Category Archives: Ransom Canyon Series

August 22, 2016 · 11:58 pm

Review: Sunrise Crossing by Jodi Thomas

Title: Sunrise Crossing by Jodi Thomas
Ransom Canyon Series Book Four
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Return to peaceful Crossroads, Texas, where community comes first and love thrives in the unlikeliest places… 

Yancy Grey is slowly putting his life back together after serving time for petty theft. As he rebuilds an old house, he finally has a sense of stability, but he can’t stop thinking of himself as just an ex-con. Until one night, he finds a mysterious dark-haired beauty hiding in his loft. But who is she, and what secret is she protecting?

The art gallery Parker Lacey manages is her life—she has no time for friends, and certainly not lovers. But when her star artist begs Parker for help, she finds herself in a pickup truck, headed for the sleepy town of Crossroads. A truck driven by a strong, silent cowboy…

Gabe Snow has been a drifter since he left Crossroads at seventeen after a violent incident. When he accepts a job in his hometown, he’ll have to decide whether he can put the worst night of his life behind him and build a future in the community that raised him.

Review:

With three sweet romances and a hint of suspense, Sunrise Crossing is another heartwarming and engaging installment in Jodi Thomas’s wonderful Ransom Canyon series.  Although this latest release is the fourth in the series, it can be read as a standalone (although I highly recommend the previous books as well).

Yancy Grey has pretty much given up on finding a woman who will overlook his past so he is concentrating on renovating the house he inherited from his grandmother. Busy but satisfied with the various jobs he has around town, he works on the house in his spare time and late one night, he is surprised to discover a young woman hiding on his property.  Unbeknownst to Yancy, the young lady he dubs “Rabbit” is none other than “missing” artist Victoria “Tori” Vilanie.  Having recently fled from her over controlling parents with the help of gallery owner Parker Lacey (who owns a never used home in the area), Tori really is not missing but with her face plastered all over the news, there are plenty of people looking for her.  Tori cannot resist spending time with Yancy but will she unthinkingly put him and Parker in harm’s way?

Parker has worked hard to build a successful business but she does not have much of a personal life.  Helping Tori on the spur of the moment might be a little out of character, but she does not regret her decision.  Deciding to join Tori, Parker asks Clint Montgomery, the cowboy (and her neighbor) who sold her the property in Crossroads, to help her leave Dallas undetected.  Intrigued by the taciturn cowboy, she finds an excuse to visit him and she is pleasantly surprised to discover that while Clint might be the strong, silent type, he makes no effort to conceal his attraction to her.  A delicate dance ensues between them since neither is looking for a long term relationship but love sometimes has way of slipping in when least expected.  Despite their unexpected feelings for one another, Parker has no intention of changing her plans but will Clint convince her to change her mind?

Deputy Fifth Weathers is in the midst of an unexpected romance of his own with helicopter pilot Madison O’Grady when his professional life intersects with the other two couples.  Wary of a newcomer to town, he and Madison are perplexed by some rather suspicious background information of the man who is also staying at the B&B. Fifth is still trying to piece together the puzzling details when the situation with Tori takes a very dangerous turn. Will everyone escape unscathed as the the case hurtles to an explosive conclusion?

While the plot might seem a little busy due to the number of characters and relationships, the various story arcs overlap and it is very easy to keep up with what is happening.  Yancy has been featured throughout the Ransom Canyon series but it is well worth the wait to see him finally find someone who can accept him in spite of his troubled past.  In a town as small as Crossroads, it is no surprise that an outsider can see the man he is now instead of the troubled person he once was and Tori is perfect woman to do just that.  Beginning with friendship, the shift in their relationship to romance is gradual and although they fall in love quickly, their feelings for each other are believable.

While Yancy and Tori’s romance has an air of innocence, the relationship between Parker and Clint is much steamier.  Although neither of them is looking for a lasting commitment, both are open to exploring the attraction between them.  Parker has a few reservations and Clint is amazingly patient with her as she tries to decide if she should give in to her desire.  For a rough and tumble cowboy, there is an unanticipated amount of depth to Clint and at heart, he is a romantic who manages to surprise Parker with some very sighworthy and touching gestures.  Despite not wanting a serious relationship, Parker quickly realizes her feelings for Clint run much deeper than lust, but with an uncertain future, she is not willing to risk breaking his heart.

