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Wake-Robin Ridge
by
"A PHONE RINGING AT 2:00 A.M. never means anything good. Calls at 2:00 A.M. are bad news . . . Someone has died. Someone is hurt. Or someone needs help."
On a bitter cold January night in 1965, death came calling at an isolated little cabin on Wake-Robin Ridge. Now, nearly 50 years later, librarian Sarah Gray has quit her job and moved into the same cabin, hoping the peace ...more
On a bitter cold January night in 1965, death came calling at an isolated little cabin on Wake-Robin Ridge. Now, nearly 50 years later, librarian Sarah Gray has quit her job and moved into the same cabin, hoping the peace ...more
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A very enjoyable read with elements of romance, paranormal and mystery coming together in a story that will keep you intrigued to the end.
The setting of the story is spectacular, and the author takes us through the year with great visual effect, as the seasons change so dramatically in the North Carolina mountains. The love stories spanning the 50 years, are interconnected through the cabin that Sarah Grey has bought as a writing retreat, and escape from a life that had become far too predictabl ...more
The setting of the story is spectacular, and the author takes us through the year with great visual effect, as the seasons change so dramatically in the North Carolina mountains. The love stories spanning the 50 years, are interconnected through the cabin that Sarah Grey has bought as a writing retreat, and escape from a life that had become far too predictabl ...more
“Wake-Robin Ridge” is centered on a house in the Blue Ridge mountains. The story was told through two different timelines almost fifty years apart. The storyline set in the 60s pulled me right in as it focused on an abused wife, Ruthie. Her emotions felt very real in the situation she found herself in. She was the strongest character for me and her husband, a true villain. Sarah was in the second timeline in the 2010s, who moved to the Blue Ridge mountains to write a book. She immediately met he
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I have to admit, I was more than surprised at how much I loved this book. I enjoy this author's writing and I'd been looking forward to reading one of her books. At first I wasn't sure I'd enjoy the genre, but Meara has a way of captivating her readers. She could probably re-write the telephone book and I'd read it. With all the plots and twists along the way, I couldn't help but get back to reading in my stolen moments.
Marcia Meara chose a clever method of blending two romantic relationships f ...more
Marcia Meara chose a clever method of blending two romantic relationships f ...more
This well-written book weaves together two stories of love and loss. It's also a tale of monsters--not the kind that hide under your bed, but the sort that sometimes sleep in the bed with you! Even when they're long gone they may haunt you, literally and figuratively. The author has a sweet and delicate hand when dealing with brutality and sorrow, and writes enticingly about love and its redemptive capacity. She includes lovely details about the setting in which this story takes place too. All i
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An intriguing book that is really two stories in one....that of Sara and MacKenzie in the present and of Ruthie, Lloyd and Frank in the past. The latter story is told mostly through letters that slowly move the reader through pain, tragedy and love that is both touching and bittersweet. The way the two tales intersect is wonderfully done and keeps the reader turning pages. The characters are interesting and well developed and the setting is beautifully brought to life. I look forward to reading
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Sarah leaves her dead-end library job for a remote cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains where she plans to write a book.
Ruth runs away from her abusive husband, taking his illicitly-gained money and his car, and hides out in a remote cabin…yes, you’ve guessed it – the same cabin, only 50 years apart.
The stories of these two women are told in parallel, along with that of Mac, Sarah’s gorgeous but brooding and private neighbour. Both are love stories that will eventually collide in a shocking, macabr ...more
Ruth runs away from her abusive husband, taking his illicitly-gained money and his car, and hides out in a remote cabin…yes, you’ve guessed it – the same cabin, only 50 years apart.
The stories of these two women are told in parallel, along with that of Mac, Sarah’s gorgeous but brooding and private neighbour. Both are love stories that will eventually collide in a shocking, macabr ...more
This book came recommended and I'm glad I followed through on that.
It's deceptively gentle for much of the time which makes the malevolence and terror all the more startling when it does rear its ugly head.
