Harmony might look like a sleepy little town where everyone
knows everyone else but looks are deceiving. Lifelong feuds
have created a deep chasm between the McAllen and Truman
families but there's something brewing in the air. People's
feelings are about to change and life in Harmony is going to
change as well. Reagan's first impression of her new town is
that it fit the description of Miss Beverly who had spent
many hours telling tales of her home. Upon the death of Miss
Beverly Reagan figures Harmony is as good a place to run off
to and see if this could finally be a place where she feels
safe. First hurdle is to convince the locals that she is
Miss Beverly's granddaughter but that isn't going to be so
simple. Beverly's brother Jeremiah still lives in Harmony
and when Reagan finds herself at his front door she quickly
realizes that her gig is up. And yet Jeremiah seems
accepting of her even though she knows he isn't buying her
guise as his niece.
The founding families of Harmony also include the
Matheson's. There is an interesting history between
Alexandria McAllen, the sheriff, and Hank Matheson, the fire
chief. Alex's family is ripe with interesting characters
including her brother Noah who aspires to be a rodeo bull
rider and follow in his father's footsteps. But Noah finds
himself drawn to the newcomer, Reagan and although she is
determined to keep him at arms lengths their friendship
blossoms into something quite lovely.
Then you have the amazingly diverse and rather bizarre
Matheson clan including a sister Liz, a budding artist,
whose horrid relationship with men have her creating rather
gruesome paintings like More Coffee, Dear with a man
floating face down in a huge cup of coffee -- just to mention
one.
But now there seems to be a sinister element -- an arsonist --
whose fires are becoming more frightening as they appear to
be closing in on the town of Harmony. Facing the greatest
challenge of their careers Alex and Hank are forced to put
personal issues aside as they confront the growing
possibility that the arsonist is one of their own. Strange
that as Reagan ran to Harmony for safety she might have to
hit the road once again. But this time she would be leaving
part of her behind -- her heart.
Well done. Perhaps I shouldn't use that phrase considering
part of the story line of WELCOME TO HARMONY. This is a fast
moving, engaging tale that keeps you turning pages. Didn't
realize till the end that it is the first of a trilogy but
now I will definitely be on the lookout the next
installment. Thomas's characters become as familiar as
family or friends. Definitely puts her on my watch list. Enjoy.
Never-before-published-from the New York Times
bestselling author of Rewriting Monday
Sixteen-year-old runaway Reagan has always wanted a place to
belong. She's never had a real home of her own, but perhaps
she could borrow someone else's. Under an assumed name and
identity, she moves to Harmony, Texas, but keeps her
distance from the welcoming townsfolk. Until prairie fires
threaten Harmony-and Reagan learns the true meaning of
family, friends, and home.
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