World Book Night 2012

Today is the celebration of World Book Night 2012! I am excited to be a part of this and get to hand out 20 copies of The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. I have already given out a few and have many more to go. I love to see the reaction of someone when I hand them a random free book. Are you participating today? If so, what book are you giving out. If not, did you receive a book and which one did you get? I can't wait to hear the experience of others today. Happy Reading!

Jodi Thomas Guest Blog

The question I always fear the most when I'm traveling on book tour is , "Where do your ideas come from?" In truth, I often want to say, "Where did yours go?" because for the most part I don't know where ideas some from. For the most part it's not an idea, but a person who jumps into my mind first. He, or she, walks in, sits down and begins to tell me a story I have to follow. When that happens, as it did in JUST DOWN THE ROAD I grab my computer and start hoping I can hang on to wherever the story takes me. 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.

Just Down The Road Review

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Jodi Thomas is pleased to present JUST DOWN THE ROAD, the fourth novel in her award-winning Harmony series. 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… “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 ec-centric women are easy to follow and even easier to love. “ ~Publishers Weekly JUST DOWN THE ROAD Sell date: April 3, 2012 Publisher: Berkley ISBN: 978-0425246924 Retail price: USA $ 7.99 Jodi Thomas is the NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of 34 novels and 11 short story collections. In June 2011, WELCOME TO HARMONY won a RITA, the highest award for women’s fic-tion. Jodi currently serves as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. www.jodithomas.com Twitter.com/jodithomas www.facebook.com/ JodiThomasAuthor Jodi Thomas, NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author My review: Each time I read a book by Jodi Thomas, I fall in love with her writing again. After reading the Harmony series, I feel like a resident of the town and a member of the society as I am surrounded by the characters. It is hard to separate yourself from the real and the fiction of the books. They are so well written, you can't help but lose yourself in the words and begin to be a part of their lives. I urge you to start with the first book and read the entire series through this book. You won't be disappointed.