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Bliss House Novels #2
Charlotte's Story
The fall of 1957 in southern Virginia was a seemingly idyllic, even prosperous time. A young housewife, Charlotte Bliss, lives with her husband, Hasbrouck Preston “Press” Bliss, and their two young children, Eva Grace and Michael, in the gorgeous Bliss family home. On the surface, theirs seems a calm, picturesque life, but soon tragedy befalls them: four tragic deaths, with apparently simple explanations.
But nothing is simple if Bliss House is involved. How far will Charlotte go to discover the truth? And how far will she get without knowing who her real enemy is? Though Bliss House may promise to give its inhabitants what they want, it never gives them exactly what they expect.
But nothing is simple if Bliss House is involved. How far will Charlotte go to discover the truth? And how far will she get without knowing who her real enemy is? Though Bliss House may promise to give its inhabitants what they want, it never gives them exactly what they expect.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 2015
13 people are currently reading
1218 people want to read
About the author
Laura Benedict
35 books423 followersLaura Benedict is the Edgar- and ITW Thriller Award- nominated author of eight novels of suspense, including The Stranger Inside). Her Bliss House gothic trilogy includes The Abandoned Heart, Charlotte’s Story (Booklist starred review), and Bliss House. Her short fiction has appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, and in numerous anthologies like Thrillers: 100 Must-Reads, The Lineup: 20 Provocative Women Writers, and St. Louis Noir. A native of Cincinnati, she lives in Southern Illinois with her family. Visit her at www.laurabenedict.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 18, 2015
I think what makes this book so splendid is the fact that it all seem so normal, the house the family. And, then people start to die and suddenly nothing is normal anymore. This is not a ghost story with an old creepy house with creepy people. This is a happy family, and then something happens that starts everything and suddenly the normal life doesn't seem that normal longer. And, slowly the house doesn't seem that idyllic anymore.
I found the book is especially good because of the slow introduction of the ghostly aspects of the story. It all starts so normally, Charlotte and her husband are recovering from Olivia, Press mother's death. But that is only the start of a serial of death and suddenly Charlotte feel that something is wrong, and she starts to look for answers, but the truth can sometimes be really terrible.
I don't want to spoil the book, this is a book that you should know as little as possible when you start to read it. I was completely taken with the story, it could feel sometimes a bit slow and I felt the need to rush things, but that can also be because I really wanted to know the truth. And the ending, it's just a truly great horrifying ending that I didn't expect. All I know is that I want to read the first book in the trilogy Bliss House and The Abandoned Heart, the last book in the trilogy that has yet to be released.
4.5 stars
I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours.
I found the book is especially good because of the slow introduction of the ghostly aspects of the story. It all starts so normally, Charlotte and her husband are recovering from Olivia, Press mother's death. But that is only the start of a serial of death and suddenly Charlotte feel that something is wrong, and she starts to look for answers, but the truth can sometimes be really terrible.
I don't want to spoil the book, this is a book that you should know as little as possible when you start to read it. I was completely taken with the story, it could feel sometimes a bit slow and I felt the need to rush things, but that can also be because I really wanted to know the truth. And the ending, it's just a truly great horrifying ending that I didn't expect. All I know is that I want to read the first book in the trilogy Bliss House and The Abandoned Heart, the last book in the trilogy that has yet to be released.
4.5 stars
I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours.
January 2, 2017
3 stars--I liked the book.
I'm reading the Bliss House novels backwards (which, ironically, is the correct chronological order). I liked this installment, but not as much as The Abandoned Heart: A Bliss House Novel. This one was slow and repetitive, and all the horror elements seemed very rushed at the end. If I hadn't read the "first" (well, third) book before this one, I'd likely have been confused about what was going on.
Still, I enjoy Bliss House's history, and appreciate the female-centric voices of the series. I have the last book in the series on my Kindle to read next.
I'm reading the Bliss House novels backwards (which, ironically, is the correct chronological order). I liked this installment, but not as much as The Abandoned Heart: A Bliss House Novel. This one was slow and repetitive, and all the horror elements seemed very rushed at the end. If I hadn't read the "first" (well, third) book before this one, I'd likely have been confused about what was going on.
Still, I enjoy Bliss House's history, and appreciate the female-centric voices of the series. I have the last book in the series on my Kindle to read next.
October 15, 2015
Charlotte Bliss has everything: a loving husband, two perfect children, and a generations-old house filled with light and space. But everything comes crashing down around Charlotte on the day her daughter dies.
Charlotte had been alone in the house with the children, sleeping off an afternoon of champagne, when Eva drowned in the bathtub. She knows it was her fault. She knows if she hadn't indulged that afternoon Eva would still be alive. Her husband, Press, says he doesn't blame her but in the days and weeks following Eva's death he begins to change. And as Press changes, Bliss House does as well.
It begins with Charlotte's glimpse of Olivia on the day of Eva's funeral. Impossible as it seems, her mother-in-law has reached out to her from beyond the grave and now Charlotte believes Eva could be waiting in Bliss House as well. But her dreams of seeing her daughter again soon turn to nightmares as Bliss House begins to reveal its darker secrets.
Charlotte's Story begins almost innocently. Benedict tricks you into entertaining the idea that Charlotte might just be so distraught over the loss of her daughter that she's slowly spiraling into madness. Almost. If you haven't read any of the Bliss House books you're probably more likely to start out believing this than I was - I have read both Bliss House and Cold Alone, so I know this is one house that's up to no good. But again, things do begin innocently enough.
