Amidst the snow-covered redwood forests, the tranquil town of Virgin River becomes a picturesque setting for holiday festivities. The tight-knit community comes together annually to decorate a grand tree in the town square, singing carols and sharing hot chocolate. This year, a delightful surprise awaits, bringing two individuals on a path to connection. I admire Heller, his range of subject matter, his tightness send believability of plot. This book about friendship, starvation and survival has been done before, but not as well, and not with these two very special characters. I can't wait to see what he does next. But, whatever he does I'm in for the next adventure. At first, NOTHING HAPPENS for such a long time, even though they are made aware of a GIANT forest fire heading their way and they have about a 10-day paddle to do to get to safety. If that does not create tension what does? Katie Malone’s journey to Virgin River is disrupted by a flat tire and unfavourable weather. Struggling to change the tyre and with hungry children in tow, Katie is relieved when a group of bikers offers assistance. Among them is Dylan, and there is an immediate spark of attraction between them. But Katie, a practical single mother, and Dylan, a commitment-phobe, are not seeking long-term romance. To say I was not the correct audience for this book is a serious understatement. Don’t even call me a wrongreader either because the blurb was responsible for making me think it was going to go all . . . .

At twenty-five, Shelby desires freedom and adventure after devoting five years to caring for her mother. She yearns for travel, education, and a romantic relationship. Unexpectedly, during her visit to Virgin River, she crosses paths with Luke Riordan, who is far from the ideal partner she imagined. LAPD officer Mike Valenzuela suffered severe injuries while on duty. When he agrees to become Virgin River’s first police officer, he does so with the intention of settling down. Despite his multiple divorces and numerous romantic escapades, he secretly yearns for the kind of committed and fulfilling relationship his marine friends have discovered—a love that can bind his heart forever. In the nurturing environment of Virgin River, where faith in new beginnings and the power of love prevails, doors open for unexpected possibilities. Clay and Lilly’s paths converge, challenging their preconceived notions and offering them the opportunity to explore a connection that transcends their differences. Virgin River Book 14: Wild Man Creek (2011) At first they thought it was the sun, but it was far too late for any lingering sunset and there were no cities in that direction for a thousand miles. In the farthest distance, over the trees, was an orange glow.” Rivers”, written by Simon Chapman and illustrated by Qu Lan, is a geographical masterpiece and educational gem that breathes life into the vast, diverse world of our planet’s waterways.Dylan Childress, a former actor turned aviation company owner, finds himself at a crossroads in his life. As his business slows down in Montana, he contemplates returning to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. However, during a weekend trip with friends, his priorities shift when he encounters a stranded woman and her twin boys on the side of the road. Clay Tahoma, a Navajo with a deep connection to the wild beauty of Virgin River, is thrilled to join the community as their new veterinary assistant. While he is warmly embraced by everyone in town, there is one person who remains resistant: Lilly Yazhi. Having encountered her fair share of traditional men, Lilly is uninterested in getting involved with someone like Clay, whom she believes uses his earthy and alluring demeanor to charm wealthy women. Despite her reservations, Lilly can’t deny her attraction to Clay, especially when she witnesses his exceptional talent for working with horses. However, she is determined not to let him control her. A RIVER is a magical book, a pretty book. A RIVER begins with an artist sitting at a desk in front of two windows. Flowing off to the left and right is green hued river that is weaving it's way through a city. It's not clear whether the figure is an adult or a child. It seems 'female' but not markedly so. At the halfway mark, the boys smell smoke and along with the danger from the fire, they come across a woman in need and some unsavory campers. The tension ramps up and this turns into a tension-filled adventure survival story that tests their skills and their friendship in unexpected ways. It kept me riveted. Written as a field guide to demonstrate practical examples of river types, and to highlight the pressures they experience and their often-parlous condition, this book is intended to better inform both river management approaches and the policy necessary to achieve this. Fundamentally, the authors seek to demonstrate how the hydrological, geomorphological, and ecological functions of rivers and their catchments are inexorably intertwined, and together how they generate and maintain rivers as dynamic entities.

Paul Haggerty lives by the marine code of Semper Fi, remaining loyal to his best friend. He has done his best to support Matt’s widow, despite secretly harboring feelings for her over the years. Just as he is ready to make his move, another woman asserts her claim on him, making it challenging for him to break free. Noah and Ellie may seem like an unlikely pair to revive a church and build a future together. They possess numerous differences, but in the welcoming embrace of Virgin River, anything is possible, and the pursuit of happiness is always within reach. Virgin River Book 10: Angel’s Peak (2010) When Jillian discovers Colin painting in her yard, this chance meeting sparks an immediate connection between them. In the tranquil surroundings of Virgin River, where love often thrives, they find that sometimes the simplest choice can lead to profound happiness. Virgin River Book 15: Harvest Moon (2011) I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I don’t know what magic the Iowa Writer’s Workshop has harnessed, but their graduates are some of the most pure and brilliant writers working today. Heller is one of those gems. However, an unexpected accident prolongs Becca’s stay in Virgin River, leaving her stranded in close proximity to Denny. As the magic of Christmas fills the town, Becca witnesses the transformation of the boy she once loved into a strong and confident man. The closeness they experience during this time becomes the most precious Christmas gift Becca could have imagined.False-colour satellite image of the confluence of the silt-laden Solimões River (bottom) with the clear Negro River (top). The city of Manaus is visible on the northern (upper) bank. (more) Kelly realises that falling for someone with significant personal baggage is a new experience for her, but she believes that some things are worth fighting for. She navigates the complexities of her growing relationship with Lief, while also dealing with the challenges presented by Courtney. Kelly learns that perhaps a troublesome teenager isn’t any more difficult than a dramatic chef, and she discovers the resilience and determination within herself to pursue what truly matters. Virgin River Book 16: Bring Me Home for Christmas (2011) Cuneiform tablet with Gilgamesh Flood Epic. Babylonian, c17th century BC. Photograph: Universal Images Group/Getty Images Fellow marine Ian Buchanan carried Bobby’s broken body onto a medical transport in Fallujah four years ago, only to disappear once they returned to the United States. Marcie’s letters to Ian have remained unanswered ever since.

When I first began to write The Fish Ladder, it was because of a hard-to-describe feeling that I should be travelling upstream, and also that I should be documenting the journey. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for when I first set out; certainly not what I eventually found. I could not have anticipated what I would learn about the human heart – my own, and other people’s. And I can’t pretend to be an expert on rivers. I am an enthusiastic amateur, and my knowledge of waterways is almost entirely heuristic. Having said that, I have been comforted by water all my life. Peter Heller creates this wilderness journey with broad strokes of the lay of the land. He surrounds us with full, lush views of the dense trees and wildlife along the Maskwa River. His finite descriptors have us, as readers, crouched low within the canoe ourselves. We listen to the waves lapping the shore. There is a peacefulness about this as we are lulled by the beauty of it all.Then there is the ending. Unlike a lot of thrillers with literary aspirations – which this book certainly has – there is no ambiguity or confusion regarding the outcome. Heller lays it out plainly, tying all his threads together. Unfortunately, the finale is too abrupt and far too implausible for my tastes, and fails to give The River the staying power in my mind that it might otherwise have earned. If you haven't realized it yet, let me say it, loud and clear, “I loved The River”. Thank you Peter Heller.