Romance Book Review: Robyn Carr's The Hero

Author: Robyn Carr

Series Connection: Thunder Point

ISBN: 978-0778314592

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Mira Books

Purchase Link: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes

Alone with her three year old daughter and on the run from a cult Devon is picked up along the highway by the stranger who is willing to help her get back on her feet. She only intends to get as far away as possible so that she can get her child to safety, but the kindness of the people from Thunder Point pull her in and she find the life she has always wanted, but how long can she hide before the caught and brought back to the leader of the cult. 

Spencer moved to Thunder Point to begin again after his wife lost her long battle with cancer. He thought the letting his step son be near the man who fathered him would not help them both heal. With a new job ahead of him and taking care of his child, Spencer wasn't really looking for a new relationship with a woman. 

There is just something about Devon that Spencer just can't forget and he decides she's worth a chance, but Spencer has demons of his own.

Robyn Carr has put together an interesting series on the day to day lives of the residents of Thunder Point, Oregon. Each book enthralls the readers into the working of the town and the local residents. The books are told from multiple points of view, not just the hero and the heroine, that might confuse some that aren't used to the style of writing. It also doesn't give the new lovers time to really explore their love through the pages of their story, however it adds to the time the relationship is suppose to develop. 

Both Spencer and Devon come to life in the story that they are able to stand out in the crowd. 

Description:

In a moment of desperation, Devon McAllister took her daughter and fled a place where they should have been safe and secure. She has no idea what is around the next bend, but she is pretty certain it can’t be worse than what they’ve left behind. Her plan is to escape to somewhere she can be invisible. Instead, an unexpected offer of assistance leads her to Thunder Point, a tiny Oregon town with a willingness to help someone in need.

As the widowed father of a vulnerable young boy, Spencer Lawson knows something about needing friendship. But he’s not looking for anything else. Instead, he’s thrown his energy into his new role as Thunder Point’s high school football coach. Tough and demanding to his team, off the field he’s gentle and kind...just the kind of man who could heal Devon’s wounded heart.

Devon thought she wanted to hide from the world. But in THUNDER POINT, you find bravery where you least expect it...and sometimes, you find a hero.

Romance Book Review: Robyn Carr's The Newcomer

Author: Robyn Carr
Series Connection: Thunder Point
ISBN: 978-0778314523
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: MIRA Books

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Richly themed book set in the backdrop of a small town on the Oregon Coast, this book goes in to detail on some of today's current family issues. Everything from adult relationships to first love stories to teen depression this book has it all and in some ways just a little too much of everything.

The story really doesn't center around one couple but three families. When "newcomer", Cooper, first comes to Thunder Point six months earlier he becomes involved in a relationship with Coast Guard helicopter pilot Sarah. Everything looks good for them at the end of the last book, but there is still trouble on the horizon. The question is can Cooper convince Sarah that he isn't just passing through or can he show her he's in it for the long haul.

And then there is Mac and Gina. Mac is a local sheriff deputy who takes care of the residents of Thunder Point. For the first time in a long time he takes a chance and takes his relationship with Gina to the next level. Unfortunately while there love is strong, their family lives aren't a bed of roses. Gina's daughter, Ashley becomes despondent after her boyfriend calls it quits and she becomes the mark for a vindictive new girlfriend. In the meantime, Mac's ex-wife comes to town to stir up trouble.

In the mix is Sarah's younger brother and Mac's daughter, who experience a little drama of their own. As well as, Mac's aunt and Gina's mother. All and all there is a lot to keep track of. That is pretty much the style of Robyn Carr's books, and while normally I don't mind, this time I was hoping to dig deeper into Mac and Gina's relationship, but there just isn't enough time for the author to do it all. Yes we learn about their lives through their family's interactions, but miss out on a developing relationship between the two.

You can't be too disappointed with Robyn Carr's style however since she is a well versed author with stories that build good characters and important relationship and current day issues that families deal with all the time. I'll keep reading the series, with the next one being "The Hero" coming out at the end of August, featuring two new characters. One we met in this book and another "newcomer" to Thunder Point.

Description:

With humor and insight, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr looks at letting go of the past—and knowing when you’ve found something worth building your future on.

