Krista Wagner's Blog, page 5

Her Football Star Ex

I really loved this story! Judy Corry covers so many elements of dealing with betrayal and divorce and the complex nature of having children thrown into that mix.Both main characters are likeable and relatable. I enjoyed learning everything about them and rhythm of the story. Everything comes together so realistically.Plus, there's a really nice twist at the end too!

Really Grabbed Me!

Oh, R.L. Stine, you are my new favorite author! This book had me engaged all the way through with so many red herrings and shocking events and incredible twisty turns!Who was sending these hate-filled yet cleverly written valentines? I never got it right! Oh, my, what a pleasant surprise Stine has in store for you!The story reminds me a bit of the movie Valentine and House at the End of the Street. What a perfect little mystery horror that takes you for the ride of your life!

Devoted

Dean Koontz is my all-time favorite author, but this is not one of his best. Problems: Lots of repetition. A very disturbing villain that we get too much graphic description about. No character development--very unlike his style, which is a true shame because I could not connect to the characters at all.The idea is good. It was refreshing to see the end results, but that's about it.

Writing and Releasing Rapidly

This book has all that you need to write and release rapidly. Elana is so personal as she walks you through a delightful conversation that makes this new avenue for most writers seem viable and enjoyable.She even takes you through all of the specifics with her own rapid-release journey and covers what worked/what didn't. Her techniques are manageable and insightful.She obviously cares about you, the writer, and your journey to success.

The Christmas Killer

This is one of those books that ends up surprising you in many ways. For one, Windsor treats the YA horror mystery genre with intelligence. For two, the twist is undetectable and that much more shocking. For three, there's an interesting supernatural twist to this mystery that involves dream perception.The plot: someone is killing off teen girls each Christmas and leaving behind a message in the form of a red flower. Teenager Rose's dreams invade her until she realizes her visions will help lead them to the truth.The mystery here runs deep, deeper than the blood left behind from the victims. There are so many layers and so much intrigue involved in working through this story that you can't help but be absorbed by the story line. What happens, especially in the end, proves a bit chilling too.Teenager Rose is a very likeable MC. She is just as baffled as everyone else as to what is taking place in their hometown. But she feels compelled to uncover the mystery, even if it costs her her life.I have never seen red herrings or tense plot points quite like this one.A very engaging and memorable read.

A Must-Read

C.C. Warrens writes in ways that hold you close to her characters' hearts. Holly is one of the most three-dimensional characters ever written. You can't help but empathize with your plight, her wit, her charm, her fears, and her unimaginable strength. Warrens tosses us into a spiderweb full of venomous people who are constantly attacking her and her unofficial guardian, Detective Marx, until no place is safe at all. A gripping, heart-suspending, and unforgettable story that will move you into the darkest recesses of life while never losing hope.

Breathtaking Suspense!

Hands down, one of the best books I have ever read! C.C. Warrens skyrockets you into a world full of danger, the worst possible kind, without ever letting go of hope.Holly is an incredibly memorable character. Warrens writes her with such depth that you feel for her the whole way through, from her witty and impossibly stubborn nature to the strength in God she wields in spite of her life being threatened at every corner.Holly is a young woman dealing with severe PTSD and a memory loss that stretches back to the years up until she was ten years old. Warrens handles the severity of trauma with raw truth and amazing gentleness.Every moment is rich in suspense or some kind of indelible moment where you will find your heartbeat rising, your hands wringing with tension, and your love for life, in spite of the darkness, building to a crescendo.A wonderful, wonderful book!

Rhett's Make-Believe Marriage

The story contains innocence and gentleness, two excellent qualities for a romance. Unfortunately, there were issues with timelines, characters spontaneously popping into a scene without ever being introduced, and then settings changing suddenly and the reader not even knowing where they are. The characters also seemed to make illogical choices far too often. The premise works--a woman's failing matchmaking business undergoes an overhaul when she fakes a marriage with her cowboy friend---but the book needs a good developmental edit to avoid confusion.

Sara's Game

This suspense-filled story proves engaging.Warning: Formatting issues (pars. are double-spaced) and a little bit of language.Otherwise, intensely intriguing all the way through.A VP of Marketing for a video game company is floored when she starts getting cryptic messages and her three kids are taken. Never mind that two years ago, her husband went missing.The game starts immediately upon her receiving the riddles, whether she wants it to or not. It's a game she must play--and fast--to win.The premise partly reminds me of Die Hard 3, where John McClane must solve mysterious riddles to prevent people from dying. In a similar fashion, Sara must race against the clock to protect herself and her children, all the while feeling pressed to uncover who the perpetrator is.Less a mystery and more of an action, Sara's Game keeps your adrenaline high. The plot continues to buoy you as you round each corner.The penultimate ending felt forced and a bit aggressive. I definitely think it could have ended better. But the ending itself is more satisfying.

Freaky Fun!

RL Stine has this magical way of sweeping your body under the rug. . . I mean, of sweeping you into a tale of terror! This book is so easy and so fun to read. Never a dull moment. Always mysterious and exciting. You won't want to stop reading until the very end!