#Win Sunrise Crossing by Jodi Thomas (With Q&A)

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.

1)      Community is very important in all your books. How are you involved with your community in Texas?

I often feel like I live in two towns.  My home is in the historical part of Amarillo where I grew up and taught school.  Fifteen years ago I accepted an appointment as Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M in Canyon, 15 miles from my home.  Now, I very much feel like I live in both towns.  I’ve volunteered in the schools, churches, museums and art galleries.  I’m a member of library boards, book clubs and historical societies.

But, the most fun thing I do is work with beginning writers in both communities.  Last month I spoke to the writing rally at a grade school and the same week I gave a talk on writing memories for grandchildren.  My office doors are always open to students who are writing and we often fill a table at the local coffee house as we talk writing.

2)      Sunrise Crossing is the fifth book in the Ransom Canyon series, how does that feel?

It feels great.  I couldn’t wait to get started on this book.  The characters had been dancing in my mind waiting for their turn.  Sunrise Crossing has one of the most tender love stories I’ve ever written plus a layered mystery that will keep readers awake.  Yancy stepped into the series in the first book and readers couldn’t help but love him.  In this story, he gets his chance at love.

3)      Where do you draw inspiration for Crossroads, Texas?

I wanted to use a very small town that most people simply drive through.  If readers stop, they’ll step into lives and loves that are deep and fascinating.  I also saw the town as a crossroads for people where their lives could go in more than one direction.  We all face those times thinking that we’ll turn down another road for a while without ever realizing that we’ll never pass that crossroad again.

4)      Parker Lacey manages an art gallery. Do you have a personal favorite? 

The first time I went to the MET in New York I was lost to the real world for hours.  When I saw Mona’s Lilies at MMOA I cried they were so beautiful. No matter how many times I go I will never have enough time to see the wonder of it all.I went to Paris last spring and didn’t get to see the Louvre.  I’ve got to go back!

5)      What would you say is your one writing quirk?

I like to write in total silence.  No music.  Then I can hear my characters talking to me.  All other times I listen to music.

6)      Where is one place you want to visit that you haven't been before?

I have a hundred places I want to go back too.  Ireland, Paris, Alaska, New York, San Francisco, the Grand Canyon.

But best of all is that first look at new land.  That excitement of an explorer about to discover a new world.  I understand why my ancestors came west.  I love the excitement of what is just over the horizon yet to explore.

7)      Do you write every day?

Yes.  I think a part of my brain is always writing.  Like a pack rat picking up bits of stories, phrases I hear, dreams that linger.  I may not have a notepad or computer in sight, but I’m cobbling together stories in my mind.

8)      The covers of your Ransom Canyon series are always stunning! Does your original idea of the cover end up as the final?

I work with a great team.  Sometimes we go through several cover ideas.  They do the work because I see the world in words.  My friend laughed at me once when I told her that sometimes I dream in words.

9)      What’s one question that you wish someone would ask about your book, but nobody has? Write it out here, then answer it.

Why do you put so many twins in books?

I often put twins in books because I have twin sisters two years younger than me.  To me, the average family has twins.  My sisters are identical.  Our father couldn’t tell them apart.  I’ve said I am against cloning because look what happened when the egg split with them.  I had two great years of childhood and from then on my job seemed to be watching over them.---I’m still doing it.

10)  What are you working on next?

I’m putting the finishing touches on book five in the series WILD HORSE SPRINGS. It’s going to have a few surprises for Crossroads.

As soon as I finish I’m heading to New Mexico.  We have a place on the Red River where I’ll take some time to think about Book 6.  “See you on the Red.”

Harlequin; August 30, 2016
$7.99 U.S.; 384 Pages
ISBN: 9780373789306

Return to peaceful Crossroads, Texas, where community comes first and love thrives in the unlikeliest places…

Yancy Grey is slowly putting his life back together after serving time for petty theft. As he rebuilds an old house, he finally has a sense of stability, but he can't stop thinking of himself as just an ex-con. Until one night, he finds a mysterious dark-haired beauty hiding in his loft. But who is she, and what secret is she protecting?

The art gallery Parker Lacey manages is her life—she has no time for friends, and certainly not lovers. But when her star artist begs Parker for help, she finds herself in a pickup truck, headed for the sleepy town of Crossroads. A truck driven by a strong, silent cowboy…

Gabe Snow has been a drifter since he left Crossroads at seventeen after a violent incident. When he accepts a job in his hometown, he'll have to decide whether he can put the worst night of his life behind him and build a future in the community that raised him.

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