A Virgin River Christmas (Virgin River, #4)

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A Virgin River Christmas (Virgin River #4)

4.09 of 5 stars 4.09 · rating details · 4,069 ratings · 306 reviews

Since Marcie Sullivan's Iraq War-veteran husband died, she's been unable to move forward. She decides to seek out Ian Buchanan--the man who disappeared after saving her husband's life four years earlier. Then when Marcie nearly dies and Ian saves her, the couple's relationship deepens.

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Published (first published February 1st 2008)

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Dec 19, 2011 Buggy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemp-rom, men-in-uniform-af-spc-op, shelf-10, outhouses, tortured-hero, scars-r-sexy

Opening Line: "Marcie Sullivan drove into the small town, her sixth small mountian town of the day, and found herself face-to-face with a Christmas tree trimming."

AVRC is my first Robyn Carr book which would make me...you guessed it, a Robyn Carr virgin. Anyways, this isn’t the type of contemporary romance I usually read (I like a bit of action, suspense or the occasional vampire in my mix) However the Virgin River series is so hugely popular and was recommended to me by a ton of people so I jus...more Opening Line: "Marcie Sullivan drove into the small town, her sixth small mountian town of the day, and found herself face-to-face with a Christmas tree trimming."

AVRC is my first Robyn Carr book which would make me...you guessed it, a Robyn Carr virgin. Anyways, this isn’t the type of contemporary romance I usually read (I like a bit of action, suspense or the occasional vampire in my mix) However the Virgin River series is so hugely popular and was recommended to me by a ton of people so I just had to check it out.

...And I’m happy to say that except for the author’s unusual fixation with an outhouse I got sucked right into this heart tugging romance. Enough so that I didn’t want to read anything else when I finished and have gone back to start the series at the beginning.

Yes this is book #4 in a series of 13 (and counting) however that doesn't seem to have any bearing on this particular story (I think because it’s a special Christmas edition). Sure there were a few characters I might have enjoyed more if I’d know their ‘story’ but this stood just fine on its own and centered pretty much solely on Ian and Marcie’s heartbreaking journey of love and healing.

The best word I could use to describe Robyn Carr’s writing is comfortable. It’s just relaxed and easy and felt like I was reading about friends or I imagine if you’re well into the series like coming home. Carr never once had me shaking my head thinking that’s wrong or ridiculous or the H/h would never do that. The story flows very well too, is funny in parts and heart wrenching in others and except for letting the outhouse become a character of its own, left me wanting more. I feel like Carr could become the sort of author I’d pick up when nothing else is striking my fancy and know that I’d enjoy it.

Marcie Sullivan is looking for closure; she’s come to Virgin River to find her husbands Sergeant and best friend. The man responsible for saving Bobby in Iraq and giving her three years to say goodbye while he slowly died from his battle injuries. As Marcie cared for her husband she forged a friendship (through letters) with his sergeant Ian, pouring out her heart, frustrations and sadness to a man she’d never met. Then suddenly the letters stopped and soon her husband was gone too. Now a year later Marcie still can’t seem to move on with her life, she’s decided she has to find Ian. To talk to him about what happened over there and make sure he‘s okay.

But locating Ian hasn’t been easy, nobody’s seen him for years and his family has all but written him off. After following several leads Marcie at last finds her hero but he doesn’t want to be found and definitely doesn’t want to be reminded of Iraq. Ian’s living far off the grid of society, a recluse in a rundown cabin in the woods with no amenities. Yes that’s right an…outhouse (dun dun dah) Ian Growls at Marcie to leave him alone, sounding much like the bear he now resembles what with all that hair but Marcie refuses to go until she completes her mission. Of course this leads to her almost freezing to death, catching hypothermia and Ian having to save and care for her until she’s better (It is a romance after all)

Marcie’s character is a bit of a goof and I really liked her and her adventures with living in a rustic cabin. I found it odd though that suffering a burn from not knowing how to light propane stove was hilarious while a flu/cold was a matter of life and death? I also didn’t find this quite as romantic as I’m sure others will as I have lived in the bush without power and it loses its appeal mighty fast especially in the winter. So while some might think it quaint that they cook on a woodstove, and read by candlelight, I cringed.

Anyways you don’t need to know much else, all the townsfolk turn up in one way or another and Marcie and Ian forge into a new type of friendship, one with benefits. Oh and it all happens right around Christmas. Sigh.(less)

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Oct 30, 2008 Isis FG rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Isis FG by: continuation of a series

Shelves: info-full, reviewed, genre-romance-drama, author-robyn-carr, 2008, z2008-july-dec, series-virgin-river, stars-4

I have to admit I had an initial smidge of disappointment when I realized this book didn't feature existing Virgin River characters, but introduced two new ones. But I quickly got over it because the new characters were interesting, and the old ones had big enough supporting roles to make you feel the connection to the previous books.

Like the other books, this one has a slight military theme in the characters. Marcie Sullivan was widowed a year ago when her Marine husband Bobby died three years...more I have to admit I had an initial smidge of disappointment when I realized this book didn't feature existing Virgin River characters, but introduced two new ones. But I quickly got over it because the new characters were interesting, and the old ones had big enough supporting roles to make you feel the connection to the previous books.

