I’m excited today to welcome New York Times Bestselling Author Jodi Thomas back to Thoughts in
Progress to talk about LONE HEART PASS, the latest
installment in her Ransom Canyon series.
LONE
HEART PASS hits bookstores tomorrow and is the third
installment in Thomas’ exciting new western series.
“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
In
a story that carves into the breathtaking romance of two lonely souls, Jodi introduces
the next title in her six-book Ransom Canyon series, a contemporary
Western romance series featuring sweeping family dramas, rugged heroes and the
beautiful Texas landscape.
Here’s
a brief synopsis:
With a
career and a relationship in ruins, Jubalee Hamilton is left reeling from a
fast fall to the bottom. The run-down Texas farm she inherited is a far cry
from the second chance she hoped for, but it and its abrasive foreman are all
she’s got.
Every
time Charley Collins has let a woman get close, he’s been burned. So Lone Heart
ranch and the contrary woman who owns it are merely a means to an end, until
Jubalee tempts him to take another risk—to stop resisting the attraction
drawing them together despite all his hard-learned logic.
Desperation
is all young Thatcher Jones knows. When he leads an injured Steeldust horse to
a ramshackle ranch, he needs help. A horse-stealing ring is on his trail and
the sheriff suspects him…and his only protection is the shelter of a man and
woman who—just like him—need someone to trust.
“Jodi Thomas is a masterful storyteller. She grabs your attention
on the first page, captures your heart, and then makes you sad when it is time
to bid her wonderful characters farewell. You can count on Jodi Thomas to give you
a satisfying and memorable read.” — Catherine Anderson, New York
Times bestselling author
Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Jodi. She’s here to
talk about her book. Welcome, Jodi.
I was recently asked of all my books, which one
would I love to see become a book to movie adaptation? I think LONE HEART PASS would make a great
movie. It’s got a handsome hero, a crazy heroine, and a great love story.
I opened this story with two people. Jubilee’s
world is crashing down so she goes to the only place she’s ever felt safe—a
tiny ranch near Crossroads, Texas. Charley thinks he’s messed up his life
and is struggling to get it right for once. He’s broke, she’s desperate to
make this last chance work, so they agree on a partnership that might just save
them both.
By the way, readers are going to fall in love with
the kid, Thatcher Jones, also. He’s 14 and hunts rattlers to earn his
lunch money.
LONE
HEART PASS marks my 43rd novel. Sometimes I
feel like I’ve had an extra lifetime of friends and family. I loved these
characters from Charley with his good looks only bringing him trouble to
Thatcher who’s had to raise himself and thinks twins happen if you hiccup
during sex.
It was hard writing the end to this one. I
hope you enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Jodi, thanks for joining us sharing
this look at your latest release. I think the Ransom Canyon series would make a great series of movies.
Now for those of you who aren’t
familiar with Jodi, here’s some background on her.
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Author Jodi Thomas
|
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 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, renovating a historic
home they bought in Amarillo and “checking up” on their two grown sons.
Now I’d like to share my thoughts on this entertaining story.
LONE
HEART PASS by Jodi
Thomas
Author Jodi Thomas has a knack for creating characters you
wish you could know in real life.
In her latest release, LONE HEART PASS, Thomas brings
together two characters that have been hurt deeply, made some life mistakes,
and have isolated themselves. Her secondary characters have their own share of
troubles readers can also relate to.
Jubilee Hamilton’s life has hit rock bottom – her career is a
bust, she has aliened herself from relationships and her family thinks she
needs a goal in her life. Returning to a run-down Texas ranch she inherited
from her great-grandfather, Jubilee sees it as her last chance to make a go of
her life.
Charley Collins loves the land and only wanted to continue
running his family’s ranch, but those dreams went up in smoke after some bad
choices he made. Charley is determined to finally make the right choices and
his young daughter is going to be the only female in his life from now on.
Older than his years, young Thatcher Jones has always more or
less looked out for himself. Without knowing it, Thatcher is searching for
someone to care about him while he pretends he doesn’t care.
When life’s circumstances bring these individuals together,
their worlds are turned upside down. They soon learn there are others searching
for someone to trust. Can they learn to trust one another, while trying to save
the ranch and their lives as desperate criminals wait nearby.
The author’s characters are realistic, likable and
well-developed. The bonds of friendship and concern that grows between the
various characters adds depth to the story. The mix of emotions experienced by
each character and how they interact enhances the tale. The slow, budding
romance draws you in as the suspense surrounding the mystery keeps you on the
edge of your seat.
The setting comes alive on the page through the author’s rich
descriptions and eye for details. Thomas blends a bit of the old west with a
modern life for a well-balanced western.
LONE
HEART PASS is an enthralling mix of romance, mystery and
self-discovery. It’s the third installment in the series, but can be read on
its own. Filled with well-crafted characters, a touch of romance, mystery, and
friendship, this is a book you won’t be able to put down until you turn the
final page.
Lone Heart Pass by Jodi Thomas, Ransom Canyon Series (Book #3), HQN Books,
@2016, ISBN: 978-0373789214, Mass
Market Paperback, 352 Pages
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy
of this book was sent to me as part of the author’s blog tour in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the
complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my
own and given honestly and freely.
Thanks so much for stopping by today during Jodi’s visit. Do
you enjoy stories where the characters evolve with a bit of self-discovery? Do
you like the western-theme in a story?