Ruth Anne Benziger's Blog, page 31
May 19, 2020
Book Review: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Narnia…the land beyond the wardrobe door, a secret place frozen in eternal winter, a magical country waiting to be set free.
Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor’s mysterious old house. At first her brothers and sister don’t believe her when she tells of her visit to the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund, then Peter and Susan step through the wardrobe themselves. In Narnia they find a country buried under the evil enchantment of the White Witch. When they meet the Lion Aslan, they realize they’ve been called to a great adventure and bravely join the battle to free Narnia from the Witch’s sinister spell
My Thoughts:
What’s not to like? A group of children who find a land in a wardrobe, magic, ice queen, a badass lion, and a fight. Action, adventure, and enjoyable story. Personally this book was really good. Normally I read the book before watching the movie. This time I did the opposite. The book was a lot better than I anticipated. Then again, books are always better, in my opinion. The characterization was so clear to me and I was able to envision a lot based on the descriptions.
Book Review: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Orphaned as a child, Jane has felt an outcast her whole young life. Her courage is tested once again when she arrives at Thornfield Hall, where she has been hired by the brooding, proud Edward Rochester to care for his ward Adèle. Jane finds herself drawn to his troubled yet kind spirit. She falls in love. Hard.
But there is a terrifying secret inside the gloomy, forbidding Thornfield Hall. Is Rochester hiding from Jane? Will Jane be left heartbroken and exiled once again?
My Thoughts:
I’m not sure how many times in my life I’ve read this book. I can say that each time I’ve read it, it was in a different stage. The first time, I was a child not yet old enough to understand the gravity of the story or the lessons it teaches. I can say that I related to Jane growing up with the gift of knowledge and wanting to share it. When I got older, her time with her evil aunt and her time in the orphanage was more understandable. I understood the difficulties of the time, the rules, the society, and the hardship of what women faced. In my later teen years, I appreciated the romantic aspects of the story purely because it was a romance. After my first heartbreak, I understood how Edward deceived and hid secrets. Then, in my adult years, I’m able to look at all the themes, all the lessons, and all the gains that Jane receives. It’s one of my favorite classics and I return to this book many times and I believe I will continue to do so.
Book Review: Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts–an utterly spellbinding tale about a woman who, though battered in both body and spirit, can never lose Hope…Tory Bodeen grew up in South Carolina, in a small run-down house, where her father ruled with an iron fist and a leather belt–and where her dreams and talents had no room to flourish. But she had Hope, who lived in the big house just a short skip away and whose friendship allowed Tory to be something she wasn’t allowed to be at home: a child.
After young Hope’s brutal murder, unsolved to this day, Tory’s life began to fall apart. And now, as she returns to her hometown, with plans to settle in and open a stylish home-design shop, she is determined to find a measure of peace and free herself from the haunting visions of the past. As she forges a new bond with Cade Lavelle–Hope’s older brother and the heir to the family fortune–she isn’t sure whether the tragic loss they share will unite them or drive them apart. But she is willing to open her heart, just a little, and try.
Living so close to those unhappy memories will be more difficult and frightening than Tory could ever have expected, however. Because Hope’s murderer is nearby as well…
My Thoughts:
Tory Bodeen lived in a nightmare of a childhood with her religiously strict father and her spineless mother. Her father beat her to drive the demons away, but she took the beatings and hid them behind quiet eyes and too adult body language. As a child, she ignored her nightmare by spending her time with Hope Lavelle, a girl with heart and need for adventure. The night she was to sneak out and meet Hope in their secret marsh hideout, her father beat her bloody. This is also the same night she got her first vision of what happened to her friend in that dark swamp. At age 8, Hope had been murdered alone while Tory hid in the closet after her beating nursing her wounds. Years later, Tory returns to Progress and lives in her old childhood home to prove that she’d moved on from her childhood and to say the goodbye she never got to say to her childhood friend.
Another Nora Masterpiece. I sincerely love the characters she creates. They each have these backgrounds that have readers gravitate toward them. Even the prissy and hard characters, you can’t hate them. It’s so hard to do so when you get to know why they are the way they are. In Carolina Moon, I was riveted by Tory’s story and all the people around her. I was enthralled with the story.
Nora is so skilled at giving us glimpses into each character and have you guessing who did it. Who killed Hope. Who did these things? I love that I couldn’t figure it out until the end. Even then, it was a shock and made it all the more painful and emotional for the reader to find out. Above all, Nora tells a great story and leaves the reader feeling like they belonged in Progress along with the rest of her characters.
