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In the quiet village of Noon Sun, Benedict Stone lives out the stagnant life of an unhappily married jeweler, until the daughter of his estranged brother arrives from America and turns his whole life upside down.
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Rise and Shine Benedict Stone is written by Phaedra Patrick, whose first novel was The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper. Her new book is of the same genre but yet different. I tend to find dysfunctional family stories interesting as I can compare to my own family. This is family on a multi-level. Brothers Benedict and Charlie, estranged since early adulthood (the root of which we discover as the story develops); Benedict and his estranged wife, Estelle, for whom the inability to have children pulled them apart; and, Gemma, Charlie's daughter, who appears on Benedict's doorstep late one evening. Gemma, feeling unloved and unwanted, runs away from home and is vague on her history. But Gemma is the conduit who, in the end, helps bring all these people together again, warts and all. It is through an old journal about gemstones written by the father of Benedict and Charlie that is fascinating to Gemma and allows her to forge a bond with Benedict, causing him to reassess his life. Other peripheral characters enhance the story. It doesn't end happily ever after and that's a good thing. It ends with the bonds of love, forgiveness and acceptance.
I love Phaedra Patrick's books! This is another book about family and self reflection and change for the good. The information about the gems sets it apart and makes jewelry much more interesting.