The Comforts of Home
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Titles by Jodi Thomas
PRAISE FOR SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY
“Fil ed with amazing people that many of us can relate to . . . I love the characters and I love the caring, sharing, squabbles, and oddbal individuals who live there.”
—
Romance Reviews Today
“A delightful story with as much love and warmth as there is terror and fear . . . This is terrific reading from page one to the end. Jodi Thomas is a passionate writer who puts real feeling into her characters.”
—
Fresh Fiction
“Thomas once again brings to life this fascinating little Texas town and its numerous characters. The reader is expertly drawn into their lives and left eager to know what happens next.”
—
RT Book Reviews
“Extremely powerful and gripping writing. It’s ful of passionate moments, hidden secrets, and likable characters.”
—
Roundtable Reviews
“Distinctive . . . Memorable.”
—
Publishers Weekly
(online review) PRAISE FOR WELCOME TO HARMONY
“The characters are delightful, and a subplot about mysterious fires balances the sweet stories about being and becoming family.”
—
Publishers Weekly
“A fast-moving, engaging tale that keeps you turning pages . . . Thomas’s characters become as familiar as family or friends.”
—
Fresh Fiction
“A heartwarming tale, with plenty of excitement,
Welcome to Harmony
is Jodi Thomas al the way—super characters, lots of riveting subplots, and the background of a realistic Texas town. Don’t miss this terrific novel.”
—
Romance Reviews Today
“A wonderful novel of three interwoven stories, peopled with characters you wil care for deeply.”
—
RT Book Reviews
PRAISE FOR REWRITING MONDAY
“Jodi Thomas again delivers a delightful, character-driven tale of modern Texas.... Heartwarming, heart-tugging, and just plain good reading.”
—
Romance Reviews Today
“Thomas seamlessly weaves past and present into a gripping novel of contemporary romantic suspense, as Pepper begins to appreciate the accomplishments of previous generations and to enjoy true friendship and a sense of belonging for the first time in her life.”
—
Booklist
“[Jodi Thomas] paints beautiful pictures with her words, creates characters that are so real you feel as though they’re standing next to you, and she has a deliciously wry sense of humor.... I enjoyed this book from page one until the end—and thoroughly recommend it.”
—
Romance Novel TV
“If reading a new book is like opening a box of chocolates, then I got the one with cherry inside—my favorite—when I read
Rewriting Monday....
This is quite a rich story with touching characters that seem real and behave like real people.... I loved it.”
—
The Book Smugglers
PRAISE FOR TWISTED CREEK
“
Twisted Creek
wil weave its way around the reader’s heart. Compel ing and beautiful y written, it is exactly the kind of heart-wrenching, emotional story one has come to expect from Jodi Thomas.”
—Debbie Macomber, #1
New York Times
bestsel ing author
“Jodi Thomas is a masterful storytel er. She grabs your attention on the first page, captures your heart, and then makes you sad when it is time to bid her wonderful characters farewel . You can count on Jodi Thomas to give you a satisfying and memorable read.
Twisted Creek
is absolutely delightful.”
—Catherine Anderson,
New York Times
bestsel ing author
“Thomas sketches a slow, sweet surrender, keeping the tension building to a rewarding resolution in this unsentimental, homespun romance.”
—
Publishers Weekly
“
Twisted Creek
is a wonderful, character-driven tale that tel s just what a family can be, even if it’s made up of a bunch of lonely friends.... Romance blooms slowly, but for two nearly lost souls, it’s rewarding when it does.... As usual, Jodi Thomas kept me up way later than normal!
Twisted Creek
could be anywhere, but Ms. Thomas makes it uniquely Texan with her wonderful characters and great dialogue. This is another thought-provoking novel to add to your Jodi Thomas col ection.”
—
Romance Reviews Today
“Romantic suspense and sweet women’s fiction are an unlikely combination, but in
Twisted Creek
, veteran storytel er Jodi Thomas makes the pairing work quite wel .
Al ie’s love for her aging grandmother is sensitively portrayed, while her blossoming relationship with Luke simmers unforgettably in the background. This is a moving story about overcoming hardship and bitterness and about being brave enough to make a happy ending—no matter what it takes.”
—
Romance Junkies
Titles by Jodi Thomas
THE COMFORTS OF HOME
SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY
WELCOME TO HARMONY
REWRITING MONDAY
TWISTED CREEK
TEXAS BLUE
THE LONE TEXAN
TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN
TEXAS PRINCESS
TEXAS RAIN
THE TEXAN’S REWARD
A TEXAN’S LUCK
WHEN A TEXAN GAMBLES
THE TEXAN’S WAGER
TO WED IN TEXAS
TO KISS A TEXAN
THE TENDER TEXAN
PRAIRIE SONG
THE TEXAN AND THE LADY
TO TAME A TEXAN’S HEART
FOREVER IN TEXAS
TEXAS LOVE SONG
TWO TEXAS HEARTS
TWO TEXAS HEARTS
THE TEXAN’S TOUCH
TWILIGHT IN TEXAS
THE TEXAN’S DREAM
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
THE COMFORTS OF HOME
A Berkley Book / published by arrangement with the author PRINTING HISTORY
Berkley mass-market edition / November 2011
Copyright © 2011 by Jodi Koumalats.
Excerpt from
Just Down the Road
by Jodi Thomas copyright © by Jodi Koumalats.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
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375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
ISBN : 978-1-101-54558-4
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There is a legend in the smal town of Harmony, Texas, that one winter, where the rivers once crossed in the center of town, the waters grew muddy. For months winter storms made the waters bubble and rage, and the people of the town grew weary of look-i ng at their distorted and pocmarked reflections.