INDIGO LAKE – Jodi Thomas

Ransom Canyon (Book 6)

Crossroads, Texas – Present Day

Legend says that Indigo Lake separates two sparring families who have not communicated for many years. Now the last of the Hamilton branch, Blade, is in town to evaluate the small ranch left to him, and hopefully dispose of it and move on. An agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Blade had no knowledge of the ranch or its dilapidated farmhouse. After checking out the house, which is in terrible condition, he rides his antique motorcycle over the old bridge which collapses. The bike is ruined, Blade is furious, and he’s just met his neighbor from across the river, Dakota Davis, who is none too pleased to be helping out a Hamilton.

Dakota is all to aware of the long time animosity between the Davis and Hamilton families. Her grandmother tells her stories of the cursed land. Now she is face to face with a man who is obviously a Hamilton, he looks just like the faces in the local museum. Grudgingly, Dakota helps Blade, taking him to her house, only if he’ll help her unload the perishable food in her truck. She also loans him her truck, although it’s clear there is no love lost in their encounter, Blade is just as unhappy as she is.

Lauren Brigman, the sheriff’s daughter, has arrived at the house where she and her friends had a frightening encounter twelve years before. The first person who arrives is Reid Collins, the town rich boy who now runs his family ranch – running it into the ground and allowing mysterious workers to kick out all of the old time ranch hands and sell off the cattle. Lauren isn’t fond of Reid and his arrogance. Old friend, Tim, shows up too. He was badly injured that night at the old house, and then Lucas is there. Lauren is stunned to see him, and hopes her heart doesn’t break again. But Lucas and Reid have a fight, so it’s clear that the animosity between them has not diminished over the years.

Something strange is going on at the Collins ranch and it’s obvious that Reid isn’t controlling the events. The thugs who have arrived do their own thing, and there are several in town, including Sheriff Brigman, who suspect something very illegal. He enlists the help of ATF agent Blade who is refurbishing his house, and working on a relationship with Dakota.

Returning to Crossroads, INDIGO LAKE is a character-driven tale so indicative of Jodi Thomas.stories. We’re introduced to Dakota and Blade, but readers also get reacquainted with Lauren, Lucas, Tim, Reid, and Lauren’s father. There is a mystery that threatens the town, and, of course, a couple of love stories to round out this beautifully written novel.

I liked this book. It took me a little while to read it, but I was dealing with life. Love this series.

This book was excellent,   I have been reading this series and love it.  Blade has inherited a house from a father he never knew existed.  He takes a day off to check it and the land out.  Well that's what he thought.
Dakota is trying to finish up her degree and hates being a Realtor her job in the mean time.  . She stops to help blade not realizing that he is a Hamilton.  There is an ancient family feud.  

I loved how Blade solved the mystery about how Dakota could not step on his land and that there is finally a conclusion for Lauren and Lucas.  

i hope there is a story for Tim and one for Ried once he decides he is going to be a good guy.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin for allowing me to read this title for an honest review.

Indigo Lake by Jodi Thomas

Crossroads is a growing community and this time there is trouble.

Sheriff Dan Brigman is the law in the town. He has recently married but his wife is currently away recording her album. Dan misses her. He longs to touch her and talk to her face to face. They speak on the phone but that’s not enough for him. He wants her physical presence. Dan never thought he would be lucky to marry again but Brandi took his breath away.

Dan has a daughter Lauren. She is at somewhat of a loose end, as she has finished college in the big city and has returned home. She writes but also edits the local newspaper that has all the local gossip and events. Lauren has a best friend who is a writer and he is back in town. Tim wants Lauren but her affections are in another direction. Dan really, really doesn’t want Tim as a son in law.

Lucas Reyes is a lawyer. His father was a ranch manager. His father has been fired and there is trouble on the ranch but Lucas has been smart and sent his parents on a vacation so that they will not be connected to the trouble on the ranch. Lucas has been hot and cold with Lauren. He has kissed her, given her hope, and then ignored her. He told her that they will get together when the time is right. This is a thread that has been developing throughout the series and we do get a resolution. When the ranch trouble is solved then Lucas declares his love for Lauren.