Poor Charlotte. Her life was pretty idyllic, at least until her mother-in-law passed away. I believe it's not the death of Eva but the death of Olivia that sets things in motion in spite of the fact that Charlotte herself doesn't notice anything truly odd until Eva's funeral. It's like a switch is flipped at that moment, though. Press becomes less loving and more out of tune with Charlotte (Understatement. Of. The. Year.) and the house's ghosts begin to reveal themselves.
Bliss House is the stuff of nightmares. Literally. If you've read the previous installments you know that the house tends to show people exactly what they're most afraid of - the things that will set them right over the edge into crazy land! It would almost have to considering how much pain and suffering it's witnessed and absorbed throughout the years. Like I said, that house is up to no good.
If you're looking for something scary that will sneak up on you, I highly recommend this series. You do not have to read them in any particular order - the order of release is moving in a backwards chronology with Bliss House set present day, Cold Alone set prior to Bliss House, and Charlotte's Story set before both (in 1957). Meeting the various personalities of Bliss House in this manner is, for me, pretty spectacular but that's just my opinion. You can approach the series in any order you like.
Charlotte had been alone in the house with the children, sleeping off an afternoon of champagne, when Eva drowned in the bathtub. She knows it was her fault. She knows if she hadn't indulged that afternoon Eva would still be alive. Her husband, Press, says he doesn't blame her but in the days and weeks following Eva's death he begins to change. And as Press changes, Bliss House does as well.
It begins with Charlotte's glimpse of Olivia on the day of Eva's funeral. Impossible as it seems, her mother-in-law has reached out to her from beyond the grave and now Charlotte believes Eva could be waiting in Bliss House as well. But her dreams of seeing her daughter again soon turn to nightmares as Bliss House begins to reveal its darker secrets.
Charlotte's Story begins almost innocently. Benedict tricks you into entertaining the idea that Charlotte might just be so distraught over the loss of her daughter that she's slowly spiraling into madness. Almost. If you haven't read any of the Bliss House books you're probably more likely to start out believing this than I was - I have read both Bliss House and Cold Alone, so I know this is one house that's up to no good. But again, things do begin innocently enough.
Poor Charlotte. Her life was pretty idyllic, at least until her mother-in-law passed away. I believe it's not the death of Eva but the death of Olivia that sets things in motion in spite of the fact that Charlotte herself doesn't notice anything truly odd until Eva's funeral. It's like a switch is flipped at that moment, though. Press becomes less loving and more out of tune with Charlotte (Understatement. Of. The. Year.) and the house's ghosts begin to reveal themselves.
Bliss House is the stuff of nightmares. Literally. If you've read the previous installments you know that the house tends to show people exactly what they're most afraid of - the things that will set them right over the edge into crazy land! It would almost have to considering how much pain and suffering it's witnessed and absorbed throughout the years. Like I said, that house is up to no good.
If you're looking for something scary that will sneak up on you, I highly recommend this series. You do not have to read them in any particular order - the order of release is moving in a backwards chronology with Bliss House set present day, Cold Alone set prior to Bliss House, and Charlotte's Story set before both (in 1957). Meeting the various personalities of Bliss House in this manner is, for me, pretty spectacular but that's just my opinion. You can approach the series in any order you like.
October 18, 2015
Laura's books are the type that are best read in broad daylight with a good and comforting cup of tea. And each time I think she can't possibly impress me more than she did the last time, she surprises me.
If you ever met the author, you can't imagine that dark and twisted things that come out of her mind. That's why she surprises. She seems like a Midwestern soccer mom, but don't let the great smile and kind heart fool you, she's a master of writing haunting tales that leave you wondering how much of what you believe is real.
In Charlotte's Story, Laura out does herself with her descriptions of a genteel society that hides its foul corruption behind tradition and polite manners. From the moment we meet Charlotte, we are privy to her thoughts and fears as she struggles to remain sane through the death and injury of those she loves. Her struggle at sanity is ever more in question when Bliss House itself starts to take sides in her battles.
Though this is the second book in the Bliss House series, the two can be read in either order, with each giving you even more clues to the torturous past the house seems to want to share with anyone who stays there.
If you ever met the author, you can't imagine that dark and twisted things that come out of her mind. That's why she surprises. She seems like a Midwestern soccer mom, but don't let the great smile and kind heart fool you, she's a master of writing haunting tales that leave you wondering how much of what you believe is real.
In Charlotte's Story, Laura out does herself with her descriptions of a genteel society that hides its foul corruption behind tradition and polite manners. From the moment we meet Charlotte, we are privy to her thoughts and fears as she struggles to remain sane through the death and injury of those she loves. Her struggle at sanity is ever more in question when Bliss House itself starts to take sides in her battles.
Though this is the second book in the Bliss House series, the two can be read in either order, with each giving you even more clues to the torturous past the house seems to want to share with anyone who stays there.
October 27, 2015
**We received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via TLC Book Tours**
Horror? Ish. Actually, seeing that tagline almost had me inching away. Whenever I've seen that warning the gore, sex, and violence is gratuitous, and this book was soooo not that. But, I did find it was an excellent mystery! There were paranormal elements that punched through Charlotte's daily life and some heinous deeds did happen, but the horror elements weren't in such detail that it would gross anyone out. I actually found the mystery behind the house to be the most engaging part of the story.
