Jodi Thomas
Betting the Rainbow with Jodi Thomas
The idea for my new book, BETTING THE RAINBOW, came from the question, “If you had a chance to change your life, what would you be willing to risk?”
My character Dusti Delaney and her sister were stuck on a small farm , on a little lake, near Harmony, Texas. They made enough to live but nothing more. Both had dreams of what could have been if one had been able to finish nursing school and the other had followed her dream of being a professional photographer.
On their once-a-month night out Dusti learns of a charity poker game and sees her one chance to change. Though she has her goals too, she wants to see her sister follow her dream first.
One man knows enough about poker to teach her to win. Only problem is, if she makes it to the final table, she’ll be playing against him. As he teaches her about Texas Hold’em and love, she sees the possibility of her dream coming true.
I think I loved this story so much because I once pushed all my chips in on a dream. I wanted to write but with teaching, going to grad school and raising two boys, there was never any time. Finally, with the help of my husband, I quit, drew out my retirement and lived on it while I wrote. Forty books later I’d say the gamble paid off.
The name, BETTING THE RAINBOW, comes from a poker term when a player shoves in all colors of his chips.
The game of Texas Hold’em originated in Texas. Legend has it that the first game was played by Robstown, Texas in a saloon in back of a mercantile.
Dallas already had card games called “Poker” that were popular. Poker comes from the German word “pochen,” which means, “to knock.”
Many say that Texas Hold’em is a thinking man’s game.
Now, of course, if I’m going to write about poker, I’ve got to learn to play. So I talked a friend of mind into letting me sit in on a game out in the country. The men were very polite and nice. The lesson cost me 30 dollars.
Then, a woman who plays poker in Las Vegas invited me to go along and watch her play. I couldn’t turn that down, so Phyliss Miranda and I flew to Vegas and had a great time.
You’ll love meeting all the people who live on a little road called Rainbow Lane. Three love stories will touch your heart and as always the folks of Harmony will welcome you in for a visit.
Let me know if you know of anyone who ever “bet the rainbow” with their life and if the gamble paid off.
To two lucky readers, I am giving away a copy of “Betting the Rainbow”!
“Thomas is a master at creating damaged yet appealing characters, and their expressions of love—as siblings, as friends, as partners—are intense and beautiful. Their paths to happiness are interwoven in an intricate tapestry with the tournament as backdrop, combining in an epic tale of the kind of love that lasts forever.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Promise Me Texas” from Jodi Thomas
I’ve always wanted to write a story about a person who made a decision to change her life in the blink of an eye, because sometimes I think that is what writers do.
In PROMISE ME TEXAS, I found a plot that I loved about taking a chance in life.
Beth McMurray thought she was rushing to meet the perfect man to marry, but after listening to him talk about her while she sat in the back of a train, she knows he’s not right for her. When the train wrecks, Beth claims who she thinks is an outlaw planning to rob the train as her fiancé. Deciding a stranger is better than who she had planned to marry.
One decision made on that stormy night changes the course of her life and takes her on a wild adventure through Texas and through love with a man well worth the loving.
Once, when I first started writing, I had to make a decision that would change my life. I came to a fork in the road of my career and I had to choose. I could take nine months off and finish my PhD in counseling at TWU. If I kept teaching, I could write at night and be lucky to finish one book a year. Or I could take a chance on being able to make a living writing.
We decided to take a chance and I never once looked back. I quit teaching, dropped out of grad school, drew 17 years of retirement out and set up an office in a room the size of a small walk-in closet.
We almost starved that first year. Little money came in, but I worked and studied writing. It didn’t come easy or fast but by the second year I was on my way.
My husband always said, ‘If this writing doesn’t work out you can always go back to teaching.’ The writing worked out. 39 books, 12 novellas, 4 RITAS, and all the bestseller lists.
Sometimes, when I take a chance, I have to ask myself what will happen if I don’t try—the answer is usually nothing. Then, I always add, ‘what could happen if I do try.’
