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Redwood BendRobyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Virgin River/Book 18
Harlequin/February 28, 2012
Katie Malone and her twin boys’ trip along the beautiful mountain roads to Virgin River is stopped short by a tire as flat as her failed romance. To make matters worse, the rain has set in, the boys are hungry and Katie doesn’t have the first clue about putting on a spare. As she stands at the side of the road pondering her next move, she hears a distinct rumble. The sight of the sexy, leather-clad bikers who pull up beside her puts her imagination into overdrive.
Dylan Childress and his buddies are on the motorcycle trip of a lifetime. But the site of a woman in distress stops them in their tracks. And while the guys are checking out her car, she and Dylan are checking out one another.
In one brief moment, the world tilts on its axis and any previous plans Katie and Dylan might have had for their futures are left at the side of the road.
Virgin River is such an idyllic place - even the tough looking, leather clad bikers are helpful and polite! It seems like the perfect place to start a new life. Or to hide away from life for awhile. Either way, I always enjoy my trips to Virgin River - catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.
Katie Malone's life hasn't been exactly idyllic but it's getting there. She and her boys have been through a lot in the past months and now they're starting over in Virgin River. Katie's brother, Connor, recently moved there and family is important to both of them. Katie is a widow and Connor provides an important male influence in her boys lives. It's obvious Katie is use to being a single parent but I wish she had not been so stubborn when it came to accepting help.
Dylan Childress loves to get away on his bike. To hit the open road and leave your worries behind. The only problem is those worries are still there at the end of the ride. Dylan is a former child star who now runs a small charter flying company in Montana. The company is not doing well and Dylan is considering getting back into acting, purely for the money. I found it odd that Dylan could get back into acting, with such a good role, after being away from Hollywood for so long.
The biggest problem I had with the story is the romance. Katie and Dylan didn't fit for me. Yes there is a physical attraction, no surprise since they're both good looking and likable. But beyond that, I had a hard time seeing these two together. And with Dylan's work taking him to California and Montana, they're not together very much. Dylan also thinks he's meant to be alone, no family, no kids and no picket fence. For Katie, she already has the kids, the close family ties now she just needs the husband to complete the picture.
Katie, for all her self-reliance is an example how life does go on after a tragedy. I did like how she tried to keep a positive attitude for her boys and herself. It's Dylan that has a habit of dwelling on past mistakes and losses. A little too much self-doubt for a man who has made a good life for himself in spite of himself.
We do get to catch up with the Virgin River regulars. I swear if I ever find my own "Jack's Bar" I'm never leaving. Even with the weak romance, I still enjoyed this trip to Virgin River and look forward to the next time.
Rating: C+
Virgin River Series
1. Virgin River
2. Shelter Mountain
3. Whispering Rock
4. A Virgin River Christmas
5. Second Chance Pass
6. Temptation Ridge
7. Paradise Valley
8. Under the Christmas Tree (novella in That Holiday Feeling)
9. Forbidden Falls
10. Angel's Peak
11. Moonlight Road
12. Midnight Confessions (novella in Midnight Kiss)
13. Promise Canyon
14. Wild Man Creek
15. Harvest Moon
16. Bring Me Home for Christmas
17. Hidden Summit
18. Redwood Bend
19. Sunrise Point (April 24, 2012)
BOok 18?!? Wow that's impressive. That the author has written so many connected books and that you've read them all!
ReplyDeleteI read this one because a lot of people seemed to like it, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd like. I agree with you, Katie and Dylan just didn't seem to match :(
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that disappointed me was the lack of connection between Dylan and the twins as well. Yes, the twins get attached to him, but it's only because they got used to him.
and the ending with the bears? Yes, it was set up, but I felt it was far-fetched and kind of came out of no where.
Christine ~ 18 books with another one coming out in April. I did cheat and listened to a few audiobooks. It was the only way I could catch up! LOL
ReplyDeleteNath ~ I'm hoping the next one is better. Honestly, I don't remember who Tom is. Might have to do some skimming of earlier books. :)