Paradise Valley by Robyn Carr

Rick & Liz's story (in part)





Paradise Valley

By Robin Carr

Book Blurb:
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.

I think that Paradise Valley may be my least favourite book of the series so far. I actually just wanted to get through it. I am going to take a pause after this book just to give me a break from Virgin River. I've read them all back to back to this point and I think a little change would make anticipate reading the next book Forbidden Falls more. 

The book blurb makes mention that Paradise Valley's main protagonists are Rick and Liz but it just didn't feel like it. Rick suffered a sad incident in Iraq and he took the ENTIRE book to get over his pity party. It was devastating what happened to him so I did give the storyline the benefit of the doubt. It was just wah wah wah for me to read. I just wanted to knock him up the side of the head for the self inflicted pity. 

I also feel that Rick and Liz's characters are too young for me to get into. I don't feel they have the strength of matured seasoned character for the load of main protagonists. I suppose that could be the reason their story was shared by others. Problem was, I don't feel the secondary characters were strong enough either. So it ended up being a bunch of little stories gathered together hoping to make one big one. Didn't work for me. 

Muriel and the General had some great moments. I really like the movie star Muriel. I picture a very Meryl Streep type of looking character. Perhaps that is what Robyn Carr had in mind when she created the name Muriel? 

Shady Dan's story just seemed to be filler. It feels like he is meant to be this totally cool character but he keeps changing from one book to another. I feel a little lost with him. He has gone through quite a transformation since we were first introduced to him. Military Marine to marijuana grower to convict to a father that had a young son die and finally he seems to have landed on a mentor to Rick. Toss in construction worker with a hidden disability and there you have it; Dan. 

Dan seems to be courting the town ex-drunk Cheryl. Now Cheryl is the one with the major transformation. From the early books she was overweight and pot faced to apparently, now beautiful. (Well Dan thinks so) Their story is really slow. As it should be. But not entertaining. It feels really forced.

Due to the lack of energy and the fact that I didn't really harbour much care for the characters in Paradise Valley, I will just take a step back for now and return when I am in the mood to continue. And I do want to continue. 

Teasers: Jack can't help but butt into other's business, Twins!, getting healthy, church on ebay

Temptation Ridge by Robyn Carr

Shelby McIntyre & Luke Riordan's book


Temptation Ridge (Virgin River #6)

by Robyn Carr

Book Blurb:
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.

"Boy howdy" did I weep in this story. We said goodbye to an old friend and met a few new friends. Temptation Ridge was a strong and enjoyable book. I sure hope my blog readers are not getting tired of my blog posts of  Robyn Carr 's Virgin River series yet. Once I latch onto a good series, I need to read each book in order one right after another. 

I've noticed that Robyn Carr doesn't really make a Virgin River book about one specific couple. There are of course the main protagonists but the novels are chalk full of events, secondary couple stories and the constant updates to the previous book characters. In Temptation Ridge our main couple is all about the General's niece and Vannie's cousin, Shelby. Luke is a new character, former army (Black Hawk pilot), finding his way to Virgin River. I tell you, these military men are such fun to read about. Each so different yet so much the same. 

The adorable Shelby has a plan. After caring for her very sick mother until she passed, she is just rediscovering herself. She's been a caregiver for years. So much so that she has never spent time on herself. She is like a butterfly becoming free of her cocoon. The sheltered life is exactly one of the reasons Luke is so hesitate in pursuing her. He is thirty eight to her twenty five and as much as he tries not to, he sure does fall for her. Only he won't let himself. These men and their inner battles I tell you! Luke makes all these decisions about what he thinks would be best for Shelby without consulting Shelby! You know who knows what's best for Shelby? Shelby!!

The readers are treated to a new character and I certainly was not expecting Art. He is a man with down syndrome who stumbles into Luke's life and it sure seems like he is here to stay. What a gentle man. I loved that  Robyn Carr  introduced a character like Art. There is so much story you can add about him. Art seems to enhance Luke's life and how could he not? He is simply adorable. 

OH THE TEARS! We say goodbye to a beloved character and I had a bad case of the sads. 

One of the new secondary characters was that sweet hunky doctor that Vannie briefly dated before Paul. Dr Cameron slides into the story by accidentally getting one of Vannie's friends pregnant. I found their side story a bit boring and I did cruise pass their plot quickly. I was in too much of a hurry to get back to the main story of Shelby and  Luke. 

There are lots of room for the story to continue in the next book, Paradise Valley, as the readers can look for more of an update from the General and his Hollywood flame, Muriel. There is no doubt more new characters are to be introduced as I don't even think I am half way through the series yet. 

Teasers: bear encounter, school bus accident, cabin renovations, a virgin in Virgin River

Second Chance Pass by Robyn Carr

Paul Haggerty & Vannie's book





Second Chance Pass (Virgin River #5)

By Robyn Carr

Book Blurb:
In the space of a few months Vanessa buried her husband, Matt, and gave birth to their son--breaking her heart while filling it with a whole new kind of love. But the one man she longs to share this love with now acts as if she doesn't exist.

Paul Haggerty lives by the marine motto: Semper Fi. Ever faithful to his best friend, he's done right by Matt's widow as best he can...considering he's been secretly in love with her for years. Now, just as he's about to make his move, another woman has staked her claim on him--a claim that will be tough to escape.

With courage, humility and not a little meddling from the good folks of Virgin River, Vanni and Paul might just get a second chance to have the love they both desire and deserve.

By this time in the series I have come to really know these characters. I still love the continued updates from the other couples, although I think Jack and Mel from book 1 Virgin River continue to carry the cast. Although Second Chance Pass was technically slated to be Vannie and Paul's story, I feel the first half the book and the second half of the book were completely different stories. It's a good thing I am jotting down my reviews after each book because they are all definitely starting to meld together as one big honking book!

In the first half of Second Chance Pass the focus was primarily getting Paul and Vannie to finally come together as a couple. There were some tough obstacles to overcome but regardless, Paul and Vannie turned out to be stand up characters. I am not sure I would have been as willing as Vannie was regarding Paul's "problem" so I was in awe of how badly she really wanted this to all work out. 

Paul sure got himself into a big pickle and I wasn't quite sure how he was going to come out in the end. No spoilers here because it's a great read and I don't want to ruin it. 

The second half of the book was a real hodgepodge of stories. The readers will experience some gripping moments from Mel and Jack (and I was really worried that Robyn Carr was going to something drastic here) *wipes forehead* Lets just say, it was tense. 

I loved the fabulous update with Preacher and Paige. *squee*

There was some interesting turn of events for the General. *smile* I love when characters that are mature in years get some attention. I sure have to say the Robyn Carr delivers from the teen years right up to the golden years. You have it all in this soap opera of Virgin River. 

Big massive lumps in my throat and heart for Rick making his way to Iraq. Wow I am so nervous with that plot line. I adore that guy. 

A secondary story that I thought was waaaaay to rushed for Joe and Nikki. 

The mysterious drug dealer makes another quick appearance but he is gone as quick as he appears. 

I was so hoping that couple from Christmas story would become regulars because so far, that was my favourite story. But the Buchanan's did not appear. I wonder if they ever do come back or if that was just a one time Christmas special book? Anyone know? 

Can I just also mention how much I love these covers? I am a visual person and each cover really adds to the story. I love when the cover matches the story that is written in the book and each of the wonderful Virgin River's covers have really aided in my imagination of what the setting resembles. I love it!. On to book 6, Temptation Ridge. 

Teasers: Jack delivers baby #2, new house developments, fire!