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Ransom Canyon #4
Sunrise Crossing
Return to peaceful Crossroads, Texas, where community comes first and love thrives in the unlikeliest places…
Yancy Grey is slowly putting his life back together after serving time for petty theft. As he rebuilds an old house, he finally has a sense of stability, but he can't stop thinking of himself as just an ex-con. Until one night, he finds a mysterious dark-haired beauty hiding in his loft. But who is she, and what secret is she protecting?
The art gallery Parker Lacey manages is her life—she has no time for friends, and certainly not lovers. But when her star artist begs Parker for help, she finds herself in a pickup truck, headed for the sleepy town of Crossroads. A truck driven by a strong, silent cowboy…
Gabe Snow has been a drifter since he left Crossroads at seventeen after a violent incident. When he accepts a job in his hometown, he'll have to decide whether he can put the worst night of his life behind him and build a future in the community that raised him.
Yancy Grey is slowly putting his life back together after serving time for petty theft. As he rebuilds an old house, he finally has a sense of stability, but he can't stop thinking of himself as just an ex-con. Until one night, he finds a mysterious dark-haired beauty hiding in his loft. But who is she, and what secret is she protecting?
The art gallery Parker Lacey manages is her life—she has no time for friends, and certainly not lovers. But when her star artist begs Parker for help, she finds herself in a pickup truck, headed for the sleepy town of Crossroads. A truck driven by a strong, silent cowboy…
Gabe Snow has been a drifter since he left Crossroads at seventeen after a violent incident. When he accepts a job in his hometown, he'll have to decide whether he can put the worst night of his life behind him and build a future in the community that raised him.
378 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 30, 2016
471 people are currently reading
2055 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Thomas
129 books2,506 followersI'm a New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author, wife, mother, in-law, grandmother, sister, friend, and owner of one fat cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
September 7, 2016
Fairly certain this is my first try at this author. I liked it well enough but I'm thinking this author won't become a favorite. There were too many characters with POV to suit me. There were 3 couples with three different romances going on. I would have been interested in any one of them as a couple in a romance dedicated to them. Here though they just seemed smushed in and no one got a complete story. The suspense element was unbelievable. There was no reason for example for the police to be searching for this missing girl in nowhere Texas without any reason. No one had even seen her at that point.
The three stars I guess are for the characters backstories which I liked and only wish they had been allowed to shine more strongly.
The three stars I guess are for the characters backstories which I liked and only wish they had been allowed to shine more strongly.
April 18, 2024
Sunrise Crossing
4 Stars
For such a small town, Crossroads, Texas is certainly the epicenter for a lot of action. Once again, the plot consists of several threads that ultimately coalesce. The first storyline focuses on Yancy Grey (the only main character to appear in the previous books) who is restoring the Gypsy House and meets Tori Vilanie, a mysterious young woman he discovers in his loft. The second revolves around Parker Lacey, a workaholic art gallery owner, and Clint Montgomery, the stoic cowboy who gives her a ride. The final thread involves Crossroads' newest deputy, Fifth Weathers, and helicopter pilot, Madison O'Grady, as they work together to solve the mystery of a stranger in town.
Series note: The books in this series center on different characters and can be read separately. Nevertheless, the backstories presented in previous installments enrich the reading experience.
Jodi Thomas is exceptionally skilled at characterization as this book demonstrates beautifully. Despite their surface differences, each of the protagonists shares one overriding trait - they are all lonely people searching for love and acceptance.
At first glance, Yancy, the former convict, and Tori, the successful artist, appear to have nothing in common, but they bond over their shared interest in the Gypsy House. While Tori is a bit of Mary Sue, one cannot help but admire her strength and resilience in , and sweet and caring Yancy has always been a favorite. He and Tori are cute together.
Likewise, Parker, the sophisticated urbanite, and Clint, the cowboy of few words, are complete opposites. Nevertheless, they are both willing to drop everything to help someone in need. Their somewhat stilted banter is adorable, and they ultimately have scorching chemistry.
The final couple, Fifth and Madison, are more alike than the other two pairings, but still manage to get off on the wrong foot. They enjoy pushing each other's buttons, and their interactions are hilarious.
The minor suspense plot draws all of these characters together, and the lynchpin is the enigmatic stranger, Gabriel Santorno, who has compelling links to the town and its residents. The threat, which seems at first to be distant and relatively innocuous, becomes nail-bitingly intense toward the end.
All in all, Sunrise Crossing is an engaging read with delightful characters although it would have been better with . Looking forward to the next book, which includes an update on Lauren and Lucas. I am on the fence about this pairing.
4 Stars
For such a small town, Crossroads, Texas is certainly the epicenter for a lot of action. Once again, the plot consists of several threads that ultimately coalesce. The first storyline focuses on Yancy Grey (the only main character to appear in the previous books) who is restoring the Gypsy House and meets Tori Vilanie, a mysterious young woman he discovers in his loft. The second revolves around Parker Lacey, a workaholic art gallery owner, and Clint Montgomery, the stoic cowboy who gives her a ride. The final thread involves Crossroads' newest deputy, Fifth Weathers, and helicopter pilot, Madison O'Grady, as they work together to solve the mystery of a stranger in town.
Series note: The books in this series center on different characters and can be read separately. Nevertheless, the backstories presented in previous installments enrich the reading experience.
Jodi Thomas is exceptionally skilled at characterization as this book demonstrates beautifully. Despite their surface differences, each of the protagonists shares one overriding trait - they are all lonely people searching for love and acceptance.
At first glance, Yancy, the former convict, and Tori, the successful artist, appear to have nothing in common, but they bond over their shared interest in the Gypsy House. While Tori is a bit of Mary Sue, one cannot help but admire her strength and resilience in , and sweet and caring Yancy has always been a favorite. He and Tori are cute together.
Likewise, Parker, the sophisticated urbanite, and Clint, the cowboy of few words, are complete opposites. Nevertheless, they are both willing to drop everything to help someone in need. Their somewhat stilted banter is adorable, and they ultimately have scorching chemistry.
The final couple, Fifth and Madison, are more alike than the other two pairings, but still manage to get off on the wrong foot. They enjoy pushing each other's buttons, and their interactions are hilarious.
The minor suspense plot draws all of these characters together, and the lynchpin is the enigmatic stranger, Gabriel Santorno, who has compelling links to the town and its residents. The threat, which seems at first to be distant and relatively innocuous, becomes nail-bitingly intense toward the end.
All in all, Sunrise Crossing is an engaging read with delightful characters although it would have been better with . Looking forward to the next book, which includes an update on Lauren and Lucas. I am on the fence about this pairing.
September 16, 2016
4.5 stars. I always eagerly look forward to the next in any series by Jodi Thomas. Sunrise Crossing was no exception to that, as I knew it was going to contain further development of Yancy, the young guy who arrived in Crossroads in the first book. I loved him then and it was such fun to see him develop through the series until this book where he pretty much has star billing. He has had it rough, but he has made it through and is a kind and caring kind of person. And of course as we moved along the series he had more of a link to Crossroads than we first saw.
There are a few new characters - this book could be read as a stand alone but you would miss quite a bit of Yancy's story. There is Parker, who thinks she may have limited time to live and is reassessing her life choices and so she too arrives eventually in Crossroads to discover how her next door neighbor has been caring for her house.
Tori is the music artist who has been taken advantage of by her parents, they see her as a money machine. With the help of Parker she escapes and goes to Parker's house in Crossroads. She is delightful and I loved how hers and Yancy's lives started to intertwine. And there is also another surprise character who blows into Crossroads that just adds more spice to the story.
There is mystery, a little suspense, attempted crime and a delicious development of relationships. I thoroughly enjoyed my return visit to Crossroads.
There are a few new characters - this book could be read as a stand alone but you would miss quite a bit of Yancy's story. There is Parker, who thinks she may have limited time to live and is reassessing her life choices and so she too arrives eventually in Crossroads to discover how her next door neighbor has been caring for her house.
Tori is the music artist who has been taken advantage of by her parents, they see her as a money machine. With the help of Parker she escapes and goes to Parker's house in Crossroads. She is delightful and I loved how hers and Yancy's lives started to intertwine. And there is also another surprise character who blows into Crossroads that just adds more spice to the story.
