Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone by Phaedra Patrick (who also wrote The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, reviewed here) is the story of Benedict, who has just been left by his wife because they are unable to have a baby. He is overweight, down in the dumps, and estranged from his only relative, the brother he helped to raise when their parents died. Then along comes his brother’s daughter, escaping her own troubles, and things begin to turn around. Like Arthur Pepper, this charming book is a gem (no pun intended) and a light, enjoyable read (though a bit slow to start – stick with it).