Toi’s Comments (group member since Mar 11, 2017)

Toi’s comments from the The Insecure Writer's Support Group Book Club group.

Kalpana wrote: "I haven't read the book yet, but I plan to. I've missed out on this genre altogether, my brothers and father love Westerns, but I haven't explored them. The sense I get, from watching movies alongs..."

This could be a good intro to the genre for you since it's a very short read.

Juneta wrote: "1. I did not get a chance to read this but I don't normally read westerns unless a romance set in a western setting which I think this is one, but it is still on TBR list I am a John Wayne fan and ..."

I haven't gotten into western romances. I may have to try one. I too enjoyed the Back To The Future trilogy.

Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I was intrigued by this story and want to see how it ends.

1. It's been hard for Joanna to establish her own identity because she lives in the shadow of a famous relative. Outside of the pressure, her family places on her, she also looks like the relative which has its own challenge. I can actually relate to this. While my relative isn't famous, I look a lot like someone else and people often expect me to be able to do the things they do, like sing like a bird, which I definitely can't.

2. I don't think time-travelers should be allowed to take DNA unless they are trying to restore a race of people and or a species of animals, and even then it's highly questionable. I feel like a petition should be signed first and then if it's DNA from a human, they should have to get permission. As far as price goes, I have no idea.

3. As a black person, there aren't many places in time I'd want to travel back to, even to see some of my favorite musicians, but I wouldn't mind going back a few years just to go to one Prince concert before he died.

Ronel wrote: "I didn't finish this book. You can check out my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Thanks for sharing your review. Sorry this one wasn't a fit for you, but I love that you keep trying out these titles by our members. Hopefully, the December reads will be a better fit.

Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I liked it but felt it was too short.

1. Like Ronel, I used to watch a lot of westerns as a kid, which I've outgrown. I've read a handful of them over the years and always enjoy them but they are not my go-to reads.

2. I know it's not a good thing, but I think of bandits or robbers when I think of the western genre, and this story delivers. Just wish it delivered more.

3. I think science fiction and westerns go well together, especially when you clump it all together under steampunk. I admit I was late to the game with steampunk, but now it's one of my favorite genres.

Ronel wrote: "1) There was a time that all I would read and watch were Westerns! I've outgrown that phase, though.

2) The first part of the question sounds like my life! What I do enjoy about Westerns: the hors..."

Thanks for sharing your review. Sorry, it didn't do much for you. I enjoyed your answers to the questions. It does seem like you live in the old west- in a good way. I always enjoy your updates on Instagram.

Thanks to all who joined in the discussion. I liked reading what everyone had to share. Thanks for the sad but true story of real love, Tyrean.

Now I'm heading over to the new discussions for the November reads.

Thanks to all who joined in the discussion. I liked reading what everyone had to share. I forgot to post my review so here is it: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Now I'm heading over to the new discussions for the November reads.

Bish wrote: "Been having a little difficulty navigating, but I finally found where to suggest books.

Is it okay to suggest my own books?

Anansi and Company: Retold Jamaican Tales - Bish Denham (MG, Caribbean..."

Thank you, Bish. Your current suggestions have been added to the shelves, though I'm still working on adding all C. Lee's titles. I will do a few at a time. Feel free to suggest others at any time.

I know many of the U.S. club members are celebrating a holiday right now, but don't let that stop you from dropping in when you have some time. I'll be back Friday to share my thoughts. Maybe I'll have my review ready by then, but who knows.

Wherever you are, I look forward to reading your thoughts!

Greetings book clubbers.

Please provide your answers to as many or as few of the questions as you’d like in the comments below. Feel free to ask more questions if you’d like.

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1. Many people enjoy Westerns whether on the big or small screen, as well as in print form. Do you enjoy reading or writing westerns or was this your first western?

2. Self-cultivated crops, homemade meals and toys, self-repairs, and home maintenance, etc… are major themes in most westerns, which are featured in Broken Angel. What other aspects of the western genre do you feel make the genre and or did you see featured in this short story?

3. Many genres blend well with others, but some don’t? Cowboys and Aliens is a great movie example of a science fiction and western mashup. Do you know any other examples of western mashups or what kinds of western mash-up would you like to read?
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Thank you, Sylvia Ney, for inspiring these wonderful questions.

Feel free to also share your reviews and or thoughts on the book in your comments.

