A Week in Winter

[DonnaKay]

MYellowRose,

I think it's okay for you to start posting some discussion questions, at least for the begining of the book.

I personally am on chapter 26. Some may be further along or not there yet but If you don't give away the ending I think it would be okay.

BTW I am enjoying the book much more than I expected to. Great selection!

Donna

[Toad_Sticker]

I have read 9 chapters.
I was a little worried reading the Proluge .
It was very flowery in its language and was worried it would be like that all thru the book but it hasn't turned out that way. Many authors seem to do that I guess to get your attention.
I really like how she has described Mary's thoughts concerning Patrick. I won't go into detail since others may not be here yet.
I have some ideas concerning whats happening at Moorgate but will wait to see what plays out with that.
TS
edited later to add:
I have been thinking on it this afternoon and think I have some things figured out.(who is at Moorgate and what is going on with Hectors $)
I wish I could tell someone.........I'm fit to bust :-X
I always figure out a books plot but am usually wrong lol

[DonnaKay]

Toad Sticker, I am almost done with the book. I think that I know what you think (I was thinking something along the same lines) but I think you're wrong....as I was. If you want you can PM me your thoughts, then post them later.

After reading this book I do find myself wanting to speak with a british accent...LOL and wanting to use colorful phrases like "sod off"....hehe

Donna~~would anyone else just kill for a cup of tea??

[Toad_Sticker]

message/s sent
TS

[MYellowRose]

* *Well what I'm most interested in finding out it what you think about each of the main characters. *I must admit that there were some twists in the story that were completely unexpected though a couple of them were understandable in the end.
* *As for who's staying in Moorgate, I was wrong on that myself so we'll wait and see if anyone guesses correctly. *You can PM me with your guess if you want so you don't spoil it for anyone.
* Also, the answer to Hector's money was something of a surprise to me. *I had kinda guessed what had happened to it but there was an unexpected twist in the story too. LOL
* What do you think of Polonius? *Is he an integral character to the story or could he have been left out?
Adding some comments.
I bought the book just because I love reading about England and the moors fascinate me. I read a lot of Regency romances, those set in the early 1800's, and I thought that this was one. I must admit to being hesitant about it at first but the further I read the more engrossed I became with the characters and the story. That's one reason I'm going to try reading most of the books suggested in this discussion group.
The only discussion group here at the library is one on Science Fiction and I've never been able to get into it no matter how hard I try. In fact the one and only such book I read was called "God's Fire" and the ruling beings were cats that walked on their hind legs. I think I read it because I love cats. LOL

[DonnaKay]

Rose,

I finished the book last night, but I'll limit my comments to the beginning of the story.

One of my favorite things about the book was the authors ability to really show how the different characters felt. Also the characters seem real--the "good guys" aren't perfect and the "bad guys" aren't total villains.

Occasionally I felt as though extra details were being given to "bulk up" the story. Almost like when you're writing a paper for school and it has to be a certain length so you start throwing in extras. However, those extra details may have been necessary to keep you from guessing too easily what was going to happen. I don't believe though that Polonius was just an extra detail. I really do believe that he added to the story. In a way it was a comfort (as a reader) to know that Maudie wasn't just sitting out in the country alone.

I really wanted to hate Selina, but I never could bring myself to. But I guess we can talk more about that later.

Donna

[Toad_Sticker]

Poloneus enabled the Author to talk about Maudie while tieing the story together so I think yes he was necessary.
I made it to part 2.
I really feel for Patrick as several of my early relationships were like his and Mary's.(without the adultery) I was a white knight and the girls liked me but never totally loved me lol.
I grew up and have a much healthier relationship now.
DonnaKay say's I was wrong about my guesses so I look forward to seeing what happens.
TS

[DonnaKay]

Since Rose hasn't chimed in today I thought I'd throw an observation/question out there.

I noticed that a big part of the plot was guilt....all of the folks that don't seem to be guilty of anything feel guilty and the ones perhaps should feel guilty don't....did anyone else notice that and what do you think about it? Have you observed this in your own life....family, friends, etc?

Donna

by the way TS...has your wife made fun of you for reading a book with a big bunch of pink flowers on the front? HEHE I guess it could be worst...at least it wasn't Fabio!!

