Looking for a story guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and warm your heart? Look out for LONE HEART PASS by Jodi Thomas. It is the next book in the Ransom Canyon series and references characters we met in the previous books, but doesn't really impact this story at all except to illicit a warm feeling of recognition.

The characters in a Jodi Thomas story always jump right off the page and in LONE HEART PASS you are once again treated to pure Thomas magic. LONE HEART PASS is delightfully engaging and entertaining.

In LONE HEART PASS we meet three truly wonderful but misunderstood and definitely undervalued characters who separately are almost invisible. But together they are a force to reckon with. I'm reminded how sad it is to see how polite society just closes their collective eyes to some people. But all it takes is someone, or would we dare hope for a group of people, to appreciate these outsiders and gather them in for no reason other than they care. Lovely.

Jubilee, Charley and Thatcher are three wonderful people but life hasn't been too kind to them. They have each suffered disappointment at the hands of the same folks that are supposed to love them. They have had to become independent at the expense of allowing their dreams to die or fade away. Jubilee has always been treated unfairly by her parents and sister who seem driven to shape her into the image they desire, regardless of what she wants for herself. Or the life she envisions for herself. Her wishes simply don't count and in the process they've left Jubilee feeling unable to be loved. But we quickly learn this is just plain hogwash.

Charley is afraid to love with the exception of his little girl, Lillie. She has become his entire world, but Charley has dreams that seem totally unattainable. His life is support and care for Lillie which doesn't leave any room for anything else.

Thatcher is the most independent one of the bunch. At fifteen years old Thatcher has developed a "can't do" mentality. He doesn't feel any self-worth and yet here is a magnificent caring young man. Truly a diamond in the rough. Someone just has to see past the dirt and grime.

Jubilee and Charley see Thatcher. And that's when wonderful things start to happen for all three.

Jodi Thomas is a gem. She seamlessly incorporates a murder mystery in a western romance. In LONE HEART PASS she infuses a bit of magic and folklore that makes you believe that everyone is deserving of love and happiness. And let's not forget humor. You are always guarantee a hefty helping of chuckles reading a Jodi Thomas tale and LONE HEART PASS is no exception. She even includes a hippie with a Surrender To The Void tattoo. Not sure of the reference? Please take the time to Google. Believe me it's worth the search. Jodi Thomas has certainly won a place as one of favorite authors and LONE HEART PASS just reminds me why.