The book has two love stories for the price of one. One is set in the past and is a poignant tale of love, hate and sacrifice. The other is set in the present and beautifully describes the inner turmoil that accompanies a new relationship. We hear all the different voices which gives us an und ...more
It's deceptively gentle for much of the time which makes the malevolence and terror all the more startling when it does rear its ugly head.
The book has two love stories for the price of one. One is set in the past and is a poignant tale of love, hate and sacrifice. The other is set in the present and beautifully describes the inner turmoil that accompanies a new relationship. We hear all the different voices which gives us an und ...more
There are so many things I loved about Wake-Robin Ridge. Once the plot gets rolling, it's a non-stop page turner all the way to the end. It’s the first book of Marcia Meara that I read, but absolutely, not the last.
The story has well developed, relatable characters. Let’s see who they are:
First, I must say that Ruth’s heart-breaking story was my favorite part. Ruth who, “After a year of looking for love, or even the occasional tender word, any vague thoughts of a happy ending for herself had van ...more
What a wild ride this book was. It started out in the first chapter with a man plotting to kill his wife. Actually he was going to cut her up in pieces, after torturing her.
That took me a bit by surprise, since I thought it was a nice little book about a person that moved to the county in North Carolina. Well then, in chapter two, it was a really nice story about a girl that did indeed move to the country in North Carolina. She was a librarian and wanted to start a new live and write a book. Go ...more
That took me a bit by surprise, since I thought it was a nice little book about a person that moved to the county in North Carolina. Well then, in chapter two, it was a really nice story about a girl that did indeed move to the country in North Carolina. She was a librarian and wanted to start a new live and write a book. Go ...more
Wake-Robin Ridge is a romance with a ghost story. Wake-Robin's are a species of flower native to North America. This book is set primarily in the Mountains of North Carolina with a time-slip format between the 1960's and 2011.
We meet Lloyd Carter a child who suffered from vicious whippings by his father which moulded the man he grew to be. He became an angry controller and bully who made wife Ruthie's life a misery. After one too many beatings she ran away, but Lloyd vowed to find her and get hi ...more
We meet Lloyd Carter a child who suffered from vicious whippings by his father which moulded the man he grew to be. He became an angry controller and bully who made wife Ruthie's life a misery. After one too many beatings she ran away, but Lloyd vowed to find her and get hi ...more
Marcia is an e-pen-pal of mine, so I can't review her book objectively. It's more straight-up romance than I usually enjoy, plus hitting all of the plot points I dislike but others seem to enjoy (scary stalker guys, multi-generational, multi-point of view). If you're less freaked out by any of those points, you'll probably enjoy the vivid imagery and good writing.
Despite the book not really being my genre, I definitely liked the descriptions of the North Carolina mountainside, and the pets were ...more
Despite the book not really being my genre, I definitely liked the descriptions of the North Carolina mountainside, and the pets were ...more
***A STORY OF LOSS, LOYALTIES AND LOVE***
The story is so well-written, and the plot is so beautifully woven that it keeps you trapped in the words since you start reading till you finish reading it. The story is very beautiful and grips you from the beginning, so when you least expect it, you are so hooked that you cannot put it down. The characters are very well-defined, very well-described, and each of them has personality traits that make you think they are real people, and not only a work of ...more
The story is so well-written, and the plot is so beautifully woven that it keeps you trapped in the words since you start reading till you finish reading it. The story is very beautiful and grips you from the beginning, so when you least expect it, you are so hooked that you cannot put it down. The characters are very well-defined, very well-described, and each of them has personality traits that make you think they are real people, and not only a work of ...more
The thing that struck me most about this book was obvious love the author had for the setting. The descriptions and words used are incredible and it’s so easy to picture yourself in the mountains.
I really enjoyed the love stories weaved throughout and they were written so well I was routing for the characters throughout!
It was a well-constructed story with high quality writing and great characters.
I would definitely recommend reading this book and I can’t wait to read more from Marcia Meara.
I really enjoyed the love stories weaved throughout and they were written so well I was routing for the characters throughout!
It was a well-constructed story with high quality writing and great characters.
