Jodi Thomas

Bad luck has been biting at Allie Daniel's heels all her life, so when she inherits a cafZ in a small Texas lake community she's sure there's a catch. But Allie decides to move and brings her grandmother along, since the cafZ gives Nana a chance to do what she loves best-cook. As Allie settles in, she soon discovers that she's not alone anymore-and that sometimes, the only cure for bad luck is gaining the courage to love.

Teagen McMurray would ride to hell and back to protect his land. He’d certainly never felt that way about a woman. Not, at least, until Jessie Barton showed up with her three little girls, desperate for a place to stay. Suddenly he found himself proposing marriage, telling himself it was only to protect her and her children.

It's raining Texans in the brand-new Whispering Mountain series from "The Queen of Texas romance" (Midwest Book Review)The first time Rainey Adams meets Texas Ranger Travis McMurray, she steals a kiss - and then his horse. Now Travis is determined to track down this intruiging woman and bring her back to the Whispering Mountain Ranch as his bride. But his renegade may be too much for even the toughest Ranger to handle.

Ever since he defended the Whispering Mountain Ranch as a boy, Tobin McMurray vowed to steer clear of outsiders. But something about Liberty Mayfield has made it impossible to keep his distance. Every minute spent with the vulnerable beauty has left him hungering for something he swore he'd never have-a wife and a family. Unfortunately, the woman who's ignited his desire is about to marry another man.

Cooper Adams loves his three maiden sisters dearly but hates their matchmaking meddling.

Everyone assumes Rosa Lee Altman lived a life without passion. But buried secrets are meant to be revealed. And no one is prepared for what they discover beneath Rosa Lee's overgrown roses -- or how her legacy will change their lives with love. The once beautiful Altman home sits empty, its gardens overgrown, its windows boarded up -- an old lady, now silent, surrounded by what passes for progress in Clifton Creek, Texas. But if some of the townsfolk have their way, this lovely reminder of times past will be sold off to the highest bidder. When a group of community members with little in common is chosen to decide the fate of "the old Altman place," they soon learn that this home is more than bricks and mortar. It's also a place that harbors a love so strong, it still has the power to change the entire town. (From the Author's web-site.)

Years ago, Texas Ranger Jacob Dalton bailed an orphaned girl named Nell out of trouble more times than he could count. But now the kid he once called "Two Bits" has grown into a beautiful young woman--and is in more trouble than ever before.

Captain Walker Larson received the shock of his life when a beautiful stranger boldly walked into his office—claiming to be his wife. His father may have bought Lacy Larson for him in a wife lottery, but Walker had no desire for a bride—even one as captivating as the one standing before him. So he promptly sent Lacy back to Cedar Point. Nearly three years later, Lacy is shocked when Walker shows up on her doorstep—ordered by the military to protect his wife from a killer. Lacy wants nothing to do with the gruff soldier who once drove her away. But despite their different lifestyles and expectations, she finds herself wondering if their marriage was a far better gamble than either of them had imagined...and what it would feel like to be in his arms.

Prominent Attorney's Wife Killed in Bombing! The morning's newspaper headline leaves Blaine Anderson reeling. Only a few hours ago she'd dragged herself dazed and bleeding from the smoking rubble, but it might as well been a lifetime ago - - because now the world believes she is dead. Before Blaine can reach her husband, the bomber strikes again. With terrifying clarity she realizes he's bent on wiping out the witnesses to his crime - - and she's one of them. Without money and ID she becomes Mary Blaine, hiding in a homeless shelter, knowing it's too dangerous to go home. Meanwhile, her husband, Mark, realizes his carefully managed life is beginning to crumble. After years of taking Blaine for granted, he finally grasps how nothing - - not even a promising career in politics - - is worth it without her by his side. Desperately he searches for anyone who was with Blaine just prior to the blast. But instead he finds something - - someone - - much more important. (From the Author's web-site.)

Apart from sharing the same zip code, Randi Howard, Anna Montano, Meredith Allen, Helena Whitworth, and Crystal Howard have absolutely nothing in common until a fiery explosion on a West Texas oil rig changes everything. Their husbands are men who live to search for "black gold," men who are willing to exchange backbreaking work and long days for danger and excitement--and money. But on a blistering day in early autumn four of the men pay the ultimate price--leaving behind one man who wishes he had. In one brief moment, the tragedy binds Randi, Anna, Meredith, Helena and Crystal closer together than a lifetime of friendship. As they gather at the hospital, waiting to learn who among them will not have to bury her husband, they turn to one another for support. And so begins a journey of faith, of strength, of tears, and of love. (From the Author's web-site.)

Sarah Andrews has been raffled off to a groom whose life is in need of saving. She agrees to help him, but never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that this dangerously attractive Texan would steal her heart-and make her want to take the biggest gamble of all.

Jodi Thomas's new Texas trilogy follows three spunky women who get kicked off a wagon train-and agree to enter the local town's "Wife Lottery." In The Texan's Wager, Bailee Moore is "won" by a strong, silent farmer who could be the key to leaving her troubled past behind...

