ARC Review: One Wish

One Wish
Robyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Thunder Point/Book 7
MIRA/February 24, 2015

Grace Dillon was a champion figure skater until she moved to Thunder Point to escape the ruthless world of fame and competition. And though she's proud of the quiet, self-sufficient life she's created running a successful flower shop, she knows something is missing. Her life could use a little excitement.

In a community where there are few eligible singles, high school teacher Troy Headly appoints himself Grace's fun coach. When he suggests a little companionship with no strings attached, Grace is eager to take him up on his offer, and the two enjoy…getting to know each other.

But things get complicated when Grace's past catches up with her, and she knows that's not what Troy signed up for. Faced with losing her, Troy realizes Grace is more than just a friend with benefits. He's determined to help her fight for the life she always wished for but never believed she could have—and maybe they can find real love along the way.

Can't believe we're already on book seven in the Thunder Point series.  In a way it feels like we just started but then again these characters feel so familiar, much like the Virgin River characters began to feel like family. One Wish was a relaxing romance. The hero and heroine are both intelligent, mature adults who didn't irritate the heck out of me with stupidity. That's always a relief!

Troy is attempting to heal his broken heart. Poor Troy! I didn't really feel sorry for him after his crush on Iris McKinley (see previous book) didn't pan out. Troy likes playing the field and it never felt like his heart would stay broken for long. Which is why it was no surprise when Troy took notice of Grace who just happened to be Iris' best friend.

Grace isn't blind and Troy is certainly easy on the eyes! Not only is she attracted to him physically but she finds she enjoys spending time with him. Grace's usual male friends include a medieval knight, a vampire and a Navy SEAL. Yep, Grace has book boyfriends! This made me like her that much more! She has convinced herself that she wants a quiet life and her life in Thunder Point suits her. Except she finds, after meeting Troy, a need for a little bit of excitement outside of her books. Troy offers that excitement and at first Grace thinks it's enough.

The romance starts as casual, friends with no strings but soon both Troy and Grace realize they want more. They're comfortable with each other and find they have much in common with their humor and their dedication to their work. It was a sweet friendship to lovers romance but nothing earthshaking. I found Grace's background and how she came to Thunder Point nearly as interesting as the romance.

Rating: B

Thunder Point Series ~

The Wanderer
The Newcomer
The Hero
The Chance
The Promise
The Homecoming
One Wish
A New Hope (June 30, 2015)
Wildest Dreams (August 25, 2015)

ARC Review: The Promise

The Promise
Robyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Thunder Point/Book 5
Harlequin MIRA/June 24, 2014

Scott Grant has a bustling family practice in the small Oregon community of Thunder Point. The town and its people have embraced the widowed doctor and father of two, his children are thriving, and Scott knows it's time to move on from his loss. But as the town's only doctor, the dating scene is awkward. That is, until a stunning physician's assistant applies for a job at his clinic.

Peyton Lacoumette considers herself entirely out of the dating scene. She's already been burned by a man with kids, and she's come to Thunder Point determined not to repeat past mistakes. When Scott offers her a job, at a much lower salary than she's used to, Peyton is surprisingly eager to accept…at least for now. She's willing to stay for a three-month trial period while she explores other options.

Scott and Peyton know the arrangement is temporary—it isn't enough time to build a real relationship, never mind anything with lasting commitment. But love can blossom faster than you think when the timing is right, and this short visit just might hold the promise of forever.

Come on back to Thunder Point, Oregon.  It's a beautiful place, I want to live there!  Like Carr's Virgin River series, the setting is also a vibrant character. What make up the town are the people, those welcoming, giving souls who almost seem too good to be true.  For Doctor Scott Grant, Thunder Point is the perfect place for his little family.  For Peyton Lacoumette, a break from the city is what she needs for her

Peyton could work at a larger, more prestigious practice but small town life is calling to her.  She finds she needs the friendly, comforting feel of Thunder Point.  After the mess she left behind in Portland, Peyton is happy to find a temporary home until she decides what and where she wants her life to go.  Peyton is a woman who is easy to like.  She knows what she wants, she's not perfect but is learning from her mistakes and is mature in her professional life and personal life.

