See what others book clubs are saying about “The Whip”:
Grubby Griebel – Cover To Cover Book Club (Denver, CO)
We had a lot of fun discussing the book… and learned that cracking a whip was a lot harder than we thought. Loved The Whip! – Sandy Rogers, Hags on Nags Saddle Club – Wisconsin.
We read your book for February and I loved this book! It was an enjoyable read and kept me turning the pages. (actually swiping ~ I read on my Kindle!)
– Mariann, Melting Pot Book Club, SW Florida
Hags on Nags Saddle Club, Wisconsin.
Written Words Bookstore – Shelton, CT.
The ladies of LLC Book Club so enjoyed its monthly book discussion at Cafe la Dolce. All agreed that “The Whip” was an exciting read, filled with unexpected turns. It was a vivid reminder of how far women have come. One member mimicked the crack of a whip, adding- we enjoyed the ride tremendously!
– LLC Book Club, Northpark Estates, Covington, Louisiana
The ladies of LLC Book Club (Covington, Louisiana) happily discuss the fun twists and surprises in “The Whip.” What fun!
“The Whip” was the read for our March book club discussion – we all loved it! The story is adventurous, romantic, tragic, happy, and sad. And, it was so easy to get caught up in the history, experiences, and characters as described from the Old West. Charley had guts for a woman of her era and her day to day living, although heart-breaking at times, was very inspiring to the women in our group. When will the movie be coming out? Can’t wait!!!
– Wednesday Night Babes Book Club – Richland, WA
On behalf of the Melting Pot Book Club we thank you for your wonderful story. We all gave you a thumbs up and look forward to more of your writing. Thanks for your terrific insight into a daring and clever woman.
– Nancy, Melting Pot Book Club, SW Florida
Venetian Ladies Book Club (Venice, FL)
I just finished reading The Whip. My book club picked this one. Just wanted to tell you that it was a wonderful read. I enjoyed it very much as I love historical fiction. But this was special because it was taken from a true story. I think it would make a great movie….hopefully some director will pick it up for you. Good Luck!
– Edie C
Our book club just finished reading your book and thoroughly enjoyed it! We really appreciated your discussion questions. – Joan Baker
Wednesday Night Babes Book Club – Richland, WA.
Mentor Book Club, Lincolnton, NC. est: 1919. Photo taken at the Willow Creek Inn, Vale, NC.
I loved your book! I’m picking it for my book club in January 2014. This book makes me happy that I’m a woman every day! Go Charlie!!! Thank you for writing this fantastic book.
– Stacy McAloon
Last month our book group read The Whip. Everyone in the group so enjoyed the read and its historical fiction content that we took it a step further than most meetings and wrote to the author, Karen Kondazian, who pleasantly surprised us all by accepting our invitation to join our meeting here in Malibu. We loved meeting with Karen – she inspired us all as “wanna-be” writers and revealed some of her secrets to success. We recommend The Whip to all men, women and young adults who enjoy a great read, while learning some historical facts they might never discover otherwise. – The Malibu Book Club
Asbury Park Book Club – Louisville, KY
I had the privilege of picking your book for our November 2013 book club read. I just wanted to drop you a note and tell you how terrific I thought the book was. I could not put it down – it took me less than a day on my kindle. Everyone I have talked to so far loved it as much as I did. I compared your wonderful descriptive writing style to Pat Conroy. You write in such a beautifully visual way. I thought I should write a note just to let you know how much fun it was to read. Thanks for becoming an author. Perhaps if you are ever in the Mesquite, NV or St.George, UT. area, you would consider visiting our book club. I am now researching more avenues to continue finding out about this amazing woman who dared brave a man’s world.
– Otti Schmitt, St. George, UT
The Whip is wonderful. It was hard for me to put it down and I completely abandoned the mystery that I was reading before I bought it. Charley is my idea of a “Real Woman.” I fully expect The Whip to be my next Book Club program. As a horsewoman who, incidentally, once spent a week in Nova Scotia taking driving lessons, I appreciated the attention to detail in Charley’s equine interactions.