There is mystery, a little suspense, attempted crime and a delicious development of relationships. I thoroughly enjoyed my return visit to Crossroads.
September 8, 2016
3.5/5; 4 stars; B+
We met Yancy in the first book in the series and I enjoyed getting a chance to see him a few years later when he has settled in to Crossroads. I like to go back and visit characters from other books in the series.
However, I hope Thomas isn't planning to try and drag this series out for several more books. There just isn't that much there and some of the drama feels a bit contrived.
That being said, I really enjoy the various characters she sprinkles throughout her stories.
We met Yancy in the first book in the series and I enjoyed getting a chance to see him a few years later when he has settled in to Crossroads. I like to go back and visit characters from other books in the series.
However, I hope Thomas isn't planning to try and drag this series out for several more books. There just isn't that much there and some of the drama feels a bit contrived.
That being said, I really enjoy the various characters she sprinkles throughout her stories.
September 12, 2016
Originally posted T Smexybooks-http://smexybooks.com/2016/09/review-...
Favorite Quote:
“I have so many dead relatives floating around upstairs, I may have the Baptist preacher do an exorcism.”
“Don’t you mean a priest?”
“No, I asked him. He said if he cast out all the ghosts in this county, he’d lose half his congregation.”
Yancy Gray ran away from home at 14 years old and after a stint in prison and an unexpected inheritance, he has found a home in Crossroads, TX. He spends his days helping out at the local retirement home and his nights working on his homestead. When he discovers a stranger hiding out in his loft, he is surprised by the sense of home and peace she brings to him. But the secrets she’s hiding may spell trouble for them all.
Parker Lacey is all business while running one of the top art galleries in the country but when a friend and client comes to her begging for help, Parker looks towards the town of Crossroads and a stoic cowboy she met so many years ago.
Gabe Santorno aka Galen Stanley has spent his life drifting from place to place in an effort to escape a violent piece of his past. When he is contracted to find someone, the trail takes him back to Crossroads, the place where it all began, and discovers the town wasn’t the only thing he left behind.
Victoria (Tori) Vilante is a famous artist who’s being held hostage to her fame by her mother and stepfather. Longing for freedom, Tori strikes out on her own with some help from friends and finds a place to hide in Crossroads. But her family isn’t going to let her go without a fight.
Jodi Thomas’ stories are like reconnecting with an old friend. No matter the amount of time that has gone by, once you start talking again, it’s as if you never left each other’s sides. Small town contemporaries with sweet romances that run side by side with some intriguing mysteries. Each book focuses on a group of people within a small town; some there by choice, some lead there by chance. Each one an island unto themselves, until Thomas gently reveals the ties that bind them together. An easy steady pace, appealing characters, and a strong narrative opens the door to allow readers an intimate view into the town, the people, and the circumstances that brought them to this point in life.
As with all of Thomas’s stories, she skips through her towns and the lives of the residents that live there, building simultaneously upon multiple character’s lives. Every person is left content with the assumption being there may be more to come. Very rarely will Thomas focus on one single character/storyline from beginning to end through the series. So if you are disappointed to see that main characters from previous installments aren’t in here, don’t worry…you’ll see them again.
Sunrise Crossing picks up two years after the events in Lone Heart Pass. This heartwarming contemporary offers a healthy dose of mystery, suspense, and humor as it slowly reveals and resolves the main conflict. Acceptance, forgiveness, and redemption are the main themes while love, compassion, and trust help to flesh it out. Multiple voices tell their stories, each one out to steal your heart as you watch them rise to the challenges life is throwing at them. New and old faces come out of the woodwork to offer help, advice, or just some general observations while lessons learned are that while the past has carved out the road you’ve come down, it doesn’t have to decide the road you will travel.
Three romances intertwine and though not racy or explicit, the sentiment is sweet and sexy with some playful innuendos and fade to black scenes. A tense flurry of action towards the end resolves the main issues and leaves us with the knowledge that these characters are in a good place, happy with the choices they have made with the people they have found to love. I do wish that we could have seen what happened when one particular character goes home to straighten some things out. I was really shocked by the motivations involved and the lengths some will go to keep the status quo.
As always, Thomas’s stories quietly entertain. I recommend her to everyone who enjoys small town contemporaries with intriguing characters, charming romances and strong friendships that will have you waiting anxiously each new visit. I look forward to my next visit to Ransom Canyon.
Grade: B
Favorite Quote:
“I have so many dead relatives floating around upstairs, I may have the Baptist preacher do an exorcism.”
“Don’t you mean a priest?”
“No, I asked him. He said if he cast out all the ghosts in this county, he’d lose half his congregation.”
Yancy Gray ran away from home at 14 years old and after a stint in prison and an unexpected inheritance, he has found a home in Crossroads, TX. He spends his days helping out at the local retirement home and his nights working on his homestead. When he discovers a stranger hiding out in his loft, he is surprised by the sense of home and peace she brings to him. But the secrets she’s hiding may spell trouble for them all.
Parker Lacey is all business while running one of the top art galleries in the country but when a friend and client comes to her begging for help, Parker looks towards the town of Crossroads and a stoic cowboy she met so many years ago.
Gabe Santorno aka Galen Stanley has spent his life drifting from place to place in an effort to escape a violent piece of his past. When he is contracted to find someone, the trail takes him back to Crossroads, the place where it all began, and discovers the town wasn’t the only thing he left behind.
Victoria (Tori) Vilante is a famous artist who’s being held hostage to her fame by her mother and stepfather. Longing for freedom, Tori strikes out on her own with some help from friends and finds a place to hide in Crossroads. But her family isn’t going to let her go without a fight.
Jodi Thomas’ stories are like reconnecting with an old friend. No matter the amount of time that has gone by, once you start talking again, it’s as if you never left each other’s sides. Small town contemporaries with sweet romances that run side by side with some intriguing mysteries. Each book focuses on a group of people within a small town; some there by choice, some lead there by chance. Each one an island unto themselves, until Thomas gently reveals the ties that bind them together. An easy steady pace, appealing characters, and a strong narrative opens the door to allow readers an intimate view into the town, the people, and the circumstances that brought them to this point in life.
As with all of Thomas’s stories, she skips through her towns and the lives of the residents that live there, building simultaneously upon multiple character’s lives. Every person is left content with the assumption being there may be more to come. Very rarely will Thomas focus on one single character/storyline from beginning to end through the series. So if you are disappointed to see that main characters from previous installments aren’t in here, don’t worry…you’ll see them again.
Sunrise Crossing picks up two years after the events in Lone Heart Pass. This heartwarming contemporary offers a healthy dose of mystery, suspense, and humor as it slowly reveals and resolves the main conflict. Acceptance, forgiveness, and redemption are the main themes while love, compassion, and trust help to flesh it out. Multiple voices tell their stories, each one out to steal your heart as you watch them rise to the challenges life is throwing at them. New and old faces come out of the woodwork to offer help, advice, or just some general observations while lessons learned are that while the past has carved out the road you’ve come down, it doesn’t have to decide the road you will travel.
Three romances intertwine and though not racy or explicit, the sentiment is sweet and sexy with some playful innuendos and fade to black scenes. A tense flurry of action towards the end resolves the main issues and leaves us with the knowledge that these characters are in a good place, happy with the choices they have made with the people they have found to love. I do wish that we could have seen what happened when one particular character goes home to straighten some things out. I was really shocked by the motivations involved and the lengths some will go to keep the status quo.
As always, Thomas’s stories quietly entertain. I recommend her to everyone who enjoys small town contemporaries with intriguing characters, charming romances and strong friendships that will have you waiting anxiously each new visit. I look forward to my next visit to Ransom Canyon.
Grade: B
August 27, 2016
Sunrise Crossing by Jodi Thomas is Book 4, in her amazing "Ransom Canyon" series. But can be read as a stand alone. Although, I would suggest reading the other three in this amazing series, but definitely not needed to follow "Sunrise Crossing".
