Customer Reviews

Paradise Valley (Virgin River, Book 7)

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Book 7 in Robyn Carr's Virgin River series is Paradise Valley which has four stories running simultaneously. First, a continuation of the growing attraction between Dr. Cameron Michaels and Abby Crawford who, after their one-night stand in Grants Pass, is expecting twins. A crazy prenup has Abby trying desperately to drop out of sight, because her divorce settlement requires her to remain chaste in order to receive alimony-money she desperately needs to pay off staggering credit card debt incurred by her ex-husband.

Cam has spent some time searching for Abby-the time with her has made him realize he wants her in his life. Finally, he moves to Virgin River to take over the old doctor's practice...and runs smack into Abby who is hiding out at Vanni's and Paul's until her babies are born. Thus begins a tenuous relationship with Cam trying to win her trust.

The second story is about Rick Sudder, Jack's protegee, who has gone to Iraq. When his platoon is ambushed, he suffers serious injuries and loses a leg. Jack and his girlfriend Liz fly to Germany to see him, but Rick has problems dealing with his loss. When he returns to Virgin River, he's not the same boy. Liz still loves him but he won't allow that love to grow and he pushes her away. Counseling helps, but it's not until a confrontation that Rick comes to see that he's the obstacle in their relationship.

Story three (and my favorite) brings a man never before named in earlier episodes into the light. Dan Brady, once a pot grower, has done time and is ready to resume the life he had before he made bad choices. He returns to Virgin River and is hired by Paul Haggerty on his construction crew. Little by little, the details of Dan's life come out, and gradually, he draws closer to the bar regulars. I like Dan's character and his wit-Ms. Carr has made him a wonderfully likable character.

Dan rents the Creighton house. Mr. Creighton has gone to live with a brother, Mrs. Creighton has passed away, and Cheryl, formerly the town drunk, has sobered up and is in rehab and holding down a job in Eureka. She wants nothing to do with the falling-down place except to rent it to someone who will help her make the tax payment on it. Dan jumps at the chance, even though the old place needs lots of work. They strike a deal and Dan begins to rehabilitate the house in his spare time. He finds Cheryl attractive and a friendship develops. Sunday afternoons find them sharing sandwiches at a park in Eureka where they talk about their experiences and enjoy each other's company. Dan is attracted but decided to play it slow since Cheryl isn't ready for anything more than friendship.

Walt Booth struggles with being separated from Muriel who is in Montana filming a movie. Finally, out of fear of losing her, he flies to see her for a long weekend and finds he isn't at all out of place there. Thus begins a series of visits where their love for each other grows.

Rick and Liz make plans for the future that include being together. Abby delivers twins and she and Cam make plans to be married. Walt and Muriel grow closer than ever and I suspect, we'll see more of Dan and Cheryl in a future story.
Ms. Carr has superbly woven these threads together into a satisfying book. Do your self a favor and get the entire series and read them in order.

Two thumbs up on this one.

Another wonderful chapter in the lives of the Virgin River township! This story was amazing. Life isn't always perfect and this story of Rick and Liz and Dan and Cheryl reminded us that it isn't and we found that characters we thought we knew were different than they seemed. What a wonderful story with Cam and Abbey falling in love and having their twins and Muriel and Walt cementing their love for each other. It was just beautiful.

We got to visit with all our friends in Virgin River and it will be a frustrating wait until 2010 for the next 3 installments.

I have just finished reading this latest book of the Virgin River series on my Kindle. Robyn Carr has an amazing way of writing about the characters and the community. She makes you feel you are part of that community. In each book she brings back the characters from previous books and also introduces new characters and their relationships. You can't wait to finish each book to see what is happening to all the characters in the next book. I hope there will be a #8 book, as I want to find out what is happening with Dan and Cheryl.
I definitely would recommend this series and the author, Robyn Carr. You really will get wrapped up in the stories once you start the series.
A great read.

This is the latest gem from one of the best authors of contempory fiction in today's market. I received this book at 11:00 am today and finished it at 5:30 pm, and that is only the first time I will read it! As always, it is wonderful to catch up on old friends. This time though, we learn the story of a character that has appeared since the first Virgin River book, and not only learn his story but welcome him into the Virgin River community. I've been reading every book in this series hoping that Ms. Carr would not let him drift out of the series. Well, she didn't and did a "bang-up" job of doing it!! Have you figured out what character I'm referring to?

I am re-reading the Virgin River series...I really enjoyed all the various characters and situations the first time. However, reading the books in order (1-7) gives in-depth understanding of plots. Characters are woven from one book to next. Ms. Carr also has the ability to story-line multiple characters and plots into each book, making each one interesting. Reader can't wait until the new installment to find out what happens next. I think Dan and Cheryl will be involved in #8.

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!

I've read all the Virgin River books. I was hooked from the first chapter of the first book. I didn't think I could love the series any more. But with Book 7 I fell in love all over again. This was an amazing book. It isn't a story about just one couple; it follows the stories of three couples and our favorites from the previous six books. While you can read this book as a stand alone, it will enhance the emotions and experience more if you go back to the beginning. It will also give you a more in depth understand of certain characters.

I am an avid Robyn Carr fan, but thought she tried to cover too many story lines in this book. Personally, I was finished with Walt and Muriel after Temptation Ridge - they are okay characters, but not interesting enough for the amount of time she gave them. They could have popped up in the background like so many others whose main stories have already been told.

For me, I would have liked to have had the Rick/Liz and Cameron/Abby continuations covered here and for Dan Brady to have his own book. He is an interesting character, having had so much to overcome in his past; likewise, the new and improved Cheryl.

Does Ms. Carr ever write anything that isn't wonderful? I have to say that of all the series i have read in my lifetime,the Virgin River books have to be my all time favorites. The running thread throughout, home, family, devotion to country are universal and can be felt by anyone who reads them. I can't wait for the next book.

This is a continuation of the Virgin River Series and I think it is one of the best books written by Robyn Carr. I have driven in the area this book is suppose to be about and Ms.Carr describes the area wonderfully. (Please don't go on Highway 36 unless you want an E-ticket ride.) Its the story of Cameron and Abby who are about to become the parents of twins and of Rick the Marine and Liz. Rick returns from Iraq an amputee and Ms.Carr describes the torment Rick goes through very well. It is a fast read, but a good read. You also revisit with other characters such as Jack and Mel.