Strawberry Lane

April 26, 2023April 26, 2023 Mary Jodi Thomas, Kensington, NetGalley, Zebra

Strawberry Lane by Jodi Thomas

Published: April 25, 2023 – Kensington/Zebra

Courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley

Description:

Starri Knight is a big believer in fate. How else to explain the compelling connection she feels to the stranger she pulls out of a wrecked car on the very same road where her parents died twenty years earlier? Alongside Auntie Ona-May, the only mother she’s ever known, Starri saves Rusty O’Sullivan’s life—just as Ona-May once did when Starri was an orphaned babe. But convincing Rusty he has something to live for is going to take all of Starri’s faith in miracles . . .

Like a wish he hadn’t even known to make, Starri landed in Rusty’s life, filling him with a longing for a family . . . Then Jackson Landry, a new lawyer, turns up to present a surprise that will change the direction of his life: An inheritance from the father Rusty never knew—and the promise of the family he’d never had. It’s a lot for the hard-bitten loner to accept as love rushes into his life . . .

A sense of duty has Rusty heading to Honey Creek to deal with his father’s estate—and find his lost siblings. But having family is one thing, learning to love them is another. Good thing new friends are by his side to help him along the way. (publisher)

My take:

It makes me so happy to say this is the first in a new series (also a spinoff from the previous one). Strawberry Lane is the story of a young lawyer who finds himself back in his small hometown to take over his late father’s law practice. He’s like a fish out of water even though he’s in the pond he grew up in. His first case is to find the heirs of a recently deceased client. It becomes clear those heirs will be the focus of the series and I can’t wait to read more! This story of finding family is filled with interesting characters whose lives so far have been formed by how they were and weren’t raised. Told in Jodi Thomas’s usual warm and humorous style, Strawberry Lane is the perfect comfort read. I think fans of small town fiction will love it as much as I did.

The Wishing Quilt

August 30, 2022April 8, 2022 Mary Jodi Thomas, Kensington, Lori Wilde, Patience Griffin, Women's Fiction, Zebra

The Wishing Quilt by

Jodi Thomas * Lori Wilde * Patience Griffin

Expected publication: August 30, 2022 – Kensington/Zebra

Review galley courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley

My take:

The Wishing Quilt is an entertaining anthology sure to appeal to fans of quilting and contemporary romance.

One of my favorite authors is Jodi Thomas and she was the perfect one to lead off the book. The Secret Wish about a ballet dancer who is looking for a new start after an accident forced her into early retirement. She’s open to a new chapter in life but never saw the local sheriff playing a part in her life.

Wish Upon a Wedding by Lori Wilde is about a young doctor returning home for her sister’s wedding. She will be faced with her past and hopefully learn the truth and the why’s of what made her not want to return to her hometown for thirteen years.

Closing out the collection is When You Wish Upon a Quilt – Patience Griffin’s story of a textile professor attending a quilt show that leads to unexpected introductions and possibly, love.

It was an enjoyable anthology about people piecing together their next chapters in life. Recommended to fans of the anthology format (sometimes it’s the perfect way to read!) and the authors.

Description:

Texas is about to be wrapped up in love and homespun perfection with this new contemporary romance anthology featuring novellas from legendary, bestselling authors Jodi Thomas, Lori Wilde, and Patience Griffin! Three novellas weave tales of women whose quilting craft ultimately leads them down the path to love.

THE SECRET WISH * Jodi Thomas
The little town of While-a-Way, Texas, may as well be named Last Chance as far as Avery Cleveland is concerned. Running her late great-grandmother’s quilt shop is the only way to build back her life after losing her dancing career. But local sheriff Daniel Solis is stunned by Avery’s beauty and spirit—and hopes to show her how to stitch brand-new dreams together . . .

WISH UPON A WEDDING * Lori Wilde
Ellie Winter’s sister is holding a quilting bee as her bachelorette party, creating a memory quilt for their grandmother. If only the event weren’t happening at the ranch where Ellie spent childhood summers, now owned by the man she can’t forget. Four days surely isn’t enough time to fall in love again . . . but what about four long, hot, summer nights?

WHEN YOU WISH UPON A QUILT * Patience Griffin
Paige Holiday’s last visit to the International Quilt Festival in Houston ended in heartbreak. It seems like all the women in her family are unlucky in love. So at this year’s festival, Paige is focused solely on business, until a gorgeous cowboy crosses her path, ready to turn her life—and her luck—around . . . (publisher)

Sunday at the Sunflower Inn

April 26, 2022April 20, 2022 Mary Blog Tour, Contemporary Romance, Jodi Thomas, Kensington, Women's Fiction, Zebra

Sunday at the Sunflower Inn by Jodi Thomas

Published: April 26, 2022 – Zebra Books/Kensington

Review galley from the publisher and NetGalley

Description:

Jessica Ann McKenzie—“Jam” to everyone in Honey Creek—has fulfilled her dream of owning the best restaurant for miles around. Serving candlelit dinners to every couple in town on Valentine’s Day is a reminder of another dream, one she’s just about given up on. Until, that very night, Sergeant Tucson Smith clambers out of the muddy river and onto her land, bringing the promise of something they’ve both been searching for.

When McCoy Mason crashes on Interstate 45, he doesn’t just bust up his Mustang, his leg, and his relationship. He also loses his prospects of a job and apartment in Houston. Honey Creek, home to his estranged grandfather, offers a temporary respite, a place to recover before moving on again. After all, what permanent use could a town so picture-perfect have for a man like him?

At sixty-seven, Charles H. Winston III lives by order and routine. One of his most cherished rituals is a regular lunch date with three lovely ladies at the Honey Creek Café, including the very proper Miss Lilly Lambert. But it’s not too late to surprise the whole town—or himself—by seizing a chance for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. And there’s no better season than spring, when the warm breeze blowing in from the Brazos River brings fresh hope and second chances to those who need them most . . . (publisher)

My take:

With her new novel, Sunday at the Sunflower Inn, Jodi Thomas proves why she is on my favorite authors list. This is book four in the series but easily stands alone. That said, if you love a good comfort read I highly recommend any of her books.

As usual, Jodi Thomas writes relatable (on one level or another) characters and situations. I won’t rehash the synopsis included above. I enjoy that she always includes characters of different generations in a way that isn’t caricature. In this book there is young love between a teen couple, love in the 30s for a few people, and love at last for a couple who thought it might have passed them by.

Told with the warmth and humor I’ve come to expect this was a book with characters I wasn’t ready to leave by the last page. Recommended to fans of Jodi Thomas and contemporary women’s romantic fiction.