I know many of the U.S. club members are celebrating a holiday right now, but don't let that stop you from dropping in when you have some time. I'll be back Friday to share my thoughts. Maybe I'll have my review ready by then, but who knows.

Wherever you are, I look forward to reading your thoughts!

Greetings book clubbers.

Please provide your answers to as many or as few of the questions as you’d like in the comments below. Feel free to ask more questions if you’d like.

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1. Joanna’s family history plays a big role in how she perceives herself. What are the positive and negative ways families and genetics affect her identity?

2. Should the time travelers request permission to take DNA samples from the alternate universe, even if the people never know the true purpose for the samples? What would be fair compensation?

3. Lyon’s Legacy was partly inspired by the author’s love for a famous rock group that she never got to see perform. If you could travel to the past to meet someone, who would it be and why? What would you want to bring back with you?
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Thank you, Sandra Ulbrich Almazan, for inspiring these wonderful questions.

Feel free to also share your reviews and or thoughts on the book in your comments.

1. Part of me wants to say I'd make the same sacrifice, but honestly, it might be easier to give up your life, to die, than make that choice. I'd like to be so noble.

2. I totally think science went too far there, especially since no thought to it being a sentient being was given. Frankenstein comes to mind as another example.

3. Those two made me so sad. I was so happy for them one second and devastated the next. Won't say more, but I totally could.

Here's the review I posted when the book first came out: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

1. I think Romantic Suspense suits it best. As much as I enjoyed the two main characters getting close and getting steamy, the suspense and mystery fueled the story and kept me reading.

2. I once wrote about a place called Whittletown. Its backstory included woodcarvers and the Mob. I think I'd like the visit Smallville but that's just the geek girl in me.

3. I'd love to know more about the men in her life. Who was the first guy who broke her heart or vise versa?

I'll post my review whenever I get around to writing it, but I did enjoy this book.

Greetings book clubbers.

Please provide your answers to as many or as few of the questions as you’d like in the comments below. Feel free to ask more questions if you’d like.

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1. Almost Home is categorized as Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense. Which label do you think suits it best and why?

2. Maguire's Corner sounds like a nice small town I’d like to visit. What other fictional small town would you like to visit and or have you written about a small town?

3. We meet Maggie as a fully mature, independent, and stubborn woman who’s often referred to as the town’s sweetheart. What part of Maggie’s back story/her early life would you like to know more about?
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Toi Thomas came up with these questions and hopes you enjoy them.

Feel free to also share your reviews and or thoughts on the book in your comments.

Greetings book clubbers.

Please provide your answers to as many or as few of the questions as you’d like in the comments below. Feel free to ask more questions if you’d like.

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1. Would you make the sacrifice Aden did and or what would be another difficult sacrifice to make?

2. A Kargrande was placed in the ship to make it more powerful. Did science go too far there, yes or no? Other examples of where science takes extreme liberties in fiction.

3. The relationship between Aden and Tamsin develops and then changes drastically. What are your thoughts on the before and after of their relationship?
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Thank you, Alex J Cavanaugh, for inspiring these wonderful questions.

Feel free to also share your reviews and or thoughts on the book in your comments.

I finally got around to writing my review if anyone is interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

1. I started reading mysteries a few years ago. I was never really into them but now I enjoy cozy mysteries and the occasional crime drama. I may try to write one, one day.

2. Time is used so well and in so many ways throughout this collection. I like how the first story connects a mystery from the past to one in the present. The last story uses real-time in an incredible way.

3. I would definitely read more from any of these characters, but the girl and ghost from Stitch in Crime are at the top of my list.

Rebecca wrote: "I haven't had the time to re-read the anthology, but as a contributing writer, wanted to note that mystery is my usual genre, though in my story I had fun mixing a semi-fantasy setting into it. And..."

That's really cool. What are the other stories you have featuring your sleuth?

I finally got around to writing my review if anyone is interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

1. I felt like WIN and Folding in Life and Death were the best examples of character ARC in the collection, but feel that they all displayed some level of development for the characters.

2. Alternate/diverse reality is used in so many ways throughout this collection, some more subtle than others, but all very clever.

3. I have no idea, but since it made me think of Dexter perhaps the author liked that or some other serial killer character or study. Oddly enough, I'm not into serial killers real or fiction, but I like Dexter and I liked the Mirror People.