On April 3, 2012, my new story JUST DOWN THE ROAD will be released. I’m walking the floor waiting for the birth of this book because I fell like it’s the best I’ve ever written. A friend of mine commented that, over the last 36 books, I’ve said that a few times before, and I probably have, but I work to make each one better and this one shines. For those readers who love stories that wrap around your heart, you’ll love this one. It’s about the people of a small town who, though they think they live private lives also interact and change those around them. I’ve really never thought of the people in my books as characters, for me they are people, as real in my mind as my neighbors. They are wise and foolish, and loving…and unforgettable.
Tinch Turner was one of those rare characters who came to me fully developed. When I met him he was sitting outside the emergency room in Harmony, Texas, counting the roughnecks piling out of a pick-up and heading in for treatment. He was hurt and bleeding, but he’d wait until they were treated before he went in. After all, it was the least he could do, he was the one who sent them to the hospital.
As soon as I had Tinch down on paper I knew he’d have to meet a woman who could be his match. For a while I looked for another fighter, but the doctor who stepped in his path was a frightened woman who’d been broken once and only thought of running when trouble came. She’d have to give him a reason to live and he’d have to show her how to be strong.
Tinch and Addison were born, then in my mind, they took the story and made it their own.
I’m never sure what to say when people ask me what I do for a living. I daydream. I play. I imagine. I create. I scrub the rough worlds clean. I’m not a writer for a living, I’m simply a writer.
In JUST DOWN THE ROAD all my work, and skill and that spark of talent seemed to come together. The people I created breathed. I’m very proud of this book and I hope it makes you laugh, and cry and fall in love with the people who live in Harmony.
Enjoy the story,
Jodi Thomas
**Disclaimer** This post was written by Jodi Thomas
NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Jodi Thomas is pleased to present
JUST DOWN THE ROAD, the fourth novel in her award-winning Harmony series.
When Tinch Turner lost his wife, he gave up on living. Now he spends his nights brooding, boozing and brawl-ing. When one of his escapades lands him in the ER, he finds himself staring up at the beautiful new doctor in town. For the first time in years, he feels a spark, but Addison Spencer wants nothing to do with the unruly rancher—or any man for that matter. She’s only in Harmony four months, long enough for the trouble she left behind to be over. But then a vulnerable little boy barrels into both of their lives, forcing them out of the past —and into a future where love is just down the road… "Extremely powerful and gripping writing...full of passionate moments, hidden secrets, and likable characters.
~ Roundtable Reviews
" Even for readers new to the series, the intricate relationships between these affable men and ec-centric women are easy to follow and even easier to love. "
~Publishers Weekly
Jodi Thomas is the NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of 34 novels and 11 short story col-lections. In June 2011, WELCOME TO HARMONY won a RITA, the highest award for women’s fiction. Jodi currently serves as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. www.jodithomas.com
I had the great opportunity to read the newest book in the Harmony series by Jodi Thomas. Just Down the Road is another great book by Ms. Thomas. I thoroughly enjoy how each new book brings back old characters from the whole series. The latest book is by far the best in the series and I look forward to reading more of Jodi Thomas' books.
*Disclaimer* I was not paid for this post. I was given a free copy of the book for review purposes. Thank you to Jodi Thomas and staff for the book.
Jodi Thomas' newestbook The Comforts of Home hits the shelves November 1, 2011. I love this series and was excited to read this new book.
Publishers Weekly Review In her third Harmony novel, Thomas takes readers back to that Texas town where a number of romances come to a head after a tornado strikes. Funeral director Tyler Wright struggles to profess his love to Maj. Kate Cummings. Aspiring rodeo star Noah MacAllen keeps returning to Harmony and his best friend (and beloved) Reagan Tru-man. Reagan, whose "uncle" Jeremiah (he’s her foster father) is dying, wrestles with her feelings for Noah and local firefighter Bran-don Biggs. Meanwhile, shy Ronelle Logan meets angry, lonely Martin Winslow, who helps her emerge from her shell. Despite their passion, Claire Matheson has trouble committing to Denver Sims. The tornado leaves each character wondering if loved ones have survived, and this uncertainty forces them to action. Even for readers new to the series, the intricate relationships be-tween these affable men and eccentric women are easy to follow and even easier to love. Thomas skillfully juggles the many subplots, and the relationship between Ro-nelle and Marty, which inspires both to trust again, is especially touching.
