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Coaster
When a bomb explodes at an amusement park eight people are killed. This tragedy and loss will change the lives of those who loved and lost them. What happens when disaster touches someone's life? Will it inspire them? Destroy them? Or change them? A character study of grief, loss, and finding your way through tragedy, follow the survivors as they work to move forward when their life is abruptly shattered.
- GenresFiction
302 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2013
409 people want to read
About the author
Lorena Bathey
6 books79 followersGrowing up in the Bay Area of Northern California, Lorena Bathey attended St. Mary’s College in Moraga graduating with a degree in English. Then she traveled, learned about life, and developed great fodder for a book. Losing her mother to cancer and her own marriage’s demise brought her to find herself. She wrote Happy Beginnings: How I Became My Own Fairy Godmother (www.amazon.com) and found speaking and empowering others was her passion.
Lorena Bathey found after writing her first book that characters were visiting her mind and wouldn't leave. She was introduced to Marissa, Andrea, Lily, Deidre and Beatrice and her first novel, Beatrice Munson, came to life. After finishing that book she was inspired to write more novels and she knew that pursuing her passion was the best way to live her life. So a writer she became.
After meeting the love of her life, they embarked on the thrilling life to follow their dreams bringing their families along for the ride. Today Lorena has nine novels in her writing queue all with screenplays in the works.
But writing isn't the only muse that inspires Lorena. She has become a passionate photographer and likes to push the envelope taking shots while learning how to navigate Photoshop. Travel, walking, enjoying new restaurants, and Italy are other loves and things she makes sure she has time for.
Find her at Lorena@LorenaBBooks.com or at www.LorenaBBooks.com
www.facebook.com/lmbathey and at www.twitter.com/lmmtoo
Lorena Bathey found after writing her first book that characters were visiting her mind and wouldn't leave. She was introduced to Marissa, Andrea, Lily, Deidre and Beatrice and her first novel, Beatrice Munson, came to life. After finishing that book she was inspired to write more novels and she knew that pursuing her passion was the best way to live her life. So a writer she became.
After meeting the love of her life, they embarked on the thrilling life to follow their dreams bringing their families along for the ride. Today Lorena has nine novels in her writing queue all with screenplays in the works.
But writing isn't the only muse that inspires Lorena. She has become a passionate photographer and likes to push the envelope taking shots while learning how to navigate Photoshop. Travel, walking, enjoying new restaurants, and Italy are other loves and things she makes sure she has time for.
Find her at Lorena@LorenaBBooks.com or at www.LorenaBBooks.com
www.facebook.com/lmbathey and at www.twitter.com/lmmtoo
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 5, 2013
Thank you to author, Lorena Bathey, for the first-reads giveaway copy of "Coaster" that I won here on goodreads!
I thoroughly love this book! There are so many facets displaying the good and bad sides of human character, I hardly know where to begin. There are so many ups and downs, twists and turns here that the title "Coaster" is most appropriate!
The story is centered on a terrible tragedy of the bombing of a roller coaster and the deaths caused, and I was totally engaged from the first page to the last! As the story unfolds, the reader truly sees the ripple effect this tragedy has on so many lives. From the parents and grandparents of those that were horribly killed by the bombing, to Mr. Merit, head mechanic of the park that was responsible for checking the safety of the rides daily, to detective LaRosa investigating the bombing. A very heart wrenching, clear and true to life picture of how people deal with such a horrid loss in very different ways is painted beautifully by the author. I also found myself thinking about how the simplest twists of fate can save a life in the course of minutes, and wipe out others so cruelly. I especially felt grief for the young girl Lindy, whose 2 best friends were killed on the roller coaster. She would've been on the ride too if she simply hadn't had to go to the bathroom while waiting in line. The panic, shock and trauma she experiences in the aftermath is every bit as heart breaking as are the deaths of those killed in the bombing. The author, Lorena Bathey, is brilliantly able to put her finger on the pulse of how tragedy affects human beings left behind after the deaths of loved ones. Each of us deals with overwhelming grief differently, and in 'Coaster" this is shown in a most detailed an very realistic way. On the flip side you see a mother of twins who were killed in the bombing, finally able to buck the British status quo of the aristocracy and begin to live again in memory of her children. I so did not see how the scene with her husband and the gun played out coming! Then there is an older couple dealing with the loss of their daughter, her husband and their two grandchildren. Will they continue to grow apart and lose touch with reality? Or will they be able to come to terms with their loss and live their lives together without them? You will just have to read the book to find out :)
There is also the element of mystery and suspense here as well. The descriptions of "the man" from the beginning of the book to the end had me chomping at the bit to know who he was and why he had meticulously planned this horrible bombing for a considerable amount of time. Gradually unfolding throughout the book, the reader is slowly brought into the twisted mind of a sick and heartless individual. He actually sits in a lawn chair outside of the amusement park to watch his grand plan unfold with a chilling sense of glee. Completely creepy! He then continues to watch the news and fallout from his "accomplishment" and you feel a a growing hope that those investigating will track him down and justice will prevail. Or, will the very likable Roger Merit become the scapegoat of corporate greed and viciousness, and take the fall undeservedly? Again you will just have to read the book to find out :)
I also just want to mention Detective LaRosa, one of my favorite characters. She's a savvy LA detective who truly commits to not only solving the crime, but also to the people left behind with their grief from loss. She is the perfect blend of no-nonsense, trying to get the job done while having compassion for the victims, their families and others cruelly affected by the bombing. Does she succeed? Guess what?! Again, you'll just have to read the book to find out. You will not be disappointed! The last few paragraphs of the book are a perfect and quirky way to end the story!
