(No spoilers here! This is a review not a synopsis. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens! 😉
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In last month’s post, I mentioned that when I start a good story I don’t stop. Well, that’s exactly what happened with Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey!
This book has been sitting on my kindle since last summer when I got a great deal on it. I’ve been wanting to read it but hadn’t made the time. Well, I finally made the time. And let me say, it was time well spent! Dani hooked me into the story quickly, and her characters compelled me to keep reading. I started it a few nights ago when I went to bed, but I was so tired that I feel asleep within two pages (I was so sad; I wanted to read!). But I picked it up easily the next day and finished within three days. Spent most of the day Sunday reading the second half. I couldn’t put it down.
You meet the whole cast of characters for the series (well, almost all) within the first chapters and fall in love with each one. Dani developed each character thoroughly enough that there was no confusing characters. She described each character to give you a clear picture of what they looked like, but also left enough space for you to picture them in your own head. I don’t like it when author’s give too much detail about a character’s appearance, but I also want to know what the author sees when they think of the character. Dani nailed it!
The story is told in third-person close (the point of view that uses she, he, etc., but keeps the narrator’s voice as what one character is thinking and feeling per scene). As many author’s in this genre (like myself), Dani uses multiple points of view. Most of the story is told from Finley or Griffin’s, the main characters, points of view, but some scenes are from Parker’s or Avery’s (they are the main characters in book two); as well is some scenes from the villain’s POV. I like her use of the villain’s point of view as it gives the reader an increased sense of urgency, revealing things the main characters have no way of knowing. She does so in a way that doesn’t give away the end, but makes you really curious. There were a few points where I was like, “Wait, what?” but, as I knew they would, the pieces all fit perfectly together once I knew more of the story. She wove it together perfectly.
Her style of story telling is very similar to my own. Her characters are real with genuine struggles and authentic faith. With enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat (without giving you a heart attack), enough mystery to keep your mind spinning trying to guess what’s going on (without confusing you), enough romance to warm your heart (without making you want to gag), Dani painted a beautiful story.
Dani Pettrey is now one of my FAVORITE authors! Thanks, Dani for a great story! I’ll be diving into book two tonight!
As of 4/4/18 the kindle edition of Cold Shot is only $.99!!! That’s a steal! Click here to pick it up!