Once again, Ms. Thomas returns her readers to Ransom Canyon, for another exciting visit to small town, USA, the people, and the goings on of a small town. Set in Crossroads, Texas. Where love thrives, the community works together, and looks after each other.
Yancy Grey, an ex-con, who has served his time for petty theft, is set on re-building his life, and restoring an old house. He is the caretaker of a group of Senior Citizens. Parker Lacey, manages an art Gallery and is asked by her star artist for her help, off to the sleepy town of Crossroads to goes. Gabe Snow, a drifter for years, after a horrible incident in his hometown of Crossroads, returns to his hometown, but can he rebuild his life?
In "Sunrise Crossing" readers will find more than one romance in the mix. In fact, there are at least three romances, interwoven into this story.
Another heartwarming, and charming story from Ms. Thomas. The "Ransom Canyon" series, just keeps getting better and better, to me.
The characters are well-developed, flawed and charming. They will capture your heart. The storyline is interesting, compelling, and exciting. Filled with endurance, finding acceptance, with the beauty and sweetness of small town romances. Readers are offered a glimpse into small town life, a community that cares for one another, redemption, healing, forgiveness, and the promise of an HEA.
Once again, Ms. Thomas has written a tale with her usual aplomb. It is steady paced, with some very interesting characters, a few old ones and a few new ones added into the mix.
Ms. Thomas has a way of pulling readers into her stories and capturing their hearts, as they hope with all their hearts for a HEA for the characters. Through the struggles, and challenges they manage to find love and romance. Masterfully written!
Another hit for Ms. Thomas and her "Ransom Canyon" series, in my opinion. I can't wait for the next installment, "Wild Horse Springs", which will feature some very interesting characters and promises to be just as exciting as the others in this beautifully written series.
Fans of small town romances, the life of communities, finding true love through the challenges of life, and sweet romances, which are heartwarming and profound, will definitely enjoy "Sunrise Crossing". You definitely don't want to miss this amazing series! Enjoyable and a very satisfying read!
Received for an honest review. However, all opinions, insights, and thoughts are my own personal opinions.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
Once again, Ms. Thomas returns her readers to Ransom Canyon, for another exciting visit to small town, USA, the people, and the goings on of a small town. Set in Crossroads, Texas. Where love thrives, the community works together, and looks after each other.
Yancy Grey, an ex-con, who has served his time for petty theft, is set on re-building his life, and restoring an old house. He is the caretaker of a group of Senior Citizens. Parker Lacey, manages an art Gallery and is asked by her star artist for her help, off to the sleepy town of Crossroads to goes. Gabe Snow, a drifter for years, after a horrible incident in his hometown of Crossroads, returns to his hometown, but can he rebuild his life?
In "Sunrise Crossing" readers will find more than one romance in the mix. In fact, there are at least three romances, interwoven into this story.
Another heartwarming, and charming story from Ms. Thomas. The "Ransom Canyon" series, just keeps getting better and better, to me.
The characters are well-developed, flawed and charming. They will capture your heart. The storyline is interesting, compelling, and exciting. Filled with endurance, finding acceptance, with the beauty and sweetness of small town romances. Readers are offered a glimpse into small town life, a community that cares for one another, redemption, healing, forgiveness, and the promise of an HEA.
Once again, Ms. Thomas has written a tale with her usual aplomb. It is steady paced, with some very interesting characters, a few old ones and a few new ones added into the mix.
Ms. Thomas has a way of pulling readers into her stories and capturing their hearts, as they hope with all their hearts for a HEA for the characters. Through the struggles, and challenges they manage to find love and romance. Masterfully written!
Another hit for Ms. Thomas and her "Ransom Canyon" series, in my opinion. I can't wait for the next installment, "Wild Horse Springs", which will feature some very interesting characters and promises to be just as exciting as the others in this beautifully written series.
Fans of small town romances, the life of communities, finding true love through the challenges of life, and sweet romances, which are heartwarming and profound, will definitely enjoy "Sunrise Crossing". You definitely don't want to miss this amazing series! Enjoyable and a very satisfying read!
Received for an honest review. However, all opinions, insights, and thoughts are my own personal opinions.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
April 19, 2020
This is the story I have been waiting for in this series. One of my absolute favourite characters, Yancy. We first met Yancy in the first book in this series, Ransom Canyon. He had wound up in the town having been in trouble in his past and wanting to escape. He ended up being a 'care taker' for the older community.
In this story, we follow him after he had found out something really important about his history (and he still has a lot to learn in this story). He is renovating a house that he wants to live in and in the process he meets a beauty who also has a complicated past. We also follow and learn more about this new stranger and Parker Lacey who also come into town.
What I loved the most about this book is the romance. Between not only one couple but more...
For more reviews, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
In this story, we follow him after he had found out something really important about his history (and he still has a lot to learn in this story). He is renovating a house that he wants to live in and in the process he meets a beauty who also has a complicated past. We also follow and learn more about this new stranger and Parker Lacey who also come into town.
What I loved the most about this book is the romance. Between not only one couple but more...
For more reviews, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
July 19, 2016
Yancy Grey has been a character in the Ransom Canyon from the time he stepped off of the bus after getting out of prison and became the caretaker for a group of senior citizens. Now in book four he gets his HEA. There a mystery person who comes into his life. It is interesting how he reacts to having someone who loves him and he loves in return. It is a very nice sweet relationship that has no guarantee for either one. There are two mysteries in the book. Yancy is the only main character from previous books in the series. Look for two more to intertwine their lives with Yancy and Ransom Canyon. A really good addition to the series. I hope we see more of the main characters in Sunrise Crossing in future books.
January 22, 2018
This was a heartfelt tale full of hope & second chances. Thomas spins suspense, romance, and small town life together perfectly in this one of a kind tale. The intricate manner in which she told her tale allowed me to see everything in a much bigger picture. At the same time, the focus remained on the characters at hand. The way that the lives of everyday yet out of the ordinary characters intertwine creates a story that’s well worth reading. Thomas builds her world intricately, creating a quaint small town that you can really feel a part of.
I love the mix of characters in this novel. The new and returning, the young and the old, all had their place in this tale. Their different personalities and lives were fantastic, if emotionally charged at times. Each one pulled me in by a different means or a different part of their personality, yet at the same time, they all drew me into their lives. I won’t comment on them individually as it would give too much of the story away, but they are all worth getting to know trough Thomas’ vivid storytelling.
Thomas weaves a tale that will leave you breathless with beauty on one page and gasping in suspense on the next. This is a must read for everyone, whether or not they’ve read the rest of the series.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
I love the mix of characters in this novel. The new and returning, the young and the old, all had their place in this tale. Their different personalities and lives were fantastic, if emotionally charged at times. Each one pulled me in by a different means or a different part of their personality, yet at the same time, they all drew me into their lives. I won’t comment on them individually as it would give too much of the story away, but they are all worth getting to know trough Thomas’ vivid storytelling.
Thomas weaves a tale that will leave you breathless with beauty on one page and gasping in suspense on the next. This is a must read for everyone, whether or not they’ve read the rest of the series.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2016
I am a fan of author, Jodi Thomas and her Harmony series. I would put Jodi's Harmony series in the same league as Robyn Carr's Virgin River series. I just loved the town of Harmony and the characters. I have been having some trouble getting into this new series by Jodi. Although, I must say that for me I felt that this book was the weakest. Try as I might I just could not really connect with any of the characters or their storylines. Yet, the town of Crossroads, Texas is nice. There was nothing too intriguing about the characters in this book. I got about half way and then found myself more skimming the rest of the story hoping that it would get better. I know that the author can make me fall in love with her characters and books. As I stated this is probably my least favorite book in this series. I am hoping that I can find that love and passion again with this author's next book or series.
September 20, 2016
TJ found a new to her author and she couldn't be happier! 4.5 stars to book 4 in this series that can absolutely be read as a stand alone.
Here's the complete review:
http://bit.ly/2cEHE4E
Here's the complete review:
http://bit.ly/2cEHE4E
September 3, 2016
As far as I can tell, Jodi Thomas is one of the few authors making a go of the romances that tell the stories of not one couple at a time, but several couples living within the same town/county/area, and she does it well. The writing in Sunrise Crossing was excellent.