[Toad_Sticker]

by the way TS...has your wife made fun of you for reading a book with a big bunch of pink flowers on the front? HEHE *I guess it could be worst...at least it wasn't Fabio!!
Well now that you mention it........ :-/
We were going to my sons kindergarden open house last night............. :o
I was going on and on about the book and the characters and what I thought was going on and she was just totally cracking up at me.......... :P
Altho she wants to read it now ;)
TS

[DonnaKay]

That's actually pretty cool TS. I would love for my husband to read a book with me and then discuss it....it's like sharing an experience....but alas I don't think it will ever happen (said very dramatically with my hand on my forhead) He's just not much into reading...unless it's a golf magazine or something technical....oh well, he spoils me rotten so I guess I can't complain about this one thing.

Donna

[Toad_Sticker]

Anouther thing I have noticed is all the emotional baggage the author is giving us.........
I was handling it fine and then we get Mellissa with her health issues.
Is it me or is it just the dreary British mood in the book?
Not that I don't like it (the book as a whole) but it has to be written more for women.
We are trying to multi-task getting in touch with our feelings and its just too many at once for a guy to handle. ;D
TS

[DonnaKay]

It is a bit much TS. But on the other hand I don't think the opportunity to REALLY get to know the characters is there. I mean on one hand the author is really good at seeing things from each different perspective however, I don't think you really get to know any particular character to a depth that you feel their pain. While I could sympathize with all of the characters I didn't feel a particular attachment to any of them ...know what I mean? I think it's because there are so many characters...any thoughts?

Donna

[Toad_Sticker]

I have not latched onto a character......
Other than Patrick which I already explained......

What did you think of the meeting in the diner between Posey and Mellissa?
It is bothering me for some reason.
Almost like it was a cheap trick by the Author just to tie the two together.
TS

[DonnaKay]

I kind of agree. The book tends to be very real, most people come from a dysfunctional family and this family is very typical in that aspect. The Melissa/Posy/read on, situation is kind of out there. I suppose if this were a classic romance novel that wouldn't be a big deal as romance novels tend to be about escape from boring real life. Some how mixing the two elements seems a bit off to me.

Donna

[DonnaKay]

oh and I would have to say that of all the characters I felt the most for Patrick too.

Donna

[Toad_Sticker]

Just hope the dude Posey had a crush on doesn't fall for Mellissa.
It would be a bummer
TS

[DonnaKay]

:-X :-X :-X :-X :-X :-X :-X

What chapter are you on now?

Donna

[Toad_Sticker]

just starting 20 tonight
TS

[Toad_Sticker]

Stupid book made me :'(
I finished it tonight BTW
TS

[DonnaKay]

aah....sounds like someone's a big softy :)

[Toad_Sticker]

aah....sounds like someone's a big softy :)
Me?
Hard as nails 8)
TS

[Toad_Sticker]

Let me know when we can discuss the whole book without gaurding ourselves.....................
Also is this a critical discussion or just openended?
I would like to say a few thing I didn't like without offending anyone because on the whole I did like the book.
That said:
One thing that bugged/distracted my thoughts was telling us about Melissa and Mike parents. I wish she would of given much more detail to them. I know why she did it but it felt kind of out of place.
I also would of liked to know more about Rob and Melissa as people. Turns out they were the only people in the book I cared about.
Also who do you think was the Main character?
I know who the obvious person is but there is someone I think that we know so much more about. The whys and how they do things.

TS

[billy_goat_gruff]

Starting 35...

Ya know, I've watched a few emotional train wrecks here and there, but I gotta admit this is the first one that I've ever had described to me in detail. *This author sure can draw the mind pictures of a high speed mag lev emotional train wreck!!!

I must be as sick as the rest of the population as I am kinda enjoying the book, train wreck or no! (PS if one is careful and reads only in the wee hours of the morning the pink flowers on the cover don't ruin the reputation too much! *:D * ;D )

My opinion on Polonius is that the author needed a rational excuse to have Posy be in the right place at the right time, and also to require more interaction between Maudie and Posy. He is definitely an underdeveloped character so far in my opinion. I keep waiting for the relationship between him and Maudie to develop, but...

I did like Maudie's reaction to the Jack Russell's yapping at her and Polonius... "Lunch, Polonius" and turned him loose!!! Hey, my dad always said never to let my mastiff mouth overload my Jack Russell posterior... *;)

Been wanting to slap Patrick silly; however, the way he is developing that might be a very unwise thing to do...

