Robyn Carr

I love, LOVE books in a series.  Keeping that in mind, our first author pick will be Robyn Carr who has several books in several series.  The largest being the Virgin River series.  You can start from the beginning or anywhere really, there is enough information in the books so that you are not lost in the plot or people.  She has a couple side series or trilogies that touch on the characters you meet in Virgin River.  I walk away from each book with a feeling of contentment and it usually takes me a minute to come back to reality. If you would like to start at the beginning, the first book is titled Virgin River.  Here is a little synopsis:

  In Virgin River, Melinda needs a change after violence in Los Angeles took her beloved husband from her; but when she accepts a job as nurse practitioner and midwife in Virgin River in rural California, she gets something very different than she bargained for. The rent-free house, for instance, is unlivable and critter-infested. But she likes the restaurant and bar run by Jack Sheridan, and she feels needed. Life is precarious in this tiny community in Northern California's Humboldt County, with marijuana growers lurking in the backwoods. Carr's leisurely paced, low-key story charms by virtue of its characters, from curmudgeonly Doc to brawny Preacher, who cooks at Jack's, to teenaged Rick, and Jack's former marine buddies, who are only a phone call away.  (Booklist)

Sounds fun, doesn't it?  Just from that little insight you can tell the characters are going to be complex and likable.  This is one author I absolutely recommend listening to.  The narrator, Therese Plummer has one of the best voices.  I love that the author has kept her throughout the series.  My two absolute favorite books in the Virgin River series are about two sisters that are mentioned early on in the series, briefly.  Later, they each have their own story in Harvest Moon and Wild Man Creek.  For historical aspects as well as being foodie fiction is what gets them on my list as favorites.  But please, try any and let us know what you think!

Many of Robyn Carr's titles are available in paperback, ebook from Overdrive, downloable audio from OneClickDigital and audio CD format at the Traverse Area District Library.  Also, you may find some hanging out in the paperback spinner racks at the Woodmere Branch in the lobby or upstairs in Adult Services.