Spoilers
The main pair: Yancy Grey, a character we met way back at the beginning, finally gets his HEA. He grew up with next to nothing, ran away when he was fourteen, and was in prison by eighteen, but despite the stark existence he’d led, he’d remained a good person and became a decent man. Considerate and compassionate with simple tastes, he cares for old people as a day job and in the evenings he goes to the old house he inherited from his grandmother and practices his carpentry skills fixing it up, board by board. That’s exactly what he’s doing when he meets Tori Vilanie (Her last name drove me nuts; I couldn’t figure out if it was pronounced Vil-AY-nie or Villainy.) A famous artist, Tori’s hiding out after escaping her parents’ greedy clutches by staying in Parker Lacey’s country home. She likes to go for walks late in the evening and discovers Yancy’s cozy barn. When he catches her up in the loft, he’s not mad; rather, he invites her to help him work on a fireplace mantle, no questions asked. As they spend more time together, they fall in love.
I loved Yancy and Tori. They were adorable. I call them the main couple because in my estimation, they got fleshed out the best and had the most screen time.
The secondary pair: Parker Lacey runs a very successful art gallery in Dallas, and Tori is one of her artists. When she finds Tori having something of a breakdown, she helps the young woman slip away for some peace and quiet. After some time, Parker sneaks away to join her on “vacation.” With no one else to turn to, she asks the cowboy who sold her her country home to give her a ride. Clint Montgomery is not friendly, not sophisticated, not even all that polite, but he has a heart of gold, and quickly develops feelings for Parker. They become more involved and fall in love as well.
Parker’s character was drawn out pretty well. We weren’t told much about her past except that people in her family, including her parents, had died young, and therefore she expected to, as well, and that provided her motivation for pretty much everything she did. Clint, on the other hand, was still something of an enigma by the end. We learned what we needed to know to see why he was where he was and doing what he was doing and acting like he was acting, but I didn’t really relate to him and failed to care much about him. We only got to see things from his perspective a couple of times, which betrays his position in the character hierarchy (aka the bottom). Honestly, I think he was just there as a plot device for Parker. He didn’t have a whole lot to do besides fall in love with her.
The periphery pair: Fifth Weathers, the relatively new deputy, meets Madison O’Grady, a helicopter pilot, when they do some investigating together, searching the ground from the sky. He likes riling her, and she likes flustering him, so their antics were amusing. We visited them during scenes when Fifth was working out the clues and facts of the mystery. I don’t think they were all that necessary… Except for their jobs, I can’t think why they’d have been important to the plot at all. Their scenes could have been taken out without much consequence.
Lastly, Galen Stanley aka Gabe Santorno aka Dr. Gabriel Santorno aka Gabe Snow. (If he was called this last at some point, I didn’t catch it. Why they decided to use it on the back cover blurb instead of Gabe Santorno, I have no idea. It was shorter, I guess. He was primarily Gabe Santorno.) Lo and behold, Gabe is Yancy’s long-lost father. He had a Romeo-and-Juliet romance with Yancy’s mother when they were teenagers, but their families found out and the sh*t hit the fan. Gabe was beaten nearly to the death, so nearly that people thought he had in fact died. But he survived, got away, and lived a lonely, desolate life, not knowing he had a son and not daring to see his love again, afraid she’d hate him. Now more or less a bounty hunter, he ends up discovering his son when he finds Yancy with Tori, who Gabe had been tracking since her parents had declared her missing. He sees the love blossoming between the young couple and vows to preserve that bond, to give them the chance he and Yancy’s mother never had, no matter what it took.
I think Gabe was the best-written character in the book. At first I didn’t like him, not sure what his motivation was or what role he would play—and that was a good thing; I wasn’t supposed to know right away. The reader is privy to his revelations as he decides to be as good a father as he could be when he was thirty-two years late to the party. The transformation from lonely, heartless drifter to a selfless, loving human being was fascinating and heart-warming. By the end of the book, he was my favorite, and I was rooting for him. I hope he finds Yancy’s mother and finally, after over thirty years, gets his own HEA.
So with plot and characters out of the way, I have a few overall negatives to share. There was a point, about two-thirds in, that the story started to drag. I think it would have been safe to shave fifty or so pages off—maybe Fifth and Madison’s scenes? Really, they were completely unnecessary. Second, a good portion of the chapters had random subtitles. They drove me insane until I learned to ignore them. I have no idea what the point of them was, but if I had to guess, they were titles of paintings, probably Tori’s. They irritated me so much I wanted to take a black Sharpie and cross them out as I came upon them. Bah. Lastly—we didn’t get an update on Lauren and Lucas! We’ve followed their paths since the beginning of the series, and they’re the couple I care about most in all the books. I was so sad when I got to the end without even seeing their names mentioned in 378 pages. No, wait, Lauren was referenced once, but not by name. But I think they should be a focus in the next book (which may or may not be the last?) and I CANNOT WAIT!!
Overall a very good book, with an intriguing plot and likable characters.
noapologybookreviews.com
Spoilers
The main pair: Yancy Grey, a character we met way back at the beginning, finally gets his HEA. He grew up with next to nothing, ran away when he was fourteen, and was in prison by eighteen, but despite the stark existence he’d led, he’d remained a good person and became a decent man. Considerate and compassionate with simple tastes, he cares for old people as a day job and in the evenings he goes to the old house he inherited from his grandmother and practices his carpentry skills fixing it up, board by board. That’s exactly what he’s doing when he meets Tori Vilanie (Her last name drove me nuts; I couldn’t figure out if it was pronounced Vil-AY-nie or Villainy.) A famous artist, Tori’s hiding out after escaping her parents’ greedy clutches by staying in Parker Lacey’s country home. She likes to go for walks late in the evening and discovers Yancy’s cozy barn. When he catches her up in the loft, he’s not mad; rather, he invites her to help him work on a fireplace mantle, no questions asked. As they spend more time together, they fall in love.
I loved Yancy and Tori. They were adorable. I call them the main couple because in my estimation, they got fleshed out the best and had the most screen time.
The secondary pair: Parker Lacey runs a very successful art gallery in Dallas, and Tori is one of her artists. When she finds Tori having something of a breakdown, she helps the young woman slip away for some peace and quiet. After some time, Parker sneaks away to join her on “vacation.” With no one else to turn to, she asks the cowboy who sold her her country home to give her a ride. Clint Montgomery is not friendly, not sophisticated, not even all that polite, but he has a heart of gold, and quickly develops feelings for Parker. They become more involved and fall in love as well.
Parker’s character was drawn out pretty well. We weren’t told much about her past except that people in her family, including her parents, had died young, and therefore she expected to, as well, and that provided her motivation for pretty much everything she did. Clint, on the other hand, was still something of an enigma by the end. We learned what we needed to know to see why he was where he was and doing what he was doing and acting like he was acting, but I didn’t really relate to him and failed to care much about him. We only got to see things from his perspective a couple of times, which betrays his position in the character hierarchy (aka the bottom). Honestly, I think he was just there as a plot device for Parker. He didn’t have a whole lot to do besides fall in love with her.
The periphery pair: Fifth Weathers, the relatively new deputy, meets Madison O’Grady, a helicopter pilot, when they do some investigating together, searching the ground from the sky. He likes riling her, and she likes flustering him, so their antics were amusing. We visited them during scenes when Fifth was working out the clues and facts of the mystery. I don’t think they were all that necessary… Except for their jobs, I can’t think why they’d have been important to the plot at all. Their scenes could have been taken out without much consequence.
Lastly, Galen Stanley aka Gabe Santorno aka Dr. Gabriel Santorno aka Gabe Snow. (If he was called this last at some point, I didn’t catch it. Why they decided to use it on the back cover blurb instead of Gabe Santorno, I have no idea. It was shorter, I guess. He was primarily Gabe Santorno.) Lo and behold, Gabe is Yancy’s long-lost father. He had a Romeo-and-Juliet romance with Yancy’s mother when they were teenagers, but their families found out and the sh*t hit the fan. Gabe was beaten nearly to the death, so nearly that people thought he had in fact died. But he survived, got away, and lived a lonely, desolate life, not knowing he had a son and not daring to see his love again, afraid she’d hate him. Now more or less a bounty hunter, he ends up discovering his son when he finds Yancy with Tori, who Gabe had been tracking since her parents had declared her missing. He sees the love blossoming between the young couple and vows to preserve that bond, to give them the chance he and Yancy’s mother never had, no matter what it took.