The teacher in me didn’t die. I agreed to be Writer in Residence twelve years ago and work with new writers. In June, 2014, I’ll be teaching a new class at the WTAMU Writing Academy for one week. WORLD BUILDING. With two series, both on the NY Times I think I’m ready to help others build a world that will hold several books.
On Nov 5, 2014, my newest historical PROMISE ME TEXAS will hit the stands. I think everyone will love my Beth with her adventurous spirit and my Andrew with his open heart. You’ll also find yourself laughing as my hero, a struggling writer, fights to be the man she wants him to be.
I’d love to hear from you about a time you’ve had a change of heart at the last minute and where that journey led you.
Blessings to you all,
Jodi Thomas
To celebrate the release of “Promise Me Texas” I will give away a copy to two people who comment on my blog! Good luck!
Jodi Thomas … I’ve Spent my Life in the Past
WILD TEXAS ROSE, my 25th historical romance will be out on August 7th and I believe it just might be my best. I decided to write it in a different style than usual—a more modern approach. This story is fast moving when four heroes get together to stop the outlaws. All are very different men: one a Texas Ranger; one crippled from the war between the states; one a judge who talks to his dead brother as if he were walking beside him; and one a man who lives in the shadows. Each man will fall in love in his own way with, of course, just the right woman.
While I was doing research for WILD TEXAS ROSE, I discovered a few interesting facts about Fort Worth. I think it would have been a wild place to live. In fact, I’ve lived there before, in books at least.
Here’s the link:
http://www.birdseyeviews.org/zoom.php?city=Fort%20Worth&year=1876&extra_info
I also decided to have a character who had mild agoraphobia and that led me down another road of research. Agoraphobia was first described in 1872 but the word would not have been in common use in 1876. I wanted my Rose to be afraid, but still be willing and able to take care of herself.
I’m not sure I planned it, but the story is full of laughter. My characters get in each others’ way and do more damage than good when they try to help.
I’ve been a historical romance writer since 1988 and I always will be. I live my imaginary life in the past and wouldn’t have it any other way. Come along with me on my new adventure.
To celebrate the release of my newest Whispering Mountain historical, I will give away an autographed copy to one lucky winner!
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Dubbed the Queen of Texas Romance, Jodi Thomas is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 35 novels and 11 short story collections. A RITA winning author and a member of RWA Hall of Fame, Jodi currently serves as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.
http://www.facebook.com/JodiThomasAuthor
Jodi Thomas Tells Us Her Secret
This week my 34th book, JUST DOWN THE ROAD, will be coming out and as always people ask me about how I create a world. Right now I have two series going: One, Whispering Mountain Series set in Texas in the 1800’s and the other, Harmony Series set in a small town today’s world. JUST DOWN THE ROAD is the 4th of what will be at least seven books in the Harmony Series and WILD TEXAS ROSE coming out in August 2012, will be the 6th book in my historical series.
So, how do I create a world for readers to step into?
First, the setting is the dressing around the story. We may all love it, think it’s beautiful or exciting, or exotic but don’t mistake it for the story. The setting may hold the story together and offer interesting twists and challenges, but it is not the heartbeat of the story. If it were, travel books would fill the top 10 of the New York Times list.
The story, the core, is the people. I don’t even like to think of them as characters. They are my people, who live and breathe in the world I create. They drive the story. They’re what keep you up reading at night. For example, when you read a story about a tornado, it’s not the path or the tornado or the size or the wind speed that keeps you on the edge of your seat; it’s the lives that will be affected by the storm.
One thing I remember about writing about the West is people lived by seasons and not by the calendar.
That said, the writer must look at the setting to find and understand the people. Characters, like real people, are molded by their surroundings. The way they think is influenced by their past, not just yesterday or their childhood, but the lives of their ancestors. Since I live in the Panhandle of Texas I chose to set my imaginary town, Harmony, in Texas. Like people everywhere, we think a little different.
