Deep in the Valley, Just Over the Mountain and Down by the River by Robyn Carr

Why I read these: Having met folks from Grace Valley in the Virgin River books, I wanted to head on over to Grace Valley and read their stories.

I read these books pretty much back to back because that's simply how you must do it with the trilogy. In fact, I wont even call it a trilogy. I'd say that they are one continuous book split into three different packages.

Reading just a singular book wont allow you to appreciate the love story between June and Jim. Especially since they only have about 3 scenes together in the entire first book.
If you read each book, in the proper order, you'll not only fall in love with June and Jim, but with each and every character that Robyn Carr introduces into this wonderful little community.

Even though there is a romantic element to this series, I don't classify it a romance, but instead I'll call it a warm hearted fictional read that sweeps you off your feet and makes you feel like part of the town. I'm even tempted to sell our house, pack up my family and go of in search of a town just like Grace Valley. :)

I truly loved these books, and I hope that the author continues to write more stories for both Grace Valley and Virgin River.

I can't give these books anything less than an A.

In order,
Deep in the Valley
Just Over the Mountain
Down by the River

A Virgin River Christmas by Robyn Carr
Why I read this: Virgin River is one of my favourite books
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Last Christmas, Marcie Sullivan said a final goodbye to her husband Bobby. This Christmas she's come to Virgin River to find the man who saved his life and gave her three more years to love him.

Fellow marine Ian Buchanan dragged Bobby's shattered body onto a medical transport in Fallujah four years ago then disappeared as soon as their unit arrived Stateside. Since then, Marcie's letters to Ian have gone unanswered.

Marcie tracks Ian to the tiny mountain town of Virgin River and finds a man as wounded emotionally as Bobby was physically. But she is not easily scared off. As Marcie pushes her way into his rugged and reclusive life, she discovers a sweet but damaged soul beneath a rough exterior.

Ian doesn't know what to make of the determined young widow who forces him to look into the painful past and, what's worse, the uncertain future. But it is, after all, a season of miracles and maybe, just maybe, it's time to banish the ghosts and open his heart.

Something I noticed when I turned the last page on this book is that I had a big smile on my face. There are a few words to describe A Virgin River Christmas... pure, refreshing, happy, nice, pleasant.
It was a contemporary that was without suspense, there was no killer, no kidnapper, no too stupid to live heroine who you wanted to see shot in the head or eaten by a bear.

It was simply about a man and a woman who fell in love. A Virgin River Christmas is a true test to the talent that Robyn Carr has. The fact that she can write such an entertaining, moving, romantic love story that is not full of fillers and nonsenses stuff puts me a great mood.

I give a Virgin River Christmas an A+, because there was nothing that made me roll my eyes, scoff at, complain about or say WTF?!

Ian was a great hero. He was tortured soul, but it was just enough that all he needed was a little love from the perfect woman. Marcie was sweet, but smart. she knew what she wanted, and didn't let anyone bully her or get in her way.

Being able to see Jack and Mel from Virgin River was a treat.

Whispering Rock by Robyn Carr (Book 3 in the Virgin River series)

Published by Mira

Why I read this: Once I start a good series, I must finish it :)

A decorated U.S. Marine reservist, LAPD officer Mike Valenzuela was badly wounded in the line of duty, but has found hope and healing in Virgin River. When he agrees to become the town’s first cop, he does so knowing it’s time he settled down. Twice divorced and the lover of too many women, he secretly longs for the kind of commitment and happiness his marine buddies have found – a woman who can tie up his heart forever. He finds that woman in Brie Sheridan, a Sacramento prosecutor who understands his drive to protect and serve. Virgin River becomes a safe haven for Brie after nearly losing her life at the hands of a crazed criminal. Though tough and courageous, she’s got some fears she can’t escape – but now she has someone who will shower her just what it means to trust again.
Mike will do anything to help Brie free herself from painful memories. Passionate, strong and gentle, he vows to give back to her what she’s so selflessly given him – her heart, and with it, a new beginning.

Brie is the sister of Jack, the Hero in the first book of this trilogy, Virgin River. Mike is a long time friend of Jacks.

After Brie is raped and beaten up, Mike sticks around to help out the family. He and Brie grow close, they talk on the phone every day, they meet for lunches, all the while keeping thier growing relationship a secret from Jack. It's not kept on the down low on purpose, they just don't bother talking to him about it as it's non of his business.

When he finds out that his best friend and his baby sister are dating Jacks freaks out. Mel sets him straight though.

During his courtship with Brie, Mike is trying to solve a problem. A date rape drug is making the rounds in Virgin River and teenage girls are the victims. Since the woman he loves was attacked by a rapist, Mikes desire in stopping it is personal as much as it is professional.

What I liked most about Brie and Mike's relationship is that it didn't happen over night. They had months of friendship and closeness with each other. They talked about many things, and listened to one another. When declarations of love happened I was thrilled for the two of them. They are a nice couple and they deserve happiness.

I give Whispering Rock a solid B. Robyn Carr certainly knows how to write a loving Hero and a like able Heroine.

The only problem I had with Whispering Rock, something the average reader wont even pick up on, but I did. I was a comment that Jack made to Mel...

"You have to wean David", he said. "Your body can't completely nourish two children. You'll get weak. You're already exhausted"

Okay, I understand that Jack is a caring husband, a loving father, but he isn't right. When it comes to breastfeeding, what he said to her is completely false. Very wrong.

I know this professionally and personally. I wont sit here and go on and on (although, I'm always willing to help a mother out if she needs it, so please drop me a note, I'll help out any breastfeeding mother who needs my services :)

I'll just say this-Breastfeeding while pregnant is perfectly safe. The body will nourish the pregnancy first and still have plenty left over for the nursing child. The only time I would not recommend nursing while pregnant is if there is a problem with the pregnancy, and even then there are many high risk pregnancy issues that don't call for a mother to wean. It all depends on nature of the high risk pregnancy. Exhaustion is not one of the reasons to wean.

Thats all.

This is my favorite line in Whispering Rock..

"You should never be afraid. Not while your my wife. It's my job to make sure you're never afraid."

Awww, isn't that sweet?

Something else I liked, which usually tends to bother me, were all the sub plots. There were several different sub-stories happening with various secondary characters in Whispering Rock. It worked out rather well. Robyn Carr does such a great job of making us love everyone, that I happily got emotionally involved in every thing. For the first time ever, I enjoyed all the subplots that a book had to offer.

This is an amazing series! If you haven't read it you need to do so. Right now!

Read my review of Virgin River

Virgin River by Robyn Carr (book one in the Virgin River series)

Published by Mira

Why I read this: Well, I had seen several people rave about the series, but I wasn't completely sold on them until Book Binge featured the author. A few days after I bought 2/3 of the series, I won autographed copies. Iwas meant to be for me to start this series.

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 midwife career that 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.

I am kicking myself for not reading this book sooner. It opens with Melinda driving to what is supposed to her her new home for the time. A cozy little cabin in a cozy little town. It's not at all what is expected and she decides to leave the next morning. The next morning while she is in her car on her way out of town she is flagged down by bar owner Jack. He has found a baby on the porch of the town doctors office/house. Mel decides to stay in town for a while so that she can take care of the baby.

Mel keeps putting off her leaving for various reasons. First, to look after the baby, then to make sure she is around for this pregnancy, or that that birth. She develops a deep friendship with Jack, and the longer she sticks around, the harder Jack falls in love with her.

I loved this book. Love love loved it! Mel is strong willed, smart and brave. Jack is such a nice guy. He is kind, thoughtful, caring, protective. He is amazing.

A+++++++++

You need to run as fast as you can, go out and buy this book. The description of Virgin River's scenery alone is worth it. There wasn't a single slow moment anywhere, the dialogue was catchy, and the sexual tension was hot hot hot.

Virgin River was perfect!

Some of the things that Mel and Jack said to each other had me giggling, and a scene where Mel meets Jacks family had me LOL'ing.

Virgin River's secondary characters were as intriguing as the Hero and Heroine. I adored Doc, Preacher, all the pregnant ladies, friends that Mel made in the next town.

This book brought up situations about normal births, complicated births, drug addiction, teen sex, birth control, violence and infertility. It did it a way that was entertaining. I didn't once feel like I was reading a public service announcement.

I can't say enough good things about this book. You have to read it. Really, you do!