Like the other books, this one has a slight military theme in the characters. Marcie Sullivan was widowed a year ago when her Marine husband Bobby died three years after sustaining devastating injuries in Iraq. Since then, she's felt stuck in a rut, unable to go forward, and obviously unable to go back. And she can't stop thinking that if she could find Bobby's best friend and superior, Ian Buchanan, and settle some things with him, that maybe she'd finally find her way. She'd only ever met him a few times, but she'd come to know him through the letters they'd exchanged and from what Bobby had told her about him. But then Ian had disappeared after he left the Marines not long after Bobby's injury, and Marcie knows he must be hiding from the emotional scars he's suffered. She thinks if she can just find him and talk to him, help him move on, then she would be able to as well. But things don't go quite a planned when she finally does manage to locate him near the quaint mountain town of Virgin River.

True, this is a romance, but honestly, it doesn't come into play until fairly late in the book. A lot of this story is about the characters and their emotional dramas. There were a couple scenes that brought tears to my eyes - especially the one where Marcie flashes back to Bobby's death. I had to go dig up some tissues. That was so sad.

But even though the romance is late in developing, this was an enjoyable book to read (for romance readers). The characters are fantastic. I liked Marcie - though I wished she'd learned to stand up to her sister a little better. And Ian was rather interesting, with his wild, mountain-man look, but gentle and kind heart, and an amazing singing voice. He's such a contradiction. And though they didn't hook up till late, you could feel the connection between Ian and Marcie from the start. They just had to work their way to the right point.

I also really enjoyed how the characters from past Virgin River books had more than just passing roles. Jack and Mel had a fairly active part of the story, and Preacher, Paige, Mike and Bree all had varying smaller roles. It was great to catch up with all those characters.

I had only one or two quibbles with things. I wished the ending had been a little more settled, maybe an epilogue to give us some idea how things went with Ian's reentry into the normal world. Hopefully Carr with update us on them in the upcoming new set of VC books. The only other thing that bothered me was that once Marcie and Ian did hook up, they were together a lot, but there was never once a mention of birth control. It just annoyed me a little bit to have something that important ignored.

Anyway, A Virgin River Christmas is a nice edition to the Virgin River series. It's a great people story with just enough romance to satisfy those of us who like our HEA's. And after read the sneak peak of Second Chance Pass, the upcoming VC novel, I can't wait to read it!(less)

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Oct 28, 2010 Auntee rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of the series

Shelves: contemporary-romance, tortured-hero

This was a really sweet, tender romance, that had me in tears sometimes, but put a smile on my face at the end.

This is the story of Marcie Sullivan, a young widow, and former Marine Ian Buchanan. Marcie recently lost her Marine husband, Bobby, due to injuries he suffered while serving in Iraq. Bobby and Marcie were childhood buddies, then sweethearts, before marrying as teenagers. Bobby enlisted in the military, while Marcie worked in an insurance office. They were in love and had a bright futur...more This was a really sweet, tender romance, that had me in tears sometimes, but put a smile on my face at the end.

This is the story of Marcie Sullivan, a young widow, and former Marine Ian Buchanan. Marcie recently lost her Marine husband, Bobby, due to injuries he suffered while serving in Iraq. Bobby and Marcie were childhood buddies, then sweethearts, before marrying as teenagers. Bobby enlisted in the military, while Marcie worked in an insurance office. They were in love and had a bright future ahead of them until one day Bobby was severly injured in Iraq from a car bomb explosion. If it wasn't for his Sergeant and best friend, Ian Buchanan, who hauled him to safety amidst enemy fire, he surely would have died on the streets of Fallujah. And even though Bobby never recovered from his injuries, and basically was totally incapacitated, Marcie was grateful for the additional three years she got to spend taking care of Bobby and just being with him. It's been a year since Bobby's death, and Marcie would like to move forward with her life, and get a little closure. But in order to do that, she needs to track down her husband's best friend from the military, Ian Buchanan, and thank him again for saving Bobby and give him a few momentos she thinks Bobby would like him to have. It might be a tall order, because it seems Ian has dropped off the face of the earth.

Since that day in Fallujah 4 years ago, Ian's life hasn't been the same. He had planned to serve 20 years in the Marines, but after he saved Bobby and sentenced him to a life as a total invalid, he suffered such enormous guilt that he let it wreck his life and his career. Once a well-liked and respected man with a bright future, he broke up with his fiancee, got in meaningless fights with other soldiers, and was basically forced out of the Marines. He wishes he had let Bobby die in Fallujah, thinking he has sentenced him and his family to more grief than they would have suffered if he had just died on the battlefield. Ian decides to just drop out of life for a while, living a minimal existence selling firewood on a mountaintop near the small California town of Virgin River.

With a little luck and some dogged persistence, Marcie tracks Ian to the quaint little town of Virgin River. She hears rumors about a mountain man who likes to whistle and sing and lives hermit-like in a small cabin just outside of town. Could this be Ian?