About Jodi Thomas Jodi Thomas is the NY Times and USA Today best-selling author of 34 novels and 11 short story collections. In June 2011, WELCOME TO HARMONY won a RITA, the highest award for contemporary fiction. Jodi currently serves as the Writer in Resi-dence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.
*Disclosure* I was not paid for this book review. I was sent a free copy of the book in exchange for my review. Thank you to Jodi Thomas and publishers for sending the book.
I’m getting excited. THE COMFORTS OF HOME is on its way and due to hit the stands on Nov. 1. Whenever I write any of the Harmony Series, I always feel like I’m stepping into another world and for me it is a real world. The town is as real to me as any place I’ve ever lived. I’ve lived in little towns from Freehold, NJ. to Sierra Vista, AZ but now spend most of my days in the little town of Canyon, Texas. For me, I feel at home writing about a small town and the warm, caring people who live there.
THE COMFORTS OF HOME is about a woman I’d wanted to write about since she first appeared in WELCOME TO HARMONY. Ronelle was one of those invisible people we see about town but don’t take the time to know. After a chance meeting with a man who seems more isolated than her, she begins to grow as a person and discovers a world she’d only dreamed of living. The magic of this story for me was how two broken people can help one another.
I hope you’ll join me for this journey inside a small town where people care deeply about one another. You’ll see people you’ve grown to know in WELCOME TO HARMONY and SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY. When I’m writing I always think of the reader at the other end of the line. I always wish I could whisper, ‘come along with me on an adventure. I’ll make you laugh and cry and fall in love with the people of Harmony, just as I have.
About the book:
TEXAS BLUE, my 31st book, will be out in April and I had a great time with this adventure across Texas. First, I opened in 1875, with two friends parting ways one stormy night in Austin. Duncan, a Texas Ranger, is off to fight at the border and Lewt, a gambler, plans to find a wife while his friend is away.
Duncan, called Duck when he was a boy in earlier books, is wild and fearless. Lewt has never done anything brave and never plans to.
Lewt decides to join a group of men Duncan hand selected to travel to Whispering Mountain and meet his three female cousins. Though Lewt knows his friend would never introduce a gambler to his rich relatives, he wants a chance for more than just a life in saloons.
The reader steps into two stories running at once. Duncan fighting, being hurt in the fight, being held captive and Lewt learning how to act around women he doesn’t have to buy a drink to talk to. Both learn and grow as they discover what is important in life.
Ride along with me and I promise I’ll take you through Texas from a ranch big enough to be its own kingdom to a fight in Texas history that became a legend the Texas Rangers still repeat.
From the author:
I’ve been setting books in Texas history for almost twenty years. As a fifth generation Texan, the world seems very real to me. People sometimes ask if I’d like to go back there, and I always say no, I just loving living there in my imagination. While writing this book I felt like I was returning to a much loved ranch I’d written about before called Whispering Mountain. My hero, Duncan, was rescued as a boy from an outlaw camp and adopted by the McMurrays. He’s been raised with three girl cousins and feels very protective of them. When they think he sent men to the ranching hoping to marry them off, the girls declare war on Duncan.
I hope readers will love this story as much as I loved writing it. Though TEXAS BLUE was my 31st book, I was a little surprised that I still love writing as much as ever. Some stories come easy, some seem more like work, but with this one all I did was turn on the laptop and hang on. The story took off all on its own. My characters were so strong at some points they took over the story.
*Disclosure* All content was written and sent from the author Jodi Thomas with her permission to post. Thank you to Jodi Thomas for supplying the book to read for my review. I was not paid for this post.
Texas Blue is the fifth book in the “Whispering Mountain” series by author Jodi Thomas.
From the back cover:
Gambling man Lewton Paterson wants to marry into a respectable family, even if it costs him his friendship with Duncan McMurray. After fleecing a train ticket from one of the three gentlemen picked to call on Duncan's cousins, Lewt makes his way to Whispering Mountain. But seducing a well-bred woman is harder than Lewt thought, and he realizes that to entice a McMurray sister, he'll need to learn a thing or two about ranching—and love.
I absolutley loved this book! I couldn't put it down and was able to read it in a weekend. The characters were so fun and Ms. Thomas brings Texas to life in her books. I went to my local library and have put on hold as many of Jodi Thomas' books as they had.
I don't want to give anything away in the book, but it is a must read. As it is the fifth book in a series, you don't necessarily have to read the first four books, I am going to go back and read them so I can get caught up in the series, but Texas Blue can be read first.
Texas Blue comes out April 5th so be sure and order you copy.
You can follow Jodi Thomas on Facebook and Twitter and visit her webpage here.
