Blog Tour, Review, & Giveaway: The Newcomer by Robyn Carr (CLOSED)

The Newcomer by Robyn Carr

Series: Thunder Point, #2

Harlequin MIRA

June 2013

Format: ARC e-book, 368 pages

Source: Netgalley via Little Bird Publicity

With humor and
insight, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr looks at
letting go of the past-and knowing when you’ve found something worth
building your future on 

Single dad and Thunder Point’s
deputy sheriff “Mac” McCain has worked hard to keep everyone safe and
happy. Now he’s found his own happiness with Gina James. The longtime
friends have always shared the challenges and rewards of raising their
adolescent daughters. With an unexpected romance growing between them,
they’re feeling like teenagers themselves-suddenly they can’t get enough
of one another.

And just when things are really taking off,
their lives are suddenly thrown into chaos. When Mac’s long-lost-and not
missed-ex-wife shows up in town, drama takes on a whole new meaning.
They’re wondering if their new feelings for each other can withstand the
pressure…but they are not going down without a fight.

Step
into the world of Thunder Point, a little town on the Oregon coast
where newcomers are welcomed, hearts are broken and mended, and the
dramas of everyday life keep the locals laughing, crying and falling in
love.

My thoughts: This is the second in Robyn Carr’s new series, Thunder Point, and I can already tell this is going to be a good series. I admit I was a bit skeptical about this series, especially since I had become so enamored with her Virgin River series, but so far, I like it. I have no idea if this series will be as long as the Virgin River series (20 books at present), but either way, it’s a nice change. 

What I like about this series is that it doesn’t seem as if it will be focusing on one couple per book and then moving on to another couple in the next book with possible updates on the previous couple. This time, it seems like the series has one character as the focal point, and then allows us to meet new characters and follow their stories. It’s almost as if this book is just a continuation of the previous book, and I really hope this continues throughout the series. 

In The Newcomer, we continue to learn more about Coop. His bar is finally open for business, his relationship with Sarah seems to be progressing and he seems to be settling down to small-town life. We get updates on some of the relationships that developed in the first book and we also see some new relationships grow, mainly that between Gina and Mac. There are also some new characters that I hope will have more active storylines in future books. 

A common theme in this book is that the past doesn’t always go away quietly and sometimes it’s hard to move on before certain things are settled. Coop is confronted with life changing news. Sarah is confronted with a career decision that will affect not only her relationship with Coop, but also could change things for her brother, Landon. Even Mac and Gina’s road to happiness is filled with some issues – mainly his ex-wife reappearing after being gone 10 years. 

I also like how this series is dealing with the problems of the teens and not glossing over them. They are active members of this book and while some of their issues are quite emotional and heartbreaking, it’s nice to see them being given their own storylines. While my heart broke for what Ashley, Gina’s daughter, endured in this book, I loved seeing her grow. And I really hope we see her new friendship develop into something more!

There are a few hints as to what we might expect in the next book, but then again, being that this is not necessarily following the same formula as Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series, it’s hard to predict just how that next book will be set up.

Books in this series:

1. The Wanderer
2. The Newcomer
3. The Hero

GIVEAWAY DETAILS – CLOSED (Continental US only) 

Thanks to Sarah at Little Bird Publicity I have one copy of The Newcomer to give away to my readers.

To enter… 

• For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
• Tweet, share on Facebook, or blog for 2 extra entries.
• Please include email address so I can contact you if you win.

This giveaway is open to Continental US residents only and ends July 23rd.  

Good luck!