I found out that this is book two of a trilogy. I hate it when I miss those details! But, that being said, this book was a stand-alone and I didn't feel that I needed to read book one "Bliss House" to understand this new chapter of Bliss House. That being said, I still might look into getting book one.
It's 1957 and Charlotte strives to be a woman and a wife of her time. Politeness was ingrained since her youth, but when tragedy strikes over and over, she can't help but break free to solve a rather complex and violent mystery that started with the recently deceased Mistress of Bliss House, her mother-in-law. Afterward, the death of Charlotte's daughter Eva begins to haunt her in a metaphysical and emotional sense. The author left very few crumbs for me to latch onto, so when the big twist hit, I was pleasantly surprised. Didn't see that coming!
There were some stunning descriptions that were unique and quite eloquent. I did find the whole first half to be really drawn out and repetitive when it came to character quirks, but once the paranoia sank in and Olivia's painful past is revealed I found myself quite addicted to the mystery that plagued Bliss House.
The ending was so worth the wait! And seeing Charlotte's paranoias manifest from thoughts to actions was like watching something from (and please excuse this old reference), a R.L. Stine novel from my youth...without the sex. The author classically, and brilliantly, isolated the main character and then let the Bliss Houses past, her suspicions, and the hauntings take it from there.
CONCLUSION
Nearing the end it was "edge of your seat" stuff! I couldn't help but blaze through the last few chapters. Despite some of the shocking revelations, I think mystery and thriller fans will really like this story with its lovely main character and how she unknowingly stepped into a minefield that is Bliss House.
Horror? Ish. Actually, seeing that tagline almost had me inching away. Whenever I've seen that warning the gore, sex, and violence is gratuitous, and this book was soooo not that. But, I did find it was an excellent mystery! There were paranormal elements that punched through Charlotte's daily life and some heinous deeds did happen, but the horror elements weren't in such detail that it would gross anyone out. I actually found the mystery behind the house to be the most engaging part of the story.
I found out that this is book two of a trilogy. I hate it when I miss those details! But, that being said, this book was a stand-alone and I didn't feel that I needed to read book one "Bliss House" to understand this new chapter of Bliss House. That being said, I still might look into getting book one.
It's 1957 and Charlotte strives to be a woman and a wife of her time. Politeness was ingrained since her youth, but when tragedy strikes over and over, she can't help but break free to solve a rather complex and violent mystery that started with the recently deceased Mistress of Bliss House, her mother-in-law. Afterward, the death of Charlotte's daughter Eva begins to haunt her in a metaphysical and emotional sense. The author left very few crumbs for me to latch onto, so when the big twist hit, I was pleasantly surprised. Didn't see that coming!
There were some stunning descriptions that were unique and quite eloquent. I did find the whole first half to be really drawn out and repetitive when it came to character quirks, but once the paranoia sank in and Olivia's painful past is revealed I found myself quite addicted to the mystery that plagued Bliss House.
The ending was so worth the wait! And seeing Charlotte's paranoias manifest from thoughts to actions was like watching something from (and please excuse this old reference), a R.L. Stine novel from my youth...without the sex. The author classically, and brilliantly, isolated the main character and then let the Bliss Houses past, her suspicions, and the hauntings take it from there.
CONCLUSION
Nearing the end it was "edge of your seat" stuff! I couldn't help but blaze through the last few chapters. Despite some of the shocking revelations, I think mystery and thriller fans will really like this story with its lovely main character and how she unknowingly stepped into a minefield that is Bliss House.
November 28, 2015
Charlotte's Story is a book that you shouldn't judge by its cover. At first glance you might think this is a family saga, perhaps some light reading. If you go by the blurb, you still might not get the whole gist of this story. It is anything but light reading.
Charlotte loses her mother in law and then her daughter and then two other people that were friends of her best friend Rachel. There's a lot of depressing stuff here, but that's what makes it a great gothic style read, especially as there are a lot of ghostly things going on involving Charlotte's mother in law and her daughter and also some darkness surrounding her husband, Press.
This is really a psychological thriller. It is also a book that is hard to review, because to go into more detail would give away too much of the plot and that would be SPOILERS and this book is too good to ruin for anyone else that wants to go on Charlotte's journey with her.
I will tell you one thing, almost everyone is not quite what they seem and when things finally come to a head, you're jaw will drop.
If you are a fan of gothic novels and thrillers this is definitely the book for you.
Charlotte loses her mother in law and then her daughter and then two other people that were friends of her best friend Rachel. There's a lot of depressing stuff here, but that's what makes it a great gothic style read, especially as there are a lot of ghostly things going on involving Charlotte's mother in law and her daughter and also some darkness surrounding her husband, Press.
This is really a psychological thriller. It is also a book that is hard to review, because to go into more detail would give away too much of the plot and that would be SPOILERS and this book is too good to ruin for anyone else that wants to go on Charlotte's journey with her.
I will tell you one thing, almost everyone is not quite what they seem and when things finally come to a head, you're jaw will drop.
If you are a fan of gothic novels and thrillers this is definitely the book for you.
March 17, 2016
I was eagerly awaiting this prequel to Bliss House. I love a good "house" story. When I discovered that this delved deeper into the earlier residents of Bliss House, I loved the idea and having just finished it I discovered that there is another prequel coming next year as well. What a fascinating idea to tell the story of a particular house, its biography, backwards while never losing sight of what happened most recently. Again I had strong emotional reactions to almost all of the characters. Those feeling might change as the story unfolded, but they were strong emotions nonetheless. Although it would never do the house justice, I would love to see photographs of Bliss House one day or even the inspiration for Bliss House. The last time I was this attached (for better or worse) to a fictional house was in Anne Rice's The Witching Hour. Bravo, Laura! You did it again!
