____________________________

Beyond The Pine is the first book I have read by Kate Benson.  I can honestly say that I am impressed with her gift of storytelling.  I was immediately drawn into the story within the first few paragraphs.  I was held captive by the characters and their story.  Unlike them, I was not looking for escape.  I wanted to experience every moment with them.

***

When I read the synopsis for Beyond The Pine, I was intrigued.  Not many authors attempt this kind of story plot because of the magnitude of responsibility in building the world, creating believable characters that readers can identify with, and building sexual tension in a suppressed world is very difficult.  Every passage and chapter has to be perfectly synchronized with acute timing to make this kind of story work.  The author also has to be extremely careful with the religious content in the story.  Kate Benson met each of these specifications and delivered a story that came alive.

***

Riley was born on the “farm”, a religious compound hidden deep within the forest.  As a member of this community, she is bound to her duties bestowed upon her by the lord and the Reverend.  She has never questioned her place within the community until a stranger is taken into the infirmary after a motorcycle accident.  She is drawn to this stranger and begins to defy the rules placed upon her.  Asher Reed has opened Riley’s heart.  She’s finding a desire to learn more about the world outside, she’s learning the desires of the soul, and learning the desires of the body.

***

Asher Reed woke up in a very strange world.  A world that seemed to be lost in time.  It is abundantly clear that he has stumbled into a religious occult.  As he recovers from his injuries, he begins questioning his own life.  He has been a nomad all of his life.  He belongs to a different kind of world, a world that ties him to his motorcycle club.  After meeting Riley, he’s willing to give up his nomadic ways and live a life of humble simplicity.  She is the everything he never knew he wanted.  He will do anything to keep her by his side.

***

The Reverend has other plans for Riley’s life.  Those plans don’t include Asher Reed.  The Reverend puts his will into motion and Riley’s life is spinning out of control.  The more she defy’s the Reverends will, the more dangerous her life becomes.  The Reverend is hiding horrific secrets that could not only destroy her life but also all of the lives in the community.

***

Riley and Asher are fighting for the impossible dream.  Freedom is far beyond the pines.

***

I could not put this book down.  I was glued to the pages.  Kate Benson is a gifted author and I hope other readers will discover her talent.

***

The only thing that may be holding this book back is the cover itself. It is said the cover doesn’t sell a book, it’s the content that sells.  I find this an untrue conception.  Newer authors or lesser known authors need all the help they can get in todays competitive market. Dynamic covers capture the buyers attention. The cover for this book seems to fit Riley’s character but does not attract the buyers eye.  A more dynamic cover could make this book stand out on all of the retail sites.

___________________________