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Konigsburg #4
Long Time Gone
A future with the woman of his dreams is within his grasp…if the past will stay that way.
Konigsburg, Texas, Book 4
Erik Toleffson wasn’t looking to become Chief of Police. He’s got enough trouble trying to rebuild his relationship with his three brothers who, until just recently, ran the other way when he approached. He’s not the bully they grew up with, but bad memories are tough to overcome.
Morgan Barrett is as worn out as a vat full of crushed grape skins. She never planned to run Cedar Creek Winery, but there’s no one else to shoulder the load as her father recovers from an injury. All she needs is a little sleep. Just a five-minute nap in the booth at the Dew Drop Inn…if that guy across the bar would stop staring at her as if putting her head down on the table is a crime.
After Morgan yawns in Erik’s face, there’s nowhere to go but up. With time, though, their relationship warms like a perfectly blended Bordeaux. Until the shady mayor digs into Erik’s past and dredges up information that could drive a permanent wedge between him and his brothers—and sour any chance of a future with Morgan.
Konigsburg, Texas, Book 4
Erik Toleffson wasn’t looking to become Chief of Police. He’s got enough trouble trying to rebuild his relationship with his three brothers who, until just recently, ran the other way when he approached. He’s not the bully they grew up with, but bad memories are tough to overcome.
Morgan Barrett is as worn out as a vat full of crushed grape skins. She never planned to run Cedar Creek Winery, but there’s no one else to shoulder the load as her father recovers from an injury. All she needs is a little sleep. Just a five-minute nap in the booth at the Dew Drop Inn…if that guy across the bar would stop staring at her as if putting her head down on the table is a crime.
After Morgan yawns in Erik’s face, there’s nowhere to go but up. With time, though, their relationship warms like a perfectly blended Bordeaux. Until the shady mayor digs into Erik’s past and dredges up information that could drive a permanent wedge between him and his brothers—and sour any chance of a future with Morgan.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 6, 2010
7 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Meg Benjamin
39 books503 followersMeg Benjamin is an award-winning author of romance. Her newest series, the Folk, is a paranormal series from Soul Mate Publishing set in Colorado. Meg’s Konigsburg series is set in the Texas Hill Country and her Salt Box and Brewing Love trilogies are set in the Colorado Rockies (all are available from Entangled Publishing). Along with contemporary romance, Meg is also the author of the paranormal Ramos Family trilogy from Berkley InterMix. Meg’s books have won numerous awards, including an EPIC Award, a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Holt Medallion from Virginia Romance Writers, the Beanpot Award from the New England Romance Writers, and the Award of Excellence from Colorado Romance Writers. Meg’s Web site is http://www.MegBenjamin.com. You can follow her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/meg.benjamin1), Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/megbenjamin/), Twitter (http://twitter.com/megbenj1) and Instagram (meg_benjamin). Meg loves to hear from readers—contact her at meg@megbenjamin.com.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 16, 2010
Erik Toleffson is sort of the odd man out of the four Toleffson brothers. Where Cal, Pete and Lars are affable and well-liked, Erik's a bit, well, scary. Growing up, he relentlessly bullied his brothers and got involved with the wrong sort of crowd. Though he's been through the Army and sobered up, he still feels like he has much to atone for, that everyone else is aware of the darkness he knows is inside him. He certainly doesn't feel like he should be the chief of police, but that's precisely what's just happened to him. Seeing a chance to make everything right, he's determined to be the kind of police chief a town can rely on, even if they don't want to be BFFs.
Morgan Barrett is a relative newcomer to Konigsburg, staying and working on the outskirts of town at the winery her father is part-owner of. She's working to prove herself to both her father and his business partner, and wants to combine her marketing background with the owners' winemaking expertise to expand the business. Unfortunately, they're all criticism and complaints, and not at all interested in any fancy marketing. She's not interested in a lifetime of working in their shadow, so if the new wine she's branded and plans to market at an upcoming festival doesn't take, she's moving on.
Their paths cross one night at the townie bar and they're intrigued by each other - Morgan with Officer Grumpy and Erik with the woman with big brown Bambi eyes. As they interact over a run-in with an illegal dumper around her winery, a romance grows between these two, even while they fight any lasting attraction.
Although there is the mystery of the illegal dumper, it's not at all a romantic suspense. The focus is squarely on Erik and Morgan and their lives. For the most part, the conflict is internal for them. They keep each other at arm's length emotionally because they don't want to get too attached until they know how permanent their job and living situations are. Their courtship follows a trajectory that should look familiar to a lot of people, and lacks any annoying contrivances like the Big Misunderstanding. They're two adults working to reconcile their professional and personal happiness.
I love the town Benjamin has created and how the secondary characters all interact, even if the gay bistro owners grate a bit in their stereotypical behavior. There's the crabby bartender, the town drunk, the irritating busybody, the avuncular vet and the corrupt mayor, just like real life.
