Book Review: Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas

Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas

Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: June 1, 2010

Paperback, 384 pages

My Review:

I was so thrilled to pick this up on Sunday to read.  I wasn't feeling very well (stomach-bug) and wanted something to enjoy reading, something that would transport me away from how I felt.  Welcome to Harmony did just that.  I left my quiet bedroom (the kids and husband were gone) and was transported to the town of Harmony.  I got to know the inhabitants of Harmony and felt their joys and pain.  Their hopes and fears.  I was completely absorbed into the lives of the people of Harmony and the events that unfolded in the book.

I'll start with the plot - it was a great set up for the series in this first book, but the book had a plot of it's own too.  Sometimes there is too much of one or the other in a first book in the series, but Ms. Thomas has found a wonderful blend.  There was enough background to absorb you as well as a plot line to keep this story moving (and you anxious for the next book in the series).  I won't give anything away, but it can be a nail-biter at times.  Lots of things go on in the book, but it's not too much to keep up with - it's just right to keep you enthralled and wanting to read more.

As for the characters - there are a lot you get to know in this book, but most of them stand out well on their own.  Reagan is the catalyst for the story.  She shows up in town and claims to be Jeremiah's niece.  Jeremiah is that perfect grumpy old man and I loved him as a character.  There is also Noah who befriends Reagan when others seem unsure of her.  And the main characters of this story, sheriff Alex and fire chief Hank Matheson.  Through these main characters and a few others who I hope will have stories of their own, you learn about the town and the characters.  The characters are well-written and varied and really make the story.

I highly recommend you pick up this story if you enjoy relationship and character-driven novels with some romance.  It all blends together so well to make a perfect story.  It 's a perfect summer read. 

My Rating:  4.75/5.0

Check out Jodi Thomas' guest post and a giveaway for 1 copy of this wonderful book (giveaway ends 6/10).

About the Book:
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.

About the Author:
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.

FTC Information: I received this book from the author for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.
 

Author Guest Post and Giveaway: Jodi Thomas

I am thrilled to welcome author Jodi Thomas today to My Reading Room. Jodi's newest book, Welcome To Harmony hit stores this week and it's the first book in a new trilogy focusing on the town of Harmony, Texas. I have finished the book and loved every minute of it. I can tell you right now that once you start the book, you feel like you are a part of Harmony as you get to know the various inhabitants of the town. I laughed through the book at some of the antics, but also ran through a bunch of emotions,  you really just feel like you are a part of this story. So check out the book, Welcome To Harmony at your local bookstore or Amazon.com and now let's hear from author, Jodi Thomas.

 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

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.

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.

Giveaway:

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.