Sunrise Crossing is an absolutely wonderful addition to the Ransom Canyon series.  The characters are richly developed and immensely appealing.  The small town setting is charming and since many of the characters are recurring, a stop in Crossroads always feels like coming home.  By bring in new people, Jodi Thomas not only keeps the series fresh but with one person in particular, she also answers some lingering questions from earlier installments.  Another outstanding novel in this terrific series which will leave readers anxiously awaiting next year’s release, Wild Horse Springs which features Sheriff Dan Brigman, his daughter Lauren and her first love, Lucas Reyes (SQUEEEEE)!

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, HQN Books, Jodi Thomas, Ransom Canyon Series, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sunrise Crossing

April 24, 2016 · 11:58 pm

Review: Lone Heart Pass by Jodi Thomas

Title: Lone Heart Pass by Jodi Thomas
Ransom Canyon Series Book Three
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Where family bonds are made and broken, and where young love sparks as old flames grow dim, Ransom Canyon is ready to welcome—and shelter—those who need it

With a career and a relationship in ruins, Jubilee Hamilton is left reeling from a fast fall to the bottom. The run-down Texas farm she’s inherited is a far cry from the second chance she hoped for, but it and the abrasive foreman she’s forced to hire are all she’s got.

Every time Charley Collins has let a woman get close, he’s been burned. So Lone Heart ranch and the contrary woman who owns it are merely a means to an end, until Jubilee tempts him to take another risk—to stop resisting the attraction drawing them together despite all his hard-learned logic.

Desperation is all young Thatcher Jones knows. And when he finds himself mixed up in a murder investigation, his only protection is the shelter of a man and woman who—just like him—need someone to trust.

Review:

Lone Heart Pass by Jodi Thomas is a heartwarming novel of new beginnings and second chances.  This third installment in the Ransom Canyon features multiple story arcs which include a beautiful romance and a perplexing mystery.  Old and new fans will be delighted to meet new characters while at the same catching up with a few favorites from previous novels.

After her latest relationship and her career fall apart, Jubilee Hamilton is more than ready for a change of scenery and a new plan for her future.  Discovering her beloved great-grandfather recently passed away and left her his Texas ranch, she eagerly plans her move to Ransom Canyon.  With little knowledge about ranching, Jubilee quickly hires Charley Collins as her foreman and despite the occasional disagreement, they soon settle into an easy working relationship and a surprising friendship.  Neither Jubilee or Charley are looking for romance, but when love sneaks in when neither are looking, will their emotional baggage prevent them from embracing their chance for happily ever after?

As a campaign manager, Jubilee works long hours and as a result, her relationships take a back seat to her career.  With her life in tatters, she returns home hoping to repair her strained relationship with her family but she makes little headway.  Determined to get the Lone Heart Ranch up and running, she enthusiastically begins the arduous task of learning the skills she needs to succeed as a rancher.  Confident that Charley knows what he is doing, Jubilee is all in as they begin rebuilding the herd and embark on a few side ventures to support the fledgling business.

A single father devoted to his five year daughter Lillie, Charley is barely scraping by financially as he tries to save for a ranch of his own.  No stranger to hard work, he is working multiple jobs when Jubilee hires him to work for her.  He is more than thrilled with their arrangement since he will be making more money, but most important, he will be working on a ranch again.  Charley has a bit of a checkered past and he has not always made the best decisions but he is a caring man with a good heart.

Young Thatcher Jones meets Jubilee and Charley while he is helping Sheriff Dan Brigman investigate a murder close to Jubilee’s ranch.  Thatcher is savvy and street smart due to his somewhat unconventional childhood and his connections make him useful during the investigation.  He begins helping out on the ranch as well and Charley takes him under his wing when he discovers the truth about Thatcher’s home life.

Lauren Brigman returns to Crossroads during a college break and now on the brink of graduation, she is unsure what comes next for her.  Reuniting with old friend Tim O’Grady, she realizes he is a little troubled, so she convinces her father to hire him to help with the murder investigation.  As the two of them renew their friendship, Lauren finds her thoughts turning to Lucas Reyes, the man she has loved since they were teenagers.  She and Lucas have not been in contact for quite some time, so she is shocked to run into him in town.  After one final encounter and more excuses from Lucas about the timing not being right, Lauren gives up hope on a future with him.

