Paradise Valley (Virgin River, Book 7)
by Robyn Carr
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Book Reviews of Paradise Valley (Virgin River, Book 7)
Book Review: Another wonderful read from Robyn Carr
Summary: 5 Stars
I learned of this Robyn Carr series from a friend on Amazon [thanks, Jen!] and have enjoyed every one of the Virgin River and Grace Valley series. I strongly recommend reading them in order as the characters grow from one book to another and many of the plot points are carried over. In a way, these books are the American equivalent of English "cozies" - with a setting in a small town, nosy neighbors, characters with good values. Most of all, though, Ms. Carr writes about fully-formed, believable people with issues and problems. Are her male characters just a bit too perfect? Well, if your idea of perfection is a tough but good-looking former marine with an incredibly caring attitude toward women and babies, as well as the ability to do almost anything in a house (from construction to cooking)....then, yes, these guys are pretty perfect. Nonetheless, Ms. Carr finds problems for them and for the women in their lives that feel totally real.
This book, the wind-up of the Virgin River stories[or maybe not, if 2010 will see additional books using the same characters], is excellent. I loved the contrasting romances, from the twenty-somethings to the sixty-somethings. While other books in the series touched on such issues as spousal abuse and drugs, this one focuses on the severe injuries of a young soldier who has been to Iraq and how the entire community is affected by his mental and physical health. It's clear Ms. Carr has done her research. Also, the evolution of characters from one book to another is very well-portrayed.
Unlike some reviewers of books in this series, I don't have favorites since all of the books are equally excellent. Strongly recommended!
Book Review: well written multi-faceted contemporary tale
Summary: 5 Stars
In Virgin River, Cameron sadly muses how ironic life is. He and his former pediatric partners met at the Davenport Hotel Steak House in Grants Pass while Abby attended a wedding there. Attracted to one another, they had a fling that he thought he outgrew and she never had one before. He sought her out the next day, but she was gone. When Doc Mullins died, he moved to Virgin River to change his lifestyle; Abby arrived soon after carrying his twins. He wants to marry her and raise a family with her, but she rejects his advances.
Marine corporal Rick went to Iraq a boy, but came home early a shattered man who sees a dark future due to the leg. Liz who loves him refuses to accept his rejection as she keeps in her heart what the retired military like Jack and the General (who misses his Muriel while she is in Hollywood) told her; those who love a wounded warrior are wounded too and never leave your loved ones behind. Others like newcomer Dan pray for a fresh start here as people before him have achieved; Cheryl who has a past too gives him hope.
Paraphrasing the early 1960s TV show the naked City, "there are 8 million stories" in the Virgin River community and Robyn Carr nicely balances several of them. The key to this well written multi-faceted contemporary tale is the ensemble cast; for instance the eight players named above are fully developed with different personalities while other returning citizens enhance the current tale. Filled with angst and pathos, fans of Robin Carr's quiet salute to the veterans will enjoy the latest trip to Virgin Rover.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: low point in the series for me
Summary: 3 Stars
The 7th in the Virgin River series. The 3rd in the 2nd trilogy.
Following the other 2 in this trilogy (Second Chance Pass and Temptation Ridge), this book isn't about one couple, but about the town of Virgin River. So much is going on in this one little town...
This was by far my least favorite of all the books in the series. I hated the storyline with Abby and Cameron--it annoyed me on a personal level and I actually skipped through parts of it because I could not read it. Aside from my personal issues with it, I found the story to be overused and annoying. Walt and Muriel's story was boring and didn't seem to flow with the book...it was just a break from everything else in VR. Dan and Cheryl's story was okay, but just lacking.
The best part of this book was Rick and Liz. Unfortunately, it was too few and far between. It wasn't well developed and fell flat.
I would not classify this book in the romance category...it fits better in the "chick-lit" category. The series is becoming similar in style to Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series.
I read this book because I liked the whole series. This one was just a disappointment...the last 3 just weren't as good as the first 4. I'm hoping they improve with the next set. Please...
Book Review: Going Back To Paradise
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm rating this just one short of the full stars only because I don't think it was the very best of the series.....but it was GOOD READING!
I am always happy to go back to Virgin River and meet everyone there again....have a drink at Jack's bar and see what Preacher is cooking that day, waiting for Mel to walk in and give a hint or two as to what she's been doing at the clinic and hear about the expectant mom's around town, new babies being born. This is such a great community. It is comforting to go back to paradise when you read these stories in the series - - learn about love and trust and true friendship. This book brings unlikely romances together and concentrates on Rick who has been at war in Iraq. The General is at war with himself over Muriel's hollywood gig. I love the way the community is growing and prospering with good in the drama of life there. Keep going Robyn!!!!
Book Review: Paradise Valley
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought this most recent in the Vrigin River series would finish the stories of the people left hanging in Temptation Ridge, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Although Rick is home and at the end he and Liz have worked out a compromise, I can't imagine that's all we're ever going to know about them. Same for Dan - Shady Brady and Cheryl. And there's still Walt's son Tom, who was hardly mention in the latest book. So maybe the new Virgin River series, that is promised for the spring 2010, will give us those answers and revisit many of the original characters I've come to look upon as part of my family. It doesn't matter that they are spread out over a long time period. When a new Carr comes out, I reread the previous books in the series to get back up to speed. I should have bought them in hardcover because these paperbacks are going to become worn out over time.