Today Bestselling Author Jodi Thomas is here to kick off her blog tour and talk about her new release, Welcome to Harmony
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WELCOME TO HARMONY is hitting the stands as we speak. Sometimes I feel like one of those dime novel writers from a hundred years ago. They’d write their stories, mail the book off to a press back east and wait at the train station for the first copies to come in with the newspapers. It’s a kick to know that people all over the country will be stepping into my world in a few days.
I began the book at a Bed and Breakfast built in 1851 near Tyler, Texas. I was the only guest at the huge old plantation house and thought as soon as the housekeeping staff left I would wander, but as soon as the door was closed and I realized I was alone, I ran to my room and locked the door. That night, with ghosts (I was sure) just outside my door I began the story of a small town called Harmony.
Harmony is a place we all wish we were from. You’ll fall in love with not only the Fire Chief who tries to take care of all the women in his life—a mother, two widowed aunts, two divorced sisters and a four year old niece—but you’ll also understand the Funeral Director who loves his job of helping people in crisis. Everyone in town knows him, but he can’t remember names. He’s lonely but can’t see himself ever leaving his home or his responsibilities. He’s kind to everyone, but has no one to love him.
The thread that holds them all together is a runaway who hits town one night. She’s really not looking to stay, but just wants to visit Harmony so she’ll have a place to be from. What she finds is a place to belong.
The settings are pulled from my memories of small town rodeos and families who argue for generations but fight to help one another when trouble comes. The prairie fires of 2006 that burned a million acres of land near my home in the Texas Panhandle influenced the plot as did the funny ways that small town folks are so very unique.
I hope Harmony and its people touch you as deeply as they did me. The last month of writing the book I found I had trouble making myself write the ending because I didn’t want to leave Harmony.
So, come along with me to a town you’ll feel like you are from by the time you finish reading. You’ll laugh, maybe cry a little and fall in love.
Thanks for reading,
Jodi Thomas
www.jodithomas.com
About Jodi
Jodi Thomas is the NY Times and USA Today best-selling author of 30 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.
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Y’all, I’m telling you, Jodi is so right – Harmony really is the town we all wish we could be from. I just can’t say enough good about this book. I have 3 copies of Welcome to Harmony to giveaway. While I try to think up some more ways to wax poetic about it, why don’t you leave a comment welcoming Jodi to Book Binge. If you do, you’ll be entered to win one of them.
Contest ends Monday, May 31, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. And later today I have an excerpt to share and another copy to giveaway! So stick around.
Welcome to Harmony is available from Berkley. You can buy it here
May I be the first to welcome you to the Book Binge, It is a great place to hang around.
This book looks really great and love the cover. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Helen L.
Welcome to the Book Binge. And best wishes on Welcome to Harmony. The storyline sounds great and the cover is a grabber – I love colorful covers.
I have one of your contemps on my tbr and have read some of your historicals.
Welcome, and congrats on the new release! It sounds like a wonderful story. I really like small-town series romances.
I so enjoyed your Texas historicals, so I am eager to try this contemporary story.
Jodi–It’s a pleasure to have you visit Book Binge. I just finished reading the glowing, 5-star review of Harmony that was posted earlier today. Sounds like you’ve got a real winner that we’ll all be adding to our TBR lists!
I love Jodi’s writing. She speaks about small town living in such a magical light. The way she describes these towns they almost become a character all on their own.
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
I love Jodi’s writing. Have read most of her historicals and would love to read this contemporary.
Jodi, welcome to the “binge” – it is a fun place to be. I look forward to reading this book – I just love contemporaries and have read a few of your historicals.
Good luck with this series.
Joanne V.
Jodi, sounds like you have another winner on your hands with “Welcome to Harmony”….Good Luck with it and hope your luck rubs off on me so I win a copy of the book for my own! Mickey Mac.
Welcome! I would be drawn to this book in any store because of the beautiful cover! Can’t wait to read it
msboatgal at aol.com
Welcome Jodi, good luck on your new release!!! I love your books and can’t wait to read this one. Small towns always make good reads!!! Please keep writing, I love your style. Thanks for the contest too, Sue
Welcome to the Book Binge Jodi! Best wishes for the success of your book.
I would like to welcome you to Book Binge. This book will be as huge of a success as all of your others. You have a talent that sucks us all in. Best of luck and keep them coming.
Lynn R.
Welcome Jodi to The book Binge. Am very interested in reading this book and thanks so much for giving away several of the book.
Karen T.
Welcome to The Book Binge, Jodi! Can’t wait to read this book!
Jodi~
I can’t wait to read ‘Welcome to Harmony’, I have read sooo many great reviews=) Congrats!
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net