Example: Last week I walked out of the library and ran into a friend. We stood by our cars and talked for a while enjoying the sunny day. When I got in my car I heard on the radio that the wind was blowing 30 mph. Neither of us had noticed “the breeze.”
When I was in England speaking to the Romance Writers a few years ago, I thought them hard to get to know, hard to just start talking to. After my talk, I pulled out a stack of my business cards and said, “Where I’m from people say y’all come. If you make it to Texas, come see me, I’ll put you up and cook you a meal.”
Suddenly, the world shifted. Everyone was talking to me and giving me their address; for, you see, in England, if someone invites you the only polite thing to do is to invite them back. I had a great time visiting and having tea with the writers and readers “across the pond.”
Knowing the people, studying how they lived and what they thought makes characters come alive. It makes them breathe. It doesn’t matter if they lived a hundred years ago or today.
I’ve been very blessed that people step into the worlds I create and go with me on the adventures with my characters. They live for me and I hope they will for all of you.
Click HERE to watch a video about the writing of JUST DOWN THE ROAD.
I’d love to hear things you’ve noticed that are different about the people where you live. A different way of thinking or acting that makes them your hometown people. From your comments, I’ll pick a winner to receive one of the first copies of JUST DOWN THE ROAD.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Jodi Thomas
Jodi Thomas is the NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of 34 novels and 11 short story collections. In June 2011, WELCOME TO HARMONY 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.
Visit me at www.JodiThomas.com
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Jodi Thomas Remembers the Comforts of Home
Thanksgiving is always the time we think of home. Last week a man in his 70’s said to me, “I remember the house I grew up in, every room, every drawer, every smell. In my mind I can still go there even though the house was torn down over 50 years ago.”
I thought about what he said and I realized I can remember my childhood home the same way. Once, years ago I was walking through a second hand store and I saw a chair just like my grandmother had. When I sat down I ran my fingers over the grooves in the handle and remembered when my fingers fit down in the carved wood. From there I remembered my grandmother and what her life must have been like when she homesteaded and lived in a dugout.
I like to think that kind of memory isn’t just regular memory, but a kind of loving memory. Sometimes it isn’t just the things we remember, but the way we felt. Maybe it’s just a smell or home cooking or a feeling you always get when you hug that certain someone, but the memory is imprinted on your heart, not your mind.
When I began the Harmony Series I wanted to write about people who would settle into the reader’s heart like old friends. I wanted to create a town, not that I’ve ever been to, but a place that’s always been in my mind. A place where people care about one another. I think I took pieces of my world and pieces of my dreams. A writer’s mind is a patchwork quilt held together of what life is and what they dream life to be.
So this holiday season take the time to look at all the blessings you have, not just today but through the years. Walk through your childhood home. Have a seat in grandma’s chair. Open a few drawers of memories.
Always remember: Thanksgiving is an active verb, not a noun.
I would love to hear your early memory blessings.
The winner of the drawing will receive a copy of my first national bestseller THE TENDER TEXAN, always a favorite book of mine.
Happy Holidays,
Jodi Thomas
The Outlaws Are Saddling Up
In less than two weeks our fifth anthology GIVE ME A TEXAS OUTLAW will hit bookstores. This again features me with Jodi Thomas, Phyliss Miranda, and DeWanna Pace. The reviewer for Romantic Times called us a gang of writers and I just laughed, but I suppose that’s what we are. I hear we’ve robbed readers of precious sleep and stolen their desire for TV watching and housework. And so I guess a gang we are.
Sometimes a story comes along that simply begs to be written. My story called TROUBLE IN PETTICOATS falls in that category. These characters wouldn’t be denied. They kept at me until I wrote their adventurous tale.
Larissa Patrick’s father, a cattle baron, summons outlaw Johnny Bravo to the Four Spades Ranch after Larissa’s baby sister has been kidnapped. While Larissa questions her father’s tactics she knows Johnny is the best man for the job. The gunfighter is tough in a fight and won’t hesitate to get his hands dirty. He agrees to find the girl and bring her back, and dispense with the men who took her along the way. But, he insists on doing it alone.
