Forbidden Falls

Back of the book: Virgin River is abuzz with the news that a stranger bought the town's abandoned church on eBay. The buyer, a young widowed reverend, is a little like the building itself: in need of some loving care. Noah Kincaid arrives ready to roll up his sleeves and revitalize his new purchase, but he's going to need some help. An ad in the local paper brings an improbable candidate his way. "Pastor's assistant" is not a phrase that springs to mind when Noah meets brassy, beautiful Ellie Baldwin. With her colorful clothes and even more colorful past, Ellie needs a respectable job so she can regain custody of her children. Noah can't help but admire her spunk and determination, and she may just be the breath of fresh air he needs. This unlikely duo may come from two different worlds, but they have more in common than anyone would have expected. And in Virgin River lasting happiness is never out of the question.

As a Northern Californian, of course I have to read about the fictional town of Virgin River (a mere 200 fictional miles North) out of sheer loyalty if nothing else. But I have to be in the mood and to be quite frank now wasn't really the best time.

You ever read a book and you just feel instantly uplifted. As though you suddenly sucked down a 20 ounce mocha in two great big drawls and the caffeine just hits the blood and you feel like you can do anything. Anything  in the world. Lift a car off a toddler. Run a marathon. Clean your entire house.

Yeah? Well reading this book isn't like that. Robin Carr is a slightly-edgier version of Debbie Macomber. A book you'd give your grandmother or share with your Christian neighbor. That's not a dig. I don't want to read hardcore fiction all the time. I don't always want to read about a young twenty-something who loses her job but rediscovers the love of her life. I don't always want to read about hardcore vampire and werewolf sex. Sometimes I want to read a gentle romance. One where real problems happen but you know the hero and heroine are going to be together in the end. Just not today.

Today I need a defibrillator.

That being said. This was perfectly fine. Heart-warming. A perfect cuddle on the couch and read in front of a roaring fire book. Ellie Baldwin is your typical- I just strip to support my kids and I'm not really a bad person heroine. Noah Kincaid is the do-gooder who isn't absolutely perfect. These two are a good fit.

Drama: Ellie has lost her kids to her ex-husband. Despite the fast he is not their father. Worse there is something not quite right about the ex. See now this is where I was having an issue with the book and in my bitchy frame of mine I'll be honest it was irritating the crap out of me. The ex is a psycho (anyone can see that) who abuses the children and you leave them in his house of two months. Seriously? Any other time I could over-look that fact but not today. Yes, yes I know these aren't real people but still. Other than my little melt-down over her mothering skills- the book is great.

Robin Carr writes a good series and if you haven't picked her up yet you should. But start at the beginning. The early ones are better. Much better.