Author Jodi Thomas: New Release, Writing And A Giveaway

I’m delighted to welcome New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jodi Thomas back to Thoughts in Progress as she prepares for the release of the fourth novel in her award-winning Harmony series, JUST DOWN THE ROAD. 

Here’s a brief synopsis of the book: When Tinch Turner lost his wife, he gave up on living. Now he spends his nights brooding, boozing and brawling. 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… 

Thanks to Jodi, I have a copy of JUST DOWN THE ROAD to giveaway to a lucky visitors who comments on this post by 8 p.m. (EST) on Monday, April 2. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only. Be sure to leave your email address in the comment, if it’s not included in your profile.

Jodi joins us to talk about her new book and her writing. 

 
JUST DOWN THE ROAD is my 36th novel and I believe one of the best I’ve ever written. Whenever I write I always think about the kind of story I love to read. I want to laugh and cry and fall in love. I want to care. I want to stay with the story longer than planned because I just have to know what happens next.  

I think, as you read JUST DOWN THE ROAD that I will take you on that journey. You’re going to love my people, not because they’re rich or famous, or powerful, but because they’re kind. They’re trying to survive in a world where doing what is right matters. 

  
Whenever I begin to plot I like to mix my stories together so that one plot forms out of the life of several people. In JUST DOWN THE ROAD I have the beginnings of young, first time, love and the sweet love of two people who thought they were destined to live their lives alone. 

In the opening I introduce two people who are running, one from life and the other toward it. One, because of fear, thinks she’s never lived and the other feels his life is over. They are not a couple anyone would put together but as they grow to love each other. Tinch and Addison realize they’re a perfect match. And, for a man just learning to live again, Tinch has to also realize that there are some things in life worth risking his life for. 

 
I’d like to welcome you to step into my town, Harmony, Texas, and get to know the people. The streets of Harmony, the ranches and farms around, the vast open land that molds a special kind of people, all form together in my head as real as a road map.  

My characters, spurs and all, step into my imagination, “have a set” and tell me their stories. They are as real to me as family and friends and they’ll come alive to you also. Who knows, when you finish the book, you might just feel like you have another home town. 

 
Remember, always be kind to one another, and enjoy my newest story.

Jodi, thanks so much for returning and sharing about your upcoming release. JUST DOWN THE ROAD (ISBN: 978-0425246924) is slated for release on April 3 by Berkley. Does that cover just invite you to pick it up and meet new friends?

Here are a couple of quick quotes about the book: “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 eccentric women are easy to follow and even easier to love.” ~ Publishers Weekly 

Now let me share a bite about Jodi.  A fifth generation Texan, Jodi chooses to set the majority of her novels in her home state. With a degree in Family Studies, she 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, Jodi enjoys interacting with students on the West Texas A & M University campus, where she currently serves as Writer In Residence. When not working on a novel or inspiring students to pursue a writing career, Jodi enjoys traveling with her husband, Tom, renovating a historic home they bought in Amarillo, and "checking up" on their two grown sons. 

WELCOME TO HARMONY, the first book in her series, won a RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America in June 2011. SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, the second in the series, won the Reviewers Choice Award from www.twolipsreviews.com. 

For more on Jodi and her writing, visit her website at www.jodithomas.com or find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JodiThomasAuthor or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jodithomas

Get a sneak preview of the book through this lovely book trailer for JUST DOWN THE ROAD.

Do you enjoy a small town atmosphere in the books your read? Do you enjoy feeling like you know the characters when you finished the book? Thanks so much for stopping by today. Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of JUST DOWN THE ROAD.

Author Jodi Thomas: Characters Come Alive And A Giveaway

It’s my pleasure to welcome another ‘new-to-me’ author here today as she prepares for the release of the third installment in her Harmony series. Please say hello to NY Times & USA Today bestselling author Jodi Thomas. 

Jodi’s newest book, THE COMFORTS OF HOME, is scheduled to be released on Nov. 1. The book will continue the story about a fascinating little Texas town and its numerous lovable characters. 

Thanks to Jodi, I have 1 copy of THE COMFORTS OF HOME to giveaway to a lucky visitor who comments on this post between now and 8 p.m. (EST) on Tuesday, Nov. 1. The giveaway is open to US residents only. Be sure to include your e-mail address with your comment if it’s not in your profile.

Jodi joins us to talk characters coming to life. 

I love traveling the world, but in my mind when I want to relax I always journey to a small town I call Harmony. To me it is as real a place as Rome or London. Sometimes when I’m driving through Duncan, Oklahoma, or Waco, Texas, or Red River, New Mexico, (all places I’ve been this month) I see the town and think ‘they have just that kind of store in Harmony.’ The first of November my third book about a Texas town called Harmony will be hitting the stands. I hope people will come along with me and meet the people in THE COMFORTS OF HOME.
 
Once in a while a character plays at the corner of a writer’s mind for a long time before their story begins to grow. Ronelle Logan was like that with me. She was in WELCOME TO HARMONY as a girl who worked in the post office and eats alone every day in the diner. I knew she’d have her own story one day even from the beginning. As she wakes up to the world around her she sees what her life is really like and wants more.
 
COMFORTS OF HOME is about the people in a small town who come together to celebrate life. They care about one another. Many nights when I sat down in my study to write I felt as if I was stepping into a world, a place that was as real to me as my life. I never think of my people as characters in a story, but always as people. They walk though my life and make it a richer place and I hope they’ll do the same for you as you read THE COMFORTS OF HOME. Enjoy! Jodi 

Jodi, thanks for guest blogging today. I always enjoy a book where they author makes the characters seem realistic, like the people you would know in everyday life.

Now let me share a bite about Jodi. A 5th generation Texan, Jodi chooses to set the majority of her novels in her home state. With a degree in Family Studies, she 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, Jodi enjoys interacting with students on the West Texas A & M University campus, where she currently serves as Writer In Residence. When not working on a novel or inspiring students to pursue a writing career, Jodi enjoys traveling with her husband, Tom, renovating a historic home they bought in Amarillo, and "checking up" on their two grown sons. 

WELCOME TO HARMONY, the first book in her series, won a RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America in June 2011. SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, the second in the series, won the Reviewers Choice Award from www.twolipsreviews.com. 

For more on Jodi and her writing, visit her website at www.jodithomas.com or find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JodiThomasAuthor. You can pre-order THE COMFORTS OF HOME on Jodi’s website.

Do you enjoy stories that involve small towns? What about a series that follows the lives of several people over a period of time, does that appeal to you as a reader? Thanks for stopping by and be sure to enter the giveaway.