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. Reagen Truman is one of the strongest characters
I’ve ever written. She’ places an important role in all three of the Harmony
books to come.
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
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.
About Welcome to Harmony:
Sixteen-year-old runaway Reagan has always wanted a place to belong.
She's never had a real home of her own, but perhaps she could borrow
someone else's. Under an assumed name and identity, she moves to
Harmony, Texas, but keeps her distance from the welcoming townsfolk.
Until prairie fires threaten Harmony-and Reagan learns the true meaning
of family, friends, and home.
I have been given 1 copy of Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas to giveaway to the readers of this blog. Simply comment to enter. Additional entries for following (rss, email, blogger, networked blogs, etc.), tweeting (1 per day), posting on your blog (sidebar is fine). Please comment for each entry - it makes the accounting easier. Giveaway open to US/Canada only. Don't worry if you are first or last - I'm starting to randomize all entries before using random.org to draw a number - so it's more like drawing a name out of a hat. Giveaway runs through June 10, 2010.
27 comments:
I am a big fan of Jodi's work, please count me in. I haven't yet read this one. Thanks!
jenma76 at hotmail dot com
I would love to read this. I love the cover! Thanks!
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
I follow thru google reader
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
I follow google friend connect
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
I follow thru networked blogs.
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
I would love to read this one.
teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com
I am a follower.
teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com
Love to be included thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel :)
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
This book sounds wonderful and I would really like to win and read it.
cenya2 at hotmail dot com
i'm a subscriber :)
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
This book looks and sounds wonderful. Please enter me in your giveaway and thank you for the opportunity.
Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
I am also a follower.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
I'd like to enter the contest.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am a GFC follower.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm also an email subscriber.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'd love to read this. Thanks for the chance.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I follow
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I would love to read this.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I've got this posted over at Win a Book for you :) No need to enter me.
Thanks for the giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
blog follower via GFC
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
I'd love to read Welcome to Harmony :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com
Please enter me! baileythebookworm[at]gmail[dot]com
this is at the top of my TBR list - please count me in
msboatgal at aol.com
Please enter me in this giveaway - Thanks!
seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com
And I am a follower!
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