Larissa sees red. It’s her baby sister and she’s going one way or the other. Paying no heed to her father or Johnny’s threats, she saddles up and rides out behind him. And so the story starts.
Together they brave a fierce Texas sandstorm, rattlesnakes, deadly heat, scarce water, and a hail of bullets.
Johnny Bravo is a man to reckon with-but getting the girl and Larissa safely home without losing his heart will take the discipline of a saint. And Johnny’s no saint….
Love so fierce it should be illegal… Fearless and irresistible, outlaws are the original bad boys. Now New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda, and DeWanna Pace offer up four sexy and romantic stories for women who love men who know how to pack heat…
EXCERPT
Light from the full moon struck her face. He jerked in surprise.
Larissa!
His heart stilled. What on God’s green earth was she doing here?
When she raised her hand to knock, the spit dried in his mouth. He had to stop her. She could ruin everything on top of getting herself killed.
He sprang from his hiding place. Sprinting across the space between them, he grabbed her hand a second before it struck the weather-beaten door. A smothered scream left her throat as he quickly covered her mouth with his.
It was all he could think of to do. Not that he hadn’t wanted to kiss her. Tasting her had been on his mind from the second he’d met her in her daddy’s study.
Larissa Patrick was warm and pliable in his arms, her heartbeat next to his. He could feel it beating wildly through the layers of clothing. Her lavender scent ignited his senses, driving all sane thought from his brain.
What was meant only as a way to effectively silence her became something deeper, some fiery passion that threatened to burn him alive.
Johnny settled his lips firmly on hers and poured his heart and soul into the kiss. His tongue found her parted lips and swept inside to explore the wild honey sweetness of her.
He knew how a wild steer on locoweed felt like.
He knew that one taste of her would never be enough.
And he knew how deeply this woman was in his blood.
The book goes on sale July 1st. To read more about it visit our websites: www.LindaBroday.com www.JodiThomas.com www.PhylissMiranda.com www.DeWannaPaceonline.com
Click HERE to order from Amazon. Available in paperback or Kindle format.
FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF TWO COPIES, LEAVE A COMMENT.
Enjoy the Book Trailer!
When History Inspires Fiction ~ Jodi Thomas
When I began writing TEXAS BLUE, April 2011 release with Berkley, I wanted to open with a Texas Ranger, Duncan ‘Duck’ McMurray, leaving on a secret mission.
As he says good-bye to his best friend, both men know the danger Duck faces but he comes from a long line of Texas Rangers and, much as Duck loves adventure, he loves Texas more.
His friend, a gambler named Lewton Paterson, prefers a quiet adventure of traveling to Whispering Mountain to court one of Duck’s cousins while his friend is out of town and can’t try to stop him. Though Lewt is successful in his world, he longs for a home and family, something gamblers rarely have.
Because of my love for Texas History, I knew of a raid the rangers made into Mexico to try to retrieve stolen cattle and to break up a gang of outlaws. It fit perfectly into my story.
Captain Leander McNelly organized a special force of rangers in 1875 and my character, Duncan McMurray, stepped into a time and place in history as wild as any western. It’s often said that early Texans were great fighters but poor writers, so very little facts about the raid are known. This story, like many others in Texas Legend, was passed down in the telling.
The raid they made became part of the legend of the Rangers. We do know a few men, wearing the circle star, raced across the border with guns blazing one night in 1875. When met by outlaws several times greater in numbers, McNelly made his stand and, with a great deal of brass, demanded the hundreds of head of cattle stolen be returned. Because it was night, the outlaws didn’t know how few rangers rode with Captain McNelly. By dawn cattle were driven back across the Rio Grande. More cattle, it turned out, than the rangers thought had been stolen.
You can read more about McNelly at http://www.theoutlaws.com/lawman3.htm.
I find it fascinating that McNelly, a great legend, was 5’6″ tall and thin, 130 lb. or so and suffered from tuberculosis most of his adult life.