I also like the quiet current I see running through the book that acknowledges personal growth being important, be it painful or otherwise...

Laterz...

[Toad_Sticker]

one thing I really liked..........
I don't think this will give anything away..........
I really like the source of Melissa's dreams she had at the house, It just seemed kind of right for some reason.

TS

[MYellowRose]

You know I'm remebering more by reading these posts and learning a lot too. It's surprising what each person thinks of the different characters.
Anyone who wants to pose a question or opinion is welcome to do so in my discussion. Don't let it's being my book stop anyone as I think we all add to it.
Now that just about everyone is done I'm curious as to opinions about the twist on Hector's money. Did anyone figure it out ahead of time? I've got another comment but won't post it until after everyone has finished reading the book.
Oh yes, I probably won't get back online before Saturday as I've got to stay home tomorrow and wait for the UPS guy as I've got a box coming. Friday my DD is going to take me shopping. I'll be looking forward to catching up on the comments when I get online next.

[Toad_Sticker]

as far as Hectors money after DonnaKay told me I was wrong I figured it would be exactly what it was but did not know who it was if you get my meaning.
TS

[DonnaKay]

Also who do you think was the Main character?
I know who the obvious person is but there is someone I think that we know so much more about. The whys and how they do things.

TS

Now that you mention it....I think even though Hector was dead he was in the center of everything....is that who you were thinking about?

Donna

[DonnaKay]

I was kind of surprised at how much sympathy I felt for Patrick. I know what he did was wrong but I don't think it was any worst than what Selina had been doing to him for 30 years. The only difference was that what Patrick did had a name...adultery and Selina's didn't. Does that make any sense?

Donna

[Toad_Sticker]

Now that you mention it....I think even though Hector was dead he was in the center of everything....is that who you were thinking about?

Donna

I was thinking of Selina.....
Since we were told just about everything about her shallow life..........
Maudie read kind of like a laundry list to me.
got up did thid did that took the dog to do this felt bad about this or that......but we learned intensively how Selina felt about everything.
TS

[DonnaKay]

Mmm....good point TS. We do hear alot about Selina.

Selina is one of those people that is hard to like. However, I think the author did a good job of showing that people like Selina sometimes really don't possess the ability to see things from anyone else's point of view. I have a family member that is very similar to Selina. Not the keeping up appearances part but the part that sees everything anyone does as an act of betrayal. If you do something nice for someone else it's not because you want to do something nice, its because you want to hurt her. It's very frustrating. But I can't help but think that maybe some of these people aren't really out to be cruel, rather they are just emotionally very immature. I know my family member can really be hurtfull and cruel, sometimes I just want to say "have a nice life, see ya!" But at the same time I can't help but feel sorry for her because she just seems so lonely and unhappy. Guess that's why I couldn't hate Selina :-/

Donna

[Toad_Sticker]

two more things I noticed..............(lol I guess I'm getting into this)
1)How the author just dropped Patrick from the story for a while and when we came back to him it was kind of a mop up kind of thing. I felt he was missing for a while after he was a big part of the story for a while.

2) To me Rob seemed like two completely different characters........when we are first told about him I formed a mental picture of his character with his mannerisms........When he meets Melissa to me he fleshed out in my mind as a completely different person.
It was kind of weird I had to go back and make sure it was Rob I was reading about.
TS

[DonnaKay]

I think the book would have been better if the author would have picked two characters probably Rob and Melissa and really developed them....to the point that you just couldn't stand it when Melissa died....as it was it was sad but I just didn't feel like I knew them well enough to be devestated....and maybe the fact that she was sick should have been something that you didn't know until after you were really wrapped up in the relationship. What do you think?

Donna

[Toad_Sticker]

I agree it would of been nice to know them better..........
But it was bad enuff with her dieing as it was, I can't imagine being more "involved " with her.
We guys are shallow I cared alot about Melissa without all the detail.
TS

[MYellowRose]

Decided to come in today anyway so I left a note for the UPS guy with the neighbors who will look after my package 'til I get there.
Let's take a vote and see who's still reading and who's finished. If no one is still reading you guys can comment about the finish and I'll read all the posts when I get back, probably Saturday unless I can use the neighbor's computer tomorrow evening.
Rob and Melissa to me were a little strange, not them but their part of the story. I was wondering if Melissa was stuck in there to just flesh out the story but in the long run I saw the point of her and her visit to Moorsgate.
I've know people like Selina and must admit that I don't understand them and for them most part I've never gotten along with such people.
Patrick seemed like an afterthought or something since he kinda dropped out of the story for so long. It just didn't make all that much sense to my way of thinking. Although their other kids are mentioned a few times I wondered if the reason they moved so far away was to get away from Selina and what I saw as her trying to control everyone and everything and her "keeping up with the Joneses" attitude.

