"compassionate romantic suspense"
After being injured on the job, womanizer and twice
divorced LAPD officer Mike Valenzuela recuperates in the
Redwoods town Virgin River, where his Marine buddies Jack
Sheridan (see VIRGIN RIVER) and Marine John "Preacher"
Middleton (see SHELTER MOUNTAIN) own a bar and grill. His
plan is simple, heal and return to work. However,
everything changes with one phone call from Jack; his
district attorney sister Brie was brutally raped by Jerome
Powell, who she tried to recently prosecute for violent
crimes, but lost. Though frightened Brie physically heals but emotionally is
off her game. However, she knows that and vows to see
that Powell goes to prison as she refuses to take crap
from this a-hole. Meanwhile Mike seems to always be there
for her. As Mike becomes the Virgin River police, he and
Brie fall in love in spite of their marital failures. The third and final Virgin River tale is a wonderful
compassionate romantic suspense with the focus being on
Brie, recovering from the rape. As with the previous
thrillers, the story line intelligently handles a
traumatic social issue that becomes very personal when it
happens to you. Robyn Carr provides a great final to one
of the best insightful character driven sagas of the year
as these real people struggle with harrowing personal
problems caused by brutes intruding, in this case
physically leading to mentally, into their lives. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 25, 2007
SummaryThe tightly knit community of virgin river has been a
safe haven for more than a few lost souls over the
years—and there's always room for one more...
A decorated U.S. Marine reservist, LAPD officer Mike
Valenzuela was badly wounded in the line of duty, but has
found hope and healing in Virgin River. When he agrees to
become the town's first cop, he does so knowing it's time he
settled down. Twice divorced and the lover of too many
women, he secretly longs for the kind of commitment and
happiness his marine buddies have found—a woman who can
tie up his heart forever. He finds that woman in Brie
Sheridan, a Sacramento prosecutor who understands his drive
to protect and serve. Virgin River becomes a safe haven for
Brie after nearly losing her life at the hands of a crazed
criminal. Though tough and courageous, she's got some fears
she can't escape—but now she has someone who will
shower her just what it means to trust again.
Mike will do anything to help Brie free herself from painful
memories. Passionate, strong and gentle, he vows to give
back to her what she's so selflessly given him—her
heart, and with it, a new beginning.
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