There aren't too many epublished authors whose books are auto-buys for me. I think it's a party of two - Lorelei James and Meg Benjamin. This is the fourth and I believe final book in her Konigsburg, Texas series and it's definitely the strongest of the four. She's tightened up her narrative and plotting, involved the previous protagonists a lot less, added more dimension to her villain and refrained from equating a hasty marriage with an HEA.
Morgan Barrett is a relative newcomer to Konigsburg, staying and working on the outskirts of town at the winery her father is part-owner of. She's working to prove herself to both her father and his business partner, and wants to combine her marketing background with the owners' winemaking expertise to expand the business. Unfortunately, they're all criticism and complaints, and not at all interested in any fancy marketing. She's not interested in a lifetime of working in their shadow, so if the new wine she's branded and plans to market at an upcoming festival doesn't take, she's moving on.
Their paths cross one night at the townie bar and they're intrigued by each other - Morgan with Officer Grumpy and Erik with the woman with big brown Bambi eyes. As they interact over a run-in with an illegal dumper around her winery, a romance grows between these two, even while they fight any lasting attraction.
Although there is the mystery of the illegal dumper, it's not at all a romantic suspense. The focus is squarely on Erik and Morgan and their lives. For the most part, the conflict is internal for them. They keep each other at arm's length emotionally because they don't want to get too attached until they know how permanent their job and living situations are. Their courtship follows a trajectory that should look familiar to a lot of people, and lacks any annoying contrivances like the Big Misunderstanding. They're two adults working to reconcile their professional and personal happiness.
I love the town Benjamin has created and how the secondary characters all interact, even if the gay bistro owners grate a bit in their stereotypical behavior. There's the crabby bartender, the town drunk, the irritating busybody, the avuncular vet and the corrupt mayor, just like real life.
There aren't too many epublished authors whose books are auto-buys for me. I think it's a party of two - Lorelei James and Meg Benjamin. This is the fourth and I believe final book in her Konigsburg, Texas series and it's definitely the strongest of the four. She's tightened up her narrative and plotting, involved the previous protagonists a lot less, added more dimension to her villain and refrained from equating a hasty marriage with an HEA.
July 21, 2010
Another great installment in the Konigsburg, Texas series, this time featuring the eldest and most troubled of the Toleffson brothers, Erik. I loved the way that Erik and Morgan's relationship was allowed to develop gradually. No big misunderstanding, just two adults, attracted to one another and making the transition from friends to lovers. Their ease with one another made their difficulties dealing with their respective families seem even more fraught. Watching Morgan deal with her parents and Ciro and Carmen was painfully realistic--anyone who has dealt with well meaning but condescending parents can relate. And Erik's continued awkwardness with his brothers was heartbreaking. Erik and Morgan's relationship became (for me, at least) a comfort zone and I loved them together. Knowing some of Erik Toleffson's background from the previous books in this series, I knew his book would be a bit darker than the others. And it was, but Benjamin's usual humor and charm made for some laugh out loud moments to complement the darker tones. I especially loved Morgan's ill-tempered cat, Arthur and his quest to clear every flat surface in Erik's apartment. I have heard rumors that there may be more Konigsburg books in the future. I sincerely hope it's true. I'd hate to think I'd seen the last of Konigsburg and the Toleffson clan. I guess I'll have to wait and see.
Read
July 13, 2010If there is one book that I have been anticipating this year it would be this one. From the first moment I read VENUS IN BLUE JEANS the first in the Konigsburg series I fell in love, with the characters, with the storylines but most importantly with small town Konigsburg itself.
This fourth book is Erik Toleffson’s story and it was a treat worth waiting for. Erik has been in Konigsburg for a while and because he has a specific reasons for being there and he is willing to put up with the weirdness that is Konigsburg in order to see things through to the end. Being in town he naturally gravity towards what he knows for a job – security, and through a series of unpleasant events he now finds himself as a candidate for the position of Chief of Police of the town.
Erik is a dark soul, the dark horse among his brothers and he often feel that he is more or less getting his just deserve for some of the things he did in his younger years. If there is one thing that Erik would hope for even wish for, it would be what his three brother’s have – someone to call his own, someone who love him and someone that he is able to squeeze into the both at the Drew Drop just as his brothers do with their wives.
With no prospect on the female front Erik is a little surprised and caught out if truth be told when he perks up at meeting Morgan Barrett. Morgan is in Konigsburg dealing with her father’s vineyard and she has her own set of struggles to deal with – but for some reason she seems to like him – Alot.
Morgan despite all the personal problems she is having with her family knows a good thing when she feels it and one Erik Toleffson just about knocks her socks off. Meeting him might present a problem but with some rather nasty business happening in town and on the hillside of Konigsburg Morgan gets her chance for a one to one with Erik sooner rather than later and not under ideal circumstances.