Dinner on Primrose Hill

October 25, 2021August 31, 2021 Mary Jodi Thomas, Kensington, NetGalley, Women's Fiction, Zebra

Dinner on Primrose Hill by Jodi Thomas

Publication date: October 26, 2021

Kensington Books; Zebra

Description:

Benjamin Monroe is pretty sure how his life will play out. He’ll continue teaching chemistry in his small college, and spend his free time biking through the valley. Eventually, he’ll retire to putter around in his garden and greenhouse.

His colleague, Virginia Clark, is not one for routines. She’s chatty, spontaneous, and bubbly, and before Benjamin realizes what happened, she’s talked him into collaborating on a research project—studying the mating habits of college students. Virginia knows her desire to work with Benjamin is motivated by more than the potential prize money…and hopes he might not be quite as indifferent as he seems to be.

Ketch Kincaid, one of Benjamin’s star students, returned to college after serving in the army. He needs something to get his mind off his recent breakup and collecting research data might do it. And there’s another distraction on the horizon—a woman who looks like she, too, knows about heartache.

Soon enough, their project, “The Chemistry of Mating,” is gaining notoriety. Friends, neighbors…the whole town has become involved. But no matter what the data determines, one conclusion seems inescapable: love follows its own rules… (publisher)

My take:

Dinner on Primrose Hill is #3 in the Honey Creek series. That said, it can stand alone. I enjoyed the occasional visit from characters featured in the previous books but if you’re new to the series you won’t feel lost. I won’t rehash the publisher’s description posted above but will say there are a few more characters that add a lot to the story. Told with Jodi Thomas’s signature heart and humor she proved once again why she’s my go-to comfort read author. It’s a story about finding home – be it a place or a person. It was exactly the book I needed at the end of August 2021. If you need a book to take you away you’ll never go wrong with a Jodi Thomas novel. I was happy to find at the end a preview of the next book in the series.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jodi Thomas is a New York Times bestselling author and fifth-generation Texan who sets many of her award-winning stories in her home state, where her grandmother was born in a covered wagon. A multi-RITA® Award-winner and member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame, she’s written over 50 novels with millions of copies in print. Jodi lives in Amarillo, Texas, and can be found online at JodiThomas.com

DINNER ON PRIMROSE HILL

By Jodi Thomas

Zebra Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp.

On Sale: October 26th 2021 / Trade Paperback Original

Contemporary Romance / $15.95 ($21.95 CAN) / ISBN: 978-1-4201-5134-3

Picnic in Someday Valley

April 27, 2021April 19, 2021 Mary Jodi Thomas, Kensington, Women's Fiction

Picnic in Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas

Published: April 2021 – Kensington

E-galley courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley

Description:

Marcie Latimer longs to run away from Someday Valley–especially since her ex-boyfriend spun a web of lies that almost led to tragedy in neighboring Honey Creek. Little wonder so many locals have turned their backs on her. But not Brand Rodgers. The quiet cowboy comes to listen every time she sings at Bandit’s Bar, offering a glimpse of safety and calm that Marcie’s rarely known.

After Texas Ranger Colby McBride saved Honey Creek’s mayor, Piper Mackenzie, from a fire, she claimed him with a kiss. That was five months ago, and Colby still isn’t sure where they’re headed. Piper loves her town–but does she love Colby? And is he even ready for what comes next?

Pecos Smith, Honey Creek’s emergency dispatcher, is grateful to have a new bride he adores and a baby on the way–even if one vital piece of the puzzle is missing. But as trouble comes stalking through the valley, lives will cross surprising paths. And Marcie, who’s always felt that a forever love was out of reach, might discover that Someday is the perfect place to find it… (publisher)

My take:

Book two in the Honey Creek series, Picnic in Someday Valley, takes place in both Honey Creek and the next town over, Someday Valley, Texas. There are several returning characters from the previous book, something I always enjoy. That said, this book could stand alone – but I recommend you read the first book!

Marci was a duped girlfriend in the previous book. She’d like a fresh start but doesn’t expect forgiveness or understanding from people her ex hurt. For some reason a mystery cowboy keeps turning up in her life. What will it take for him to figure out she’s no good?

A widowed father of three can’t seem to get the local baker off his mind. Her hands are filled with work and raising her delinquent fifteen-year-old sister. She doesn’t have time for love!

The mayor and her Ranger are experiencing troubled waters in the early days of their long-distance relationship. When will he figure out she’s a strong, independent woman and doesn’t need him to rescue her? Or does she?

Jodi Thomas packed all this and more into her entertaining novel. I loved it all and recommend to fans of contemporary romance, small town settings, just enough drama, and characters you can cheer for.

Praise for Jodi Thomas:

“Six lost souls find true love in the sweet first romance of the Honey Creek series from Thomas…It’s the inviting setting and quirky, good-hearted characters that will draw readers in.” — Publishers Weekly on Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café

“Tender, heartfelt and wonderful. . . I loved every word.” – RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author, on The Little Teashop on Main

“Compelling and beautifully written, it is exactly the kind of heart-wrenching, emotional story one has come to expect from Jodi Thomas.” –Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on Ransom Canyon

“Highly recommended.” –Library Journal (Starred Review) on Sunrise Crossing

About the author:

The Cowboy Who Saved Christmas

October 27, 2020October 10, 2020 Mary Anthology, Christmas, Historical Romance, Jodi Thomas, Kensington, NetGalley

Happy publication day!

The Cowboy Who Saved Christmas by

Jodi Thomas, Sharla Lovelace and Scarlett Dunn

Published: October 27, 2020 – Kensington

E-galley courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley

My take: I have no doubt fans of Historical Romance (American West) and authors Jodi Thomas, Sharla Lovelace and Scarlett Dunn will enjoy this collection. It’s a great way to sample each author if you haven’t had a chance. I’m a fan of Jodi Thomas but Lovelace and Dunn are new to me and I look forward to reading more of their work.

I love an anthology at this busy time of year because I can read a complete story in a short time – this book hit the mark. It will tug your heartstrings and engage in an emotional and heartwarming way. If you enjoy historical romance, add The Cowboy Who Saved Christmas to your reading list this season.

***

Father Goose by Jodi Thomas

A young man, fresh out of the army and in need of a job, agrees to take a group of 5 young school girls to their father’s ranch in Texas. He must get them home before Christmas. Meanwhile, a young woman decides to escape her life of drudgery and signs on to chaperone the girls for the trip. This rag-tag group will make the arduous journey that could set the path of the future for them all.

The Mistletoe Promise by Sharla Lovelace

Two people with a history must overcome pride and learn to trust again. Told in alternating chapters from the perspectives of Josie and Ben I learned their story and was soon hoping for their HEA.

Christmas Road by Scarlett Dunn

A veteran rides home hoping to see his ill mother for what could be her last Christmas. What he didn’t expect was to meet a young widow and mother of two girls who’d help nurse his mother. This a story of survival during challenging times and the honorable people who step up to help. A heartwarming tale about finding the magic of Christmas.

