Have y'all been missing your dose of IF YOU LIKE? Well, bawl no more because I'm bringing you the fantabulous Jeannie Moon (who I met in the very flesh...okay not very, because we were both fully clothed) at Book Expo/Book Con last year in New York City. She's here to give us the scoop on who to read if we're Robyn Carr fans. Not only is Robyn a helluva writer, but she's a helluva nice gal too. I had lunch with her at RWA a few years ago and knew immediately I lurved her when she ordered wine!
Take it away, Jeannie!
I love Robyn Carr’s books. The Virgin River series swept me into the conflicted, yet idyllic, world of the small rural town in Northern California and I still wish I could go there. I’d want to have one of Preacher’s meals at Jack’s Bar, play gin rummy with Doc, or go fishing in the river.
Of course, if I could have Jack Sheridan, the hero from the first book beside me as I learned how to cast, that would be even better. But what really struck me about this series was the combination of setting and heart. Carr writes strong, sexy heroes with hearts of gold. They fit in their environment and each book adds another layer to the series. So, where do we find more books like the ones in the Virgin River series? Here are some of my suggestions:
The Lucky Harbor series
A small town on the coast of Washington state, Lucky Harbor is an assortment of colorful, adventurous and romantic characters that are sure to steal your heart away. There are twelve books in the series along with a number of special installments (like Christmas stories). The books are batched in groups of three, with each trio having connecting elements.
If you want a big series, that is complete, this is a binge reader’s dream. You will no doubt find your own favorite hero, but through all the books my heart belongs to Sheriff Sawyer Thompson from Head over Heels (Book #3). There are some amazing characters in this fictional town, but Sawyer is my main man.
Silver Creek
Set on a sprawling California guest ranch, the Silver Creek series introduces us to the three Knowles siblings, Ward, Reid and younger sister, Quinn. With a mother who is determined to see her offspring matched and married, each story finds the highly career-focused characters navigating the unfamiliar landscape of a relationship.
A romantic setting, sharp, intelligent dialog, realistic and sympathetic characters and sex scenes that burn up the page, you will love Silver Creek and revisit it again and again. These books are all on my keeper shelf—sometimes I just stare at the hot covers.
Jesse Hayworth - Mustang Ridge
The dude ranch at Mustang Ridge in the Wyoming mountains has been welcoming guests for years, and the family run ranch is on one of the prettiest parcels in the state, drawing people in who seem to need it’s special magic. From a single mom with a challenging daughter, to an enigmatic veterinarian to a pair of reunited lovers, the ranch brings people together when they need it most.
Add hot cowboys and other various alpha types, the beautiful scenery and this seven book series, which has some connected novellas and one historical, will keep you busily reading and dreaming about the gorgeous location. Like Virgin River, the ranch has a way of offering solace to those who need a space to heal, providing lots of fodder for stories.
Jeannie Moon
Then Came You (Compass Cove Book 1)
Mia DeAngelis knew it was time to make a change. Wanting to provide a better life for herself and her ten-year-old nephew, Ben, she took a chance and moved to the small town of Compass Cove. Now, the college librarian is adapting to a new job, a new town, and living with her feisty seventy-eight-year-old grandmother. Mia is determined to make it all work, hoping the coastal hamlet gives both her and Ben the sense of community, family and belonging they both want so much.
Adam Miller, a retired NFL quarterback, has come back to Compass Cove to start over after an injury puts an end to his high-octane life. Settling into the small town routine proves to be a challenge, but his job coaching at Jennings College gives him a sense of purpose, while keeping him connected to the game he loves.
There couldn’t be two people more different, yet the minute they meet, friends and family have no doubt they belong together. Now if Mia and Adam can only get out or their own way and embrace a little home town magic, they can find the happy ever after they both crave…
Jeannie Moon
Jeannie Moon has always been a romantic. When she’s not spinning tales of her own, Jeannie works as a school librarian, thankful she has a job that allows her to immerse herself in books and call it work. Married to her high school sweetheart, Jeannie has three kids, three lovable dogs and lives in her hometown on Long Island, NY. If she’s more than ten miles away from salt water for any longer than a week, she gets twitchy. Visit Jeannie’s website at www.jeanniemoon.com.
