The Chance (Thunder Point Book 4)

I love Robyn Carr books. I think I've read every single one of her books, and I'm happy to say I have yet to be disappoint. She has been on my top 5 favorite author ist for years. She's one of those authors that I automatically hit the buy button, without any hestitation. After reading the whole "Virgin River" series, I wasn't sure any other series would satisfy me as much as that one did. BUT... I was totally wrong. This is another really fantastic series, where all the people are great, the beautiful scenery is described so masterfully, and each of the stories in this series seems to touch your heart.I'd like to give a big pat on the back to Ms. Carr, for tackling some real major issues, too. Really tough things, like living a life within the walls of a cult, the heartache of living with someone suffering with MS, or Alzheimers. If that's not enough, she also touches on the the impact of having Dyslexia, and how it tends to rule one's life. And last but not least, is the situation with bad Foster Care parenting.Sounds pretty depressing, right? But let me assure you; while there may be a lot of heart-break along the way for some of these characters, there are also even more triumps, and heart-warming moments. And let's not forget all the wonderful love, warmth, and support from all their family and friends, who help them find a way to overcome all these tragedies.The two main characters in this book are........Eric Gentry--- we've all read about in the previous books. He hasn't always been an upstanding character--- but after paying a heavy price to society for his wrong doings--- he's worked very hard to change his ways. He may be an ex-con, but he has turned his whole life around, since being freed from prison. He kept his nose clean and worked very hard at building a very successful car restoration business in another town. But after receiving a hefty offer, he sold it and started another one in Thunder Point. Why? So he could be closer to the 16 yr. old daughter, he just recently found out he'd about.Laine Carrington--- Who we also met in the last book. She just happened to be a hero in that book. Laine was the FBI Agent that helped Devon and her 3 yr. old daughter, Mercy, escape from a very bad situation. Then one afternoon while Devon was at work, the Drug Lord kidnapped Mercy from her home. Laine was one of the instrumental key players in getting her back out, along with all of the other young women and their children still in the compound. Since that horrible day, everyone in town has always been a hero. Her career as a FBI agent has been extraordinary. Laine is a strong, independent, smart female. You have to love her. She is all that and a bit more.I loved everything about these two characters. It doesn't seemed to matter that they are completely polar opposites, when they first meet the sparks start to fly. Where he was so calm and collected, she was like a real ball of fire. After getting tired of waiting, Laine finally hunts him down and asks him out on a date. It takes a real man who's so secure in his manhood, to be with a woman he knows can easily kick his ass at any givin moment. There were some really tender moments between these two, but there were also a lot funny moments, too..There is also the budding romance just heating up, between Rae Anne & Al. Not sure where it's headed right now, but I can't wait to see what happens next.What's even better, is that throughout the story we meet other Thunder Point residents and revisit others we’ve seen before like, Lou, Ashley, Gina, Mac, Carrie, Scott, Spenser and Devon. Ray Anne, the local real estate agent, meets Al, a friend of Eric’s and the definition of drifter. We also get a few glimpes of Connor and Sarah, who are awaiting the birth of their new baby daughter in a few short weeks.. Romance blooms all over this book, people coupling up left and right, it seems. We also meet Justin, a seventeen year old with the world on his shoulders. I can't wait for the next book, to see if he and Al are successful in getting Justin's siblings back. These two guys are just two lost souls, who need each other more than even either of them really realize right now..I would recommend this book ( as well as this whole series) to everyone. I assure you, you won't be disappointed.

