(Review) Shelter Mountain ★★★★★

Author: Robyn Carr
Genre: Contemporary Romance
384 pages

For the second time in a year a woman arrives in the small town of Virgin River trying to escape the past.

John “Preacher” Middleton is about to close the bar when a young woman and her three-year-old son come in out of a wet October night. A marine who has seen his share of pain, Preacher knows a crisis when he sees one—the woman is covered in bruises. He wants to protect them, and he wants to punish whoever did this to her, but he knows immediately that this inclination to protect is something much more. Paige Lassiter has stirred up emotions in this gentle giant of a man—emotions that he has never allowed himself to feel.

But when Paige’s ex-husband turns up in Virgin River, Preacher knows his own future hangs in the balance. And if there’s one thing in the marines’ motto of Semper Fidelis—always faithful—has taught him, it’s that some things are worth fighting for.

The first book in the Virgin River series was awesome.  The second book did not disappoint at all.  I was already familiar with the characters of Preacher and Paige because I read this series out of order while reading all the Christmas stories.  To say I was eager to get to their story is an understatement.  

Just imagine this: Preacher is this big very scary looking guy, one night a tiny lady with a young son stumbles into the bar looking for shelter from her abusive husband.  In no way at all would I have thought that Paige and Preacher would end up together because they are so different.  Also because of Paige's abusive past, you would think she would be afraid of a big scary guy like Preacher.  But Robyn Carr does it.  She brings them together and it's just great.

There are so many ups and downs in this book.  Don't forget we also have a bit of Mel and Jack in this book as well as some other Virgin River residents.  My favorite part of this book was when Preacher teaches Paige's son to make cookies.  I just love to picture in my mind this huge marine sitting with a small boy making cookies.  My second favorite part was when Preacher punches out Jack.  Heck yea.  Trust me, this book is well worth the read.

Favorite Quotes:

“It’s no good to lose touch with people who mean a lot,”

“Can't any of us stand up to those women?"
"Nope," said at least three men in unison.”