Book Review and Tour: Can't Stop Believing

Can't Stop Believing
By Jodi Thomas
Berkley, 2013
English, 320 pgs

Description:
NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Jodi Thomas takes us back to Harmony, Texas, in CAN’T STOP BELIEVING. The sixth book in her popular Harmony series presents a story where big dreams are brewing—and anything and everything is possible…

Cord McMillan gave up his freedom at eighteen when he went to jail for a crime he didn't commit. Now, ten years later, he's about to give it up again for a piece of land. Nevada Britain, his neighbor, has just made him an offer he can't refuse: If he'll marry her, she'll sign over a section of property that their families have been fighting over for a hundred years. Nevada refuses to ex-plain why, but Cord knows the bargain is in his favor.

He just has one condition--she has to sleep in his bed every night as long as their doomed marriage lasts. Nevada only wants to maintain her family's legacy--and redeem herself for a wrong she did Cord years ago. But as she spends more time with her husband by necessity, she discovers something unexpected--a love so deep it takes her breath away.


Jodi Thomas is the NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of 37 novels and 11 short story col-lections. In June 2011, WELCOME TO HARMONY, the first book in the Harmony series, won a RITA, the highest award for women’s fiction. Jodi currently serves as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.

www.jodithomas.com
Twitter.com/jodithomas
www.facebook.com/ JodiThomasAuthor

“Another winner...Fans will be delighted.”-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
 
“Compelling and beautifully written.”-Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times Bestselling author

From the Author: 

From the day I started writing CAN'T STOP BELIEVING, I felt like I was surrounded by people I could love. These characters walked off the pages and said hello. I had to laugh when Martha Q, a widow seven times married, forms a writing group and then decides to help folks out whether they want it or not. I cried when Ronny first sees a love she thought she'd lost. And I fell in love with Cord and Nevada as they fought their way through all the baggage they both carried to find something worth keeping.

Amid them all, Cord McMillan tries to hang onto his farm in a town where no one will talk to him.  He made a mistake and hurt a deputy when he was 17, and now he believes everyone hates him.  When the first car in three years drives up to his place, he doesn’t trust his neighbor, Nevada Britain, or the bargain she offers him. He has nothing to offer in return, but he knows if he agrees he’ll step all into her plan, with no holding back.  If she doesn’t hold up her end of the agreement, he also knows she’ll break him completely like six years of prison never could.

 

As you read CAN’T STOP BELIEVING, you’ll find love so deep it’ll melt your heart.  So, come along with me to Harmony, Texas, a place where you’ll find a home.  I promise to keep you up late reading.

 

Welcome, step on in and meet the folks,

Jodi Thomas

My Review:
I love going home to Harmony. I have been reading this series since the first book and I love this look at small town life. I was so excited to see familiar characters, Tyler and Martha Q, as well as meet new characters, Cord and Nevada. There was a touch of mystery (with a bit of comedy) with Martha Q and her widows.

Of course, there is romance. New romance. Returning romance. Just starting romance. And it's all good. It's all heartwarming and touching. This book brought a range of emotions and I was so wrapped in the story line I didn't notice that I read right through time to cook dinner. Two days in a row!

The main story line is about Nevada and Cord. They grow so much over the story arc and I was really happy to see things turn out as they did.

One secondary story line is Martha Q and her widows. They just can't leave their suspicions alone. I can just imagine little ladies with trench coats trying so hard to be inconspicuous.

Other secondary lines include Ronny, Tyler and changes in their lives. I was really glad to see these story lines return to allow closure to the stories.

You just can't go wrong with these stories. Especially if you've lived in a small town and been part of a community where everyone knows everyone else.

I received a copy of the book from Ms. Thomas in exchange for a review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review. Many thanks to Ms. Thomas for continuing to include me in her blog tours.