There is another thread in the story. In this thread, there is a family feud. The Hamiltons and the Davises have been avoiding each other for many a year after a dispute over cattle. Dakota Davis has many jobs and roles. She carries guilt over her mother’s death and her sister’s blindness. Dakota always makes sure she is home by dark for her sister. Maria, Dakota’s sister, doesn’t really need the help but she appreciates what Dakota does for her. Things change when Blade Hamilton arrives.

Blade has inherited a nearby property from his father. His mother has been married three times and Blade is cynical about relationships and marriage. And to convince himself, he has a job with the ATF as an arson detector that requires him to travel, a lot. He falls into the job of deputy when Sheriff Brigman needs his help at the ranch. While Blade doesn’t do relationships, he is attracted to Dakota and willing to do the little things that might tempt her.

Dakota and Maria have a grandmother who is part American Indian. She despairs that Dakota has more Irish in her blood that Indian. The grandmother is a delight. Her insights and directness often embarrass Dakota but she loves her anyway.

Again Ms Thomas has given the reader a story that is an absolute pleasure to read. The way in which the stories are entwined gives the reader a connection with the characters. The special part is that the reader can often meet characters from previous stories and look into their lives to see what has been happening to them. In this story, Sheriff Brigman will be a continuing character as he creates law and order. The reader was also able to see what had happened to Charley and Jubilee Collins.

Reviewed by Heather

Reviewed by JoAnne

Review:   Wonderful continuation of the Ransom Canyon series by one of my favorite western authors, Jodi Thomas.  Indigo Lake picks up where the last book in the series, Wild Horse Springs, left off.  My only disappointment is that there wasn’t the depth to Blade as to some of the other characters and the storyline was a little more predictable.

Dakota has her life planned out and it doesn’t include a man – especially not Blade, who is a Hamilton and the family her family has had a feud with for several generations.  He fits right into the town even though he just planned to pass through and gets more than he bargained for but so does she or does she?.  Many of the characters we’ve met before are back front and center and gave me a feeling of returning home.

There are family and friends – some estranged, enemies, good guys and bad, horses, ranches, businesses, small town happenings, vivid descriptions of the land, secrets, injuries, reminisces, laughter, humor and love.  There are a few happily ever afters in the offing and some closure with enough loose ends to bring us to the next book in the series or so I’m hoping.

Thomas’ stories always take me to small town America and creates characters that I get to know on several different levels.  I look forward to reading many more books that she pens whether in this series or others.

Deep in sticks lay a lake fed by underground springs . The lake is indigo colored some say from blood washed away.Blade Hamilton inherits the run down house by lake. He meets his neighbor Dakota when she comes over from farm neatby.

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This was a great book. It has been purchased for our library.

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Simply so fabulous that it was nearly impossible to put down. Jodi Thomas meshes two stories in one book. INDIGO LAKE focuses on a relationship that has no likely way to be successful based on a history between two families. Jodi Thomas chooses not to minimize the importance of a generations old feud but instead provide a clearer view of its cause. And because she is such a romantic Thomas is determined to see if there could be a possible resolution. Question can love heal all wounds. In the story that travels alongside the main tale we revisit an old friendship that somehow splintered with time. Each glorious separately but together make INDIGO LAKE the very special book that it truly is. 

INDIGO LAKE takes us back to Crossroads Texas and is part of the Ransom Canyon series by Jodi Thomas. 

Indigo Lake is bordered on the shores by two ranches – neighbors by any standard but not here – the families haven’t spoken in one hundred years. Quite a long time to feud. 