The two do hook up but with Konigsburg being Konigsburg – nothing is as straight forward as it seems, there’s plotting, there undercutting, there’s brother’s trying to connect and a biker rally that just might be the last straw that breaks the camel back.
Erik's story is more than I could ask for, he is the dark brother, the one who always seems to be in the shadows yet somehow always in the right place as the right time – if you speak to any of his sisters-in-law that is.
Erik's story is not pretty and in the previous three books Ms. Benjamin had given us sneak peeks at each Toleffson’s brother experience with Erik and it was not pretty. Erik sharing his story is probably one of the highlight of this book for me. I saw how a good kid turned bad, then rotten and through just a struck of luck and much willpower he made good.
Being in Konigsburg is all about reconnecting with his brothers and their family, the Chief of Police gig just happens to be one of the list of things that rubs Erik the wrong way about the town. Some things are part and parcel of the town, like the Drew Drop with it’s questionable food and even scarier waitresses, then there is the people – they are just odd and Konigsburg would not be the same without them if truth be told, but then there are things that Erik knows he can make a difference with and the Chief of Police job is just about top of the list.
Things are not on the up and up in the town and Erik literally has an uphill battle not only corralling the towns small police force but the multitude of hidden secrets that seems to be popping up on his watch.
Morgan is learning the business of wine and wine production – but at the rate of how things are going she will be old and grey before her opinion is of any value to anything in the family run business, and that is where much of her headache stems from. Thankfully meeting Erik while a non starter for a few day seem to be the one of the better things that is happening in her life of late.
Together they click, where Erik is pessimistic, Morgan tends to always look on the bright side of life, they both have a pretty good attitude towards work and knows when to give each other space to find themselves yet they are not opposed to pushing for what they want as well.
I could feel their connection and while they made it no secret that they were together, I do like the fact that they lived their life on their terms and made their own mistakes in regards to how they manage their relationship. Small town is not the easiest of place to make a hook up much less try to build a relationship when neither party is sure if they would be living there at the end of the summer.
There are a few suspenseful storyline running through this book that just give the feel of a small-town where there is a whole lot of maggots in the woodwork and my one niggle of the book stems from this. I thought all the story lines were realistic and suited to the small-town scene however one of the minor plotline was wrapped up too easily for me.
New characters makes their debut in this book and some are scarier than hell, but I am pleased old friends were not left out in LONG TIME GONE and between the Toleffson boys and the gang that hangs out with them – I had a treat seeing then interact with each other and I could not fall in love with these people more even if I tried.
Ms. Benjamin style is one I love, she had somehow manage to find that balance between a decent plot, characters that you really can’t get enough of and actually look forward to every journey with – add to that she tosses in her brand of sarcastic humour that had me really laughing out loud many many times.
With this fourth Ms. Benjamin has even freshen up the town, after three books I thought I knew the layout and idiosyncrasy of Konigsburg and it’s residence and yet she is still able to surprise me with just how complex this simply little town of Konigsburg is. I do really love this small-town.
I could go on and on about how much this book works for me – I will stop here and say hands down this is a must read series and LONG TIME GONE is a perfect addition to the Konigsburg set of book.
This fourth book is Erik Toleffson’s story and it was a treat worth waiting for. Erik has been in Konigsburg for a while and because he has a specific reasons for being there and he is willing to put up with the weirdness that is Konigsburg in order to see things through to the end. Being in town he naturally gravity towards what he knows for a job – security, and through a series of unpleasant events he now finds himself as a candidate for the position of Chief of Police of the town.
Erik is a dark soul, the dark horse among his brothers and he often feel that he is more or less getting his just deserve for some of the things he did in his younger years. If there is one thing that Erik would hope for even wish for, it would be what his three brother’s have – someone to call his own, someone who love him and someone that he is able to squeeze into the both at the Drew Drop just as his brothers do with their wives.
With no prospect on the female front Erik is a little surprised and caught out if truth be told when he perks up at meeting Morgan Barrett. Morgan is in Konigsburg dealing with her father’s vineyard and she has her own set of struggles to deal with – but for some reason she seems to like him – Alot.
Morgan despite all the personal problems she is having with her family knows a good thing when she feels it and one Erik Toleffson just about knocks her socks off. Meeting him might present a problem but with some rather nasty business happening in town and on the hillside of Konigsburg Morgan gets her chance for a one to one with Erik sooner rather than later and not under ideal circumstances.
The two do hook up but with Konigsburg being Konigsburg – nothing is as straight forward as it seems, there’s plotting, there undercutting, there’s brother’s trying to connect and a biker rally that just might be the last straw that breaks the camel back.
Erik's story is more than I could ask for, he is the dark brother, the one who always seems to be in the shadows yet somehow always in the right place as the right time – if you speak to any of his sisters-in-law that is.