November 16, 2015
I absolutely thought this book was amazing. It was even better than the first in the series! I kept feeling the heat slowly turn up every chapter. It was incredibly dark and so not the normal book I read but it sneaks up on you. Get ready for a creepy ride!!!
October 28, 2015
Very original. Nice twists and a mystery that keeps you reading. I will be reading "Bliss House" soon.
January 17, 2016
OMG! Sick, twisted, dark, and perverse. And you don't realize the extent of all of it until the end.
May 14, 2020
DNF. Boring and plotless. Will try abandoned heart though
November 24, 2015
2.5 stars
Charlotte's Story is the second book in the series. The story actually takes place before the events of Bliss House. In this installment, Charlotte has married into the Bliss family. Soon after her mother in law Olivia dies, her young daughter Eva dies tragically. Lost in her grief, Charlotte begins to see Olivia and Eva in the house. Olivia begins to show her events that happened years before. Charlotte begins to suspect she and her son Michael aren't safe.
I can't say that I liked this one as much as the first book. It ended up just being an OK story for me. I felt like it was more confusing than the first one. It was as though Charlotte was being gas-lighted throughout the entire book. I'm still not sure as to the reason behind some of the events, like the seance. The reveals in the end weren't too shocking. I kind of guessed at a couple of them early on. I'm also not sure that the reverse timeline between the two books worked well for me. In a way, this story felt a bit recycled from the first one.
I'm wondering if the last book in the series goes back to tell Randolph Bliss's story. I'll probably check it out to see how everything began. I think that each one so far can be read as a stand alone as they don't really rely on the others.
Charlotte's Story is the second book in the series. The story actually takes place before the events of Bliss House. In this installment, Charlotte has married into the Bliss family. Soon after her mother in law Olivia dies, her young daughter Eva dies tragically. Lost in her grief, Charlotte begins to see Olivia and Eva in the house. Olivia begins to show her events that happened years before. Charlotte begins to suspect she and her son Michael aren't safe.
I can't say that I liked this one as much as the first book. It ended up just being an OK story for me. I felt like it was more confusing than the first one. It was as though Charlotte was being gas-lighted throughout the entire book. I'm still not sure as to the reason behind some of the events, like the seance. The reveals in the end weren't too shocking. I kind of guessed at a couple of them early on. I'm also not sure that the reverse timeline between the two books worked well for me. In a way, this story felt a bit recycled from the first one.
I'm wondering if the last book in the series goes back to tell Randolph Bliss's story. I'll probably check it out to see how everything began. I think that each one so far can be read as a stand alone as they don't really rely on the others.
February 24, 2017
I read Bliss House, and liked it better. Charlotte's Story was disappointing for me because I wanted more paranormal activity regarding the house itself. Orgies, cruelty, and murder do not constitute a good haunted house story unless the main characters are more interesting and believable. For instance, Charlotte's husband did not work, even though he was a lawyer, nor did Charlotte question any of his activities, namely his theater group or his long absences from home on any given day. Most wives who are in love with their husband's question these absences even with two small children to take care of...Charlotte just came off much too naïve... The most interesting and enigmatic character in the story is Terrance. The reader really never knows who Terrance is, only that he is Press' ally in every way, and then disappears at the end of the story without any of us, including Charlotte, ever really knowing who or what he really was.
December 15, 2016
"A rare accomplishment, a novel that works as a mystery, a ghost story, and a touching family drama." Many more reviews give a more complete overview of this novel, but I thought the above quote gave a synopsis I couldn't compete with! A compelling drama that reveals more of the mystery that is Bliss House. Thanks to Pegasus Books for the opportunity to read & review the Bliss House Triology.....
June 8, 2017
Charlotte's Story by Laura Benedict
Bliss House Series Book #2
3 Stars
From The Book:
The fall of 1957 in southern Virginia was a seemingly idyllic, even prosperous time. A young housewife, Charlotte Bliss, lives with her husband, Hasbrouck Preston “Press” Bliss, and their two young children, Eva Grace and Michael, in the gorgeous Bliss family home. On the surface, theirs seems a calm, picturesque life, but soon tragedy befalls them: four tragic deaths, with apparently simple explanations. But nothing is simple if Bliss House is involved. How far will Charlotte go to discover the truth? And how far will she get without knowing who her real enemy is? Though Bliss House may promise to give its inhabitants what they want, it never gives them exactly what they expect.
My Views:
As the story begins we learn that a tragedy has occurred at Bliss house. Not only has tragedy struck but strange and unnatural happenings soon follow. The house is beautiful but it has a dark secret within it's walls. The house offers it's residents whatever their hearts desire but it demands payment in return.
I began to loose interest in the story line about half way through the book when the outcome became predictable and the characters began to go off character. I didn't care for the character of Charlotte to begin with and the further into the book I got the less patience I had with her and the sorrier I felt for her husband and son. I did want to see how the author would end this tale and I'll have to say the ending was worth putting up with Charlotte for the 317 pages.
