One Wish

I may have said this before, but I am a sucker for a good series.  Generally, if I read the first book in a series, I will read them all. Robyn Carr, for example, hooked me with her Virgin River series.  Normally, I prefer to start a series at the beginning and read in chronological order. With Virgin River, I read them as I got my hands on them, because I liked them so much.  I want to live there, or at least visit.  I would very much like to pull up a stool at Jack's bar.

Imagine my delight, then, when I learned that Robyn Carr was starting a new series, this one set in the town of Thunder Point.  I tore my way through the first three books, and then whipped through the next three when Erin loaned them to me earlier this year.  When I spotted number 7, One Wish, on Erin's bookshelf, I grabbed it for a quick read.  I was not disappointed.

The thing I love about these books is that, while they incorporate characters from the previous books, each book focuses specifically on one couple.  One Wish tells the story of Grace Dillon, flower shop owner.  In her earlier life, Grace was better known as figure skating superstar Izzy Banks, until she unexpectedly retired from competition and disappeared from public life.  She is happily settled in Thunder Point, running a thriving business.

Meanwhile, Troy Headly is looking for someone to have fun with.  Until recently, his attentions have been focused on Grace's best friend Iris.  That is, until Iris informed him that they were better off as friends and married the man she'd been in love with since she was a child.  Recovering from a broken heart, Troy turns to Grace for companionship.  Their friendship soon turns to more.

Of course, it's not all fun and flowers for Grace and Troy, as the life she thought she'd put behind her begins to rear its head.  Complications in her life, and in their relationship, keep the story moving and keep the reader rooting for things to work out for the best.

One Wish was exactly what I needed before diving head first into the new Stephen King that arrived in the mail last week.  A quick, upbeat read that is perfect for summer vacation reading.  I look forward to the next installment of this series, which happens to share the same name as my favorite Star Wars movie: A New Hope.  Stay tuned for more on the town of Thunder Point...