Whispering Rock (Virgin River, Book 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Robyn Carr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2007

The tightly knit community of Virgin River has been a safe haven for more than a few lost souls over the years -- and there's always room for more . . .

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 show 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.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In Carr's third Virgin River novel, Mike Valenzuela is on his way to visit family in L.A. when he learns that Brie, Jack Sheridan's youngest sister, has been raped and beaten by the defendant in a high-profile rape case she had unsuccessfully prosecuted. Mel, Virgin River's midwife, begins to suspect that a serial date rapist is preying on the girls of the community after plying them with drink and drugs, and soon Mike is on the case as Virgin River's constable. Readers of Carr's series will be delighted to see how Preacher and Paige are faring in their new marriage, and how life is treating Jack, Mel, and little David. The combination of realistic romance and tough topics such as rape and the war in Iraq makes this a fine read. And the introduction of Paul, another member of the band of U.S. Marine buddies, and a general's pregnant daughter raises hope that the series will continue. Diana Tixier Herald
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Robyn Carr writes a beautiful romance entangled with passion and intrigue." -- New York Times bestselling author Clive Cussler

"The Virgin River books are so compelling -- I connected instantly with the characters and just wanted more and more and more." -- New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 363 pages
• Publisher: Mira (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778324494
• ISBN-13: 978-0778324492
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #293,501 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robyn Carr is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of many novels, including The Virgin River Series

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully detailed love story, May 29, 2007

By 

auntee (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whispering Rock (Virgin River, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book continues the stories of many of the favorite characters introduced in the previous books "Virgin River" and "Shelter Mountain" and adds a few memorable new ones.

Former Marine and restaurant/bar owner Jack Sheridan and his midwife/
nurse practitioner wife Mel are now building a huge new house for their growing family. Best buddy, former Marine and now chef John "Preacher" Middleton and his new bride Paige are running Jack's restaurant and are desperate to have a baby of their own.
But the main focus of the book is the tender love story between Jack's former Marine buddy Mike Valenzuela and Jack's little sister and Sacramento attorney Brie.

Brie suffers a horrible trauma and with Mike's help comes to Virgin River to heal emotionally. With Mike's patience, devotion, understanding, and love, he helps Brie to trust and love again.

There are some subplots in the book; the most significant ones being a teenage serial rapist that former cop Mike has a hand in investigating, and also a sad turn when another Marine buddy is killed in Iraq, leaving behind a distraught pregnant wife and a best friend from Oregon who both grieve him. (Possibly a set-up for a future book?)

A lot of detailed everyday life is told in this book (births, deaths, celebrations, etc.)--it makes you feel as if you know these characters and the town of Virgin River personally.
I loved all three books equally-it would be hard to pick a favorite. They all brought tears of sadness and joy to my eyes. These were probably the best books I've read so far this year! I do suggest reading them in order for the most enjoyment. (Virgin River, Shelter Mountain, Whispering Rock) Highly recommended--5 stars!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful trilogy - more please!, June 8, 2007

By 

Susan Smith (A small rural village in the English Midlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whispering Rock (Virgin River, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Robyn Carr is a new author for me and I have just finished her Virgin River Trilogy. The three books chronicle the lives and loves of various residents and incomers to the village of Virgin River, their highs, lows, frustrations, achievements and relationships. I live in a small village myself so I appreciate how she draws together these various strands and shows just how interdependent people in small, isolated villages can be. Living this way often means that you are very close to your neighbours but, particularly as in this third instalment, you can't escape the influences that come from outside: the drugs, crimes, national affairs (in this case Iraq) that sometimes cause tragedy in paradise.

The plots in these three books are tightly woven and there are funny, happy, sad and frighening episodes in them all. I don't want to go over the plot for this book because, although it could stand alone, it seemed to me to be a transitional book because it brought to conclusion the issues facing some of the previous characters and introduced new ones to us. It also kept a few off stage, waiting, no doubt, for a reappearance.

It's not often I wish a trilogy was more than that - rather I'd like it to be a series that would carry on a little further and I think that perhaps Robyn Carr has set up the makings of further stories involving some of the characters in this book.

I recommend these books very highly. I found them satisfyingly good reads and read them quickly, one after the other. Excellent portrayals of small town life with likeable, well developed characters.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I so love this author!!, June 12, 2007

By 

iheartjackbauer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whispering Rock (Virgin River, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

After a shooting left him disabled and unable to do the job he so loved, Detective Mike Valenzuela came to Virgin River to regroup. Finding sanctuary in small town, Mike was able to start healing. Though married and divorced twice, Mike begins to realize what is missing from his life when he seems his friends with their wives. Seeing their contentment, Mike can only hope that he will one day feel the same. He hopes that he can convince Brie Sheridan, Jack's sister to take a chance on him. His hopes are dashed when Brie is brutally attacked in her home.

Brie Sheridan thought her life was near perfect. With a husband she adored and a job she loved, Brie felt like she could do anything. Then her husband left her for her best friend and she lost the first case of her career. When she is brutally attacked by the man whom she couldn't put away, Brie comes out a different woman. Having panic attacks and nightmares, Brie has no idea how she'll ever get any normalcy back in her life.

WHISPERING HEIGHTS is the third in the Virgin River series. After seeing Brie in the previous two books, it is shocking to see her as a victim. Carr did a spectacular job of depicting Brie as a believable victim. She really showed how a tragedy like that affects not just the victim, but the whole family. Jack struggled with his inability to help Brie cope, which in turn affected his relationship with Mel. There were several more storylines introduced with new characters as well as characters that we've briefly met. I am really looking forward to the next installment in this series. Carr is now on my auto-buy list!