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Shelter Mountain (Virgin River, Book 2)

Robyn Carr

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

GREAT STORY! This is definitely a sequel. Shelter Mountain reunites you with the Virgin River "family". 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.

The Virgin River Series:

Virgin River

Shelter Mountain

Whispering Rock

A Virgin River Christmas (Nov 2008)


Robin Carr's stories unfold smoothly. Never boring or pointless. Never totally predictable. Surprises throughout. Always emotional and realistic. Before you know it, you realize that you've read half the book without stopping. You can truly get lost in these books.
As I mentioned above, this is definitely a sequel. It is the second book of the series. The first book, "Virgin River", introduces you to a lot of the characters for "Shelter Mountain". There are a couple of important characters who are newly introduced in "Shelter Mount", but the majority are already in your heart from the first book.

So... if you haven't read "Virgin River" yet, don't ruin this book by reading it first. Become a part of the Virgin River family with book 1, then come back for "Shelter Mountain".
Here is the link to the first book:
Virgin River (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 1)


For those whom have already read "Virgin River":

Quiet, shy, and with a heart bigger than his 6'6" height, John Middleton is affectionately known to his friends as "Preacher". While his marine buddies ran off to drink and use women, he stayed behind to honor the values his mom taught him as a boy. Now, in his early thirties, Preacher is happily running Jack's bar. Jack has moved into his new wife's cottage, leaving an empty apartment over the bar.

Late one night, just before Preacher closed the bar for the night, a woman came inside. Soaked from the pouring rain, and carrying her sleeping 3- year- old son, Paige is desperate to find a safe place to spend the night. Preacher immediately notices her bruised face and split lip. He offers to let her stay in the upstairs apartment for as long as she needs. As a man who tends to frighten women and children with his size, tattoos, earring, and bald head, Preacher wishes he could have a family like this woman and her child. He can't understand how her husband could have abused these blessings. Knowing he could never hope to have a woman like Paige for his own, Preacher commits himself to seeing her freed of her abusive husband. He'll give everything he has to help her make a new start, then he'll quietly let her go when she is ready to move on.

Upon first meeting John, Paige is intimidated. He's much larger than her abusive husband. If he were to get angry, he could do far worse damage. Once she realizes that he has a big soft heart, she knows she can't stay in Virgin River long. Her husband will come after her. When he finds her, anyone who helped her hide will be at risk. Somehow, John keeps convincing her to stay a few more days or weeks. Before she knows it, Paige and her son have become a part of the Virgin River family. There is not a single resident in the tiny mountain community who will not offer to help shield her.

Preacher has it bad. Not only is he head- over- heals for Paige, he has come to love her son as his own. Little Christopher is happier than he has ever been in his young life. He has a giant best buddy who spends a lot of time reading to him, playing with him, teaching him to cook, and keeping him and his mommy safe. Christopher never wants to leave John. Paige can see what a blessing John is in both their lives. How many men would take the time to make a new leg and sew it on a little boy's ragged teddy bear? She has found a miracle man in John Middleton. Now she only has to teach him how beautiful and worthy he is.

Paige's threat has come to Virgin River. Now she has no choice but to either flee or fight. With John, Jack, and all of their friends behind her, Paige is ready to stand up for herself and Christopher. For the first time in years, she sees a bright future. One that she is thrilled to spend with John. When the law can't protect her, her new family will. John has claimed Paige and Christopher as his own. He won't let his woman, or his boy, be harmed ever again. Whether it takes lawyers or guns, Preacher will keep his family safe.


Aside from all of this, you will get to read the continuing story of Jack and Mel. Their first child is born. They build their dream home. And they surround their loved ones with unending support.

Rick and Liz's story continues as well. This is one of the most emotional relationships of the series. Two teenagers are forced to become adults much too soon. Rick, being raised by Jack and Preacher for the last few years, is determined to do what is right.

Jack's youngest sister, Brie, faces some harsh twists in life. Mike, one of Jack's former marines, has faced some very hard times as well. The two become friends. Their friendship is leading up to the third book in the series:
Whispering Rock (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 3)

So many great and tragic things happen in "Shelter Mountain". Yet it all fits together into one flowing story. After reading "Shelter Mount", I'm even more attached to the characters than I was after "Virgin River". I can't wait to read Mike and Brie's story.


