Sheltered Hearts by Robyn Carr

I was privileged to create a story based on the Zoë Institute, a real-life organization founded by Rhonda Clemons winner of the Harlequin More Than Words award, www.harlequinmorethanwords.com.  Rhonda helps single mothers and their children in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.  After her husband’s death from cancer, and during her darkest hours, in 2004 Rhonda launched the Zoë Institute, a faith-based, long-term support agency for single women and their kids. Today, Zoë offers educational programs, life skills classes and one-on-one mentoring. It also operates the “Hands of Grace” warehouse, which distributes diapers, clothing, shoes, toys, furniture, appliances and hygiene products. A true motivator, Rhonda still remains humble, relying on her staff, volunteers, children and her faith to keep Zoë meeting the needs of many. In spirit, she is much like the women in my Virgin River series.

In Sheltering Hearts, my character, Dory Finn, a former (fictional) recipient of assistance from the Zoë Institute, finds fulfillment and support for herself and her two children when she helps establish The Single Mother’s Resource Center in Fortuna.  Dory enlists the help of nearby Virgin River characters, Mel Sheridan and Paige Middleton. This is a Virgin River-type story with all the elements my readers have come to love ““ the nature of giving, helping, doing the right thing. 

Dory would do Rhonda proud ““ she’s a determined, hard-headed, hard-working and giving young mother.  Every day is a struggle, and every day finds her looking at life with a glass half full.  Not only is she making it for her own small family, she’s reaching out to other single mothers.  One situation even finds her facing an abuse situation in a public parking lot and throwing herself on the attacker, even though that action costs her her job. 

Enter Clay Kennedy, the firefighter who lives next door.  The last thing Dory wants is a man to save the day ““ she’s put too much energy toward her independence.  But he’s kind-hearted, sweet, and Dory can’t help noticing he has the strong shoulders, flat belly and narrow hips that go with the job!  But my readers are going to love Clay’s gentle-giant personality and his respect for a woman’s need to blaze her own trail before she can even think about partnering up with a man. 

For all you fans of my Virgin River series, take heart; more stories are on the way–three brand new novels, which will be published in January, February and March 2011. Meanwhile, be sure to visit Jack’s Bar on www.RobynCarr.com, where readers gather to talk about the Virgin River books–and their other favorite books!