When Marcie meets up with Ian, he is almost unrecognizable from the picture of the handsome man she carries with her. With his dark hair tied back in a long ponytail, a bushy red beard and wearing tattered clothes, and living in a small one room cabin without indoor plumbing, Ian looks and acts like a dropout from life. He tells Marcie he just wants to be left alone, but of course Marcie, being the stubborn girl she is, will not hear of it. She's determined to break through all the walls Ian has placed around himself. She only has a few weeks before she's due home for Christmas--will that be enough time for her to convince Ian to rejoin the world and start living again? And can she help Ian heal his wounded heart? And will Marcie learn something about herself in the process?

While this wasn't my favorite of all the Virgin River books, it certainly was enjoyable. It was fun to revisit that small California town again--after Marcie's first encounter with some of the residents, it was like I never left. Some of the past characters have small roles, including Preacher and Paige, Mike and Brie, Doc, and with larger roles, Mel and Jack. ********possible spoiler******************* I like that a romance between Marcie and Ian didn't happen right away, although now that I think of it, 10 days is pretty fast! But it just seemed that Marcie and Ian got to know a lot about each other in that time, and each also knew a lot about the other through Bobby's letters home and Marcie's letters to Bobby. And once Ian came home with a hair-cut and a closely trimmed beard, I knew the fireworks would start to happen between the two! And they did--they provided a lot of 'heat' for that small, one-room cabin! There were some tear-jerking moments too, when Marcie relates the circumstances of Bobby's death, and when Ian lets Marcie go home for Christmas. I wanted him to beg her to stay!*********************************************************** The ending was heart-warming and beautiful, but I could have used a few pages more, to let me in on what would happen in the future. But that is not a problem--I'm sure Robyn Carr will cover that ground in her next Virgin River novel, titled "Second Chance Pass" due out in February 2009. That's one I can't wait to read!(less)

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Jan 13, 2011 Quinn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance

My love affair with this series (and its talented author) is still going strong. I really enjoyed A Virgin River Christmas. The author managed to tell a full and meaningful tale in just 285 pages.

This is one of the very few times where I can say of a novella that nothing was lacking. The characters were fully developed, the story had depth and emotion, and I finished fully satisfied. If I had to nitpick, I could have done with a bit more at the ending, but I have faith that the author will pick...more

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Nov 11, 2008 ♡KarLynP♡ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2008, genre-contemporary, steam-warm, genre-holiday

Finished it in one sitting. Loved it! I can't wait for the next in this series. I really loved Marcie as a heroine, her humor and take on life was so refreshing. Her willingness to adapt to the rugged lifestyle of the mountains made for several good laughs. The premise of her being in Virigin River to help her dead husbands best friend (Ian) was a bit of a stretch, but it really worked. When they finally came together I melted. This book is a stand alone so you don't need to read the series in o...more

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Oct 29, 2012 Penny Watson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bearded-hero, christmas-romance, re-read

Nothing brings me more hope, more excitement, more anticipation for a romance novel than....

....finding out the hero has a beard!!!! Hallelujah!

So, imagine my everlasting surprise and happiness when I discovered that the hero for Robyn Carr's A Virgin River Christmas has a beard. And not just any ol' beard, but a full-on, hard-core, lumber jack-style beard. And....it's red!

(Please take a moment of silence to process this wonderful ditty).

In spite of the fact that I don't love contemporary romanc...more

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Oct 31, 2008 Kathrynn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of the Virgin River Series

Shelves: series-virgin_river_carr, theme-christmas, own, 2008, romance-contemporary, reviewed

There wasn't a whole lot to this short book (285 pages) and there was some filler left in the story (explaining something, then explaining it again) or possibly the book needed a good edit.

The main characters were all right. Ian turned himself into a recluse and chose to live--alone--on the mountain in a cabin without any amenities. He was almost barbaric with the roaring... Marcie's character was very likable and I admired her fortitude in sticking with her goal of finding Ian--despite the lac...more

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Nov 29, 2008 Christa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: booksfree-com

This was a very sweet, tender love story that seemed entirely appropriate for a Christmas book. I didn't like it quite as well as the three previous books in the series, but it was still a wonderful story. I am anxiously anticipating the next book in the series.

It has been a year since the death of her husband, but Marcie Sullivan is just unable to move forward with her life. She feels that she needs closure that will come from locating her husband's best friend and former superior officer, Ian...more This was a very sweet, tender love story that seemed entirely appropriate for a Christmas book. I didn't like it quite as well as the three previous books in the series, but it was still a wonderful story. I am anxiously anticipating the next book in the series.

It has been a year since the death of her husband, but Marcie Sullivan is just unable to move forward with her life. She feels that she needs closure that will come from locating her husband's best friend and former superior officer, Ian Buchanan. Four years ago, Ian risked his life to save Bobby in Iraq. Bobby suffered paralysis and extreme brain damage, and after one visit to Bobby four years ago, Ian broke off contact and disappeared. Marcie travels through numerous small California mountain towns in search of Ian after hearing that he is living as a hermit in the woods. Spending an entire month searching exhausts Marcie and her finances, but she finally finds Ian, who is extremely unfriendly and unwilling to talk to her. When he realizes that she is ill, Ian reluctantly takes Marcie in and cares for her. Ian feels that he did Bobby an injustice by saving his life only to sentence him to three years of total impairment, and he is unable to get past this. Ian has other issues that have helped to cause his reclusive behavior. As Marcie and Ian spend the enforced time together while she recovers, they get to know and care for one another. After they become intimately involved, Ian will have to decide if he is willing to risk being part of the world again in order to continue a relationship with Marcie.