Bliss House Series Book #2
3 Stars
From The Book:
The fall of 1957 in southern Virginia was a seemingly idyllic, even prosperous time. A young housewife, Charlotte Bliss, lives with her husband, Hasbrouck Preston “Press” Bliss, and their two young children, Eva Grace and Michael, in the gorgeous Bliss family home. On the surface, theirs seems a calm, picturesque life, but soon tragedy befalls them: four tragic deaths, with apparently simple explanations. But nothing is simple if Bliss House is involved. How far will Charlotte go to discover the truth? And how far will she get without knowing who her real enemy is? Though Bliss House may promise to give its inhabitants what they want, it never gives them exactly what they expect.
My Views:
As the story begins we learn that a tragedy has occurred at Bliss house. Not only has tragedy struck but strange and unnatural happenings soon follow. The house is beautiful but it has a dark secret within it's walls. The house offers it's residents whatever their hearts desire but it demands payment in return.
I began to loose interest in the story line about half way through the book when the outcome became predictable and the characters began to go off character. I didn't care for the character of Charlotte to begin with and the further into the book I got the less patience I had with her and the sorrier I felt for her husband and son. I did want to see how the author would end this tale and I'll have to say the ending was worth putting up with Charlotte for the 317 pages.
March 25, 2023
I read Bliss House and then The Abandoned Heart last year. I know, I read them out of order, but the effect is very much still there. In fact, I think they should be read in that order because there is more dramatic irony in reading Charlotte’s Story if you read both of the others first. When I read Bliss House, I enjoyed the read, but felt disappointed by the ending. After having read the other two books, the ending of Bliss House has such a greater effect. After finishing Charlotte’s I thought “Good, Ariel. Burn that sh*t down.” This story was captivating, reflective, and empowering. I love the character of Charlotte and I love that at this point in time, you don’t see Bliss House as an evil house in and of itself. It helped and protected Charlotte. What makes it evil by the time you get to the 2014 book is the fact that it hold the spirits of Randolph I and Preston. The Bliss men are what make the house a horrible place, not the house itself or the other tortured souls who are trapped there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2017
Another story about the sordid past of Bliss House, this one the story of Charlotte, the biological grandmother of Rainey from Bliss House. Laura Benedict is a wonderful story teller. I don't know whether I wish there were a story from Michael's perspective about his life and the house, or whether I'm glad there isn't one. I'm looking forward to reading The Abandoned Heart, about the original builders and inhabitants of Bliss House. Each dark story is almost more haunting than the previous one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2017
Good writing--enjoyed the character and setting development. I did not like how the books are out of order, but that would be too predictable. I did not like the sexual violence and children's death.
April 1, 2017
I enjoyed Bliss House but was disappointed with Charlotte's Story. Bliss House kept me on edge but Charlotte's Story was not as creepy. Instead, it was full of twists that were just weird. I will read the third book with hope that it is comparable to Bliss House.
May 12, 2017
I enjoyed reading Bliss House so much, but this book left me a bit disappointed. Everything was somewhat predictable, like I had read it before. It's not a waste of time by any means, especially if you intend on reading all of the Bliss House novels.
January 10, 2022
Whew! Generational curses are real. The evil legend of Randolph Bliss lived on through his so Preston. My sympathy goes out to Olivia and Charlotte who were pawns in the an evil Bliss came. Absolutely scary and unbelievable. Great read!
June 2, 2017
A great book, but I could have done without the graphic sex descriptions.
December 30, 2021
bizarre
August 20, 2022
Creepy….I would say well written but super creepy!
March 13, 2017
There were some creepy parts in this story, interesting characters. The only trouble I had was the ending, I felt it was rushed and the Epilogue I felt really did not need to be there.
October 26, 2015
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Charlotte’s Story
A Bliss House Novel, Book #2
By Laura Benedict
ISBN#9781605988788
Author’s website: www.Laurabenedict.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
The fall of 1957 in southern Virginia was a seemingly idyllic, even prosperous time. A young housewife, Charlotte Bliss, lives with her husband, Hasbrouck Preston “Press” Bliss, and their two young children, Eva Grace and Michael, in the gorgeous Bliss family home. On the surface, theirs seems a calm, picturesque life, but soon tragedy befalls them: four tragic deaths, with apparently simple explanations.
But nothing is simple if Bliss House is involved. How far will Charlotte go to discover the truth? And how far will she get without knowing who her real enemy is? Though Bliss House may promise to give its inhabitants what they want, it never gives them exactly what they expect.
Review:
Charlotte’s Story is a dark, gothic tale full of ghosts and secrets. It is a chilling thrill for fans of the genre.
Charlotte Bliss’s life changes in an instant on lovely October day when, after indulging in champagne, she wakes from a nap to find that her young daughter Eva has drowned in the bathtub. Of course it is not her fault, her husband Press tells her. But, in the days and weeks after Eva’s death Press’s attitude and behavior changes to the point that Charlotte barely recognizes him. What had on the surface appeared to be a perfect life quickly reveals itself to be a twisted sham. With Charlotte’s mother-in-law’s death two months prior and Eva’s accident as a catalyst, their ancestral home Bliss House “awakens” to reveal its tragic secrets.
When Olivia died, she left all of her possessions to Charlotte. What starts out as the chore of cleaning things out soon becomes somewhat of an obsession for Charlotte. She begins to have ghostly visions of Olivia, and what she discovers is shocking. Eva also makes her presence known, and her appearance leaves Charlotte questioning the circumstances of her death. She starts to doubt her own sanity and fears for her son Michael’s safety. Once you are a resident of Bliss House, you belong to it.
