ceilings and marble tile floors. I loved the author's style of using contrasts to depict Claire's emotions within a particular envinronment.

Were you able to connect with the main character and why? Yes, Claire was frighteningly real and I could always see her face and feel her pain when reading the story. I applaud Regan for going so deep into the human soul.

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 Granite Key: Arkana Archaeology Thriller Mysteries #1

12:00 am 19 August 2013

How main character felt? She was confused and angry about her sister’s murder. She didn't understand her power and felt totally alone.

How setting made it more interesting? Loved the secret society and the artifacts, added a lot of mystery to the book and almost seemed like Agatha Christie's Poirot mysteries.

Relate to me, how, why? Nothing in the book related to me, but it was an enjoyable read and I will definitely read other books by this author.

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

12:00 am 6 August 2013

Secret Words (Secret Dreams Contemporary Romance 1) - Miranda P. Charles

What were the main themes of the book? Romance and trust. Jasmine needs to let her guard down and trust Kane but obviously has problems doing so when she sees him with someone else.

What other books has this author written? The author has written the Lifestyle by Design series - Will to Love, Heart Robber and Ray of Love.

Did anyone in the book do something you did not like? Brenda, she was always being flirtatious and sending the wrong signals.

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

12:00 am 2 August 2013

Was the story credible? Another book club member agreed with me, this book reads similar to real life.

Summarize the book without giving away the ending. The book was about 4 brothers and a prison break. They took several people hostage and was killing them one by one. Alison was their only hope. She faces the brothers one by one.

What did you think of the main character? Truly loved Alison.

Would you recommend it? Highly recommend this.

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

How You Leave Texas

12:00 am 1 August 2013

Which did you find more appealing, the introduction or the conclusion? The conclusion. Readers were given the chance to map out their own happy endings for each character. For these stories, the open endings worked.

Is the plot well-developed? The plot is well developed. It was all believable and I felt like these were stories about friends.

Describe what is happening in the first part of the book. Camille was angry. She had no income, because her job closed down. He husband cheated on her. He had deceived her and her parents.

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

The Book of Paul

12:00 am 29 July 2013

Are any of the events in the book relevant to your own life? Nothing relevant to my personal or professorial life, although I suspect many younger people may be able to relate to some aspects of this story.

Describe what is happening in the first illustration in the book. Martin was hurt and confused. He went through a lot of torture at the hands of Paul. He never knew who his mother and father were.

Top 3 things I liked about the main character. Martin was loyal, loving and much smarter, than he was given credit for.

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

Bad Traffick: A Leine Basso Novel (Leine Basso Series) (Volume 2)

12:00 am 6 July 2013

From whose point of view is the story told? The book is from Leine's point of view. The plot becomes stronger and more developed as she looks for the little girl.

How do you define yourself is a central theme in this story. I can see myself as someone searching for lost children.

Were the characters and their problems believable? Yes, the characters and problems were believable. The author wrote on a subject very real to so many survivors.

Did you like the way the book ended? No, I personally did not like the ending. It was still a good story but my book club members and I felt like something was missing.

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

Sleeper's Run

12:00 am 4 July 2013

What was the problem in the book, and how was it solved? The corruption in the CIA. Some things were solved, others were covered up.

What did the title have to do with the book? Eric was one of 6 sleepers in the story.

What would the main character be likely to do if s/he visited? Talk about corruption in government.

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

Semmant

12:00 am 26 June 2013

Did you find this book a quick read? Why or why not? It wasn't a quick read and the reader really needs to understand what is happening to enjoy the story. One thing though, I did not like Bogdan's way of treating people. He needed to be portrayed as a loner, as many of these types are.

What are your concerns about this book? No concerns.

How did you feel about the main character? Bogdan makes me feel sadness. So much talent and yet so destructive to himself.

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

Our Little Secrets: 1 (Montana Romance)

12:00 am 18 June 2013

Where did the story take place? The full story takes place in Cold Springs, Montana. There is reference to New York, St. Louis and Philadelphia.

Was the time period important to the story? I believe the story took place in the mid to late 1800’s. The author did not give an exact year.

What did you dislike? Did not like the reference to where Charlie made a decision on Phineas' sexual orientation by the way he stood and moved his hips.

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