SEE SERIES READING ORDER AT END OF REVIEW!Looking for a read that warms your heart, makes you smile a little, sigh a little, and feel more than a little good about the goodness that can be found in people? Then please, come to Thunder Point and read THE CHANCE. Robyn Carr is back in top form once again in this fourth installment in the THUNDER POINT series, which keeps us in touch with all of the characters we've come to care so much for in this cozy Oregon coast town. At the forefront this time are Eric Gentry, the owner of Lucky's Service Station who settled in Thunder Point after receiving the surprising news from Gina that he'd fathered her 17 year-old daughter Ashley, and Laine Carrington, the FBI agent who helped rescue Devon and Mercy from the cult-like marijuana growing despot who had imprisoned them. Laine has come to Thunder Point to rest up and recover from a gunshot wound she suffered while taking down the criminal cult operation, and from the first sight Eric gets of her, sparks begin to fly. With over 600 reviews posted, I won't detail a synopsis here, but I will focus on two prominent features of this book which make it, in my opinion, a fantastic story:First, the development of two subplot stories which are as heartwarming as the Eric/Laine main storyline, is absolutely outstanding. Ms. Carr beautifully develops the character of Eric's employee Justin Russell, a boy on the cusp of manhood who is thrown a devastating curveball when his terminally ill mother has to be institutionalized, leaving him alone with (and legally disallowed from being guardian to) his two younger brothers. The story of Justin, as he desperately tries to keep his family together and stop the abuse which his brothers are receiving at the hands of their foster parents, is as compelling as the main story. The second subplot, involving Eric's nomadic friend and sometimes-employee Al Michel, sensitively tells the story of a man who has been marginalized by his illiteracy and his lack of self-confidence, which influence his choices and may have the power to destroy his happiness. The threading together of Justin's story and Al's situation is one of Ms. Carr's most beautifully orchestrated relationships in all of her series. This is where Robyn Carr is the master; she weaves the lives of broken people together in a lyrical, spiritual, magical way which touches the reader's heart. The Chance is one of her finest character-driven masterpieces.Second, the AUDIBLE AUDIOBOOK version of this story is superbly narrated by one of audio's finest performers. Therese Plummer narrates all of the Virgin River and Thunder Point series books written by Robyn Carr. Therese is, in my opinion, absolutely the perfect voice for Miss Carr's stories. Therese's ability to alter her voice to reflect the sex, age, and personality of each of the characters is outstanding. I order the paperbacks because I love my Robyn Carr collection, and I also buy the Audible audiobooks, I find that these are my "comfort" audio-reads; whenever I need a feel-good read, I always go back to Virgin River or Thunder Road and listen again to these stories...and The Chance is one of my favorites.These characters and their stories are among the warmest and most rewarding that Robyn Carr has written, and brought to life by Therese Plummer's voice, it feels almost as though I am a resident of Thunder Point for that little while. The Chance is an entertaining, heartwarming, romantic, and dramatic read. Reading a Robyn Carr book is like coming home on a cold, rainy night to a home warmed by the fireplace, a comfy chair, and a steaming cup of hot cocoa (insert contented sigh here).THUNDER POINT SERIES READING ORDER (this series is best read in order):1. The Wanderer - retired Army pilot (Hank) Cooper & pilot Sara Dupre2. The Newcomer - Deputy Sheriff Mac McCain & waitress Gina James3. The Hero - coach Spencer Lawson & single mom Devon McAllister4. The Chance - auto mechanic Eric Gentry & FBI agent Laine Carrington (see subplots above)5. The Promise - Dr. Scott Grant & PA Peyton Lacoumette6. The Homecoming - Deputy Sheriff Seth Sileski & guidance counselor Iris McKinley7. One Wish - teacher Troy Headly & florist Grace Dillon (publishes on 2/24/15)And if you haven't read Ms. Carr's VIRGIN RIVER series, RUN to your book provider and find it! For a listing of the correct reading order of all 20 books in the VIRGIN RIVER series, please see my review of the first book, VIRGIN RIVER (click on my name - The Literacy Advocate - above to get to the review).

This is so much better than the last book in this series even though there were places so boring I just had to skip them. The ending came rather suddenly, sort of unfinished, probably to be continued in the next book as an addition to the main story. One way to keep the reader hooked.....never really end the story.

This book was a very good read Robyn is a good writer and have ordered more of her books so I would say to everybody go for it. The only thing was there was an other for two free books I filled the form put stamp on it and posted it I expect it because it was sent to U.S.A. I never got them but you live and learn never mind. But the book was real good

Really enjoyed this book - like the rest of the series (and Virgin River) - I just wish that Robyn Carr would write quicker!!

Love the thunder point series. Really getting to know the characters and how their lives develop

Oh dear what can I do I'm getting too hooked on your books brilliant stories and people who you get to k.ow.