By the way, in case you're wondering, I did buy more books this week-end. There was another 20% off this week-end, but I don't worry, I didn't buy that much :D Mainly just Demon Moon by Meljean Brooks and Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason. I also bought a big box, a bit like a chest, to store some of the books :P
So now, onto the review:
published by Mira in May/June 2007
Brianna Savannah, a district attorney, has had a difficult year: she lost one of the most important trial of her career and failed to put a serial rapist behind the bars and her husband has left her for her best friend, after cheating on her for at least a year. However, her life is about to get even more difficult when the serial rapist comes back and brutally attacks and rapes her. Now, Brie has to put her life back together.
Luckily for her, MikeValenzuela is there. Mike is a decorated U.S. Marine reservist, LAPD officer who's been recently shot and almost died. Also a victim of a violent crime, he is able to help Brie get back her life.
Genre: contemporary romance, small-town story
Series: Virgin River trilogy, book 3
Review: I was really waiting for this book to come out and I thank Mira for publishing the three books a month apart from each other. I don't think I could have waited a year between the books. I like this book as well and thought it was a nice ending... although Ms Carr has opened the door for another sequel in my opinion. It is a bit an open ending.
The Characters - This book's focus is on Brie and Mike. We have met both characters in the previous books, both being loves one of Jack. Mike is now back on his two feet and healthy and has decided to live a relaxing life in Virgin River. He is then asked to become Virgin River's constable, a position he accepts. He's been interested in Brie for quite a while and when learning of her assault, rush to her side. Mike was described as a huge player in previous books and although he probably was, it doesn't show much in this book. Of course, he's smooth and charming, but I think that his accident really changed him and of course, there's not many available women in Virgin River. One thing that annoyed me was the fact that everyone associated his playboy-ness with his two failed marriages. In my opinions, Mike really wasn't at fault for the failed marriage...
As for Brie, I think she's a tough girl and I never doubt she would be able to get her life back. I have to admit that I liked her strength. What helped in enjoying the book is that I thought her whole ordeal was quite realistic. So yeah, not a kick-ass heroine, nor a TSTL one. Just a normal person with a very level head. That was quite refreshing LOL Of course, Mike and Brie had to share the spotlight with other characters. We do see Jack, Mel, Paige and Preacher again and if you enjoyed them in previous book, you will in this one too.
The Story & Writing - there are many storylines in this one, aside from Mike and Brie. There's Paige and Preacher trying to have a kid, Jack and Mel and their family life. There's also some new characters (Vanessa and Paul) and some intrigue concerning high schoolers. All in all, it was quite interesting :D I really liked the pacing as well and how Ms Carr blend all the storylines together. I wish she would write more :P
The Cover - Nice one and it fit with the rest of the series.
Am I keeping the book? definitively.
Anything else? I'm still looking for Down by the River which is part of Ms Carr other trilogy. I can't order it, it's not on paperswap.com, not on ebay... and if I buy a used copy from Amazon or Indigo/Chapters, it's 40$$$ at least! Can you imagine? I think I'm going to email the author and see if she doesn't own some extra copy she could sell me LOL :)
I'm sorry, the review is not the greatest. It seems to me I'm a bit rusty, probably haven't wrote that many reviews lately. Also, after Dancechica's post about rating (here), I think I'm going to go over my reviewing format :P