Erik's story is not pretty and in the previous three books Ms. Benjamin had given us sneak peeks at each Toleffson’s brother experience with Erik and it was not pretty. Erik sharing his story is probably one of the highlight of this book for me. I saw how a good kid turned bad, then rotten and through just a struck of luck and much willpower he made good.
Being in Konigsburg is all about reconnecting with his brothers and their family, the Chief of Police gig just happens to be one of the list of things that rubs Erik the wrong way about the town. Some things are part and parcel of the town, like the Drew Drop with it’s questionable food and even scarier waitresses, then there is the people – they are just odd and Konigsburg would not be the same without them if truth be told, but then there are things that Erik knows he can make a difference with and the Chief of Police job is just about top of the list.
Things are not on the up and up in the town and Erik literally has an uphill battle not only corralling the towns small police force but the multitude of hidden secrets that seems to be popping up on his watch.
Morgan is learning the business of wine and wine production – but at the rate of how things are going she will be old and grey before her opinion is of any value to anything in the family run business, and that is where much of her headache stems from. Thankfully meeting Erik while a non starter for a few day seem to be the one of the better things that is happening in her life of late.
Together they click, where Erik is pessimistic, Morgan tends to always look on the bright side of life, they both have a pretty good attitude towards work and knows when to give each other space to find themselves yet they are not opposed to pushing for what they want as well.
I could feel their connection and while they made it no secret that they were together, I do like the fact that they lived their life on their terms and made their own mistakes in regards to how they manage their relationship. Small town is not the easiest of place to make a hook up much less try to build a relationship when neither party is sure if they would be living there at the end of the summer.
There are a few suspenseful storyline running through this book that just give the feel of a small-town where there is a whole lot of maggots in the woodwork and my one niggle of the book stems from this. I thought all the story lines were realistic and suited to the small-town scene however one of the minor plotline was wrapped up too easily for me.
New characters makes their debut in this book and some are scarier than hell, but I am pleased old friends were not left out in LONG TIME GONE and between the Toleffson boys and the gang that hangs out with them – I had a treat seeing then interact with each other and I could not fall in love with these people more even if I tried.
Ms. Benjamin style is one I love, she had somehow manage to find that balance between a decent plot, characters that you really can’t get enough of and actually look forward to every journey with – add to that she tosses in her brand of sarcastic humour that had me really laughing out loud many many times.
With this fourth Ms. Benjamin has even freshen up the town, after three books I thought I knew the layout and idiosyncrasy of Konigsburg and it’s residence and yet she is still able to surprise me with just how complex this simply little town of Konigsburg is. I do really love this small-town.
I could go on and on about how much this book works for me – I will stop here and say hands down this is a must read series and LONG TIME GONE is a perfect addition to the Konigsburg set of book.
November 15, 2011
I'm enjoying the Konigsburg series - interesting characters, a nicely laid out town and atmosphere, believable romances. My problem is with the series as a whole, and the fault is partially mine as I've read them back to back.
In every one of the books, there is an authority figure, usually older male, often father, who is abusing that authority. The worst part, for me, is that the main characters don't seem to grow and move on from this conflict.
It wasn't as evident in the first book (which I loved), but in the second, the scheming, meddling parents and in-laws; in the third, the villain of the story; in this one, Morgan's father is an insufferable ass, and Morgan just lets him beat her into the ground. It was very frustrating for me, and I kept waiting for her to say enough is enough and leave the winery job.
I'm now reading the next book, and it has the same problem - overbearing and insufferable father, but so far, at least, the heroine is standing up for herself. Fingers crossed she holds her ground...
I would love to see Meg Benjamin write more stories, as she obviously has talent, but with a different type of conflict in them!
In every one of the books, there is an authority figure, usually older male, often father, who is abusing that authority. The worst part, for me, is that the main characters don't seem to grow and move on from this conflict.
It wasn't as evident in the first book (which I loved), but in the second, the scheming, meddling parents and in-laws; in the third, the villain of the story; in this one, Morgan's father is an insufferable ass, and Morgan just lets him beat her into the ground. It was very frustrating for me, and I kept waiting for her to say enough is enough and leave the winery job.
I'm now reading the next book, and it has the same problem - overbearing and insufferable father, but so far, at least, the heroine is standing up for herself. Fingers crossed she holds her ground...
I would love to see Meg Benjamin write more stories, as she obviously has talent, but with a different type of conflict in them!
December 5, 2010
~* 4.5 Stars *~
The eldest of the Toleffson brothers has long known he's the black sheep of his family. His three younger brothers are all good guys. Erik isn't. Cal, Lars, and Pete are happily married to equally good women. Erik isn't. The three also have successful careers they enjoy. Erik...well...he might have that, if the puke-face mayor of Konigsburg stops trying to get his butt fired even before his probationary period as Chief of Police comes to an end.
