North Country Man

by Carrie Alexander

"This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A."--T.p. verso.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373711026
• ISBN13: 9780373711024
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Harlequin
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.1" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

An unforgettable cast of characters

This book's plot has been more-or-less summarized, so I'll just add that it's a prequel to Alexander's recent release "A Family Christmas"; of the two, "North Country Man" is the better story. This book is enjoyable because its characters zig just when you expect them to zag--in general they are smarter, less self-centered, and less stereotypical than your usual romance bunch. Readers who like this story might also get a kick out of Margot Early's "Who's Afraid of the Mistletoe?" although it's more emotionally wearing!

YEAH! MICHIGAN AND THE GREAT BACKWOODS

With the Bel Vista hotel conglomorate interested in the B & B, Bay House, Claire Levander went north to assess the property.On a dark and spooky night she meets up with the North Coungtry's living legend. Not that Noah Saari thought of himself as such. Claire mistook him for a bear.Ah, the "Valentina" legend was revealed in spurts and I do believe that Toivo put Claire in her bridal suite on purpose. The sneaky little guy.The 23 year old Cassia Keegan is longing to meet some eligible man - Roxy Whitaker is definitely not interested [so it appears] marriage, she is the Bay House's maintinance person. Co-owner, Emmie Whitaker is such an excellent cook and provider of sustenance that she gives away what little profit they may make.Claire worked hard to get away from the farm in Nebraska and her siblings though she loves them dearly. She is the oldest with her sister, Maggie next in line - then Jesse and Josh the energetic twins and the overachiever, Max and Lyndsay the baby.Jesse is in the Navy and Max is still in school getting an advance degree.Maggie has 2 children and so does Josh and Lyndsay is expecting. [keep track of the brothers, they may show up in following books to sweep Cassia and Roxy off their feet.]Description - story and characters are great even the goof-ball, Terry Lindstrom -- seems his brother Rick couldn't keep his pants zipped.Will recommend --M for an enjoyable read

Carrie Alexander delivers again and again!

Noah Saari, former smoke jumper, is now a notorious hermit in his hometown of Alouette, Michigan. Thinking to avoid the rumors surrounding his return, and escape painful memories, he has settled himself into a cabin deep in the woods, taking care of injured animals, and crafting unique wooden artifacts. Noah has no desire for human contact--until Claire Levander crosses his path.Claire Levander is having one heck of a time trying to locate the bed and breakfast in the back of beyond that she's supposed to scope out for the company she works for. On the dark, lonely stretch of road that's supposed to take Claire to Bay House, she nearly runs over a mama bear and her cub. No sooner does she recover from that incident, when a deer pops out of the woods, using the hood of her rental car as a springboard to get to the other side of the road. Result? Car goes off the road into a ditch. Claire exits the car and tries to backtrack to see if the deer is okay. Instead, she stumbles into a huge, most hirsute man, baby bear cub tagging alongside him. Can the night get any more bizarre?What follows is a most endearing, emotional read with traces of humor, and a twisted quest for revenge. Ms. Alexander's ability to create well-rounded and fully developed characters, both main and secondary, is exceptional. Readers will gather to their hearts Noah and Claire, along with the quirky caretakers and employees of Bay House, Noah's animals, and Bay House's number one boarder, disabled spitfire, Cassia. Even the setting takes on a life of its own, with descriptive narrative that places the reader firmly in Alouette. NORTH COUNTRY MAN is classic Carrie Alexander. She has definitely found her niche with Harlequin Superromances, starting with THE MAVERICK. Even though TM is a wonderful read, it is not related to NORTH COUNTRY MAN; however, it is my understanding that there will be at least two more stories related to NCM. Personally, I can't wait!!

Yoopers and Trolls

I admit it: I'm a Troll. I live in the Lower Peninula where residents living south of the (Mackinac) Bridge are labeled Trolls. Being a native Michigander I was delighted to see Ms. Alexander (a Yooper-or a Michigander north of the bridge)set one of her books in my home state. And she couldn't have picked a better story with which to do it. Noah Sarri lives a private life by choice, wanting to forget that his good intentions of making a difference in the world turned tragic in the blink of an eye. Now he devotes his time to nursing injured wildlife back to health and crafting pieces of furniture that fetch lofty sums and provide his livelyhood. His seclusion fuels wild speculation in the town about him.Enter Claire Levander, businesswoman on a working vacation sent to scout out the possibilities of buying property for her company, a hotel corporation. She and Noah meet when one of his critters crosses her path.The story is rich in characterization, setting and believable plot lines. Noah has some big demons to overcome and Claire is there to help him. Claire, on the other hand, has to make some decsions as to make as to what path her life is going to take. Add to this a haunted bed-and-breakfast, a man eaten up with revenge against Noah, and some hot moments between Claire and Noah and you have a story that is never dull.I'm glad Harlequin is planning on releasing more books about the residents of Alouette, Michigan. They make interesing reading, even if they aren't Trolls. [grin]

A stunning tale of healing and love -- Very highly recommend

While she practically begged for an easy assignment, Claire Levander expected deluxe accommodations, certainly nothing as rustic as the Upper Michigan. Her boss promises that they have booked her into the Day Brook House where she will have nothing to do but breath fresh air and release stress. And decide if she wants to recommend that Bel Vista Hotel Corporation should purchase the property from its unsuspecting owners. Her boss could not have been more wrong. Before she even arrives, Claire encounters Michigan's wildlife with uncomfortable closeness, including the hermit Noah Saari. The proprietor of Day Brook House puts Claire in the "Valentina bridal suite." Rumored to be cursed, the suite displays a bridal painting that does not convey the joy of a wedding, but suggests a much more foreboding and chilling tone. According to the prophesy, any woman staying in the suite will be married before the year is out in retribution for the jilted, suicidal Valentina. But Claire's social life has been on hold for a long time, and establishing a relationship with an alpha male as reclusive as Noah might hold some especially difficult challenges. Especially since she will be leaving in a week to resume her high powered career.An orphaned cub and other assorted wildlife lend an intriguing backdrop to Carrie Alexander's NORTH COUNTRY MAN. The closeness of the citizens of the small community of Aloutette, Michigan, both alienates and draws characters together with painful gossip and sparkling loyalty. While Claire and Noah might be the stereotypical case of opposites attract, their path is quite original from steam baths and fallen plaster to a creative legend. Further, Noah lends a powerful presence to the novel with his genuine heart and deeply held secrets. As his past becomes revealed, readers will find him as irresistible as Claire does! In addition, while many elements might seem to superficially follow traditional plotting, Alexander has a flair for giving them subtle twists that keeps her writing refreshing and different. An absolutely delightful read, NORTH COUNTRY MAN comes very highly recommended.