Arnco

The Write Stuff #1

by Ben Muse

Jake Brigham, a wildly successful first time author is drowning in the undertow of his newfound success. After years of "winning," he realizes he has only lost--a beloved mother, a marriage, even his ability to create. Eventually, he leaves the demands of New York and returns to a place once close to his Arnco, a dying Georgia mill village. He rebuilds his life, and his passion returns, for words, and for a childhood friend. Allie Tanner, a widowed, single mother, has been fighting demons since the day she was born. Her entire life has been a struggle-- with an alcoholic father, her own health problems, the death of her husband, and the constant worry that she may never be able to protect the one thing that means the her daughter Grace. Jake ignites the spark of hope within her, and she within him. And each for very different reasons. When circumstances from their past collide with their present, will their hopes survive? Will tragedy cause a horrific breakdown or an inspirational destiny?

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Drama, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Amazon

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 22, 2014

Reviews

[Shannon Bergwall · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the Author's Note at the back of this book, Ben Muse states that the errors in the piece are his. You'd be hard pressed to not see a mistake in any book. The biggest mistake made was that there were plenty of lines of dialogue that were never closed with quotations marks. That sounds like the smallest detail but it made me think that Arnco was not gone over as carefully as it should've been and it tainted things for me slightly.

I picked up Arnco because I like stories about small town life but this story left me feeling a little underwhelmed. I enjoyed the characters of Alex, Jake, Sarah, and Allie (In that order) but...

I had a really hard time buying Jake and Allie's love for each other. They met up in the grocery store after not seeing each other since their childhood and bam instant connection and love. Really? The synopsis on the back of the book was the most developed part of their relationship.

So why did I give this book 3 stars?

Ben Muse's voice kept me reading and wanting to finish the book which is the most important thing for a narrative.

I enjoyed the ingenuity behind the car crash story arc. I felt that Muse had placed everyone like chess pieces and then slowly skirted them around in the events leading up to it. Then on that fateful morning on I-85, you slowly see them literally about to crash together. It was heart pounding reading the back and forth POV of Everett and Jake and knowing what was going to happen before Jake knew what hit him and then realizing poor Allie was going to be impacted doubly by this accident.

What really won me over about Arnco was the ending. Jake had really been a lost soul at the start. He lost his wife and had a drinking problem. Reconnecting with his brother helps transform him physically and really ditch the alcohol. In the end there is a beautiful plot twist on fate on why Jake ended up in Arnco and it wasn't for Allie. (Thank God) and it is wonderfully stated in one of the last lines. Without giving away too much;

... I think you are the real reason I came back to Arnco.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arnco hit home with me on so many different levels, the southern flavor of the folks in this town reminded me of my hometown and the people I grew up with, the plot and storyline drew me right in, so many different emotions were touched with the heartache of an absentee father, the loss of a loved one, and the struggles of a single Mom, mixed in with a writer who moves back home in spite of the obstacles that seem against him, a well written novel that covers a lot of ground and does it so well, I look forward to reading more from this author and recommend Arnco by Ben Muse for anyone who enjoys a great read.

[Frank Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching

Really enjoyed this from start to finish. The characters while flawed were believable and totally endearing. The ending is moving and made me a big fan of this author.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake Brigham grew up in the small Georgia town of Arnco. After going to the Big Apple, becoming a successful first time author, and marrying, life took a rather ugly downturn, into alcohol abuse and marriage sourness. So he returned to Arnco, where his brother still resides as an attorney nearby and his grandmother's house has become dilapidated. Jake's childhood neighbor and friend, Allison, now Allie, is still in town, having become a mother and nurse, but facing some problems of her own. This is a nice read, reasonably well structured, with characters to like. It doesn't offer anything particularly special, perhaps except the banter between Jake and his brother. For me, the ending was transparent before I reached halfway, although there were some unexpected turns getting there. An enjoyable bit of entertainment, and worth reading, but not much more than that.

[LyndaIn Oregon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let's get something straight here. Despite the lukewarm review, this is not a BAD book. The writing is crisp, the characters are well-developed and believable, and the dialogue is spot-on.

But Muse loses points bigtime for a Hallmark Movie of the Week plot and enough ambient angst to fuel a whole season of "Days of Our Lives". Fans of Nicholas Sparks will eat this up. The rest of us will be content to just nibble around the edges.

[Sandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Southern story

Even though I thought this story had a sad ending, it was also a story of renewal.. This takes place in the South and since I live in the South I could relate to this book. I really enjoyed the way Mr. Muse writes and the humor of his characters.. This is the first book I have read by him and I look forward to reading more.

[Jessie hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Loved this tale. Loved the characters and Arnco. Spoiler alert: have the tissues close toward the end. But the very end redeems it all with the ending full of love and hope.

[Lucinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite liked this story about a small town & second chances.

[Tracy Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I went into this story pretty blind. The writing was superb and the story was heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time.

[Sheila E Dunbar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read story about life

I love these kind of stories just straight up life stories telling the story of people struggling with life and surviving !

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

You people should just read this novel yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourselves and I really enjoyed reading this novel very much so. Shelley Ma

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable. Reminiscent of a Nicholas Sparks book.

[Deana Brougham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice read

This book was a pleasure to read and can’t wait to read the second book! Made me want to step into the book and help out with Grace!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"ARNCO" by Ben Muse which I won from Goodreads Giveaways is a heartwarming contemporary romance about second chances. It begins with Jake Brigham a writer whose overnight success with his first novel has left him with a creative block, bored and continually drinking, much to his wife's displeasure. Unable to cope with his failing marriage and the demanding lifestyle of New York, Jake returns to the slower pace of Arnco, an aging Georgia town that brings him memories of happiness as a child. After building a house on the land where his grandmother's house once stood, Jake begins to rebuild his life, finding new passion in his writing and rekindling love with childhood friend Allie Tanner. Like Jake Allie is struggling with her own problems; coping with a serious heart condition, widowhood , an energetic four year old and an alcoholic father.

When their past history collides in the present, the chemistry between Jake and Allie ignites. They reach out for a second chance at love, but only time and circumstances will determine if they are meant to be together. In a story where tragedy is very tangible and the painful parts of life are barely manageable Jake and Allie find hope, happiness and a love that transcends time- past, present and future.

The plot which is starkly realistic and definitely not a happily ever after tale, is filled with humour and witty dialogue that lessens the intensity of the more emotional moments. This is a narrative that brings laughter and tears as the characters struggle with demons from their past, and troubles in the present. With vivid description Ben Muse pulls you into the heart of the old mill town with its low income homes, and good-hearted, aging neighbours who thrive on local gossip. I loved Jake's memories of the past; his saintly grandmother who inspired his kind and generous qualities as well as his antics as a curious and awkward young boy. Well-written and engaging from beginning to end, there are sound lessons woven into this story about tolerance, compassion, generosity, unconditional love and the redeeming virtue of second chances.

The characters like the plot are well-developed, their strengths outweighing any flaws or faults. In New York Jake Brigham is an overweight, tired, guilt-ridden author with a drinking problem who feels adrift, empty and alone. Yet underneath all his faults beats the heart of a good man, one who is kind-hearted, generous, and humorous. Prim and proper Katrina Allison (Allie) Tanner haunted by a dysfunctional family and poverty as a child is intelligent, tenacious and easy-going. Although fearful of the serious heart condition that could be fatal and leave her daughter an orphan, Allie is resolute and determined to bring not only normalcy to her life and Mia's, but to grab hold of the love Jake offers. Mia Tanner is Allie's adorable, bubbly, clever and curious four year old. Alex Brigham the workaholic, health conscious lawyer is Jake's no-nonsense, take- charge brother who masks his love and over - protectiveness behind sarcasm and glib remarks. All these characters and more add drama, passion and power to a captivating story.

"ARNCO" is very deserving of its 5 star rating. For those that want a realistic contemporary romance I recommend it highly and look forward to reading more by this talented author in future.

[Angie Gallion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arnco is Ben's first published work and when I asked him which of all his books he would  like to see highlighted here it was this one.  I understand why.  I just completed my second read through of Arnco and saw things in it this time that I missed the first.  I loved many things about this book, first of which is the locale in which it is set.  Arnco, Georgia is a mill town without a mill about 40 miles outstide of Atlanta.  It is a village with a cast of characters familiar in all small towns throughout this country, with that strong rural identity.  It is a love story, as much between our hero and a childhood friend he is reunited with, as it is between he and the town he remembers from summers spent on his Grandmother's porch.

I felt the pull to go back home reading this book, I felt the need to sit on my own childhood front porch with the people who taught me to be the person I am.  I was relieved with the maturity shown in handling the growing love affair between Allie and Jake and the fact that I didn't have to read through teenage gropings and flirtations.  This love is a grown up love between people who have their own complex lives that a love has to fit within.  Arnco is full of complex life histories that echo very clearly the reality we all live.

I also have to say that Ben Muse has accomplished something that I find very difficult.  He works from two different narrative perspectives through the book and he does it so masterfully that I did not feel interupted by the shiftings in points of view.   If you haven't given this book a try it is well worth the read.

Kudos, Ben.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben Muse never ceases to amaze me with his literary greatness.

Arnco is not anything like the Chase series (which I loved) but it's just as good.

