Wet from the rain and carrying her sleeping child, Paige Lassiter happens upon Jack's Bar and Restaurant seeking shelter. John "Preacher" Middleton was just about to close for the night when this battered and bruised young woman walked in, plainly in need of aid. Paige has had enough of her husband's abuse and with an unborn baby to protect, she's determined to finally escape. Preacher knows this woman is a flight risk, but he welcomes her to spend the night and does all he can to watch over her and her three year old son, Christopher. The following morning Paige is still determined to run, but Preacher gently points out the possibility of her being charged with kidnapping if she crosses state lines and offers her an alternative. If she stays in Virgin River and pursues a divorce and custody, Preacher promises to her that she and her children will always be safe because he and the rest of the town will be there watching over them.

Yet another lovingly romantic and oh-so-funny addition to the Virgin River series. Shelter Mountain was not so much focused on Paige and Preacher as it was on the entire town and it's inhabitants. Filled with young love and new love, there is definitely something in the water when it comes to Virgin River. With Preacher and Mel, and eventually Jack, standing behind Paige, she and her son Christopher are immediately enfolded into the group and it was wonderful to see Paige and Preacher's romance blossom. The first half of the book is mostly reserved for our spotlight couple, Paige and Preacher, but the middle is reserved for Jack and Mel and the foibles and follies and the occasional heartbreak that is pregnancy. The third half finishes up the saga between Paige and her now exhusband and the entire town rallies around her.

This book was definitely romantic and sweet but I will forever love it because of the humor. Reading about Paige and Preacher's beginning stages was so funny. One of my favorite parts was how Preacher was definitely receiving the steamy looks Paige was throwing his way, if not interpreting them correctly. This great big teddy bear of a Marine might be wholly comfortable with an M-16 and a troop of fellow soldiers hunting down terrorists, but put him in the same vicinity as a hot-to-trot female and this shy guy doesn't know what to do. Luckily he has his good buddy Jack to show him what's what in regards to that mysterious and elusive thing known as the female orgasm. Trust me, it was priceless. Also priceless was Mel's pregnancy and the eventual delivery. But amid all the humor and lovesick mooing, life in Virgin River continues on with it's ups and downs. You will have to be a fan of the town in order to appreciate the joy and to suffer through the tragedies.

Shelter Mountain is a wonderful addition to the series and I'm so happy I was able to enjoy it. This beautiful little story is not to be missed and I can't wait for more.

John "Preacher" Middleton is a former Marine who works as a cook in his buddy Jack's bar. Preacher is used to being alone--his parents died when he was young and he's never had a serious relationship. In fact, one of the reasons he enlisted was to get a band of brothers who would be like his family. Because instinctively Preacher knew that he would end up alone. So he takes comfort in his friends, in fishing and cooking in the small town of Virgin River, and in reading books and looking things up on the Internet. It's not much, but it's his life, and he's content. That is until the night a woman with a bruise on her face and a split lip walks into the bar, cradling her young son in her arms. Instantly every protective instinct in Preacher is aroused and he wants not only to find out who did this to her, but to make sure he never gets the chance to do it again.

Paige Lassiter stops into Virgin River after getting lost on her way to a safe house for battered women. She has just fled from LA with her son in tow after being viciously beaten by her husband. This isn't the first time Paige's husband has raised his hand to her and she knows it won't be the last. That's why she has to get out. For herself. For her son. And for the baby she's carrying. When she stumbles into Virgin River she has no idea the type of protective instincts these men have and that they will do anything to take care of her and make sure that she's safe. But Paige has a hard time trusting people and it will take everything Preacher can do to ensure that she's welcome in their small town, that they will look out for her no matter what, and that she can have a life as more than a man's punching bag.

Shelter Mountain is the follow-up to Virgin River (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 1), a novel about a small town that helped a broken woman put the pieces of her shattered life back together. Shelter Mountain is the same sort of story, and it's just as poignant, just as well written, and just as engaging. I'm not the type of person who cries when I read. I can watch Titanic (10th Anniversary Edition) and Love Story without tearing up. I'm just not a watering pot. But this book had me in shambles at least twice, and just hoping that there would be a happy ending. Which is the beauty of romance. Of course there was.