Dr. Grant is the beloved local doctor with a heart of gold.  Too good to be true?  It certainly seems like it but he's also human and not perfect which is what made him come out of that god-like persona and into the world of mere mortals.  He's friendly, hard working and easy to relate to.  A great guy for Peyton, if only she can get past the similarities to her ex.

Scott Grant is almost too good to be true.  I could totally see how Peyton would want to back away from him not only because on the surface he seems like he has the same issues Peyton's ex had, but after getting burned it's not surprising Peyton is leery of any relationship with another doctor.

We do get to catch up with the residents of Thunder Point which is always something to look forward to.  I think that's the appeal of a small town romance series.  You not only get to meet new characters but have the chance to catch up with some old favorites.  This can take away page time from the main couple which can cause their romance to feel less than fully developed.

Overall, a solid addition to the Thunder Point series.

Rating: B+

Thunder Point Series ~

The Wanderer
The Newcomer
The Hero
The Chance
The Promise
The Homecoming (August 26, 2014)

ARC Review: The Chance

The Chance
Robyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Thunder BPoint/Book 4
MIRA(Harlequin)/February 25, 2014

With its breathtaking vistas and down-to-earth people, Thunder Point is the perfect place for FBI agent Laine Carrington to recuperate from a gunshot wound and contemplate her future. The locals embraced Laine as one of their own after she risked her life to save a young girl from a dangerous cult. Knowing her wounds go beyond the physical, Laine hopes she'll fit in for a while and find her true self in a town that feels safe. She may even learn to open her heart to others, something an undercover agent has little time to indulge.

Eric Gentry is also new to Thunder Point. Although he's a man with a dark past, he's determined to put down roots and get to know the daughter he only recently discovered. When Laine and Eric meet, their attraction is obvious to everyone. But while the law enforcement agent and the reformed criminal want to make things work, their differences may run too deep…unless they take a chance on each other and find that deep and mysterious bond that belongs to those who choose love over fear.

It's small town love on the beautiful Oregon coast.  It's hard not to enjoy the setting when Ms. Carr paints such a breathtaking picture of this fictional town.  Makes me want to visit, if not live there.  For Laine Carrington and Eric Gentry, they are living there and acclimating to small town life and the chance at love.

Ever since meeting Laine in the previous book, The Hero, I've been curious about her.  She's an FBI agent who is in desperate need of some down time.  It's also obvious she tends to keep herself from getting too close to people.  I thought it might be difficult to know Laine but her thoughts and actions allow for insight to this intelligent, independent women.

Eric Gentry has lived through some rough times but doesn't hold any anger regarding what life has thrown at him.  He simply tries to do the best he can, it's admirable if a little boring.  Eric is likable enough but he fell flat when compared to Laine.  I would have liked to see more of Eric's relationship with his daughter.  I didn't feel like I really got to know Eric as well as I would have liked.  Maybe he was too easy going, too complacent about his past.  Maybe I just needed him to be a little bit more bad.

The romance could have used more sparks.  It was sweet but predictable.  What pulled me in and kept my interest were the other characters, most of whom we've met in previous books.  I do like how Laine opens up and allows herself to make friends and settle in to her rental home.  Something she didn't plan on but instead evolved as she changed the focus of her life.

Overall, a sweet romance with a strong heroine who takes control and drives the story.

Rating: B

Thunder Point Series ~

The Wanderer
The Newcomer
The Hero
The Chance
The Promise (June 24, 2014)
The Homecoming (August 26, 2014)

ARC Review: The Hero

The Hero
Robyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Thunder Point/Book 3
Harlequin/ August 27, 2013

In a moment of desperation, Devon McAllister takes her daughter and flees a place where they should have been safe and secure. She has no idea what is around the next bend, but she is pretty certain it can't be worse than what they've left behind. Her plan is to escape to somewhere she can be invisible. Instead, an unexpected offer of assistance leads her to Thunder Point, a tiny Oregon town with a willingness to help someone in need. 

As the widowed father of a vulnerable young boy, Spencer Lawson knows something about needing friendship. But he's not looking for anything else. Instead, he's thrown his energy into his new role as Thunder Point's high school football coach. Tough and demanding to his team, off the field he's gentle and kind...just the kind of man who could heal Devon's wounded heart.

Devon thought she wanted to hide from the world. But in Thunder Point, you find bravery where you least expect it...and sometimes, you find a hero.

In the third book of the series, we see how Spencer Lawson is settling into Thunder Point.  He's worked things out with his son's biological father, Hank Cooper, and both Spencer and his son are thriving in their new home.  Spencer is still grieving for his deceased wife but because of her prolonged illness, you could say he started his grieving before her death.

When Devon McAllister shows up in Thunder Point, she is in a desperate situation.  She lucks out when she meets Rawley, a scruffy old guy with a heart of gold.  Rawley is proof that there are good people out there who simply want to help - no strings attached.  One of my favorite parts of the book was seeing the relationships develop between Devon, Rawley and Devon's daughter.

The romance between Spencer and Devon start out as a hesitant friendship, with Devon not wanting anything looking like romance.  But Spencer is persistent and the friendship moves along into romance territory.  While I liked both Devon and Spencer, I had a hard time picturing them together.  Whether it was the age difference or the life experience difference, I'm not sure.  There was just something missing.

The Thunder Point series isn't what I would call a typical romance where the majority of the focus would be on the hero and heroine but is rather a collective romance, spreading the focus on a few different couples.  This sometimes works but in the case of The Hero, it hurt the development of the romance between Spencer and Devon.

The overall series is solid with Carr's writing bringing forth that sense of family and community she's known for.  There are some wonderful scenes in The Hero, but the romance felt weak.

Rating:  C+

Thunder Point Series ~

The Wanderer
The Newcomer
The Hero
The Chance (February 25, 2014)

ARC Review: The Newcomer

The Newcomer
Robyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Thunder Point/Book 2
Harlequin/June 25, 2013

Single dad and Thunder Point's deputy sheriff "Mac" McCain has worked hard to keep everyone safe and happy. Now he's found his own happiness with Gina James. The longtime friends have always shared the challenges and rewards of raising their adolescent daughters. With an unexpected romance growing between them, they're feeling like teenagers themselves-suddenly they can't get enough of one another. 

And just when things are really taking off, their lives are suddenly thrown into chaos. When Mac's long-lost-and not missed-ex-wife shows up in town, drama takes on a whole new meaning. They're wondering if their new feelings for each other can withstand the pressure...but they are not going down without a fight.

After reading the first book in the series, The Wanderer, I was looking forward to reading Mac and Gina's story and was happy I didn't have to wait too long for it.  It turns out it's not just Mac and Gina but we also see Cooper and Sarah's from The Wanderer and the progression of their relationship.  Both couples have obstacles to overcome and a blending of families.  I wouldn't say the focus is an even split between the couples but Sara and Cooper definitely get plenty of page time.  Usually, I don't like so much of the focus taken off what I consider, and what the blurb implies, is the main couple.  But Carr does well in making the reader care about both couples and want to know what will happen to them.

One of my favorite romance tropes is the friends-to-lovers.  Gina and Mac embody this.  They know each other so well but as friends, their relationship takes on a different tone once they become lovers.  There is still that base of friendship but it become even deeper as they become closer.  Carr keeps that friendship going strong when Gina and Mac encounter difficulties in their romance.

The combining of the families is handled well.  There is never any doubt of Mac's love and devotion to his kids.  It's obvious he will do anything for them.  As is Gina's devotion to her daughter.  Gina's relationship with her daughter Ashley takes on a tough subject.  Carr gives it enough time to unfold without overwhelming the romance.  Then there's Mac's ex-wife, well, I could have done without her and didn't completely approve of how Mac handled the situation.

There are a number of coincidences and events that may have been intended to be a surprise but were fairly obvious but the overall story is well paced.  The secondary characters are such an essential part of the story, adding much love, humor, wisdom and stability to Thunder Point.  Another enjoyable addition for Ms. Carr's new series.  

Rating:  A-

Thunder Point Series ~

The Wanderer
The Newcomer
The Hero (August 27, 2013)

ARC Review: The Wanderer

The Wanderer
Robyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Thunder Point/Book 1
Harlequin/March 26, 2013

Nestled on the Oregon coast is a small town of rocky beaches and rugged charm. Locals love the land's unspoiled beauty. Developers see it as a potential gold mine. When newcomer Hank Cooper learns he's been left an old friend's entire beachfront property, he finds himself with a community's destiny in his hands. 

Cooper has never been a man to settle in one place, and Thunder Point was supposed to be just another quick stop. But Cooper finds himself getting involved with the town. And with Sarah Dupre, a woman as complicated as she is beautiful. 

With the whole town watching for his next move, Cooper has to choose between his old life and a place full of new possibilities. A place that just might be home.

Happiness is a new Robyn Carr book!  When the setting is on the beautiful Oregon coast, that just sweetens the deal.  I've enjoyed Ms. Carr's Virgin River series and I'm sure there will be some comparisons but The Wanderer and its Thunder Point setting stand on its own.

Hank Cooper is in for a surprise when he lands in Thunder Point.  It isn't at all what he expected - not the town or the property his friend left him.  Soon he comes to know not only the town but the people, especially Sarah Dupre.  Hank is a lone who really doesn't want to be alone, he just doesn't know it yet.  The property and Sarah bring out this need to not only feel needed but to belong.  I liked how Carr brings Hank around to seeing that it is okay to not only want but need to stay in one place.

Sarah Dupre is a woman with a lot of responsibility.  Sarah is kept busy juggling her job, raising her teenage brother and her Great Dane Ham.  She's looking for a good, stable town to raise her brother Logan.  She hope's to find that in Thunder Point.  One thing I appreciated in this story was seeing Sarah and Logan interact.  It's a delicate balance between being big sister and stand-in parent and Sarah isn't perfect but her heart is in the right place.

Hank and Sarah work well as a couple.  We can see how they become comfortable as a couple which is a nice change from some romance where the hero and heroine continue to fight the obvious.  It wasn't a rushed romance but developed at a slower pace, due I think to how busy they both are with responsibilities they can't easily shrug off.

I liked a number of the secondary characters and can easily see myself anticipating their stories.  Thunder Point has that small town feel Carr is known for but still has plenty of influence from the outside world, giving readers a number of different issues to relate to.

I'm sure Ms. Carr's fans might miss trips to Virgin River but Thunder Point will no doubt have them coming back for more.

Rating: A-

ARC Review: Sunrise Point

Sunrise Point
Robyn 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)

ARC Review: Redwood Bend

Redwood Bend
Robyn 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)

ARC Review: Hidden Summit

Hidden Summit
Robyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Virgin River Series/Book 17
Harlequin/December 27, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Sick of running into her cheery ex-husband and his new wife, Leslie Petruso accepts a job at the Virgin River branch of Haggerty Construction and takes the high road right out of town. Now she's got Paul Haggerty's business running like a well-oiled machine. In fact, things are so busy Paul jumps at the chance to hire an extra set of hands.

Just like Leslie, Conner Danson has been burned by love. But if Leslie was disappointed by her relationship going bad, Conner was decimated. He's got no time for women…although he spends an awful lot of time pretending not to notice Leslie. And she's pretty busy "ignoring" the chemistry between them.

According to Conner and Leslie, they have only one thing in common—they're done with love. But everyone in Virgin River can see that things are heating up at Haggerty Construction. And as far as Paul Haggerty can tell, the best thing he can do is hang on to his hard hat and watch the sparks fly!

When I read the blurb for Hidden Summit I was so thrilled to see a heroine with my name! I can't tell you how rare it is. I don't remember ever read a romance with a heroine named Leslie. But that's just a bonus since this is Robyn Carr's Virgin River series.

If you have to hide out, Virgin River, California isn't a bad place to do it. Conner Danson has lost everything and is now pretending to be someone else. I was expecting him to be a bitter recluse but he surprised me. He's friendly with the locals and slowly becomes part of the community. In doing so he also starts a friendship/romance with his co-worker Leslie Petruso.

Leslie Petruso is leaving her past behind for a new start in Virgin River. Her ex-husband is a complete ass, I couldn't believe some of the stunts this guy pulled! He definitely had a few screws loose. What she finds is a new home, new friends and a new guy. She hit the jackpot! She's smart, funny and a good friend. She's an easy heroine to like.

The romance is sweet and easy. Surprisingly it was Connor doing the chasing. I thought it would be Leslie trying to pull him out of his shell but it turned out he just couldn't resist her! She's the one who tries to put the breaks on and it makes sense since her ex is El Wackjob! Conner is persistent and woos Leslie, giving her every reason to say yes. I liked how Carr kept the power in this romance equal, with both saying how they felt and actually talking about their past relationships and the difficulties they have to over come.

It was great seeing the Virgin River gang. Jack is still as friendly, and nosy, as can be and Mel is there to rein him in. Brie got some page time, since she is Conner's local contact. And there are some fairly new residents that we got to see more of. Leslie and Conner fit right in with this close-knit community.

There is a suspense plot running through the story but much of the time I forgot about it. It stayed mainly in the background until near the end. The resolution to the plot felt rushed. It was the weakest part of the story. The main focus is on the developing romance between Leslie and Conner. Carr does do a nice job of including the other residents without loosing sight of the romance.

Hidden Summit is another terrific addition to this beloved series.

Rating: B+

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 (February 28, 2012)
19. Sunrise Point (April 24, 2012)

Robyn Carr Fans...

Starting next January Robyn Carr fans will be treated with 3 new back-to-back releases in her beloved Virgin River series. I'm still reading through the series and loving it. They all sound wonderful and while I'm looking forward to reading all three I gotta say I'm very interested in a preacher and a stripper h/h. :)

Reverend Noah Kincaid moved to Virgin River to re-open an abandoned church he bought on eBay. Like Noah, the place is a little empty inside and needs some loving care.

The young widower arrives ready to roll up his sleeves and build a place of worship and welcome, but he needs some help. And the Lord works in mysterious ways....

With her tight shirts and short skirts, “Pastor's assistant” is not a phrase that springs to mind when Noah meets brassy, beautiful Alicia Baldwin. The former exotic dancer needs a respectable job so she can regain custody of her children. And Noah can’t help but admire her spunk and motherly determination.

The pastor and the stripper: an unlikely team to revitalize a church, much less build a future. The couple has so many differences, but in Virgin River anything is possible, and happiness is never out of the question.

Forbidden Falls releases January 2010

Four years ago, Air Force sweethearts Franci Duncan and Sean Riordan reached an impasse. She wanted marriage and a family, he didn’t. But a chance meeting proves that the bitter breakup hasn’t cooled their sizzling chemistry.

Sean has settled down in spite of himself—he’s not the cocky young fighter pilot he was when Franci left, and he wants them to try again. After all, they have a history...but that’s not all they share.

Franci’s secret reason for walking away when Sean refused to commit is now three and a half: a redheaded cherub named Rosie who shares her daddy’s emerald green eyes. Sean is stunned—and furious with Franci for the deception.

News travels fast in Virgin River, and soon the whole town is taking sides. Rebuilding their trust could take a small miracle—and the kind of love that can move mountains.

Angel's Peak releases February 2010

With her beloved younger siblings settled and happy, Erin Foley has got empty nest syndrome. At age thirty-five.

So she’s hitting the pause button on her life and holing up in a secluded (but totally upgraded, she’s not into roughing it) cabin near Virgin River. Erin is looking forward to really getting to know herself...not some shaggy-haired mountain man she meets wandering the woods.

In fact, beneath his faded fatigues and bushy beard, Aiden Riordan is a doctor, recharging for a summer after leaving the Navy. He’s intrigued by the pretty, slightly snooty refugee from the rat race — meditating, journaling and definitely keeping him at arm’s length. He’d love to get closer...if his scruffy exterior and crazy ex-wife don’t hold him back.

But maybe it’s something in the water — unlikely romances seem to take root in Virgin River...helped along with some well-intentioned meddling, of course.

Moonlight Road releases March 2010

And if you can't wait until January, Robyn Carr currently has out a novella in the anthology, That Holiday Feeling. Stories by Debbie Macomber and Sherryl Woods are also featured.

Under the Christmas Tree by Robyn Carr

When the folks of Virgin River discover a box of adorable puppies under the town's Christmas tree they call on local vet Nathaniel Jensen for help. But it's his budding romance with Annie McCarty that really has tongues - and tails - wagging!

Review: Virgin River

Title: Virgin River
Author: Robyn Carr
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Virgin River/Book 1
Published: April 2007

Contemporary Romance Challenge 2009

WANTED: Midwife/nurse practitioner in Virgin River, population six hundred. Make a difference against a backdrop of towering California redwoods and crystal-clear rivers. Rent-free cabin included.

When the recently widowed Melinda Monroe sees this ad she quickly decides that the remote mountain town of Virgin River might be the perfect place to escape her heartache, and to re-energize the nursing career she loves. But her high hopes are dashed within an hour of arriving: the cabin is a dump, the roads are treacherous and the local doctor wants nothing to do with her. Realizing she’s made a huge mistake, Mel decides to leave town the following morning.

But a tiny baby, abandoned on a front porch, changes her plans...and a former marine cements them into place.

Melinda Monroe may have come to Virgin River looking for escape, but instead she finds her home.

Why didn't you guys tell me how amazing this series is?! Oh, sure I heard comments like, "I really love this series" and "I can't wait to read the next Robyn Carr book". But no one actually said, "Leslie, stop being an idiot and read the darn series already". Can I just say how thankful I am to have finally dug into this series? I read the first three books in about a week. I love this little world that Carr has created. How many of you that have read it haven't at some point wished you could go to Virgin River? Maybe not to live but just to visit for a little while? Yeah, it's that type of place filled with those kind of characters. Notice I said characters. I do realize this is a fictional place but man, Carr really knows how to bring it to life.

I'll start with Melinda Monroe or Mel as she's called. She makes the choice of drastically changing her life after her life was drastically changed. Make sense? When Mel's husband was killed everything she took for granted was swept away. Her sense of safety and security was gone. She began to see danger around every corner. She gets to her breaking point and decides a big change is what she needs. That's how she ends up in Virgin River. When she gets there things are not as promised and Mel's ready to head out of town. She's delayed by a new patient and decides to stay for a few days. This gives a certain bartender time to convince Mel to stay for good.

Jack, Jack, Jack. I love Jack! Carr writes the male perspective with heaps of wit and loads of sinful sexiness. Jack has four sisters and it shows in his interactions with the women of the town. He's very nurturing and enjoys taking care of people. It like it's his mission in life to help those who need it. He's a former Marine and still maintains that air of command and the ability to get things done. Jack settled in Virgin River after leaving the Marine Corps and opened up a bar that also serves some of the best food around compliments of Preacher, one of Jack's Marines. The interactions between these men and the other men in town are such fun to read. It's like listening in to when my brothers and other male members in my family sit around talking about sports, current affairs, family etc.

Jack and Mel ~ there were times when I wondered how the heck Carr was going to get these two together and make it believable. Mel was still grieving the death of her husband and Jack had always enjoyed the company of women but not enough to settled down with one in particular. He still doesn't consider himself the marrying type but has a strong attraction to Mel so he wants her to stay. Not just for him but for this town that he's come to care deeply for. Mel loved her husband very much and it's a daily struggle for her to keep going. She focuses her attention on her work, it's what gives her a purpose in life.

The working environment Mel finds in Virgin River is vastly different from Los Angeles but she finds it's just as important and just as rewarding. Working in an E.R. in a large city like LA and working in a small town where many of the births are home births gives Mel a new perspective on her role as midwife. We get to see Mel become rejuvenated and begin to enjoy life once again. The change is slow to come and Jack certainly does some encouraging. While not exactly pressing Mel to stay he doesn't miss any opportunity to show her how much the town needs her and he eventually shows her how much he needs her.

Mel and Jack's relationship started out as friends and turned into a beautiful love story. There's not a thing I can't think of that I would change about it. When Jack and Mel are together the chemistry is so strong and so natural that everyone in town sees it. And when they are alone together they have a hard time resisting each other. I didn't mind some of the disagreements and difficulties they had. The difficulties played into the role of grieving widow and confirmed bachelor that Mel and Jack start out as.

The secondary characters are what make this book complete. Yes, I totally loved Jack and Mel's story but it wouldn't have been the same without the other residents of Virgin River. Preacher is the first to come to mind. Quiet and soft spoken, he's the gentle giant and an amazing cook. Then there's Rick who Jack and Preacher have taken under their wing. The interactions with these three showed a side of Jack and Preacher we might not have seen. Hope McCrea and Doc Mullins are the cranky old folks that you can't help but like even while they're irritating the heck out of everyone. All of the secondary characters were well written and had a purpose in the story line - no filler here. :)

Wonderful, amazingly beautiful story. I can't recommend this book enough. So if you're in the mood for a great contemporary read then look no further than Virgin River. Robyn Carr has also written another series as well as some stand alone novels. All books and author info can be found here.

Rating: A+

Update and Reminder...

I got to take my mom home today. She was so happy just to be home again. My Auntie Fran, mom's older sister, came over early so I could go get mom's meds and some fresh fruit. Auntie Fran is the one that I took with me to the hospital and is a hoot!

The resident who took care of mom was extremely good looking, as in cover model good looking. The nurses all made sure to stop in when he was around. Tall, about 6'3, dark hair, great smile and bedside manner. Auntie Fran said she wants him as her boy-toy!

On the reading front I've got 4 books to review. I'll take them tomorrow to mom's along with the laptop. I might be able to tap into an unsecured network, if not I hope to get a couple of reviews written while mom naps. In recent days I've managed to read Catherine Spangler's Touched by Light and Lisa Hendrix's Immortal Outlaw which were both wonderful reads. And Sarah Mayberry's She's Got It Bad. Read that in one day. Mom saw me putting it away and asked me if I was already done with it. When I told her yes she asked about it. ~

Mom: So what's she got that's so bad?

Me: Umm... she's got it bad for the hero.

Mom: Does he have it bad too?

Me: Yes, he's got it bad too.

Mom: Did they get it good by the end of the book?

Me: Yes, mom. They got it good by the end. :)

Of course the whole time we're talking I'm thinking of the hot sex scenes. Zoe and Liam do it pretty much everywhere. They can't keep their hands off each other. I didn't feel the need to mention that part. ;)

I've just started Robyn Carr's Virgin River series and love it! I have 7 of her books that I'm preparing to glom. I also need to pick my re-read for this month. Maybe a historical. Dare I pick a Johanna Lindsey? One of those Malory books....

***Reminder*** Only one more day for a chance to win Immortal Warrior and some goodies from author Lisa Hendrix. Click on the book cover on the left sidebar for details.