One True Heart Jodi Thomas

One True Heart
Jodi Thomas
Published: Berkley
Date: 7th April 2015
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 336
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publicist via NetGalley

Millanie McAllen is always logical. But after returning to her childhood home, she learns that some things are beyond explanation—like her undeniable passion for Drew Cunningham…

After finding success as a singer on the road, Beau Yates returns to Harmony to make peace with his dying father—only to find the woman he’s been dreaming of for years. But the secrets they discover might be too much for him to bear…

When Johnny Wheeler is charged with his wife’s murder, he turns to the only person who believes he’s innocent. Fortune teller Kare Cunningham’s life has always danced around reality—but Johnny is able to ground her like no other…

As their paths cross in new, captivating directions, the townspeople of Harmony need to learn to love and let go in order to live together in their little slice of heaven.

One True Heart by Jodi Thomas is #8 in her Harmony series, and I have read and loved them all.  As I began I was a little unsure as there were a few new characters in town and I so love all those ones I know.  However - hooked on the first page!  Jodi Thomas deftly orchestrates the characters, and in no time at all I was happily treading the streets of Harmony.  And there were little glimpses of many of the characters I love.

Millanie, returning to Harmony after being wounded in war, tired, lost, and out of balance. However while she might be on crutches she's not helpless! She is also determined, independent and no push over.  Loved her from the start.

Drew Cunningham has had a tough upbringing, after being wounded, he is hiding out in a cabin not far from Harmony.  He avoids crowds and likes nothing better than to hang out with his favourite family - the Morgans.  While he endeavoured to go off the grid, his half sister Kare tracked him down and now she is in town too.  Is Kare a little flaky?  She works in the back of the local bookshop and offers fortune telling.  Sounds like she has quite a following.  She is kind and caring the elderly people in the town love her.

Johnny Wheeler is a farmer, his wife just walked out on him and he just wants to bury her!  Johnny was a delightful character, and two of his little jokes had me laughing loud and heartily.  It wasn't long before I was cheering him on.

And then Beau is back in town.  I've always loved Beau so it was great to see him and his guitar around again for awhile.  I had forgotten what he and Trouble used to get up to, but this book reminded me and forwarded that little story wonderfully well.

There is a little mystery and danger, characters finding themselves, relationships that grow and blossom in One True Heart.  I loved the humour and loved how that entangled in the lives of Reagan and Noah, characters from the start of this series.  Warmed my heart and made me laugh.

A Place Called Harmony Jodi Thomas

A Place Called Harmony
Jodi Thomas
Publisher: Berkley
Date: 2014
Format: Paperback
Pages: 292
Genre: Historical Western Romance
Source: Own book

Desperate to escape his overbearing father, Patrick McAllen disappears with his bride, heading north to build a new town—discovering strength, honor and true love along the way.

After drinking away the grief from his family’s death, Clint Truman avoids jail by taking a job in North Texas and settling down with a woman he vows to protect but never love—until her quiet compassion slowly breaks his hardened heart wide open…

All Gillian Matheson has ever known is Army life, leaving his true love to be a part-time spouse. But when a wounded Gillian returns home to find her desperately fighting to save their marriage, he’s determined to become the husband she deserves.

Amidst storms, outlaws, and unwelcome relatives, the three couples band together to build a town—and form a bond that breathes life into the place that will forever be called Harmony.

A Place Called Harmony is a prequel to the wonderful Harmony series written by Jodi Thomas.  I have been enthralled by this series since I found it back in 2012.  (The first one came out in 2010).  I have come to love all the characters in this town in Texas.  In this book Jodi Thomas takes us back to the very beginning of the town in the 1870's.  At that time it was just a twinkle in the eye of Harmon Ely who ran a trading post in a spot that he wanted to build a town.  And so we are taken back to how the Trumans, McAllens and Mathesons found their way to Harmon Ely's trading post and helped him begin his dream.  As I thought of the present day characters, I loved hearing about their forebears and how it all began.

One of the requirements Harmon had was that they brought a wife along with them.  Well Daisy and her boys arrived first and was determined that her husband, a soldier would meet her there, and that they could build something together.  When Gillian Matheson finally makes it there he is in for a few surprises. 

Patrick McAllen has had a very tough time at home, a preacher father who is really insane and has made his young life a misery.  He teams up with Annie and off they set for the trading post.  He is a skilled builder and it is he who leads the others in all the buildings they have to prepare.  However it is not long before he is followed by one family member and then another.  

Clint Truman is still grieving at the loss of his wife and two daughters to illness and is picked up by a local lawman and told to either face a life in jail or get his act together, get sober and do something positive with his life.  He picks up a very unlikely wife and off they venture off towards the trading post.  Sewn into the lining of her coat Karissa his wife, has apple seeds to plant.  Aha! So that is how the Truman apple orchard started!

This is a story of beginnings, and how unlikely people come together in a spirit of cooperation and courage to build a community.  The life is hard but exciting.  Bonds of love and friendship are forged. Others arrive and the first of the Wright family arrives - they are to become the undertakers of the town, he said he was willing to undertake anything!

The characters were varied and were perfect in their imperfections, the plot moved along at a good pace.  I would just grow to love one set of characters and there would be a switch to the next. For a moment I'd resent the jump, but soon I would be absorbed in their story.  

This book could easily be read first if you haven't read this series, or it fits in anywhere.  Now I really eagerly anticipate the next in this series and I don't have long to wait until I will be wrapped up in another story about the people in Harmony.