Promise Canyon: My Review

Promise Canyon (Virgin River)

About the Book: After years spent on ranches around Los Angeles, Clay Tahoma is delighted to be Virgin River's new veterinary assistant. The secluded community's wild beauty tugs at his Navajo roots, and he's been welcomed with open arms by everyone in town—everyone except Lilly Yazhi.

Lilly has encountered her share of strong, silent, traditional men within her own aboriginal community, and she's not interested in coming back for more. In her eyes, Clay's earthy, sexy appeal is just an act used to charm wealthy women like his ex-wife. She can't deny his gift for gentling horses, but she's not about to let him control her. There's just one small problem—she can't control her attraction to Clay.

But in Virgin River, faith in new beginnings and the power of love has doors opening everywhere.…

My Comments:  Fans of Carr's Virgin River books will enjoy this installment, even though it doesn't quite fit the pattern of a hunky ex or present military guy and a lovely young woman.  In this case, as noted above, the hunky guy is a Native American veterinary assistant/horse trainer.  The couple bonds over their love for horses and finds that they both were hurt when they were very young.  Lilly, the heroine, is plucky, independent and loyal to her family.  She is young-looking, petite and in great physical shape. Her best friend and confidant is a gay man.  Clay, the hero, has waist-length black hair, bronze skin and muscles.  

While this book stands well on its own--reading the other books in the series would add little to your enjoyment or  understanding of this one--as part of the Virgin River Series, Promise Canyon has some sections which add little to the story, except to the extent that they allow readers to "catch-up" on characters from the other books.  There is also a sub-plot that is a set-up for the next book in the series.  

If you like romances set in small towns with large ensemble casts, cute heroines and manly heroes, and can deal with (or like) vivid bedroom scenes, I think you'll like Promise Canyon.  Grade:  B

I'd like to thank Harlequin for providing a review copy via Net Galleys.