Aloha to Jodi Thomas and WILD HORSE SPRINGS

Jodi Thomas joins us today to chat about her new novel, WILD HORSE SPRINGS, Book 5 in the Ransom Canyon series ...

Now and then when a writer is working on a series, one of the characters steps from the shadows and comes alive.

This happens to me often, maybe too often. My sons say they are afraid I'll name one of my characters in the will. :)

But, Sheriff Dan Brigman started as a character in someone else's story. book 1, Ransom Canyon. He was a good guy. An honest man like most of the men I've met in law enforcement. As the series continues he proved to be a good friend, a concerned father and a man the town of Crossroads could depend on.

Only, Dan never had anyone to love. His wife had loved her career far more than him and their daughter. Then, he was the sheriff in a small town. How does the sheriff date? The only women he met were usually speeding or bailing their husband out of jail. He wouldn't even let friends set him up with their unmarried relatives for fear of hurting their feelings when he didn't ask for a second date.

Soooo, finally in WILD HORSE SPRINGS the sheriff's chance comes. One night, in the middle of a deserted highway, he finds a fancy ladies boot in the center of the road. It has him wondering what kind of woman would own such a boot and his quest begins.

When he finally finds her, she's as beautiful and wild as he guessed she might be.

As the weeks passed, this story almost wrote itself. Some nights I couldn't wait to get back to it and see what happened to Brandi and her sheriff.

Now, finally, WILD HORSE SPRINGS is about to hit the stands. I'm excited to share it with readers.

Come along with me and see what happens when the sheriff finds the lady who fits the fancy boot.

Jodi Thomas
jodithomas.com
facebook.com/jodithomasauthor
twitter.com/jodithomas

WILD HORSE SPRINGS is available Tuesday, January 24, from Harlequin Books:

In the heart of Ransom Canyon, sometimes the right match for a lonely soul is the one you least expect

Dan Brigman may not lead the most exciting life, but he's proud of what he's achieved: he's a respected lawman, and he's raised a bright, talented daughter on his own. But finding a lone, sparkly blue boot in the middle of a deserted highway gets him thinking maybe the cowgirl who lost it is exactly the shake-up he needs.

After losing her baby girl, Brandi Malone felt like her soul died along with her daughter. Now singing in small-town bars to make ends meet, she's fine being a drifter until a handsome sheriff makes her believe that parking her boots under his bed is a better option.

College grad Lauren Brigman has just struck out on her own in downtown Dallas when a troubling phone call leads her back home to Crossroads. Her hometown represents her family, friends and deepest hopes, but also her first love, Lucas Reyes. Will Lauren's homecoming be another heartbreak, or a second chance for her and Lucas?

New York Times and USA Today's bestselling author Jodi Thomas has published over 30 books in both the historical romance and contemporary genres, the majority of which are set in her home state of Texas. Publishers Weekly calls her novels "Distinctive...Memorable," and that in her stories "[tension] rides high, mixed with humor and kisses more passionate than most full-on love scenes." In 2006, Romance Writers of America (RITA) inducted Thomas into the RWA Hall of Fame for winning her third RITA for THE TEXAN'S REWARD. While continuing to work as a novelist, Thomas also functions as Writer in Residence at the West Texas A&M University campus, where she inspires students and alumni in their own writing pursuits.

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1. From WILD HORSE SPRING, "One night, in the middle of a deserted highway, he finds a fancy ladies boot in the center of the road."

Do you have cowboy boots?  I don't ... but my husband does ... so borrow his when needed!

(When I met him at the Pentagon, he sang in a Barbershop Quartet called the Tone Rangers).

2. Comments are open through Sunday, January 29, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, January 30.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

More books in the series ...