This was an emotional, touching book. The reason I did not like this book quite as much as the others in the series is that it did not have enough closure for me. I felt that Ian still had too much doubt about himself and whether he could have a successful relationship with Marcie. I would also have liked to see the story continue enough to give some idea of what Ian planned to do with his future. I hope that the next books will give a little more information about what is happening to Ian and Marcie. It was wonderful to read a bit more about the Virgin River characters from the previous books of this great series.

(less)

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Oct 31, 2008 Pamela(AllHoney) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance, military-or-ex-military, disabled-injured-scarred, tortured-hero, own, redhead-hero, redhead-heroine, tearjerkers, christmas-holiday-themed, my-5-star-romances, favorites

The fourth book in the ever popular Virgin River series by Robyn Carr. A sweet emotional read. Not as long as the other novels in the Virgin River series but it was still a satisfying story. Though, you are given glimpses of the "old crowd", this story is not about them. I really liked it and can hardly wait for the next in the series :)

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Mar 23, 2011 TJ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

3.5/5.0

Although I couldn't really get into Ian, a Mountain man type complete with long bushy unwashed hair and beard living in a cabin with nothing but an outhouse, who chops wood for a living, I admire Marcie for overlooking all that and more to tough (literally) it out for him. The story was relaxing and enjoyable.

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Oct 04, 2008 Cherise rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

This is the 4th Virgin River book, though the time frame takes place approximately midway through the 3rd book, Whispering Rock. Marcie is a feisty little heroine and although she has been through the unthinkable she is a modern day Pollyanna. She never regretted that her husband came home to her half alive, instead she savored and embraced each second they were given.

Ian has his battle scars, but his emotional scars are what have him living a hermit like existence in the mountains. Taking one d...more

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Feb 21, 2010 Joy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: women

Recommended to Joy by: Sissy Jacobson

A young marine widow hunts for the best friend of her casualty husband. She finds Ian transformed into a frightening hermit, but nearby is the community of Virgin River, welcoming her and ready to welcome Ian if he is willing.

Carr is writing a series about Virgin River. Based on this one book, with its warmth and emotional truth, I went searching for the rest of them.

New comment: It seems to be becoming a tradition. As the cold weather gripped and the Christmas lights went up, I started thinkin...more

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Nov 28, 2008 Diane rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Although I really do not read many romance novels, every once in a while, a feel good story is just what I need. Last month I read Robyn Carr's: Virgin River (#1 in a series), and really enjoyed the story. So much so, that I purchased: book #2 - Shelter Mountain, and Book #3 - Whispering Rock. I haven't read them yet.

Virgin River Christmas, is Book #4 of the series, however, I don't think I missed anything reading this one out of sequence.

In this story we meet Marcie Sullivan for lost her young...more

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Feb 24, 2013 Jm Les-livres rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Pour information, il est préférable (mais pas obligatoire) de lire ce livre après le tome 3 Murmures et avant le tome 4 Nouveau départ. Bien qu'il ne fasse pas avancer l'intrigue générale, les évènements qui se sont déroulés dans les tomes 4, 5 et 6 n'apparaissent pas dans ce livre. Ce qui laisse une impression un peu bizarre à la lecture.

Robyn Carr est de ces auteurs qui, en quelque pages, vous font passer du rire aux larmes. Nul besoin de préciser que c'est un grand plaisir de retourner à Virg...more Pour information, il est préférable (mais pas obligatoire) de lire ce livre après le tome 3 Murmures et avant le tome 4 Nouveau départ. Bien qu'il ne fasse pas avancer l'intrigue générale, les évènements qui se sont déroulés dans les tomes 4, 5 et 6 n'apparaissent pas dans ce livre. Ce qui laisse une impression un peu bizarre à la lecture.

Robyn Carr est de ces auteurs qui, en quelque pages, vous font passer du rire aux larmes. Nul besoin de préciser que c'est un grand plaisir de retourner à Virgin River pour y passer Noël.

Dans quelques semaines, cela fera un an que Marcie Sullivan aura perdu son mari Bobby des suites de ses blessures reçues en Irak. Pour pouvoir tourner la page et avancer dans sa vie, Marcie a besoin de faire quelque chose : retrouver Ian Buchanan, le sergent de Bobby et l'homme qui l'a sauvé, pour lui remettre la dernière lettre que Bobby lui avait écrite d'Irak ainsi que sa collection de cartes de base-ball. Marcie en est convaincue, une fois qu'elle aura retrouvé Ian, qu'elle lui aura demandé pourquoi, après avoir rendu visite à Bobby à l'hôpital, il a tout quitté pour aller vivre en ermite dans la montagne, et qu'elle lui aura donné la lettre et les cartes, elle pourra enfin reprendre sa vie en main. Après avoir réussi à convaincre sa sœur et son frère de la laisser partir, Marcie prend la route direction Fortuna et ses alentours pour retrouver Ian. Après des semaines de recherches infructueuses, Marcie arrive à Virgin River, fatiguée, affamée et avec très peu d'argent en poche mais toujours déterminée à retrouver Ian. Et comme toujours, la gentillesse et la générosité des personnes vivant là vont lui permettre de repartir avec une nouvelle piste à suivre. Quand quelques heures plus tard, elle se retrouve au milieu de nulle part face à une cabane en bois des plus rustiques, Marcie se demande si elle n'a pas encore suivi une mauvaise piste. Jusqu'à ce qu'un homme avec une grosse barbe et de longs cheveux attachés avec un élastique sorte de la maison et ne commence à parler... ou plutôt à grogner comme un ours. Cet homme sauvage et impressionnant serait-il Ian Buchanan, l'homme bon et merveilleux qui a sauvé Bobby en Irak ? Une seule solution s'impose : dompter l'animal pour tenter d'atteindre l'homme sous cette carapace.