Book Review: River’s End by Nora Roberts
Olivia’s parents were among Hollywood’s golden couples…until the night a monster came and took her mother away forever. A monster with the face of her father…
Sheltered from the truth, an older Olivia only dimly recalls her night of terror—but her recurring nightmares make her realize she must piece together the real story. Assisted by Noah Brady, the son of the police detective who found her cowering in her closet so many years before, she may have her chance. Noah wants to reconstruct the night that has become an infamous part of Hollywood history. He also wants to help Olivia and heal the longing in her lonely heart. But once the door to her past is opened, there’s no telling what’s waiting on the other side. For somewhere, not too far away, the monster walks again…
My Thoughts:
One of my favorite books of all time. I love that it has all my favorite things. Crime, romance, and nature all wrapped in for a thrilling and enthralling love story. The trials and tribulations that a young person can go through, shapes who we are. Noah breaking down those fears and showing Olivia that a better life is possible, gives hope. I truly love this book and have read it several times over the last few years. It is a classic and is always readily available when I need it.
Book Review: The Villa by Nora Roberts
Sophia is the pride of the Giambelli clan and a vital player in the family’s celebrated winery. But things are about to change at Villa Giambelli.
Family matriarch Tereza has announced a surprise merger with the MacMillan family’s winery. As a savvy businesswoman, Sophia knows she must be ready for anything – but she isn’t prepared for Tyler MacMillan. They’ve been ordered to work closely together to ensure the merger goes through smoothly. But as they toil together, both in and out of the fields, Sophia finds herself increasingly torn between professional rivalry and a powerful attraction.
And when the business and the family are threatened by disturbing acts of sabotage, Sophia realises her quest isn’t just for dominance, but survival…
My Thoughts:
A page-turner following the Giambelli family and the gripping story of betrayal, disloyalty, and greed. Sophia Giambelli and Tyler MacMillian work together to form a team as companies merge. They quickly find that a rival has more in mind for their future. Against all odds, they fight alongside the family to deter their disgruntled colleagues and competition. Along the way, they lose people and experience close calls with others. A gripping novel about a family who sticks by one another and the ability to find love in the face of adversity.
As always, Nora never disappoints. I spent the entire day lounging in my chair and diving into The Villa.
Book Review: The Search by Nora Roberts
To most people, Fiona Bristow seems to have an idyllic life: a quaint house on an island off Seattle’s coast, a thriving dog-training school, and a challenging volunteer job performing canine search and rescue. Not to mention her three intensely loyal Labs. But Fiona got to this point by surviving a nightmare.
Several years ago, she was the only survivor of a serial killer — a madman who stalked and abducted young women, strangled them, and left them buried with a red scarf on their bodies. As authorities were closing in on the Red Scarf Killer, he shot and killed Fiona’s cop fiancé and his K-9 partner.
On Orcas Island, Fiona has found the peace and solitude she needed to rebuild her life. Yet all that changes on the day Simon Doyle barrels up her drive, desperate for her help. He’s the reluctant owner of an out-of-control puppy, foisted upon him by his mother. Jaws has eaten through Simon’s house, and he’s at his wit’s end.
To Fiona, Jaws is nothing she can’t handle. Simon is another matter. A newcomer to Orcas, he’s a rugged and intensely private artist, known for creating exquisite furniture. Simon never wanted a puppy, and he most definitely doesn’t want a woman. Besides, the lanky redhead is not his type. But tell that to the laws of attraction.
As Fiona embarks on training Jaws and as Simon begins to appreciate both dog and trainer, the past tears back into Fiona’s life. A copycat killer has emerged out of the shadows, a man whose bloodlust has been channeled by a master with one motive: to reclaim the woman who slipped out of his hands.
My Thoughts:
Fiona Bristow lives on Orcas island where she trains dogs in obedience and Search and Rescue. Armed with the water protecting her and her three dogs, she shields herself from a past where she once starred as a victim. Down her lane, comes Simon Doyle, artist and owner of a puppy in need of training. Fiona faces two dilemmas as she teaches Jaws, his puppy, and lives her life. One, she’s not prepared to open her heart to a prickly and stubborn man, and she’s fearful of the past she buried to catch up to her.
Perry, a serial killer had once kidnapped Fiona with a stun gun, gagged her, drugged her, and threw her in a trunk when she was twenty. Somehow, she escaped and Perry came after her and killed her fiance and his dog. Now, eight years later, his proxy is out to finish the job. This time, the island is her advantage.
As she deals with his proxy, Eckles need to finish Perry’s job, and her fight to keep normalcy in her life, the balance is tilted and she has to fight to hold on to it.
Roberts is skilled at bringing characters to life, building suspense, and keeping us invested in the story. It’s a great book I’ll keep re-reading when the mood arises.
Book Review: Looking for Alaska by John Green
Before. Miles “Pudge” Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave “the Great Perhaps” even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then. . . .
After. Nothing is ever the same.
My Thoughts:
I found it interesting to escape into the mind of an adolescent boy. His perspective, reactions to those around him, his outlook on life. The heartbreaking realizations that things don’t happen as you’d like. Seeking answers to questions that will never make sense. Knowing that as much as you want to find answers, they don’t give you the closure and the peace you deserve. Knowing someone on one level doesn’t prove to show you who they are.
