Friday, October 28, 2011

Review - - Bring Me Home for Christmas

Bring Me Home for Christmas
By Robyn Carr
Publisher: Mira
Release Date:  October 25, 2011




Three years ago, Denny Cutler broke Becca Timm's heart when he re-enlisted in the Marines and ended their relationship before shipping out for Afghanistan.  Reeling from the death of his mother, Denny convinced himself he was doing what was best for Becca, who was still in college.  By the time he came home two years later, he had realized his error but it was too late.  Becca had moved on...or so she said.  Denny left San Diego and settled in Virgin River, a small mountain community in the northern California mountains.  In the past year, he's put down roots, found a job that fulfills him and made good friends he considers his extended family.  But he hasn't forgotten the girl he let get away.

Becca Timm is at a crossroads.  The private school where she's been teaching has been closed and the wealthy law student she's been dating for the past year is talking about engagement rings.  As Christmas approaches, there are major life decisions to be made but Becca can't seem to take that final step forward.  She may have told everyone that she's over Denny but the truth is she still has feelings for him.  She decides that the only way to put those feelings firmly in the past is to tag along with her twin brother (Denny's friend and fellow ex-Marine) to their "guy's week" of fishing and hunting in the "backwoods" town of Virgin River, see Denny and confirm that she made the right decision in not giving him a second chance.

At first, that's exactly the conclusion she reaches.  She and Denny can't seem to be in the same room without arguing and she can't believe he's made the decision to spend his life in what she considers a hick town in the middle of nowhere.  She's sure she could never leave her beloved beach and all the city has to offer.  But when Becca injures her ankle, forcing her to stay in Virgin River beyond the planned week, things begin to change. She begins to realize how much Denny has grown up in the past three years and remembers why she once hoped to spend her life with this man.  And, as she comes to know the people of Virgin River, she begins to wonder if perhaps she's been looking for her happiness in the wrong place.  Only time will tell if the magic of a Virgin River Christmas will open her eyes to the man, and town, that are perfect for this city girl.

Bring Me Home for Christmas is another heartwarming tale from Robyn Carr's Virgin River.  While I've enjoyed some of the books in this long-running series more than others, I never tire of visiting with the warm-hearted people of Virgin River and the surrounding area and am already looking forward to returning December 27th for Hidden Summit

If you're looking for a heartwarming, small town, second chance romance to put you in the holiday spirit, I recommend curling up with a copy of Bring Me Home for Christmas.

What holiday romances are you looking forward to reading?  Have you visited Virgin River yet?  Do you have a favorite book - or character - in the series?
~PJ



27 comments:

  1. Hi PJ, thank you for the lovely review. I have heard a lot of good things about this book and am looking forward to reading it. I love Holiday stories to begin with so adding in a conflict and romantic reunion makes for a great read.

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  2. I do like holiday romances. A Christmas story always has the something special. I have not begun reading the Virgin River books yet.

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  3. There have been fourteen books published in the series so far, Marybelle. You don't have to have read them to enjoy Bring Me Home for Christmas.

    If you want to learn more about Virgin River, I'd suggest starting with the two main couples who figure prominently in every story. That's Mel and Jack and Preacher and Paige. Their stories are the first and second books in the series, Virgin River and Shelter Mountain.

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  4. Thanks for the review! I haven't started this series yet but I'm definitely adding this book to my holiday reading!

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  5. Great review, PJ! And I love the cover. I'm looking forward to Holly Lane by Toni Blake. Actually, I'm looking forward to reading the whole series!

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  6. Another great review, PJ! I love Virgin River and never miss an opportunity to visit old friends and make new ones there. The first three books are still my favorites, but I've enjoyed them all--including BMHFC and Hidden Summit, a December 27 release.

    Of course, I'm a Robyn Carr fan from way back. I can remember predicting when the first buzz about Virgin River started on the old EJ/JQ bb that this series would be a breakout for her, but I never thought we'd still be eager for the next book in the series fourteen books later. :)

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  7. Unfortunately, I have not visited Virgin River but hope to do so one day soon. All holiday romances are great reads. They, like the holidays themselves, remind us that love and family are the truly important things in life.