Blade Hamilton was blindsided when he inherited Hamilton Acres. He never knew his father and here he is on land that truly didn’t look worth very much. But Blade really had nothing to base his opinion on. Blades world and career took him all over. Home wasn’t a familiar concept and his mother had been less than nurturing. Blade had never thought about the fact that he had a father – until now. Faced with generations of Hamilton’s whose faces adorn the wall of the house Blade had to admit feelings that were alien. 

Dakota Davis’ first look at Blade Hamilton brought to mind all the stories passed on generation to generation concerning the ever present feud and hostility between the two families. Jodi Thomas had a lot of fun fashioning these two amazing characters who were equally quick witted. We get to know quite a lot about Dakota and her sister Maria – two lovely but impressionable young woman who live in today’s world and yet pepper their thoughts and conversation with quotes from their grandmother who firmly believes in the old legends. 

So Dakota is quite firm in her determination not to set foot on Hamilton soil. Dakota speaks of a curse and yet Blade begins to see their joined property as almost magical. Certainly ghostly but he didn’t really believe in that – but yet there was something ethereal about it. Something that touched him like nothing ever had done before. 

The ensuing friendship shall we say between Dakota and the Hamilton as she calls him will definitely tickle your funny bone. Blade has a way of making Dakota madder than just about anything and yet he seems to not notice this at all. Delightful and engaging. A small town like Crossroads suddenly hot with action, murder, arson and who knows what else but this is a town that sticks together. Blade never knew what living in a small town was like until now. 

And let us not forget revisiting Lauren Brigman, Tim O’Grady, Lucas Reyes and Reid Collins. These four characters will forever be connected through an event that happened while they were just a bunch of wide eyed teenagers. All have very divergent backgrounds and families. And yet there is an unmistakable unbreakable bond still very much intact even after much time has passed. They don’t all agree than they consider themselves friends. But as this story unfolds these four have major roles. 

Great read first time around and even more fabulous the second time. Yes INDIGO LAKE is one to put on your to re-read shelf but then again most anything by Jodi Thomas deserves a place there. Jodi Thomas is a master of connecting the dots and that has never been more evident than in INDIGO LAKE.

Crossroads, Texas - The place I would love to visit since it feels like I know the town and its quirky citizens. There's a special, nearly poetic style, that the author has written the entertaining stories of lives and loves of the Crossroads folks. Each story is filled with drama and trouble, loving and laughs, and I have grown to care for many of the characters portrayed in the series like they were my friends.
This book, what seems to be the ending of the series, finally wraps up what started at the very beginning, Lauren Brigman's story. I was so happy that she finally found her place, some peace of mind and got her wishes and dreams fulfilled. Like most of the time when a book has more than one love story, I was yearning for more details on each romance, but regardless, Lauren's future seems bright and happy. 
The Hamilton-Collins feud and its solution is an entertaining part of the tale. Blade Hamilton is a mysterious alpha male that gets Dakota's attention immediately. The back and forth, the banter, the sexual tension, and Blade's role with the Collins women was delightful and charming, it even had me laughing out loud as grandma puts everyone on their place. 
With a fluent flow and lyrical tone to the story, the readers are allured into small town living, with all the drama and trouble, even crimes and gun fights, relationships and flirtations, it entails. The series has been an epic, idyllic array of tales, and I am looking forward to the holiday novella that will wrap up the lovely stories from the Ransom Canyon
~ Four Spoons

3.5 Stars at The Romance Dish

The Hamilton and Davis families have a history—a century of feuding that has dwindled to little more than dark tales of violent death, lingering ghosts, and ancient curses since the only survivors of the two families are a rootless stranger who has never set foot on Hamilton land and two sisters, struggling to get by, and to care for their Apache-Irish grandmother who keeps the stories of the feud alive.

Blade Hamilton never knew his father, and he is shocked to learn that the man has left him Hamilton Acres, overgrown land that used to be the family ranch, and the ancestral house, which looks like a setting for a horror movie. Blade grew up with a wandering mother who reinvented herself with each successive husband and whose emotional ties to her son were almost nonexistent. All he knew about his father was his name. He has never called any place home, a habit reinforced by his military service and his current job as a special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Other than a certain curiosity, he has no feelings about the land he has inherited. His plans are to sell the property, which he guesses is less worth than the vintage motorcycle on which he rode into Crossroads, Texas.

