For more than a decade, they were astonished when they finally ...

[sarasara]

for more than a decade, they were astonished when
  they finally turned a profit.
 
  a. In the red
  b. In the black
  c. In character

Question 2

The reviewer did not when he said that the book was
  the worst one he'd ever read.
 
  a. piece together
  b. vote with his feet
  c. mince words

[Mochi]

Answer to Question 1

a

Answer to Question 2

c