And then there's Bambi... Well, her name is Morgan Barrett but she's got these incredible eyes that remind Erik of...actually, never mind that. Morgan's managing Cedar Creek Winery while her father is on the mend and she's running herself ragged working sixteen hours a day trying to prove herself. When she met Erik, she was so exhausted she yawned in his face, but other than that, it was a great first impression. Heck, at least she wasn't drunk like he'd first thought.
After a rocky childhood and hoodlum youth as a bully who was too fond of booze, Erik doesn't drink. Morgan works with wine. Erik is quietly trying to make up for a past where he tormented his brothers. Morgan is desperate for an ounce of respect from her father. Erik's just doing his job, Morgan's trying to make one for herself. And somehow, though they are definitely different and complicated individuals, they're sort of made for each other.
Welcome back to Konigsburg.
I admit, I've been waiting for Erik's book since his character was first mentioned. I thought his history was an intriguing counterpoint to the almost too-good-to-be-true brothers (emphasis on almost) and as the series progressed I became more and more interested in him as a character. He always seemed so deserving of redemption and yet certain he wasn't. I was more than pleasantly surprised to find out that Long Time Gone had more going for it than featuring my favorite of the Toleffson brothers; it was the best book of the bunch for other reasons, as well.
There was much more of the Konigsburg, Texas quirkiness that I so enjoy. This delightful tourist town is full of odd and unique secondary and ancillary characters who add a depth and sense of Texas culture to each story. The first book in the series, Venus in Blue Jeans, was full of it, but the two subsequent books didn't feature the town quite as much - to their detriment, in my opinion. Thankfully, Konigsburg is back in all its quirky glory in Long Time Gone, including the shenanigans of a biker weekend and a wine festival. I just love that town and its inhabitants.
Morgan and Erik are great characters, richly layered and complex. Erik, for all his regret for his past, and all that he doesn't feel worthy of redemption just yet, is a good man with a strong sense of right and wrong. He's strong and dependable, and so drawn to Morgan that he's adorable with it. Morgan has her own inner strength and a sharp mind for business. She's got issues with her father, but her work ethic is impeccable. And the way she's drawn to Erik, accepting of his darker impulses, is heart warming.
Benjamin paced the development of their relationship nicely, and their progression through the story felt very organic and true to them as individuals. The book has a nicely layered plot arc that highlighted Erik's and Morgan's individual strengths and delved into their issues as it blended their lives together. Some of that blending was smooth, some a little ragged for the sake of conflict in the story, but it was all creative and realistic. I found myself more than a little enchanted by the journey.
I just felt this was an all around a better book than the previous three. Deeper and more interesting characters, better character development, a stronger and more comprehensive plot with pleasing layers, exceptionally well suited romantic pairing, and a background full of the quirky and odd town of Konigsburg all enhanced my reading enjoyment. I've been a big fan of this series from the very beginning, but this book just really worked for me on almost every level.
The only thing that kept this from being a fully five star read for me was the absence of a scene with the brothers in which they finally resolved their dark past. The road to redemption is more like a broken sidewalk - it's pitted and cracked and definitely uneven, littered with the detritus of life. But for those who truly seek it, and walk it diligently, it should lead to resolution and forgiveness. At least in fiction, anyway. I wanted that for Erik - that moment when he got to lay down the burden of his past and move forward with his brothers' unilateral forgiveness. Things are better for them, yes, and there has no doubt been an acceptance of the past and a burgeoning renewal of their brotherhood with Erik included. I was just hoping for a little more and I'm left feeling a bit of the bittersweet in its absence.
Meg Benjamin has hit her stride in Long Time Gone: Konigsburg, Texas Book 4 and while the Toleffsons will definitely hold a special place in my heart, I'm thrilled that the Konigsburg saga continues with Brand New Me. According to Meg Benjamin's website, this fifth book in the series will be available December 7th. That's definitely good news, because I'm not ready to move out of Konigsburg just yet. I'm hoping I don't have to for a long, long time.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
The eldest of the Toleffson brothers has long known he's the black sheep of his family. His three younger brothers are all good guys. Erik isn't. Cal, Lars, and Pete are happily married to equally good women. Erik isn't. The three also have successful careers they enjoy. Erik...well...he might have that, if the puke-face mayor of Konigsburg stops trying to get his butt fired even before his probationary period as Chief of Police comes to an end.
And then there's Bambi... Well, her name is Morgan Barrett but she's got these incredible eyes that remind Erik of...actually, never mind that. Morgan's managing Cedar Creek Winery while her father is on the mend and she's running herself ragged working sixteen hours a day trying to prove herself. When she met Erik, she was so exhausted she yawned in his face, but other than that, it was a great first impression. Heck, at least she wasn't drunk like he'd first thought.
After a rocky childhood and hoodlum youth as a bully who was too fond of booze, Erik doesn't drink. Morgan works with wine. Erik is quietly trying to make up for a past where he tormented his brothers. Morgan is desperate for an ounce of respect from her father. Erik's just doing his job, Morgan's trying to make one for herself. And somehow, though they are definitely different and complicated individuals, they're sort of made for each other.
