Product Description

Bad luck has been biting at Allie Daniel's heels all her life, so when she inherits a cafŽ in a small Texas lake community she's sure there's a catch. But Allie decides to move and brings her grandmother along, since the cafŽ gives Nana a chance to do what she loves best-cook. As Allie settles in, she soon discovers that she's not alone anymore-and that sometimes, the only cure for bad luck is gaining the courage to love.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #102257 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780425220818
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Fortune smiles on Allie Daniels and her elderly Nana in the form of an unexpected West Texas inheritance from a mysterious Uncle Jefferson Platt, of whom Allie doesn't recall any talk. Raised by her grandparents, Allie quit college to take care of frail Nana at her grandfather's death, and, at 26, has held a variety of dead-end jobs. She and Nana are enchanted by the West Texas property on Twisted Creek and have soon reopened its rundown bait shop–cum–general store and cafe to serve the Nesters, an eccentric bunch who live lakeside year-round. Half-Navajo undercover ATF agent Luke Morgan is one of them, and he's intent on catching the killer of Uncle Jefferson, who was his own granddad's best friend—and to put some drug traffickers out of business in the process. Morgan tries to resist his feelings for Allie, but Thomas sketches a slow, sweet surrender, keeping the tension building to a rewarding resolution in this unsentimental, homespun romance. (Apr.)
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Customer Reviews

Best yet Jodi Thomas
Allie Daniels was not only poor, but unlucky to boot. Her mother had left her on her grandmother's doorstep and seemed to forget she had a child. For years, Allie and Nana tried to stay one step ahead of poverty but it seemed to be closing in on them.

When Allie gets a letter from a lawyer in Texas she is surprised to find a cashier's check for enough to pay off her bills and travel to Texas to look into the piece of lake property on Twisted Creek that was left to her by her Uncle Jefferson.

But one problem made her believe that her luck hadn't changed ... she nor Nana knew of an Uncle Jefferson!

Allie and Nana make a pledge to make a go of the little store and cafe, at least until the lawyer discovers he made a mistake and contacted the wrong Allie Daniels. Nana is proud commander of the kitchen where she hangs her most cherished possession, a wind chime. Their store is revived and soon becomes the gathering place for both good times and trouble.

You'll laugh. You'll cry. But most of all, you'll remember, as you share the stories of a motley crew of folks who bind together in a time of crisis ... one that will change their lives forever.

Stepping up to the next level
This contemporary romance displays a new level of talent for Jodi Thomas. I've been a fan for more than fifteen years, but this was a step above. The characters are all slightly damaged hearts with nowhere left to go but Twisted Creek. The family and bonds they form carry them through some tough times and surprising revelations. This one was a tear jerker!

TWISTED CREEK by Jodi Thomas
This is an amazing book. It's listed as romance but I'd actually call it "women's fiction" because, although Allie and Luke fall in love, the story is about Allie and the people of the community and not about the romance. There are no sex scenes in this book, which is partly why I'm so surprised I loved it. It's just a sweet, beautiful, touching story about a strong young woman and her Nana finding a place to grow and belong.

A community of misfits comes together and becomes a family. The story is set in Texas, but I wouldn't call it a "Western". There is a mystery/suspense thread throughout the book relating to Allie's "uncle" and some strange occurrences around the lake, but that's all just secondary to the story of Allie growing as a person and getting to know and love her neighbors.

Nana reminded me of both of my own grandmothers, and she was even from the same hometown that my grandparents and my parents are from. This book made me cry several times, but not because the story was sad. As a matter of fact, it wasn't sad at all. It's just very touching, and the story has a very serene and wistful feel that made me homesick for small town life.

This is my first Jodi Thomas book, and it certainly won't be my last. TWISTED CREEK is a new keeper for me.