About the authors:

Jodi Thomas is a New York Times bestselling author and fifth-generation Texan who sets many of her award-winning stories in her home state, where her grandmother was born in a covered wagon. A multi-RITA Award winner and member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame, she’s written over 50 novels with millions of copies in print. Her most recent releases are The Little Tea Shop on Main and the first book in her new Honey Creek series, Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café is out now. Please visit her at http://www.JodiThomas.com.

Sharla Lovelace is the bestselling, award-winning author of sassy, sexy love stories. Being a Texas girl through and through, she’s proud to say she lives in Southeast Texas with her retired husband, a tricked-out golf cart, and two crazy dogs. She is the author of the exciting Heart of the Storm series, the fun and sexy Charmed in Texas series, and five stand-alone novels. Connect with Sharla at http://www.sharlalovelace.com, or find her on social media as @sharlalovelace at all the places!

Before becoming a published author, Scarlett Dunn was an entrepreneur. Her love of history and the adventurous souls who settled the West inspired her to write historical inspirational romance novels. She lives in Kentucky, and as an avid outdoorswoman she enjoys any activity under the sun where she develops her characters and plots. Readers can find her at http://www.scarlettdunn.com or on Facebook, Twitter (scarlettdunn2), or Instagram.

THE COWBOY WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS

By Jodi Thomas, Sharla Lovelace, & Scarlett Dunn

Kensington Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing

On Sale: October 27th 2020/

Trade Paperback/Fiction $15.95 ($21.95 CAN) / 978-1-4967-2549-3

Re-Release Spotlight: A Texas Kind of Christmas

September 30, 2020October 1, 2020 Mary Celia Bonaduce, Christmas, Historical Romance, Jodi Thomas, Kensington, Rachael Miles, Spotlight

A TEXAS KIND OF CHRISTMAS, which originally came out last October, recently won first place at the National Federation of Press Women’s Communications Contest. It was re-released on September 29. You can read my original post here.

A TEXAS KIND OF CHRISTMAS

By Jodi Thomas, Celia Bonaduce, & Rachael Miles

Zebra Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing

On Sale: September 29th 2020/

Mass Market Max/Fiction $8.99 ($10.90 CAN) / 978-1-4201-4869-5

LEGENDARY AUTHOR JODI THOMAS HEADLINES NEW CHRISTMAS COLLECTION WITH THREE CONNECTED STORIES FEATURING HISTORIC DALLAS HOTEL IN 1859, BUILT & MANAGED BY FASCINATING LOCAL WIDOW, SARAH COCKRELL

It’s Christmas Eve, 1859, and everyone who is anyone is headed to the glorious St. Nicolas Hotel for the most talked about ball of the season…

New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas headlines A TEXAS KIND OF CHRISTMAS, a holiday-themed collection of three connected stories set in 1859 Dallas and based on the true history of the St. Nicholas Hotel. Built and managed by Sarah Horton Cockrell, a Texan businesswoman known for her contributions to the development of the state, the famed St. Nicholas was one of the most fashionable, grand hotels of its time. In the hands of Jodi Thomas, Celia Bonaduce, and historian and novelist Rachael Miles, this real-life setting comes to life in three romantic tales infused with vivid imagery and witty prose. A TEXAS KIND OF CHRISTMAS evokes the grandeur of a bygone era and the indomitable pioneer spirit of the region and is sure to be the fan favorite romance collection of the Christmas season.

About the authors:

Celia Bonaduce, also the author of The Venice Beach Romances and the Welcome to Fat Chance, Texas series, has always had a love affair with houses. Her credits as a television field producer include such house-heavy hits as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition; HGTV’s House Hunters and Tiny House Hunters. She lives in Santa Monica, CA, with her husband and dreams of one day traveling with him in their own tiny house. She can be found online http://www.CeliaBonaduce.com.

Rachael Miles is an acclaimed romance novelist and historian specializing in the 19th century, as well as a professor of literary history. A fifth-generation Texan and native of Dallas, she now lives and teaches in New York. Visit her online at http://www.RachaelMiles.com.

THE HISTORY BEHIND A TEXAS KIND OF CHRISTMAS:

➢ Sarah Horton Cockrell opened the St. Nicholas Hotel in 1859 under her own management, one year after her husband, Alex Cockrell, died at the hands of a Dallas sheriff. It was known as one of the most fashionable, grand hotels of its time until it burned down in the Dallas Fire of 1860. It was the first building constructed taller than two stories and the crowning social event Dallas society was the grand ball with which it made its debut. Sarah Horton Cockrell named the hotel after the man she chose as its manager – Nicholas H. Darnell, a captain in the Indian wars of 1839, Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Texas Congress of 1842, and Lieutenant Governor elected in the first state election of 1846.

Sarah Horton Cockrell (1819-1892)

➢ An astute businesswoman, real estate maven and transportation pioneer whose wealth and power defied gender conventions of the time, Sarah Horton Cockrell went on to own nearly 1⁄4 of Downtown Dallas, opening the Dallas Hotel (later known as the St. Charles), a number of flour mills and other businesses. She constructed the first iron bridge across the Trinity, leading to enormous economic development for the state.

➢ After Sarah Horton Cockrell’s death in 1892, The Dallas Morning News’s obituary stated that her funeral procession and floral tributes were among the largest ever seen in Dallas.

Breakfast At The Honey Creek Café

May 26, 2020April 28, 2020 Mary Jodi Thomas, Kensington, NetGalley, Zebra

Breakfast At The Honey Creek Café by Jodi Thomas

Published: May 2020 – Zebra/Kensington Books

E-galley courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley

Description:

Piper Jane Mackenzie, mayor of Honey Creek, won’t let a major scandal rip her quirky hometown apart, or jeopardize her dream of one day running for higher office. So she’s willing to welcome undercover detective Colby McBride, hired to help solve the mystery behind her wannabe fiancé’s disappearance. Colby’s cover? That he is an old boyfriend now begging Piper for a second chance—always when there are plenty of townsfolk around to witness his shenanigans.

Piper hardly knows whether to laugh or cry, especially when she finds herself drawn to the handsome rascal. He’s not the only newcomer she has to deal with. There’s a new interim preacher in town, Sam Cassidy. Drifting from one assignment to another since his one love died, Sam isn’t sure he’s the right fit for Honey Creek. But as Piper knows, this is a place chock-full of surprises. And if she can keep her town—and her heart—from going completely off the rails, there may be a sweet, unexpected future in store . . . (publisher)

My take: Breakfast At The Honey Creek Café is book one in the new Honey Creek series by Jodi Thomas. I’ve been a fan since reading Rewriting Monday ten years ago. I’ve grown to love the small town settings, quirky characters and charming plots that are hallmarks of her novels. This book is no exception and was just the book I wanted to read when I picked it up. I find them a comfort no matter what’s going on in my life but especially during a quarantine.