I found myself falling in love with Jake and small town Arnco. I fell in love with Grace & Allie instantly as well.

The story follows Jake, an alcoholic author, through divorce, sobriety, and the possibility of loving again. This tale hosts many heartbreaks, but reinforces the notion that life goes on, and the best is yet to come-two things I personally struggle with acknowledging.

There were a few downsides to this story as well. I would have loved to know more about Allie between age 8 and becoming a single mother. It would have better helped me understand this beautiful being I came to adore. I would have enjoyed seeing more from her time in Arnco and how the village changed while Jake was away, and how that impacted everyone.

There were also some errors I noticed-IE, missing quotation marks- but nothing too horrendous. It was a little distracting, which took away from the story a touch.

With those things in mind, I adored this book. I would recommend it to anyone, and everyone.
The story of love, loss, and going back to your roots is touching, and will hug your heart.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full Review: http://www.thebookwormslibrary.com/?p...

It would appear that I am in a distinct minority when it comes to this book — but it just left me aggravated in the end (of which I hated). While many of the characters I really enjoyed — the writing style just kept irritating me, the farther I went into the book. While the book opens with a compelling start, in a strong narrative voice — the whole thing comes across as preachy moralizing and thinly veiled cliches that made the it almost trite. I felt like Muse was trying too hard to spell out exactly what he wanted the reader to interpret throughout the story — so much so that, ultimately, he came across as patronizing in the extreme.

[Connie S. Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arnco

I enjoyed reading about Jake the writer and how he just disappears from his wife and the big city of New York. Staying with his brother and deciding to relocate to his grandma's house in Arnco, a very small town he spent a lot of years in as a young boy. He decides to dossier down grandma's house and start building a new one. He becomes a part of the small town again. And to his surprise finds his childhood friend Allison living down the street who he lost track of many years ago. In his first book he dedicated it to Allison, who encouraged him to write. Now here she is in Arnco, a widow with a little girl, and he is an author in the middle of a divorce with a drinking problem. A good story about people careing , crying, loving and just plain living.

[Angela Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curiosity made me download this book bearing the name of a small mill village in the county where I live, mainly to see whether the author "got it right" in describing the people and the place of Arnco or whether he was here to make fun. I was pleasantly surprised that he was respectful of the Arnco of both past and present, and I very much enjoyed meeting Jake, Allie, Alex, and the other characters in this book. It needs better editing to correct some punctuation and grammar errors ("to" for "too," etc.), but overall I found it a good story, well told.

[deeann linford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me laugh and cry

This was a wonderful story. The depth of the characters was so good. The caring expressed in the different situations very well done. I don't usually do books that make me cry but even though I felt this might happen the story was so well written I had to keep reading. It was worth it and left you with the feeling there are good people left in the world.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those books that wouldn't fall off the fence for me...neither really good nor really bad. I enjoyed the local color of the setting and the quirky characters in the neighborhood. I felt a kinship to the grandmother and to the feelings of the grandson about her. His relationship to his brother seemed contrived and less real and I always have a problem with the "love at first sight" between two people who have not seen each other since childhood.

[Shelly Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a freebie from bookbub.com and I read it on my iPhone. It wasn't preachy but there was a definite Christian undercurrent that I very much enjoyed. I wasn't surprised by the ending but it didn't make me mad like these endings often do. I would read another book by this author.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I enjoyed this book very much. I felt like it came to an end very quick and while I predicted early on how it would end, I still wish it wouldn't have come so soon. The book was not without its technical errors, however it is a great read with a fantastic story line and some important lessons along the way!

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. It was realistic. I remember fondly people like these characters in my own childhood.
The only negative is with the editing. It jars me to see "sat" used instead of "set" and "to" instead of "too". While discussing this with my 15 year old grandson, he said,"I know! That drives me crazy!"

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Banter

This author writes like I love my friends to talk. This makes you feel like you're in the middle of the story yourself. The story line was great as were the characters. Oh yeah, the ending was perfect, too.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story about a successful author who travels back to his hometown while in a low in his life and discovers second chances. Book started out good but I didn't care for the ending. Basically fizzled out.

[K.D. Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when you thought you had it figured out, Muse throws in the wrench. Parts, for me, were "oh yea, saw that coming," and others parts just downright had my jaw dropping. I wanted to box the characters ears a few times, and definitely felt their pain in others. All around good story.

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first 50 or so pages were hard for me to get into. I almost put this one down to read something else instead, but decided not to. I'm glad I finished it, because it did get good. I just thought it had a really slow start.

[Coffeerequired · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Such a good book! This has everything you could possibly want, strong characters and storyline. Writing style that makes you feel like you are there and know these people well. Real life and real love. Hope to see the next chapter in this story.