All in all, I find that author Lorena Bathey has an amazing talent for starkly and poignantly portraying the human psyche and spirit of her characters in a true to life manner. I plan to read her previously published books as I love her writing style! I am also dying to read her next novel, "Meet Ms. Monroe", which sounds like a terrifically wild and mind bending read! There's a most intriguing synopsis of it in the back of "Coaster". I'd also like to say a thank you for the print being a little larger than most books. Sounds silly, but my physical ability to read ebbs and flows day to day, and having the larger type was much easier on my eyes. A small thing, but very helpful to me :)
Thank you again from one of your "new best fans" for the most enthralling read! Keep them coming please!
I thoroughly love this book! There are so many facets displaying the good and bad sides of human character, I hardly know where to begin. There are so many ups and downs, twists and turns here that the title "Coaster" is most appropriate!
The story is centered on a terrible tragedy of the bombing of a roller coaster and the deaths caused, and I was totally engaged from the first page to the last! As the story unfolds, the reader truly sees the ripple effect this tragedy has on so many lives. From the parents and grandparents of those that were horribly killed by the bombing, to Mr. Merit, head mechanic of the park that was responsible for checking the safety of the rides daily, to detective LaRosa investigating the bombing. A very heart wrenching, clear and true to life picture of how people deal with such a horrid loss in very different ways is painted beautifully by the author. I also found myself thinking about how the simplest twists of fate can save a life in the course of minutes, and wipe out others so cruelly. I especially felt grief for the young girl Lindy, whose 2 best friends were killed on the roller coaster. She would've been on the ride too if she simply hadn't had to go to the bathroom while waiting in line. The panic, shock and trauma she experiences in the aftermath is every bit as heart breaking as are the deaths of those killed in the bombing. The author, Lorena Bathey, is brilliantly able to put her finger on the pulse of how tragedy affects human beings left behind after the deaths of loved ones. Each of us deals with overwhelming grief differently, and in 'Coaster" this is shown in a most detailed an very realistic way. On the flip side you see a mother of twins who were killed in the bombing, finally able to buck the British status quo of the aristocracy and begin to live again in memory of her children. I so did not see how the scene with her husband and the gun played out coming! Then there is an older couple dealing with the loss of their daughter, her husband and their two grandchildren. Will they continue to grow apart and lose touch with reality? Or will they be able to come to terms with their loss and live their lives together without them? You will just have to read the book to find out :)
There is also the element of mystery and suspense here as well. The descriptions of "the man" from the beginning of the book to the end had me chomping at the bit to know who he was and why he had meticulously planned this horrible bombing for a considerable amount of time. Gradually unfolding throughout the book, the reader is slowly brought into the twisted mind of a sick and heartless individual. He actually sits in a lawn chair outside of the amusement park to watch his grand plan unfold with a chilling sense of glee. Completely creepy! He then continues to watch the news and fallout from his "accomplishment" and you feel a a growing hope that those investigating will track him down and justice will prevail. Or, will the very likable Roger Merit become the scapegoat of corporate greed and viciousness, and take the fall undeservedly? Again you will just have to read the book to find out :)
I also just want to mention Detective LaRosa, one of my favorite characters. She's a savvy LA detective who truly commits to not only solving the crime, but also to the people left behind with their grief from loss. She is the perfect blend of no-nonsense, trying to get the job done while having compassion for the victims, their families and others cruelly affected by the bombing. Does she succeed? Guess what?! Again, you'll just have to read the book to find out. You will not be disappointed! The last few paragraphs of the book are a perfect and quirky way to end the story!