I enjoyed learning about the small Texas town of Honey Creek, the mayor and her challenges, the substitute minister, and an undercover trooper whose goal is to be a Texas Ranger. I liked the light mystery and drama woven through the story as well as the romance. All told with humor and heart which is what I’ve come to expect from Jodi Thomas. Recommended.

About the author:

With millions of books in print, Jodi Thomas is both a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 50 novels and a dozen novellas. Her stories travel through the past and present days of Texas and draw readers from around the world. Jodi has been inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. When not working on a novel, Thomas enjoys traveling, renovating a historic home, and “checking up” on her grown sons and four grandchildren.

Visit Jodi Thomas online at:

A Texas Kind of Christmas

October 29, 2019October 25, 2019 Mary Celia Bonaduce, Christmas, Historical Romance, Jodi Thomas, Kensington, NetGalley, Rachael Miles

A Texas Kind of Christmas by

Jodi Thomas Celia Bonaduce Rachel Miles

Expected publication: Oct. 29, 2019 – Kensington Books

Book courtesy of the Kensington and NetGalley

Description:

It’s Christmas Eve, 1859, and everyone who’s anyone is headed to the glorious St. Nicholas Hotel for the most talked about ball of the season. It’s the kind of Texas night where anything can happen—even love . . .

ONE NIGHT AT THE ST. NICHOLAS
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jodi Thomas
To escape her stepmother’s plot to marry her off, Texas heiress Jacqueline Hartman spends Christmas Eve sharing a hideout with an accused bank robber. After a night in Nathaniel Ward’s arms, Jacqueline is certain she has met her match after all. But will his heartfelt promise of love lead to his demise at the hands of the law?

BIRDIE’S FLIGHT * Celia Bonaduce
Seamstress Birdie Flanagan gets the surprise of her life when she receives a beautiful gown—and a sudden invitation—for the ball of the season! Birdie creates a stir from the moment she arrives, capturing the eye of the dashing Captain Douglas Fairbanks. But will a secret from her past keep her from her long-awaited happily-ever-after?

SPIRIT OF TEXAS * Rachael Miles
When lovely spinster Eugenie Charpentier makes a trip across the Texas frontier with former Texas Ranger Asher Graham, she dreams of an adventure, and the rough-and-tumble cowboy is happy to oblige. But both Eugenie and the rugged lawman are keeping secrets. Can they find each other—and love—on the dance floor at the Christmas ball? (publisher)

My take: What initially sold me on this book was seeing Jodi Thomas’s name. I think it’s the first time I’ve ready anything by Celia Bonaduce and Rachael Miles. It turned out to be a great introduction because I’ve added them both to my TBR list. I’m a fan of historical romance of this era and a US setting and I’m glad to have found new-to-me authors. I enjoyed their writing style.

The connection shared by the three novellas is a Christmas Ball hosted at the grand Dallas hotel, The St. Nicholas. It is the destination and main setting for the characters but Christmas plays a minor role. At the forefront are well-to-do fathers looking to marry off their daughters, a financially independent spinster who might have found her soul mate, and the terrible beauty that is the Texas terrain. I enjoyed each story and recommend the book to fans of the authors and historical romance.

THE HISTORY BEHIND A TEXAS KIND OF CHRISTMAS:

Sarah Horton Cockrell (1819-1892)

➢ After Sarah Horton Cockrell’s death in 1892, The Dallas Morning News’s obituary stated that her funeral procession and floral tributes were among the largest ever seen in Dallas.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Jodi Thomas is a New York Times bestselling author and fifth-generation Texan who sets many of her award-winning stories in her home state, where her grandmother was born in a covered wagon. A multi-RITA Award winner and member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame, she’s written over 50 novels with millions of copies in print. Her most recent releases are The Little Tea Shop on Main and her historical anthology, A Texas Kind of Christmas (Nov. 2019). The first book in her new series with Kensington, Breakfast at the Honey Creek Café, comes out May 2020. Please visit her at http://www.JodiThomas.com.

Meet Jodi Thomas, Rachael Miles & Celia Bonaduce at these Upcoming Events!

Wednesday, November 20, 2019 @ 6pm DALLAS WOMAN’S FORUM at the Alexander Mansion of Dallas Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres with Jodi Thomas, Rachael Miles & Celia Bonaduce (Author Talk, followed by Q&A and Book Signing) 4607 Ross Avenue Dallas, Texas 75204

Thursday, November 21, 2019 @ 11am DALLAS WOMAN’S FORUM at the Alexander Mansion of Dallas Luncheon with Jodi Thomas, Rachael Miles & Celia Bonaduce (Author Talk, followed by Q&A and Book Signing) 4607 Ross Avenue Dallas, Texas 75204

Thursday November 21, 2019 @ 6pm INTERABANG BOOKS 10720 Preston Rd #1009B Dallas, TX 75230

Saturday, November 23, 2019 @ 11am DALLAS ARBORETUM – Rosine Hall 8525 Garland Rd. Dallas, Texas 75218

One Wish: A Christmas Story by Jodi Thomas

October 28, 2019October 25, 2019 Mary Historical Romance, Jodi Thomas, NetGalley, Novella, Zebra

One Wish: A Christmas Story by Jodi Thomas

Expected publication: Oct. 29, 2019 – Zebra

Digital galley courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley

My take: Maggie has a journal where she has recorded wishes over the years. Ranging from flowery, hopeful wishes to now – when she wishes to spend a day with a good man. She doesn’t hold out much home that she’ll get her wish.

On a night just before Christmas she’s the only person in her mercantile when three men with bad intentions come in and threaten her. They don’t realize there’s another person in the shop and he upsets their plan. He is a man from Maggie’s past. She and Sam knew each other as children. Twenty years have passed and they have an opportunity to get re-acquainted.

This is a novella about finding friendship and possibly love. It’s a warm story peppered with Jodi Thomas’s trademark humor. I enjoyed it! The format is perfect when you need a little escape during a busy day.

Christmas in Winter Valley by Jodi Thomas (plus a note from the author)

September 24, 2019September 24, 2019 Mary Christmas, Contemporary Romance, HQN, Jodi Thomas, NetGalley

Readers often ask me where my characters come from. Most simply just walk in my brain and introduce themselves. I learn their stories and secrets kind of like the readers do, a bit at a time. But in CHRISTMAS IN WINTER VALLEY, it was different for one character, TYE FRANKLIN.

I met a man who owned a wonderful bookstore in Terrell, Texas. There was something about him that made me ask, “Did you ever rodeo?”

He moved forward in his chair, spread his legs apart and answered. The love of rodeo was still there after twenty years. His body and mind was setting a horse even though we were in a restaurant as he told me of the thrills and heartaches. The adrenaline, the fun, the pain.

My character Tye came alive in my mind and I loved his story in CHRISTMAS IN WINTER VALLEY.