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  8. I've never read anything by Robin Carr, but this sounds like a nice story.

    A very good holiday book from several years ago is a novella entitled, A Gift of Love. Judith McNaught, Andrea Kane, Kimberly Cates, Judith O'Brien and Jude Deveraux each contribute a story.

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  9. I love holiday romances! I have not read any of Robin's books yet but have always wanted to. I guess I will have to look for it.

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  10. Anyone who loves heartwarming stories should get started with the Virgin River series... You don't have to read them in order... Don't we all love holiday reads!!

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  11. This one is definitely on my list, PJ. I love everything about Virgin River, and I love Christmas stories. Win/win. :-)

    Thanks for the great review!

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  12. I love the series. Love Jack. Hard to choose a fav story.

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  13. Great review, this book looks wonderful. I love festive Christmas books! I've never read any books in the Virgin River series, this one looks like a great one to start with.
    The Christmas book I'm looking forward to reading is Theresa Romain's new book, "SEASON FOR TEMPTATION".

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  14. I have the first 7 or 8 books in the Virgin river series, but haven't read them yet. A friend read them and gave them to me since she knew I had been wanting to read them. I did read last year's Christmas book and enjoyed it. It is a community I could live in and one I would enjoy visiting.
    I am looking forward to Janet Chapman's new Christmas release and already bought the A TEXAN CHRISTMAS anthology. Christmas books are a favorite, so I know I will end up getting several more. In addition, I'll be pulling out some old favorites and rereading them. CHRISTMAS MOON by Elizabeth Lane came out last year and I loved it. I hope I have time to reread it this year.

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  15. Thanks for the review! I haven't started this series yet but I'm definitely adding this book to my holiday reading!

    I hope you enjoy it, Maria. Virgin River is a wonderful place to visit!

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  16. Andrea said, I'm looking forward to Holly Lane by Toni Blake. Actually, I'm looking forward to reading the whole series!

    I'm really enjoying Blake's Destiny books. Holly Lane was another wonderful addition to the series!

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  17. Janga said, The first three books are still my favorites, but I've enjoyed them all--including BMHFC and Hidden Summit, a December 27 release.

    The first three are my favorites too, Janga. I imagine that's because they were my introduction to Virgin River and, especially, to Jack. I do love Jack! :)

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  18. Connie said, All holiday romances are great reads. They, like the holidays themselves, remind us that love and family are the truly important things in life.

    I agree, Connie. Holiday romances almost always leave a warm glow in my heart and a reminder of what's most important in our lives.

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  19. Penfield said, A very good holiday book from several years ago is a novella entitled, A Gift of Love. Judith McNaught, Andrea Kane, Kimberly Cates, Judith O'Brien and Jude Deveraux each contribute a story.

    That's one of my favorite Christmas anthologies, Penfield. I especially like the Deveraux story!

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  20. Virginia said, I love holiday romances! I have not read any of Robin's books yet but have always wanted to. I guess I will have to look for it

    Hope you enjoy it, Virginia!

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  21. Girlygirlhoosier52 said, Anyone who loves heartwarming stories should get started with the Virgin River series... You don't have to read them in order... Don't we all love holiday reads!!

    Yes, we do! :)

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  22. Pat L said, I love the series. Love Jack.

    Me too! I enjoy meeting new people in each book but I adore seeing Jack! ::grin::

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  23. Sandra Lynne said, The Christmas book I'm looking forward to reading is Theresa Romain's new book, "SEASON FOR TEMPTATION".

    I loved SEASON FOR TEMPTATION! It's a lovely book and the heroine is an absolute delight. Hope you enjoy it!

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  24. Librarypat said, I am looking forward to Janet Chapman's new Christmas release and already bought the A TEXAN CHRISTMAS anthology.

    I enjoyed Chapman's HIGHLANDER FOR THE HOLIDAYS but then I like all of Chapman's highlanders! :)

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  25. I haven't visited Virgin River yet, but it looks like a great place!

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  26. I have a couple of the virgin river books in my TBR pile, but have not read them yet. They are coming up in my pile and will be checking them out. I love holiday books. I love to read about others celebrating Christmas and having a great time.
    Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
    christinebails@yahoo.com

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