Masquerade Read Along, week 1

Hello, everyone! As you may have heard, I'm participating in this month's Masquerade Read Along. Each Thursday, 5 questions are asked and answered about a certain number of chapters in the book. This week's questions deal with chapters 1-8. If you haven't picked up this book, I highly recommend it. I have read the whole thing and absolutely loved it. :) But a review is not what we're here for today. Here are this week's questions and my answers:

1. If you were disfigured like Heven (by some sort of accident) do you think you would have reacted the same way as her? (loss of self confidence, hiding yourself, etc)  I can answer this with a resounding YES. Because I am introverted by nature (hard to believe, I know), being disfigured the way Heven was would only add to my insecurities and cause me to want to be even more invisible. BUT I would hope to have someone like Sam who would come along and save me.

 2. Do you think that Kimber’s plan for revenge against Cole (for kissing another girl) is a good idea? NO. It was the worst idea ever. Everyone knows getting revenge by doing the same thing your significant other did always backfires in your face, which it did for Kimber. An eye for an eye might be a saying, but it shouldn’t be a way of life.

 3. In the beginning chapters, Heven is very drawn to Sam but won’t admit it due to her own insecurities. Kimber begins to “date” Sam… do you think that Heven should have spoken up? Do think Kimber should have seen Heven’s real feelings? Yes, I think Heven should have spoken up and told Kimber right away that she was interested in Sam first, but I also understand that Heven was too insecure about her own beauty to say anything at all. And really, I don’t think Kimber would have the ability to see that Heven liked Sam unless Heven spoke up about it; Kimber came off as a bit too self-absorbed for me and this instance and her getting upset with Heven when her feelings for Sam became apparent just proves that.

 4. Masquerade is broken in four separate POV’s: Heven, Sam, The Hate and The Hope. Do you think having multiple POV’s adds depth to the story? Why or why not? Yes. I loved having the multiple POV’s and the intrigue of The Hate and The Hope, not knowing what either of those was until later in the story. Having both of those POV’s give a side of the story that Sam and Heven aren’t able to give and gives the reader a look at things that are happening essentially behind the scenes.

 5. A great source of strength for Heven is her grandmother. Who do you think yours is/would be? I’ll admit this was the hardest question to answer. I just don’t think about where my strength comes from, but now I’ve realized the answer is in front of me every day. My kids. As much as I don’t like my job, some days I continue to go just to show them how to persevere and that sometimes you have to do things you don’t like to do. Despite all the heartache my family has gone through, I have to remain strong for them, even when I let them see me cry. For as much as I tell them they can be whatever they want to be, I strive to make my own dreams come true to show them anything is possible. They keep me strong and I love them eternally for it.

My inspiration, Riley and Kody.

Happy Thursday, everyone!
EM