Robyn Carr a ce talent de nous raconter les histoires de personnes en apparence banales mais avec une force intérieure exceptionnelle. Marcie est une jeune femme avec un caractère obstiné, qui ne craint pas de tenir tête à sa grande sœur pour partir à l'aventure et qui n'hésite pas à se dresser devant Ian Buchanan, cet homme qu'elle ne connaît pas vraiment mais qui a tout pour effrayer, en tout cas au premier abord. Durant des semaines, ils vont vivre ensemble, se dévoiler et s'apprivoiser l'un l'autre et on peut se demander qui au final aide l'autre. Ian, en apportant les réponses qui permettront à Marcie d'avancer ou Marcie, en posant ses questions et en l'obligeant à revivre des évènements qu'il aurait préféré oublier. C'est là la magie de Robyn Carr, nous offrir des personnages qui ont souffert mais qui n'hésitent pas à continuer à vivre malgré leurs doutes et leurs craintes. Des petites leçons de vie qui font du bien à lire.(less)

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Feb 24, 2013 Patacaisse rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Nous voilà revenu dans la jolie ville de Virgin River situé dans le beau pays des USA (plus exactement, je ne sais plus mais c’est boisé et avec une rivière – c’est déjà pas mal). Nous avions suivi les aventures de Melinda et Jack, de Vic et Paige, et de Mike et Brie dans les épisodes précédents (je ne vous ai pas parlé du tome 2 et 3, mais sachez que j’ai adoré le tome 3). Dans le dernier tome, Vanessa perdait son mari à la guerre alors qu’elle était enceinte. Elle avait comme soutien entre aut...more

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Jan 27, 2013 Booklover, Indianapolis rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance, disappointing-in-a-series, read-in-2013

(Jan) I have been enjoying my visits to Virgin River, but this particular visit was a bit boring to me. I liked Ian, and seeing other members of the VR community was fun, but I didn't warm up to Marcie, probably because I didn't really get her. I don't understand why she felt she had the right to intrude on a virtual stranger's life to demand answers, to understand his life. Yes, she'd met him a couple of times and yes, he was her husband's best friend. But after years of unanswered letters to h...more

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Mar 06, 2012 Brittany rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, 2012-romance-challenge

This was the 4th in the series, and I was a little let down. It was still a great read but I would have preferred to see other town members stories first! They aren't even mentioned much in the following book in the series. It just seems a little out of order I guess. I liked Marcie's determination even though she's stupid about somethings and risks her life. I loved Ian and his tortured soul. I also wished there was a little more information about other members of the town. I did love what Mel...more

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Feb 22, 2012 Lawana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: robin-carr

A Virgin River Christmas by Robyn Carr

Last Christmas Marcie Sullivan said a final goodbye to her husband, Bobby. This Christmas she's come to Virgin River to find the man who saved his life and gave her three more years to love him.

Fellow marine Ian Buchanan dragged Bobby's shattered body onto a medical transport in Fallujah four years ago, then disappeared as soon as their unit arrived stateside. Since then, Marcie's letters to Ian have gone unanswered.

Marcie tracks Ian to the tiny mountain tow...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Ronna rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

Considered giving this 5 stars given the entire box of tissues I went through while reading this book, but a few romance book cliches held me back from doing so. Even still, this was my favorite book of the series to date.

Featured in this installment is Marcie Sullivan, a young war widow, on a mission to find her husband's best friend and sergeant from Iraq, who has dropped off the map after coming home for leave and seeing him permanently in a vegetative state. Ian Buchanan, devastate...more 4.5 stars

Considered giving this 5 stars given the entire box of tissues I went through while reading this book, but a few romance book cliches held me back from doing so. Even still, this was my favorite book of the series to date.

Featured in this installment is Marcie Sullivan, a young war widow, on a mission to find her husband's best friend and sergeant from Iraq, who has dropped off the map after coming home for leave and seeing him permanently in a vegetative state. Ian Buchanan, devastated by the deadly injury to his best friend Bobby Sullivan and what he wrongly viewed as his inability to save him, is riddled by PTSD. He leaves the Marines soon after Bobby's injury only to come home and face more disappointment - a fiancee that can't deal with the delay he needs to recover before getting married and a nasty father who, never had a kind word, disowns him for leaving the Marines. Devastated by all his loss he cuts ties and runs to the one place that gave him peace, the mountains by Virgin River. He plans to camp, hunt and be alone for a little while to think things through. After bunking down for the night on a mountain in a snowstorm and being discovered by an old homesteader, he decides to stay with him for a while. A few days turn longer and soon after, the old homesteader passes away. He legally left his home (a cabin and mountain) & truck to Ian, who decides to stay on, completely withdrawing into himself, barely conversing with the outside world save for the occasional necessary exchange when selling firewood, buying food, getting books at the library, etc. But Marcie is committed to finding him. She needs to find out what happened to Ian in order to move on with her life after her husband's eventual passing.

