Welcome to the Masquerade Read Along week four!! Can you believe this is the final week for the discussion questions? I can’t, it has gone by so fast but it has been really fun!! This week is being hosted by the wonderful Veronica at Mostly Reviews. To link up your post and for any further information you can visit her blog!
http://www.mostlyreview.blogspot.com
Read Along Schedule
April 5th – Chapters 1-8 – hosted by Stephanie at Five Alarm book Reviews http://www.fivealarmbookreviews.com
April 12th – Chapters 8-16 – hosted by Candace at Candace’s Book Blog http://www.candacesbookblog.com
April 19th– Chapters 16-24 –hosted by Heidi at Rainy Day Ramblings http://www.rainydayramblings.typepad.com
April 26th Chapters 24-31 – hosted by Veronica at Mostly Reviews http://www.mostlyreviews.blogspot.com
May 3rd – Announcement of Giveaway Winners – hosted by the author – http://www.cambriahebert.com
Be sure to come by here on May 3rd for the read along wrap up and the announcement of the winners!
Now let’s get on to this week’s discussion questions!!
Week 4 read along questions
Final discussion questions
1. Heven develops a new “supernatural power”. She remarks that it
isn’t that exciting of a power. Is this a power you would like to
have, if not what kind of supernatural power would you like to have?
This is definitely a power I want to have!! If I could pick a “super” power this is a top pick of mine. I mean, seeing aura’s encompases several “super” powers in one and it seems to bypass some of the side effects of other powers…. Allow me to explain. LOL.
Seeing aura’s is kind of like reading people’s minds. You can tell when they are lying, when they are angry and when they are just ugly on the inside. But unlike actually hearing peoples thoughts you just kind of see it. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to hear people’s thoughts. It would be loud, disturning and probably frightening. LOL. It would also work as a good “friend O-meter” ! You wouldn’t have to spend time getting to know someone before knowing if they would make a good friend or not because you could see their intentions.
I think the onlt downfall of aura seeing would be all the color all the time. People would look weird with rainbows around them all the time! It would be hard not to stare and be overwhelmed I think.
2. Which character do you think makes the biggest internal change
throughout the course of this book? Is there a situation in your life
that you can reflect back on as an experience that changed your life
for the better?
Definitely I think Heven. In the beginning she is scared, shy and in the dark. At the end she stands in the light with her head up willing to take on what she will. There are a lot of layers to Heven I think and to me this is what makes her like any other woman out there.
An experience that changed my life for the better? Hmmmm. I guess there are a lot of answers allow me to give a few in pictures:
When I got married (this isnt a wedding pic. I’m too lazy to dig those out. ha ha ha)
When I had my children.
When I found Starbucks… now there was an Ah-ha! Moment.
Getting my little puppy Cocoa
Seeing my book in print (yes I look crazed)
3. Who is your favorite character and why?
This is a bittersweet question for me because I love all of the characters in this book, even the evil and crazy ones. They all played their parts well in the story and I got to know them all quite well. I have to say that when I was writing Masquerade, Heven was my favorite. The way she comes into herself in the story (at least to me) really impressed me. I know some people think she is whiny and I won’t say that she doesn’t ever whine but I don’t see her as whiny. I see her as a scared, confused sixteen year old that had some really bad things happen to her. I think I would have kind of collapsed in on myself too. At least for a while. And yeah, she didn’t start to come into herself until Sam showed up by I think that Sam was the catalyst. The person who inspired her to be stronger than she thought. Sure, she depended on him, but to be honest I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I try to be as self reliant as I can (and as a military wife I am often the only one around to get things done) but I still depend on my husband sometimes so I don’t see that as a weakness. Sometimes I think that admitting you need help or someone to support you is a strength.
Now that Charade is about to come out I would say that Sam is my favorite character of the series. He is strong, he is capable and despite who and what he is… he is incredibly human. I love the contrast to him. And I really think as the series progresses you will see different sides to him – to Heven too… too many of the characters.
I think I am more interested in your answers to this question than my own. 🙂
4. When the book ends the reader has an idea of what the next book
will involve. Do you think the book ended in the appropriate place?
Ummm, do you think I will say no to this question? If I did what kind of writer would I be?? LOL.
thumbs up to me —————————————————>
5. Do you have any predictions for the next book in the series, Charade?
Why, yes, I do. I predict dragons, witches, drama… oh my! Also, new characters, betrayal and surprises. Everything else… I plead the fifth. 🙂
6. Did you enjoy participating in this read along? Will you join in
future read alongs?
No. I did not. It was extremely disappointing….. NOT!!! Ha ha. OF COURSE I enjoyed this read along! I want to thank everyone who participated. This was really a great experience for me because when I was writing this book I never thought that I would be blog hopping and talking to so many wonderful people who have read my book! I am humbled and thrilled that you all took the time to read Masquerade. I have loved hearing everyone’s thoughts on the characters and the book.
Will I join in another read along? Yes, I am sure that I will. This is the second read along that I have been part of and I really enjoyed both. Perhaps in the future there will even be a read along for Charade!
