Praise for the novels of
ROBYN CARR
âThe Virgin River books are so compellingâ I connected instantly with the characters and just wanted more and more and more.â âNew York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
âVirgin River is sexy, tense, emotional and satisfying. I canât wait for more!â âNew York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers
âA thrilling debut of a series that promises
much to come.â âNew York Times bestselling author Clive Cussler
âJennifer is a beautifully drawn character whose
interior journey is wonderful to behold.â âRT Book Reviews on Runaway Mistress
âThis is one author who proves a Carr can fly.â
âBook Reviewer on Blue Skies
âRobyn Carr provides readers [with] a powerful,
thought-provoking work of contemporary fiction.â âMidwest Book Review on Deep in the Valley
âA remarkable storyteller.â
âLibrary Journal
âA warm, wonderful book about womenâs
friendships, love and family. I adored it!â âSusan Elizabeth Phillips on The House on Olive Street
âA delightfully funny novel.ââMidwest Book Review on The Wedding Party
Thanks to Pamela SF Glenn, CNM, MSâwithout whose expertise in midwifery this story would not have been possible. My deepest gratitude for poring over manuscript after manuscript with sharp eyes and a ruthless pen, keeping me straight. And to Sharon Lampert, RN, WHNP, for sharing her expertise as a womenâs health nurse practitioner, but mostly for picking up your phone no matter where you were and answering delicate questions about female anatomy and function with directness and honesty. Iâm sure there are people out there still talking about what they overheard in the grocery store, beauty parlour and Department of Motor Vehicles. The passion and devotion with which you two professionals serve your women patients is inspiring, and was an enormous help in shaping the character of a dedicated nurse practitioner and certified nurse midwife.
Thanks to Paul Wojcik for sharing your experiences in the United States Marine Corps, and to Richard Gustavson, RN with twenty-three years in the Navy Reserves. I thank each of you for reading the manuscripts and for offering your invaluable technical input.
Kris Kitna, Chief of Police, Fortuna, California, thanks for valuable information on local law enforcement, not to mention help with details about hunting, fishing and firearms.
Kate Bandy, the best assistant a writer can possibly have, my dear friend of many years, thanks not only for reading copy and offering suggestions, but especially for accompanying me on an exciting research trip to Humboldt County. Without you there I would have floundered ⦠or slipped off a mountain. Denise and Jeff Nichollâthanks for reading first drafts, taking exhaustive notes and answering a million questions. Your friendship and support during the whole process means the world to me. Many thanks to Nellie Valdez-Hathorn for her help with my Spanish.
Other early readers whose input was critical included Jamie Carr, Laurie Fait, Karen Garris, Martha Gould, Pat Hagee, Goldiene Jones and Lori StovekenâIâm deeply in debt to you for your comments and suggestions.
Huge thanks to Clive Cussler, Debbie Macomber and Carla Neggers for reading and commenting on the Virgin River series in the first place. For you to take the time, with your busy schedules, is a monumental compliment.
Huge thanks to Valerie Gray, my editor, and Liza Dawson, my agent, for your commitment to helping me craft the best series possible. Your hard work and dedication made all the differenceâIâm so grateful.
To Trudy Casey, Tom Fay, Michelle Mazzanti, Kristy Price and the entire staff of Henderson Public Libraries, thank you for the monumental support and encouragement. Iâve never known a more hardworking and motivated group of public servants.
And finally, thanks to Jim Carr for your loving support. And, my God, thank you for cooking! I wish Iâd known years ago that you could!
Mike Valenzuela was up and had his Jeep SUV packed long before sunrise. He had a long drive to Los Angeles and meant to get an early start. Depending on traffic around the Bay Area, the drive would be eight to ten hours from Virgin River. He locked up his RV, which was his home. It sat on the property at Jackâs bar and grill; Jack and Preacher would keep an eye on it for him, not that Mike expected any kind of trouble. That was one of several reasons heâd chosen to live hereâit was quiet. Small, peaceful, beautiful and nothing to disturb oneâs peace of mind. Mike had had enough of that in his former life.
Before coming to Virgin River permanently, Mike had made many trips to this Humboldt County mountain town for hunting and fishing, for gathering with an old Marine squad that was still close. His full-time job had been with LAPD, a sergeant in the gangs division. That had all ended when he was shot on the jobâheâd taken three bullets and had a lot of hard work getting his body back. Heâd needed Preacherâs robust food and Jackâs wife Melâs assistance with physicaltherapy on his shoulder. After six months, Mike was as close to completely recovered as heâd get.