It takes her a month living out of her car with little food, traversing the mountains around Fortuna, CA (his last known location) looking for him, but she eventually finds him. He is covered in wild hair and old clothes. He tells her to go away and growls at her as though he were deranged, but she will not be deterred. After nearly freezing to death outside his cabin that night waiting on him, he rescues and brings her into his cabin. She has come down with a terrible case of the flu and he rethinks his strategy of sending her away. What proceeds over the next 2 weeks (2 weeks before Christmas and a year since Bobby died) is a story of redemption, love, commitment and being saved at a time of year when miracles happen. Marcie and Ian were both wonderful characters. You have to allow some literary flexibility for it to be a fully believable story, but I truly loved and embraced their story nonetheless.

I don't want to say more, because it this is a genuinely special story and should be experienced to fully appreciate it. The sacrifice and suffering endured by our military heroes and their loved ones is often so great and this book honors their sacrifice. It is a truly moving book, and I can't recommend it enough. Just a warning though - it is a real tear jerker. (less)

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Jan 26, 2012 Brina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Virgin River bekommt Zuwachs.
Für Paige und ihren Sohn Christopher gibt es nur nur einen Gedanken: Flucht! Sie flüchten aus Los Angeles in das abgelegene Virgin River. Eigentlich sollte es nur ein kurzer Aufenthalt werden, denn ihre Flucht ist noch längst nicht vorbei. Da ihr Sohn aber krank wird, bleibt Virgin River ihre einzige Alternative. Hilfe erhält sie von Preacher, der zusammen mit Jack die einzige Bar in Virgin River betreibt. Nach anfänglichem Zögern schafft es Paige, sich Preacher geg...more Virgin River bekommt Zuwachs.
Für Paige und ihren Sohn Christopher gibt es nur nur einen Gedanken: Flucht! Sie flüchten aus Los Angeles in das abgelegene Virgin River. Eigentlich sollte es nur ein kurzer Aufenthalt werden, denn ihre Flucht ist noch längst nicht vorbei. Da ihr Sohn aber krank wird, bleibt Virgin River ihre einzige Alternative. Hilfe erhält sie von Preacher, der zusammen mit Jack die einzige Bar in Virgin River betreibt. Nach anfänglichem Zögern schafft es Paige, sich Preacher gegenüber zu öffnen und erzählt ihm den Grund für ihre Flucht aus Los Angeles.
Gleichzeitig überschlagen sich die Ereignisse in dem kleinen Ort: Liz kehrt in den verschlafenen Ort zurück und überrascht die Einwohner mit ihrer Schwangerschaft. Für Rick ein Schock...

"Wiedersehen in Virgin River" ist der zweite Teil der wunderbaren Virgin River-Reihe.
Auch wenn dieses Buch Teil einer Reihe ist, muss man diese nicht zwingend nach der Reihenfolge lesen. Von Vorteil wäre es hier aber dennoch, da immer wieder Ereignisse aus dem ersten Band hervorgeholt werden.

Während im ersten Band hauptsächlich über das Leben von Mel und Jack berichtet wurde, bekommen nun Preacher und Rick ihre großen Auftritte. Beide sind mit Mel und Jack sehr verbunden und haben bereits im ersten Band eine kleine Rolle gespielt. Nun erfährt man als Leser mehr über die Beiden und man muss sie einfach in sein Herz schließen.
Der Schreibstil ist weiterhin flüssig und gut gewählt. Robyn Carr versteht es einfach, ihre Leser immer wieder aufs Neue für sich zu gewinnen.
Bereits bekannte Charaktere haben sich weiterentwickelt und konnten auch weiterhin von sich überzeugen.

Preacher ist ein Einzelgänger, der es hasst, im Mittelpunkt zu stehen. Er lebt ruhig und bescheiden in der Bar, die er zusammen mit Jack betreibt. Durch sein burschikoses Aussehen haben die Leute sehr viel Respekt vor ihm, einige haben sogar Angst vor ihm, wenn sie ihn nur nach dem Aussehen beurteilen. Durch Paige beginnt er sich zu öffnen und zeigt auch seine weiche Seite. Paige und ihr Sohn Christopher bedeuten ihm von Anfang an eine Menge und seine Bemühungen und Gedanken haben mich nicht kalt gelassen - im Gegenteil. Preacher ist ein so lieber Kerl, dass man ihm am liebsten die ganze Welt gönnen würde.
Auch Paige und Christopher muss man einfach ins Herz schließen. Paige hat durch ihren Mann Wes eine Menge durchleiden müssen und flüchtet vor ihm aus ihrer Heimatstadt Los Angeles. Durch ihre Erlebnisse ist sie sehr sensibel und besitzt nur wenig Selbstvertrauen, das sie jedoch nach und nach immer mehr zurückgewinnt.
Rick ist mit seinen 17 Jahren noch sehr jung. Er lebt mit seiner Großmutter in Virgin River und sieht in Jack und Preacher seine größten Bezugspersonen. Die Drei sind so eng miteinander verbunden, dass Jack schnell zu einer Vaterfigur für ihn wurde. Durch die Schwangerschaft seiner Freundin Liz wird er zum Mann und stellt sich dem Erwachsenenleben.
Aber auch Mel und Jack werden in diesem Buch weiterhin thematisiert. Mel's Schwangerschaft ist eines der Ereignisse in Virgin River und Jack kann sein Glück kaum fassen. Gleichzeitig stehen die Beiden Preacher und Rick in jeder Situation bei.

