Once upon a time there was this apple orchard that flourished under the care, love and watchful eyes of several generations. Life at the orchard was hard but it was a beautiful place to live. Tom Cavanaugh learned the hard way that he missed his land, the apples and the people of Virgin River who made life on his orchard sweet and rewarding. Most importantly his grandmother Maxie truly more parent then grand. When he needed to stretch his wings Maxie let him join the service and see the world. It was rather harsh as a serviceman and when his tour of duty was over Tom was ready to come home.

Nora and her two little girls were never fortunate to have that kind of home. Left with an emotionally unstable mother, she never knew her father who left after the divorce. Nora's life was on a downward spiral being left in a miserable cabin in the dead of winter with her two little girls by the only man she had allowed into her life, once again learning the harsh lesson of depending on a man. If not for the amazing goodwill of the people in Virgin River they would not have survived when left with no basic necessities, no heat and virtually alone.

Instead Nora thrived and learned who she really wanted to be --independent women and support her little family. When the chance to work at the orchards came her way she was determined to show the reluctant owner she could handle the job. Most was just bluster but Nora's was resolved to make this work, even if it meant walking several miles each way, and working till her hands and feet blistered. She was one tough little cookie, and that's what drew Toms attention although he worked hard to stay indifferent.

Somehow Nora and her little girls wormed their way into his life. He was seeing an extraordinarily attractive, bright and accomplished woman but as the bloom on the rose started to fade Tom realized beauty was only skin deep and underneath was a rather shallow albeit gorgeous woman. On the other hand there was Nora who tempted him by being real and honest, not expecting anything from anyone, treated everyone with respect and had an amazing capacity to love. Nora came with a lot baggage and was surprised by Tom's attention; even with heated kisses the idea of a future together was just too ridiculous.

But love was in the air at the orchard, and perhaps it just needed a little nudge in the right way to get these two stubborn people to realize they were absolutely meant for one another.

Welcome back once again to Virgin River. We met Nora when she first arrived and now it is her time. Carr has written a lovely story about second chances and seeing through the obvious to find the real person hidden beneath. People are multidimensional and so are the characters in this latest Carr story, SUNRISE POINT . It is such fun to peel back the layers to find the riches.

Book Summary

Former marine Tom Cavanaugh’s come home to Virgin River, ready to take over his family’s apple orchard and settle down. He knows just what the perfect woman will be like: sweet, decent, maybe a little naive. The marrying kind.

Nothing like Nora Crane. So why can’t he keep his eyes off the striking single mother?

Nora may not have a formal education, but she graduated with honors from the school of hard knocks. She’s been through tough times and she’ll do whatever it takes to support her family, including helping with harvest time at the Cavanaugh’s orchard. She’s always kept a single-minded focus on staying afloat...but suddenly her thoughts keep drifting back to rugged, opinionated Tom Cavanaugh.

Both Nora and Tom have their own ideas of what family means. But they’re about to prove each other completely wrong...