REVIEW: Robyn Carr's THE WANDERER (Thunder Point bk 1)

Title: THE WANDERER (Thunder Point bk 1)
Author: Robyn Carr
Release Date:  March 26, 2013
List Price: $7.99
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher:  Harlequin MIRA
Language:  English

ISBN-10: 0778314472
ISBN-13:  978-0778314479
Buy THE WANDERER from Amazon



 My Ratings

Plot:  4.5/5
Setting:  5/5
Writing:   4.5/5
Originality of Plot:  4.5/5
Characters Development:  5/5
Ending:  5/5
Cover Art:  4.5/5
Likelihood to Recommend:  5/5

Overall:  38/40 =  95%  
 




Synopsis 

From Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the popular Virgin River novels, comes Thunder Point—the highly anticipated new series that will make you laugh, make you sigh, and make you fall in love with a small town filled with people you'll never forget.

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. 

My Review

No one writes sexy, but loveable, bad boys like Robyn Carr!  Nomad, Hank Cooper, came to Thunder Point to find out how an old Army buddy had died.  Turns out that his buddy left behind bait shop and bar that the town relayed on.  Cooper has to decide whether to continue living the bachelor's life out of his trailer or put down roots in this beautiful coastal town.  What might make a vagabond like Cooper change his strips? 

Robyn has given us a new cast of characters to fall absolutely in love with. Coop is that rugged mans-man with a heart of gold, who falls into the arms of recently broken hearted Sarah Dupre.  There is "Deputy Yummy Pants" Mac who is in charge of the entire town and is a single dad of three.  These two make for a very entertaining read.  Other favorite characters include: Landon, Gina and Aunt Lou. This first book basically gives us a glimpse into the town, it's cast of characters, and the possible trouble brewing in this small town.  This book has lots of twists and turns, that you won't see coming.  Being a new series, I don't want to  give to much of the story away.   

 

Just like Robyn Carr's Virgin River series, I fell in love with Thunder Point right away.  This book is sweet, funny, and touching.  This story shows that love can be found at any age and in the strangest places.  The characters the heart of this story, and I am totally hooked.  I can't wait for the next book in this series.  If you are a fan of the romance genre, you need to give this series a try!  Good bye Virgin River, hello Thunder Point!

 

NAUGHTY & NICE READS: January -July 2013

 

Each year, I put together my list of Naughty and Nice reads. I do this as much for myself, as for fellow readers. It's so hard to keep up with new releases and there are so many spectacular books coming out this year. Please feel free to use this as a resource, or even help me with new recommendations to add to my list.

JANUARY

1st What Chris Wants (The Edge of Honor Series) by Lori Foster 
15th Gates of Paradise (A Blue Bloods Novel) by Melissa de la Cruz
15th  Beautiful Scars by Shiloh Walker  
22nd  Ever After by Kim Harrison 
29th Fair Game (Alpha And Omega) by Patricia Briggs
29th  Haunted Moon (AN OTHERWORLD NOVEL) by Yasmine Galenorn

FEBRUARY 

 

5th  House Rules: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel by Chloe Neill  
5th  Going Under (A BOUND BY MAGICK NOVEL) by Lauren Dane  
5th Magic at Midnight by Gena Showalter
6th Run the Risk by Lori Foster  
12th  The Indigo Spell: A Bloodlines Novel by Richelle Mead  
12th Get There by Megan Hart  
19th Neferet's Curse: A House of Night Novella by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
26th Edge of Dawn: A Midnight Breed Novel by Lara Adrian 
26th Three Sisters (Blackberry Island) by Susan Mallery  
26th  The Best Man by Kristan Higgins 
26th All He Ever Desired by Shannon Stacey

MARCH

 

1st This Soul Magic by Michele Hauf   
5th This Wicked Magic (Harlequin Nocturne) by Michele Hauf   
5th Frost Burned (Mercy Thompson, Book 7) by Patricia Briggs
5th Wild Invitation: A Psy/Changeling Anthology by Nalini Singh 
5th Thrown By A Curve (A Play-by-Play Novel) by Jaci Burton  
5th Seeing is Believing by Erin McCarthy  
12th Lost in You (Petal, Georgia) by Lauren Dane 
13th Steel by Carrie Vaughn 
26th Kitty Rocks the House (Kitty Norville) by Carrie Vaughn   
26th Twice Tempted: A Night Prince Novel by Jeaniene Frost  
26th Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices) by Cassandra Clare
26th  With All My Soul (Soul Screamers) by Rachel Vincent 
26th Deadly Sting (Elemental Assassin) by Jennifer Estep 
26th Too Hot to Handle by Victoria Dahl

APRIL

 

 