Welcome back to Konigsburg.
I admit, I've been waiting for Erik's book since his character was first mentioned. I thought his history was an intriguing counterpoint to the almost too-good-to-be-true brothers (emphasis on almost) and as the series progressed I became more and more interested in him as a character. He always seemed so deserving of redemption and yet certain he wasn't. I was more than pleasantly surprised to find out that Long Time Gone had more going for it than featuring my favorite of the Toleffson brothers; it was the best book of the bunch for other reasons, as well.
There was much more of the Konigsburg, Texas quirkiness that I so enjoy. This delightful tourist town is full of odd and unique secondary and ancillary characters who add a depth and sense of Texas culture to each story. The first book in the series, Venus in Blue Jeans, was full of it, but the two subsequent books didn't feature the town quite as much - to their detriment, in my opinion. Thankfully, Konigsburg is back in all its quirky glory in Long Time Gone, including the shenanigans of a biker weekend and a wine festival. I just love that town and its inhabitants.
Morgan and Erik are great characters, richly layered and complex. Erik, for all his regret for his past, and all that he doesn't feel worthy of redemption just yet, is a good man with a strong sense of right and wrong. He's strong and dependable, and so drawn to Morgan that he's adorable with it. Morgan has her own inner strength and a sharp mind for business. She's got issues with her father, but her work ethic is impeccable. And the way she's drawn to Erik, accepting of his darker impulses, is heart warming.
Benjamin paced the development of their relationship nicely, and their progression through the story felt very organic and true to them as individuals. The book has a nicely layered plot arc that highlighted Erik's and Morgan's individual strengths and delved into their issues as it blended their lives together. Some of that blending was smooth, some a little ragged for the sake of conflict in the story, but it was all creative and realistic. I found myself more than a little enchanted by the journey.
I just felt this was an all around a better book than the previous three. Deeper and more interesting characters, better character development, a stronger and more comprehensive plot with pleasing layers, exceptionally well suited romantic pairing, and a background full of the quirky and odd town of Konigsburg all enhanced my reading enjoyment. I've been a big fan of this series from the very beginning, but this book just really worked for me on almost every level.
The only thing that kept this from being a fully five star read for me was the absence of a scene with the brothers in which they finally resolved their dark past. The road to redemption is more like a broken sidewalk - it's pitted and cracked and definitely uneven, littered with the detritus of life. But for those who truly seek it, and walk it diligently, it should lead to resolution and forgiveness. At least in fiction, anyway. I wanted that for Erik - that moment when he got to lay down the burden of his past and move forward with his brothers' unilateral forgiveness. Things are better for them, yes, and there has no doubt been an acceptance of the past and a burgeoning renewal of their brotherhood with Erik included. I was just hoping for a little more and I'm left feeling a bit of the bittersweet in its absence.
Meg Benjamin has hit her stride in Long Time Gone: Konigsburg, Texas Book 4 and while the Toleffsons will definitely hold a special place in my heart, I'm thrilled that the Konigsburg saga continues with Brand New Me. According to Meg Benjamin's website, this fifth book in the series will be available December 7th. That's definitely good news, because I'm not ready to move out of Konigsburg just yet. I'm hoping I don't have to for a long, long time.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
August 16, 2011
Just ok. I couldn’t get excited about anything. It was somewhat tedious until the very end when things wrapped up nicely.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
There were a couple of sex scenes that were pretty good, others were just ok. Most of the time is spent with Erik’s and Morgan’s actions, thoughts, and views of things. I would have liked more time with the various bad guys. I wanted to see their thinking, conversations, and actions. Instead we were “told” those things at the end. We were “told” who did what and when and now they will be going to jail. Similarly, Morgan’s father changed his mind about some things which we were “told” and not shown. It would have been nice to see how his change happened, to hear his thoughts as he was surprised by something, and to realize he was wrong.
STORY BRIEF:
Morgan’s parents are separated. Her father owns a winery in Texas. He broke his leg and is staying with his estranged wife to recuperate. Morgan quit her job and went to the winery to learn the business and take care of things while her father was away. Morgan has a business degree in marketing and wants to make changes at the winery. Her father is her biggest problem. He doesn’t trust her judgment and won’t listen to her. She’s frustrated.
Erik was a bully and trouble maker as a youth. He spent three years with the army military police in Iraq. He then got a degree in criminal justice and worked for a police dept. in Iowa. But his bad reputation from his teenage years caused problems, so he moved to Konigsburg. He works part-time in the police dept. The Konigsburg city council needs to hire a new police chief. The county sheriff recommends Eric, and he gets the job. The mayor is unhappy because he wanted Linklatter to be chief. Linklatter is incompetent and merely a yes man to the mayor. Erik has two main problems, the mayor is trying to get him fired, and someone is illegally dumping chemicals in the area.