Die Covergestaltung passt sich dem ersten Band an. Zu sehen ist diesmal der See, an dem sich Preacher, Rick und Jack regelmäßig zum Angeln treffen. Die warmen Farben passen perfekt zur Landschaft und laden zum Träumen ein.

Insgesamt konnte mich auch der zweite Band der "Virgin River" von sich überzeugen und in seinen Bann ziehen. Robyn Carr hält an lieb gewonnenen Charakteren fest und erweitert die Kleinstadt mit neuen Bewohnern, die man direkt in sein Herz schließt. Eine tolle Reihe, die ich nur immer wieder empfehlen kann. (less)

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Nov 30, 2011 Nina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, favorites, good-time-laughs, epic-couples, romantic-drama, series, small-town, tortured-hero, holiday

This might have been my favorite Virgin River yet. Wait, maybe it wasn't, because I did love the first so much, but this one? I don't know how to fully explain how much I loved the story of Ian and Marcie. It was the perfect Christmas story, I think. In the way that it stirred up all the feelings we want to think about when it comes to Christmas. Not the shiny, retail parts, but the bits about faith in something or someone. The idea of snowy nights and unconditional love and bright stars to lead...more

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Feb 14, 2011 Suzanne Barrett rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Okay, I have to admit, I am hooked on Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series. Initially, I got a galley of Harvest Moon from Net Galley, read it and loved it. Then I got another in the series...and loved it, too. Finally, I decided that I need to read these books in order. I have just finished A Virgin River Christmas, and while it’s not essential to read this in the order of the other books, it helped to understand what had transpired previously since many of the other characters make appearances in...more Okay, I have to admit, I am hooked on Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series. Initially, I got a galley of Harvest Moon from Net Galley, read it and loved it. Then I got another in the series...and loved it, too. Finally, I decided that I need to read these books in order. I have just finished A Virgin River Christmas, and while it’s not essential to read this in the order of the other books, it helped to understand what had transpired previously since many of the other characters make appearances in this book.

Young widow, Marcie Sullivan, is on a mission to find her deceased Marine husband’s best friend, the sergeant he adored and who saved his life. Rugged Ian Buchanan left the Marine Corps shortly after Bobby was injured, visited once briefly, then disappeared. Marcie needs closure, needs to talk to him about her dead husband and has something to give to him. Against the wishes of her older sister Erin and her younger brother Drew, she sets off for Humboldt County in search of the elusive man who never answered any of her letters.

Ian Buchanan has lived in a one-room cabin in the mountains near Virgin River for nearly four years. He’s more or less a hermit, and Marcie’s visit is most unwelcome. But Marcie is suffering from cold exposure and Ian takes her in. It turns out she has the flu and needs to stay put for a few days. Her time in Ian’s cabin begins a gradual thawing of Ian’s wild man persona, and over the course of ten days, the two learn much about each other and some profound truths about themselves.

Experience picturesque Virgin River as the townspeople erect a meaningful outdoor Christmas tree, share cookies and togetherness. At a nearby church, Ian and Marcie hear a meaningful sermon that starts them thinking about the meaning of their lives.

Once again, Ms. Carr has delivered a warm, meaningful story guaranteed to touch your hearts. She has an extraordinary understanding of the human psyche and it is so very visible in the lovely story of redemption.

(less)

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Jan 25, 2010 Beanbag Love rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm not sure of the circumstances of this book's release, but it was about a hundred pages shorter than the one previous. It definitely had a 'novella' feel to it, and there weren't really any side stories going on, so I'm thinking it might have appeared first in an anthology.

No matter, it's very good and might even be my favorite of the first four.

A young widow is searching for her late husband's former best friend who has dropped off the map entirely after leaving the Marine Corps.

Ian Buchana...more I'm not sure of the circumstances of this book's release, but it was about a hundred pages shorter than the one previous. It definitely had a 'novella' feel to it, and there weren't really any side stories going on, so I'm thinking it might have appeared first in an anthology.

No matter, it's very good and might even be my favorite of the first four.

A young widow is searching for her late husband's former best friend who has dropped off the map entirely after leaving the Marine Corps.

Ian Buchanan has become your basic mountain man. He saved his best friend, Bobby's, life in Falluja only to find that Bobby had ended up a quadriplegic in what amounted to a persistent vegetative state. Just the boot to kick Ian into emotional and mental chaos.

