Review: Zeb and the Great Ruckus by Joshua Donellan

Zeb and the Great Ruckus by Joshua Donellan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What are some of the book's themes? Adventure and staying strong. Zeb and his best friend seek to bring music back to their world. Music has been banned, and the reader starts to wonder if they will ever succeed in their journey. The author's brilliant puns and prose make this one of the most entertaining reads in a long time.

Did the book end the way you expected? Considering its target market, then yes, the book ended the way I expected it too. The ending definitely knocked the cynic out of me. This was a refreshing read, I will recommend to any parent who is looking for a good family read they can share with their child.

What did you like most about the whole book ? The tone. It was so fresh and lovable. Everything about this book screamed happy thoughts, readers can't help but stay positive. I enjoyed it immensely.

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: Unloched by Candice Lemon-Scott

Unloched by Candice Lemon-Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What were the main relationships explored in this book? The relationship of two twin sisters, their mother and the marriage of Trina and Graham. One is broken, another is dying and the last is just starting. Neither of the relationships are at their best despite what the characters would like to think or say.

What I liked about the book … The author's writing was different. It was gentle, poetic and you cannot help but cry at some of the scenes. If you have a sibling or are a mother, you can definitely connect with the characters and the overall plot of the story.

Favorite character(s) … I liked Graham best. He did not know what was about to come but went along with things because he loved Trina. I think both sisters were rash in their decisions and instead of mending things earlier on let a small dispute become worse than it should have. Other readers may feel different.

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: Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby

Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What were the main themes of the book? This was a coming of age journey for Olivia and Ethan. It is about acceptance, change and just growing up.

What motivates a given character’s actions? Almost all actions seemed justified. Scooter was killed in a fit of rage, but during the time period the book is set that would not of been a plausible defense.

What did the title have to do with the book? It seemed during Ethan’s early life he was treated like spare change. Something that is only wanted/needed when he served a purpose.

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

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Review: After Death... by Eric J. Guignard @ericjguignard

After Death... by Eric J. Guignard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What were the main themes of the book? Death and what we think happens after death. Be it a religious or non- religious person, we all have some idea of what death is like. By bringing together authors from different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs, readers are entertained (and sometimes a wee bit scared) of what death means to some people.

Are there too many conflicts in the story? Most of the stories are presented with an individual conflict. The main character or characters of the short story appear to be embroiled in an internal conflict with death and this sets of a chain of events usually leading to their own death or to deaths of people they know. Of all the stories, my favourite was Sea of Trees by Edward Erdelac.

Does the overall theme come across clearly? Yes, it does. You cannot put down this book and not think about death. Whether you become more fearful of death, or more dismissive of it, I cannot say but all readers are bound to be affected by this book.

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: Killer Work from Home Jobs: 200 Fortune 500 & Legitimate Work at Home Jobs by Lee Evans

Killer Work from Home Jobs: 200 Fortune 500 & Legitimate Work at Home Jobs by Lee Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What do you think the author was trying to accomplish with this book? I think the author was doing his / her best to assure readers that you can work at home and not all work at home jobs are illegal or ones that will leave you broke.

Did you find this book a quick read? For the most part, this was a quick read although I did take the time to refer some points the author made so some of us at the book club took a lot longer than the rest.

What are your concerns about this book? I think some people will still mistake this book as a get-rich-quick tool. And it really isn't. The book says you can make money by working at home but how much and how quickly depends on how hard you work.

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

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Review: Refuge by NS Osborne

Refuge by N.G. Osborne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What do you think the author was trying to accomplish with this novel? While the story presents a fascinating love story, I think the more important goal was to educate people about how life is in other parts of the world.

What are some of the book's themes? Love, betrayal, tradition, cruelty.

What I liked. Liked the whole book and it's contents.

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

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Review: How You Leave Texas by Alana Cash

How You Leave Texas by Alana Cash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Find one word that describes a character in your book very well. Krystal - Naive. She just let everyone run over her. She booked wedding things with her own money. Hudson was flighty at best.

His mom just kept pushing the guest list higher and higher. His family was loaded, but she got stuck with everything. Hudson never bought her anything nice, including an engagement ring.

Consider the main character: what does he or she believe in? They each believed they would find success outside Texas, hence the title of the book.

Tell five ways the main character is like you. Their tolerance levels are a little fictional. I think very few women would put up with things as much as these women did.

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

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Review: The Beckoning of Beautiful Things (The Beckoning Series, #1) by Calinda B.

The Beckoning of Beautiful Things by Calinda B.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What did you enjoy about this book? The mysterious unknown. When reading the description, I was given some insight about what to expect. I personally did not realize the full force and everything in the book until after reading.

What did you think of the style of the writer? Since the book club started reading Indie authors,we have found some books to be one the need major help side and some books that blow us away while some books are in the middle that are just okay. Calinda’s book is one of those that will blow readers away. The writing is fresh, keeps readers engaged and wanting more.

At the end of the book, do you feel hope for the characters? I feel hope that Daniel and Marissa will finally have a true relationship with out secrets.

