4* Heavyweight by M.B. Mulhall @MBMullhall #ReviewShare #LGBT #YA

Heavyweight by M.B. Mulhall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My first impression was - The characters and the events draw you in. At times, you become upset that not enough is being done about bullying. You would like to think this isn't the case in real life but many schools have yet to find ways to cope with bullying or mob rule.

As I got to the middle, I felt - I was touched. Ian's issues with trying to hide his homosexuality and his eating disorder seemed too much to bear for both character and reader. This is when I truly understood the meaning of the title, "Heavweight" - it was the secrets that were weighing him down.

As I neared the end, I thought - No matter your sexual preference, this book is tender and real. Messages of acceptance are written into the story without being bossy or forcing the reader to change their thinking.

My final impression and recommendations - Great writing, characters who grow and the inner journey of a young man who realises how hard it is to grow up. He considers himself to be a normal teenager but even in the first chapter, you already know this is an extraordinary story. Highly recommended.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.

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4* A Stairway To Danger by Ben Woodard @BensWoodard #ReviewShare #YA #Mystery

A Stairway To Danger by Ben Woodard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My first impression was - This is an enjoyable mystery book that reminds me a lot of the Hardy Boys and Enid Blyton's Famous Five or Secret Seven. The mystery starts quickly and the author's effort at keeping the setting consistent with the time period made the mystery even better.

As I got to the middle, I felt - The author did a good job with character development. The dialogue was also well suited for each character. The plot kept me guessing and I wasn't sure if I wanted the mystery to be solved because then the book would be over.

As I neared the end, I thought - This is a good clean mystery, suspense any teenager would enjoy. I started reading adventure books when I was 10 so in my opinion, children who have stronger vocabulary will definitely be able to keep up with the story.

My final impression and recommendations - Plot is well thought out. Characters are interesting most of the time. The ending although predictable was able to tie up the rest of the story. Highly recommended.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.

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4* The Emerald Tablet (Legends of Amun Ra, #1) by @Jg_Silverman #ReviewShare #Fantasy

The Emerald Tablet by Joshua Silverman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My first impression was - I truly enjoyed the second book in Legends of Amun Ra. It was rich and well told. When I read the first book, it showed the writer's inexperience in terms of telling his story and world building. Some of the descriptions were clunking and too much time was spent on forcing the reader to see things the author's way.

As I got to the middle, I felt - The mythology aspects of the book had me hooked and by now the characters are developed enough that I want to know more. The plot is twisted at this point and I did not know what to expect.

As I neared the end, I thought - Readers are given doses of science fiction and fantasy through characters who are reeling from power, loss, betrayal and love. Slow to start but definitely a book that ended with a bang.

My final impression and recommendations - I was pleasantly surprised that the book got better as I went along. I almost half expected for it to end the way it started which was slow. I recommend that the Legends of Anmun Ra books be read in the correct order. Recommended.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.

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4* for Zero Alternative by Luca Pesaro @biagiotrader #ReviewShare #Economy #Thriller

Zero Alternative by Luca Pesaro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My first impression was - Even from the beginning there was more than one surprise in this well-written story. Scott Walker is a different kind of hero who offers the reader a fascinating read.

As I got to the middle, I felt - It's not the case of usual suspects and as the mystery thickens, Scott Walker does whatever it takes to survive. "History is full of people and institutions that grew to positions of supremacy only to come crashing down." This quote pretty much sums up Scott Walker and anyone who has been through an economy crisis realises the severity of the situation on an individual or a company.

As I neared the end, I thought - Many chapters in the book reminded me of the TV series "Damages" where everyone has something to hide. The ending is not a cliffhanger but was open ended enough to insinuate another Scott Walker book.

My final impression and recommendations - I liked it very much but the secondary characters did not always make sense. Definitely worth reading.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.

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4* for Order of the Seers by Cerece Rennie Murphy @CereceRMurphy #ReviewShare #SciFi

Order of the Seers by Cerece Rennie Murphy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My first impression was - Sheer amazement. Cerece Rennie Murphy has an impressive writing style that I have seen in few self-published authors. Some angles of this story reminded me a lot of Brian Affleck's Paycheck. The chase, the build up.

As I got to the middle, I felt - Still wow but a little less drawn in because of the swear words. I am by no means a prude and I understand the occasional need of bad language to further enhance the portrayal of a character. Cerece Rennie Murphy bundles family, supernatural and science fiction in one neat package. By now, it didn't feel like I was reading a book, it felt like part of some poetic chant that had me mesmerized.

As I neared the end, I thought - I was sad for this book to end. Ask me anything about the characters, the plot or technique and I will tell you it is her writing that was the biggest win. Liam and Lilli's relationship was the core of the book because it goes to show how far family can go for you. It really did give a whole new meaning to, 'blood is thicker than water.'

My final impression and recommendations - Before reading I was under the impression it was a young adult book. I do not think so. This is an adult read for those who like science fiction with a twist. Highly recommended book and author.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.

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4* Yvonne Jones' Closing The Gap: Understanding Your Service(wo)man #Military #ReviewShare

Closing The Gap: Understanding Your Service(wo)man by Yvonne Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great book for couples and for anyone who has any kind of relationship involving the military. I think many of us find it difficult to understand what it is that a loved one needs, to accept the person you love and to ourselves feel loved.

Whether you are in a military relationship, a friendship or want to learn common misconceptions about the military lifestyle, I highly recommend this book. My favourite chapter was when she discusses "Our Culture" by providing everyday examples of how the military affects families and relationships in the long term.

I've watched all the series of Army Wives. This was nothing close to it. While Army Wives was exaggerated to a certain extent and the wives were actors, this book was real facts and real people. In retrospect, this book would also be great for anyone who is married or who plans to get married even if they aren't in the military as the principles of dealing with tough situations are very similar.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


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4* for Dermot Davis' Zen and Sex @DermotDavis1 #ReviewShare #Humor #Romance

Zen and Sex by Dermot Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My favourite scene is ... "Frances shows up driving a late model BMW and right away I decide that I don't belong in this relationship, if that's what it is. She greets me with a kiss and an amazingly warm hug and right away I feel like this is where I belong: in her arms."

This contradiction Martin has had me hooked and I fell in love with both characters there and then. Many parts of the book were different from what I expected. I was expecting a clueless, annoying main character. What I actually got was a main character who was able to reflect, make me laugh and grow up in the course of falling in love.

The central question of this book wasn't about age or how relationships work. I think the central question was about how comfortable we are in a relationship. The walls we build and the ones we tear down for the sake of the people we love, just as Martin and Frances did for each other. Highly recommended.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


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