Preacher was introduced in Virgin River as the strong, silent type. He was the sort of guy who was always around, but who didn't have to say a lot to get his point across. He seemed like a loner, but a guy who was happy with it. And he was. Until he met Paige. It was like watching an avalanche the way this small, battered woman broke down the walls around his heart. She taught him how to feel, how to want more, how to be happy. He loved her son, protected him, taught him that all men aren't bullies and real men don't hit. I kind of fell in love with him a bit for it. Ok, who am I kidding. I fell in love a lot with him for it. And poor Paige. Jeez, it's hard for me to think of a more broken heroine. She endured the abuse and tried to make it better. And she did what she could to stop it. She had restraining orders, she'd left her husband before, and she had called the police. It didn't work. She was willing to resort to losing her identity to protect herself and her child when she found Virgin River and I was so happy that she did.

The Virgin River series has, thus far, been filled with dependable, strong men who protect their family and friends with all they've got and kind, empathetic women who just need a little support. I've loved it so far and look forward to grabbing the next book in the series, Whispering Rock (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 3).

Normally I get bored really fast with most contemperary novels with all of their bed hopping but these characters and the plot have depth - not like the marshmellow kind with two main characters constantly ending up in bed.

The only down side is her attempt to use the fricking language and our Lord's name [not allowed] Is she trying to immulate the men who don't know how to espress themselves?

Once again we have a great cast of characters with Mel and Jack Sheridan continuing their roles and not overshadowing John "Preacher" Middleton, at 32 - I like the bond between Jack and his Marine buddies.

Paige Lassiter is 29 and has a 3 year old son, Christopher - neither one of them see a scary brute of a man in Preacher - in fact Chrishopher doesn't take too much time to bond with the man.

Mike Valenzuela is introduced more fully as he is invited to recuperate in Virgin River after being shot in the line of duty and he askes Mel for help in rehibilitation of his muscles. He still hasn't gotten it altogether.

Mel is pregnant then along comes Rick's girl friend - she is 15 and is pregnant - almost a tragedy - great scenes of maturing and growing up.
Brie, Jack's baby sister is brought in to help Paige as she is a lawyer.

We learn more about Dr. John Stone and June & Jim Hudson [from the Grass Valley trilogy] Fiesty old Doc Mullins is still around.

Now who is this mysterious Dan that keeps showing up -- undercover maybe??
Will he get his story?
He suddenly appears and helps locate Paige and her ex after Lassiter kidnapps Paige. He wants to use her as bait to draw Preacher and Jack into a trap. [grin - they whupped Lassiter].

Oh What A Story! Most Excellent, except where she needs to clean it up.
Pure entertainment etc.,
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - the whole trilogy - Great concept.

The Virgin River Series:

Virgin River

Shelter Mountain

Whispering Rock

A Virgin River Christmas (Nov 2008)


Robin Carr's stories unfold smoothly. Never boring or pointless. Never totally predictable. Surprises throughout. Always emotional and realistic. Before you know it, you realize that you've read half the book without stopping. You can truly get lost in these books.
As I mentioned above, this is definitely a sequel. It is the second book of the series. The first book, "Virgin River", introduces you to a lot of the characters for "Shelter Mountain". There are a couple of important characters who are newly introduced in "Shelter Mount", but the majority are already in your heart from the first book.

So... if you haven't read "Virgin River" yet, don't ruin this book by reading it first. Become a part of the Virgin River family with book 1, then come back for "Shelter Mountain".
Here is the link to the first book:
Virgin River (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 1)


For those whom have already read "Virgin River":

Quiet, shy, and with a heart bigger than his 6'6" height, John Middleton is affectionately known to his friends as "Preacher". While his marine buddies ran off to drink and use women, he stayed behind to honor the values his mom taught him as a boy. Now, in his early thirties, Preacher is happily running Jack's bar. Jack has moved into his new wife's cottage, leaving an empty apartment over the bar.

