Waterfall Wednesday (2)

Wednesday, September 7, 2011


Hosted by Tina at Tina's Book Reviews, Missie at The Unread Reader, Joy & Serena at Edgy Inspirational Romance, Nic at Irresistible Reads and Jenny from Supernatural Snark, each week we'll be reading and discussing a set of chapters from the book. There will be prizes for participants, so click the button for more information and to sign up!

Discussion Questions for Chapters 7-11

1. Gabi's search for her sister is made increasingly difficult by the fight for territory between Castello Forelli and Castello Paratore. At this point, do you think the rivalry is warranted? Why or why not?


Land disputes are tough, particularly when they go on for hundreds (or perhaps thousands) of years. It's hard to yield what you believe is rightfully yours, and when both sides are convinced wholeheartedly that they are right, the conflict seems to never end (see: Israel and Palestine). I absolutely think that this rivalry is warranted and that the fervor over this small bit of land would still keep them in conflict.

2. Gabi aids Fortino by having his sickroom cleaned out and using steam to loosen the phlegm inside his lungs so he could breathe better. Have you ever found yourself in a situation that required you to rely on home remedies to aid yourself or another? What are some of your favorite home remedies?

I would be so hopelessly lost if I had to rely on home remedies. I am in awe of people who know secret herbal tricks to solve complicated medical ailments. Gabi really shocked me here with her maturity and wisdom. Though in retrospect these seem like mostly common sense, I would never have thought of them! So, take note...don't ever go camping or hiking or time traveling with me. I know no cures.

3. Marcello and his men don't hide their surprise when they learn that Gabi is skilled with a sword. What did you think of this development? Has your initial impression of Gabi changed? Do you have any secret skills?

I think the difference between fencing and fighting with a broadsword would give her some more trouble than it seemed to here, though it didn't truly bother me. I just went with it. She'd be better off than me, that's for sure!

My secret skills? I would say synchronized swimming, but that's not much of a secret and I'm not sure it's as beneficial to survival as swordplay.

4. "Our lips were so close, I could feel the heat of his breath on my skin." Gabi and Marcello's feelings for one another are beginning to stir. What do you think of Marcello as a romantic interest thus far? What do you think of his intended?

I will admit that I was a bit uncomfortable with the fact that Marcello is taken, even if Lady Rossi is scummy. We loathe our men when they stray, but cheer them when it's for true love. That said, love is complicated, and it's hard to deny that they have an intense and real connection here.

5. Marcello and Luca take turns teaching Gabi the dances of Toscana. Would you have liked to attend a ball like the one Gabi was practicing for? Do you like to dance? Do you know any cool dance moves? Extra (not really) points if you YouTube yourself dancing and share the video. Come on, it will be fun! :)

I so wish that modern dances had more community to them. It's sad to me that there aren't a set of dances that everyone knows - although maybe some would consider line-dancing a form of that. That's probably why I like line-dancing, even if I only know a few. Dancing is so much fun, and I would love to go to balls. If I was in olden times, I would go to balls like it was my JOB. Because, well, it kinda would be my job. That's how you hook a man, right?


Amazingly beautiful and painstakingly crafted signature courtesy of Small Review

16 comments:

Melissas Eclectic Bookshelf said...

I thought the same thing! Fencing is not the same as wielding a real sword!!

♥ Melissa @ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf

Lisa said...

Synchronized Swimming looks so cool. I watch it every Olympics sitting on my couch mad with envy. I wouldn't keep that skill a secret either! Shout it out!

Katie Marie said...

Hey, it IS a skill of your life depended on swimming out of danger! ;-) Awesome!

Haha, I know what you mean! I was really wanting Marcello and Gabi to get together, yet I'm right with you -- I can't stand it when a guy dumps a girl for someone else. Makes me wonder if they'll be faithful to the girl they dumped their old girlfriend for. But with Marcello...it's a bit different. As the story, and series, progresses, you find out so much and many things change. In the end, I was happy that the two of them were together. Rossi became insufferable. Seriously.

bibliophile brouhaha said...