– Kay Killian, North Carolina
In The Vault Book Club discussing “The Whip” w/ Karen Kondazian – Corona Del Mar, CA
Our Book Club in Roseville CA read your book and we are meeting Oct 14th. We all loved your book.
– Barbara Serafin, Roseville, CA
Everyone should read this book. It was our book club selection for the month and certainly not a disappointment! I am not an avid reader and would prefer to watch movies anytime, but this story is about a woman who had to pose as a man in order to get a job in the man’s world and become the best of the best. It is based on a true character in the 1800’s.
– 5-Star Amazon.com User Review by Mupster
From a tragic background, this woman managed to travel to California in the 1800’s and pass as a man to support herself and take revenge on the man who wronged her. Charley excelled in her career but not in her personal life. It would have been extremely hard to do the things she did and not give herself away. Hats off to the women who survived the traumas of life in those days, one way or another. This book was chosen by me for our book club. It was well written and researched. It was based on a true story. This might make a very good movie if they could find an actress who wouldn’t mind not looking glamorous through most of the movie.
– 5-star Amazon.com User Review by Marion Bulette
Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Baltimore, MD
As someone who absolutely loves historical fiction but has never had an interest in Westerns, I was delighted to find in The Whip a captivating, colorful, and authentic story. Karen Kondazian captures the spirit of Charley Parkurst, a legendary and extraordinary person about whom I had known very little. I would never have guessed that this was Karen’s first novel, and I sincerely hope that she continues to write in this genre. I’m recommending this to my book club.
– 5-star Amazon.com User Review by Donna Gulotta PHD
I purchased this book because a book club was reading it. I thought, ‘Oh I may not like this.’ But once I started reading the book I could not put it down!! Excellent story — I would definitely recommend this book!
– 5-star Amazon.com User Review by Deb T
The Pelican Pointe Women’s Association Wednesday Night Book Club – Venice, FL.
The Whip is well written, entertaining and as a bonus somewhat educational. I know it is fiction but it was based on a true story. Whether you like adventure or love stories, this book has something for everyone. I can’t wait to discuss it with my book club.
– 5-star Amazon.com User Review by Vickie Joseph
Read this book with our book club on recommendation of a friend. No one had even heard of it before but we all loved it!
– 5-star Amazon.com User Review by Sue P. Roberts
Enid, OK Book Club
A most enjoyable and fast read. Good character development based on a “real” person but fictional “in nature”. Both memorable and thought provoking and good for a stimulating “Book Club” discussion!
– 4-star Amazon.com User Review by Laura
I read this for my book club. Had concerns on if it would be the type of book I would enjoy. To my surprise it was a book I couldn’t put down. I recommend this book to anyone who usually reads mystery and/or romance novels. It has a little bit of everything including suspense!
– 4-star Amazon.com User Review by Karen Zevchik
Karen and the Pebble Beach Book Club – Pebble Beach, CA.
Living in northern CA near Sacramento now, previously in the Santa Cruz area, I was drawn by this story and its location. Also, the life of a woman dressed as a man and working as a stage coach driver in those days when women were in the kitchen and having babies. Our book club is reading this book now and will be reviewing it soon. I recommend this book.
– 4-star Amazon.com User Review by Kathy A. Reuter
My book club picked this book to read or I’m sure I never would have tried it. I got it on my Kindle Fire and could hardly stop reading it. It’s an easy and quick read and I found it fascinating from cover to cover. This is a good picture into the life of a woman in the gold rush days and how her life disguised as a man changed everything. I love that it’s a true story and that “Charley” was actually the first woman to vote in these here United States of America! Way to go, Charley!
– 5-star Amazon.com User Review by C. Olson
Manhattan Beach Book Club – Manhattan Beach, CA
Cover To Cover Book Club (Denver, CO)