I would definitely recommend reading this book and I can’t wait to read more from Marcia Meara.
DISCLAIMER: I edited this book and the author is a friend of mine, so I can only be so objective.
Therefore, I will simply say that this book has a lot going for it--mystery and romance, puzzles and humor, terrifying events and sweet affection. The characters are interesting and engaging, the kind of people you might want to know in real life.
I think fans of romance and/or mystery will enjoy it.
Therefore, I will simply say that this book has a lot going for it--mystery and romance, puzzles and humor, terrifying events and sweet affection. The characters are interesting and engaging, the kind of people you might want to know in real life.
I think fans of romance and/or mystery will enjoy it.
Wake-Robin Ridge is a well versed book with two stories in one. I really liked the way you are able to follow both stories well, and how they line up together throughout. It is engaging and a little emotional. It is easy to envision the stories backdrop with the lovely details provided and I felt like I could really picture every part of the stories involved, as well as the characters. Great debut for Marcia Meara.
really enjoyed this novel. hated that it ended. Will be on the lookout for books from this really good writer. can't help think she may shop at my grocery store, public (incorrect will not allow me spell public correctly!) in Orange city since Marcia mentions February, and note says she lives north of central Florida.
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I really enjoyed this book. I felt the way it started as two stories and as the story progressed they merged into one. Two beautiful love stories in one book. There was just a touch of the paranormal, that for about half the world is normal. There are so many ways Ms. Meara could continue in a series, I look forward to finding out what she does with.
This book was very well written and inspirational. I loved the use of native flora in the book. Continue writing Ms. Meara
Donna Beyer
Donna Beyer
This is a wonderful story about love with mystery and suspense thrown in. I very much enjoyed reading about how Mac came out of himself, because he could trust another person. Very well written.
Sarah is a woman of some financial means who is tired and disillusioned with her life as a librarian and research assistant. Wake-Robin Ridge in the mountains of North Carolina is a fondly remembered holiday destination from her childhood and Sarah decides to take the plunge and purchase a remote cabin on Wake-Robin Ridge in order to pursue her dream of writing a book.
Sarah hasn't been in her new cabin for long when she meets her neighbour, Mac, and his large half wolf half dog pet, called Roshe ...more
Sarah hasn't been in her new cabin for long when she meets her neighbour, Mac, and his large half wolf half dog pet, called Roshe ...more
Sarah Gray has had it with being a librarian. Not that she doesn't like the work--well, the research part of it. Filing reports and periodicals every day would make anyone's eyes glaze over. She's ready to move on to something more fulfilling. What better way to start afresh than to move to a location from fond childhood memories.
She buys a house in rural North Carolina, where she can forge ahead on her new adventures as a writer, finds a loveable cat to keep her company, and meets the intrigui ...more
She buys a house in rural North Carolina, where she can forge ahead on her new adventures as a writer, finds a loveable cat to keep her company, and meets the intrigui ...more
Part romance, part thriller, part mystery, part ghost story, part epistolary, and most of all a love story, this first book in the Wake Robin Ridge series has it all, pulled together into a well-crafted tale. It’s quite a feat and thoroughly engaging.
The first half of the book alternates between two stories. One is Ruthie’s narrative, set in the early 1960s. She runs away from an abusive relationship and rebuilds her life in a rural cabin in the Carolinas. Ruthie’s story is definitely a nail-bit ...more
The first half of the book alternates between two stories. One is Ruthie’s narrative, set in the early 1960s. She runs away from an abusive relationship and rebuilds her life in a rural cabin in the Carolinas. Ruthie’s story is definitely a nail-bit ...more
I've recently become a huge fan of novels that split timeframes. This story bounces back and forth between an abused wife on the run from a monstrous husband and a lonely woman looking for a new start. The way the author revealed their stories, intersected their lives, and combined their character arcs was quite enjoyable.