I think Gabe was the best-written character in the book. At first I didn’t like him, not sure what his motivation was or what role he would play—and that was a good thing; I wasn’t supposed to know right away. The reader is privy to his revelations as he decides to be as good a father as he could be when he was thirty-two years late to the party. The transformation from lonely, heartless drifter to a selfless, loving human being was fascinating and heart-warming. By the end of the book, he was my favorite, and I was rooting for him. I hope he finds Yancy’s mother and finally, after over thirty years, gets his own HEA.
So with plot and characters out of the way, I have a few overall negatives to share. There was a point, about two-thirds in, that the story started to drag. I think it would have been safe to shave fifty or so pages off—maybe Fifth and Madison’s scenes? Really, they were completely unnecessary. Second, a good portion of the chapters had random subtitles. They drove me insane until I learned to ignore them. I have no idea what the point of them was, but if I had to guess, they were titles of paintings, probably Tori’s. They irritated me so much I wanted to take a black Sharpie and cross them out as I came upon them. Bah. Lastly—we didn’t get an update on Lauren and Lucas! We’ve followed their paths since the beginning of the series, and they’re the couple I care about most in all the books. I was so sad when I got to the end without even seeing their names mentioned in 378 pages. No, wait, Lauren was referenced once, but not by name. But I think they should be a focus in the next book (which may or may not be the last?) and I CANNOT WAIT!!
Overall a very good book, with an intriguing plot and likable characters.
noapologybookreviews.com
June 2, 2025
I love the character development of Yancy in this series.
June 29, 2025
Sunrise Crossing #4 Ransom Canyon
3✨
3✨
November 11, 2025
This series is so good!
March 31, 2018
An another reviewer had mentioned, this may have been the slowest one to really get into that is in this series.
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
**
Sunrise Crossing is thee story of further development of Yancy, the young guy who arrived in Crossroads in the first book. I loved him then and it was such fun to see him develop through the series until this book where he pretty much has star billing. He has had it rough, but he has made it through and is a kind and caring kind of person. And of course as we moved along the series he had more of a link to Crossroads than we first saw.
There are a few new characters - this book could be read as a stand alone but you would miss quite a bit of Yancy's story. There is Parker, who thinks she may have limited time to live and is reassessing her life choices and so she too arrives eventually in Crossroads to discover how her next door neighbor has been caring for her house.
Tori is the music artist who has been taken advantage of by her parents, they see her as a money machine. With the help of Parker she escapes and goes to Parker's house in Crossroads. She is delightful and I loved how hers and Yancy's lives started to intertwine. And there is also another surprise character who blows into Crossroads that just adds more spice to the story.
There is mystery, a little suspense, attempted crime and a delicious development of relationship
**
Yancy Gray ran away from home at 14 years old and after a stint in prison and an unexpected inheritance, he has found a home in Crossroads, TX. He spends his days helping out at the local retirement home and his nights working on his homestead. When he discovers a stranger hiding out in his loft, he is surprised by the sense of home and peace she brings to him. But the secrets she’s hiding may spell trouble for them all.
Parker Lacey is all business while running one of the top art galleries in the country but when a friend and client comes to her begging for help, Parker looks towards the town of Crossroads and a stoic cowboy she met so many years ago.
Gabe Santorno aka Galen Stanley has spent his life drifting from place to place in an effort to escape a violent piece of his past. When he is contracted to find someone, the trail takes him back to Crossroads, the place where it all began, and discovers the town wasn’t the only thing he left behind.
Victoria (Tori) Vilante is a famous artist who’s being held hostage to her fame by her mother and stepfather. Longing for freedom, Tori strikes out on her own with some help from friends and finds a place to hide in Crossroads. But her family isn’t going to let her go without a fight.
Jodi Thomas’ stories are like reconnecting with an old friend. No matter the amount of time that has gone by, once you start talking again, it’s as if you never left each other’s sides. Small town contemporaries with sweet romances that run side by side with some intriguing mysteries. Each book focuses on a group of people within a small town; some there by choice, some lead there by chance. Each one an island unto themselves, until Thomas gently reveals the ties that bind them together. An easy steady pace, appealing characters, and a strong narrative opens the door to allow readers an intimate view into the town, the people, and the circumstances that brought them to this point in life.
As with all of Thomas’s stories, she skips through her towns and the lives of the residents that live there, building simultaneously upon multiple character’s lives. Every person is left content with the assumption being there may be more to come. Very rarely will Thomas focus on one single character/storyline from beginning to end through the series. So if you are disappointed to see that main characters from previous installments aren’t in here, don’t worry…you’ll see them again.
Sunrise Crossing picks up two years after the events in Lone Heart Pass. This heartwarming contemporary offers a healthy dose of mystery, suspense, and humor as it slowly reveals and resolves the main conflict. Acceptance, forgiveness, and redemption are the main themes while love, compassion, and trust help to flesh it out. Multiple voices tell their stories, each one out to steal your heart as you watch them rise to the challenges life is throwing at them. New and old faces come out of the woodwork to offer help, advice, or just some general observations while lessons learned are that while the past has carved out the road you’ve come down, it doesn’t have to decide the road you will travel.
Three romances intertwine and though not racy or explicit, the sentiment is sweet and sexy with some playful innuendos and fade to black scenes. A tense flurry of action towards the end resolves the main issues and leaves us with the knowledge that these characters are in a good place, happy with the choices they have made with the people they have found to love. I do wish that we could have seen what happened when one particular character goes home to straighten some things out.
**
Once again, Ms. Thomas returns her readers to Ransom Canyon, for another exciting visit to small town, USA, the people, and the goings on of a small town. Set in Crossroads, Texas. Where love thrives, the community works together, and looks after each other.
Yancy Grey, an ex-con, who has served his time for petty theft, is set on re-building his life, and restoring an old house. He is the caretaker of a group of Senior Citizens. Parker Lacey, manages an art Gallery and is asked by her star artist for her help, off to the sleepy town of Crossroads to goes. Gabe Snow, a drifter for years, after a horrible incident in his hometown of Crossroads, returns to his hometown, but can he rebuild his life?
In "Sunrise Crossing" readers will find more than one romance in the mix. In fact, there are at least three romances, interwoven into this story.
Another heartwarming, and charming story from Ms. Thomas. The "Ransom Canyon" series, just keeps getting better and better, to me.
The characters are well-developed, flawed and charming. They will capture your heart. The storyline is interesting, compelling, and exciting. Filled with endurance, finding acceptance, with the beauty and sweetness of small town romances. Readers are offered a glimpse into small town life, a community that cares for one another, redemption, healing, forgiveness, and the promise of an HEA.
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
**
Sunrise Crossing is thee story of further development of Yancy, the young guy who arrived in Crossroads in the first book. I loved him then and it was such fun to see him develop through the series until this book where he pretty much has star billing. He has had it rough, but he has made it through and is a kind and caring kind of person. And of course as we moved along the series he had more of a link to Crossroads than we first saw.
There are a few new characters - this book could be read as a stand alone but you would miss quite a bit of Yancy's story. There is Parker, who thinks she may have limited time to live and is reassessing her life choices and so she too arrives eventually in Crossroads to discover how her next door neighbor has been caring for her house.
Tori is the music artist who has been taken advantage of by her parents, they see her as a money machine. With the help of Parker she escapes and goes to Parker's house in Crossroads. She is delightful and I loved how hers and Yancy's lives started to intertwine. And there is also another surprise character who blows into Crossroads that just adds more spice to the story.