Laura Benedict weaves a sufficiently creepy tale in Charlotte’s Story, though I did not find it particularly “scary”. What seems like an idyllic picture of Southern high society on the surface is really a totally demented and corrupt reality. Charlotte is a typical 1950’s housewife, naïve in her view of the world. I questioned her sanity right along with her. There is no end to the evil of which her friends and family are capable. The final revelations about Eva’s death and the true nature of Press’s theater group came as a surprise. This is definitely not a group I want to hang out with.
The writing is strong, and the pace of the novel is good. I kept reading because I had to know what happened next and discover the truth. It is not action packed but builds in suspense throughout. Benedict did an admirable job creating dimensional characters, including the house itself, that were truly despicable. I worried for Charlotte and Michael. Charlotte’s Story is the second book in the Bliss House series, but the books can be read in any order without spoiling anything. I enjoyed it, especially during the Halloween season, but it not for the faint of heart. I recommend it to fans of gothic suspense and ghosts.
Charlotte’s Story
A Bliss House Novel, Book #2
By Laura Benedict
ISBN#9781605988788
Author’s website: www.Laurabenedict.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
The fall of 1957 in southern Virginia was a seemingly idyllic, even prosperous time. A young housewife, Charlotte Bliss, lives with her husband, Hasbrouck Preston “Press” Bliss, and their two young children, Eva Grace and Michael, in the gorgeous Bliss family home. On the surface, theirs seems a calm, picturesque life, but soon tragedy befalls them: four tragic deaths, with apparently simple explanations.
But nothing is simple if Bliss House is involved. How far will Charlotte go to discover the truth? And how far will she get without knowing who her real enemy is? Though Bliss House may promise to give its inhabitants what they want, it never gives them exactly what they expect.
Review:
Charlotte’s Story is a dark, gothic tale full of ghosts and secrets. It is a chilling thrill for fans of the genre.
Charlotte Bliss’s life changes in an instant on lovely October day when, after indulging in champagne, she wakes from a nap to find that her young daughter Eva has drowned in the bathtub. Of course it is not her fault, her husband Press tells her. But, in the days and weeks after Eva’s death Press’s attitude and behavior changes to the point that Charlotte barely recognizes him. What had on the surface appeared to be a perfect life quickly reveals itself to be a twisted sham. With Charlotte’s mother-in-law’s death two months prior and Eva’s accident as a catalyst, their ancestral home Bliss House “awakens” to reveal its tragic secrets.
When Olivia died, she left all of her possessions to Charlotte. What starts out as the chore of cleaning things out soon becomes somewhat of an obsession for Charlotte. She begins to have ghostly visions of Olivia, and what she discovers is shocking. Eva also makes her presence known, and her appearance leaves Charlotte questioning the circumstances of her death. She starts to doubt her own sanity and fears for her son Michael’s safety. Once you are a resident of Bliss House, you belong to it.
Laura Benedict weaves a sufficiently creepy tale in Charlotte’s Story, though I did not find it particularly “scary”. What seems like an idyllic picture of Southern high society on the surface is really a totally demented and corrupt reality. Charlotte is a typical 1950’s housewife, naïve in her view of the world. I questioned her sanity right along with her. There is no end to the evil of which her friends and family are capable. The final revelations about Eva’s death and the true nature of Press’s theater group came as a surprise. This is definitely not a group I want to hang out with.
The writing is strong, and the pace of the novel is good. I kept reading because I had to know what happened next and discover the truth. It is not action packed but builds in suspense throughout. Benedict did an admirable job creating dimensional characters, including the house itself, that were truly despicable. I worried for Charlotte and Michael. Charlotte’s Story is the second book in the Bliss House series, but the books can be read in any order without spoiling anything. I enjoyed it, especially during the Halloween season, but it not for the faint of heart. I recommend it to fans of gothic suspense and ghosts.
December 18, 2015
Summary from Goodreads:
"The fall of 1957 in southern Virginia was a seemingly idyllic, even prosperous time. A young housewife, Charlotte Bliss, lives with her husband, Hasbrouck Preston “Press” Bliss, and their two young children, Eva Grace and Michael, in the gorgeous Bliss family home. On the surface, theirs seems a calm, picturesque life, but soon tragedy befalls them: four tragic deaths, with apparently simple explanations.
But nothing is simple if Bliss House is involved. How far will Charlotte go to discover the truth? And how far will she get without knowing who her real enemy is? Though Bliss House may promise to give its inhabitants what they want, it never gives them exactly what they expect."
My Thoughts:
Wow! I don't say this lightly at all but this is an author to watch! I'm a sucker for a good gothic novel....love them, love them, love them. This book had everything that I love about these type of books and I couldn't help but love this book because of it. One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the uncertainty I felt while reading it. At the beginning of this book tragedy unexpectedly strikes and it was the aftermath/causes of this tragedy that the book focused on. For me, I always seem to enjoy a book where I don't quite know what is going on. I find that with books like this I am able to put my trust in the author's capable hands and just enjoy the ride. Early on in the book I started to question things and before I knew it I was completely lost in the story. I loved the atmosphere that the author created in this book which was filled with more questions than answers and loads of suspense. There was some foreshadowing but the author was able to use this to create even more questions for me as the reader. All of these different things made for such an intense reading experience.