The heroes were almost too good to be true. I can only hope there are people so kind-hearted in this world. They bordered on perfect, and sometimes the dialogue was a little t ...more
The heroes were almost too good to be true. I can only hope there are people so kind-hearted in this world. They bordered on perfect, and sometimes the dialogue was a little t ...more
I enjoyed the slower pace of this novel while getting to know these characters, along with their pets (you can never go wrong adding furry friends to a story). Being familiar with the Asheville, NC area, I loved the author's vivid descriptions of the neighboring fictional small town of Wake-Robin Ridge. The mountains are beautiful, and I could completely understand why Sarah relocates there to begin her writing career. Ruthie's story is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and I wondered how the
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This book has it all. The North Carolina mountain setting is superb; the characters are likable, strong, and well-developed; the two intertwined love stories are compelling, and the surprise ghost appearance startling enough to wake me up at night. Overall, the author has written a powerful, intense, yet enjoyable tome of love and hate, regret and resurgence of joy, loss and recovery.
This is a really, really good book. A beautiful romance, or two, and a terrifying ghost. Living in a remote area, with access to such an endearing town, you want to explore all the mountain and town, that the author brings to life. Too bad it’s all just make believe.
Loved this book.... well written and fun to read.
4.5*
Two women, two stories, fifty years apart, their lives connecting in a terrifying way. Ruth and Frank met in the 1960s when Ruth escaped from an abusive husband and settled in a little cabin on Wake-Robin Ridge. Ruth thought she was safe and could at last find happiness when she met Frank, but it wasn’t that easy to remove Lloyd from her life. Her husband, Lloyd Carter, himself an abused child which shaped him into the man he was to become, had been imprisoned for multiple charges, including ...more
Two women, two stories, fifty years apart, their lives connecting in a terrifying way. Ruth and Frank met in the 1960s when Ruth escaped from an abusive husband and settled in a little cabin on Wake-Robin Ridge. Ruth thought she was safe and could at last find happiness when she met Frank, but it wasn’t that easy to remove Lloyd from her life. Her husband, Lloyd Carter, himself an abused child which shaped him into the man he was to become, had been imprisoned for multiple charges, including ...more
This is a well written and edited stand-alone book.
This is the second book I've read by this author and I'm officially a fan. Both books have featured strong, independent women who are mature and self-sufficient. This story has features two such women. One of them doesn't start out strong and independent, but by the end of the story, we learn she's been the strongest of all the characters.
This is a story of two couples with distinctly different relationships. There are very emotional tragedies f ...more
This is the second book I've read by this author and I'm officially a fan. Both books have featured strong, independent women who are mature and self-sufficient. This story has features two such women. One of them doesn't start out strong and independent, but by the end of the story, we learn she's been the strongest of all the characters.
This is a story of two couples with distinctly different relationships. There are very emotional tragedies f ...more
Aug 23, 2014
Rose English
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Women of all ages
Recommended to Rose by:
The Daily Bookworm
Shelves:
all-time-fav-s
This was a beautiful yet sometimes terrifying story. The intertwining of two love stories separated by 50yrs yet the old seeping almost seamlessly into the new, forcing the characters to overcome the evil of the past and help them to survive the tremendous amount of love and loss over the years.
The descriptive writing transported me to the beautiful surroundings of the Blue Ridge Mountains I could almost smell the forest foliage and hear the rushing waters, simply wonderful. I found the book tr ...more
The descriptive writing transported me to the beautiful surroundings of the Blue Ridge Mountains I could almost smell the forest foliage and hear the rushing waters, simply wonderful. I found the book tr ...more
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Marcia Meara lives in central Florida, just north of Orlando, with her husband of over thirty years and four big cats.
When not writing or blogging, she spends her time gardening, and enjoying the surprising amount of wildlife that manages to make a home in her suburban yard. She enjoys nature. Really, really enjoys it. All of it! Well, almost all of it, anyway. From birds, to furry critters, to he ...more
When not writing or blogging, she spends her time gardening, and enjoying the surprising amount of wildlife that manages to make a home in her suburban yard. She enjoys nature. Really, really enjoys it. All of it! Well, almost all of it, anyway. From birds, to furry critters, to he ...more
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