Kate Willis's Blog, page 108
January 18, 2017
Book Review: The Ghostwriter Secret
[image error] “Steve Brixton is fast becoming America’s top detective. After saving the United States of America in The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity, he has opened his own agency. Steve gets a call to solve the case of the Fairview diamond but it turns into an even bigger mystery. MacArthur Bart, author of Steve’s beloved Bailey Brothers series, has been kidnapped!! And there is only one 12-year-old detective who can find him. But not without the help of his best chum Dana and The Bailey Brothers Detective Handbook. Full of run-ins with goons, bullys, and the B. Syndicate (or is that Bee Syndicate?), The *Ghostwriter Secret will keep everyone laughing with suspense.
*Please note Steve encounters no specters in the course of this book.” (from Goodreads)
How could anything compare to the clever and hilarious first installment of this series by Mac Barnett? This book almost didn’t make five stars until the last few chapters. Serious suprises there. And then more suprises. And even more. The plot is as good as if Steven Moffat wrote a kids’ book. The writing style was fantastic (and funny!) as always, and it was fun to see Dana getting in on the adventures. He packs a good punch! I especially enjoyed that there were SPOILER ALERT! literary-related villains again. 
January 16, 2017
The Selcouth Award (Blog Tag)
I wrote the same scene twice last week, but other than that I haven’t found much time for writing.
January 13, 2017
Notice
I’ve had a pretty busy day catching up on emails (again), writing a hard scene (again), hiking, preparing for a family birthday, and making peanut butter cookies.
January 11, 2017
Book Review: Last Wish
[image error]“Miranda, what did you wish for?”
More time with family?
To live another month?
For a cure?
No.
Much more. (from Goodreads)
This was such a beautiful, bittersweet story by Valerie Howard! I loved it so much especially the Gospel presentation. The writing style and quick character development was superb for such a short story, and the message was amazing.
January 9, 2017
The Notebook Trick
This past week has been so busy with life happenings and some beta-reading for others; but I’ve still managed to get some writing done! I’ve accomplished this by using the old Notebook Trick.
Basically when my brain is getting computer fried from all of the projects and communication that must happen on it, I take a break with notebook and pencil. I can still keep working even if it’s slightly slower and give myself a rest. For some reason this also makes me feel so much more creative. Maybe it’s my pretty notebook, the act of actually forming letters with a little piece of graphite, or the fact that scribbling out sentences is good for the soul. (It’s also more socially acceptable to sit in the middle of the room writing this way.)
January 6, 2017
Goals for 2017
Just for grins (and to keep myself on track), I wrote up my goals for this year. Consider it more of a “suggested personal to-do list” than a “hard and fast do or die assignment”; since I’m learning to be flexible so I can leave room for spontaneous projects, life happening, and whatever else God decides to throw in.
January 4, 2017
Book Review: Counted Worthy
[image error]“Heather Stone lives in fear of repeating the past, yet she continues doing the one thing that could trigger another disaster. When the police trace an illegal Bible to her house, Heather’s world begins to crumble.
Her father’s life hangs in the balance. No one with the power to help knows or cares. If she tries to save him, she could lead her friends to their deaths. If she does nothing, her father’s fate is certain. Can she evade a hostile police force and win public sympathy before it’s too late?” (from Goodreads)
Why did I not know this book by Leah Good existed??!!! It has all the elements of my favorite dystopians–banned books, bicycle chases, sneaking past security, and some broken down infrastructure–with no love triangle or adult content to make me throw it out the window. Seriously good. The writing style was so fun, my Kindle highlighter and I went on a spree together after the first chapter pulled me in to the point of no return. Quite the surprise twist there! Heather was so real. She struggled so much but turned to God for her strength, and her friends (especially Bryce) were there to remind her of the Scriptures she needed. I liked Bryce quite a bit, and Ansley was a fun side character. The part that had me most flipping “pages” was when they discovered the SPOILER ALERT! raid on Miss Lucinda’s house. Awful. Grrr, Alden. I did find the book slow and heavy on the dialogue at some points; but the Christian message, amazing action, and great characters made up for everything. *big fangirl grin* Not recommended for younger readers because of intense action, flashbacks to SPOILER ALERT! a violent death, and SPOILER ALERT! medically induced execution. Also, one character swears under his breath although the word is not mentioned, and there are a few woman leaders in the resistance.
Best quote: “I looked up and found an expectant expression on his face. He wanted me to sound spiritual, but I only felt scared.”
And this one just because: “He put his hand over my mouth. I considered licking him until I heard the rhythmic thump of running feet.”
Altogether, I LOVED this fantastic, God-honoring read! Anyone want to build a printing press with me?
January 2, 2017
Plate Update: Christmas, Mysteries, and a Scary Climax
Wow! Happy New Year, everyone! I already did my year in review, so this Plate Update might feel a little repetitive; but we can’t leave December out, can we?
December 30, 2016
Happy Year’s End!
Anno Domini Two-Thousand and Sixteen draws to a close, ladies and gentlemen! Time to look back on the blessings and happenings of this past year.
In the blogging sphere…
I launched this blog in June with this introductory post. Since then I have had the privilege of interviewing authors, reviewing books, and getting to interact with all of you wonderful readers.
December 28, 2016
Book Review: Wind Chimes
“[image error]Christmas is a day of forgiveness, love, God, and family, no matter where you live or when you lived. These stories will take you somewhere long ago, and yet much like today.
With a touch of humor and a family-loving gentleness, these stories carry all the hope of Christmas.“ (full description on Goodreads)
I enjoyed reading this sweet collection by Victoria Minks over the weekend of Christmas. Although the writing was slightly rough in a few places, I found the stories full of warmth and heart.