Lone Heart Pass by Jodi Thomas is an engaging romance with a charming cast of appealing characters.  The various story arcs overlap and each of the storylines are well-developed and interesting. The introduction of new characters keeps the Ransom Canyon series fresh while the inclusion of characters from previous installments provides a homey, comfortable feel to the story. This heartfelt novel can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend the entire series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, HQN Books, Jodi Thomas, Lone Heart Pass, Ransom Canyon Series, Rated B, Review

January 25, 2016 · 11:57 pm

Review: Rustler’s Moon by Jodi Thomas

rustlers moonTitle: Rustler’s Moon by Jodi Thomas
Ransom Canyon Series Book Two
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

On a dirt road marked by haunting secrets, three strangers caught at life’s crossroads must decide what to sacrifice to protect their own agendas…and what they’re each willing to risk for love.

If there’s any place that can convince Angela Harold to stop running, it’s Ransom Canyon. And if there’s any man who can reveal desires more deeply hidden than her every fear, it’s Wilkes Wagner. Beneath the rancher’s honorable exterior is something that just might keep her safe…or unwittingly put her in danger’s path.

With his dreams of leaving this small Texas town swallowed up by hard, dusty reality, all Wilkes has to show for his life is the Devil’s Fork Ranch. Though not one to let false hope seduce him, he can’t deny the quiet and cautious beauty who slips into his world and changes everything.

Lauren Brigman finally has freedom at her fingertips. All she needs is Lucas Reyes’s attention—a look, a touch, some sign that she’s more to him than a girl he rescued one dangerous night. But now it’s her turn to rescue someone, and the life-altering decision may cost her more than a chance with Lucas.

Review:

Rustler’s Moon by Jodi Thomas is a sweet romance with an element of suspense. The multiple story arcs feature old and new characters to the Ransom Canyon series but the novel can be read as a standalone.

Following the death of her father, Angela Harold accepts a job as a museum curator and moves from Florida to Crossroads, TX where she soon meets local rancher Wilkes Wagner. Heeding her father’s warnings to keep a low profile, Angela quickly relaxes her guard but it soon becomes apparent she might have cause for concern. When someone begins following her and leaving threatening notes, Wilkes becomes protective of Angela and as they try to discover who is behind the threats, both are surprised by their unexpected attraction to one another.

Until her father’s death, Angela lived a quiet and fairly sheltered life. She is eager to begin her new life in Crossroads and she takes several precautions on her journey to the small town. Feeling safe and protected after her arrival, she sees no reason anyone would find her in Crossroads and she resumes her normal life. Welcomed by everyone in Crossroads, she finds unlikely friendships with Wilkes, Sheriff Dan Brigman, occasional resident Carter Mayes and Yancy Grey. When Wilkes steps in to help keep her safe, their easygoing friendship soon gives way to romance.

Wilkes left the family ranch after joining the military and for a time after his enlistment ended, he wandered a little aimlessly until his parents asked him to return to Crossroads. His only serious relationship ended in heartbreak and while he has casually dated since the break up, he refuses to get involved with anyone long term. Angela is nothing like the women he is usually attracted to and no one is more surprised than Wilkes when he realizes his feelings for her run much deeper than desire.

The secondary storylines feature characters from Ransom Canyon. Lauren Brigman is now away at college where she continues yearning for Lucas Reyes. Lucas remains committed to completing his degree and between his classes, working multiple jobs and spending time with his family, he has little free time for a romance. Lauren soon has something more to worry about than her faltering relationship with Lucas when her troubled roommate Polly Pierce needs help after ending up in the hospital.

Yancy’s storyline continues as he tries to find out more information a dilapidated house that has fascinated him since he first arrived in town. With a little assistance from both Angela and Wilkes, he learns more of the home’s history but nothing really explains why he is so drawn to it. Information from an unexpected source clears up the mystery and leads to a stunning discovery.

