From the beloved and bestselling author of the Ransom Canyon and Harmony, Texas series comes a powerful, heartwarming story about generations of family and the ironclad bonds they forge. Order your copy of MORNINGS ON MAIN today!
When Jillian James lands in the small town Texas community of Laurel Springs, she’s definitely not planning to stay—except to find a few clues about the father who abandoned her and destroyed her faith in family.
Connor Larady is a single dad, and the only one caring for his grandmother, Eugenia, who has Alzheimer’s. And now he has to close Eugenia’s quilt shop. When Connor meets down-on-her-luck Jillian, he’s out of options. Can he trust the newcomer to do right by his grandmother’s legacy?
Jillian is done with relationships. But as she grows closer to Connor and Eugenia, she must consider giving up her nomadic life for a future with those who need her.
An inspiring family saga that asks us to consider what love and chosen family really mean.
Order MORNINGS ON MAIN here!
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“Compelling and beautifully written.” —Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author on Ransom Canyon
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Excerpt
A long slice of light shone into the dark shadows of the quilt shop. For a moment, Jillian thought she was in the wrong place. No soft ribbons of florescent bulbs twenty feet above. No laughter from the quilter’s corner. No smell of coffee drifting from the tiny kitchen.
Only a long-legged girl dressed in black, staring at her as if Jillian had just interrupted a demonic ritual.
The backward lettering of A Stitch in Time circled across the front window. Right place. Jillian was in the quilt shop. Squaring her shoulders, she moved forward.
“Hi,” Jillian managed as she widened the opening of the door. She wasn’t sure if she was trying to see the invader better or simply wanted to enlarge her escape route.
The strange girl swung one leg so it bumped against the side of the counter in a heartbeat rhythm. Her hair was so light it appeared white, and hung straight past her shoulders.
A dozen bracelets, all appearing to be made out of rusty bolts, clanked on her arms as she turned toward the back of the store.
“Dad!” the intruder yelled. “Someone’s drifted in.”
Rows of lights began to click on, starting from the back and finally reaching the front. All the beautiful colors of the store returned, but the escapee from the Addams Family remained. Her black peacoat, with batwing shoulder pads, was ripped in several places. Black eyeliner extended almost to her ears and charcoal, lace gloves covered her hands.
Jillian studied the girl carefully. On the bright side, the coat and leggings matched. Both black and ragged. She appeared to be wearing three blouses, the last one a lace nightgown. Silk, holey as if moth-eaten, and spotted with what looked like bloodstains. Her skirt, with several chains hanging off it, reminded Jillian of a midnight plaid kilt.
They both turned as footsteps stormed from the back. “Sorry,” Connor Larady shouted. “I usually have the place all opened up by this time.”
He didn’t seem to notice the girl still perched on the counter. “I’ll have a key made for you so you won’t have to wait for me if I’m running late.”
When Jillian turned her gaze to the girl, Connor finally acknowledged the goth in the room. “Oh, I’m sorry, Jillian, this is my daughter. Sunnie, this is the lady who is helping Gram organize the shop.”
Jillian offered her hand, hoping the strange girl wouldn’t try to suck her blood. She was so thin and pale she probably hadn’t eaten in days.
The girl reluctantly took Jillian’s offered hand, but her handshake was limp.
If there was a prize for someone born with the wrong name, Sunnie Larady would win. Stormy might be better. Or Scary.
She slid off the counter. Six feet of pure adolescent rebellion. “I need to get to school, Connor.” She said her father’s name louder than the rest of the sentence.
“Right.” Connor turned to Jillian. “Will you be all right here? Gram should be dropped off any minute.”
“I’m fine. I’ll watch for her.” Jillian smiled at Sunnie. “Nice to meet you.”
The girl shrugged and walked out.
Jodi Thomas’s MORNINGS ON MAIN Review & Excerpt Schedule:
April 2nd
Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt
What Is That Book About – Excerpt
April 3rd
Always a happy ever after – Review
Sofia Loves Books – Review
April 4th
Hearts & Scribbles – Excerpt
Melena’s Reviews – Review & Excerpt
April 5th
Evermore Books – Excerpt
April 6th
Belle’s Book Belfry – Review & Excerpt
April 7th
Red Hot + Blue Reads – Review & Excerpt
April 8th
The Butterfly Reads – Review & Excerpt
April 9th
Geronimo Reads – Review & Excerpt
The bookworms obsession – Review
April 10th
The Book Hammock – Review & Excerpt
Two Girls with Books – Review
April 11th
Nerdy Dirty and Flirty – Excerpt
The Book Maven – Review & Excerpt
April 12th
Read more sleep less – Review & Excerpt
Totally Bex – Review & Excerpt
April 13th
KDRBCK – Review & Excerpt
Romantic Reads and Such – Review & Excerpt
April 14th
More Books Than Livros – Review & Excerpt
Ripe For Reader – Review & Excerpt
April 15th
Adventures in Writing – Excerpt
Bookishly Yours – Review & Excerpt
April 16th
Renee Entress’s Blog – Review & Excerpt
Shannon’s Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
April 17th
Aaly and The Books – Review & Excerpt
Mama She’s Crazy About Books – Review
April 18th
Jax’s Book Magic – Review & Excerpt
Maybe SS Riki – Review & Excerpt
April 19th
MI Bookshelf – Review
Tangents and Tissues – Excerpt
April 20th
Shelly’s Book Corner – Excerpt
Teatime and Books – Excerpt
About Jodi Thomas:
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. She also received the National Readers’ Choice Award in 2009 for TWISTED CREEK (2008) and TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN (2008). 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.
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*** ARC kindly provided by the author for an honest review. ***
Mornings on Main was a heartwarming story showing the strong bonds of family and friendship.
Jillian was always on the move, looking for answers that might never found, a family that left her. Ever since, she didn’t want to settle down or to open her heart. Just so easier that way. Until that day she came into this town, where everything felt like home, like she belonged in here, and started to work in this quilt shop, telling people’s stories.
In this small town, Connor was the mayor, single dad of a teen, taking care of his grandmother who everyday was slipping away, someone who took care of him and show him what’s family. He always put people’s need before his own, a bit overwhelmed when it comes to raise his daughter.
I enjoyed reading this contemporary romance, filled with love, beautiful memories, charged with so much history, and values to share for the legacy to come. To remember things when some couldn’t, to treasure every moment and living without acting.
Jillian’s arrival in this town added some more excitement, and maybe bringing more « life » to this town. The woman who wouldn’t settle and running away might have found some roots in here, but still fighting against it. Connor and Jillian’s relationship was strictly professional firsthand and slowing turning into friendship, developing as the story unfold into something more, when they both found love in the way.
What I adored as well was to see the other characters evolving, especially Connor’s daughter. I adored how this family and friends were together, sharing their memories, from the happiest to the saddest ones. And for once, Jillian felt like she just belonged that some of the answers she was looking for lead her to something she never get to experience. Having a family.
I enjoyed the slow pace, when the author took time to settle the mood, to give the characters time to explore their feelings. There was a quiet mood, very soothing and I liked it.
Thank you so much for sharing! ~Jessica, InkSlinger PR
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