2nd  Blood Trade: A Jane Yellowrock Novel by Faith Hunter
2nd Lush (A DELICIOUS NOVEL) by Lauren Dane  
23rd The Elite by Kiera Cass 
30th Oath Bound (An Unbound Novel) by Rachel Vincent 
30th Informed Risk: A Hero for Sophie Jones by Robyn Carr
30th All He Ever Dreamed by Shannon Stacey
30th Bare It All by Lori Foster

MAY

7th Dead Ever After: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood) by Charlaine Harris 
7th Eternal Demon: Mark of the Vampire by Laura Wright 
7th Entwined with You (A CROSSFIRE NOVEL) by Sylvia Day  
28th A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper 
28th  Pride and Pleasure by Sylvia Day
28th Just One Kiss by Susan Mallery

JUNE

4th Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead 
4th Untitled Psy/Changeling #12 by Nalini Singh 
25th The Favor by Megan Hart  
25th The Newcomer (Thunder Point) by Robyn Carr
25th Two of a Kind by Susan Mallery

JULY

2nd  Hungry Like a Wolf (Others) by Christine Warren  
3nd Affliction (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter) by Laurell K. Hamilton 
30th  Magic Rises (Kate Daniels) by Ilona Andrews 
30th  Soul Screamers Volume Three: If I Die\Before I Wake\Never to Sleep by Rachel Vincent  
30th  Three Little Words by Susan Mallery 

REVIEW: Robyn Carr's BRING ME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Title: BRING ME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Author: Robyn Carr
Release Date: October 25, 2011
List Price: $7.99
Publisher: Mira
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0778312712
ISBN-13: 978-0778312710


My Ratings

Plot: 4.5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Originality of Plot: 4.5/5
Characters Development: 4.5/5
Ending: 5/5
Cover Art: 4/5
Likelihood to Recommend: 5/5

Overall: 37/40 = 92%


Synopsis

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. And the most delicious Christmas present she can imagine.

My Review

(Review contains spoilers)
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I adored Denny when he was first introduced in a previous Virgin River book. He had a tough childhood and his past had left him a little broken. As an adult Denny had come to Virgin River to find family, and he did even if they weren’t related by blood. Just as Denny started to settle in to life in Virgin River, in walks his ex-girlfriend Becca. She decided that she couldn’t move on with her new life without facing Denny again. She tricked her brother into taking her on his hunting trip to Virgin River with his buddies.

This book really show how much Denny had grown in the years after he left Becca. He used to be a lost young man with no where to really call home. Now he has become a man that the town has come to love, respect, and rely on. He was willing to wait on Becca hand and foot after her accident, even though he didn’t know her true feelings. And he was even willing to give up everything for the girl he loves.

Becca may have been misguided in the beginning of this book, but she truly found her way in Virgin River. She found who she was, and what she wants to do for the rest of her life. The town changed her life for the better, and now she will help change the town on child at a time. I also loved the addition of Becca’s brother and his friends to Virgin River. I’m hoping to see more of them in the future. The series is always looking for a few new sexy soldiers!

I simply adore the characters and this town. Reading new books in this series, is like getting to see an old friend. Once you get into a each book, it feels as if you never left. Also, there is just something about Robyn Carr's writing that give me hope in life, people, and the world. Make you almost want to pack up and move there yourself!

BRING ME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS was a sweet and heart-felt holiday tale. If you are looking for something festive to read or just a chance to find peace in this crazy world, this is the book for you. When I pick up a Virgin River book I know I’m going to get two things: realistic characters and touching romance, and this book didn’t disappoint!


Virgin River Series

Book 19 - Sunrise Point (May 2012)
Book 18 - Redwood Bend (Mar 2012)
Book 17 - Hidden Summit (Jan 2012)
Book 16 - Bring Me Home for Christmas (Nov 2011)
Book 15 - Harvest Moon
Book 14 - Wild Man Creek
Book 13 - Promise Canyon
Book 12 - "Midnight Confessions" (novella)
Book 11 - Moonlight Road
Book 10 - Angel's Peak
Book 9 - Forbidden Falls
Book 8 - "Under the Christmas Tree" (novella)
Book 7 - Paradise Valley
Book 6 - Temptation Ridge
Book 5 - Second Chance Pass
Book 4 - A Virgin River Christmas
Book 3 - Whispering Rock
Book 2 - Shelter Mountain
Book 1 - Virgin River


Website

Robyn Carr's Website
Robyn Carr's Twitter

Naughty and Nice Holiday Reads

So with just days until Christmas, I've decided to share my favorite Holiday reads past and present.

NICE

These are some of my favorite heart warming tales of inspiration, love, family, and the Holiday Spirit.



Title: A Virgin River Christmas

Author: Robyn Carr
Release Date: 03/01/2010
My Rating: 5/5
Nice Rating: 5/5
Product Description:

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.

Title: Holly and Mistletoe

Author: Susan Mallery
Release Date: 08/17/2009
My Rating: 5/5
Nice Rating: 4.5/5
Product Description:

A storm had claimed her apartment and now Holly Garrett was without a home for the holidays. But just when she saw her plans for Christmas crumbling, a miracle came her way...

The handsome firefighter who'd saved her and her cat - and who'd injured himself in the rescue - was now asking her for help. And he was inviting her to live with him. Sure, she could cook and clean for him while he recuperated, but was that really all he wanted?

Jordan Haynes couldn't let Holly be alone for Christmas - not when she brought out his every protective instinct. No, he could play the needy patient as well as anyone... and just maybe he could convince her to keep him company through the holidays - if not longer.

Title: Midnight Kiss

Author: Robyn Carr, Jean Brashear, and Victoria Dahl
Release Date: 11/01/2010
My Rating: 4.5/5
Nice Rating: 5/5
Product Description:

These are New Year's resolutions worth keeping!

Take a risk.

At the inaugural New Year's Eve party at Jack's Bar, two lonely revelers decide the best balm for their broken hearts might just be each other.

Find the perfect work–life balance.

When a flinty lawyer with a bad-boy addiction meets the quintessential nice guy, sparks fly that consume their expectations of life and love.

Get those finances in order.

Working over the holidays on a messy bank takeover is made worse for two federal specialists by an ill-advised kiss that will never happen again…right?

Title: Home for the Holidays

Author: Debbie Macomber
Release Date: 03/16/2009
My Rating: 4.5/5
Nice Rating: 4.5/5
Product Description:

The Forgetful Bride

Caitlin Marshall's trying to go home to Minnesota, but at the last minute she gives her airline ticket to a stranded soldier. So Cait spends Christmas with Joe Rockwell, who was a childhood friend--and is still a terrible tease, claiming that Cait's his wife. Oh, sure, they were "married" in a pretend ceremony when she was eight, but now Joe wants to make their "marriage" real!

When Christmas Comes

Emily Springer trades her Leavenworth, Washington, home for Charles Brewster's Boston condo. Then Emily's friend Faith comes to visit her in Washington--and instead finds Charles, a complete stranger and a curmudgeon, to boot. His brother, Ray, meanwhile, shows up at Charles's place, only to discover Emily living there. But through all the mix-ups and misunderstandings, among the chaos and confusion, romance begins to emerge....

NAUGHTY

I'll have to admit that the first two I picked, mostly because they are the newest Naughty Holiday treats I've devoured! That being said, all of these titles will make your Holiday's a little warmer!

Title:Unwrapped

Author: Megan Hart
Release Date: 12/6/2010
My Rating: 5/5
Naughty Rating: 5/5
Product Description:

Naughty is Nice

Newlyweds Leah and Brandon Long are finally taking a honeymoon. But just a few days into their Christmas-in-Vail vacation, Leah takes a tumble on the slopes, severely spraining her ankle. Being stuck indoors isn't so bad though: the luxurious chalet boasts a hot tub and cozy fireplace. Besides, sitting with her feet up while Brandon serves her in every way a man can serve a woman is exactly how both of them like to spend their time.

Leah would be in heaven, if only Brandon didn't insist on playing with the dynamic of their relationship. With kinky sex and deep conversation the only things on the agenda, Leah can't avoid the discussion of how things might change. Will she be ready to take their marriage to the next level in the New Year?

Title: Believe
Author: Lauren Dane
Release Date: 12/6/2010
My Rating: 4.5/5
Naughty Rating: 5/5
Product Description:

Their First Christmas, Bound Together…

All Jude wants for Christmas is Rori, all to himself. It’s their first holiday season as a couple, and staying home, seeing friends and family, means they’ll be surrounded by the memory of Rori’s late husband. It’s time for Jude and Rori to create their own traditions. Time for them to fully explore their most intimate desires to dominate and submit.

Rori is thrilled when Jude whisks her away to a luxury resort in the mountains. Spending Christmas away, just the two of them, is the perfect time to show him she’s ready to give herself to him completely…

Title: Hot for the Holidays
Author: Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Anya Bast and Allyson James
Release Date: 9/26/2009
My Rating: 4/5
Naughty Rating: 5/5
Product Description:

Featuring four all-new novellas of sensual surprises and seasonal spirits, this collection includes a new tale of the Breeds from Lora Leigh and a return to the world of the Mageverse from Angela Knight.

Vampire's Ball by Angela Knight
Kat Danilo's childhood turned tragic when her sister become the victim of a serial killer. Years later, she gets a chance at justice when she discovers she'd the daughter of Lancelot, vampire knight of the Round Table. But first, she's got to convince a handsome vampire warrior that she's worthy to gain the magical powers that are her birthright—powers that might help her find her sister's killer. If the murderer doesn't find her first....

Sweet Enchantment by Anya Bast
This novella provides a first taste of the world in which Anya's new Dark Magick series is set.

A Little Night Magic by Allyson James
The town of Magellan is famous for its woo-woo activity. Naomi is known as an Unbeliever (one who doesn't believe in Magellan's mystical energy). But Naomi must put disbelief aside when her Navajo lover reveals that he is a Changer, a shapeshifter, and has returned to Magellan to protect her from grave anger on Christmas Eve.

Title: All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Release Date: 10/28/2008
My Rating: 4/5
Naughty Rating: 4/5
Product Description:

Toni Davis's Christmas wish list

1. Springing my best friend from the psych ward2. Living somewhere that doesn't have coffins in the basement. Occupied coffins.

3. Finding Mr. Right. Please make him tall, dark, handsome, and alive.

This Christmas isn't so merry for Toni. Her best friend's been locked up in a mental hospital ever since she told the police she was attacked by vampires, and the only way for Toni to get her out is to prove that bloodsuckers really do exist. So she's taken a job as a bodyguard for the Undead, but she gets more than she bargained for, especially when she meets Ian MacPhie, a Scottish rascal looking for Ms. Right.

Although Ian's nearly five centuries old, he looks and acts like a twenty-seven-year-old hunk.

How can a dead man be so damn sexy? Could Mr. Wrong be Mr. Right? One forbidden kiss could lead to an eternity of passion—and all it takes is one moment under the mistletoe . . .

REVIEW: Robyn Carr's MOONLIGHT ROAD (Virgin River bk 10)

In honor of Veteran’s Day, I thought I’d post a review from one of my favorite series who’s characters have deep ties to the army, navy, and air force. This one goes out to my father who severed his country in Vietnam.




Title: MOONLIGHT ROAD (Virgin River Bk 10)
Author: Robyn Carr
Release Date: March 1, 2010
Publisher: Mira
Language: English
ISBN-10: 077832768X
ISBN-13: 978-0778327684

My Ratings

Plot: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Originality of Plot: 4/5
Characters Development: 5/5
Ending: 4/5
Cover Art: 3/5

Overall: 29/35 = 82%


Book Opening

In the two weeks Aiden Riordan had been in Virgin River, he'd hiked over a hundred miles and grown himself a pretty hefty dark red beard. With his jet-black hair and brows and his bright green eyes, this legacy of his ancestors gave him a wild look. His four-year-old niece, Rosie, who sported a full head of red curls to go with her green eyes, had said, "Unca Aid! You're a Wide Iwish Rose, too!"

Synopsis

"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."


My Review

Erin Foley came to Virginia River looking to get away for her hectic life. She’s a high profile lawyer, who was forced to raise her siblings after loosing both of her parents. She is at a cross-road in her life. With both of her siblings now out of the house and moving on with their lives, Erin has decided to stay in her families cabin in Virgin River for the summer. She just wants to relax and make some decisions in her life. To bad the sexy Aiden Riordan , had other plans for Ms. Foley. After fourteen years with the Navy, Dr. Riordan has left the military. He came to Virgin River to visit family, and re-evaluate his career as naval doctor.

I first want to state for the record that Aiden Riordan has been my favorite Virgin River male lead character. He has that night in shining armor sort of feel. He’s handsome. He’s sweet. He’s strong. He’s smart. And he loves children. What more could any women want? Maybe someone without a crazy ex-wife! ; ) I enjoyed taking another look at the Riordan family. How can one family have so many amazing men?

I also enjoyed reading about Erin and her family. She has given so much of her life to other people, and she wasn’t given the chance to life her life for herself. And then Aiden has given her that chance.

One of my favorite parts of this series, is the fact that it centers around a main cast of characters. I did feel like the last two books in this series missed this point. I was very happy to see the Jack and Mel sub-plot find its way back into the series. They will always be my favorite Virgin River couple.

I really enjoyed the newest book in Robyn Carr’s Virgin River Series. Just like the others in this series, this book was funny, romantic, honest, and full of hope. I have devoured this series in a matter of weeks and would recommend them to anyone seeking to get away for a few hours.


Virginia River Series

Novella - "Sheltering Hearts"
Book 10 - Moonlight Road
Book 9 - Angel's Peak
Book 8 - Forbidden Falls
Novella - "Under the Christmas Tree"
Book 7 - Paradise Valley
Book 6 - Temptation Ridge
Book 5 - Second Chance Pass
Book 4 - A Virgin River Christmas
Book 3 - Whispering Rock
Book 2 - Shelter Mountain
Book 1 - Virgin River


Website

Robyn Carr’s Website