Krista Wagner's Blog, page 10

Irresistible

A magnetizing plot.Compelling prose.An unforgettable experience.Margaret is rescued from a terrible accident by a stranger. She can't get him out of her head and finds herself haunted by a past she can't remember. The story takes us back and forth between 1985 and 2013 through multiple narratives that spellbind and adrenalize you all the way through.You haven't been on a journey quite like this before.You won't be able to forget these characters and the darkness that they have overcome.

Fun & Serious YA

I enjoyed this sweet story about a girl who has her own set of rules about dating--she doesn't date. Until she can't stop staring at Jason, the new kid in school who also happens to have a "bad boy" reputation. I did struggle with how Amber rapidly jumped into a relationship with him; there needed to be more time to develop things and it was like some stages were overlooked, especially as he was a new kid in town. Amber is a unique girl, she stands out in a good way, with strong qualities, a bit of wit, and intelligence. Jason has his own traits that seem antithetical to Amber's, and the story deals with a few serious moments but in ways that keep the plot buoyant and returning quickly to a more lighthearted feel. Amber and Jason bring a lot of differences to the table, but that's what makes this story so engaging. You root for each of them and for them to be together. It was easy and exciting to invest in these characters!

Towards Zero

Excellent murder-mystery, impossible to decipher. It isn't just that the cast is so large, it's that the motives remain so well hidden.The best part of this book is the dialogue. We learn so much about these unique characters through the things that they say. It's fascinating to watch them interact with each other.And to get to a full culprit disclosure, we end up having to unravel multiple layers, both before and after the reveal. It's an exciting and unfathomable journey.

Extremely Helpful

This book dives into the nitty gritty details of showing AND telling (both are necessary). Gerth focuses more on the 'showing' aspects of writing a novel as it plays a larger role than 'telling'. With suggestions specific to your own writing and plenty of examples, the book is easy to follow along while allowing authors to easily spot--and fix--their own, and often simple, dried-up areas to liven up their writing.

Cleverly Shocking

This is an outstanding book with the most shocking twist ever!Two best friends--Megan and Chloe. A new roommate.--Sammi.Things go missing. Sammi exhibits strange behavior.A plot that blends normalcy with pending unease down every hallway.Should they have let her into their lives?C.L. Pattison has crafted a clever psychological thriller that has you stumbling in the dark.The flashbacks are disturbing as we get insight into a little girl's abusive childhood, wondering how this will tie into the current state of things.Uncertainty grows rapidly as we move forward, and then the ending drops on you with a shocking twist! The motivations for what takes place are chilling.*Though used very infrequently, there is some foul language. And the actions of one of the character's are incredibly disturbing.A well-written story that breaks the rules of red herrings and surprise twists. You won't recognize what's happening until the very last pages.

Second Chance

This was a nice little story. The main character, Sabrina, is easy to relate to as she worries over starting over after her husband dies. She has a nice support system, which helps her make difficult decisions when she returns home.There is some mild language. And I was annoyed by her best friend, Meredith, who was almost always inconsiderate of Sabrina's feelings.But the story more than makes up for it with some fun chemistry between Sabrina and Josh and a nice good-to-be-home feeling throughout.

Great Suspense

I really enjoyed this book. The whole concept is quite unique regarding the killer's methods, returning a favorable, complicated, and enjoyable plot line.Kaely Quinn is an intriguing protagonist and her methods for crime-solving are also unique. The story spins us into mystery with each character we're introduced to.The one problem I had was with the acronyms as I had no idea what they meant. Otherwise, I was drawn into this spellbinding murder-mystery whose FBI Agent, Quinn, uses wisdom and faith to encounter the dark corners of her career as she works to uncover the serial killer's identity.

Wiped Out

This was a unique cozy. The setting is in Hawaii and the MC, Fraya, is a smart and stable woman who happens upon a dying woman. From there, we are caught in a tangled web of murder with the backdrop of a beautiful surfing platform.What works is the light-hearted tone, the many unique characters, and the intriguing scenery.Unfortunately, there are quite a few typos, an odd scene with a woman, and a loose fabrication of the suspects. Tighter clues would have helped make this story stronger.

Red Picket Fences

This was a sweet cozy mystery with a likeable protagonist whose wit and bravery are stronger than her fear. I love the title of the book--what a great name for a murder-mystery! The story is a mix of lightheartedness and tense danger all experienced by the clever Jennifer whose "normal" life will never be the same. I didn't care for her neighbor friend Suzanne--she was a bit rude and her behavior seemed odd and confusing. Otherwise, a nice rogue mystery with a very surprising ending!

Sweet and Thoughtful Story

This book has two plot lines. The first one is between Lauren and Wes, who grew up together, then grew apart a few years later due to their parents feuding. This sets us up for a nice challenge when Lauren joins the cross country team, where Wes is a runner. From there, the two quickly realize just how impossible it is to stay away from each other and how challenging it becomes with each moment that passes, making this a fun and sweet encounter.I really liked Wes and Lauren. They are fun to watch, and their interactions are funny and memorable. The book did start out a bit slowly, so I was glad when it took off, dipping into a fun and entertaining ride. The second plot line was a nice surprise and added a deeper layer to this kind of story without getting too serious and still maintaining the easy, light feel of the plot.A good clean read that keeps you rooting for both Wes and Lauren all the way through.