I also really enjoyed the way that Bliss House is portrayed in this book. It comes across as a living, breathing entity that managed to give this book such a creepy feel because of it. I never quite knew if what was happening was because of the house or due to the people living in it. It had a presence in this book that I can only liken to the house in the book The Haunting of Hill House. Both books have these houses that almost seem to come alive and both books were able to thoroughly creep me out. The ending of this book is wonderfully done with the story wrapped up but in a way that questions were still left open. I can't say more without spoiling other than I loved the way that this book ended! And now I absolutely cannot wait to read more by this author!
Overall this book left me so completely excited about this author! A dark, forbidding house, ghostly presences, even a seance....I couldn't have asked more more from this book! I truly mean it when I say that it took everything that I love from gothic novels and wrapped it altogether in this one book. I found myself completely engrossed while reading this book and also very creeped out. I will definitely be reading more by this author!!! Easily recommended!
Bottom Line: A book that isn't to be missed if you are a fan of gothic novels!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher as part of a TLC book Tour.
"The fall of 1957 in southern Virginia was a seemingly idyllic, even prosperous time. A young housewife, Charlotte Bliss, lives with her husband, Hasbrouck Preston “Press” Bliss, and their two young children, Eva Grace and Michael, in the gorgeous Bliss family home. On the surface, theirs seems a calm, picturesque life, but soon tragedy befalls them: four tragic deaths, with apparently simple explanations.
But nothing is simple if Bliss House is involved. How far will Charlotte go to discover the truth? And how far will she get without knowing who her real enemy is? Though Bliss House may promise to give its inhabitants what they want, it never gives them exactly what they expect."
My Thoughts:
Wow! I don't say this lightly at all but this is an author to watch! I'm a sucker for a good gothic novel....love them, love them, love them. This book had everything that I love about these type of books and I couldn't help but love this book because of it. One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the uncertainty I felt while reading it. At the beginning of this book tragedy unexpectedly strikes and it was the aftermath/causes of this tragedy that the book focused on. For me, I always seem to enjoy a book where I don't quite know what is going on. I find that with books like this I am able to put my trust in the author's capable hands and just enjoy the ride. Early on in the book I started to question things and before I knew it I was completely lost in the story. I loved the atmosphere that the author created in this book which was filled with more questions than answers and loads of suspense. There was some foreshadowing but the author was able to use this to create even more questions for me as the reader. All of these different things made for such an intense reading experience.
I also really enjoyed the way that Bliss House is portrayed in this book. It comes across as a living, breathing entity that managed to give this book such a creepy feel because of it. I never quite knew if what was happening was because of the house or due to the people living in it. It had a presence in this book that I can only liken to the house in the book The Haunting of Hill House. Both books have these houses that almost seem to come alive and both books were able to thoroughly creep me out. The ending of this book is wonderfully done with the story wrapped up but in a way that questions were still left open. I can't say more without spoiling other than I loved the way that this book ended! And now I absolutely cannot wait to read more by this author!
Overall this book left me so completely excited about this author! A dark, forbidding house, ghostly presences, even a seance....I couldn't have asked more more from this book! I truly mean it when I say that it took everything that I love from gothic novels and wrapped it altogether in this one book. I found myself completely engrossed while reading this book and also very creeped out. I will definitely be reading more by this author!!! Easily recommended!
Bottom Line: A book that isn't to be missed if you are a fan of gothic novels!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher as part of a TLC book Tour.
December 21, 2015
There are many things I do not understand about this book.
But let me begin by saying that the book was haunting and captivating. I could not put it down. I read it in 7 hours during the day in between taking care of kids, making dinner, etc. I couldn't stop reading it. When I finished I felt like time had stopped. Right then and there I was ready to give it five stars. But I always feel overly connected to a book that I actually get to finish, so I knew to just wait and let the story sink in.
I had some problems with the writing. I had to re-read several paragraphs to figure things out. I guess I was just supposed to "know" things because they were never outright said. Also, it jumped around quite a bit. It wasn't terribly difficult to follow, but in the beginning I got confused by the names and times of what was happening.
Now my questions about the storyline. Why did Gloria have the picture lamp in her closet? Was she part of all of it? Maybe this is explained in one of the other books. It never explained how Press got to be so evil and what happened to him. Maybe that's another book still? Was Terrance the evil mastermind since he was there from the beginning? So many loose ends that I don't understand.
How can people who have committed murder, debauchery, and other filth just walk around the same town and act like nothing happened? That can't be realistic. Rachel murdered a little girl and then raised her own? Realistically they should all have diseases and cocaine addictions, not be the sheriff and normal town citizens that go to the country club and play tennis.
How did Nonie not know what was going on in the house? If she did, why was she so eager to leave Michael and Charlotte?
What did the stuffed animals and creepy wallpaper all have to do with anything? and what was the deal with the bird that flew out of the fireplace? It was like imagery on drugs that had nothing to do with the story. First peacocks, then a snake, then a raven, and then a fox? Maybe it's a reference to something I don't understand.
This book wasn't at all what I thought it would be, probably because I don't like to read book descriptions and reviews before I read something, besides what's in the book jacket. So maybe, like Charlotte, I got into something that was more than I was wanting. It was too bizarre for me, like a terrible scene you can't help but watch. I probably won't be reading any more books from this author, but I might read some spoilers to see if my questions are ever answered.
I gave this book 3 stars because it did keep me interested and mesmerized, I don't often read a book in one day. And it could possibly be a masterful example of whatever literary style it is, it just isn't a style I like to read on purpose.
But let me begin by saying that the book was haunting and captivating. I could not put it down. I read it in 7 hours during the day in between taking care of kids, making dinner, etc. I couldn't stop reading it. When I finished I felt like time had stopped. Right then and there I was ready to give it five stars. But I always feel overly connected to a book that I actually get to finish, so I knew to just wait and let the story sink in.