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

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Review: Finding Claire Fletcher by Lisa Regan

Finding Claire Fletcher by Lisa Regan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Did the book end the way you expected? From the description and how the book started, I really didn't know where we were going to end up. The author offers detailed descriptions of Claire's life and you almost feel as if, there is no happy ending or justice for everything she has been through.

What did you like about the book? It is one of the most well-written books I have come across and this made it a fast read. I also liked that the book was full of suspense and terror. All themes and characters were executed extremely well.

What did you like about the main character - Claire was a strong young woman. She did her best to keep people she loved safe. In the end, she faced all her demons and slowly starts to like who she sees in the mirror.

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: Our Little Secret by Merry Farmer

Our Little Secrets by Merry Farmer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What did you enjoy about this book? The historical feel that has a modern day woman as the heroine.

Did you find any flaws in the book? Only flaw I found was the book ending to quickly for me. You know when you finish reading a book you enjoy and at the ending you feel a little lost.

At the end of the book, do you feel hope for the characters? I feel hope that Charlie and Michael will have a full marriage without secrets.

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

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What Makes A Hero?

by Merry Farmer

Open the pages of any given romance novel these days and what will you find?  You’ll find a strong, devilishly handsome rake with a good heart.  He might have a past, he’ll certainly have an attitude, but above all he’ll have the best intentions at heart.  At least by the end of the story.

When I set out to write Our Little Secrets, I had a very different sort of hero in mind.  Michael West is not devilishly handsome.  He’s not particularly strong either.  He’s a shopkeeper with a past.  And he wears glasses.  But one thing he is, is smart.  Maybe even a little too smart for his own good.  He’s smart enough to pull himself out of the massive hole he digs for himself where his heroine, Charlie, is concerned.

I’ve always been attracted to the smart guys.  Muscle is okay if put to good use, but if you really want to melt my chocolate, give me a smart man any day.  Smart men might not be the first to jump into the fight, but they’re definitely going to come out of it in one piece.  Brawn might be able to turn a woman’s head and sweep her off her feet, but brain will build a home for her and figure out how to get her out of scrapes.  Best of all, a smart man knows enough to accept a woman for who she is, even if who she is makes him wince from time to time.

Michael West has his hands full when he agrees to marry Charlie almost as soon as she sets foot in Cold Springs, Montana.  Contrary to all of the fabulous stories of mail-order brides and quickie frontier marriages, it was highly unusual in Montana of the 1890s for a man to marry a woman he didn’t know.  Especially when he has secrets he wants to keep.  But what makes Michael a hero is his quick wit and his ability to recognize a good thing when it stumbles into his life.

Well, almost.  Some would argue that the things Michael does in Our Little Secrets are exactly the opposite of what a hero should do.  Does he stand up for his heroine when the chips are down?  Does he rush to the defense of his friends when they are attacked?  Does he face trouble head-on or does he have a little too much scotch and make a really bad decision.  How can a man who would slip be considered a hero?

Easily.  Heroism doesn’t come from always doing the right thing any time there’s a choice to be made.  It doesn’t come from strength or force or sheer potent masculinity.  It comes from learning to listen to your heart.  It comes from letting go of pride and admitting your mistakes.  It comes from making the right choice after a string of wrong choices.  It comes from the ability to change for the better.

So is Michael West a hero?  You better believe it!

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Genre – Western Historical Romance

Rating – R

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Review: Semmant by Vadim Babenko

Semmant by Vadim Babenko
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What was the problem in the book, and how was it solved?

Bogdan's main problem was never being satisfied with what he has. From beginning to end, this part of him never changed till he was put in the sanatorium and had no choice but to try and deal with his issues.

Did anyone in the book do something you did not like? Why?

Bogdan treated people very bad, especially the women in his life. No one could hold his attention. He was incapable of love which was very sad because he had so much going for him.

What kind of book is this? List three evidences of this

Fiction. There was a robot inside of a computer. The robot felt human emotion and at most times, to the reader, it didn't feel like Bogdan lived in the real world.

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

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Book Description:

A brilliant scientist creates a brilliant robot. Working together, they beat the stock market. But which one will survive the battle for love?

When Bogdan Bogdanov, a troubled cybernetics genius, creates Semmant, a robot living inside a computer, he feels on top of the world. Semmant takes on the capital markets and makes money with the ruthless efficiency of a machine. Bogdan grows richer by the day, but when he falls deeply for the irresistible Lidia, Semmant’s artificial mind faces a new challenge. The robot becomes involved in a genuine human drama and is forced to confront the cruelty of real life. He discovers the eternal joy of what it means to have free will, but it takes him to a destination no one could have predicted.

This is a tale of lust and affection, an erotically charged story of betrayal and murder. It explores the scope of human feelings from a truly unique point of view. Universal chaos and the strict laws of society; precise mathematical rules and the elusive nature of love: all interact and clash, working together and against one another. Tragedy looms, but free will fights back – bringing hope that lasts forever.