In my story, Duncan is hurt and accidentally left behind. Without a horse and too weak to walk, he knows he’ll be killed if he doesn’t get help. An old woman dressed as a peddler finds him. He thinks he’s saved, but soon discovers she plans to auction him off to the highest outlaw bidding.
Lewt Patterson, unaware of what has happened to his best friend, travels to Whispering Mountain to meet the single ladies of a huge ranch called Whispering Mountain. The only women he’s ever known are girls who hang around the saloons. Lewt’s first surprise is that not all women find him irresistible.
I had great fun showing what ranching life in 1875 must have been like. The two stories of Lewt and Duck come together and both men grow as they define what it means to be a real hero.
TEXAS BLUE, like most of my historical romances, was sparked from true history. Ride along with me. I’ll bet you’ll fall in love with both men and the women strong enough to love them.
This is my fifth Whispering Mountain book and my first one of the new generation. If you would like to see Duck and the girls as children please read TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN.
Leave a comment to get your name in the hat for an autographed copy of TEXAS BLUE.
Let me know how you like my new video.
***Jodi Thomas is the NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of 31 novels and 8 short story collections. As of July 2006, she was the 11th woman to be inducted into the RWA Hall of Fame. She is also currently serving as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.
Jodi Thomas: A Certain Kind of Man
A certain kind of man —
Throughout history there has been that certain kind of man—the hero? The daredevil? The fool who risks death? — Who rushes in when other men would have hesitated.
In my writing I often create heroes who fight for what is right, who win battles, who save the day, but there is another kind of man born for adventure. In flight, we call them the barnstormers. In the Army, they might be the Special Forces who go in when the odds are against them. And in rodeo, they are the bull riders.
I once did research on pre-WWI pilots. I found that some were gamblers playing with death but most loved the thrill of skating on the razor’s edge. (The book was CHERISH THE DREAM) These kinds of men are like mountain climbers and people who do extreme sports.
For the past few months I’ve been doing research on bull riders. Just by accident one afternoon I was talking to a man in his early forties who was a fireman. We were both waiting for a play to start. I mentioned that I was writing about rodeo bull riders. He tugged up his sleeve and showed me a long ugly scar running up his arm.
“That’s just one,” he said. “There are others.”
The character in my latest book is named Noah. I watched this fireman sitting beside me and in my mind my Noah came alive before my eyes. All at once this man became an older version of Noah. The fireman might be older and wiser than my young man, but the love for the rodeo was still there.
I watched him move to the edge of his chair as he talked, widening his long legs as if getting ready for the gate to open.
“I started college,” he said. “Into my sophomore year I got to going with a friend to rodeos. At first we rode to pick up a little extra money and for the thrill. Then we got our cards and took it seriously. School became less and less important as I began to ride every weekend. It was almost like a drug. We lived for the ride.”
He laughed and said, “It’s been almost twenty years but I can feel the adrenaline running through my body just thinking about the ride. If I thought I could still ride, I’d be in line to draw a bull right now.”
I kept talking to him because I was no longer in Lubbock waiting for a play; I was talking to my Noah from Harmony, Texas.
Only my Noah is 21 and he’s been hurt for the third time, and this time he’s afraid to climb back on and ride. His dad was a national champion. The whole town thinks he’s a hero living the life they’d all love to live.
Once in a while reality and fiction mix for me and I love it.
Noah was called Preacher in WELCOME TO HARMONY because when he rode in high school rodeos he got religion. In SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY coming out on Nov. 2, 2010, he’s started riding pro. In my third Harmony book, he’s hurt.
Come along with me and Noah and Reagan’s journey. I promise you’ll fall in love with them and the town of Harmony, Texas.
Contest: In my story Noah rides once using a Suicide wrap. Leave a comment and tell me your stories of attending or being in a rodeo. If you include the definition of this kind of wrap, you’ll be in the drawing for a copy of SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY. We’ll draw a winner on Sunday.
And let me know how you like the video.