Ransom Canyon
5 Stars

In this first book of the series, Jodi Thomas skillfully meshes several intertwining plotlines. The first revolves around Staten Kirkland, a stoic rancher who lost his wife and son one after the other. Staten finds solace in the arms of Quinn O'Grady, his late wife's reclusive best friend, but isn't looking for anything more until circumstances force him to face his feelings.

The second thread focuses on Lucas Reyes, the son of a local ranch-hand, who has his future all planned out. Then one dubious decision changes everything and opens his mind and heart to possibilities he had never thought of.

The final storyline centers on Yancy Grey, a newly released petty thief, looking for a quick score. However, fate and the residents of the local retirement village have other plans for Yancy, and soon he finds himself facing a choice that will change his life one way or another.

Like the prequel novella, this book is an absolute delight. Thomas's characterization is top-notch for both primary and secondary cast, protagonists and antagonists, teenagers, adults and the elderly. Each one comes alive on the pages and it is easy to become immersed in the town, its inhabitants and their individual stories.

The plot is presented via the POVs of multiple characters. At first glance, each thread appears to be separate, but they all ultimately converge as the characters become more and more involved in each other's lives. While some of the storylines are completed in this installment, it is clear that others will be ongoing.

In terms of the audiobook narration, Julia Gibson does a fantastic job and there are instances of laugh-out-loud hilarity together with tender moments that warm the heart. Overall, this is a wonderful beginning to the series and I look forward to finding out more about these characters and meeting new ones. ( )

I'm only half way through but I really like the writing and the tone of this gentle novel. I haven't read Jodi Thomas before and she has a beautiful touch.

This novel weaves between half a dozen characters along three story threads which so far only overlap slightly. Yet each is interesting enough that you don't dash through one to get to the one you like - quite a feat.

Read beautifully by Julie Gibson.

(Finished) I was completely floored by the story of rancher Staten Kirkland and lavender farmer Quinn O'Grady. It was so deeply affecting.

What's with the oddball subtitle: A Clean and Wholesome Romance? Puts me off! It sounds to me like a facetious/tongue-in-cheek/flippant comment? The novel doesn't seem much different from the many other small town/cowboy romance novels I've read. it's NOT romantic comedy, it's a serious novel. Like country music ... empathetic to the locals, and a little fixated on heartbreak.

I've now started Book 2 in the Ransom Canyon series. ( )

Ransom Canyon is about several characters who live in the town of Ransom Canyon. Ranch owner, Staten Kirkland closed himself off when he first lost his wife and then his son years ago. Since then during storms, he has sought out the company of his wife's best friend Quinn O'Grady, who has always been in love with Staten, but their on again off again relationship takes a turn that may not sit well with either one of them.
After Yancy Grey's release from prison, he finds himself in the town of Ransom Canyon where his backpack and all his belongings are stolen. Yancy finds himself helping out some older folks at the local retirement village, and in the process, may have found himself a home; that is if his past doesn't come back to haunt him.
Lucas Reyes has his whole future planned out and knows how he is going to get there, but what he doesn't plan is a night in a local haunted house with three friends and an accident that will change their lives.

Ransom Canyon alternates between the POVs of several characters as we learn about who they are and why there are in Ransom Canyon. The book is more like three alternating novellas rather than one book because the time spent on each story is fairly short. As a result, the reader really isn't able to establish an emotional connection to any of the characters. One positive aspect of the book is that the three stories do come together with a little mystery by the end. Overall, though, Ransom Canyon doesn't really stir the heart strings and suffers from pacing issues. ( )

Ransom Canyon by Jodi Thomas is a wonderful novel of new beginnings and unexpected love. The town of Crossroads, TX and surrounding Ransom Canyon prove to be a fascinating and enticing backdrop for this first installment in the Ransom Canyon series.