DATA:
Story length: 268 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 6. Total number of sex scene page: 13. Setting: current day Konigsburg, Texas. Copyright: 2011. Genre: romantic mystery with a little suspense.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
There were a couple of sex scenes that were pretty good, others were just ok. Most of the time is spent with Erik’s and Morgan’s actions, thoughts, and views of things. I would have liked more time with the various bad guys. I wanted to see their thinking, conversations, and actions. Instead we were “told” those things at the end. We were “told” who did what and when and now they will be going to jail. Similarly, Morgan’s father changed his mind about some things which we were “told” and not shown. It would have been nice to see how his change happened, to hear his thoughts as he was surprised by something, and to realize he was wrong.
STORY BRIEF:
Morgan’s parents are separated. Her father owns a winery in Texas. He broke his leg and is staying with his estranged wife to recuperate. Morgan quit her job and went to the winery to learn the business and take care of things while her father was away. Morgan has a business degree in marketing and wants to make changes at the winery. Her father is her biggest problem. He doesn’t trust her judgment and won’t listen to her. She’s frustrated.
Erik was a bully and trouble maker as a youth. He spent three years with the army military police in Iraq. He then got a degree in criminal justice and worked for a police dept. in Iowa. But his bad reputation from his teenage years caused problems, so he moved to Konigsburg. He works part-time in the police dept. The Konigsburg city council needs to hire a new police chief. The county sheriff recommends Eric, and he gets the job. The mayor is unhappy because he wanted Linklatter to be chief. Linklatter is incompetent and merely a yes man to the mayor. Erik has two main problems, the mayor is trying to get him fired, and someone is illegally dumping chemicals in the area.
DATA:
Story length: 268 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 6. Total number of sex scene page: 13. Setting: current day Konigsburg, Texas. Copyright: 2011. Genre: romantic mystery with a little suspense.
July 17, 2010
Wendy’s Review
Long Time Gone is a story that brings you into the life of a family that has good times and bad. Morgan came home not expecting to find love, but to help while her father recovers, and to prove to him that she could be an asset to the winery.
Erik comes to south Texas after his brothers move there to start their family. The last thing on his mind is finding love. He had to prove to himself and his brothers that he changed. Erik and Morgan's life intertwines as they fight their inner emotions. Erik helps Morgan when she gets hurts and starts to invistigate what is happening in his town as he is temporary police chief...and so the fanatasy begins, sexual tension building into a relationship.
The setting is a small community, and most decisions and discussions are made at the Dew Drop, where everyone knows everyone. There is corruption; and slowly but surely it is taken out. Through the dangers of corruption two people come together and start a life.
Long Time Gone is a story that keeps you hanging on and makes you wonder what will happen next. After reading this one I will go back and read the sequel leading up to this book. The characters are so true to life. Even though it is a sequel, it can be read alone.
4 Tea Cups!
Long Time Gone is a story that brings you into the life of a family that has good times and bad. Morgan came home not expecting to find love, but to help while her father recovers, and to prove to him that she could be an asset to the winery.
Erik comes to south Texas after his brothers move there to start their family. The last thing on his mind is finding love. He had to prove to himself and his brothers that he changed. Erik and Morgan's life intertwines as they fight their inner emotions. Erik helps Morgan when she gets hurts and starts to invistigate what is happening in his town as he is temporary police chief...and so the fanatasy begins, sexual tension building into a relationship.
The setting is a small community, and most decisions and discussions are made at the Dew Drop, where everyone knows everyone. There is corruption; and slowly but surely it is taken out. Through the dangers of corruption two people come together and start a life.
Long Time Gone is a story that keeps you hanging on and makes you wonder what will happen next. After reading this one I will go back and read the sequel leading up to this book. The characters are so true to life. Even though it is a sequel, it can be read alone.
4 Tea Cups!
August 31, 2011
The Chief of Police job lands on Erik Toleffson's lap and he's not too sure if he wants it and the baggage it entails, especially since he is still trying to mend relationships with his younger brothers. Morgan is overworked and under-appreciated after she takes over running her father's winery while he is out due to an injury.
Their first meeting is anything but electric and love at first sight but it is the beginning a slow, smoldering affair that was a joy to read. These characters are very likeable which I was wondering how Ms. Benjamin was going to do it since Erik was a huge bully and overall demon seed in his youth. The redemption of Erik is really what sets this book apart. It started with the first book of the Konisburg series and culminates in this one and it was well worth the wait.
I have to say that it made it easier for me to enjoy this character's journey because I read all books in sequence and quick succession. For someone who doesn't normally read contemporaries, especially small town ones, the Konigsburg series turned out to be a real treat. They are all well written and enjoyable. I will definitely keep an eye out for more books by this author.
