Temptation Ridge and The Body at the Tower

Shelby McIntyre has big plans—plans that include finding Mr. Right. Her dream man will have a clean-shaven jaw, creases in his pants and hopefully and advanced degree. What she gets is rugged Luke Riordan.

At twenty-five, after five years as her mother's caregiver, it's time for Shelby to experience freedom and adventure. Time for travel, college and romance. But when she visits Virgin River, she runs into Luke Riordan, decidedly not whom she has in mind.

A handsome Blackhawk pilot, Luke exited the army after twenty years, four wars and having been shot out of the sky three times. At thirty-eight he's tough and jaded. His major was in one-night stands, with a minor in commitment avoidance.

Technically, these two are all wrong for one another. But sometimes what you want and what you need are two different things…two very good things. 

My thoughts:

I always said I would read a Carr, and now I did.

But so many stories and people! And since it's a series, I mean yikes how many people showed up! I did not feel lost, I just wished it could have been more focused on Luke and Shelby. Now I had to care about a bunch of other peeps too. Like Shelby's uncle who is having a romance with a a movie star. And this woman who meets a doctor (can't say more there). And then there are people who found love in previous books.

Shelby, a 25 year old who has not lived, but taken care of her mother, is the one looking for love.

And then there is a 38 year old veteran who is all, no love for me. You know one of those men who thinks they know best, and you just wanna hit them (fine, yes I want to hit everyone!). Because they always think they know what the woman should do, but in reality everyone is happier as it is.

So they meet, fall in love, have their romance in this small knit community. They have their drama and then they live happily ever after.

Conclusion:
Good

Cover
meh

Paperback, 400 pages
Published June 22nd 2010 by Mira (first published 2009)
Virgin River #6
Contemporary romance
'Own

Now nearly a full-fledged member of the Agency, the all-female detective unit operating out of Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls, Mary Quinn is back for another action-packed adventure. Disguised as a poor apprentice builder and a boy, she must brave the grimy underbelly of Victorian London - as well as childhood fear, hunger, and constant want - to unmask the identity of a murderer. Assigned to monitor a building site on the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament, Mary earns the confidence of the work crew, inching ever nearer her suspect. But if an irresistible desire to help the city's needy doesn't distract her and jeopardize her cover, unexpectedly meeting up with an old friend - or flame - just might.

A suspenseful and evocative window into a fascinating moment in history, The Body at the Tower is the much-anticipated second outing with a daring young detective. 

My thoughts:

I did not read book 1, but I felt it worked anyway. I quickly got into the world, but of course when this guy showed up I did wonder what had happened between them in book 1.

BUT, I know they said she was not big, but still, how does a 17 year old get away pretending to be a 12 year old? See I never get that in books, mostly cos when I was 12 I could not have played a 12 year old boy. Damn, they were short, it took them to like 16 to get near me in height. And then there is the whole thing that something recognizes her and likes her and I was all euwww, she is dressed and pretends to be a 12 year old boy. I know you know she is a woman, but still, that is nasty. I could not get behind that budding maybe one day romance.

As for the book...Mary is part of an agency of spies (women), and she is on a case. Who killed this guy, wow, the road there was long and I did not really get how they found any evidence. It was all too sudden. The mystery part was lacking.

Conclusion;
But hey, it was still a good book. A bit of a mystery, spying, weird maybe romance...still on the fence about that. And not to mention a cool heroine. A light mystery.

Paperback, 344 pages
Published 2010 by Walker Books
The Agency #2
YA (historical mystery
Own

3 romance reviews in 1

Cursed with the Irish clairvoyance known as 'The Sight', Donovan O'Shea fled to America to escape his 'gift'. 15 years later, his father's illness has forced him to return to the family homestead where the past comes back to haunt him.

My thoughts:

Short..make it short...

Donovan has the sight.

Rylie comes to Ireland and claims to be his sister

He has the hots for her (euwwww). His excuse is that he refuses to believe her.

There is this stupid cop who is all Tell me who murdered the stranger in your backyard!!!! Seriously, am I supposed to believe a cop is that stupid? Donovan was 7 at the time.

Rylie gets the hots for Donovan.

There are strange things in the Fens.

Bordering ok at times. But enough to pull through to good. Mostly cos I like Ireland. Still, would I read more by her...no. So that ok is reaaaally close

paperback, 336 pages
Published October 1st 2008 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Contemporary romance /paranormal /suspense
Own

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.

My thoughts:

60 pages that were good, but rushed. Yes I get that she wanted to tell an entire story, but even though it was good, it also went too fast.

Abused woman struggles with work, and her heart; a charity for single moms. She has two kids. No time for a man.

But oh, there is a sexy neighbor that likes to help out. She is all, leave me alone. But he continues to help and in the end she realizes that he is a good guy. And they will live happily ever after.

Conclusion;

Maybe not the best insight into Carr. But I do wanna try more. 

ebook, 74 pages
Published May 1st 2010 by Harlequin
Virgin River #11.1
Contemporary romance
Own

Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison has spent a year recovering from his combat injuries. A year spent in the arms of the woman of his dreams. But loving Jen comes with a price: every time he touches her, he faces the uncertain fear that loving her might mean losing her forever. 

Jen is a breast cancer survivor and with Shane, she’s found a man who loves her despite her scars. But her scars may be too much for their love to survive. 

As their love grows, so does the risk to Jen’s life. And Shane must make the toughest decision any man can make to save the woman he loves. 

My thoughts:

You know what the worst thing is. Opening a 70 page ebook, thinking it is that long, but no, it was 30 pages. The rest was a preview of another book. Sigh.

Armyman is thinking of a vasectomy. His wife had breast cancer and kids could make it come back. She does want kids. They think about it, and live happily ever after. The end.

ebook, 30 pages
Published February 1st 2013 by Jessica Scott
Coming Home #1.5
Contemporary romance
Own