Whispering Rock - Robyn Carr

A decorated U.S. Marine reservist, LAPD officer Mike Valenzuela was badly wounded in the line of duty, but has found hope and healing in Virgin River. When he agrees to become the town's first cop, he does so knowing it's time he settled down. Twice divorced and the lover of too many women, he secretly longs for the kind of commitment and happiness his marine buddies have found -- a woman who can tie up his heart forever. He finds that woman in Brie Sheridan, a Sacramento prosecutor who understands his drive to protect and serve. Virgin River becomes a safe haven for Brie after nearly losing her life at the hands of a crazed criminal. Though tough and courageous, she's got some fears she can't escape -- but now she has someone who will show her just what it means to trust again.
Mike will do anything to help Brie free herself from painful memories. Passionate, strong and gentle, he vows to give back to her what she's so selflessly given him -- her heart, and with it, a new beginning.

Another entry in the Virgin River series (it seems I just can't get enough despite my complaints) this one is about Jack's friend Mike and Jack's sister Brie.

I did like Brie and Mike's relationship, how they first had a friendship and only later became involved. But I think what I liked the most about this story was how it was centered on the community and there were several stories intertwining - besides Brie and Mike there was Vanni and her family, there was the high school serial rapist, there was Mike's appointment as the town constable or something similar. I especially liked this latest development and I am sorry Hope McCrea doesn't appear more. She sounds like quite a character and now I'm left wondering which job she will try to create next...

I think the plot about the serial rapist could have had a more satisfying closure if we had known for sure who was the first girls boyfriend and what exactly had happened to Brenda. Brenda is in fact the only victim we get to know more about and I wouldn't have minded to know a bit more at least about the other girl. Tom and Brenda's relationship was a nice subplot, and from what we read in this book it seems Vanni and Paul will get a book somewhere down the road.

Part of the appeal of a series, to me, is revising the same characters several times and see how they are evolving. I have to say that this series fits that bill nicely and I think that is what makes me go back for more.

Grade: 3.5/5