I cannot wait to read your answers this week and thank you all for joining in! 🙂
Fantastic answers 🙂 I hope Heven will use her aura powers on Kimber and discover some truths…. 😉
Gorgeous photos – Especially Starbucks 😛 They don’t have them in my side of Australia – So I have to wait until holidays! *sniff sniff*
Thanks for sharing <3 Can't wait to read Charade!!
no starbucks in Australia??? Oh you poor poor thing. LOL.
thanks for stopping by!
first, fantastice answers… but my favorite was the pictures 🙂 I loved those… and no fair, you should be giving us little hints about the next book… I MEAN come ON! 🙂 hahahaha it’s ok, I just have to hold my horsees and read Charade like everyone else LOL wait, that’s a given… I’m going post up my link now to the host page… but here’s the link so you don’t have to go look for it 🙂
http://magluvsya03.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/masquerade-read-along-week-4/
Well you are a little more forthcoming about Charade, knowing you I am expecting some mouth agape moments. I loved your detailed explanation on auras, I am anxious to see how it comed out in Charade. I am expecting a big smack down scene with Kimber. I am so glad you had fun on the read along. It was fun having you alng giving us the author’s perspective.
You make reading auras sound cool. No wonder you gave Heven that ability. I look forward to what will happen in Charade. 🙂
LOL! Erin, reading auras IS an awesome ability. I honestly wish I were better at it. I’m usually pretty good at reading people’s emotions and vibes, even if I’ve only met them once or twice. Reading auras can actually be done (I’ve only done it once and it took A LOT of practice and patience), but it is an acquired skill.
Great answers as always, Cambria 🙂 LOVE the pictures of Sam and Heven 🙂
My thoughts EXACTLY, Cambria!! I know that a lot of people say that it would be cool to hear people’s thoughts, but I really don’t think I could be able to handle having everyone else’s voices in my head — I can barely handle my own speedy thoughts! x) LOL and your comment about people looking like they’re surrounded by rainbows made me laugh! It would sort of be like my cousin’s bedroom when she was going through her 80s hippie phase :’)
“No. I did not. It was extremely disappointing….” <– Hahahahahahaa you rock, Cambria! x) I loved reading your answers and seeing your pictures and laughing at your awesomeness! Thank you SO MUCH for letting me be a part of this read-along! Did I have a blast too? YOU BETCHA <3
I couldn’t agree with you more, admitting that we need help is a strength, one that too many woman do without.
The way that you handled answering the questions, as author, are hysterical. T think that is what I have enjoyed most about the read along, having you participate. I feel like we all have gotten some insight that we otherwise would not have gotten on you and your thoughts on your characters. I had a great time.
I will email you later today about tomorrows live event. I am really excited.
I love that you changed your mind about your favorite character. I guess that can happen to a writer when the story has a life of it’s own, and it goes to show what a great story this is! 🙂
Ok loving your puppy and Starbucks! Hello I love that you plead the fifth on the other stuff as in the dragons and such. I still want to see Gran show off her powers I know she has some!
Hey, Cambria!!
Oh, I’m so sorry to see this end…I’ve had a LOT of fun participating in this, my very first read-along! I LOVED every minute!! Well, I have to say it — much of that was due to this FABULOUS book you wrote, “Masquerade”!!! I’m being very honest here. I greatly enjoyed this novel, and am looking forward to reading “Charade” soon!!
Anyhway, about your answers to these questions… I agree that seeing auras would be so much better than reading people’s minds. Much more beautiful, too! For me, seeing all the colors would be a visual delight, at first. Then it would become overwhelming. But I do think this is a very useful power for Heven to have. Most definitely!
I also agree with answer #2. It’s pretty obvious that Heven is the character who’s evolved and changed the most. The whole book focuses on her transformation, after all!
Your answer to the second part of question #2 is sweet, as well as hilarious!! You and your hubby look so adorable together in that picture!! And of course having children is a very meaningful experience for any woman! Starbucks ia another of my loves, as well, although I do drink a LOT of espresso, which you can find all over Miami, because of all the Cuban restaurants! I also love the picture of your cute little dog! Those soulful eyes…. : ) Then there’s you, squeeing because your book is out!!! GREAT!!
For question #3, I also picked both Sam and Heven. I really like Heven, and can readily identify with her. And no, I never thought she was “whiny”, or that she relied “too much” on Sam! Heck, the poor girl had been through a major trauma! She needed some love and moral support, especially since her mother wasn’t totally there for her!
You’ve read my own thoughts on Sam. You know I LOVE him!! He’s wonderfullly sweet, caring, loving….sigh…. Steph @ Five Alarm Book Reviews put it very well — he’s tender and masculine at the same time…
I give you a thumbs-up as well!! I thought the ending was just right!! You brought Heven to the threshold of her new life, and created enough interest and suspense to motivate your readers to go on to “Charade”. (And we will!!)
As for predictions for “Charade”, well, we readers will just have to find out by reading the book! I know it’ll be a wild ride!
I enjoyed the read-along a LOT, as you know. I especially enjoyed the part you played in it, interacting with all of us readers! Believe me, not every writer does such a thing! I know that writers tend to be very busy people, and I realize that not all of them can participate in something like this. So I’m really glad you did!!
See you at the live chat very soon!! : )
Maria @ http://anightsdreamofbooks.blogspot.com/