I've really been enjoying hearing about this series lately - you all are really making me want to read this series - I get a week off at Christmas - this and Game of Thrones are on my list :)

YA Book Queen said...

I remember learning line-dancing in elementary school - so much fun! :D

Rebecca (RivkaBelle) said...

Excellent point about the straying/taken thing...and it's true: In real life, don't you *dare* think about looking at another girl...I think what makes it so "okay" in this context is that it's an arranged marriage. So it's not like he picked Lady Rossi and then suddenly hot-stuff Gabi walked by and his head got turned. That and he's fiercely fighting to stay true to his duty - he knows what is right, and is trying very hard to stay on that path. :o)

Missie, The Unread Reader said...

I'd totally risk the elements to go hang out with you. It would be worth it. :P

Good point about Marcello. But at what point do you consider a man a'stray'? I don't think I can tell anymore. LOL

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

Hm... looks like I need to do some line dancing? LOL

Hey! Where's the vid. ;)

Anonymous said...

LOL- well I guess we could be in trouble together because I know nothing about home remedies...:D

Julie said...

I wouldn't say that Marcello was straying from Lady Rossi because they aren't married yet AND it was a family arrangement instead of a heart arrangement. Now if he and Lady Rossi were married already then I'd be more concerned about his straying to another woman. But I also don't blame Lady Rossi for being miffed at his attention to Gabi...such a quandry! Good answers!

Rubita said...

If we go camping together, I'll bring the Vitamin C and we should be all good.

About Lady Rossi--she's not the greatest, but I think authors all too often fall into the habit of making "the girlfriend" bitchy in order to de-emphasize any wrongness on the heroine's part. Also, if she gets killed off (or conveniently falls in love with someone else), I'll be disappointed in that, too.

Small Review said...

I will still travel back in time with you, even if we will die soon after due to lack of home remedy or swordplay knowledge. But we will dance like nobody's business.

Jacinda (The Reading Housewives) said...

If I ever want a home remedy for something, I always contact my MIL :) She seems to know everything involving that stuff!

"We loathe our men when they stray, but cheer them when it's for true love."-you are so freaking right! I need to remember this more often while I'm reading!

Lisa Tawn Bergren said...

You're a synchronized swimmer? Yer a wonder! Did you learn how to keep water out of your nose at a long age, then?

I think what's vital to note is that Marcello and Romana have always been promised to each other. They're fond of each other--genuinely. But what he's discovering with Gabi is something altogether different...

Thanks for the post, Logan! See you next week, if not before. xoxo

Aylee said...

I couldn't think of any home remedies either. Some people are just natural nurses, and others not so much, I guess.

Hee! Synchronized swimming sounds like so much fun! As do balls. I love line dancing too and wish there were more cause for community dances.

I'm uncomfortable about the Marcello Lady Rossi situation too. I feel bad for cheering for Gabi and Marcello to cheat on Lady Rossi and get together... I wonder how long that feeling will last though. Methinks not long now.

BURIED IN BOOKS said...

Yeah, I think you're right it's touchy about Marcello being already betrothed. I want Gabi and Marcello to be together, but he's spoken for. She seems to remember that more so than him. But she's also remembering she's going to be leaving him. I still don't like Lady (and I use that term very lightly) Rossi. She is not the weakling she pretends to be, ie. climbing the rocks to save her own bony ass. But this is fiction, she could always die or run off with someone else...

And yeah, maybe I will bow at my signing prowess. Hey, that I can get the words out right is good for me. They just aren't used to those kinds of words coming out of my mouth. I only sing Break Stuff when my character needs to be mad and I don't feel mad. And it just has to be screamed at the top of my lungs! I don't care if they catch me dancing and singing around the house. Hey, I'm cleaning you aren't-deal!

Heather

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