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Virgin River #10.1
Sheltering Hearts
New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr takes readers back to her beloved Virgin River country in this heartwarming tribute to Rhonda Clemons, founder of Zoe Institute and a winner of a Harlequin More Than Words award.
By discovering a seed of compassion and nurturing it to effect real change, the dedicated women selected as Harlequin More Than Words award recipients make our world a better place. To celebrate their accomplishments, bestselling authors have honored the winners by writing short stories inspired by their lives and work.
This special eBook is yours at no charge because Harlequin is committed to celebrating women's efforts and supporting the causes that are meaningful to them. By sharing Rhonda Clemons' story, we hope to turn awareness into action and mobilize others to make a difference.
To find out more or to nominate a woman you know, please visit HarlequinMoreThanWords.com.
By discovering a seed of compassion and nurturing it to effect real change, the dedicated women selected as Harlequin More Than Words award recipients make our world a better place. To celebrate their accomplishments, bestselling authors have honored the winners by writing short stories inspired by their lives and work.
This special eBook is yours at no charge because Harlequin is committed to celebrating women's efforts and supporting the causes that are meaningful to them. By sharing Rhonda Clemons' story, we hope to turn awareness into action and mobilize others to make a difference.
To find out more or to nominate a woman you know, please visit HarlequinMoreThanWords.com.
74 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2010
863 people are currently reading
7065 people want to read
About the author
Robyn Carr
161 books12.6k followers Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, eleven-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of over sixty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series and Sullivan's Crossing series. Robyn's new women's fiction novel, THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB, will be released in January 2024. The new hit Sullivan's Crossing TV series (season 1) inspired by Robyn's book series was released in the USA in the fall of 2023! Plus, season 5 of the worldwide fan-favorite Virgin River TV Series is now streaming on Netflix (July 2023) with two holiday episodes coming November 30, 2023. Both TV series have been renewed for another season!
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at https://www.robyncarr.com/.
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at https://www.robyncarr.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
June 27, 2019
Sheltering Hearts
Robyn Carr
SHELTERING HEARTS is book 10.1 in the Virgin River series. I started this series years ago and I'm on a mission to finish it up this year.
It sure was nice to visit my old friends in Virgin River. SHELTERING HEARTS is a quick story but it sure does pack a punch. Dory Finn and her two children are trying to escape her abusive past. They live next door to Clay Kennedy. He just moved in and trying to be a good neighbor, helps Dory, doing things around her house which puts her nerves on edge. He just wants to help her and she lets him know that if he thinks she is going to date him, he has another thing coming. She's too busy and isn't interested. He finally gives up trying to be neighborly and stays away.
Oh let me tell you, Clay is going to definitely give you all the feels. That's all I'm saying.......anyway, after some time, things between Clay and Dory calm down after she explains to him what her past was like. Clay is horrified that Dory suffered the way she did and the kids too! But it's also very sweet and I'm really happy Dory opened up to Clay and explained why she is the way she is. She is controlling and uptight and Clay doesn't think he stands a chance. Hang on people, SHELTERING HEARTS is a fun and crazy ride.
SHELTERING HEARTS is a quick read that You can easily read in one sitting and love every minute of it. If you've never read the Virgin River series you could easily start with this heart warming story. But be prepared to go back and read the whole series! It's just that good! The only problem I have with this series, besides the fact that Robyn Carr is finished writing it is that I am always left with wishing Virgin River was a real place. I would pack my bags in a New York minute and move there!
SHELTERING HEARTS had me neglecting my household duties but I didn't care! I was worried about what was going to happen to all of these wonderful people. I did not want to put this beautiful and fun story down. I also got to meet a few more new members from Virgin River as we do with each and every book. I also love how you get to check in with the other couples from the previous books. Can't wait for the TV series to hit Netflix!
Robyn Carr
SHELTERING HEARTS is book 10.1 in the Virgin River series. I started this series years ago and I'm on a mission to finish it up this year.