Rancher Staten Kirkland has deep roots in the community and despite the heartbreak of his past, he would never leave the land his ancestors fought so hard to keep. In his early forties, he is a taciturn widower who closely guards his heart from further loss. When his memories are too difficult to bear on his own, he turns to longtime friend Quinn O'Grady and their shared past helps ease the pain of their tragic losses. However, even with Quinn, Staten is careful to maintain an emotional distance but a simple request from her becomes a pivotal point in their relationship.

Although she is also a bit of a loner, Quinn is a well respected farmer who is also deeply entrenched in the close knit town. A gifted pianist, she left town years early in order to study music in New York but she returned home twenty years earlier. She is quiet and unassuming but she has long been a part of Staten's life. Quinn has been satisfied with their friendship but she finally works up the courage to make a request that takes Staten completely off guard and irrevocably changes the course of their relationship.

Newcomer Yancy Grey is fresh out of prison and although his ties to Crossroads are tenuous, the small town is his first choice to start over. His plan for his future is not exactly noble, but a chance encounter with a group of elderly retirees changes the course of his life. However, his past unexpectedly catches up with him and Yancy is forced into an untenable position that could destroy the progress he has made with turning his life around.

Lucas Reyes might be still be a teenager, but he has already decided what he wants for his future. In between going to school, he is working hard as a ranch hand for Staten so he can save up for college. He is quiet and hard working with a good head on his shoulders, but when one of his acquaintances talks his friends into exploring an abandoned house, Lucas goes along with them to keep an eye on Lauren Brigham, the sheriff's daughter. His quick thinking saves her and another friend when their explorations turn dangerous, and an unlikely friendship forms between Lucas and Lauren.

The chapters in the novel alternate primarily between Staten's, Lucas's and Yancy's points of view. The changes in perspective are clearly marked at the beginning of each chapter and each of the characters has a distinct voice. The characters are at different stages in their lives and their ages vary so the challenges each are facing are unique and quite interesting. Equally fascinating is the ease in which Jodi Thomas brings the various characters together with a suspense laden storyline that perfectly showcases their hidden strengths.

Staten's relationship with Quinn brings an understated romantic element to the novel. Their longstanding, close friendship provides a strong foundation for their evolving relationship. Their scenes together are very touching and despite their ease with one another, they realize they have a lot to learn about each other. It is very gratifying watching their friendship grow and deepen into a real relationship on equal footing.

Jodi Thomas's Ransom Canyon series is off to strong start with Ransom Canyon. The characters are multi-faceted and immensely appealing. The various story arcs are interesting and although not all of them are fully resolved, the major storylines and romances are completely wrapped up by the conclusion of Ransom Canyon. The sneak peek of the next book in the series, Rustler's Moon, is quite intriguing and the introduction of new characters will leave fans impatiently awaiting its release. ( )

Ransom Canyon & Crossroads, Texas

Staten Kirkland is a rancher and also the last descendant of Ransom Canyon’s founding father. He is also practical and rugged. When his troubling memoires threaten to overwhelm him he runs to Quinn O’Grady. No one knows that he does so. Quinn is reclusive and lovely and has her own secret that no one living knows about.

Lucas Reyes is young and a ranch hand’s son but he has his eye on the prize of college and a chance to be more. His life is set on a course he hadn’t imagined one night with one wrong decision.

Yancy Grey has a troubled past that he is running hard from. He doesn’t plan on sticking around Ransom Canyon. He just wants to be around long enough to learn the town’s weaknesses and how he can use them for his personal gain. He has been a common criminal since he was old enough to reach a car’s pedals. He also isn’t prepared for what he encounters.

This is a great book that has several stories going that are woven together brilliantly. It makes for a book that is hard to put done and will have readers happy that it is the start of a series. The town comes to life with all the characters that live in and around the small town. It will be interesting to see where the series goes and to see what happens to the characters of the town. For those that enjoy small town romances and western romances this is definitely a book to check out. It will also have readers wanting to see what else the author has written. ( )