Jodi Thomas

Christmas in Winter Valley by Jodi Thomas

Published: September 24, 2019 – HQN

Book courtesy of HQN and NetGalley

Description: Cooper Holloway would take nature over people any day—especially visiting relatives. That’s why he’s headed for a rustic cabin in remote Winter Valley, where he’ll care for a herd of wild mustangs. But Cooper’s plans are quickly thwarted by the arrival of two unexpected guests: one, a stranger in desperate need of his help, and the other, a very attractive young veterinarian.

Elliott is busy trying to keep Maverick Ranch running smoothly with Cooper gone, which is no easy task with family visiting. And when a long-lost love suddenly reappears in his life, Elliott knows he’ll have more than just books to balance this season.

With a big, chaotic family Christmas around the corner and love blooming in surprising ways, the Holloway men will have to make big choices about the future—just in time for the holidays.(publisher)

My take: It’s two weeks before Christmas and all across the Maverick Ranch creatures and cowboys are stirring. The Holloway brothers (introduced to readers in book 7 of the Ransom Canyon series) are busy running the family ranch, seeing to horses, and visiting in-laws out of town. They don’t have time for orphans, accidents, injuries and ex girlfriends but they’ll be forced to deal with all and then some. My favorite part of the book involved young Tatum and the ranchers who show him what family is all about. And I loved Tye and his growing relationship with the ranch cook. Christmas in Winter Valley is a charming and romantic book perfect to curl up with this Christmas season. Fans of Jodi Thomas will not be disappointed.

www.jodithomas.com

www.facebook.com/JodiThomasAuthor

Be sure to go to http://www.jodithomas.com and sign up for Jodi’s e-mail newsletter for all the latest news about booksignings and new releases!

The Little Teashop on Main by Jodi Thomas

May 2, 2019May 1, 2019 Mary Contemporary Fiction, HQN Books, Jodi Thomas, NetGalley

The Little Teashop on Main by Jodi Thomas

Pub. date: May 7, 2019 – HQN Books

Review copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

Description: A rainy-day ritual—a tea party between three little girls—becomes the framework of not only their friendship, but their lives.

Redheaded, curly-haired Zoe is open-hearted, kind and free-spirited, and dreams of becoming a famous actor in New York City. Shy Emily struggles with mental health but has the heart and soul of a writer. And Shannon—tall, athletic, strong—has a deep sense of loyalty that will serve her well when she heads off to military college.

As Zoe, Emily and Shannon grow into women—forging careers, following dreams and finding love—they’ll learn that life doesn’t always unfold the way they want it to, but through it all, the one constant is each other, and their regular tea parties. And when the unthinkable happens, the girls must come together to face the greatest test of all. (publisher)

My take: The Little Teashop On Main is the story of 3 forever friends and the man who loved them all. Zoe, Emily and Shannon couldn’t be more different but they were brought together as little girls and their friendship grew over the course of their lives. They were more like sisters and stayed loyal and protective over the years. Jack was their friend and loved them as such, with one exception. He loved them all but was in love with one.

This novel felt a bit different from author Jodi Thomas’s other books. I felt a dream-like quality from the very first page that continued throughout. I liked that aspect but wasn’t sure how things would end up – as I usually do with her novels. That said, it still had the same heart and humor that I’ve come to expect in a Jodi Thomas book. I liked it very much. Just be prepared for an emotional journey with this one. Recommended to fans of Jodi Thomas and novels about friends/sisters.

PRAISE FOR JODI THOMAS, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

“You can count on Jodi Thomas to give you a satisfying and memorable read.”
—Catherine Anderson, New York Times bestselling author

“Western romance legend Thomas’s Ransom Canyon will warm readers
with its huge heart and gentle souls.” —Library Journal

“Compelling and beautifully written, it is exactly the kind of heart-wrenching,
emotional story one has come to expect from Jodi Thomas.”
—Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“This tale will grab readers, who will fall in love with the main characters and be just as
enamored of the others.” —Library Journal, starred review, on Lone Heart Pass

A fifth-generation Texan, New York Times and USA TODAY
bestselling author Jodi Thomas chooses to set the majority of her novels in her home state, where her grandmother was born in a covered wagon. A former teacher, Thomas traces the beginning of her storytelling career to the days when her twin sisters were young and impressionable.
With a degree in family studies, Thomas is a marriage and family counselor by education, a background that enables her to write about family dynamics. Honored in 2002 as a Distinguished Alumni by Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Thomas enjoys interacting with students on the West Texas A&M University campus, where she served as Writer in Residence.

Commenting on her contribution to the arts, Thomas said, “When I was teaching classes full-time, I thought I was making the world a better place. Now I think of a teacher or nurse or mother settling back and relaxing with one of my books. I want to take her away on an adventure that will entertain her. Maybe, in a small way, I’m still making the world a better place.”
When not working on a novel, Thomas enjoys traveling with her husband, renovating a historic home they bought in Amarillo and checking up on their two grown sons.

For more information, please visit Jodi’s website at http://www.jodithomas.com.

The Valentine’s Curse by Jodi Thomas

December 20, 2018December 20, 2018 Mary Historical Romance, Jodi Thomas, Kensington, NetGalley

The Valentine’s Curse by Jodi Thomas

Published: Dec. 18, 2018 – Kensington

Book provided by the publisher and NetGalley

Description: New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas takes you back to the Old West, where two strangers find love in the least likely place, with the least likely person, just in the nick of time . . .

As a Yankee in Texas two years after the Civil War, cowboy Broderick Monroe is given the jobs no one else wants to do—including keeping company with the cursed Widow Allen at the annual Valentine’s Day dance thrown by his boss’s wife.

After losing two husbands to the war, Valerie Allen has become a local pariah. Rumor has it that if a man touches her, he’ll be dead by morning. But Brody believes in curses about as much as he believes in love.

One secret embrace in the moonlight leads Valerie to think she has found a kindred spirit, but fate—and the curse—aren’t done with her yet . . . (publisher)

My take: This novella was originally part of the anthology Be My Texas Valentine (published in 2012). It’s a story of two people who’ve been dealt some hard blows by life. When they meet at a Valentine’s dance they know they aren’t meant to be. He agreed to sit next to her when asked by his boss’s wife and she is too proper to disagree. But that doesn’t mean she must speak to him. She’s known around the county as a cursed widow. He’s known as a Yankee and only tolerated because of his strong work ethic. As always happens in a Jodi Thomas story, unexpected circumstances will change the course of lives and this reader loved finding out how. Told in the author’s warm and charming style this is a novella her fans and those of historical western romance will want to read. I’m glad I finally discovered it!

Mistletoe Miracles by Jodi Thomas

September 25, 2018September 18, 2018 Mary Christmas, Contemporary Romance, HQN, Jodi Thomas, NetGalley

I love when author Jodi Thomas gives her readers a new book. It means she’ll be stopping by with a guest post in addition to another fabulous book in her series. Thanks for visiting, Jodi!