There is mystery, a little suspense, attempted crime and a delicious development of relationship
**
Yancy Gray ran away from home at 14 years old and after a stint in prison and an unexpected inheritance, he has found a home in Crossroads, TX. He spends his days helping out at the local retirement home and his nights working on his homestead. When he discovers a stranger hiding out in his loft, he is surprised by the sense of home and peace she brings to him. But the secrets she’s hiding may spell trouble for them all.
Parker Lacey is all business while running one of the top art galleries in the country but when a friend and client comes to her begging for help, Parker looks towards the town of Crossroads and a stoic cowboy she met so many years ago.
Gabe Santorno aka Galen Stanley has spent his life drifting from place to place in an effort to escape a violent piece of his past. When he is contracted to find someone, the trail takes him back to Crossroads, the place where it all began, and discovers the town wasn’t the only thing he left behind.
Victoria (Tori) Vilante is a famous artist who’s being held hostage to her fame by her mother and stepfather. Longing for freedom, Tori strikes out on her own with some help from friends and finds a place to hide in Crossroads. But her family isn’t going to let her go without a fight.
Jodi Thomas’ stories are like reconnecting with an old friend. No matter the amount of time that has gone by, once you start talking again, it’s as if you never left each other’s sides. Small town contemporaries with sweet romances that run side by side with some intriguing mysteries. Each book focuses on a group of people within a small town; some there by choice, some lead there by chance. Each one an island unto themselves, until Thomas gently reveals the ties that bind them together. An easy steady pace, appealing characters, and a strong narrative opens the door to allow readers an intimate view into the town, the people, and the circumstances that brought them to this point in life.
As with all of Thomas’s stories, she skips through her towns and the lives of the residents that live there, building simultaneously upon multiple character’s lives. Every person is left content with the assumption being there may be more to come. Very rarely will Thomas focus on one single character/storyline from beginning to end through the series. So if you are disappointed to see that main characters from previous installments aren’t in here, don’t worry…you’ll see them again.
Sunrise Crossing picks up two years after the events in Lone Heart Pass. This heartwarming contemporary offers a healthy dose of mystery, suspense, and humor as it slowly reveals and resolves the main conflict. Acceptance, forgiveness, and redemption are the main themes while love, compassion, and trust help to flesh it out. Multiple voices tell their stories, each one out to steal your heart as you watch them rise to the challenges life is throwing at them. New and old faces come out of the woodwork to offer help, advice, or just some general observations while lessons learned are that while the past has carved out the road you’ve come down, it doesn’t have to decide the road you will travel.
Three romances intertwine and though not racy or explicit, the sentiment is sweet and sexy with some playful innuendos and fade to black scenes. A tense flurry of action towards the end resolves the main issues and leaves us with the knowledge that these characters are in a good place, happy with the choices they have made with the people they have found to love. I do wish that we could have seen what happened when one particular character goes home to straighten some things out.
**
Once again, Ms. Thomas returns her readers to Ransom Canyon, for another exciting visit to small town, USA, the people, and the goings on of a small town. Set in Crossroads, Texas. Where love thrives, the community works together, and looks after each other.
Yancy Grey, an ex-con, who has served his time for petty theft, is set on re-building his life, and restoring an old house. He is the caretaker of a group of Senior Citizens. Parker Lacey, manages an art Gallery and is asked by her star artist for her help, off to the sleepy town of Crossroads to goes. Gabe Snow, a drifter for years, after a horrible incident in his hometown of Crossroads, returns to his hometown, but can he rebuild his life?
In "Sunrise Crossing" readers will find more than one romance in the mix. In fact, there are at least three romances, interwoven into this story.
Another heartwarming, and charming story from Ms. Thomas. The "Ransom Canyon" series, just keeps getting better and better, to me.
The characters are well-developed, flawed and charming. They will capture your heart. The storyline is interesting, compelling, and exciting. Filled with endurance, finding acceptance, with the beauty and sweetness of small town romances. Readers are offered a glimpse into small town life, a community that cares for one another, redemption, healing, forgiveness, and the promise of an HEA.
August 23, 2016
With three sweet romances and a hint of suspense, Sunrise Crossing is another heartwarming and engaging installment in Jodi Thomas's wonderful Ransom Canyon series. Although this latest release is the fourth in the series, it can be read as a standalone (although I highly recommend the previous books as well).
Yancy Grey has pretty much given up on finding a woman who will overlook his past so he is concentrating on renovating the house he inherited from his grandmother. Busy but satisfied with the various jobs he has around town, he works on the house in his spare time and late one night, he is surprised to discover a young woman hiding on his property. Unbeknownst to Yancy, the young lady he dubs "Rabbit" is none other than "missing" artist Victoria "Tori" Vilanie. Having recently fled from her over controlling parents with the help of gallery owner Parker Lacey (who owns a never used home in the area), Tori really is not missing but with her face plastered all over the news, there are plenty of people looking for her. Tori cannot resist spending time with Yancy but will she unthinkingly put him and Parker in harm's way?
Parker has worked hard to build a successful business but she does not have much of a personal life. Helping Tori on the spur of the moment might be a little out of character, but she does not regret her decision. Deciding to join Tori, Parker asks Clint Montgomery, the cowboy (and her neighbor) who sold her the property in Crossroads, to help her leave Dallas undetected. Intrigued by the taciturn cowboy, she finds an excuse to visit him and she is pleasantly surprised to discover that while Clint might be the strong, silent type, he makes no effort to conceal his attraction to her. A delicate dance ensues between them since neither is looking for a long term relationship but love sometimes has way of slipping in when least expected. Despite their unexpected feelings for one another, Parker has no intention of changing her plans but will Clint convince her to change her mind?
Deputy Fifth Weathers is in the midst of an unexpected romance of his own with helicopter pilot Madison O'Grady when his professional life intersects with the other two couples. Wary of a newcomer to town, he and Madison are perplexed by some rather suspicious background information of the man who is also staying at the B&B. Fifth is still trying to piece together the puzzling details when the situation with Tori takes a very dangerous turn. Will everyone escape unscathed as the the case hurtles to an explosive conclusion?
While the plot might seem a little busy due to the number of characters and relationships, the various story arcs overlap and it is very easy to keep up with what is happening. Yancy has been featured throughout the Ransom Canyon series but it is well worth the wait to see him finally find someone who can accept him in spite of his troubled past. In a town as small as Crossroads, it is no surprise that an outsider can see the man he is now instead of the troubled person he once was and Tori is perfect woman to do just that. Beginning with friendship, the shift in their relationship to romance is gradual and although they fall in love quickly, their feelings for each other are believable.
While Yancy and Tori's romance has an air of innocence, the relationship between Parker and Clint is much steamier. Although neither of them is looking for a lasting commitment, both are open to exploring the attraction between them. Parker has a few reservations and Clint is amazingly patient with her as she tries to decide if she should give in to her desire. For a rough and tumble cowboy, there is an unanticipated amount of depth to Clint and at heart, he is a romantic who manages to surprise Parker with some very sighworthy and touching gestures. Despite not wanting a serious relationship, Parker quickly realizes her feelings for Clint run much deeper than lust, but with an uncertain future, she is not willing to risk breaking his heart.
Sunrise Crossing is an absolutely wonderful addition to the Ransom Canyon series. The characters are richly developed and immensely appealing. The small town setting is charming and since many of the characters are recurring, a stop in Crossroads always feels like coming home. By bring in new people, Jodi Thomas not only keeps the series fresh but with one person in particular, she also answers some lingering questions from earlier installments. Another outstanding novel in this terrific series which will leave readers anxiously awaiting next year's release, Wild Horse Springs which features Sheriff Dan Brigman, his daughter Lauren and her first love, Lucas Reyes (SQUEEEEE)!
Yancy Grey has pretty much given up on finding a woman who will overlook his past so he is concentrating on renovating the house he inherited from his grandmother. Busy but satisfied with the various jobs he has around town, he works on the house in his spare time and late one night, he is surprised to discover a young woman hiding on his property. Unbeknownst to Yancy, the young lady he dubs "Rabbit" is none other than "missing" artist Victoria "Tori" Vilanie. Having recently fled from her over controlling parents with the help of gallery owner Parker Lacey (who owns a never used home in the area), Tori really is not missing but with her face plastered all over the news, there are plenty of people looking for her. Tori cannot resist spending time with Yancy but will she unthinkingly put him and Parker in harm's way?