All in all, I find that author Lorena Bathey has an amazing talent for starkly and poignantly portraying the human psyche and spirit of her characters in a true to life manner. I plan to read her previously published books as I love her writing style! I am also dying to read her next novel, "Meet Ms. Monroe", which sounds like a terrifically wild and mind bending read! There's a most intriguing synopsis of it in the back of "Coaster". I'd also like to say a thank you for the print being a little larger than most books. Sounds silly, but my physical ability to read ebbs and flows day to day, and having the larger type was much easier on my eyes. A small thing, but very helpful to me :)
Thank you again from one of your "new best fans" for the most enthralling read! Keep them coming please!
September 4, 2013
I absolutely could NOT put this book down! I loved how all the characters in the book were "tied" together by just being in the same place. Very well written! I will recommend this book!
September 19, 2013
The book is definitely a quick read. I was hooked right from the beginning as we are introduced to the bomber and the day is beginning at the amusement park. The author does an excellent job giving us glimpses into the mind of the bomber to show why he does it. She also introduces us to the people who are about to die and makes us care about them in a short amount of time. The book it well written, the characters feel real, and the dialog is realistic. It is both a thriller, a race to find the real killer before an innocent man takes the blame, and a study in the different ways individuals respond to tragedy. My only negative comment is that I think the author should have made up a name for the amusement park and the corporation that owns in. Just calling them the amusement park and the corporation took away from the aspects of the book that made it feel “real.” Also, it left me wondering if she wanted us to think that the amusement park was one of the parks that is actually located in the LA basin. The description does not match any of the parks, I know a couple of them well, but it still bothered me. Finally, do not read this book before going to an amusement park, you may not want to ride the coasters.
Day is beginning at an unnamed amusement park in LA. A new coaster opened recently and people are waiting hours in line to enjoy the thrill. A man is watching from nearby. He has planted a bomb on the coaster as an act of revenge against the corporation that owns the park. The eight riders are killed instantly when the bomb goes off. An investigation follows as the police and FBI look for the bomber while the mayor and the corporation look for someone to blame. The friends and families of the people killed must deal with devastating lose and survivor guilt. Their reactions range from being inspired to change, to drawing closer to loved ones, to being unable to move past the tragedy.
Disclosure: I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway on the premise that I would review it.
Day is beginning at an unnamed amusement park in LA. A new coaster opened recently and people are waiting hours in line to enjoy the thrill. A man is watching from nearby. He has planted a bomb on the coaster as an act of revenge against the corporation that owns the park. The eight riders are killed instantly when the bomb goes off. An investigation follows as the police and FBI look for the bomber while the mayor and the corporation look for someone to blame. The friends and families of the people killed must deal with devastating lose and survivor guilt. Their reactions range from being inspired to change, to drawing closer to loved ones, to being unable to move past the tragedy.
Disclosure: I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway on the premise that I would review it.
July 22, 2013
Tragedies rarely have just one victim. On a normal day, at an all-American amusement park, families & friends enjoy their day. Three friends- Heather, Megan, & Lindy-chat & text while waiting for the roller coaster line to move. Rachel fusses over putting sunscreen onto her kids Valerie & Michael. Mitch, their Dad, dotes on his wife while the family awaits their turn on the roller coaster. Siblings Anne & Christopher who are from British aristocracy fight their jitters in the very same coaster line. Within a few moments, life as they knew it will never be the same.
Lindy excuses herself for a restroom break. All the aforementioned get on the ride. Suddenly, there’s an explosion. 8 riders are now dead. Although they were all strangers before this day, all the lives involved with this coaster are now permanently intertwined. Now, families & the park itself must come to grip with an act of terror, the loss of loved ones, & survivor’s guilt.
Detectives must piece together the puzzle left behind. Those entrusted with the park guests’ safety must now be held accountable & live with what they may have missed. Rachel & Mitch’s parents are left to mourn children & grandchild. Poor Lindy is left alone. Can the survivors survive? Who orchestrated the entire massacre at the roller coaster & why?
Lorena Bathey has created a masterpiece of realistic fiction. Seamlessly, she slides between characters spending time with each one & their individual impact of the event. All the characters are believable & some will break your heart. But as you ride the emotions up & down, you won’t forget this ride.
If you need the ultimate summer beach read, this is it. Fantastically written from start to finish, this is our author at her best. ‘Coaster’ doesn’t disappoint. It’s every bit a five star novel & I highly recommend it.
