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Sunrise PointRobyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Virgin River/Book 19
Mira/April 24, 2012
Tom Cavanaugh may think he wants a traditional woman, but in Virgin River, the greatest tradition is falling in love unexpectedly....
Former marine Tom Cavanaugh’s come home to Virgin River, ready to take over his family’s apple orchard and settle down. He knows just what the perfect woman will be like: sweet, decent, maybe a little naive. The marrying kind.
Nothing like Nora Crane. So why can’t he keep his eyes off the striking single mother?
Nora may not have a formal education, but she graduated with honors from the school of hard knocks. She’s been through tough times and she’ll do whatever it takes to support her family, including helping with harvest time at the Cavanaugh’s orchard. She’s always kept a single-minded focus on staying afloat...but suddenly her thoughts keep drifting back to rugged, opinionated Tom Cavanaugh.
Both Nora and Tom have their own ideas of what family means. But they’re about to prove each other completely wrong...
Hard to believe this is the nineteenth book (including novellas) in the series. The reason I started reading this series is still there - that close-knit, small town feel good sense I get when reading a Robyn Carr book. I love returning to Virgin River and catching up with old friends and meeting some new ones. Which is good since the romance between Nora and Tom was probably the weakest part of the the story.
Nora Crane knows what it means to be down and out. Landing in Virgin River was one of the best things to ever happen to her but it didn't come easy. Nora is a single mom who fell for the wrong guy. That wrong guy left her and her two girls with no means of support except for the kindness of the residents of Virgin River. Nora doesn't like to take handouts but she will gladly swallow her pride for her girls. Nora is a no-nonsense, hard worker who is very easy to like. Even after everything that's happened to her she still has a positive attitude.
Tom Cavanaugh loves apples. The orchard has been in his family for years and he knows everything there is to know about apples. I liked that Tom was happy to be taking over the family business instead of resentful that it fell to him. He and his grandmother, Maxie, run the family business and have a wonderful relationship. The problems I encountered with Tom were his inflexible ideas of what makes the perfect wife. Far too often I wanted to yell "she's right there Tom!" and point at Nora. But Tom thinks he's too smart, he knows what he wants and Nora and all her problems not to mentioned her kids, didn't fit his idea of perfect. Oh Tom, why do you have to be such a fool!
The romance begins as employer/employee relationship with Tom not wanting to hire Nora but getting pushed into it by his grandmother Maxie. I did like seeing how Tom's first impression of Nora changes as he sees beyond her small stature and lack of experience to her tenacious will to succeed. As Nora and Tom work together Tom begins to fall for Nora but still thinks she all wrong for him so he's looking elsewhere. Nora stays cool through it all and shows she's the mature one in the relationship.
The gangs all here! Once again we get to see many of the familiar faces of Virgin River. I loved catching up with Jack and Mel, Preacher and Paige. Then there's Luke and his friend Cooper, a new character who has future hero written all over him. So while the romance didn't thrill me, I was still happy to be back in Virgin River if only for a little while. Until 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
20. My Kind of Christmas (October 2012)
My goodness!!! 20 books?!! I'm in awe. This is a long series, Leslie. I still have Temptation Ridge and Paradise Valley in my TBR, lol! But, I recognize Jack and Mel, and Preacher and Paige. *g*
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed that you've stuck with this series!
Book 19!!! Really? Wow. I think I stopped reading at 10. Oh wait I did read 13 out of order. I really, really enjoyed the first 4 books but then they just weren't quite as good. I think they got a bit sugary for me - even with the angst. lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review!
Hmmm, this trilogy has not been very strong I find. Doesn't Nora reminds you of the preacher's wife? down on her luck with two kids. I didn't feel the urge to buy this one and I guess I'm going to pass. Gasp! LOL. Thanks for the review, Les!
ReplyDeleteHils ~ It is an easy series to get into with the reoccurring characters. I did have some help and listened to audio books to catch up since Carr has been publishing 3 books a year!
ReplyDeleteTracy ~ It can get a little too sweet, totally know what you mean. It's been hit and miss for me but overall, hits.
Nath ~ Yes, now that you mention it, Nora is a lot like Ellie. I think at one point Noah even tells Nora that she's a lot like his wife. LOL