Parker has worked hard to build a successful business but she does not have much of a personal life. Helping Tori on the spur of the moment might be a little out of character, but she does not regret her decision. Deciding to join Tori, Parker asks Clint Montgomery, the cowboy (and her neighbor) who sold her the property in Crossroads, to help her leave Dallas undetected. Intrigued by the taciturn cowboy, she finds an excuse to visit him and she is pleasantly surprised to discover that while Clint might be the strong, silent type, he makes no effort to conceal his attraction to her. A delicate dance ensues between them since neither is looking for a long term relationship but love sometimes has way of slipping in when least expected. Despite their unexpected feelings for one another, Parker has no intention of changing her plans but will Clint convince her to change her mind?
Deputy Fifth Weathers is in the midst of an unexpected romance of his own with helicopter pilot Madison O'Grady when his professional life intersects with the other two couples. Wary of a newcomer to town, he and Madison are perplexed by some rather suspicious background information of the man who is also staying at the B&B. Fifth is still trying to piece together the puzzling details when the situation with Tori takes a very dangerous turn. Will everyone escape unscathed as the the case hurtles to an explosive conclusion?
While the plot might seem a little busy due to the number of characters and relationships, the various story arcs overlap and it is very easy to keep up with what is happening. Yancy has been featured throughout the Ransom Canyon series but it is well worth the wait to see him finally find someone who can accept him in spite of his troubled past. In a town as small as Crossroads, it is no surprise that an outsider can see the man he is now instead of the troubled person he once was and Tori is perfect woman to do just that. Beginning with friendship, the shift in their relationship to romance is gradual and although they fall in love quickly, their feelings for each other are believable.
While Yancy and Tori's romance has an air of innocence, the relationship between Parker and Clint is much steamier. Although neither of them is looking for a lasting commitment, both are open to exploring the attraction between them. Parker has a few reservations and Clint is amazingly patient with her as she tries to decide if she should give in to her desire. For a rough and tumble cowboy, there is an unanticipated amount of depth to Clint and at heart, he is a romantic who manages to surprise Parker with some very sighworthy and touching gestures. Despite not wanting a serious relationship, Parker quickly realizes her feelings for Clint run much deeper than lust, but with an uncertain future, she is not willing to risk breaking his heart.
Sunrise Crossing is an absolutely wonderful addition to the Ransom Canyon series. The characters are richly developed and immensely appealing. The small town setting is charming and since many of the characters are recurring, a stop in Crossroads always feels like coming home. By bring in new people, Jodi Thomas not only keeps the series fresh but with one person in particular, she also answers some lingering questions from earlier installments. Another outstanding novel in this terrific series which will leave readers anxiously awaiting next year's release, Wild Horse Springs which features Sheriff Dan Brigman, his daughter Lauren and her first love, Lucas Reyes (SQUEEEEE)!
September 4, 2016
Jodi Thomas has hit a home run with this segment of the Ransom Canyon series. When I was first introduced to Yancy, I liked him. In this story, I loved him! No longer just a guy out of prison and down on his luck, needing the help of the seniors who befriend him. Now Yancy is strong enough to truly help someone else, a young woman running away from a couple who could never be called parents except maybe in hell. She's an artist has has become their meal ticket, but she wants her life back and when a Dallas art gallery owner decides to help her, Tori jumps at the chance to get away.
What follows is a twisting story that entwines three different couples around each other in an intriguing and thoroughly enchanting way. But the question remains: will Tori be found by all the people out to make $250,000 if they bring her back? And how can these wonderful new friends of hers prevent that from happening? An engrossing tale. Can't wait for the next installment in this series.
What follows is a twisting story that entwines three different couples around each other in an intriguing and thoroughly enchanting way. But the question remains: will Tori be found by all the people out to make $250,000 if they bring her back? And how can these wonderful new friends of hers prevent that from happening? An engrossing tale. Can't wait for the next installment in this series.
September 22, 2016
Shelly's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
3.5 stars
Typically I fall in love easily with most any characters and novels written by Jodi Thomas. Sunrise Crossing felt as if it was missing something. The characters were good, well developed characters, some of whom we’ve met before. The plot was easy to follow and flowed at a nice pace, the suspense happens in the last ten percent of the novel. All of these are items that I know are true to Thomas’ writing style, however, something just felt off. Almost like it was lacking some flair, I was able to put the novel down and walk away, which is rare! I am hopeful the next novel will grab my attention and hold me captive until the very last page.
Sunrise Crossing is full of good characters and details that make a good novel, unfortunately for me this novel fell a little short of Jodi Thomas’s previous work.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
3.5 stars
Typically I fall in love easily with most any characters and novels written by Jodi Thomas. Sunrise Crossing felt as if it was missing something. The characters were good, well developed characters, some of whom we’ve met before. The plot was easy to follow and flowed at a nice pace, the suspense happens in the last ten percent of the novel. All of these are items that I know are true to Thomas’ writing style, however, something just felt off. Almost like it was lacking some flair, I was able to put the novel down and walk away, which is rare! I am hopeful the next novel will grab my attention and hold me captive until the very last page.
Sunrise Crossing is full of good characters and details that make a good novel, unfortunately for me this novel fell a little short of Jodi Thomas’s previous work.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
October 2, 2016
We learn more about Yancy Grey and see what he is doing to the house that he inherited. We are introduced to a mysterious lady; ( Yancy calls her Rabbit; because he doesn't know her real name); that comes around and helps in remodeling his house. You are introduced to Parker Lacey and the cowboy that lives next door to the house that Parker owns but has never been to. And we meet the mysterious man Gabe Snow, that is connected to the town in ways that no ones knows.
You are once again drawn into the lives of the people of Crossroads. Who are these mysterious people and how are they connected? What happens to Yancy and to Parker?
Once I started this book; I had a very hard time putting it down and pretty much read until I was done. Some of my questions were answered and some weren't. I was left with wanting more about his town and people in it.
You are once again drawn into the lives of the people of Crossroads. Who are these mysterious people and how are they connected? What happens to Yancy and to Parker?
Once I started this book; I had a very hard time putting it down and pretty much read until I was done. Some of my questions were answered and some weren't. I was left with wanting more about his town and people in it.
August 28, 2016
4/5 (B)
September 10, 2016
Read my review on Romancing-the-Book.com by clicking on the link below:
http://romancing-the-book.com/2016/09...
http://romancing-the-book.com/2016/09...
October 11, 2019
Reviewed by JoAnne
Book provided by NetGalley
It was nice to be back in Ransom Canyon even if I've only read the novella which is the series prequel, Winter's Camp , plus the third book in the series, Lone Heart Pass . I need to go back and read the first two books in the series, Ransom Canyon and Rustler's Moon , respectively. I, for one, hope there are more books in the series since it seems to me there is more story to tell.
The story progressed at a nice pace with lots of twists and turns and I didn't want to put the book down but kept turning the pages late in the night to finish one more chapter, then another, and another, etc. The characters were multifaceted and Tori and Parker seemed out of their big city girl comfort zones when they were in Crossroads, Texas. Tori was running away from her life that her stepdad and mom handled. She was an artist with lots of talent but her parents didn't want to lose their gravy train and held the purse strings. Parker, a gallery owner in Dallas, stepped up to the plate and told her she would help her disappear after finding her crying in the Los Angeles airport. They knew each other through the art world and Parker let her hide out in her farmhouse in Crossroads, Texas. Tori kept taking a lot of chances walking outdoors and it was just a matter of time before she was noticed especially with a reward for her return, dead or alive. The relationships between Tori and Yancy and Parker and her Crossroads neighbor Clint were evolving but they weren't always on the same page! It was fun to watch them get to know each other and be there for each other even when they didn't realize what was happening between them.
There was some intrigue involved since Tori was considered by her family to be a missing person and a danger to herself. She was a gifted artist and her art was raised to the next level when she was living at the farmhouse. Gabe who was staying at the B&B wasn't what he seemed and it was fun to watch that part of the story unfold. The deputy, Fifth, and Madison, a pilot helping on a case had strong vibes between them and a very quirky relationship. There were family and friends, hurt, anger, injuries, illness, fear, crimes, happiness, warmth, secrets, loving and love. There was some closure but also loose ends. There was the potential for several happily ever afters in the offing but none that came to fruition.