When I started my story of the Maverick Ranch for MISTLETOE MIRACLES, I wanted to begin with Griffin. I saw him as a far better man than he thinks he is and I knew by the time readers followed him through the story, they’d agree with me.

Griffin is the oldest of three boys. When his father grew ill, he took over the ranch always making sure that his brothers saw themselves as equal owners.

Isolated and with the weight of the ranch on his shoulders, Griffin knows that he has to do something to save the ranch. In the years since his father and mother died, he’s tried everything and now he’s faced with one option open.

He’ll have to marry for money. Oh, he promises he’ll just need to borrow enough to make the loan payment for the year, then he’ll be back on his feet. He promised he’ll be honest about why he’s marrying and he’ll be good to any woman taking him on as a husband.

But he’s totally unprepared for Sunlan. She’s everything any man, any rancher could want in a wife. She’s beautiful, smart, from an old ranching family, and to Griffin’s surprise, needs to get married worse than he does.

I hope you love Griffin, Sunlan and all the characters in MISTLETOE MIRACLES.

Enjoy,

Jodi

Mistletoe Miracles by Jodi Thomas

September 25, 2018 • MMP • HQN • 368 pages • ISBN 9781335005632• $7.99 U.S.

Review copy courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley

Description:

A small-town Texas Christmas story, where hearts are lost, love is found, and family always brings you back home.

Griffin Holloway is desperate: the Maverick Ranch has been in his family for generations, but lately, it’s a money pit. He’d sooner marry one of his horses than sell the ranch. Marriage, though, could be a solution. If he can woo a wealthy bride, he might save the ranch—just in time for Christmas.

Jaxon O’Grady likes his solitude just fine, thank you very much. But when a car accident brings the unexpected to his door, he realizes just how much one person can need another.

Crossroads is the perfect place for Jamie Johnson: avoiding nosy questions about why she’s single, she’s happy to keep to her lakeside home. So she’s baffled when she gets the strangest Christmas present of all, in the form of a Mr. Johnson, asleep on her sofa. Who is he, and why does everyone think he’s her husband? (publisher)

My take: The feeling I got while reading Mistletoe Miracles is why I will read any book Jodi Thomas writes. I read the first few pages and was quickly drawn into the charming and warm novel. I smiled as the Holloways found the solution needed to save their ranch; as the local hermit was thrust into a situation that forced him out of his self-imposed shell; and as fiction turned into reality for the high school drama teacher.

Mistletoe Miracles is fun, emotional and even dramatic in a few parts. I enjoyed it all and recommend it to fans of Jodi Thomas, contemporary romance, and a good story. While Mistletoe Miracles is the seventh book in the Ransom Canyon series it can stand alone. A few supporting characters are back but a reader doesn’t need to have met them before.

About the author:

With a degree in family studies, Thomas is a marriage and family counselor by education, a background that enables her to write about family dynamics. Honored in 2002 as a Distinguished Alumni by Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Thomas enjoys interacting with students on the West Texas A&M University campus. Commenting on her contribution to the arts, Thomas said, “When I was teaching classes full-time, I thought I was making the world a better place. Now I think of a teacher or nurse or mother settling back and relaxing with one of my books. I want to take her away on an adventure that will entertain her. Maybe, in a small way, I’m still making the world a better place.” When not working on a novel or inspiring students to pursue a writing career, Thomas enjoys traveling with her husband, renovating a historic home they bought in Amarillo and checking up on their two grown sons.

For more information, please visit Jodi’s website at http://www.jodithomas.com.

Praise for Jodi Thomas:

“Western romance legend Thomas’s Ransom Canyon will warm readers with its huge heart and gentle souls.” —Library Journal

“Compelling and beautifully written, it is exactly the kind of heart-wrenching, emotional story one has come to expect from Jodi Thomas.” —Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“This tale will grab readers, who will fall in love with the main characters and be just as enamored of the others.” —Library Journal, starred review, on Lone Heart Pass

“[Sunrise Crossing] will warm any reader’s heart.” – Publishers Weekly, A Best Book of 2016

Mistletoe Miracles contest!

September 19, 2018September 18, 2018 Mary Jodi Thomas

Jodi Thomas is running a contest for a vacation in her New Mexico condo where she does a lot of her writing. She would love for her readers to experience Red River, an enchanted place that is very personal to her. To enter the contest go to Mistletoe Miracles 3 Day Vacation at Jodi Thomas’ Red River Condo. Good luck!

A message from Jodi Thomas:

I’m very excited about our new contest for a three-day vacation at Red River, New Mexico–either a weekend or during the week. You’ll be stepping into an enchanted place that is very personal to me.

Years ago, my sons were wanting to learn to ski and every time we would go to a little town in New Mexico, it seemed to cost us a fortune. I saw some condos up there and I thought, you know, if we bought a little condo that would solve the problem. Turned out to be the best thing I ever did. Many times a year I go up there whenever I’m reading through a book I’ve just written or if I’m trying to think of an idea. There’s something about sitting out on my patio and watching a branch of the Red River go passing by.

The town of Red River has always been a special place for me. It’s in the enchanted circle in northern New Mexico. Now we have a little bitty place up there, a little bitty hideaway where I go up to write. And It’s always fun. My favorite thing to do in the fall is to curl up in a blanket out on the balcony and watch the Red River go by as I begin a book. Red River, New Mexico is an enchanted place I hope you will enjoy as much as I do.

Jodi Thomas

www.jodithomas.com

www.facebook.com/JodiThomasAuthor

Mornings on Main by Jodi Thomas – Review; Guest Post

April 10, 2018April 9, 2018 Mary Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, HQN, Jodi Thomas

Title: Mornings on Main
Author: Jodi Thomas
Genre: Contemporary Fiction; Romance
Pages: 384
Published: April 2018 – HQN
Source: Publisher; NetGalley

Description: When Jillian James lands in the small town Texas community of Laurel Springs, she’s definitely not planning to stay—except to find a few clues about the father who abandoned her and destroyed her faith in family.

Connor Larady is a single dad, and the only one caring for his grandmother, Eugenia, who has Alzheimer’s. And now he has to close Eugenia’s quilt shop. When Connor meets down-on-her-luck Jillian, he’s out of options. Can he trust the newcomer to do right by his grandmother’s legacy?

Jillian is done with relationships. But as she grows closer to Connor and Eugenia, she must consider giving up her nomadic life for a future with those who need her. (publisher)

My take: Jillian has lived all over the world, it seems. She traveled with her father, an oil worker who went from job to job. Growing up this way made her a wanderer of sorts. After college she’d work in a town and move on when she wanted to another. In her search for information about her father and mother Jillian arrives in Laurel Springs. She’s hoping to find a job and a place to live but isn’t looking for a relationship. Her new boss, Connor Larady, has deep roots in the town. He also can offer a job to Jillian running his grandmother’s quilt shop. She can’t turn down the offer and she soon can’t ignore her attraction to Connor.

