Jodi Thomas

Rainey is on the run from her father and a forced marriage when she runs into Travis McMurray on a month's leave from the Texas Rangers as she is planning to steal a horse. Rainey is in disguise but makes an impression on Travis. When he later goes in pursuit of her and his horse, he goes in the wrong direction and ends up helping a small wagon train fend off raiders, getting his leg shot in the process. In another disguise she helps his family get him home and tend to him, leaving before he wakes up. Travis is determined to find her and the story deals with his physical recovery, her trying to stay in hiding and the forces drawing them together. Really well done story of 2 loners who have found their perfect match.… (more)

Reagan, 16 year old foster child, helps out at a nursing home and meets Beverly Truman, 85 and dying. She listens to Beverly's stories of Harmony, TX and reads Beverly old letters and news from the town. When Beverly dies and Reagan learns she is to be moved again, she runs away to Harmony, the idealized place she's heard about. There she presents herself to Beverly's ancient brother and her grandchild. The life that develops between these two mismatched 'relatives' is great. Another plot-line involves a female sheriff and her fraught relationship with the local fire chief. Great characters are developed that I look forward to seeing in future volumes.… (more)

Four novellas taking place in the late 19th century West make up this collection. All four were slightly above average. Jodi Thomas, Jo Goodman and Alison Kent were all familiar to me and represented themselves favorably here. Kaki Warner was a new author to me and I enjoyed her entry and will look for more things by her. Kent's and Goodman's stories dealt with runaways wanting to live independent lives from their family's expectations. Thomas's story dealt with a woman who had been labeled crazy by her stepfather in order to claim her ranch, she just wanted to live her life as a respected veterinarian. The last story also dealt with a woman who wanted to live an independent life after the death of her husband and not liking the options expected of her. The hero jumps to a lot of wrong conclusions about her because he doesn't consider possible alternatives. Nice group of stories.… (more)

Jodi Thomas' 1867 story about a widow who lost 2 husbands in the Civil War and a Yankee cowboy is a gem. Rumor says Valerie Allen is cursed, with every man who speaks to her suffering an accident or becoming ill. Brody Monroe is ignored or taunted by the Southern community and stays to himself as much as possible. Their relationship gives each of them a new lease on life. The other three stories, all set in 1880s small Texas towns, were satisfying stories but more typical of the genre. It's always nice when one of these stands out and I'll be looking to read more by Thomas.… (more)