Welcome to Harmony

Starred review from April 26, 2010
Thomas (The Lone Texan) sets her latest trilogy in a town founded by three families who are also bitter rivals: McAllen, Matheson, and Truman. Nothing much happens in Harmony, Tex., except on Saturday nights, when the town sheriff is brawling at the local bar. Unhappy teen Reagan worked in a nursing home and loved listening to old Beverly Truman’s stories about Harmony. After Beverly’s death, Reagan steals her last name and runs away to Beverly’s hometown. Jeremiah Truman, Beverly’s brother, quickly figures out that Reagan isn’t actually a long-lost relative but lets her stay with him anyway. Meanwhile, sheriff Alexandra McAllen tangles with fire chief Hank Matheson, who keeps rescuing her from her Saturday night sprees. The characters are delightful, and a subplot about mysterious fires balances the sweet stories about being and becoming family.

May 15, 2010
When young Reagan rides into Harmony, Texas, in the back of a pickup truck, shes in search of that elusive quality called home, and prepared with enough background on the small towns inhabitants and history to pass as one of the founding familys descendants. Grateful for irascible old Jeremiah Trumans unquestioning acceptance, she settles quickly into the rhythm of school and chores, but remains standoffish even when junior rodeo champion Noah McAllen tries to befriend her. Noahs older sister Alex is the town sheriff, and more than sexual sparks are flying between Alex and longtime family friend and volunteer fire chief Hank Matheson. Someone is setting fires around town, and with the long drought, vast expanses of natural grasslands, and summer heat, the danger quotient rapidly escalates. Thomas newest character-driven romantic contemporary novel is set within the Texas ranching culture, a richly articulated, historically significant area complete with three feuding families and the junior rodeo circuit for added local color. This tale also introduces a trilogy fraught with interpersonal conflict and a suspenseful arson subplot.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)