Mornings on Main is a story about two people who are very different yet similar in small ways. I enjoyed Jodi Thomas’ novel about creating family and appreciating people for who they are. It was a total comfort read for me at a time when I needed it. Fans of small town stories and Jodi Thomas are sure to enjoy it.

Praise for Jodi Thomas:

“You can count on Jodi Thomas to give you a satisfying and memorable read.” —Catherine Anderson, New York Times bestselling author

“Western romance legend Thomas’s Ransom Canyon will warm readers with its huge heart and gentle souls.” —Library Journal

“Compelling and beautifully written, it is exactly the kind of heart-wrenching, emotional story one has come to expect from Jodi Thomas.” —Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“This tale will grab readers, who will fall in love with the main characters and be just as enamored of the others.” —Library Journal, starred review, on Lone Heart Pass

A guest post from Jodi Thomas:

I just love this quote from my newest release MORNINGS ON MAIN, “Ah! A slower pace in a small town would give me time to think,” Jillian James decided.

When you grow up in a small town you’re very much aware of how much the people around you shape your life. No matter how old I get, I’ll still be Cliff and Sally’s daughter. I’ve always loved wandering the main streets in small towns. Stepping into the shops. Talking to the people. Sometimes all you have to say is, “How are things going?” and an hour later you’re still listening. In MORNINGS ON MAIN, I wrote about the people of Laurel Springs.

As the stories of the town’s history is displayed in quilts, MORNINGS ON MAIN weaves three women’s stories together. One beginning to collect memories, one always leaving the past behind, and a one losing a lifetime.

I hope readers will think about how they store their memories. Whether in quilts or scrapbooking, a diary or pictures. Our lives are stored in pieces, in memories that shape our beliefs and actions. I’d hope that my readers will smile when they finish my story and maybe pull out a few of their favorite memories to enjoy.

Come visit Laurel Springs, and stay for a while!

Jodi Thomas

About the author:

A fifth-generation Texan, New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Jodi Thomas chooses to set the majority of her novels in her home state, where her grandmother was born in a covered wagon. A former teacher, Thomas traces the beginning of her storytelling career to the days when her twin sisters were young and impressionable.

When not working on a novel or inspiring students to pursue a writing career, Thomas enjoys traveling with her husband, renovating a historic home they bought in Amarillo and checking up on their two grown sons.

For more information, please visit Jodi’s website at www.jodithomas.com.

Mornings on Main by Jodi Thomas
April 10, 2018 • Trade paperback original • HQN • 384 pages • ISBN 978-1-335-06295-6 • $15.99 U.S./$19.99 CAN.

A Christmas Affair by Jodi Thomas

October 5, 2017October 5, 2017 Mary Christmas, Contemporary Romance, HQN Books, Jodi Thomas, Novella

Title: A Christmas Affair
Series: Ransom Canyon #6.5
Author: Jodi Thomas
Pages: 90
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Christmas
Published: October 2017 – HQN Books
Source: Publisher; NetGalley

My take: This novella picks up a short time after book 6, Indigo Lake, ends. In that book we met Maria Davis who had come out of a tragic car crash being completely blind. Before the crash she had a promising career as a chef in her future. Now she lives at home with her sister and grandmother in Crossroads, Texas. She makes jams and jellies and sells them at the local market which is owned by Wes. He fell for her the first time they met but was too shy or scared to act on his feelings. Only when Maria decides she wants more than a working relationship with him does anything happen. Wes can’t believe his life has changed in such a wonderful way. He keeps waiting to wake up from his dream. It was hard not to chuckle as these two figured things out. Another storyline is about Travis, a 15 year-old boy who comes to live with his three bachelor great-uncles when his home situation is deemed unsuitable. Once again, Crossroads is a place that welcomes all and saves most. I hope Travis’s story will continue in a future book. Jodi Thomas inserted her usual charm and humor in all of her characters and settings. Grab a cozy blanket and settle into your favorite comfy chair to spend an hour or two with the folks of Crossroads. Recommended to fans of Jodi Thomas, the Ransom Canyon series, and novellas with a Christmas theme.

Jodi Thomas Guest Post – Spotlight on: A Christmas Affair

October 3, 2017September 18, 2017 Mary guest post, HQN Books, Jodi Thomas

A warm welcome back to Jodi Thomas, author of the Ransom Canyon series. Today Jodi will give a brief glimpse into the next installment – a novella: A CHRISTMAS AFFAIR. Thanks for visiting today, Jodi. I can’t wait to read Maria’s story!

Often when I write a book there is a story that I didn’t have time to tell. A person who didn’t get their happy ever after ending.

Maria, Dakota’s sister in INDIGO LAKE, was that person. I wanted to see her with her own story.

The fact that she is blind is only a part of the story. For one time, one moment, she wants to feel alive. She sets out to make her dream come true. In her mind she can’t see forever, but she’s daydreamed of having an affair with the kind storekeeper she talks to every week. Since her accident she’s never felt fully alive, so she decides to give herself a gift for Christmas. An affair with Wes Whitman.

Even if it only lasts one night, she’ll have a memory to keep.

Only, he wants far more. Wes wants forever.

I look forward to my readers stepping into the familiar setting of Crossroads, Texas, and celebrating Christmas with Maria and Wes.

Happy Reading,

Jodi Thomas

Review: Indigo Lake – plus author guest post by Jodi Thomas

July 18, 2017July 18, 2017 Mary Blog Tour, HQN Books, Jodi Thomas, NetGalley

Title: Indigo Lake
Series: Ransom Canyon #6
Author: Jodi Thomas
Pages: 432
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 2017 – HQN Books
Source: Publisher; NetGalley

Description: Two families long divided by an ancient feud. Can a powerful love finally unite them?

Blade Hamilton is the last of his line. He’s never even heard of Crossroads, Texas, until he inherits land there. Riding in on his vintage Harley-Davidson, Blade finds a weathered ranch house, an empty prairie and a dark river that cuts a decisive path between the Hamilton’s land and that of their estranged neighbors.

When Dakota helps a stranger on the roadside, she isn’t prepared for the charisma of the man on the motorbike—or for the last name he bears: Hamilton, of her family’s sworn enemies, representing all she’s been raised to loathe. The problem is, it looks like Blade is in town to stay, and there’s something about his wolf-gray eyes she just can’t ignore.

