Sunrise Crossing
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.
My Review
I am a fan of author, Jodi Thomas and her Harmony series. I would put Jodi's Harmony series in the same league as Robyn Carr's Virgin River series. I just loved the town of Harmony and the characters. I have been having some trouble getting into this new series by Jodi. Although, I must say that for me I felt that this book was the weakest. Try as I might I just could not really connect with any of the characters or their storylines. Yet, the town of Crossroads, Texas is nice. There was nothing too intriguing about the characters in this book. I got about half way and then found myself more skimming the rest of the story hoping that it would get better. I know that the author can make me fall in love with her characters and books. As I stated this is probably my least favorite book in this series. I am hoping that I can find that love and passion again with this author's next book or series.
CHAPTER ONE
January 2012
LAX
VICTORIA VILANIE CURLED into a ball, trying to make herself
small, trying to disappear. Her black hair spread around her like a cape but
couldn’t protect her.
All the sounds in the airport were like drums playing in a
jungle full of predators. Carts with clicking wheels rolling on pitted tiles.
People shuffling and shouting and complaining. Electronic voices rattling off
numbers and destinations. Babies crying. Phones ringing. Winter’s late storm
pounding on walls of glass.
Victoria, Tori to her few friends, might not be making a
sound, but she was screaming inside.
Tears dripped off her face, and she didn’t bother to wipe
them away. The noise closed in around her, making her feel so lonely in the
crowd of strangers.
She was twenty-four, and everyone said she was a gifted
artist. Money poured in so fast it had become almost meaningless, only a number
that brought no joy. But tonight all she wanted was silence, peace, a world
where she could hide out.
She scrubbed her eyes on her sleeve and felt a hand touch
her shoulder like it were a bird, feather-light, landing there.
Tori turned and recognized a woman she’d seen once before.
The tall blonde in her midthirties owned one of the best galleries in Dallas.
Who could forget Parker Lacey’s green eyes? She was a woman who had it all and
knew how to handle her life. A born general who must manage her life as easily
as she managed her business.
“Are you all right, Tori?” Parker asked.
Tori could say nothing but the truth. “I’m living the wrong
life.”
Then, the strangest thing happened. The lady with green eyes
hugged her and Tori knew, for the first time in years, that someone had heard
her, really heard her.
Q&A
with Jodi Thomas – Sunrise Crossing
1) Community
is very important in all your books. How are you involved with your community
in Texas?
I often feel like I live in two towns. My home is in the historical part of Amarillo
where I grew up and taught school.
Fifteen years ago I accepted an appointment as Writer in Residence at
West Texas A&M in Canyon, 15 miles from my home. Now, I very much feel like I live in both towns. I’ve volunteered in the schools, churches,
museums and art galleries. I’m a member
of library boards, book clubs and historical societies.
But, the most fun thing I do is work with beginning writers
in both communities. Last month I spoke
to the writing rally at a grade school and the same week I gave a talk on
writing memories for grandchildren. My
office doors are always open to students who are writing and we often fill a
table at the local coffee house as we talk writing.
2)
Sunrise
Crossing is the fifth book in the Ransom Canyon series, how does
that feel?
It feels great. I
couldn’t wait to get started on this book.
The characters had been dancing in my mind waiting for their turn. Sunrise
Crossing has one of the most tender love stories I’ve ever written plus a
layered mystery that will keep readers awake.
Yancy stepped into the series in the first book and readers couldn’t
help but love him. In this story, he
gets his chance at love.
3) Where
do you draw inspiration for Crossroads, Texas?
I wanted to use a very small town that most people simply
drive through. If readers stop, they’ll
step into lives and loves that are deep and fascinating. I also saw the town as a crossroads for
people where their lives could go in more than one direction. We all face those times thinking that we’ll
turn down another road for a while without ever realizing that we’ll never pass
that crossroad again.
4) Parker
Lacey manages an art gallery. Do you have a personal favorite?
The first time I went to the MET in New York I was lost to
the real world for hours. When I saw
Mona’s Lilies at MMOA I cried they were so beautiful. No matter how many times
I go I will never have enough time to see the wonder of it all.I went to Paris
last spring and didn’t get to see the Louvre.
I’ve got to go back!
5) What
would you say is your one writing quirk?
I like to write in total silence. No music.
Then I can hear my characters talking to me. All other times I listen to music.
6) Where
is one place you want to visit that you haven't been before?
I have a hundred places I want to go back too. Ireland, Paris, Alaska, New York, San
Francisco, the Grand Canyon.
But best of all is that first look at new land. That excitement of an explorer about to
discover a new world. I understand why
my ancestors came west. I love the
excitement of what is just over the horizon yet to explore.
7) Do you
write every day?
Yes. I think a part
of my brain is always writing. Like a
pack rat picking up bits of stories, phrases I hear, dreams that linger. I may not have a notepad or computer in
sight, but I’m cobbling together stories in my mind.
8) The
covers of your Ransom Canyon series
are always stunning! Does your original idea of the cover end up as the final?
I work with a great team.
Sometimes we go through several cover ideas. They do the work because I see the world in
words. My friend laughed at me once when
I told her that sometimes I dream in words.
9) What’s
one question that you wish someone would ask about your book, but nobody has?
Write it out here, then answer it.
Why do you put so many twins in books?
I often put twins in books because I have twin sisters two
years younger than me. To me, the
average family has twins. My sisters are
identical. Our father couldn’t tell them
apart. I’ve said I am against cloning
because look what happened when the egg split with them. I had two great years of childhood and from
then on my job seemed to be watching over them.---I’m still doing it.
10) What are
you working on next?
I’m putting the finishing touches on book five in the series
WILD HORSE SPRINGS. It’s going to have a few surprises for Crossroads.
As soon as I finish I’m heading to New Mexico. We have a place on the Red River where I’ll
take some time to think about Book 6.
“See you on the Red.”
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