Lindy excuses herself for a restroom break. All the aforementioned get on the ride. Suddenly, there’s an explosion. 8 riders are now dead. Although they were all strangers before this day, all the lives involved with this coaster are now permanently intertwined. Now, families & the park itself must come to grip with an act of terror, the loss of loved ones, & survivor’s guilt.
Detectives must piece together the puzzle left behind. Those entrusted with the park guests’ safety must now be held accountable & live with what they may have missed. Rachel & Mitch’s parents are left to mourn children & grandchild. Poor Lindy is left alone. Can the survivors survive? Who orchestrated the entire massacre at the roller coaster & why?
Lorena Bathey has created a masterpiece of realistic fiction. Seamlessly, she slides between characters spending time with each one & their individual impact of the event. All the characters are believable & some will break your heart. But as you ride the emotions up & down, you won’t forget this ride.
If you need the ultimate summer beach read, this is it. Fantastically written from start to finish, this is our author at her best. ‘Coaster’ doesn’t disappoint. It’s every bit a five star novel & I highly recommend it.
September 9, 2013
A great book from this author. I could not put this book down, right from the beginning this book got you interested,it was full of suspense. This book puts you right on the edge of your seat. I liked the way the author introduced the different characters right at the beginning of the story,and the way she ties you into the different families and friends as they are getting on the roller coaster. You can feel the suspense building as they are getting on the roller coaster. The roller coaster ride starts, people on ride are having fun, coaster ride is going fast and a bomb goes off and all on coaster lives are taken. This is when the author brings in the families and friends left behind and the grief that they have to deal with. How in a moment of fun at the amusement park can turn into a tragedy and change lives forever. This is when the detectives have to piece together The puzzle left behind,how they put the pieces together to solve who did this crime. I dislike riding roller coasters, after reading this book I will think twice about getting on a roller coaster. I believe this book is a must read for anyone. I will be reading more of this authors books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2013
Lorena is skilled in drawing her reader in and sharing enough detail that you become fully vested in her characters within moments. I loved the family that we meet, the teenage girls, and the tourists from far away. I could feel their excitement and fear mounting as they moved closer and closer to the ride, their charge of adrenaline when the ride began, and then everything changed.
Coaster is a suspense filled novel that had me poised on the edge of my seat. The entire time that I was reading I wanted to turn away and cringe but I couldn’t pull myself away as I needed to know what would happen next. This is an intense thriller that did not fail to deliver as I couldn’t stop turning page after page; I simply couldn’t put the book down.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Please check out our FULL review by visiting Griffin's Honey http://www.griffinshoney.com/book-rev...
Coaster is a suspense filled novel that had me poised on the edge of my seat. The entire time that I was reading I wanted to turn away and cringe but I couldn’t pull myself away as I needed to know what would happen next. This is an intense thriller that did not fail to deliver as I couldn’t stop turning page after page; I simply couldn’t put the book down.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Please check out our FULL review by visiting Griffin's Honey http://www.griffinshoney.com/book-rev...
September 15, 2013
If you are looking for a quick suspenseful read look no further. I am not a person who likes to spend months reading one book. Since I really only have time to read one chapter a day, and not consistently, most books take me a month and a half to read. However, Coaster is only 294 pages long and uses big print.
On the other hand this is not a boring read either, and since the book is short everything is quick and to the point and does not drag out. The beginning of Coaster takes place in an amusement park where a bunch of different characters from diverse backgrounds are about to ride one of the best coasters in the park.
The action happens quickly with a bomb going off on the ride, killing and injuring many riders. You would think that the book would drag on from here considering that the climax happened at the beginning of the story. However, this is not true. As they are searching for the perpetrator you learn about each of the riders backgrounds and families and you actually feel for those involved.
On the other hand this is not a boring read either, and since the book is short everything is quick and to the point and does not drag out. The beginning of Coaster takes place in an amusement park where a bunch of different characters from diverse backgrounds are about to ride one of the best coasters in the park.
The action happens quickly with a bomb going off on the ride, killing and injuring many riders. You would think that the book would drag on from here considering that the climax happened at the beginning of the story. However, this is not true. As they are searching for the perpetrator you learn about each of the riders backgrounds and families and you actually feel for those involved.
October 8, 2013
I LOVE reading. I was pleased to have the opportunity to read Coaster by Lorena Bathey.
It was described to me as, "Coaster is a character study in grief and loss melded with a whodunit. The twists and turns Lorena Bathey has created will have you holding your breath, grabbing your chair, and wishing for more when it's done." I've never read anything by Lorena Bathey - but this will be the first of many I read by her!