I had some problems with the writing. I had to re-read several paragraphs to figure things out. I guess I was just supposed to "know" things because they were never outright said. Also, it jumped around quite a bit. It wasn't terribly difficult to follow, but in the beginning I got confused by the names and times of what was happening.
Now my questions about the storyline. Why did Gloria have the picture lamp in her closet? Was she part of all of it? Maybe this is explained in one of the other books. It never explained how Press got to be so evil and what happened to him. Maybe that's another book still? Was Terrance the evil mastermind since he was there from the beginning? So many loose ends that I don't understand.
How can people who have committed murder, debauchery, and other filth just walk around the same town and act like nothing happened? That can't be realistic. Rachel murdered a little girl and then raised her own? Realistically they should all have diseases and cocaine addictions, not be the sheriff and normal town citizens that go to the country club and play tennis.
How did Nonie not know what was going on in the house? If she did, why was she so eager to leave Michael and Charlotte?
What did the stuffed animals and creepy wallpaper all have to do with anything? and what was the deal with the bird that flew out of the fireplace? It was like imagery on drugs that had nothing to do with the story. First peacocks, then a snake, then a raven, and then a fox? Maybe it's a reference to something I don't understand.
This book wasn't at all what I thought it would be, probably because I don't like to read book descriptions and reviews before I read something, besides what's in the book jacket. So maybe, like Charlotte, I got into something that was more than I was wanting. It was too bizarre for me, like a terrible scene you can't help but watch. I probably won't be reading any more books from this author, but I might read some spoilers to see if my questions are ever answered.
I gave this book 3 stars because it did keep me interested and mesmerized, I don't often read a book in one day. And it could possibly be a masterful example of whatever literary style it is, it just isn't a style I like to read on purpose.
October 27, 2015
Charlotte’s Story by Laura Benedict
Bliss House is a palatial estate nestled into the farmland and orchards of Old Gate, Virginia. The home was built in 1878; it is the home of the Bliss Family. And the house is definitely haunted…
Into this world and this family comes Charlotte, wife of the current master of Bliss house, Preston Bliss. The home’s tragic past was explored in the novel Bliss House by the same author. The home isn’t just simply haunted. The house is dangerous!
Already Preston’s mother Olivia, Preston and Charlotte’s daughter Eva, and two friends from their wedding procession; family friends Zion and Helen have all died from strange circumstances. Preston has turned a bit cold towards Charlotte since their daughter died and Charlotte blames herself for the little girl’s death.
Then comes the day Charlotte first encounters the ghosts of her people within the walls of Bliss House. She becomes withdrawn, terrified. Preston spends all his time working on the theater in the old house, and Charlotte’s job of watching her son is now shared by Nonnie, a nanny hired by Preston.
Then one day, her son Michael vanishes after Charlotte put him down for a nap…
I am of mixed feelings about this book. The author comes across as authentic when describing rural Virginia, when dealing with emotional relationships, and ghostly activity. These are the pluses of the book.
The problem lies in the pacing. It is neither fast enough to hold the reader’s attention, nor slow enough with building suspense towards a crescendo. As the book goes past say page 184, the story becomes more readable, and the real horrors of the nightmare in which Charlotte must survive become real to the reader. It is my humble opinion that the first half, while well written, simply does not have the same passion as the second half of the book.
That said, some readers will be more than pleased to know that the book ends on a high note, while others may be discouraged with the slow first half. The end of the book is very good; I just wish the first half had been better.
As I neither particularly like or hate the book, I will go straight up the middle and give it three stars out of five.
Quoth the Raven…
Bliss House is a palatial estate nestled into the farmland and orchards of Old Gate, Virginia. The home was built in 1878; it is the home of the Bliss Family. And the house is definitely haunted…
Into this world and this family comes Charlotte, wife of the current master of Bliss house, Preston Bliss. The home’s tragic past was explored in the novel Bliss House by the same author. The home isn’t just simply haunted. The house is dangerous!
Already Preston’s mother Olivia, Preston and Charlotte’s daughter Eva, and two friends from their wedding procession; family friends Zion and Helen have all died from strange circumstances. Preston has turned a bit cold towards Charlotte since their daughter died and Charlotte blames herself for the little girl’s death.
Then comes the day Charlotte first encounters the ghosts of her people within the walls of Bliss House. She becomes withdrawn, terrified. Preston spends all his time working on the theater in the old house, and Charlotte’s job of watching her son is now shared by Nonnie, a nanny hired by Preston.
Then one day, her son Michael vanishes after Charlotte put him down for a nap…
I am of mixed feelings about this book. The author comes across as authentic when describing rural Virginia, when dealing with emotional relationships, and ghostly activity. These are the pluses of the book.
The problem lies in the pacing. It is neither fast enough to hold the reader’s attention, nor slow enough with building suspense towards a crescendo. As the book goes past say page 184, the story becomes more readable, and the real horrors of the nightmare in which Charlotte must survive become real to the reader. It is my humble opinion that the first half, while well written, simply does not have the same passion as the second half of the book.
That said, some readers will be more than pleased to know that the book ends on a high note, while others may be discouraged with the slow first half. The end of the book is very good; I just wish the first half had been better.
As I neither particularly like or hate the book, I will go straight up the middle and give it three stars out of five.
Quoth the Raven…
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