With plenty of small town charm and a cast of endearing yet quirky characters, Rustler’s Moon is a delightful addition to the Ransom Canyon series. Jodi Thomas masterfully weaves the three different story arcs into a compelling novel that is engaging and hard to put down. A delightful romance with just a hint of danger that old and new fans are going to love.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, HQN Books, Ransom Canyon Series, Rated B, Review, Romance, Rustler's Moon

August 26, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: Ransom Canyon by Jodi Thomas

ransom canyonTitle: Ransom Canyon by Jodi Thomas
Ransom Canyon Series Book One
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Length: 363 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas comes the first book in a compelling, emotionally resonant series set in a remote west Texas town—where family can be made by blood or by choice 

Rancher Staten Kirkland, the last descendant of Ransom Canyon’s founding father, is rugged and practical to the last. No one knows that when his troubling memories threaten to overwhelm him, he runs to lovely, reclusive Quinn O’Grady…or that she has her own secret that no one living knows.

Young Lucas Reyes has his eye on the prize—college, and the chance to become something more than a ranch hand’s son. But one night, one wrong decision, will set his life on a course even he hadn’t imagined.

Yancy Grey is running hard from his troubled past. He doesn’t plan to stick around Ransom Canyon, just long enough to learn the town’s weaknesses and how to use them for personal gain. Only Yancy, a common criminal since he was old enough to reach a car’s pedals, isn’t prepared for what he encounters.

In this dramatic new series, the lives, loves and ambitions of four families will converge, set against a landscape that can be as unforgiving as it is beautiful, where passion, property and pride are worth fighting—and even dying—for.

Review:

Ransom Canyon by Jodi Thomas is a wonderful novel of new beginnings and unexpected love. The town of Crossroads, TX and surrounding Ransom Canyon prove to be a fascinating and enticing backdrop for this first installment in the Ransom Canyon series.

Rancher Staten Kirkland has deep roots in the community and despite the heartbreak of his past, he would never leave the land his ancestors fought so hard to keep. In his early forties, he is a taciturn widower who closely guards his heart from further loss. When his memories are too difficult to bear on his own, he turns to longtime friend Quinn O’Grady and their shared past helps ease the pain of their tragic losses. However, even with Quinn, Staten is careful to maintain an emotional distance but a simple request from her becomes a pivotal point in their relationship.

Although she is also a bit of a loner, Quinn is a well respected farmer who is also deeply entrenched in the close knit town. A gifted pianist, she left town years early in order to study music in New York but she returned home twenty years earlier. She is quiet and unassuming but she has long been a part of Staten’s life. Quinn has been satisfied with their friendship but she finally works up the courage to make a request that takes Staten completely off guard and irrevocably changes the course of their relationship.

Newcomer Yancy Grey is fresh out of prison and although his ties to Crossroads are tenuous, the small town is his first choice to start over. His plan for his future is not exactly noble, but a chance encounter with a group of elderly retirees changes the course of his life. However, his past unexpectedly catches up with him and Yancy is forced into an untenable position that could destroy the progress he has made with turning his life around.

Lucas Reyes might be still be a teenager, but he has already decided what he wants for his future. In between going to school, he is working hard as a ranch hand for Staten so he can save up for college. He is quiet and hard working with a good head on his shoulders, but when one of his acquaintances talks his friends into exploring an abandoned house, Lucas goes along with them to keep an eye on Lauren Brigham, the sheriff’s daughter. His quick thinking saves her and another friend when their explorations turn dangerous, and an unlikely friendship forms between Lucas and Lauren.

The chapters in the novel alternate primarily between Staten’s, Lucas’s and Yancy’s points of view. The changes in perspective are clearly marked at the beginning of each chapter and each of the characters has a distinct voice. The characters are at different stages in their lives and their ages vary so the challenges each are facing are unique and quite interesting. Equally fascinating is the ease in which Jodi Thomas brings the various characters together with a suspense laden storyline that perfectly showcases their hidden strengths.

Staten’s relationship with Quinn brings an understated romantic element to the novel. Their longstanding, close friendship provides a strong foundation for their evolving relationship. Their scenes together are very touching and despite their ease with one another, they realize they have a lot to learn about each other. It is very gratifying watching their friendship grow and deepen into a real relationship on equal footing.

Jodi Thomas’s Ransom Canyon series is off to strong start with Ransom Canyon. The characters are multi-faceted and immensely appealing. The various story arcs are interesting and although not all of them are fully resolved, the major storylines and romances are completely wrapped up by the conclusion of Ransom Canyon. The sneak peek of the next book in the series, Rustler’s Moon, is quite intriguing and the introduction of new characters will leave fans impatiently awaiting its release.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, HQN Books, Jodi Thomas, Ransom Canyon, Ransom Canyon Series, Rated B, Review, Romance