I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the books in Jodi Thomas' Harmony series. The residents of the town have become "friends" and overcome the many challenges life throws at them while remaining honest and true to themselves. This book was no different. It is different as it goes back to the formation of the town and tells the story of how each of the major families came to be there and the personal issues they overcame to get there. A stay up all night book!
This is the story of how the town of Harmony, Texas, was established. If you have not read the series, this would be a great intro. However, be prepared; the way the town emerges is not as it was explained in book one, WELCOME TO HARMONY. The Civil War is over and Harmon Ely has purchased a large tract of land in the panhandle of Texas with the dream of creating a town.
He announces far and wide that he is looking for married men (with or without children) to work for two years to build the town. He will provide a house and 40 acres.
The first three families to arrive are the McAllens, the Trumans and the Mathesons. Everyone seems to have a checkered past. Patrick McAllen has been miserable at home with his rigid minister-father. He's known Annie most of her life although they don't know much about each other.
Patrick ran away years before and his father caught him and nearly killed Patrick. His father threatened if he ever tried to run away, he would kill his son. He promised that Patrick could never get far enough away to escape his father's wrath. Patrick escapes, even knowing about his father's retribution, and takes Annie as his wife.
Clint Truman and his new bride, Karissa, married not long after she emerged from prison. A sheriff talked Clint into meeting Karissa, along with her new baby. They make a pact that they will not intrude on each other's past secrets, but will marry -- and Clint would keep her safe. Clint, because of his standing as a crack shot was to become the town's sheriff.
Daisy Matheson sends a message to her husband, Gillian to meet her. Gillian has been in the army for years and does not know he has 4 sons. The couple love each other but Gillian is not interested in working Daisy's family farm and Daisy does not want to be a wife at a fort. She decides this may be the way she can get Gillian out of the army to create a home with her and their children.
Jodi Thomas has created breathing characters with problems and challenges aplenty. None of them are paragons, they are just plain people trying to make a new start. Whether you read this book first or read it in it's eighth position, it is a winner.
Harmony Series
1. Welcome to Harmony (2010)
2. Somewhere Along the Way (2010)
3. The Comforts of Home (2011)
4. Just Down the Road (2012)
5. Chance of a Lifetime (2012)
6. Can't Stop Believing (2013)
7. Betting the Rainbow
** 8. A Place Called Harmony (2014)
He announces far and wide that he is looking for married men (with or without children) to work for two years to build the town. He will provide a house and 40 acres.
The first three families to arrive are the McAllens, the Trumans and the Mathesons. Everyone seems to have a checkered past. Patrick McAllen has been miserable at home with his rigid minister-father. He's known Annie most of her life although they don't know much about each other.
Patrick ran away years before and his father caught him and nearly killed Patrick. His father threatened if he ever tried to run away, he would kill his son. He promised that Patrick could never get far enough away to escape his father's wrath. Patrick escapes, even knowing about his father's retribution, and takes Annie as his wife.
Clint Truman and his new bride, Karissa, married not long after she emerged from prison. A sheriff talked Clint into meeting Karissa, along with her new baby. They make a pact that they will not intrude on each other's past secrets, but will marry -- and Clint would keep her safe. Clint, because of his standing as a crack shot was to become the town's sheriff.
Daisy Matheson sends a message to her husband, Gillian to meet her. Gillian has been in the army for years and does not know he has 4 sons. The couple love each other but Gillian is not interested in working Daisy's family farm and Daisy does not want to be a wife at a fort. She decides this may be the way she can get Gillian out of the army to create a home with her and their children.
Jodi Thomas has created breathing characters with problems and challenges aplenty. None of them are paragons, they are just plain people trying to make a new start. Whether you read this book first or read it in it's eighth position, it is a winner.
Harmony Series
1. Welcome to Harmony (2010)
2. Somewhere Along the Way (2010)
3. The Comforts of Home (2011)
4. Just Down the Road (2012)
5. Chance of a Lifetime (2012)
6. Can't Stop Believing (2013)
7. Betting the Rainbow
** 8. A Place Called Harmony (2014)