Late one night, just before Preacher closed the bar for the night, a woman came inside. Soaked from the pouring rain, and carrying her sleeping 3- year- old son, Paige is desperate to find a safe place to spend the night. Preacher immediately notices her bruised face and split lip. He offers to let her stay in the upstairs apartment for as long as she needs. As a man who tends to frighten women and children with his size, tattoos, earring, and bald head, Preacher wishes he could have a family like this woman and her child. He can't understand how her husband could have abused these blessings. Knowing he could never hope to have a woman like Paige for his own, Preacher commits himself to seeing her freed of her abusive husband. He'll give everything he has to help her make a new start, then he'll quietly let her go when she is ready to move on.

Upon first meeting John, Paige is intimidated. He's much larger than her abusive husband. If he were to get angry, he could do far worse damage. Once she realizes that he has a big soft heart, she knows she can't stay in Virgin River long. Her husband will come after her. When he finds her, anyone who helped her hide will be at risk. Somehow, John keeps convincing her to stay a few more days or weeks. Before she knows it, Paige and her son have become a part of the Virgin River family. There is not a single resident in the tiny mountain community who will not offer to help shield her.

Preacher has it bad. Not only is he head- over- heals for Paige, he has come to love her son as his own. Little Christopher is happier than he has ever been in his young life. He has a giant best buddy who spends a lot of time reading to him, playing with him, teaching him to cook, and keeping him and his mommy safe. Christopher never wants to leave John. Paige can see what a blessing John is in both their lives. How many men would take the time to make a new leg and sew it on a little boy's ragged teddy bear? She has found a miracle man in John Middleton. Now she only has to teach him how beautiful and worthy he is.

Paige's threat has come to Virgin River. Now she has no choice but to either flee or fight. With John, Jack, and all of their friends behind her, Paige is ready to stand up for herself and Christopher. For the first time in years, she sees a bright future. One that she is thrilled to spend with John. When the law can't protect her, her new family will. John has claimed Paige and Christopher as his own. He won't let his woman, or his boy, be harmed ever again. Whether it takes lawyers or guns, Preacher will keep his family safe.


Aside from all of this, you will get to read the continuing story of Jack and Mel. Their first child is born. They build their dream home. And they surround their loved ones with unending support.

Rick and Liz's story continues as well. This is one of the most emotional relationships of the series. Two teenagers are forced to become adults much too soon. Rick, being raised by Jack and Preacher for the last few years, is determined to do what is right.

Jack's youngest sister, Brie, faces some harsh twists in life. Mike, one of Jack's former marines, has faced some very hard times as well. The two become friends. Their friendship is leading up to the third book in the series:
Whispering Rock (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 3)

So many great and tragic things happen in "Shelter Mountain". Yet it all fits together into one flowing story. After reading "Shelter Mount", I'm even more attached to the characters than I was after "Virgin River". I can't wait to read Mike and Brie's story.


Here is the whole series of links in read order. There are three more Virgin River books scheduled to be released in early 2009.

Virgin River (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 1)

Shelter Mountain (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 2)

Whispering Rock (Virgin River Trilogy, Book 3)

Coming next: "A Virgin River Christmas", scheduled for Nov. 2008

This is my first Robyn Carr book and though I didnt like the book very much, I wont let it discourage me from her other works.

Shelter Mountain is about Paige Lassiter who walks into John "Preacher" Middleton bar on a rainy night with her 3 year old son and she is covered with bruises. As Paige tries to get comfortable with living in the small town, she is still wary that her husband will file reports about her leaving town with her husband. When her husband shows up in town to get her to come home, he beats her in the middle of the street, causing to her to lose her unborn baby which he intentionally wanted to abort. As time passes, she divorces her husband and feelings between Paige and John start to develop beautifully and surprisingly time conscious.

The story between Paige and Preacher is a very beautiful story, for this I will not lose faith in Carr's books, however, I never read the first book of this series to know everything that happened in it from the second book. There is so much talk and mention around Mel and Jack that it consumes a majority of the book. I felt like screaming shut up with these two already, they already had a book and now they are taking up another book. It was ridiculous after a while. I love sequels and I like happy endings, but this book drove me crazy. For that reason, I give it two stars.