Here is the whole series of links in read order. There are three more Virgin River books scheduled to be released in early 2009.

Virgin River (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 1)

Shelter Mountain (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 2)

Whispering Rock (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 3)

Coming next: "A Virgin River Christmas", scheduled for Nov. 2008

Editorial Review:

John "Preacher" Middleton is about to close the bar when a young woman and her three-year-old son come in out of the wet October night. A marine who has seen his share of pain, Preacher knows a crisis when he sees one—the woman is covered in bruises. He wants to protect them, and he wants to punish whoever did this to her, but he knows immediately that this inclination to protect is something much more. Paige Lassiter has stirred up emotions in this gentle giant of a man-emotions that he has never allowed himself to feel.

But when Paige's ex-husband turns up in Virgin River, Preacher knows his own future hangs in the balance. And if there's one thing the marines' motto of Semper Fidelis—always faithful—has taught him, it's that some things are worth fighting for.

Dark Side of the Moon (Dark-Hunter, Book 10)

Sherrilyn Kenyon

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 203 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Susan Michaels was once the hottest reporter on the Beltway Beat until a major scandal ruined her life and left her writing stories about alien babies and Elvis sightings. Life as she once knew it is over, or so she thinks, but then she gets a lead on a story that could salvage her extinct career. She heads to the local animal shelter, expecting a hot news tip, which she gets in the form of a major police cover-up . . . for a ring of soul-sucking vampires out to take over Seattle. So much for saving her credibility.
And if that isn’t bad enough, she gets talked into adopting a cat and finds she’s allergic to it. A cat that turns out to be a shapeshifter who claims to be an immortal vampire slayer on the prowl for the same corrupt cops. Her first thought: seek professional help.
But as Susan’s drawn into Ravyn’s dark and dangerous world, she comes to realize that there’s a lot more at stake than just her defunct career. Now it’s no longer a question of bringing the truth to her readers; it’s a matter of saving their very lives and souls.
Ravyn’s life was shattered over four hundred years ago, when he mistakenly trusted the wrong human with the truth of his existence. He lost his family, his honor, and his life. Now, in order to save the people of Seattle, he’s forced to confront that nightmare all over again, and to trust another woman with the secret that could destroy him.
In the world of the Dark-Hunters, life is always dangerous. But never more so than now; when a very human woman can shatter their entire world with just one story. The only question is . . . will she?

The Laughing Corpse

Laurell K. Hamilton

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 150 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

So not for me... 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This is my second Anita Blake book that I have read (after "Guilty pleasures") and I am not impressed with it.
Anita Blake is a self-righteous, supposedly cool, totally unlikeable person. Her attitude is aggravating to say the least. She doesn't know when to shut her mouth, pisses the wrong people off at the wrong time and still comes out of every confrontation unharmed.

The descriptions of the murder scenes in the book are gross. To describe the scene once is necessary, but to describe the same stuff again and again is redundant. I'm getting the picture after the first time.

The books are called "vampire hunter novels", yet so far Anita hasn't hunted any vampires. Not that I think that vampires need to be hunted per se, but a bit of vampire interaction would be nice. In the first book the "vampire hunter" actually worked FOR the vampires and in the second one there were hardly any vampires.
Jean-Claude was only put in as a minor supporting actor. The whole book deals with zombies of all kinds - a topic that doesn't do it for me at all.

*SPOILERS*
What annoyed me most was:

- that Anita found out that raising a dead animator has very bad consequences and that that zombie can't be controlled by the one who raised it. Nevertheless she doesn't hesitate to - or even think about
it - raise a whole graveyard, meaning loads and loads of zombies she doesn't know anything about. What if there are former animators among them?

- that at first Anita wants to bring down Dominga Salvador with legal means and only in case those would fail she would let John Burke deal with her. That resolution didn't last for long, because as soon as she realizes that Dominga got out on bail (something which is pretty much inside the legal system, even though she obviously reached that by bribery) she decided it's time to have her killed by the numeours zombies she just raised. Nice double standard.

Guess this book wasn't for me.

Editorial Review:

Harold Gaynor offers Anita Blake a million dollars to raise a 300-year-old zombie. Knowing it means a human sacrifice will be necessary, Anita turns him down. But when dead bodies start turning up, she realizes that someone else has raised Harold s zombie and that the zombie is a killer. Anita pits her power against the zombie and the voodoo priestess who controls it.

The Devil in Winter (The Wallflowers, Book 3)

Lisa Kleypas

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 119 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Sexiest hero by LK ever!!! 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Sebastian ST. Vincent was A irresponsible rake in need of A fortune. He thought of no one but himself until he met the shy stuttering wallflower Evangeline Jenner. She is to become the wealthiest of all the wallflower maidens but with her relatives conspiring to have control over her fortune -- she sets out to make A daring proposal to the most handsome and scandalous viscount.

I read this book A few months ago but I could not pass up writing A review for such A great book by Lisa Kleypas! This one is definitely A Keeper! Sebastian is the most sexiest hero LK has ever written about! His looks and personality will blow you away! Both the hero and heroine's character was superbly developed. I love A book that has characters with real life personalities that I can relate to, and this book certainly had that. Sebastian said some of the funniest things to Evie and the chemistry between them was priceless. The storyline was interesting and the love scenes were sensual and sexy. The only problem I had was that I am not A big fan of Lillian so I was annoyed that she had such A big roll in the book and I felt that she overshadowed all the other characters with her huge personality, but that was just A minor setback for me so don't let that stop you from reading this great book! Believe me when I tell you, you won't be dissapointed!

Editorial Review:

A devil's bargain

Easily the shyest Wallflower, Evangeline Jenner stands to become the wealthiest, once her inheritance comes due. Because she must first escape the clutches of her unscrupulous relatives, Evie has approached the rake Viscount St. Vincent with a most outrageous proposition: marriage!

Sebastian's reputation is so dangerous that thirty seconds alone with him will ruin any maiden's good name. Still, this bewitching chit appeared, unchaperoned, on his doorstep to offer her hand. Certainly an aristocrat with a fine eye for beauty could do far worse.

But Evie's proposal comes with a condition: no lovemaking after their wedding night. She will never become just another of the dashing libertine's callously discarded broken hearts -- which means Sebastian will simply have to work harder at his seductions...or perhaps surrender his own heart for the very first time in the name of true love.

Secrets of a Summer Night (The Wallflowers, Book 1)

Lisa Kleypas

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 115 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

I do not agree with most reviewers. A hit! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

If I were a writer, this would have been a book I would have enjoyed writing. I suspect Ms. Kleypas smiled wholeheartedly after writing endearing scenes such as "rounders in knickers", "checkmate" or "champagne from slippers". And these are only three such scenes when there are so many I could mention. Overall the story was creative and novel in that it included funny, sad, tragic, loving and historically educational moments. If all's equal in writing style, these added themes have a far more likely chance of a successful book.

The growing interest and desire between Simon and Annabelle was enjoyable to track and watch unfold. I watched as our hero's grew in admiration and love for this young woman who surprised him in her frolicking playfulness, attempts to fit in where she felt unfamiliar and humbled by his notice. It's no wonder she fell in love with him as Ms. Kleypas drew out his many attractive qualities. He was romantic too. He murmured and whispered to Annabelle throughout the book; he invaded her personal space or locked eyes with hers far across the table. I literally watched Simon make Annabelle fall in love with him. It did help that Annabelle was a warm, empathetic, funny, straight forward, loyal, and an endearing young woman. A character like hers would not fail to realize his fortune was one of his least attributes (as she expressed later on in the story).

Some reviewers didn't like Annabelle's sole interest in marrying a "peer" and her thwarting Simon's ("in trade") attempts at appealing to her. They felt she was cold or spoiled. I didn't see it that way. Simon desired her as his mistress. Readers could have disliked this characterization but no mention was found in disguntled reader opinions. Baffling. Simon ignored and scoffed at most behaviors consistent with the gentry familiar to Annabelle which contributed to her reactions towards Simon, yet it was her character called into question by readers. In my opinion Annabelle's quick repartee with Simon was at times negative, daring definitely, darling certainly--blunt, for sure--but never cold, mean or hateful. I would have liked my daughter to be like her had I had one. If my boys turn out like Simon, oh would I be a happy mom watching the right woman fall in love with him!
On a side note, I completely related to Annabelle's reaction to her first kiss with Simon in the Panorama: I too ran away, as far away as I could--not in proximity but emotionally--from the boy who first kissed me. I was so shocked I couldn't think of him again. It makes sense then that Simon had to slowly maneuver Annabelle to consider outside her comfort zone.

Rent the four part adaption (movie) called, "North and South" by Elizabeth Gaskell. A brilliantly written love story depicting the same time period in history (Industrial Revolution in England) and the conflict between a middle class gentry woman and a misunderstood industrialist. 312 viewers give it a 5 star rating, it's that good! The book is better but see the movie first. I would normally never suggest seeing the movie first but in this instance my friends and I agree. The screenwriter made a couple of significant changes (why?!) that changed my opinion about the movie after I read the novel. Yet prior to reading the book I couldn't have enjoyed a movie more!

Editorial Review:

Four young ladies enter London society with one common goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband.So a daring husband-hunting scheme is born. Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle s most intriguing and persistent admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition... but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.

Unleash the Night (Dark-Hunter, Book 9)

Sherrilyn Kenyon

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 104 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

It's a predator eat predator world for the Were-Hunters. Danger haunts any given day. There is no one to trust. No one to love. Not if they want to live…
An orphan with no clan that will claim him, Wren Tigarian grew to adulthood under the close scrutiny and mistrust of those around him. A forbidden blend of two animals—snow leopard and white tiger—Wren has never listened to anyone when there was something he wanted. Now he wants Marguerite.
Marguerite D'Aubert Goudeau is the daughter of a prominent U.S. Senator who hates the socialite life she's forced to live. Like her mother before her, she has strong Cajun roots that her father doesn't understand. Still, she has no choice but to try and conform to a world where she feels like an outsider. But the world of rich and powerful humans is never to meet the world of the Were-Hunters who exist side by side with them, unseen, unknown, undetected. To break this law is to call down a wrath of the highest order.
In order to have Marguerite, Wren must fight not just the humans who will never accept his animal nature, but the Were-Hunters who want him dead for endangering their world. It's a race against time and magic without boundary that could cost Marguerite and Wren not just their lives, but their very souls…

Dark Prince (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 1)

Christine Feehan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 215 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Another annoying heroine ............ 2 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I read this a while ago after having this series recommended to me and the main thing that stands out is that I agree with many of the other reviewers - the heroine was incredily annoying.

Another thing I seem to recollect is that everything to do with the vampire hunters reminded me of a children's movie.

And the third thing is that apparently the love scenes were completely forgettable because although I know from the other reviews that there were some, I certainly can't recall them.

Editorial Review:

A New York Times Bestselling Author

Prince of the Night. He came to her in the night, a predator - strength and power chiseled his features. The seduction was deep and elemental; he affected her soul. She craved the dangerous force of his body - and he had only touched her with his mind. Lady of the Light. She came to him at dawn, his bleakest hour. As the beast raged inside him, threatening to consume him, he vented his centuries-old despair and she answered, a ray of light, piercing his darkness.

Virgin River (Virgin River, Book 1)

Robyn Carr

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 26 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.- Maria Robinson 4 out of 5 stars.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.

Nurse Practitioner and Midwife, Mel Monroe, leaves the fast pace of Los Angeles hospitals and crime behind. Widowed 9 months ago, she can't face the pitying looks of her colleagues anymore and feels she needs a drastic change in order to heal.

Accepting an offer as an assistant to a Doctor in a picturesque little town in the mountains, she sells her house and most of everything in it, packs a few clothing items and heads to Virgin River.

When Mel arrives, she finds that the pictures she was sent are not quite representative of the town or her house as it looks today. Stepping out of her element was difficult for her and to arrive to find her house in such horrible condition only makes Mel realize she has made a huge mistake. She stays the night with the intention of heading out the very next morning. But when she discovers a baby abandoned on a doorstep, she decides to stay a little longer.

When town bar/restaurant owner, Jack, fixes up her place, she decides to stay even longer. Jack becomes her best friend and she starts feeling things for him she never thought she'd feel again.

I dove into this book with gusto after an Amazon friend recommended it so highly. She was right, it is great and I am rushing to finish this review so I can hurry and order book two, Shelter Mountain (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 2). This would easily have been a 5 star book to me as the characters are colorful and wonderful, the setting unique and beautiful, and the storyline engaging and fun. I would have rated it 5 stars had it not been for some very awkward dialogue and a scene at the end that was way too over the top for me.

The side characters are just as interesting as the main ones and I can't wait to read more about this mountain town. There is so much going on with Mel and we get to watch her resolve her past, live in the present, and make steps towards a promising future. Touching and entertaining. Enjoy.

Cherise Everhard, July 2008

Editorial Review:

Wanted: Midwife/nurse practitioner in Virgin River, population six hundred. Make a difference against the backdrop of towering California redwoods and crystal-clear rivers. Rent-free cabin included.

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 reenergize the nursing career 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.

Face the Fire

Nora Roberts

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 174 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Face the Fire 4 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Mia Devlin is a strong beautiful witch that owns a bookstore/café on Three Sisters. She keeps buried a deep hurt from her childhood when the love of her life, Sam Logan, left her broken just out of high school.

Sam is back, and he is determined to win Mia back. He knows what a mistake he made leaving. He was so young, and the powerful emotions she brought out in him scared him, so he ran. Sam is also a witch, and he is willing to use whatever it takes to gain Mia's trust.

Mia and Sam must find their way back to each other, or they will not have the strength for the upcoming fight of their lives.

A great finish to the series. I liked that Mia was fire and Sam was water - fire & ice!

what has happened? 1 out of 5 stars.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful.

What is wrong with Nora Roberts? Her latest books about witchcraft and devils?? This is so not her. I long for a good book like her "THe Villa" or some of her past books with some depth and character development. I could not finish them and took them back to the dealer. Ick!

Editorial Review:

The final book in the New England-set trilogy that began with Dance Upon the Air and Heaven and Earth.

Garden Spells (Random House Large Print (Cloth/Paper))

Sarah Addison Allen

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 168 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In a garden surrounded by a tall fence, tucked away behind a small, quiet house in an even smaller town, is an apple tree that is rumored to bear a very special sort of fruit. In this luminous debut novel, Sarah Addison Allen tells the story of that enchanted tree, and the extraordinary people who tend it.…

The Waverleys have always been a curious family, endowed with peculiar gifts that make them outsiders even in their hometown of Bascom, North Carolina. Even their garden has a reputation, famous for its feisty apple tree that bears prophetic fruit, and its edible flowers, imbued with special powers. Generations of Waverleys tended this garden. Their history was in the soil. But so were their futures.

A successful caterer, Claire Waverley prepares dishes made with her mystical plants—from the nasturtiums that aid in keeping secrets and the pansies that make children thoughtful, to the snapdragons intended to discourage the attentions of her amorous neighbor. Meanwhile, her elderly cousin, Evanelle, is known for distributing unexpected gifts whose uses become uncannily clear. They are the last of the Waverleys—except for Claire’s rebellious sister, Sydney, who fled Bascom the moment she could, abandoning Claire, as their own mother had years before.

When Sydney suddenly returns home with a young daughter of her own, Claire’s quiet life is turned upside down—along with the protective boundary she has so carefully constructed around her heart. Together again in the house they grew up in, Sydney takes stock of all she left behind, as Claire struggles to heal the wounds of the past. And soon the sisters realize they must deal with their common legacy—if they are ever to feel at home in Bascom—or with each other.

Enchanting and heartfelt, this captivating novel is sure to cast a spell with a style all its own….


From the Hardcover edition.