It sure was nice to visit my old friends in Virgin River. SHELTERING HEARTS is a quick story but it sure does pack a punch. Dory Finn and her two children are trying to escape her abusive past. They live next door to Clay Kennedy. He just moved in and trying to be a good neighbor, helps Dory, doing things around her house which puts her nerves on edge. He just wants to help her and she lets him know that if he thinks she is going to date him, he has another thing coming. She's too busy and isn't interested. He finally gives up trying to be neighborly and stays away.
Oh let me tell you, Clay is going to definitely give you all the feels. That's all I'm saying.......anyway, after some time, things between Clay and Dory calm down after she explains to him what her past was like. Clay is horrified that Dory suffered the way she did and the kids too! But it's also very sweet and I'm really happy Dory opened up to Clay and explained why she is the way she is. She is controlling and uptight and Clay doesn't think he stands a chance. Hang on people, SHELTERING HEARTS is a fun and crazy ride.
SHELTERING HEARTS is a quick read that You can easily read in one sitting and love every minute of it. If you've never read the Virgin River series you could easily start with this heart warming story. But be prepared to go back and read the whole series! It's just that good! The only problem I have with this series, besides the fact that Robyn Carr is finished writing it is that I am always left with wishing Virgin River was a real place. I would pack my bags in a New York minute and move there!
SHELTERING HEARTS had me neglecting my household duties but I didn't care! I was worried about what was going to happen to all of these wonderful people. I did not want to put this beautiful and fun story down. I also got to meet a few more new members from Virgin River as we do with each and every book. I also love how you get to check in with the other couples from the previous books. Can't wait for the TV series to hit Netflix!
July 30, 2010
Robyn Carr's story in More Than Words is Sheltering Hearts and is dedicated to Rhonda Clemons who founded the Zoe institute. The Zoe institute offers educational programs through support groups to help women kick negative relationship patterns with abusive partners and boyfriends and choose healthy relationships down the road.
Clay Kennedy has just moved in next door to Dory Finn and her two children Sophie and Austin. All Dory wants is to get enough money to pay the bills, raise her children and give aid at the Zoe institute to help struggling single mother's like herself. She doesn't have time for men even the nice new neighbour next door, but Clay just can't help but keep trying with Dory and her children and helping out any way he can.
Clay is the quintessential nice guy, happy to help out his next door neighbour who's a busy single mother. Sadly, Dory's too busy to date a guy like Clay. Although Clay gives up asking Dory out he doesn't give up trying to help her out when she clearly needs it. With a car that keeps breaking down, two children to look after and all the overtime she can get Dory doesn't have much free time and although she appreciates Clay's help he's a total stranger but Clay hangs in there trying to help out and eventually wins Dory over.
This was such a sweet short read. I would have liked it to be much longer but under the circumstances as it was part of an anthology I was prepared for it to be short, at only 75 pages short it was much shorter than I was expecting but still a lovely kind, sweet read. Although it's part of the Virgin River series it can be read out of sequence because there really isn't much mention to any of the other characters besides Mel and it's a short appearance.
Clay Kennedy has just moved in next door to Dory Finn and her two children Sophie and Austin. All Dory wants is to get enough money to pay the bills, raise her children and give aid at the Zoe institute to help struggling single mother's like herself. She doesn't have time for men even the nice new neighbour next door, but Clay just can't help but keep trying with Dory and her children and helping out any way he can.
Clay is the quintessential nice guy, happy to help out his next door neighbour who's a busy single mother. Sadly, Dory's too busy to date a guy like Clay. Although Clay gives up asking Dory out he doesn't give up trying to help her out when she clearly needs it. With a car that keeps breaking down, two children to look after and all the overtime she can get Dory doesn't have much free time and although she appreciates Clay's help he's a total stranger but Clay hangs in there trying to help out and eventually wins Dory over.