How will I ever get out of this labyrinth? Many answers but it’s an important question.
So, go and find your great perhaps. Life is full of them.
I was very drawn into this story. I laughed, cried, and took away something that we all need. Knowledge and insight.
Book Review: Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts
Sometimes, there is nowhere safe to hide.
It was a typical evening at a mall outside Portland, Maine. Three teenage friends waited for the movie to start. A boy flirted with the girl selling sunglasses. Mothers and children shopped together, and the manager at the video-game store tended to customers. Then the shooters arrived.
The chaos and carnage lasted only eight minutes before the killers were taken down. But for those who lived through it, the effects would last forever. In the years that followed, one would dedicate himself to a law enforcement career. Another would close herself off, trying to bury the memory of huddling in a ladies’ room, hopelessly clutching her cell phone–until she finally found a way to pour her emotions into her art.
But one person wasn’t satisfied with the shockingly high death toll at the DownEast Mall. And as the survivors slowly heal, find shelter, and rebuild, they will discover that another conspirator is lying in wait–and this time, there might be nowhere safe to hide
My Thoughts:
Another Roberts masterpiece. This story grabbed me from the first chapter, as most of her books tend to do, and led me on a journey of horror, tragedy, heartbreak, anger, revenge, healing, justice, and love. Each character was unique and I fell in love with most of them. The villain’s of the story were well-thought out. The flow of the story was well-constructed and left me in suspense for the entire book. I didn’t see the events unfolding, nor could I predict the ending. It had the perfect characters, plot, setting, and message. It broke my heart, gave me healing, and made me fall in love with every character, even the villain’s, for different reasons. Definitely will be re-reading this again in the future. Such an amazing story. You’re in for a ride
Book Review: Stillhouse Lake (Stillhouse #1) by Rachel Caine
Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband’s secret life as a serial killer, she must remake herself as Gwen Proctor—the ultimate warrior mom.
With her ex now in prison, Gwen has finally found refuge in a new home on remote Stillhouse Lake. Though still the target of stalkers and Internet trolls who think she had something to do with her husband’s crimes, Gwen dares to think her kids can finally grow up in peace.
But just when she’s starting to feel at ease in her new identity, a body turns up in the lake—and threatening letters start arriving from an all-too-familiar address. Gwen Proctor must keep friends close and enemies at bay to avoid being exposed—or watch her kids fall victim to a killer who takes pleasure in tormenting her. One thing is certain: she’s learned how to fight evil. And she’ll never stop
My Thoughts:
This was a really good book. For me, it was a nail-biting, couldn’t put it down, wanted to take the whole day to read kind of book. I was enthralled from the very beginning. The ending was soo suspenseful and full of excitement. I’m so curious to see what happens in the sequel. Soo good.
The first chapter sucked me in and I couldn’t put the book down until I’d read the last word. The first paragraph opens with a day like any other. Gina Royal drives her kids home only to find the street blocked off with flashing lights and crowds surrounding her home. A car has driven into her home and revealed a dark secret her husband, Melvin has been hiding. A secret filled with death and shocking devastation. Her husband is a serial killer.
Flashforward to years later, she’s on the run from internet trolls threatening the lives of her and her children. Trust is hard to fathom and she’s paranoid and uneasy with strangers. Settling into Stillhouse Lake, Gwen, formerly Gina Royal has moved on the lake. Thinking her past is behind her, the most shocking thing happens. A dead body has been found in the lake similar to the killings her husband once was responsible for.
What happens when her past catches up with her and she’s arrested for the murder? With the cops breathing down her neck, foes putting barriers in the way, and a man she’s unsure of his intentions, Gwen must do everything she can to protect her children. It’s an action-packed book full of suspense and intrigue. I literally had a hard time putting it down and went out and read the second book as soon as I could get my hands on it
Book Review: Cowboys Don’t Stay by Anne McAllister
Rodeo cowboy Noah Tanner spent his life going down the road. He never stopped. He never stayed –until rehab from an accident stuck him in Laramie, Wyoming over the holidays.
So, fine. He’d stay with Tess. Who better to spend Christmas with than the gorgeous nurse who’d patched him up once before?
Once Tess Montgomery had loved Noah. She still had him to thank for her greatest gift — Susannah — the child Noah never knew he had.
Then Noah met Susannah, and his world changed. But could a footloose cowboy settle down? Be a dad? Show the only woman he’d ever loved that this time he was here to stay?
Or was it too late? Would Tess ever trust him with her heart again?
My Thoughts:
This was a cute story where Noah, a bronc rider, lives by the rodeo. He never stays in one place for long. After getting hit by a Semi, he’s thrust into the hospital and has a long recovery ahead of him. For now, his nurse is a blast from the past.
Cute story, lots of sweetness, and a good ending. I enjoyed it. The Christmas theme of the book was perfect for the season. I loved how sweet Noah could be.
Tess struggles with her fears, trust, and heart