Marcie is a little firebrand who needs closure after three years of nursing Bobby until his final, peaceful breath. I was really impressed with this character. She was funny, loving, compassionate, incredibly strong and more stubborn than anything. Definitely my favorite character of the series so far, and probably in the top five female characters I've read this year. It was fascinating to see this person who basically made the world turn for so many being thought of as the one who needed to be handled with fragile care. She, naturally, chafes at it as much as the reader does for her, and it makes for some pretty good moments.

I cried more reading this than any of the others. This was a really excellently written story, I thought, and the joy of the romance against the backdrop of grief and isolation was very satisfying.

It loses half a star for no epilogue (I rounded up). It ends right before something I feel we either needed to see or hear about after the fact. Perhaps these two show up again in the rest of the series -- I certainly hope so, but don't tell me! -- but I want to know what happened next. It felt like the story was unfinished.

But if you make it this far in the series, there's no way you're NOT going to read on, so just enjoy.(less)

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Jan 29, 2012 Michelle [Helen Geek] rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ddg, holiday, 3-5-stars, nook-tbr

Another 3.5 Stars for me.

I liked so many things about this book, but am giving it 3.5 stars because I was bored in places and found myself skimming [never good for me].

What did I like:
1 -- the author addressing the real issue of our fighting troops and the people who love and care for them.
2 -- the courage Marcie had in searching for Ian against all odds.
3 -- the Holiday theme [wish I'd read it at Christmas]. Love, love, loved the Christmas tree and all it represented.
4 -- the love of this commu...more

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Oct 28, 2009 Edna Lyn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, contemporary-romance

At first I was a little irked that book 4 was about two brand new characters rather than some of the secondary characters in previous ones. It turned out really well though. It was nice change to have the book with POVs for Marcie and Ian only but sure enough Jack, Mel, Preacher, and the rest of the gang do make minor appearances.

There wasn't much romance for a good chunk of this book but a great companionship that grew. I like that; it was slow but in the actual days in the book (I believe it w...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Phyllis rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really liked this 4th book in the Virgin River Series. It is considered a novella and a stand alone novel. I think that by reading #s 1,2,3 in the series really helped to understand this one better. You had a feel for the setting and how the characters interacted with one another in the previous books. I feel the whole idea of this book was to be introduced to 2 new characters in the series. I hope Robyn Carr continues to include them in the following VR books. If not then I feel she left you...more

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Dec 22, 2011 Willow Brook rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary

This was my first Virgin River read. Even though i have heard such good things about this series but just never found it that appealing. I'm happy I took advantage of a good Kindle price to final check out a Christmas themed installment. This was a sweet and often touching story of Marcie who lost her husband a year earlier from injuries he suffered in Iraq. She goes in search of her husband's close friend and fellow marine, Ian who dropped out of society. She finally tracks him down in The Virg...more

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Jul 19, 2010 Mom rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-during-2010

Last Christmas Marcie Sullivan said a final goodbye to her husband, Bobby. This Christmas she's come to Virgin River to find the man who saved his life and gave her three more years to love him.
Fellow marine Ian Buchanan dragged Bobby's shattered body onto a medical transport in Fallujah four years ago, then disappeared as soon as their unit arrived stateside. Since then, Marcie's letters to Ian have gone unanswered.

Marcie tracks Ian to the tiny mountain town of Virgin River and finds a man as w...more

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Dec 22, 2009 Kath rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love this series, but this is probably the weakest of the series. Part of why I like this series so much is that you hear about those in the town. This one was a little different. It focused mostly on Ian and Marcie at an abandoned cabin, with no indoor plumbing. I read a review on Amazon that read something like "a little too earthy for me" and went on to give a great review that made me chuckle. I have to agree with that assessment. When someone tells you to pee in a bowl because it's too co...more

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Feb 17, 2013 Susi loves rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: series

Hattet ihr schon mal ein Buch, wo innerhalb von ein paar gelesenen Seiten klar war das ihr dieses Buch lieben werdet? So erging es mir mit "Wintermärchen in Virgin River". Innerhalb kürzester Zeit ist es das vierte Buch der Virgin River Reihe welches ich gelesen habe und ich freue mich schon jetzt auf das nächste.

Der 4te Teil der Reihe kann auch separat gelesen werden, da es eine eigenständige Geschichte ist, jedoch für alle die die vorigen Bände schon gelesen haben ist es ein Must have, da natü...more

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About Robyn Carr

A RITA award-winning author of 25 novels, Robyn Carr has found a whole new following with her stories about the independent women and former marines of Virgin River."

RT's Career Achievement Best Author Award winner (2010) for Contemporary Romance.

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Quotes from A Virgin River Christmas

“As he looked down at her, his eyes were both warm and curious. "You don't look as tough as that."

"I don't know how tough I am--look at me, sick as a pup. But I bet I can match you for stubborn."

A sound came out of him.

"Holy shit, Ian--was that a laugh?"

"A cough," he lied. "You probably got me sick.” — 11 people liked it

“She’d never been any kind of camper, never had been good at relieving a full bladder on a whim. Never had quite figured out that squat; it seemed like she’d always wet her right foot.” — 9 people liked it

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A Virgin River Christmas (Virgin River #4)

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