Single dad and Thunder Point’s deputy sheriff “Mac” McCain has worked hard to keep everyone safe and happy. Now he’s found his own happiness with Gina James. The longtime friends have always shared the challenges and rewards of raising their adolescent daughters. With an unexpected romance growing between them, they’re feeling like teenagers themselves—suddenly they can’t get enough of one another.

And just when things are really taking off, their lives are suddenly thrown into chaos. When Mac’s long-lost—and not missed-ex—wife shows up in town, drama takes on a whole new meaning. They’re wondering if their new feelings for each other can withstand the pressure...but they are not going down without a fight.

Step into the world of Thunder Point, a little town on the Oregon coast where newcomers are welcomed, hearts are broken and mended, and the dramas of everyday life keep the locals laughing, crying and falling in love.

Romance Book Review: Robyn Carr's The Wanderer

Author: Robyn Carr

Series Connection: A Thunder Point Novel #1

ISBN-13: 978-0778314479

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: MIRA Books

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The Wanderer starts off a new three book series of Robyn Carr. This series takes place in a small coastal Oregon town. The story leads off when Hank "Cooper" Cooper travels to his friend's home town after hearing that the man had died. Wanted to get reacquainted with the man who had once been a good friend, but now gone, Cooper turns to the local town's people to find out about Ben.

Ben was the man Cooper remembered and now Ben has one last request of his friend. He's asked him to take care of the property Ben owned, telling Cooper in a letter that he would know best what to do with it. What Cooper finds is a run down business that needs a lot of fixing and a town full of friendly townsfolk who really like Ben and who Ben seemed to care about. 

Deciding to stick around for a bit, Cooper befriends a boy who has some trouble with bullies and falls for the boy's sister Sarah.

Sarah is just coming away from a bad marriage and is finding it hard to trust people again. When she meets Cooper she doesn't want to believe he's a good guy, but he wears here down and eventually they begin a no-strings relationship, but what if either of them wants more? What can happen then?

This book is a little slow to take off. Cooper and Sarah don't even meet each other until halfway through the book. There are stories of other townsfolk and a look at the love interests throughout the town. 

The next book, The Newcomer, will be out in July and feature the town deputy, Mac, and local waitress, Gina, and what happens when Mac's ex-wife comes back into the picture just when Mac and Gina have started dating each other and moving into their new relationship.

Description:

From Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the popular Virgin River novels, comes Thunder Point—the highly anticipated new series that will make you laugh, make you sigh, and make you fall in love with a small town filled with people you’ll never forget.

Nestled on the Oregon coast is a small town of rocky beaches and rugged charm. Locals love the land’s unspoiled beauty. Developers see it as a potential gold mine. When newcomer Hank Cooper learns he’s been left an old friend’s entire beachfront property, he finds himself with a community’s destiny in his hands.

Cooper has never been a man to settle in one place, and Thunder Point was supposed to be just another quick stop. But Cooper finds himself getting involved with the town. And with Sarah Dupre, a woman as complicated as she is beautiful.

With the whole town watching for his next move, Cooper has to choose between his old life and a place full of new possibilities. A place that just might be home.

Amazon's Romance Book of the Year #7

Title: Redwood Bend

Author: Robyn Carr

Series Connection: Virgin River

ISBN: 978-0778313106

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: MIRA Books

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Description:

CAN CHANGING A TIRE CHANGE YOUR LIFE?

Katie Malone and her twin boys’ trip along the beautiful mountain roads to Virgin River is stopped short by a tire as flat as her failed romance. To make matters worse, the rain has set in, the boys are hungry and Katie doesn’t have the first clue about putting on a spare. As she stands at the side of the road pondering her next move, she hears a distinct rumble. The sight of the sexy, leather-clad bikers who pull up beside her puts her imagination into overdrive.

Dylan Childress and his buddies are on the motorcycle trip of a lifetime. But the sight of a woman in distress stops them in their tracks. And while the guys are checking out her car, she and Dylan are checking out one another.

In one brief moment, the world tilts on its axis and any previous plans Katie and Dylan might have had for their futures are left at the side of the road.