Their first meeting is anything but electric and love at first sight but it is the beginning a slow, smoldering affair that was a joy to read. These characters are very likeable which I was wondering how Ms. Benjamin was going to do it since Erik was a huge bully and overall demon seed in his youth. The redemption of Erik is really what sets this book apart. It started with the first book of the Konisburg series and culminates in this one and it was well worth the wait.
I have to say that it made it easier for me to enjoy this character's journey because I read all books in sequence and quick succession. For someone who doesn't normally read contemporaries, especially small town ones, the Konigsburg series turned out to be a real treat. They are all well written and enjoyable. I will definitely keep an eye out for more books by this author.
May 19, 2014
The star rating given reflects my opinion within ‘the official goodreads rating system’. (Notice the two important words... OPINION and RATING)
1 star: Didn’t Like it
2 stars: It’s Okay
3 stars: Liked it
4 stars: Really Liked it
5 stars: It Was Amazing
I don’t really give a rat-fuck that there are some who think I ‘owe’ an explanation for my opinion. Nope, nada, and not sorry about it.
Sometimes I may add notes to explain what my opinions are based on, and sometimes I don’t. I do this for me, on my books, in my library and I don’t ‘owe’ any special snowflakes a thing. Fuck off if you don’t like it and stop reading my shit.
Particularly given the ‘modifications’ to reader’s personal content going on (and outright censorship), unless particularly motivated I will not comment in detail.
It would help if GR was forthcoming in the new ‘appropriate’ and would make a site-wide announcement delineating the new focus from a reader-centric site to one that is now for authors and selling.
1 star: Didn’t Like it
2 stars: It’s Okay
3 stars: Liked it
4 stars: Really Liked it
5 stars: It Was Amazing
I don’t really give a rat-fuck that there are some who think I ‘owe’ an explanation for my opinion. Nope, nada, and not sorry about it.
Sometimes I may add notes to explain what my opinions are based on, and sometimes I don’t. I do this for me, on my books, in my library and I don’t ‘owe’ any special snowflakes a thing. Fuck off if you don’t like it and stop reading my shit.
Particularly given the ‘modifications’ to reader’s personal content going on (and outright censorship), unless particularly motivated I will not comment in detail.
It would help if GR was forthcoming in the new ‘appropriate’ and would make a site-wide announcement delineating the new focus from a reader-centric site to one that is now for authors and selling.
July 16, 2010
3.5 stars. A nice end to the Toleffson brothers stories. Although it would have been nice to see a conversation between Eric & his brothers about their past, Bejamin managed to convey the goodwill, even if Eric didn't feel worthy of it.
I liked both characters a lot. It was clear that Eric would always need to control his temper bit Morgan accepted and loved him for who he was right now and that made all the difference to him.
Didn't understand why Morgan's dad was so against marketing in general. It seemed a little contrived.
I liked that while Morgan was unsure of her place in Eric's life when his job was on the line, there was no dramatic dumping scene (no pun intended). Just a bit of uncertainty on both their parts.
But I admit that the entire story fit perfectly into quirky, odd Konigsberg. A nice book.
I liked both characters a lot. It was clear that Eric would always need to control his temper bit Morgan accepted and loved him for who he was right now and that made all the difference to him.
Didn't understand why Morgan's dad was so against marketing in general. It seemed a little contrived.
I liked that while Morgan was unsure of her place in Eric's life when his job was on the line, there was no dramatic dumping scene (no pun intended). Just a bit of uncertainty on both their parts.
But I admit that the entire story fit perfectly into quirky, odd Konigsberg. A nice book.
July 26, 2010
I really enjoyed this conclusion to the Toleffson family romances. It has less direct threats and even more lovely family & friends interaction. The only weak point was Erik (who is consistently taciturn - as he has been represented before) not truly convincing me of liking Morgan for more than the amazing sex. To say it differently, if the two had agreed to explore their budding relationship more at the end of the book and not to move in with each other right away, I would have believed it more. Due to the nature of the conflicts they didn't spend a lot of time with each other inside the book, apart from in bed.
I don't know why Meg Benjamin hasn't gotten a print publishing contract yet.
I don't know why Meg Benjamin hasn't gotten a print publishing contract yet.
April 18, 2011
Meg Benjamin has finished this series in a way that makes it just right for all the Toleffson’s in this series. Erik is like a fallen angel and Meg Benjamin did a great job in showing us that every man deserves a second chance. To read the remainder of this review, please visit http://www.blackravensreviews.com/?p=...
December 31, 2014
Fourth book; fourth brother. By now you know the townspeople well enough to know what mischief they can get up to (or down to - remember, I live here), and they do just that. These four books were all published within 18 months, so there's a consistency to even the most minor of characters.
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July 21, 2010Excellent romantic suspense, with lots of hotness to it.
August 20, 2011
Another Great one!
August 26, 2012
Another great book in the series.
June 2, 2013
So good!
October 23, 2012
LOVED Erik! So glad he got a HEA.
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