Book provided by NetGalley
It was nice to be back in Ransom Canyon even if I've only read the novella which is the series prequel, Winter's Camp , plus the third book in the series, Lone Heart Pass . I need to go back and read the first two books in the series, Ransom Canyon and Rustler's Moon , respectively. I, for one, hope there are more books in the series since it seems to me there is more story to tell.
The story progressed at a nice pace with lots of twists and turns and I didn't want to put the book down but kept turning the pages late in the night to finish one more chapter, then another, and another, etc. The characters were multifaceted and Tori and Parker seemed out of their big city girl comfort zones when they were in Crossroads, Texas. Tori was running away from her life that her stepdad and mom handled. She was an artist with lots of talent but her parents didn't want to lose their gravy train and held the purse strings. Parker, a gallery owner in Dallas, stepped up to the plate and told her she would help her disappear after finding her crying in the Los Angeles airport. They knew each other through the art world and Parker let her hide out in her farmhouse in Crossroads, Texas. Tori kept taking a lot of chances walking outdoors and it was just a matter of time before she was noticed especially with a reward for her return, dead or alive. The relationships between Tori and Yancy and Parker and her Crossroads neighbor Clint were evolving but they weren't always on the same page! It was fun to watch them get to know each other and be there for each other even when they didn't realize what was happening between them.
There was some intrigue involved since Tori was considered by her family to be a missing person and a danger to herself. She was a gifted artist and her art was raised to the next level when she was living at the farmhouse. Gabe who was staying at the B&B wasn't what he seemed and it was fun to watch that part of the story unfold. The deputy, Fifth, and Madison, a pilot helping on a case had strong vibes between them and a very quirky relationship. There were family and friends, hurt, anger, injuries, illness, fear, crimes, happiness, warmth, secrets, loving and love. There was some closure but also loose ends. There was the potential for several happily ever afters in the offing but none that came to fruition.
April 2, 2025
Sunrise Crossing is the fourth book in the Ransom Canyon series by Jodi Thomas, set in a small town on the west of Texas.
The novel focuses on Yancy Grey, a former criminal who is putting his life together after finding out he inherited a run down house.
While working on the house he meets a young woman who is trying to move away from her past.
Sunrise Crossing similar to the previous books in the Ransom Canyon series, we have a romance side of the novel which if the author Jodi Thomas, could of turned in to the whole novel, as well as a minor mystery element which if expanded slightly could lead the novel on its own.
One of the features that works well not only in Sunrise crossing but also in other books in the series, is that while romance runs through the novel as a whole the link to the previous books in the series, is not by direct link to the previous relationships.
This is because Ransom canyon has a number of characters which appear in all the books up to this point, for example Lucas Raye and his friends who were involved in the incident with the haunted house, helps to bring the series together.
Going back to the romance between Yancy and the young woman this was such a sweet romance that developed the way it did because of their life history.
This is a feature of the romances that are in Jodi Thomas’s novels, in that she really tails the type of romance to the participants and not only on a surface level.
All this makes Sunrise Crossing by Jodi Thomas well worth reading.
July 26, 2017
Good read. Jodi Thomas's contemporary novels have a lot of characters in them and she gives them all a POV. But usually there's a focus on a particular one or two. In this one, the story begins with a desperate artist and her gallery owner. The artist needs a place to disappear and decompress, and the art dealer just happens to own a place in the middle of nowhere-- AKA the Texas Panhandle-- where she can go hide out. The art dealer's mom and other relatives leading back into grandparents, etc., all got some kind of cancer or other and died young. So when her doctor asks her to come in for a consult, she assumes she's succumbed to the family curse and will die soon. She also realizes she's isolated herself and has no one to talk to, except the young woman staying out at her ranchette. So she heads out there too. Then they get tangled up with the townsfolk- - with Yancy and the house he inherited and is restoring, and with the rancher who sold the art dealer a few of his acres. It's good stuff. Some things are resolved in the end, others are left hanging. Because that's what life it, right? Loved this.
March 2, 2020
Return to peaceful Crossroads, Texas, where community comes first and love thrives in the unlikeliest places… Yancy Grey is slowly putting his life back together after serving time for petty theft. As he rebuilds an old house, he finally has a sense of stability, but he can't stop thinking of himself as just an ex-con. Until one night, he finds a mysterious dark-haired beauty hiding in his loft. But who is she, and what secret is she protecting? The art gallery Parker Lacey manages is her life—she has no time for friends, and certainly not lovers. But when her star artist begs Parker for help, she finds herself in a pickup truck, headed for the sleepy town of Crossroads. A truck driven by a strong, silent cowboy… Gabe Snow has been a drifter since he left Crossroads at seventeen after a violent incident. When he accepts a job in his hometown, he'll have to decide whether he can put the worst night of his life behind him and build a future in the community that raised him.
September 6, 2017
This was a really intriguing way to read a story, like one of those movies where there's a dozen different storylines and then they all intersect at some point. I've never read a book in this fashion, and it was definitely interesting. There were a few challenges for me. The first was the first quarter or so of the story. We're meeting all the characters and they aren't interacting at all, so it felt pretty choppy to me, all these short little scenes jumping between characters. Second, there was a remembered act of violence that was incredibly graphic, and it really threw me. It didn't seem to fit with the overall tone of the book, and felt pretty gratuitous. Finally, the resolution of the book was a little anti-climactic. The interweaving storylines though really intrigued me and that was my favorite part of this book, seeing how a dozen people's storylines connected.
May 19, 2025
Probably my least favorite in the series so far. There was too much going on, too many love connections. Tho I was thrilled to see Yancy as the main character in this book, he’s one of my favorites throughout the series. But this series lacks character development and dialogue so the interactions between he and Tori see weird, the interactions between all of the couples in this book are dry and cumbersome and awkward so it’s amazing any of them can actually fall in love. I’m also listening on audible and the narrator gives a much much older vibe to these characters, it makes it hard to believe they’re only in their 20s. Lastly, I was so excited about Yancy being reunited with his dad, but that interaction seemed stilted and flat. I think there should have been more emotion. Maybe this author lacks emotion all around.
July 18, 2025
2.75⭐ rounded up and being generous. This book was just not it for me. The main couple was so uninteresting. From the very beginning the main character doesn't even wait to listen to the doctor's full assessment. She just "knows" she has cancer and leaves. On the other side of that, the male counterpart is unlikeable too.
Again the subplot on this book was more interesting than the main couple's story but even that was lacking for me. The ending is what bumped this book up on the rating but getting there was a long and tedious journey. I didn't care about the characters and the story was long and drawn out. I even wasn't as interested in Yancey's story and that was the one I was most interested to hear about since he's been in the series from the original book. Of all of the books, I definitely would not recommend this one.
Again the subplot on this book was more interesting than the main couple's story but even that was lacking for me. The ending is what bumped this book up on the rating but getting there was a long and tedious journey. I didn't care about the characters and the story was long and drawn out. I even wasn't as interested in Yancey's story and that was the one I was most interested to hear about since he's been in the series from the original book. Of all of the books, I definitely would not recommend this one.
November 29, 2017
Book 4 in the Ransom Canyon series. We’re still in Crossroads and we run into people from the community we’ve met in previous books but most of the principal characters are new. Tori, a famous artist running away from her controlling, manipulative family runs into Yancy who is slowly rebuiding the run down ghost house he was born in. Tori’s benefactor Parker shows up and bonds with the taciturn rancher next door who has maintained the hideaway she bought from him next door. Under that matter-of-fact exterior broods a fiery cowboy. So two romances for the price of one.
Given the two artists involved chapter titles tend to feature colour tones associated with the landscape in which they live. This book seems somewhat tedious compared with others I’ve read.
Given the two artists involved chapter titles tend to feature colour tones associated with the landscape in which they live. This book seems somewhat tedious compared with others I’ve read.
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