Feature book: A Place Called Harmony

A Place Called Harmony by Jodi Thomas

What is there to say, but that I loved this story. I have been following the stories of Harmony since the beginning. I was hooked when I read the first one and eagerly await each new story. This book is actually an historical, as it describes the beginnings of the town of Harmony.

Harmon Ely wants a town. He has the thought to create a new town in Texas and he needs people. He advertises for people who may want to come and help him start the town. He carefully selects his new townspeople and he is not disappointed.

Clint Truman is a broken man. His wife and children have died due to the fever and he just gambles, gets drunk and gets by. The local sheriff says to Clint he should head to the new town and finds him a wife. Clint Truman finds Karissa leaving prison. She has a baby clutched to her breast but he is prepared to marry her. They don’t talk much but as the story goes on we find out why Karissa is so shy and why Clint won’t probe her life.

Patrick McAllen marries Annie Spencer. Essentially they have eloped. Patrick is tired of his father who constantly berates and beats him. He wants out. Annie wants out too so the two decide to leave together and marry. It is really sweet how they try and work out how to build a relationship. They set the framework early, but it comes apart when Patrick lies to Annie. She forgives him, especially given the reason he lied. Patrick has the carpentry skills the town needs.

Captain Gillian Matheson has only ever loved Daisy. He is a strong man with protective instincts and Daisy is his world. He almost dies trying to get to her. Matheson finds his Daisy and together they settle into what will be the town as he heals after being shot.

Each one of these men and women has characteristics that will descend through the generations leading to the current characters in the town. And as you read you will be thinking, yes I can see where that fits into the future. By the end of the story, as the town gets more and more residents, you can see how these people fit into the town of the future.

As always there are the characters that you meet along the way. There is the Italian mama and her family. Granny is a one-shot woman and she certainly makes her shot work for the town’s safety. There is Shelly, Patrick’s brother and his quiet manner. They all make the town a whole entity and place of harmony.

Reviewed by Heather

A review copy of this book was provided by the author.