This was such a sweet short read. I would have liked it to be much longer but under the circumstances as it was part of an anthology I was prepared for it to be short, at only 75 pages short it was much shorter than I was expecting but still a lovely kind, sweet read. Although it's part of the Virgin River series it can be read out of sequence because there really isn't much mention to any of the other characters besides Mel and it's a short appearance.
August 18, 2010
written for commerical, but it was still fun visiting friends
September 2, 2017
What a truly wonderful novella. I usually am not much into novellas or short stories, but this was part of a large, well-loved series (Virgin River by Robyn Carr) and free next to boot, and enjoyed it. It seemed longer than the 70-something pages, since so much seemed to happen in the story, but at the same time it was a quick read. I read it in less than 24 hours., between waking up and going to bed. I don't think I have ever given a novella a 5 star rating; usually I give them 3 for good or even a 2 for ok, but a 5 never happens. I need to read more by Robyn Carr, I forgot how much I enjoy her writing.
October 18, 2013
It was a short story - around 60 pages. And a freebie.
However I expected better out of it.
This story relies very heavily on telling everything and almost never on showing it, and even when things are shown, many others are told to make the message very obvious. This did not work for me.
Obviously this is a command book aiming at demonstrating the importance of the selected charity and its founder, in this case a charity aiming at helping single moms. Except it did not feel like a demonstration but rather a very heavy-handed advertising in which the key message is repeated at nauseam every few pages and in which all key characters, except for the villain, support it fervently. It felt too much like proselytism and not enough like just a slice of life of people.
I did not really like it and would therefore not recommend it. It just seems there was everything I did not really like from the Virgin River series without any of the very good things I did like from those books.
However I expected better out of it.
This story relies very heavily on telling everything and almost never on showing it, and even when things are shown, many others are told to make the message very obvious. This did not work for me.
Obviously this is a command book aiming at demonstrating the importance of the selected charity and its founder, in this case a charity aiming at helping single moms. Except it did not feel like a demonstration but rather a very heavy-handed advertising in which the key message is repeated at nauseam every few pages and in which all key characters, except for the villain, support it fervently. It felt too much like proselytism and not enough like just a slice of life of people.
I did not really like it and would therefore not recommend it. It just seems there was everything I did not really like from the Virgin River series without any of the very good things I did like from those books.
June 22, 2022
A very short novella/short story in the Virgin River. Part of an anthology by different authors to feature different charities.
It was a sweet story, and I liked the characters. The charity was mentioned frequently enough that I started getting tired of hearing about it. But it's a Virgin River story so I had to read it.
It was a sweet story, and I liked the characters. The charity was mentioned frequently enough that I started getting tired of hearing about it. But it's a Virgin River story so I had to read it.
December 25, 2017
3.5 Stars
June 21, 2016
Two-haiku review:
She was once abused
Now works for single mothers
Meets hot firefighter
Romance novella
Not bad but not much to it
A little preachy
Re-read Jan 2013 as I'm reading the whole Virgin River series. Paige & Mel make a couple very brief appearances, but really could be a stand-alone.
She was once abused
Now works for single mothers
Meets hot firefighter
Romance novella
Not bad but not much to it
A little preachy
Re-read Jan 2013 as I'm reading the whole Virgin River series. Paige & Mel make a couple very brief appearances, but really could be a stand-alone.
June 13, 2015
Not really connected to Virgin River or it's characters so easy to give it a miss.
June 15, 2021
Sheltering Hearts
It fellt like I was reading a Nicolas Sparks Novelle.
Amazed by all the feeling. I could read a compleet book with these characters! Hope to read more about them in the upcoming parts!
It fellt like I was reading a Nicolas Sparks Novelle.
Amazed by all the feeling. I could read a compleet book with these characters! Hope to read more about them in the upcoming parts!
January 28, 2024
70-page novella set in Fortuna, a town neighboring Virgin River with cameos from Mel, Jack and Paige.
The story is based on a real-life nonprofit and the work it does for single moms.
The story is based on a real-life nonprofit and the work it does for single moms.
August 26, 2013
Lightly linked with the Virgin River series by the appearances of a couple VR characters, this is a good story about moving forward. I really liked both Dory and Clay. Dory is trying to move on with her life after escaping from an abusive marriage. After getting the help she needed in Oklahoma, she moved to California where she has built a new life. She has a job to earn a living and is taking care of her kids. She is also giving back by helping single mothers the way that she was helped. With the assistance of a social worker and a bunch of volunteers they are doing great things. When Clay moves in next door she is a little bit nervous. He's a big guy, very good looking and obviously interested in her. She's wary because she doesn't trust her instincts about men anymore. When Clay starts doing things for her like cutting grass, moving trash cans and playing with her kids, she freaks out a bit seeing it as controlling. She finally relaxes a bit and starts to get to know him, finding him to be a truly caring man. As she opens up more to him her feelings grow and she discovers that she can have a loving relationship with a new man.
Clay was a sweetheart. He is a firefighter, so right there you see that he is a naturally caring man. When he moves in next to Dory he is interested in her right away. He sees that she is a struggling single mother and starts trying to help out. He is surprised when she accuses him of being controlling but manages to convince her he is just being friendly. He backs off on the pursuit a little and tries just being friends with her and her kids. I really loved his patience and how he was willing to take as long as she needed. I liked the way that he had a better idea of what she had been through after the incident in the grocery parking lot. I loved the way that he got involved with her organization and got his friends involved too. Loved seeing how his patience paid off in the end.
This was a part of the More Than Words series of books. I liked the way this one highlighted the trials of being a single mother and showed how there are resources out there to help. I thought it was very well done. The only thing that would make it better would be for it to be longer.
Clay was a sweetheart. He is a firefighter, so right there you see that he is a naturally caring man. When he moves in next to Dory he is interested in her right away. He sees that she is a struggling single mother and starts trying to help out. He is surprised when she accuses him of being controlling but manages to convince her he is just being friendly. He backs off on the pursuit a little and tries just being friends with her and her kids. I really loved his patience and how he was willing to take as long as she needed. I liked the way that he had a better idea of what she had been through after the incident in the grocery parking lot. I loved the way that he got involved with her organization and got his friends involved too. Loved seeing how his patience paid off in the end.
This was a part of the More Than Words series of books. I liked the way this one highlighted the trials of being a single mother and showed how there are resources out there to help. I thought it was very well done. The only thing that would make it better would be for it to be longer.
September 25, 2016
3.5, very short. But I did enjoy it... Only a tiny bit of interaction with the Virgin River group, but the setting is why you read and the message of being unselfish and volunteerism.
August 8, 2020
Sweet story
I loved Robyn's way of building romance while telling a story of courage and survival. DORY was the hero in this story. STRONG AND BRAVE Clay was amazing too. As a single,mom years ago there needs to be more programs that train and support moms in being able to climb up and not depend on assistance for very long.
I loved Robyn's way of building romance while telling a story of courage and survival. DORY was the hero in this story. STRONG AND BRAVE Clay was amazing too. As a single,mom years ago there needs to be more programs that train and support moms in being able to climb up and not depend on assistance for very long.
August 15, 2020
cute little story I can't wait to meet them in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2023
look… DNF
Here’s the thing, I love the Virgin River books. I devour them in 2 days. This took me weeks to even try and read. For a 70 page book it was just so hard to read. 10/10 do recommend skipping this.
Here’s the thing, I love the Virgin River books. I devour them in 2 days. This took me weeks to even try and read. For a 70 page book it was just so hard to read. 10/10 do recommend skipping this.
November 6, 2024
A cute quick read. Predictable.
July 2, 2021
It was free.
Read
October 12, 2020I felt like I was reading this book on fast forward. The story just rushed to the end, telling not showing, I suppose.
That’s okay, they can’t all be winners.
I’m still thrilled about the upcoming release of her Return To Virgin River book. I’m all in!!!
That’s okay, they can’t all be winners.
I’m still thrilled about the upcoming release of her Return To Virgin River book. I’m all in!!!
April 15, 2021
Fast one!
October 15, 2013
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Sheltering Hearts is a sweet romance novella that contains no objectionable content. The story was inspired by one of the winners of the Harlequin More Than Words contest in which Harlequin awards a cash prize to women who are working tirelessly to make a difference in their community. This novella is also considered to be a side story in Robyn Carr's Virgin River series. It takes place in the nearby town of Fortuna, where Virgin River residents frequently visit. Mel and Jack (Virgin River) and Preacher and Paige (Shelter Mountain) put in brief appearances, but this novella easily stands on its own. The reader wouldn't have to have read previous books in the series to understand what's going on.
The heroine, Dory is a strong woman. She is a single mom with two kids who left an abusive marriage four years earlier. Inspired by the Zoe Institute, the real life organization to which this novella is dedicated, she moved to Fortuna and has been working with Mel, Paige, and another woman to create a community center to support single mothers. She's wary of dating, still not trusting her judgment where men are concerned, so when her hunky new neighbor starts being a little too neighborly for comfort, she has to decide whether he's a good bet for finally getting back into dating or if he poses too much of a risk to her already battered heart and psyche. Her choice is made more difficult by other unexpected changes in her life.
This novella is primarily about Dory's journey, so there are only two or three short scenes from the hero, Clay's POV. He's a sweet guy who's a firefighter, loves kids, and is very protective of women. When he moves in next-door to Dory, he notices that she's a a busy single mom, so he steps in by doing things like mowing her lawn, taking out the trash, or playing catch with her kids. Of course, Clay thinks he's just being nice and helping out, but she initially sees his actions as a threat. Needless to say, he's rather baffled by her less than pleased reaction to his kindness, but eventually his patience and gentleness win the day.
Overall, Sheltering Hearts was a very pleasant way to spend a few hours of my reading time. It didn't necessarily grab me in any sort of intense way, and I occasionally found my mind wandering. However, it was still a very heart-warming story with a light, cozy feel. Anyone who likes these types of stories should enjoy this novella. Sheltering Hearts is available as a free eBook download from most major book retailers and can also be found in the print anthology, More Than Words, Volume 6.
Sheltering Hearts is a sweet romance novella that contains no objectionable content. The story was inspired by one of the winners of the Harlequin More Than Words contest in which Harlequin awards a cash prize to women who are working tirelessly to make a difference in their community. This novella is also considered to be a side story in Robyn Carr's Virgin River series. It takes place in the nearby town of Fortuna, where Virgin River residents frequently visit. Mel and Jack (Virgin River) and Preacher and Paige (Shelter Mountain) put in brief appearances, but this novella easily stands on its own. The reader wouldn't have to have read previous books in the series to understand what's going on.
The heroine, Dory is a strong woman. She is a single mom with two kids who left an abusive marriage four years earlier. Inspired by the Zoe Institute, the real life organization to which this novella is dedicated, she moved to Fortuna and has been working with Mel, Paige, and another woman to create a community center to support single mothers. She's wary of dating, still not trusting her judgment where men are concerned, so when her hunky new neighbor starts being a little too neighborly for comfort, she has to decide whether he's a good bet for finally getting back into dating or if he poses too much of a risk to her already battered heart and psyche. Her choice is made more difficult by other unexpected changes in her life.
This novella is primarily about Dory's journey, so there are only two or three short scenes from the hero, Clay's POV. He's a sweet guy who's a firefighter, loves kids, and is very protective of women. When he moves in next-door to Dory, he notices that she's a a busy single mom, so he steps in by doing things like mowing her lawn, taking out the trash, or playing catch with her kids. Of course, Clay thinks he's just being nice and helping out, but she initially sees his actions as a threat. Needless to say, he's rather baffled by her less than pleased reaction to his kindness, but eventually his patience and gentleness win the day.
Overall, Sheltering Hearts was a very pleasant way to spend a few hours of my reading time. It didn't necessarily grab me in any sort of intense way, and I occasionally found my mind wandering. However, it was still a very heart-warming story with a light, cozy feel. Anyone who likes these types of stories should enjoy this novella. Sheltering Hearts is available as a free eBook download from most major book retailers and can also be found in the print anthology, More Than Words, Volume 6.
December 7, 2011
This is the story of a single mother who was abused by her husband and is off men. She has a neighbor who keeps doing things for her and with her children without checking with her first, and she goes balistic. A little over the top for a man who mows your lawn and takes out your trash before he has even met you. Just being neighborly. He doesn't know her background. She eventually becomes involved with starting another Zoe Insititue a place for battered women, women with no home who need shelter for themselves and their kids. Dory eventually makes friends with her neighbor and enlists him also into helping set up the shelter for women. He is a fireman and they love doing fund raisers. This book was basically written I think to advertise the Zoe Institue to women, to let them know they exist.
Here is some information I found online:
New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr takes readers back to her beloved Virgin River country in this heartwarming tribute to Rhonda Clemons, founder of Zoe Institute and a winner of a Harlequin More Than Words award.
By discovering a seed of compassion and nurturing it to effect real change, the dedicated women selected as Harlequin More Than Words award recipients make our world a better place. To celebrate their accomplishments, bestselling authors have honored the winners by writing short stories inspired by their lives and work.
This special eBook is yours at no charge because Harlequin is committed to celebrating women's efforts and supporting the causes that are meaningful to them. By sharing Rhonda Clemons' story, we hope to turn awareness into action and mobilize others to make a difference.
To find out more or to nominate a woman you know, please visit HarlequinMoreThanWords.com.
Here is some information I found online:
New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr takes readers back to her beloved Virgin River country in this heartwarming tribute to Rhonda Clemons, founder of Zoe Institute and a winner of a Harlequin More Than Words award.
By discovering a seed of compassion and nurturing it to effect real change, the dedicated women selected as Harlequin More Than Words award recipients make our world a better place. To celebrate their accomplishments, bestselling authors have honored the winners by writing short stories inspired by their lives and work.
This special eBook is yours at no charge because Harlequin is committed to celebrating women's efforts and supporting the causes that are meaningful to them. By sharing Rhonda Clemons' story, we hope to turn awareness into action and mobilize others to make a difference.
To find out more or to nominate a woman you know, please visit HarlequinMoreThanWords.com.
October 26, 2015
For a quick short story this one was pretty developed. I really loved that while there was a story here, there was also a message, one that I think is very important. I will warn you to make sure that you have a box of kleenex close by, because even though the story is short you will need them.
Dory has a past that would do most women in, but she was able to make it through and slowly put back her life. She had even gone on to help other women that had been in situations like hers. But with her past Dory still has some issues, ones that she didn't know she had until her new neighbor, Clay, asks her out and starts to do things around her house and with her kids. Dory reminds me of a hurt animal, and you are not sure what will set her off, and these seemingly innocent acts are just the thing to set her off. Dory slowly lets Clay in, but doesn't want any business with the whole dating thing.
Dory finally comes into her own, when while at work she sees a woman being abused in the parking lot. Not thinking she races out to the fray and throws herself into the fray. Clay, a firefighter, happens to be at the store while this happened, pulls Dory out of the fight. Watching Dory in the aftermath of the fight trying to save this woman gave Clay some new insight to her, making her past actions all click into place. From here on Dory's life takes a drastic change, one for the better. Dory is able to get past her past, and finally comes clean with Clay, all of his suspicions confirmed.
What happens from here is just what you want to happen and you are really happy for the way the story ends.
Dory has a past that would do most women in, but she was able to make it through and slowly put back her life. She had even gone on to help other women that had been in situations like hers. But with her past Dory still has some issues, ones that she didn't know she had until her new neighbor, Clay, asks her out and starts to do things around her house and with her kids. Dory reminds me of a hurt animal, and you are not sure what will set her off, and these seemingly innocent acts are just the thing to set her off. Dory slowly lets Clay in, but doesn't want any business with the whole dating thing.
Dory finally comes into her own, when while at work she sees a woman being abused in the parking lot. Not thinking she races out to the fray and throws herself into the fray. Clay, a firefighter, happens to be at the store while this happened, pulls Dory out of the fight. Watching Dory in the aftermath of the fight trying to save this woman gave Clay some new insight to her, making her past actions all click into place. From here on Dory's life takes a drastic change, one for the better. Dory is able to get past her past, and finally comes clean with Clay, all of his suspicions confirmed.
What happens from here is just what you want to happen and you are really happy for the way the story ends.
June 7, 2012
I found "Sheltering Hearts" by Robyn Carr to be a very enjoyable and inspirational book. Obvious to the reader, the main goal of this book is to make others aware of the charitable actions of the Zoe Institute. The novel is used to show the plight of single mothers and many of the difficulties that they face both in the work environment and in society at large. (i.e. enduring abusive relationships, lack of money, the responsibilities that go with rearing children in one-parent families etc.)
Robyn Carr does a great job of utilizing her writing skills and talent to make others aware of the less fortunate. She does so in this easy-to-read, short novel by sharing the endearing story of the main character, Dory Finn. By describing her situation, the author is able to educate her reading audience in a creative and inspirational way. Therefore, this light romance novel is a "feel good" book as it spices up the plot with a little love story. At the same time, it also shows the combined efforts of several people as they work together toward a common goal for a great cause!
Robyn Carr does a great job of utilizing her writing skills and talent to make others aware of the less fortunate. She does so in this easy-to-read, short novel by sharing the endearing story of the main character, Dory Finn. By describing her situation, the author is able to educate her reading audience in a creative and inspirational way. Therefore, this light romance novel is a "feel good" book as it spices up the plot with a little love story. At the same time, it also shows the combined efforts of several people as they work together toward a common goal for a great cause!
March 5, 2012
Robyn Carr certainly met her brief in writing a tribute to Rhonda Clemons, founder of Zoe Institute and a winner of a Harlequin More Than Words award, but unfortunately, this was also the cause of Sheltering Hearts missing its mark.
Too focused on the (admittedly important) issues of domestic violence and single mothers, and not enough plot or romance for my liking. Unfortunately, Sheltering Hearts really doesn't add anything to the Virgin River series and could easily be skipped
2.5 stars
Too focused on the (admittedly important) issues of domestic violence and single mothers, and not enough plot or romance for my liking. Unfortunately, Sheltering Hearts really doesn't add anything to the Virgin River series and could easily be skipped
2.5 stars
July 15, 2011
wonderful short story
January 9, 2024
This was a re-read and I agree with my initial assessment...3 stars.
September 6, 2015
A sweet little tale with a couple of Virgin River denizens playing peripheral roles.
September 19, 2022
I appreciate what Carr tried to do with this story, but I feel that the mark was greatly missed. It is absolutely wonderful to bring attention to domestic abuse and the women and families that are victims of it. However, this story working out the way that it did in the amount of time that it did seems more than a little bit unbelievable. In my opinion the main character was right to trust her gut, and shouldn’t have been jumping into a relationship with the neighbor she didn’t know right off the bat. That particular neighbor also reeked of “too good to be true”, which is a huge red flag and warning sign to anyone that has been in an abusive relationship. when the main character brought their mistrust and hesitancy to their friends, the friends basically bulldozed her feelings and told her she was being ridiculous. I think it’s great that Robyn Carr wanted to bring some disability into the world of domestic abuse and its aftermath, but she definitely could have done some more research before writing this novella.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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