***Disclaimer*** I was not paid for this post. I was sent a free book for review purposes. Thank you to Ms. Thomas for the book.
I had the great pleasure to read the second book in the series Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas. Somewhere Along The Way is a wonderful story that picks up right where the characters of Welcome to Harmony left off. This time around there are more characters brought into the story as well as a little bit of romance and alot of mystery and intrigue.
Jodi Thomas is a superb story teller who's characters come to life. Thomas has the ability to make you feel like you are in Harmony, Texas smack in the middle of a snow storm.
From Jodi Thomas:
Thanks for asking me to drop by and tell everyone about my thirtieth novel and what I think is the best one I’ve ever written. These characters came alive for me and I hope they will for you. So, lets step into the second book about a small town in Texas, Harmony called SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY.
In my new book I had a great time creating characters. In truth it was more like meeting them. I felt like they were so real, I just had to get them down on paper, nothing more.
The first one who talked to me was Gabe. He was a man shattered by what he saw in war and now only wanted to live lone without anyone, but he met Liz and couldn’t stay away. She was everything he wasn’t in life. She completed him and surprisingly, he did the same for her.
A few lines from Liz and Gabe’s story: “You have any idea whose blue Mustang that is?” He pointed at a car parked on the side street halfway between the front and the back of the building. “Could be a stalker. That parking spot allows whoever’s in the car to see both stairwells. You should really park out front, Elizabeth. It’s safer.” Liz slammed the trunk. “This conversation is over, Mr. Smith. Stop trying to frighten me.” He grabbed her arm to stop her retreat, then let go an instant later as if realizing his mistake. “I didn’t mean to. I came to say I’m sorry about what happened the other night. I . . .” Liz waited several seconds before she realized he wasn’t going to continue. “Let me make it easy on you, Gabe. Let’s try a multiple-choice question. A. You’re sorry you kissed me. B. You are sorry you stopped. C. You’re involved with someone else and figured your wife and kids wouldn’t approve. And of course, D. We should just be friends.” She moved away. “Oh, wait, we’re not friends in the first place, so forget D.” He followed her, standing just behind her as she opened her car door. “B,” he said as she backed into him trying to open her door. “I’m sorry I stopped.” She turned to face him. “Let me get this straight. You don’t want to be friends. You don’t want to talk or hang out. You just want to drop by now and then and kiss me.” He was so close she could feel his breath. “That’s about it,” he said as he shoved her door closed and backed her against her car. “You interested, Elizabeth?” “You’re nuts,” she answered. He moved away. “Yeah, you’re right, but I’ve lived alone for so long, one kiss a week is all I can handle right now, and you’re about the most kissable woman I’ve ever met.” He turned and walked into the shadows close to the building. “I had to give it a shot. No hard feelings.” Liz had to hurry to catch his arm before he started up the stairs.
Another character who almost danced across my desk to get me to notice her was Martha Q.
Martha Q Patterson had been considered the town slut for so long she’d learned to embrace the title. When she was in her teens she’d take any dare. In her twenties and thirties, folks claimed she married half the eligible men in town and slept with the other half.
Which wasn’t true, Martha liked to remind everyone. Two of her husbands were from Bailee and one from Oklahoma City. But in the twenty years she considered her “marrying phase,” she did marry seven times, if she counted Bobby Earl Patterson twice, him being both her second and seventh.
Thanks for letting me drop by and thank you for reading. Writing is a fascinating journey, but if it wasn’t for readers coming along with me it wouldn’t be any fun.
Jodi Thomas
I highly recommend reading Jodi Thomas' books and I can't wait for book three of the series to come out! I just had the opportunity to watch the trailer on youtube and hope it gives you a sneak peak at what the book is about:
About the Author: Jodi Thomas is the NY Times and USA Today best-selling author of 31 novels and 8 short story collections. As of July 2006, she was the 11th woman to be inducted in to RWA Hall of Fame. She is also currently serving as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.
Somewhere Along the Way will be available starting in November, but 1 of my readers will have the chance to win a copy of their own!
WIN IT Mandatory entry: Tell me your favorite author or book.
Other ways to enter:
1.Follow my blog
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5. Grab my button
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That's 9 ways to enter- do one or all - it's up to you! Please leave an email address with one comment.
This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen using Random.org. The winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.
This giveaway will end on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 10 PM EST.
***Disclaimer*** I was not paid for this post. I was sent a copy to review. A big Thank-you to Jodi Thomas and her PR company for sending me the giveaway copy.
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