[sma]

ugh! i'm so bummed cause i wasn't able to get the book. i had it on hold at the library, but with the basement and car flooding i didn't get to go... :( plus dh took my extra $5 i'd saved up to pay my fine so even if i'd of gotten there, i couldn't check it out. >:(
we get paid today though, and dh is supposed to work on the cars tomorrow. reading y'all's comments is really making me want to read this book!! i'm dying to know what's going on! so even if y'all are finished, i'm gonna read it.

[billy_goat_gruff]

finished

Other comments... Poor Polonius! Getting abandoned there in the end... :D

The author did a nice job of tying up the loose ends, and leaving room for a sequel where Emily and Rob meet up... (Emily IS a widow, isn't she?) ;D ;D

The book seemed to be written for movieland to me. The beginning was a zoom in, then the action sequences, then the zoom out. It was an interesting technique.

Pretty good read. Thanks, MYR.

[DonnaKay]

SMA be sure to look for the next selection too. We should be starting that one pretty soon!

BGG I hadn't thought about the possibilty of a sequel but now that you mention it, it does seem like a shame to leave poor Rob and Emily all alone. But I do think she's a good couple years older than him....I wonder if that will be an issue?

Donna

[billy_goat_gruff]

Hey, Donna, was joking mostly about Emily and Rob since she is older (even of a different generation maybe?)

About the time I found out who the squatter was in Moorgate, the plot unraveled for me. Some of the whys weren't there but knew where Hector's millions went, knew that he was a cad, and with who, etc. Wasn't reading closely enough at first or would have realized where Emily fit in.

I would classify this book as a romantic mystery for some reason. All the clues are there, BUT one can mislead themselves...

Think MYR asked who was our favorite. Maudie was my favorite character, possibly because she seemed the most independent. Patrick would be second though he sorta disappeared from the story. They didn't seem to be players as much. But, what do I know...

I'm not sure this book had a main character, more of a this is what happened with these people due to their associations. At least, I didn't find a main character...

Has anyone contrasted Hector and Polonius? Somehow I suspect they share several traits? Just wondering... ;)

[billy_goat_gruff]

Did anyone else read this one? ???

If not, you missed a very good book. I'd highly recommend it... and the flowers on the cover are roses but couldn't figure out which kind. Where is MarechalNiel. I'd bet money she would know which ones they are.

Anyway, Hector and Polonius... Hector to me seemed to be one of those guys that did his duty first but really needed to have more fun. Polonius is one of those dogs that minds when he is whistled in even though he had rather be running through the mud or chasing other critters. They both seemed very protective of their ladies, as it should be.

I enjoyed this story. I identified with some of the characters that were calculating as back in my younger years I really did spend a year or bit more reading Harlequin romances trying to figure out what I was doing wrong in the dating game. Never mind the answer I came up with, I decided that part was basic me and it wouldn't change, I'd just be unattached. Thank goodness for SuperGlueLadies... one of which ended up married to me, btw. Wow, going on 17 years now...

Good book, MYellowRose (yes, I thought of you when I realized the flowers were roses even though they aren't yellow.)

You guys tell me what else I missed. This book was well written. Thanks.

[MYellowRose]

As you guys can tell I'm pretty good at the reading part but not so good at the discussion part. Sorry, I just do the best I can. LOL
Thank you all for your posts with your comments. I must admit, may have said this before, that I enjoyed the book more than I expected to after realizing that it was set in modern times as I usually read those whose time is the regency period, early 1800's, in England. I picked it up because it mentioned the moors and I love reading about that part of England. Sometimes wonder if I didn't live in England during that time period in another life. ???
Hope you enjoyed it and will be trying to think of another one for my next go round.

[billy_goat_gruff]

Thank you, Rose. Good book.