Fair warning, There is bad language, sexual content and some graphic scenes which I wish could have been left out, but I appreciate the author's way of weaving these in to her story. She knows how to write a suspenseful novel, and I hope all her books are this good! From the moment I picked this up, I was hooked!
The Kindle version is currently only $3.99 on Amazon.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
It was described to me as, "Coaster is a character study in grief and loss melded with a whodunit. The twists and turns Lorena Bathey has created will have you holding your breath, grabbing your chair, and wishing for more when it's done." I've never read anything by Lorena Bathey - but this will be the first of many I read by her!
Fair warning, There is bad language, sexual content and some graphic scenes which I wish could have been left out, but I appreciate the author's way of weaving these in to her story. She knows how to write a suspenseful novel, and I hope all her books are this good! From the moment I picked this up, I was hooked!
The Kindle version is currently only $3.99 on Amazon.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
August 4, 2013
Right away from the beginning, this book was suspenseful. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time because you are introduced to various people, but you’re not sure why. You know something is coming, but you don’t know what. Definitely a page turner.
The only thing that made me pause was a part that touched a little too close to home for me in my personal life, but other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and how it was written. It was an easy read. It was suspenseful. It was a great all around read that I recommend for anyone that likes to read.
And I’d love to share more, but I don’t want to give anything away because it really is such a great read full of twists and turns. I can’t say how much I liked it enough, but cannot share much more without spilling something important! Just take my word for it and read it!
The only thing that made me pause was a part that touched a little too close to home for me in my personal life, but other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and how it was written. It was an easy read. It was suspenseful. It was a great all around read that I recommend for anyone that likes to read.
And I’d love to share more, but I don’t want to give anything away because it really is such a great read full of twists and turns. I can’t say how much I liked it enough, but cannot share much more without spilling something important! Just take my word for it and read it!
August 21, 2013
Coaster follows some families as they have lost people and are dealing with the grief. What happens, in what is supposed to be a fun time at an amusement park, turns out to be a horrid life change for everyone. No ones life will be the same. I do not want to give the book away. I have to say that this is not a book for teens. My girls loved to read Lorena's books when I was done with them, but this is not one I can pass down. There is foul language, adult sexual content and some graphic scenes. All in all was a good book. The explainations of the different characters went back and forth throughout the chapters. So you were able to learn about each one. My heart went out to each and every one of the families in the book. I'm sure yours will too! As always, you will love her reading her books. Lorena is a great writer! Thanks again for a great read!
July 22, 2013
A whodunit wrapped in this intense story following several people through a set of events destined to change their lives, "Coaster" helped me to appreciate our not going to the amusement parks this summer. All of the dramatic events in this book kept me reading without putting it down!
I read this quick but dramatic story in just a few hours.
Starting with a tragic event and ending with every one's lives turned upside down. This great book makes you realize all sides of a tragic event and how it affects those involved.
I read this quick but dramatic story in just a few hours.
Starting with a tragic event and ending with every one's lives turned upside down. This great book makes you realize all sides of a tragic event and how it affects those involved.
August 15, 2013
WOW! Another great book by Lorena Bathey which has become my favorite author and the best part is I have a love for reading again!
Coaster is a wonderful book that I highly suggest to put on your books to read list! This book kept me on my toes, kept my attention and wanting to know what the next page was going to bring so much that I got it read in a day! That alone is amazing considering it is super hard to keep me still long enough to even watch a movie!
Coaster is a wonderful book that I highly suggest to put on your books to read list! This book kept me on my toes, kept my attention and wanting to know what the next page was going to bring so much that I got it read in a day! That alone is amazing considering it is super hard to keep me still long enough to even watch a movie!
August 8, 2013
HOLY MOLY!! Coaster by Lorena Bathey has done for me what JAWS did to my love of the ocean! Lorena Bathey has nixed my desire to go to Disneyland for awhile. This book has given me chills and goosebumps!
This is a thrill ride of a read!!
This is a thrill ride of a read!!
August 15, 2013
Action packed read with a few twists. From the beginning keeps your interest. It is obvious author has done her research as all parts are very realistic.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to others.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to others.
September 24, 2013
An excellent book you won't want to put down. What happens to the lives of the friends and family left behind will keep you spell bound. Good can come from bad, but I may never ride a coaster again. This is the first book I've read by this author but it won't be the last. A must read!!!
March 17, 2020
Overall, I thought this was a good book. I like the character of the lead female detective. But the plot had a lot of holes in it, which the author never sewed up.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews