Robyn Carr - My Kind of Christmas

The Riordan brothers may have a reputation for being rough-and tumble, but Patrick has always been the gentle, sweet-natured one. These days, his easygoing manner is being tested by his high-octane career as a navy pilot. But for the Riordan brothers, when the going gets tough…the tough find the love of a good woman. Except the woman who has caught Patrick’s attention is Jack Sheridan’s very attractive niece.
Angie LeCroix comes to Virgin River to spend Christmas relaxing, away from her well-intentioned but hovering mother. Yet instead of freedom, she gets Jack Sheridan. If her uncle had his way, she’d never go out again. And certainly not with rugged, handsome Patrick Riordan. But Angie has her own idea of the kind of Christmas she wants—and the kind of man!
Patrick and Angie thought they wanted to be left alone this Christmas—until they meet each other. Then they want to be left alone together. But the Sheridan and Riordan families have different plans for Patrick and Angie—and for Christmas, Virgin River–style!

Comment: After a year and a half I finally got to the last book in the Virgin River series by Robyn Carr.
This series has been a good company and provided long hours of entertainment. There are better and less favorite books but overall, the series was a success and one I'll feel rather sad to be leaving. Any reader knows there's always re-reads but nothing will ever feel like meeting a story for the first time. Still, only good things to say because the good stories are many more than the ones I didn't like as much. What a fascinating group of characters to have met!

As for this final book, it's Patrick Riordan's story, he's the youngest brother of a clan we've met during the series. He's recovering from the death of his best friend and feels conflicted and guilty and wants to help his friend's widow. In Virgin River he hopes to come to terms and decide what's going to happen in the future. He meets Angie, she's Jack's niece, who suffered an accident and wants to be on her own for a while to think things over as well. Their goals are similar and the path they take too because in Virgin River people get closer than they ever imagined...

This story was good, cute. I don't think it was totally wonderful because to my way of thinking, the romance happened so fast and Angie being so young. I guess in my head I'll think about this more the beginning of the romance and not a HEA set in stone. Still, the main characters, Paddy and Angie were good together when they interacted and the things they had to deal with not easy or superfluous. I admire people who have doubts but think and come up with solutions and new goals too, new tactics to solve their problems. Also, both Paddy and Angie were considering radical changes to their lives and for someone like me, who enjoy my routine and and the simplicity of things, I also admire those who act differently and think so far ahead. Paddy and Angie seemed very brave and I admired that. Of course there would be challenges for them but just the courage was quite the trait to see in them. At the same time, it seemed, like so often in these novels, that solutions were easy to figure out for everyone. Not to accomplish, but to consider, to imagine. I think real life surely isn't that easy and although the character's situations are hard and often difficult, eventually the solution is easier and that feels a bit like too fairy tale, in a certain way.

Angie is young and the way she acted was many times like someone more mature. I don't mean to say all 21 year olds are childish because they aren't but the fact she acted so mature most times wasn't as believable as that. Of course, this was just my impression, a personal take.
Paddy had some issues to deal with and he thought of Angie as someone to be with for a while because they hit if off from the start. But their relationship soon got more intense and often moments between them were beautiful and with meaning. It was romantic in the most part.

Almost all Virgin River characters are mentioned in this book, at least the most important ones. It's always nice to see them, because that is the true sense of community, the way people interact and are part of something. I'd like to see an epilogue of them all, who knows in a short story one day...

In the end, I felt a bit sad because it was ending even though it's not the book that will be in my mind the most. Still, a very cute and emotional as always finish to a great series.
Grade: 7/10

* * *

Now the series is completed, here is my top 5 of the Virgin River books:
5) Sunrise Point -> Loved the starting plot, and the heroine's hardships made her so much worthier of happiness.
4) Moonlight Road -> Good story, great characters and a cute HEA too.
3) Virgin River -> Liked the story, the characters and the development. Great start.
2) Virgin River Christmas -> So emotional, it made me cry but loved it!
1) Forbidden Falls -> A great story, the couple I loved the most and was happier to see together. The one I'll re-read the soonest. Wonderful!!

Robyn Carr - Sunrise Point

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...

Comment: This is one of the last installments of the Virgin River series. There's only one  left after this one. This series has been with me since January of last year, when I decided to embark in the journey to this small town. As it happens with most series, I have my favorites and my least enjoyable installments. I'm glad this one belongs to the first category.

This is the story of Nora Crane, we've met her in previous books and she's a struggling young single mother of two, she's had disappointments in her life but now she's trying to build a new life and be respected by her actions and protection of her children. She wants to work by picking apples in the Cavanaugh orchards but Tom Cavanaugh doesn't seem to think she would be up to the task, because it is a hard job. The two seem to clash at first but with time comes understanding, respect and something more...but will they listen to what they're both thinking?

I had high expectations for this one. I can't say it's the most wonderful book in the series but it wasn't bad either. Still, I hoped for a more passionate story, not as politically correct, I wanted the protagonists to be overwhelmed by their feelings but everything was dealt with time and polite comebacks. I had the feeling, when the book was finished, that they didn't show passion in that entrancing way I wanted. It was more polite than super amazing, as I wanted. So, it wasn't bad, but not amazing either.

The story focuses on the protagonists quite a lot. We learn how Nora's life was, her relationship with her mother and how she thought her father left..it's good to see Nora crossing the bridge when she finds out her father looked for her. Of course, much of Nora's scenes are about her dedication to the work, to her children, to her developing friendships, Tom's among that, and she is a good young woman. I think that despite her past experiences, she was too polished in the story, I wanted some hard edges to balance her more friendly manner. She had reasons to be unhappy with some aspects of her life and it would have been more believable if she were to talk or act more angry, at least in the beginning or something. She was too polished, again, the word in my head about her.

As for Tom, his scenes are very much around his grandmother, who is a lovely character, and Darla, a widow of one of his buddies from the war. When he returned from the war, he dedicated himself to the orchard but he kept contact with Darla because her husband talked about her and Tom wanted to check if she was alright. They start to date, sort of..but while Tom wants to deepen his feelings for her Nora is always in the back of his mind. Throughout the book we learn how Darla really is and why they don't match. Ok, I didn't have much empathy towards Darla but she was more like a tool to compare to Nora and turn obvious Tom's choice in the end.

In the end, the story was fulfilling but I think it lacked those special things to make it memorable. Still, it was much better than some of the other installments.
Grade: 7/10

Robyn Carr - Redwood Bend

Former actor Dylan Childress left the L.A. scene behind years ago for a quiet life running an aviation company in Montana. But with business slowing down, Dylan is starting to wonder whether he should take one of the offers Hollywood keeps sending his way. He figures a motorcycle trip to Virgin River with his buddies might help him decide what path to take. But his own troubles are left at the side of the road when he spots a woman stranded on the way into town.
Katie Malone and her twin boys' trip to Virgin River is stopped short by a tire as flat as her failed romance. To make matters worse, it's raining, the boys are hungry and Katie is having trouble putting on the spare. So when some bikers pull up beside them, offering to help, all Katie feels is relief. Then she sees sexy, leather-clad Dylan Childress, and in one brief moment the world turns on its axis.
Katie's a sensible single mother and Dylan's a die-hard commitment-phobe. Neither one is looking for long-term romance. But sometimes it takes only a moment to know you've found something that could change your life forever.

Comment: Another book in the long Virgin River series. This small town story features two new arrivals in Virgin River and how they deal with their feelings and the changes in their lives.

This is the story of Dylan Childress, he was a former actor who left the scene after one of his friends died. His grandmother "rescued" him from that life and he grew up in a farm being the person he wanted to be. Later on, he opened a flying business but now the economy is ruining his work and he is about to go back to the world of acting to help with the money to his company. It's in a motorcycle trip to Virgin River that he meets Katie and after helping her change a tire he stays around because she seems to be the one for him.
Katie comes to Virgin River to be with her brother, to keep her family united again. Dylan is a very attractive man and she is into him, but will he stay, will he bear the responsibility of being with her? 

Well, this is my 16th story about Virgin River (I haven't read the short stories) and I must say, after all these books, this is probably the one I liked the less.
Two things bothered me a bit in the story, one of the issues more than the other, but overall, I wasn't impressed with this one. It was still a sweet story, with the usual strength of the small town's characters and personalities, the same writing style and expectations, but I still struggled to enjoy this completely.
Usually, I start a book in this series with high hopes not only for entertainment, but also for enjoyment, something captivating to grab me from beginning to end. Unfortunately, I was so focused on what I wanted to put aside, that what was left wasn't enough to save it. I mean, this isn't a bad book, only a worse one compared to the others.

The plot was interesting enough. It focuses on Katie Malone and her two sons coming to be with her brother Conner - from the previous book - until she finds some work. It was cute to see her deal with the boys and how she entered the community by Jack's bar, by being sister to Connor, by befriending some of th women, namely Leslie.

However, I can't say I was very fond of Katie herself. She just didn't win me over as the heroine. I couldn't really put aside the fact she wanted a man, I mean, she wasn't a slut of desperate, but she mentioned she missed a man in this novel, in the previous one and it got on my nerves. Then she entered a relationship with Dylan, she knew and accepted when he said he wouldn't be serious or in it long term and then she got all angry about it because it happened! I mean, of course she would feel hurt, who wouldn't, but her behavior bordered on more than annoying, it was "bitchful" I'd say. Please! The guy didn't do promises, showed regret and she still blamed him for his honesty! I was losing my patience with her at this point and despite some mitigating circumstances, she never regained any love for me. and I ended up not liking her that much.

Another issue for me was the talk about the economy, the struggle for a job and balance, in Dylan's case. It's the reality, I know and I thin ms Carr did right by not running from the subject, but it's still a depressing subject and in my escape romancelandia I don't want to see it all the time, at least when it's not an obvious fiction novel about it. This wasn't as annoying as Katie's character, but it was still big enough to be memorable in the bad column.

The romance between Dylan and Katie felt unbalanced because it never looked like they were at the same page in terms of feelings and personalities. I didn't dislike Dylan because of his past and how he changed to become better but despite Katie's courage and bravery I still can't stand her very much.

All in all, the bad things keep flashing when I thin about the book, so this had to get a worse grade than the others.
I have hopes, high expectations for the next one. I pray it won't disappoint!
Grade: 6/10

Robyn Carr - Hidden Summit

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!

Comment: Here is another installment in the Virgin River series. This is full length book #15, I haven't read the novellas. At this point, things are pretty much stable, the reader knows what to expect and what will be on the page, which is a solid, romantic, well structured story.

This book tells Leslie Petruso's story and how she got finally tired of her ex walking around with a new, pregnant wife and people would stare at her with pity. Having worked for Haggarty Construction for years, she decide to change her life and move to Virgin River to be Paul's administrative. Once in Virgin River everything seems to go well, what she didn't expect was the attraction to Connor, one of the new hands at Paul's company.
But Connor isn't just a single man looking for work, he's in Virgin River with Bree's help after being witness to a crime. His life has taken a turn since that day and he's hiding until the trial. But Virgin River brings its magic to these too as well...

Once again, a story set in Virgin River has all the ingredients to work out and to be amazing.
My favorite thing, as always, was how we could see the interactions of the new characters with the known ones which is a good way to see how their lives are going on, what they are doing, where are they in terms of happiness...it's really great and a wonderful way for the author to use it as a tool to further develop her story lines.

The characters we meet here are interesting. 
Connor is in the witness protection program and is living a low life to not bring suspicion to himself. He saw his old life destroyed over a good deed and now he only wants a new start for him and his sister and her children. The distance, to put danger out of the way, is taking its toll on him, as he's never been away from his family for this long. Still, he gets used to the slow paced life in Virgin River and he gets to work with wood again, something he loved since he stated working in his old company, now finished. Working for Paul proves to be a challenge too because of Leslie. One of the rules he should fallow is not to fall in love at the moment, and with a bad marriage in his past, he thins it wouldn't be a problem, but Leslie is everything he might want in a woman and despite he tried to stay away from her, they just end up getting together. The development of their romance was successful, I think, and his struggles with lying to her and trying to not fall in love were believable. He held on until he couldn't deny his feelings anymore. Sweet.

Leslie also comes from a bad marriage. To make things worst, her ex truly believes they can remain friends and should have the same rapport as before, the only change is the marital status, really. Leslie feels put aside and discarded and the last thing she wants is to be friends with someone who hurt her like that, so she tries to go away from him to start a new chapter in her life. She also thinks she isn't prepared to love but Connor pushes her buttons and after thinking she could just have an affair with him, she realizes the best thing about Connor is how perfect he is for her.

I liked their relationship it was very balanced and they suited each other. Connor eventually trusts Leslie his secrets and she has his help after she decides to put her ex out if her life for good. It was important for them to be able to trust on the other and to see how much netter it was to hold on to someone who respected them, who was there for the other.

The plot was ok, mostly based on each main character's life, so, everything else was supporting action, but it was well done.
I can't say this is a favorite, but like I said, at this point most stories follow the same pattern. I'm mostly curious about Nora's story, two stories ahead. As for this one, it had all the right elements, it could have been a bit more passionate, more fast paced, I think, but overall, a good one.
Grade: 7/10

Robyn Carr - Bring Me Home for Christmas

This year, Becca Timm knows the number one item on her Christmas wish list: getting over Denny Cutler. Three years ago Denny broke her heart before heading off to war. It’s time she got over her silly college relationship and moved on.
So she takes matters into her own hands and heads up to Virgin River, the rugged little mountain town that Denny calls home, as an uninvited guest on her brother’s men-only hunting weekend. But when an accident turns her impromptu visit into an extended stay, Becca finds herself stranded in Virgin River. With Denny. In very close quarters.
As the power of Christmas envelops the little town, Becca discovers that the boy she once loved has become a strong and confident man. An the most delicious Christmas present she can imagine.

Comment: I am keeping up with this series. This was the next installment to go through and once more I found a story with powerful scenes and emotions and was quite glad with it.

This is the story of Becca Timm, she travels to Virgin River to check on Denny Cutler and put him over her life because she wants to move on. But an accident stops from leaving and she gets to talk and know the new Denny and she finds out that, after all, things aren't as solves as that. While she deals with her feelings for Denny she meets a welcoming town and even the idea that might change her life...

I liked this story. I don't consider it my favorite but I enjoyed the feel of Christmas and holidays a lot and even more the feel of a small town welcoming someone from the outside but always with respect. It sounds a lot more easy and perfect than the realistic reality I'm sure!
This author always does a great job of creating larger than life characters that fight for what they want, who deal with things mostly in a very adult and responsible way...I sometimes feel some things are a little too perfect, but honestly, I can't really say this is a bad thing.

This story in particular was very warm because it talked about second chances. Things weren't finished between Becca and Denny and although I don't tend to enjoy romances where previous lovers reunite again, I think the author does a good enough job to distract me of that notion, especially considering the setting and the community around those two. The focus isn't only them and what happened before and that helped too.

I liked how Becca seemed to work out well for the town too. Sometimes some characters show up and we don't have the feeling they are rally suitable for the plot or the genre or the idea of the story and we think if he/she could be different...but in Becca's case I liked her enough to think she was good for the story and amazingly she found a place that worked well for her and the others too.

The romance was cute and full of beautiful moments... Like I said I don't like this type of stories that much but in this case it wasn't so bad. I liked that they talked and worked things out without much drama.
All in all, a good enough romance.

Like I said to someone, these books are more about the cozy feelings they can make us feel and how hope is real after reading such light drama things...we can hope even in the worst moments, something good is out there!
Grade: 7/10

Robyn Carr - Harvest Moon

Rising sous-chef Kelly Matlock's sudden collapse at work is a wake-up call. Disillusioned and burned out, she's retreated to her sister Jillian's house in Virgin River to rest and reevaluate.
Puttering in Jill's garden and cooking with her heirloom vegetables is wonderful, but Virgin River is a far cry from San Francisco. Kelly's starting to feel a little too unmotivated…until she meets Lief Holbrook. The handsome widower looks more like a lumberjack than a sophisticated screenwriter, a combination Kelly finds irresistible. But less appealing is Lief's rebellious stepdaughter, Courtney. She's the reason they moved from L.A., but Courtney's finding plenty of trouble even in Virgin River.
Kelly's never fallen for a guy with such serious baggage, but some things are worth fighting for. Besides, a bratty teenager can't be any worse than a histrionic chef, …right?

Comment: A new year begins but I'm still with Virgin River. Right now I'm very glad I still have books in the series to read...until June. This month it was time for Harvest Moon and Kelly and Lief's story.

This story starts with Kelly losing it in the kitchen where she works. Cooking has been her life forever and her dream is to be a chef in her own restaurant. After Kelly leaves the hospital she returns to a hostile work environment and she just leaves. She goes to Virgin River where her sister Jill lives and found a new way of life and love.
Lief has been living in Virgin River with his stepdaughter because he felt what they needed was quiet and peace. He meets Kelly and starts a relationship with her but will Courtney, his rebel daughter accept this?

I liked this story as is usual with the series. Even the stories I don't particularly feel overwhelmed by, I still enjoy. I think the author ha an enormous talent for the genre and it shows in her work.
This story focused on Kelly and Lief. Both had had good things in life and other not so good, which only shows everyone's life is a mix of good and bad. Unfortunately, many people only see the bad things...
Kelly has worked a lot for her profession, looking to fulfill her dreams. I think she is what many of us would like to be, driven, focused, knowing her own mind. Not many people are like this and if there's one flaw in ms Carr's stories is how fast her heroes and heroines reach the point in their lives where they know what they want and get it. This doesn't work as well in real life and I guess with a little more obstacles to overcome the winnings would feel better. I thin this is the only thing I find to criticize, some things seem too easy to accomplish, but in the end, the dream is enough to read about...
Anyway, Kelly has her issues, her life had a turn she didn't expect and she ends up in Virgin River where she meets Lief, with baggage and goals of his own.
Lief has Courtney to look after and if he starts a relationship the new someone will have to accept Courtney as well. I liked this part of the story because people aren't islands and many things have to be dealt with. Lief doesn't thin about Courtney as a task or a weight on his life which is commendable. I liked him and his way of seeing life and taking care of those around him. He and Kelly seem a good couple and I liked how sweet their HEA was and how much tenderness existed between them.

This story also shows us many of the beloved characters in the series, although it's not the book where this is more obvious. I love to keep an eye on things and to follow their lives, like life doesn't stop just because their story was already told.Good tactic on the author's part.

In the end, another winner for me. This story isn't my absolute favorite but it had many elements to make me read as much as I could..it's really annoying to stop the reading when you are enjoying yourself. Something certain with this author. If you don't know this series, please try it!
Grade: 7/10

Robyn Carr - Wild Man Creek

Colin Riordan came to Virgin River to recuperate from a horrific helicopter crash, the scars of which he bears inside and out. His family is wonderfully supportive, but it's his art that truly soothes his troubled soul.
Stung personally and professionally by an ill-advised affair, PR guru Jillian Matlock has rented an old Victorian with a promising garden in Virgin River. She's looking forward to cultivating something other than a corporate brand.
Both are looking to simplify, not complicate, their lives, but when Jillian finds Colin at his easel in her yard, there's an instant connection. And in Virgin River, sometimes love is the simplest choice of all.

Comment: Another Virgin River series installment. Since the beginning of the year, I've been reading a book a month and every time I get amazed by how special and warm these stories are. Even the ones I don't like as much are still wonderful in their own way. This is the 14th story, but only the 12th full length book and this is why I've read it in December.

This is the story of Jillian Matlock, we've met her when she and her sister plus two friends visited Virgin River in a trip. Now she's back after a problem with her job and a tip from someone at Jack's bar puts in her head the idea of  cultivating vegetables for the six months she hopes to spend there.
Colin Riordan has had problems after his helicopter crashed and now he's painting in Virgin River to let tension go until the time to travel to Africa comes. 
These two meet and are proud of the other's efforts to be someone else but at the same time they fall in love and in the end, perhaps what they thought they wanted isn't exactly what they feel they have to do...

Once again, I loved a book in this series...I think this is right after Noah and Ellie's, still my absolute favorite of them all. That one is a perfect ten, this an almost, but either way, both are wonderful examples of a beautiful story.
This story focuses on Jillian and Colin but we also have scenes with other beloved characters, Jack for instance plays an important role in this story as well and a couple of scenes with him were very emotional, but nothing tragic, just feeling's related. The community of Virgin River is prospering and it shows with all the little scenes apart from the main storyline. I really like the sense of unity and family we get from books like this, where we see everyone being part of the small town, being interesting in helping and offering a hand. It's really something we don't see everywhere.

As for the main story, both Jillian and Colin seek in Virgin River a new start for their lives even if they don't see it that way at first. Their romance has an expiration date but this doesn't stop them from getting together and I admit some of my favorite parts were when we would see them sharing their lives so easily that I doubt many people in the real world feel and live like that.
Jillian aimed for six months but her agricultural enterprise grows big and I enjoyed all the steps she goes for in her new adventure. I guess in real life things wouldn't happen as fast and as easily as that, but part of the charm and the beauty of a fictional romance is to see a bit of fantasy happening, so...
Colin only wanted to recover and go for new experiences after that. He didn't count on falling in love but even when both of them recognized that, Colin still went and Jillian let him because she rather know he didn't feel pressured than to feel guilty. I liked the balance in their relationship, once again a bit too perfect, but it didn't put shadows on the novel, I still appreciated it a lot.

The HEA is wonderful and it kind of teaches us a lesson because sometimes we let difficulties win and perhaps we should try something else to have a better life...the scary part is trying and being afraid of failure and in this the book is a bit unrealistic because both with Colin's painting and Jillian's business, things surely wouldn't be dealt as easily, but like I said a bit of fantasy doesn't hurt and in the end, this books shows how wonderful love and trust are and they are worthy of any effort.

I really enjoyed this romance and can't wait for more stories, at least there are still six more to be read...I do recommend this to any romance reader.
Grade: 9/10

Robyn Carr - Promise Canyon

After years spent on ranches around Los Angeles, Clay Tahoma is delighted to be Virgin River's new veterinary assistant. The secluded community's wild beauty tugs at his Navajo roots, and he's been welcomed with open arms by everyone in town; everyone except Lilly Yazhi.
Lilly has encountered her share of strong, silent, traditional men within her own aboriginal community, and she's not interested in coming back for more. In her eyes, Clay's earthy, sexy appeal is just an act used to charm wealthy women like his ex-wife. She can't deny his gift for gentling horses, but she's not about to let him control her. There's just one small problem, she can't control her attraction to Clay.
But in Virgin River, faith in new beginnings and the power of love has doors opening everywhere.

Comment: In continuing with my read-a-long of this series one book a month this month it was time for Promise Canyon, which isn't the 11th story of the series, but it's the 11th full length story. I was very eager to read this one, as I've aways been for all the books int he series so far.

This story is about Clay, he is a Native American farrier and veterinary assistant and comes near Virgin River to work for his old friend Nate. He also wants his teenager son near him and to live a new life away from his ex wife.
Lilly is a young native woman and she had terrible things happening in her past, so now she stays away from other native men. However, while delivery the horses feed, she meets Clay and is attracted to him but tells herself to be away because nothing good can come out of it. 
But while caring for a sick horse, Lilly sees Clay isn't lie any other native and decided to trust him, until the day someone gets in the way and tries to confuse her. Will Clay loose her because of a mix up?

I expected this to be a good book and I was proved right. The story is engaging and it h the same style the author had us used to. The storyline is simple, no artifices or exaggeration. This is a story to enjoy and to wish could be longer just because. It isn't my favorite, I think Noah and Ellie will be my favorite couple ever in the series, but I was very hay with the story anyway.

I liked how the main couple is Native American. I confess I don't know much about the subject, only that there are many different tribes and they were overpowered by the white man and many were forced to live in reservations. I've read other books with Native characters and the idea they are seen as somewhat inferior or not as respected is seen in many of them. I don't know how much is cultural or used as a fictional segment, but from books and movies I have the idea things aren't easy for them, even nowadays. Anyway, it was an interesting theme of the story and I liked how they talked about their tribes and traditions. It gave a more serious tone to the story and proved they weren't meant just to be different.

Lilly and Clay had some not so good experiences in their pasts. Lilly had had a young romance that shaped her whole life and she never forgot. Now with Clay in the picture she had to learn part of her issues was how she didn't get over that although she tried to convince herself she did. I thought her problems were very realistic and true and I felt for her, because I just know so many people have the same fears even when not experiencing the same things, but it was good to see Lilly evolve from what was bad towards a better future and most of it came from hr own mind and not just circumstances.
Clay also had some challenging experienced to deal with and he proved he was a man of good heart and his problems didn't shape what he would become. He tried to get out of what was expected of him and grew up to be a better person. I like how the author redeems in a way, her characters, but never easily or superficially. Both Clay and Lilly had some inner stuff to deal with and they did, in a convincing and "human" way. I mean, it wasn't too fast or too obvious or too stupid just to please the reader.

As always, the plot is funny and thoughtful and I liked seeing everyone, old and new characters and how the ones we care about are going on. This is a series about family and friendship and it's great, no matter how many people show up.

All in all, a good story, there's always a wonderful feel about these stories, even when reading about the not so positive parts. I love this "world" and do recommend it to everyone who likes small town contemporaries.
Grade: 7/10

Robyn Carr - Moonlight Road

WITH HER BELOVED YOUNGER SIBLINGS SETTLED AND HAPPY, ERIN FOLEY HAS 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 planning on getting to know herself ... not the shaggy-haired mountain man she meets.
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 --- her meditating and journaling are 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 by some well-intentioned meddling, of course.

Comment: This another installment of the Virgin River series I've started reading back in January. This month it was time for Aiden's story, he's a recurrent character and brother to two of the previous protagonists.

Aiden is out of the navy. After years dedicated to his career, he was asked to undergo another mission that would take years to complete and Aiden wants more of life than work. He feels it's time for a family ad he doesn't think he'll find the right woman in a ship. Plus he's had an awful experience with a navy woman, so he wants to be on land this time.
Erin has finally seen to her younger brother and sister's happiness and careers so she feels it' time for herself. She didn't count on feeling lonely but after loosing conscience because of the sudden appearance of a man in her newly re-made cabin in Virgin River, she thinks she might have been over her head in her attempt to have a vacation...

This story, like usually, it's a nice continuation of the series. The focus is mainly on Erin and Aiden but we still see many of the others, in particular Jack and Mel and many scenes with several of the others.

Aiden has had a good life, but a bad experience with marriage. Still, after seeing two of his brothers finding women perfect for them it kind of renewed in him the faith of having a family of his own. He feels he'll have better chance at that close to Virgin River, where his brother Luke lives. After a holiday he is ready to look for a job in the closest cities and who knows, finding someone as well. He meets Erin and she has a little accident and Aiden takes her to the hospital. There is some misunderstanding between them but it's clear there's attraction there.
I liked Aiden, he is a solid characters, many god characteristics about his personality but he isn't perfect and we see that when something happens and he is close to loose his temper. Life can be a challenge sometimes and everyone has their issues.

Erin has lived her life to help her family, mostly since her mother died. She took care of her younger siblings and now that they're finally living their own lives away from home, Erin takes a vacation and tries to have personal time. But she feels alone because everything she ever did was for some goal, for someone else and she fears she can't relax. Her relationship with Aiden is interesting to see develop and sometimes it's obvious she isn't as confident about it as she is about work, but it was fun to see her trying to be careless. She has a great personality - something we've saw in book #4 where she first showed up - but we got to understand her and her wishes, her hopes...she never thought she could have a family but Aiden comes along and they fall in love.

This wasn't my favorite book in the series simply because the romance, despite being cute and all, was a bit too easy and too perfectly done, almost like a bit artificial. I wanted some more spontaneity or freshness...it wasn't bad, just a bit predictable.
Many other things happen to balance the sweetness of the romance, specially the issue about Jack and Mel, but overall, this story felt a bit unbalanced towards the sweet side. At least it felt like it for me.

What gives strength to this series is how we see many characters playing a part in the lives of everyone how wonderful the sense of family and community is. This didn't stop in this book and I can assure it's one of the best points in the story as well. I hope it can keep up like this all the time even when the main story isn't as great as our favorite installments.
Grade: 7/10

Robyn Carr - Angel's Peak

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.

Comment: Here's another installment in the Virgin River series by the author. I'm at that point in the series where I'm happy for knowing so many characters but at the same time I see the number of books left to read getting smaller and I already feel sorry  some day there won't be more stories to read...

This is the story of Sean and Franci. Sean is one of Luke's brothers, a character we've met in previous books and someone apparently genuine and helpful. But Sean hasn't always been like this and years ago he lived for thrills and adventure and certainly didn't want a family. So he and his girlfriend broke up and after some poor attempts to see her again, things stopped for them.
Franci was tired of wanting different things so when things were over she was trying to move on but fate had another idea and she found out she was pregnant. 
Now after four years, Sean and Franci met again by chance and got together. But Sean is going to have to know he was a father way sooner than he expected.

Once again, I enjoyed a story in this "world" a lot. The book before this one was my favorite of them all so it was with hope I started reading this one seeking that same taste. Of course, nothing is the same and this one didn't thrill me as much but it was still a very enjoyable and solid read.

Franci and Sean had a relationship for a long time before things started to get bad between them. They wanted different things and like it happens in real life and in so many books out there, the two people just can't seem to compromise and they figured it was best to end it all, even though we see Sean telling Franci he tried to get back to her, but his attempt wasn't very convincing at the time. Now, he has seen people he cares about happy and in love and after meeting Franci again, he realizes his happiness would always be with her. Points for him.
However, Franci has a secret and she was moving on with her life. She thought Sean would never come to terms to live up to his responsibilities or to be the person she wanted him to be, so she thought it was best not to tell him abut the baby until much later. Things dragged on but she was afraid of exposing her daughter to a person who might treat her with contempt and obligation.not real feelings. Somewhat points for her.
I think the lesson to learn here is, we don't always do the right things at the best times and we aren't guessers of other's thoughts. Time is needed to balance expectations and challenges and both Franci and Sean had a lot of time to deal with their choices. When they met again and a child's well being was on the line because of that, then it was time to think about the future in a more serious way. This is every day's life for real people, so, despite the plot's demands for story and development, the conflicts to present opposition to what was happening, despite all this, in the end, the story focused on interest and very human dilemmas and I liked how the author dealt with this.
I thin ll the issues were treated well, in particular Franci's decision not to tell Sean about their daughter. It surely isn't easy to live, so I thin her attitude wasn't as out there as that. Interesting difficulties which had to be solves but of course in the end romance rules and all ended up well.

The book also shows many characters and continues with some sub plots about recurring characters. I love this pat where we still see the lives of couples whose story has happened, because this highlights the idea that their lives go on and aren't there just when it was their spotlight. I really like this feeling, although in this book the focus is bigger on the main couple, in contrast to other previous books.

All in all another great installment, very good and always comforting. Once again, I have to say I can't wait for more.

Robyn Carr - Forbidden Falls

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 Ellie 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. 

Comment: Keeping up with the Virgin River series reading, another months means another installment. I found out that reading one book each month makes things easier in terms of not getting too bored by reading the same thing repeatedly and by spacing out the books, in a very illusionary way I have the idea they last longer. This month it was time for the 9th full length story, Forbidden Falls.

This is the story of reverend Noah Kincaid and young ex striper Ellie Baldwin. 
Noah is a widower and he buys Virgin River old church on eBay and many thin he's crazy. But the population of Virgin River proves a Presbyterian reverend is indeed welcome. Noah thins he's ready for his own congregation in a small place where people are simple but welcoming and in a place where he can have a quiet but fulfilling life. So he buys the church and renovates it. He also looks for an assistant to help him and to keep things clean and organized.
Ellie Baldwin wants to have custody of her children again. So she leaves her job as a striper and wants something more respectable. She's young and seems too carefree but she's in fact a hardworking woman and desperate to have her children back. She starts working for Noah as a simple assistant but with time they not only become friends but start feeling something for each other...

I loved this story!! This is now my absolute favorite of the whole series. It's so wonderful and funny and sweet and passionate, I think the author nailed it with this one.
I liked all elements in the book. The biggest focus is Noah and Ellie but we have a lot of Paul and Vanessa as well. Some of the others show up but not as much as those. Ellie and Vanessa become friends and we see something very common but that some people don't give much importance to when Paul and Vanessa are asked to raise someone else's baby. I liked this segment of the storyline.
Then there's Noah and Ellie's relationship. I liked how they seemed to have an preconceived idea about each other because of their respective occupations, but that changed while their friendship developed. Noah helps Ellie a lot because of her problem with the ex who has her children and during those times they become closer. It's also wonderful to watch how they slowly start to see that the other is so much more than meets the eye and the attraction between them is stronger and truer than any doubts. I really lied the romance between them and I thought it was one of the most beautiful romances in the series.
I liked Ellie specially. She had everything to be a plain and not that good heroine but in the end she proved to be amazing, very hardworking and friendly and always helping those who might need. She wasn't reckless or too out there either. She had enough attitude to be strong but also a more sweet side I thought was really special. She's a great heroine.
Noah is an interesting hero as well. I guess the fact he is a reverend can be weird for some, specially when he so open about his attraction towards Ellie but I didn't find it a bad thing. It was quite interesting to read about, actually, because his personality was friendly and I liked him and the way he behaved. He had some issues to deal with, in particular his father, but like in real life, we can't always fix things in the blink of an eye, so I wasn't disappointed his issues in that front weren't solved.
I really liked this book. It was special all the time and I couldn't stand to put it down. It's definitely my favorite and I recommend it t everyone.

Nalini Singh / Robyn Carr

A dangerous, volatile rebel, hands stained bloodred.
A woman whose very existence has been erased.
A love story so dark, it may shatter the world itself.
A deadly price that must be paid.
The day of reckoning is here.
From "the alpha author of paranormal romance" (Booklist) comes the most highly anticipated novel of her career--one that blurs the line between madness and genius, between subjugation and liberation, between the living and the dead.

Comment: I’m sure there are many other reviews out there about this book that are so much more articulate and expressive as mine wouldn’t ever be, so I’ll just leave my overall impression. I liked it, more because it’s by this author and because it’s part of a world I love to be in. Considering the particularities of the main characters, I think ms Singh has done a great job keeping the balance between what is believable according to her own “rules” and what we expect from a romance. We find out things we were eager to know and we get to see a side of things we also didn’t imagine that well, it was a very insightful story into the world of psy and changelings. I can’t wait for more.

* * * * * 

Marine corporal Rick Sudder is home early from Iraq--his tour ended abruptly on the battlefield. The

carefree boy is gone, replaced by a man who believes his future is as bleak as his mirror image. But can the passion and commitment of a young woman who has never given up on him mend his broken body and shattered heart?
As the people of Virgin River rally around Rick, another recent arrival tests the tightly knit mountain town's famous welcoming spirit. Dan Brady has a questionable past, and he's looking for a place to start over. He'd like it to be Virgin River...if he can find a way in. But he never expects to find it in the arms of a woman who was as much an outcast as himself.
For a favorite son returned from war and an outsider looking for a home, Virgin River offers them a chance to make peace with the men they once were...and to find the dreams they thought they'd lost. 

Comment: This is another book in the Virgin River series. I loved this one! I like how the books don’t revolve around just two characters; I like how we see so many story lines developing at the same time and how everyone there works for a sense of community and friendship. In this book we keep seeing Cam and Abby, Walter and Muriel, Ricky and Lizzie, even Dan and someone we didn’t expect. I can’t wait for the next book to keep moving alongside all those characters and their lives. It’s such a warm and heartfelt world, one can’t disconnect from it even between books.

Robyn Carr - Temptation Ridge

At twenty-five, after five years as her mother's caregiver, it's time for Shelby to experience freedom and adventure. Time for travel, college and romance. But when she visits Virgin River, she runs into Luke Riordan, decidedly not whom she has in mind.
A handsome Blackhawk pilot, Luke exited the army after twenty years, four wars and having been shot out of the sky three times. At thirty-eight he's tough and jaded. His major was in one-night stands, with a minor in commitment avoidance.
Technically, these two are all wrong for one another. But sometimes what you want and what you need are two different things...two very good things.

Comment: Sorry for being away for a while, some people say there are days one shouldn’t get out of bed, well, in my case there are weeks I shouldn’t get out of bed…the last ones were a fine example where I was always busy and couldn’t take the time to be online. And when I did, the internet would stop me. This will be solved next month as I intend to buy a laptop by the end of July…hopefully the sign will be stronger to the laptop…

Anyway, this book is another one in the long Virgin River series. This time the story is all about Shelby, she’s cousin to Vanessa from the previous book. Shelby only wants to spend some time with her family before finally getting on with her life after years of taking care of her ill mother. She meets Luke that same day and feels attracted to him although she isn’t looking for anything serious. The same thing happens to him and therefore a quick with apparent no strings attached affair begins.

Well, I liked this book. Like with all the books in the series so far, I liked it. I don’t think they’re the most perfect thing ever, but I feel very happy to read them. Although, in general, I have to say I usually prefer the secondary storylines to the main one. In this story, the same happened. Not that it was bad, only that I found some parts of it a bit boring. I think my biggest issue with Shelby and Luke’s relationship was how easy it was for them to be together even when they were saying they weren’t looking for anything serious or even more when they stressed out how the other wasn’t the kind of person they were looking for in the long haul. Ok, I know it’s the plot, but after a while it became a bit boring to follow their wants and dislikes.

For me the best thing was, as usual, the connections between the other characters in the book. We get to keep seeing how characters from the previous stories are doing and we glimpse parts of their lives. Life goes on even in this fictional place, and as the storylines move forward to present new characters to enrich the community, so does the strengthening of what we already know to make us, the reader, feel welcome every time we read another story. In this book my favorite thing was to realize one of two characters we met before have their chance at love even if they’re not the main couple presented. Although, concerning air time in the text, I don’t feel the main couple has that much more emphasis than the rest, it just seems that way, I guess.

This book has several sub plots working together. It makes the story so much better and it’s very good to understand how connected they are in a way that seems unimportant but makes sense in the end.

When the book ended I was left happy. Sure, a thing here and there wasn’t that amazing, but overall, I liked the book and most parts. I hope the author keeps this trend with the next books, as I love how all the characters have an important role in each story.