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Genre – Literary Fiction

Rating – NC17

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Review: The Kings of Charleston (The Kings of Charleston #1) by Kat H. Clayton

The Kings of Charleston by Kat H. Clayton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Name your favorite thing about the book. I liked the entire book. Very easy read, not at all confusing or full of useless facts.

From whose point of view is the story told? The story was told from Casper's point of view.

Who was your favorite character? Casper - She was very mature. She did the right thing in the end. She wanted to be free to live her own life.

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: 4 of 5 stars

Which do you prefer, the introduction or the conclusion? Loved the ending and the way it surprised me. The introduction wasn't bad in any way, I just felt as if the pacing could have been much better.

What were thoughts on the the plot? Plot driven. The story was filled with love, politics and thrilling discoveries. It almost seems as if the path to any political seat is bound to get messy although a completely different picture is given to the public. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I definitely want to read more by the same author.

Is the plot well-developed and believable? As we have all witnessed politicans and the things they do, the plot was definitely believable/ Sandora's writing is descriptive and he has mapped out Canon's race with a lot of drama.

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 Book of Paul by Richard Long

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

Top 3 things I liked about the whole book. The edginess of the characters. The in-depth look into the occult. The dry humor.

What was the most exciting part of the book. Definitely when Paul was beheaded. Nothing else could kill him. It meant freedom. It allowed Martin and Rose to disappear.

Which secondary character resonated most with you and why? The Striker, just blown away by everything about this character.

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

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Review: The Titan Drowns by Nhys Glover

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

Top 3 things I liked about the main character. There was more than one main character so it will be a bit difficult to pick one. My favourite was Pia. She did seem more vulnerable than the other characters and I could definitely relate to her situation in some ways.

Top 3 things I liked about the setting in this book. They were multiple settings for each character but the one setting they all had in common was the Titanic, this definitely made the book interesting because there was always something new around the corner. I liked that the author used facts within her story. This way when you escaped into the story, it felt like you were part of someone's life story. Last thing I liked about the setting was the noble reason of why the characters traveled back to the Titanic. Although, truth be told, the characters and the readers are soon distracted from this cause.

Cover. I loved it. The cover focused on the important things in the story and it made absolute sense once you started reading the story.

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

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Review: Be Good by Dakota Madison

Be Good by Dakota Madison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Have you had a life changing revelation from reading this text? No life changing experience. I see stupid as we were young adults in college and after graduating. We look at life as one big never ending ride.

What makes a minor character memorable? Rebecca, hard to forget how insincere and no caring she was. I may not remember everyone’s name from all my classes but I remember everyone I sat next to especially boring classes like Economics.

Did you find this book a quick read? Why or why not? Yes a quick read but felt Brett’s patience went a little overboard.

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

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Review: Redwood Violet by Robin Mahle

Redwood Violet by Robin Mahle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Why would you recommend or not recommend this book? I would only recommend this book to someone who is willing to wait to for the second book. If you like a good mystery then this is the book but please be aware this is a series. Readers are left with a big open cliff-hanger when the book abruptly ends.

What are some of the book's themes? Mystery, discovery, dealing with the past. Without these there would not be anything worth reading in the book.

What did you think of the story structure? A lot of the past was revealed in short chunks. I do not think the story would have worked if it was revealed all at once.

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

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Review: Amidst Traffic by Michel Sauret

Amidst Traffic by Michel Sauret
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Did the plot pull you in or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book? This was not a forced read, but I was not fully drawn into the plot. Great book that provided some very interesting discussions. It just did not provide me with the 100% escape I enjoy when reading a book.

How realistic was the characterization? All of the characters acted like someone we all might have meet in our life. There were a few that I questioned. These were the ones that thought they had supernatural powers. I took this as the author showing readers there is another being besides God that tried to control our lives.

What were the main relationships explored in this book? I am agreeing with another book club member. The author is showing readers that God allows us a choice in our actions. He has portrayed people that questions Gods existence, but shows Him as someone that is always there through all troubled times.

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

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Review: Four Paws: A Poetry Anthology by The Quillective Project

Four Paws: A Poetry Anthology by The Quillective Project by Ben Ditmars
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What kind of book is this? Poetry. Each author shared a collection of poems and wrote a short introduction on how they got involved in the book. I think this book also serves as a good introduction for these authors so readers will be interested in their other titles.

Which poem resonated most with you and why? Can't Cage the Light. Obviously, it was intended for a pet but to me it was about someone trapped and unable to display their creativity or true emotions.

In your own words how did the setting make the poems more interesting. Settings were different from poem to poem and I think this was because each other had different experiences to bring to the table. This was the best part of the book.

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 Materson

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


If you could continue the story, what events would you include? I would go more in depth in Marla's marriage. Just felt the author should expand this. It was important.

What was the problem in the book, and how was it solved? Her problem is work. She makes the time to do it.

Make a list of facts you learned from the story. Marla goes to parties to try and recruit clients. She doesn't want to get fired. She pushes herself to write, to meet deadlines. She does what she has to.

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

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