Today Virgin River bar owner Jack Sheridan (check out Virgin River for more about Jack) is here to tell us about Colin Riordan, an Army helicopter pilot who lands in Virgin River to recover after a bad accident. You can read more about Colin in Wild Man Creek
Jack’s blog #5
Robyn Carr
Hey there, Jack here, reporting from behind the bar in Virgin River.
The day I met Luke Riordan a few years ago, I had no idea what that meant by way of Riordans. Five of them, to start with, Luke being the oldest. And all of them military men, albeit different branches of service. Before I knew it, Air Force pilot Sean was here for about three months and that was all it took to get him hooked up. Aiden, a former Navy doctor, spent a summer here and, you got it, settled down. Now those two didn’t stay on–but they’re back to visit regularly.
Then I meet Colin Riordan, another Black Hawk pilot like Luke. Colin came out of the Army the hard way–he was pulled out of a burning mess of mangled steel. Yup, he crashed. As I heard through the grapevine, which by the way passes straight through this bar, it was touch and go for Colin for a while. He spent a good bit of time in Intensive Care after a few surgeries. I met him when he arrived six months later and he was still walking with a limp. He has some visible scarring that must make him a little self-conscious as he’s grown a beard to cover it.
Colin seems to have a good sense of humor in spite of everything he has to overcome, unless his brother Luke is around. Same goes for Luke–good natured guy unless Colin’s on the barstool next to him. There’s no mistaking the edge; there’s some conflict between the brothers. Which makes it curious that Colin would come to Virgin River for his recovery.
Now in Colin you have yourself a guy that I’d make a solid bet would not cave in to the wiles of a woman. Okay wait–he’d cave in for a while. Colin, I’m told, was a known ladies man–always had a woman somewhere. So yeah, if there was a pretty girl around willing to spend a little time, he’d be good for that. But this is a guy who can’t wait to get back to the helicopter and if not an Army helicopter, then he’s not above a mercenary job or flying in the bush. But this is not a guy with aspirations to keep his feet on the ground in a small town like this.
But then I heard he met Jillian Matlock. That could change everything; all bets could be off. They have nothing in common, however. Jillian has escaped corporate warfare for the quiet of Virgin River and that’s not the same thing at all. While Colin was flying in low and firing on the enemy, Jillian was waging the war of ideas in black pumps. They’re both living temporary lives that appear to be completely out of character–Colin is painting wildlife portraits and Jillian is growing some fancy vegetables.
Colin talks about what he’s going to do next, as soon as he’s fully recovered from the crash, and it seems to involve a lot of travel to rugged and exotic places, a real urgency to get back to the cockpit. You can see his eyes light up a little at the prospect–this is a man just not ready to embrace the quiet artistic life of a painter. He’s planning to move on.
But when he looks at Jillian his eyes seem to take on another brightness. I’d have to label it a hot glow. His eyelids lower a little bit and just one corner of his mouth lifts like he can’t help what he’s thinking. I’ve seen that look before. Hell, I’ve worn that look!
Welcome back to the river. Never a dull moment.
Intrigued? How would you like to win a copy of Wild Man Creek
This book is available now from Mira. You can buy it here
I would love to visit or live there as the people are all so nice and always have each others backs.
Helen L.
I forgot to include my email – sorry –
gmapeony at yahoo dot com
I would love to visit or live there as the people are all so nice and always have each others backs.
Helen L.
I would love to live in Virgin River because it is my ideal place. Everyone knows everyone and they all come together when needed. I love the strong sense of family that is prevalent in the Virgin River.
Dang I forgot my email as well…I would love to live in Virgin River because it is my ideal place. Everyone knows everyone and they all come together when needed. I love the strong sense of family that is prevalent in the Virgin River.
miranda.grissom@gmail.com
It sounds like a beautiful, down-to-earth place that I’m used to where I live so I’d love to visit!
tanandjosh@telus.net
I just became a Robyn Carr fan on Saturday when a friend suggested her books and now I’m hooked! I’d love to visit Virgin River because I grew up in California, now live in the desert and miss the trees terribly, and whew, who wouldn’t want to meet Jack?!?
Shannon
wyndhamst at yahoo
I had to quit reading because as usual Jack is telling me too much! I bought the ebook edition and can’t wait to read it. Love those Riordans and the rest of the VR gang. Great post!
I’d just like to have an encounter like the women in the books, lol.
I would like to live in Virgin River because it has beautiful natural scenery, as well as some pretty hot “man candy” scenery.;-)
I also like the small-town feel where everyone knows you. There are strong family and friendship bonds.
I am working my way through this series, so thanks for a chance to win this one!
castings at mindspring dot com
I had a few copies of the first VR books on my shelf for awhile and then finally grabbed one off and fell in love.
I would love to live in VR because it is a small town with great people who always extend a helping hand.
Almost forgot me email:
patoct at yahoo dot com
I’d love to live there because it’s a different place than where i live now.
Lisa B
modokker at yahoo dot com
This comment has been removed by the author.
I just ordered Wild Man Creek—-can’t wait for it to arrive.
I would love to visit virgin river and meet all of the people I have read about.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
LOVE this series. I’m only up to Paradise Valley, but I’ve been spacing them out for maximum enjoyment. I live in the SF Bay Area so I’m familiar with the real life area that Virgin River is patterned after. I don’t know if I could give up city life, but if I was going to try, Virgin River sounds like a fine place to do it.
jen at delux dot com
Mostly I would just like to sit at a barstool sipping as nice cold chardonnay and watch as the parade of single Alpha military men parade thru (my guilty pleasure people watching)!!
mojostables@yahoo.com
I would like to live in Virgin River. It’s a small quaint town. Sounds like a must read.
Lynn R.
Would love to visit or live in VR – the people are all so friendly, honest and always lend a helping hand.
Joanne V.
I too forgot my email – sorry –
jvigma@gmail.com
Would love to live or visit VR because the people are all so friendly, honest and always lend a helping hand.
Joanne V.
I had the first one of the Virgin River series quite a while in my TBR shelf and finally read it last fall. I coud kick myself for waiting so long! I have now read book 8 and I still really love this series.
The reason why I would like to live/go to Virgin River is there are such lovely people living. They all have there problems for sure, but they know that they can count on each other, always!
Thanks for the giveaway!
claudigc at msn dot com
lovesthemets@yahoo.com
I would love to live in Virgin River as the people are always helping you out and because it is a small town, you pretty much know what is going on.
I’d love to live in Virgin River since it looks like it’s a place where you get to know your neighbors and people really care about each other.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
I really enjoy these sexy manly men of Virgin River. I want one of my very own. One that is willing to chop firewood for my, and the cuddle by the fire. Yes, please!
Hcross9820 AT aol DOT com