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Masters' Mysterium: Wisconsin Dells
Trudy Masters is looking for love as the isolated northern Wisconsin town of Creekside closes in around her. With nothing holding her there but a crap job at a dive diner, one friend who isn't even the same species, and a big secret to keep, that isn't enough--she wants out. But while Trudy seeks escape, others want in, including backwoods hunters searching for a mysterious creature, a handsome boy with healing powers, and a father who abandoned her before birth.
Does Reverend Jay Masters care about his daughter, or only finding the next big exhibit for his museum of oddities? Will the mythical Hodag end up on display, or will the hunt for the beast reveal something so astounding that it changes the world forever?
This slightly twisted trek from the roller coasters and water parks of Wisconsin Dells, to the pine and birch forests of the Badger State, promises abounding adventures to come--but does it promise love for Trudy?
Does Reverend Jay Masters care about his daughter, or only finding the next big exhibit for his museum of oddities? Will the mythical Hodag end up on display, or will the hunt for the beast reveal something so astounding that it changes the world forever?
This slightly twisted trek from the roller coasters and water parks of Wisconsin Dells, to the pine and birch forests of the Badger State, promises abounding adventures to come--but does it promise love for Trudy?
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2013
7 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
R.R. Reynolds
6 books84 followersR. R. Reynolds was born in Phoenix, Arizona, but grew up on the beaches of Santa Monica, California. Eventually the polders of the Netherlands beckoned him to live below sea level. After stints working in Denmark, India, and Nepal, he ended up living a snowball's throw from the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden. Upon returning to the United States, he enjoyed ten years defrosting under the south Florida sunshine. Lilapsophobia drove him to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he found his new home and life as a certified Green Bay Packers-loving, Badger-rooting, brat-eating Wisconsin Cheesehead.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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April 15, 2015
I really wanted to like this book, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I bought it mostly because I live in Wisconsin and have either visited or heard of all the settings in the book. Plus, the fact that it's paranormal/urban fantasy is usually right up my alley. Also, I thought the cover art looked awesome. And, finally, it was on sale. So I figured, why not?
Like I said, I really wanted to like it. I gave it 10 chapters before I decided it just wasn't worth my time anymore. The author's style just didn't appeal to me. There were way too many point-of-view characters, including the "monster" and just about every other minor character, which I felt really slowed down the pacing. The worst part of this multiple points of view was that I didn't care for the characters at all. They were so flat and stereotypical. Being a Wisconsin resident, I'll admit there are a lot of red necks here, but I felt the small-town bumpkin characteristic was way over used.
I don't like to bash authors or books, so I will say this; this book is well edited and well formatted, so I gave it 3 starts because I think other people will probably enjoy it and I don't want to discourage them. It just wasn't for me.
Like I said, I really wanted to like it. I gave it 10 chapters before I decided it just wasn't worth my time anymore. The author's style just didn't appeal to me. There were way too many point-of-view characters, including the "monster" and just about every other minor character, which I felt really slowed down the pacing. The worst part of this multiple points of view was that I didn't care for the characters at all. They were so flat and stereotypical. Being a Wisconsin resident, I'll admit there are a lot of red necks here, but I felt the small-town bumpkin characteristic was way over used.
I don't like to bash authors or books, so I will say this; this book is well edited and well formatted, so I gave it 3 starts because I think other people will probably enjoy it and I don't want to discourage them. It just wasn't for me.
February 25, 2016
Gavin Young travels to remote Creekside WI to stay with his aunt, Maggie, and recover from a brain tumor. He is an engineering student at the University of Wisconsin (Go, Badgers!), but had to take a leave of absence. Trudy Masters has lived in Creekside all of her life. Her mother married a traveling huckster, the Reverend Jay Masters, who abandoned them as he moved on to bigger and better scams. Now, he owns and runs the Masters' Mysterium in Wisconsin Dells, home of the largest water park in the Midwest. Down the road from Creekside is the tiny village of Morgan, inhabited by folks who are not what they appear to be to the uninitiated. Gavin's aunt Maggie is one of the initiated, as is the entire town of Creekside. Gavin sees a ladder made of lightning in Morgan and his terrible headaches are soothed by being near it. But, demons come looking for Gavin when they discover he can see the ladder. If you are a person of faith, this book is perfect. If you just like kick-ass angel vs. demon wars, this book is for you. I am looking forward to the next in the series, Masters' Mysterium/Las Vegas, because where else would a freak show move to but Las Vegas? This was one of Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2014 and well deserved.
October 7, 2013
This is a good read. Reynolds’ inventive mind weaves together biblical power with human weakness to present a frightening, yet humorous, good and evil tale. Set in central Wisconsin, where good beer and transforming angels protect humans from hateful demons, anything can happen — and does.
What is this tale like? Picture yourself winding down at the Cluck and Grunt diner in Creekside. It’s quiet, the food is tasty, and your server is an angel named Rachel who smiles shyly while bringing extra gravy. You smile back thinking, what a sweetheart. Her eyes glow. Her whole body starts to glow. She glances at the front door and then runs outside. You drop your napkin and follow. Rachel has grown wings, wields a sword, and is now twelve feet tall. She smashes a pickup truck killing the gun-toting driver. In seconds, she changes back to normal and returns to the diner. A passerby says, “Protecting angel. Don’t worry; it happens all the time.”
What is this tale like? Picture yourself winding down at the Cluck and Grunt diner in Creekside. It’s quiet, the food is tasty, and your server is an angel named Rachel who smiles shyly while bringing extra gravy. You smile back thinking, what a sweetheart. Her eyes glow. Her whole body starts to glow. She glances at the front door and then runs outside. You drop your napkin and follow. Rachel has grown wings, wields a sword, and is now twelve feet tall. She smashes a pickup truck killing the gun-toting driver. In seconds, she changes back to normal and returns to the diner. A passerby says, “Protecting angel. Don’t worry; it happens all the time.”
December 8, 2016
Story line was interesting but characters didn't grab me, and I thought the wirintg was pretty vanilla. Not going to continue reading this trilogy.
September 21, 2020
Fun and exhilarating!
This was a fun adventure! Characters were complex and relatable. This author truly has a unique sense of humor along with a truly artistic imagination with a blend of reality. His vision of a quaint town that is remarkable . His command of words and details allow you to truly feel like you are part of the story. If this were to ever become a movie, I hope the fuzzy slippers make the cut. Anyone who can put up with a bubbly blond with fuzzy animal slippers deserves recognition. I look forward to reading the next book! Viva Las Vegas!
This was a fun adventure! Characters were complex and relatable. This author truly has a unique sense of humor along with a truly artistic imagination with a blend of reality. His vision of a quaint town that is remarkable . His command of words and details allow you to truly feel like you are part of the story. If this were to ever become a movie, I hope the fuzzy slippers make the cut. Anyone who can put up with a bubbly blond with fuzzy animal slippers deserves recognition. I look forward to reading the next book! Viva Las Vegas!
April 13, 2013
Sorry lost track and have actually read several books in here...OOPS
Read
October 13, 2013Nice story. Had me on the edge of my seat :) Made me miss WI.
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January 6, 20156 January 2015: $0.00 FREE on Kindle
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews