Gigi's Company discussion

Please post comments and discussion here for the January '11 Book of the Month:


Virgin River (Virgin River, Book 1) by Robyn Carr

(Selected by Kristie, Liz, Karen, Susan)

5 Stars....

*May have spoilers*

I fell in love with this book from the very first page. Mel, a midwife/nurse practitioner from a big city, has decided that she needs a change of scenery. But once she finally makes it to Virgin River, she realizes what she thought would be a less stressful and slow pace life, really isn't. She is determined from the beginning to leave, but circumstances are keeping her there. Jack, an ex marine, without meaning to, falls in love with her from the first time he sees her. He doesn't push their relationship, instead he lets it take a natural slow place, where he finally learns the truth to why she left- her husband was murdered. Instead of leaving or pushing her further to be closer to him, he seems to always be there when she needs him, and is there when she finally has her melt down.

Everything about this book was realistic. I love books when you feel like you are best friends with the characters and you are rooting for them, every step of the way. I loved how slow Mel and Jack's relationship was. I loved how he was determined to take care of her, even if he never got all of her because of her dead husband. I really just loved everything about this book!

***Spoilers***

Shelter Mountain (Book 2 in the series) I gave this book 4 stars. I didn't like this book as good as the first one in the series, Virgin River, but it was still a GREAT read. I wish there was more of Preacher and Paige. It stared off that way, but halfway through we start getting more Jack and Mel then Preacher and Paige. Don't get me wrong, I love Jack and Mel, but I was thinking about this book as Preacher's story. I can't wait to see what happens next in the little town.

Paige is on the run with her three year old son in tow. Her husband is a successful businessman who doesn't think it's wrong to beat his wife. After Paige finds out she is pregnant, again, she leaves not able to handle the thought of her husband hitting one of her children. She stumbles across the small town of Virgin River and into the bar that Jack owns. Jack isn't there but Preacher, the cook, and Jacks right hand man is and the minute he sets eyes on her he's done for.

Preacher, an ex-marine and believe it or not, a virgin, has to over come his fear of being to rough for the fragile Paige. He's afraid to hurt her, he's afraid that if she sees his intense side that she will flee thinking he would hit her just like her husband had. Not only is his size, a man over six foot and large muscles, intimidating so his quite personality. He has to open up so she can see that he really is just a teddy bear inside.

It's a story of two people needing each other and the struggle to make it happen. It was a good read, but I just wish that Mel and Jack had a smaller roll.

4 Stars all the way.

Whispering Rock (Book 3 in the series) Mike a fellow former marine turned LAPD, specializing in the gang unit, has found himself staying in Virgin River while he recovers from being shot on the job. He hates having to rely on Mel and Jack but he has too.

His world is turned upside down when he finds out that Jack's youngest sister, Brie, has been brutally rapes and beaten. Along with Jack, Mike rushes off to her side and is determined to be the one to make her feel safe and protected.

Jack's efforts fail but Mike successes. He too has just been through a traumatic life altering experience and is the only one that knows how to act around Brie. While he is helping her be able to function in the world, he falls in love with her and we watch the struggle he goes through of not only falling for Jack's, who's very over protective of Brie, younger sister but for a woman who doesn't think she can be touched or loved ever again.

We slowly get introduced to the next couple/couples in the next book, by the end of this one. This book would have been a 5 stars if it was more focused on Mike and Brie, but it is still a great read.