Nineteenth-century Texas was alive with lovers and scoundrels, drifters and dreamers. It was a land brimming with wild, glorious passions—passions USA Today bestselling author Jodi Thomas tenderly evokes in this exquisite new novel...Fleeing trouble in Pittsburgh, young Kara O'Riley has no choice but to travel as far West as her meager funds will take her. And when she hires on as bookkeeper for a sprawling Texas ranch, she quickly decides that her new employer, Jonathan Catlin, is the coldest, strangest man she's ever known. He's told her he has exactly one year to make the ranch a success—but she has a feeling there's an awful lot more he's not telling her. For one thing, there's something odd about Catlin Ranch. For another, she has glimpsed a hint of tenderness in Jonathan's gorgeous, haunted eyes—and suddenly her lonely, aching heart is filled with fire...

If any town needed guidance on the path to peace, it was Jefferson, Texas. Delivering it was the widowed Reverend Daniel McLain's calling. Unfortunately, Daniel's own serenity is disrupted when his young daughters' nanny abandons her job, leaving the widower to appeal to his late wife's family for help . . . . But instead of the elderly aunt he's expecting, he's greeted by Karlee Whitworth, the family's forlorn cousin who's desperate for a place to stay, and eager to prove her worth - - by caring for the twins and mending Daniel's grieving heart. Now two lost souls are about to discover a kindred spirit, and the courage they need to find the happiness they were destined to share . . . . (From the Author's web-site.)

(The Second McLain Series Book.) Wes McLain returned home from the Civil War with little money - - and less hope. He had even given up on love. Until he saw her . . . Allie, the blue-eyed girl who had been called a savage, a wild soul - - and was a prisoner of what seemed to be a horrible fate. But when Wes looked into her eyes, he wanted only to free her, and to take her with him on a journey through the frontiers of Texas . . . But Allie had been brutally mistreated for years, and was now too afraid even to speak. Wes will have to heal her and it will take more than good intentions or a few moonlight kisses to win her trust. And when Allie's finally ready to speak again, she will tell Wes more than he ever imagined . . . .

(The First Mclain Series story) Yankee Doctor Adam McLain was captured by Confederate spies to heal their comrade. But when Adam uncovered the bandages he discovered that the man named "Nick" was actually a very lovely woman! Nicole's beauty and bravery quickly struck Adam to the core, and after an all-too-brief kiss, she helped him leave the camp, and her life, forever. . . . Nicole never forgot the man who evoked feelings in her she'd never known existed. And months later, with her life in danger, she was sent to the wild frontiers of Texas to ask for the good doctor's help once again. But though they had shared her first moment of passion, Nicole knew her troubled past made her unfit to consider the one thing she'd dreamed of since that fateful night - - a life of love with Adam. But Adam was determined now that he had her back, never to let her go . . . . (From the Author's web-site.)

Kora Adams did not believe in curses, but she had known nothing but bad luck all her life. Then, one night, there was a knock on her door. It was a handsome but solemn stranger with a story to tell. Winter McQuillen had inherited a sprawling Texas ranch not far from the one room cabin Kora called home. But the only way he could claim it was if he found a wife that night. Winter had but one question for Kora: Would she marry him? The thought of wedding a man she did not know scared Kora to death. But the security of marriage - - and even the faintest hope of love - - was like a dream come true. Kora knew she needed every bit of comfort marriage would provide. What she didn't know was that Winter needed her even more. . . .

McCall Harrison was looking for a man. Not a man to love and hold, for her heart had died with her husband. What she needed now was a man for her mission. . . . Sloan Alexander was looking for redemption. The war had stolen his hope and pride. But a beautiful widow promised him honor. If he helped her save the Cheyenne children. . . . Taking the children home to the Great Plains as the Indian War raged, they risked their lives. But when danger ignited their desires, they met the greatest risk of all - - falling in love. . . .

Sanford Colston left his hometown of Saints Roost to hire its school a new teacher - - but instead found himself stuck at the Dallas train station, robbed of the clothes off his back! It was clear to Ford that this thief wasn't your ordinary outlaw - - and he was right. Hannah was a beautiful woman on the run, desperate for a disguise that would help her escape her dangerous past. But when fate forced their paths to cross again, Ford couldn't get away twice. Ford wanted to help his charming young bandit, but didn't know how - - until she had a most exciting idea. Hannah could hide in Saints Roost! Back in the strict little town, Hannah made quite a first impression . . . and, with Ford at her side, learned that sometimes life offers second chances . . . . (from the Author's web-site.)

She's grown up wild and free among the Texas Rangers and Harvey Girls of the untamed West. Now True McCormick was a famous published author, writing Wild West adventures under the name "Granite Westwind." But trouble had a way of riding double in True's life - - her publisher wanted to send Granite Westwind on tour! She had two choices. She could 'fess up to her true identity - - or hire someone to play the part of the lightening-fast gunslinger. . . . She found her man in a Galveston jail house. Seth Atherton was a hardware store clerk with foolhardy dreams of gun smoke and justice. But True was determined to turn this handsome young greenhorn into a larger-than-life hero. Filling the boots of a legend wasn't easy. Especially when the bullets began to fly - - and True began to fall in love with the hero she created . . . . (From the Author's web-site.)