This month's Wendy's TBR Challenge is to read a western. Well...this book is a western, at least it takes place in the west, the west coast. This is another book from the Virgin River series by Robyn Carr. I read through the first 6 or 7 books almost back to back, when I discovered the series a few years ago, but began reading them less frequently after that. I have had Promise Canyon on the TBR pile for quite awhile.
This segment features Clay Tahoma and Lilly Yazhi, both Native Americans with a love of horses. They live in and around the town of Virgin River, California. Clay is veterinary assistant and Lilly works, among other places at her Grandfather's feed business. We are able to view how Clay has embraced his heritage and how has rejected Lilly rejected hers. Clay is a man who has terrible taste in women. Lilly remains emotionally and socially stunted because of a disastrous teenage relationship. They both have a preternatural way with horses. They are immediately attracted to each other. Clay immediately pursues her and Lilly immediately runs away.
In the meantime, we are treated to looks into the lives of the other established residents of Virgin River. The town is facing a sorrowful time when one of their beloved residents dies. Leaving the town sizable trust, she has appointed Jack to be the trustee of the funds. Who is Jack? Well that's one of the slight problems with this book. If you have not read the previous books, you can become overwhelmed with the endless parade of characters throughout this story. Carr also introduces new characters who are obviously being placed for upcoming segments of the series.
Just as you warm up to Clay and Lilly and begin to care about their relationship, the storyline switches to someone else in the town. Granted, I enjoy visiting with the established characters, but their story lines got almost an equal amount of time as the main characters. I did have the chance to learn more about farriers and dressage. The conversations between Clay and Lilly about their Native American upbringing, I found interesting.
Facing past mistakes was the key issue with this couple. Clay had to overcome his past in the flesh and Lilly had to banish her past to the past.
As with all of my trips to Virgin River I enjoyed this one. All the visiting with old friends distracted from the main couple and could be confusing to those making their first visit.
My grade for a couple you care about, a town that never gets old, and glimpses of modern Native American family life B+.