Lauren Brigman feels adrift. Unhappy in work and unlucky in love, she knows she ought to be striving for more, but she’s never truly at peace unless she’s at home in Crossroads. If the wider world can’t satisfy her, is home truly where her heart is? (publisher)

My take: I love going back to Crossroads, Texas and seeing what’s new with the people we’ve met in previous Ransom Canyon series books and meeting new ones. Indigo Lake introduces readers to Blade and Dakota – two people who don’t think love will ever find them. Blade is a man whose job takes him in every direction so he’s never put down roots. He plans to sell the ancestral home (he didn’t know about until recently) he’s inherited and move on. Dakota’s life revolves around her job, studying, and taking care of her older sister and grandmother. She doesn’t have time for a relationship. And besides, their families are in a feud! It was fun watching these two become important to each other. It was also fun seeing Lauren Brigman’s life progress in a way she didn’t dare hope. I thought it was very sweet (in a good way) how Jodi Thomas made that happen. Of course, there are the usual quirky characters and inept criminals who added the element of suspense as well as humor to the novel. I enjoyed it all and wonder if there will be more to come in the Ransom Canyon series. I hope so!

Note: Included at the end of this book is the Ransom Canyon series introductory novella Winter’s Camp.

Author post:

When I started INDIGO LAKE, I wanted to write a love story happening in the middle of an old feud.

Blade Hamilton is a man who has no family ties. Since he turned 18, he’s been on his own. When he find out he’s inherited a little farm from a father he never knew, he rides down to Texas from Denver on his Harley to take a look. (Fun note and photo: I had to learn a little about Harleys.)

Sell the place and ride away is his plan, until he meets Dakota Davis and falls into the middle of a hundred-year-old feud. Legends and curses seem to keep them apart, but an attraction neither can deny keeps pulling them together.

Blade finds himself surrounded by legends and a deep family history as he falls in love with a woman who is afraid to step on his land and has a grandmother who regularly threatens to kill him.

As Blade is drawn into an investigation in town, he truly finds home for the first time in his life. I know you will love Blade and Dakota’s story.

Good news for Ransom Canyon fans, WINTER’S CAMP is included in the back of INDIGO LAKE!

Hope you enjoy both,

Jodi Thomas

INDIGO LAKE is available wherever books are sold and at http://www.HQNBooks.com

INDIGO LAKE JODI THOMAS $7.99 U.S. ISBN-13: 978-0-373-79936-7

Praise for the Ransom Canyon series:

“Thomas sketches a slow, sweet surrender.” –Publishers Weekly on the RANSOM CANYON series

“A pure joy to read.” –RT Book Reviews on the RANSOM CANYON series

“Western romance legend Thomas’s Ransom Canyon will warm readers with its huge heart and gentle souls.” –Library Journal

When not working on a novel or inspiring students to pursue a writing career, Thomas enjoys traveling with her husband, renovating a historic home they bought in Amarillo and “checking up” on their two grown sons.

For more information, please visit Jodi’s website at http://www.jodithomas.com

Guest Post by author Jodi Thomas plus my review of Wild Horse Springs by Jodi Thomas

January 26, 2017January 25, 2017 Mary Contemporary Romance, guest post, HQN Books, Jodi Thomas, NetGalley

wild-horse-springs

Today author Jodi Thomas is here with a guest post about her new book WILD HORSE SPRINGS:

Now and then when a writer is working on a series, one of the characters steps from the shadows and comes alive. This happens to me often, maybe too often. My sons say they are afraid I’ll name one of my characters in the will. 🙂

But, Sheriff Dan Brigman started as a character in someone else’s story. book 1, Ransom Canyon. He was a good guy. An honest man like most of the men I’ve met in law enforcement. As the series continues he proved to be a good friend, a concerned father and a man the town of Crossroads could depend on.

Only, Dan never had anyone to love. His wife had loved her career far more than him and their daughter. Then, he was the sheriff in a small town. How does the sheriff date? The only women he met were usually speeding or bailing their husband out of jail. He wouldn’t even let friends set him up with their unmarried relatives for fear of hurting their feelings when he didn’t ask for a second date.

Soooo, finally in WILD HORSE SPRINGS the sheriff’s chance comes. One night, in the middle of a deserted highway, he finds a fancy ladies boot in the center of the road. It has him wondering what kind of woman would own such a boot and his quest begins. When he finally finds her, she’s as beautiful and wild as he guessed she might be.

As the weeks passed, this story almost wrote itself. Some nights I couldn’t wait to get back to it and see what happened to Brandi and her sheriff. Now, finally, WILD HORSE SPRINGS is about to hit the stands. I’m excited to share it with readers.

Come along with me and see what happens when the sheriff finds the lady who fits the fancy boot.

Jodi Thomas

Title: Wild Horse Springs
Series: Ransom Canyon #5
Pages: 384
Author: Jodi Thomas
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: January 2017 – HQN Books
Source: Publisher; NetGalley

My take: The Ransom Canyon series continues with Wild Horse Springs (book 5). In the small town of Crossroads, Texas (on the edge of Ransom Canyon) it’s finally time for steady Sheriff Dan Brigman to find some happiness (with the help of a lovely Country singer just passing through the area) – but the people in his life keep pressing the pause button. His daughter Lauren finds an excuse to come home from Dallas where her post-college life isn’t working out how she’d planned. When she gets back to Crossroads she’s met by the two men from her past who could help or hinder life going forward.

For a charming, small town like Crossroads there’s a dark undercurrent lately that most of the residents would be shocked to know about. The Sheriff has his hands full with a crime of arson to solve and a case of a child in peril that threatens to tear his heart out (as well as the reader’s).

Then there’s a Texas Ranger who goes for a nighttime ride that’s interrupted when his horse tosses him into the Canyon. Lucky for him a certain park Ranger finds him and calls for help. She takes control of his life from that moment (since he’s in the hospital and helpless) including making his ranch house a safe place for one of Crossroads’ favorite sons. There’s a lot going on in this novel.

Yes, there are a good deal of dramatic events in this story but also a lot of heartfelt and upbeat moments. Told in Thomas’s usual warm, folksy style, Wild Horse Springs is a strong addition to the series and I look forward to reading the next book.

About the author:

A fifth generation Texan, Jodi Thomas chooses to set the majority of her novels in her home state. With a degree in Family Studies, Thomas is a marriage and family counselor by education, a background that enables her to write about family dynamics. Honored in 2002 as a Distinguished Alumni by Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Thomas enjoys interacting with students on the West Texas A & M University campus, where she currently serves as Writer In Residence.

Commenting on her contribution to the arts, Thomas said, “When I was teaching classes full time, I thought I was making the world a better place. Now I think of a teacher, or nurse, or mother settling back and relaxing with one of my books. I want to take her away on an adventure that will entertain her. Maybe, in a small way, I’m still making the world a better place.”

When not working on a novel or inspiring students to pursue a writing career, Thomas enjoys traveling with her husband, Tom, renovating a historic home they bought in Amarillo, and “checking up” on their two grown sons.

For more information, check out Jodi Thomas’s website.