Dakota Davis delayed her plan to become an architect five years ago when her mother was killed in an automobile accident that left Maria, Dakota’s older sister, blind. Dakota was only twenty, but she grew up in a hurry. With her mother dead, her grandmother inhabiting her own version of reality, and Maria recovering in the hospital, Dakota became head of the family. Now she supports her small family by working as Crossroads' only real estate agent. Her income is supplemented by the sale of Maria’s homemade jellies and jams. At night, she studies architecture and dreams of the houses she longs to build. Between her job, her studies, acting as errand girl for Maria’s growing business, and keeping an eye on her grandmother, Dakota has no time to regret her nonexistent social life. When she first sees Blade, she thinks he is a Hamilton ghost, but it takes only one meeting for him to become fully flesh and blood and a major irritant, albeit one who is too good-looking for his own good—or for hers.

Blade expects to be in town for only two weeks. He is not interested in permanence, and Dakota is not his type anyway--or so he keeps telling himself. Dakota doesn’t have time for the complication that is Blade, and she is still half certain that the only safe Hamilton is a dead one. But she can’t stop thinking about Blade. Then, the push-pull of their relationship takes a turn when Blade is shot after he is deputized by Sheriff Dan Brigman who has a double murder and other suspicious activities to investigate. Can a wandering Hamilton with no home and a hot-tempered Davis solidly rooted in her home have a future together?

Meanwhile, Lauren Brigman has returned to Crossroads still in search of herself and her purpose in life. She publishes an online community newspaper, considers other things she might write, and spends a lot of time thinking about her might-have-been-but-never-was love affair with Lucas Reyes. Lucas, now a successful lawyer, believes he is a danger to Lauren and tries to stay away from her, a task made easier when he insists that Lauren’s father lock him up in the local jail as suspect #1, even though no one really believes honorable Lucas is the murderer. The bad guys are caught, and lots of Crossroads characters prove themselves heroes. But after a dozen years of the on and off (mostly off) of Lauren and Lucas, can this pair finally find happiness together?

Jodi Thomas has long been one of the best storytellers writing romance, and she has the awards to prove it, including a spot in the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Her Harmony series is one of my all-time favorites, and I have enjoyed the earlier Ransom Canyon novels. Indigo Lake is the sixth book in that series, and I’m of two minds about it. I loved Blade and Dakota. Thomas is unique among the authors whom I read regularly in her gift for creating off-beat characters who qualify as outsiders. The twists and quirks in these characters and their stories’ underlying affirmation that everyone deserves to love and be loved has kept me reading Thomas for many years. Blade and Dakota are part of this tradition. They are appealing as individuals, and as a couple, they offer satisfied sighs and smiles. Since I have followed the series, I also enjoyed seeing some favorite characters from earlier books play a role in book six. Charley Collins (Lone Heart Pass) is at the top of that list.

If the novel consisted only of Blade and Dakota’s story, I’d rank it a solid four-star read. But there is also Lauren and Lucas’s story. It was a major disappointment. These are characters that readers met in Ransom Canyon, the first book in the series. Across the series, readers have seen them move from high school to college to post-college work. Many have viewed them as a couple meant to be together, but Lucas’s determination to achieve has delayed any significant connection again and again. I’m sure I am not the only reader who was invested in their story and rooting for their HEA. Theirs was the story I wanted to love. Instead I found the story’s development thin, and Lauren distressingly passive. By the end, I was largely indifferent to what happened to them.

A more minor concern was my confusion about Dakota’s history. The family land and the Davis feud with the Hamiltons came through her mother’s line. Dakota and Maria use their mother’s maiden name. I’m not sure why. It is unclear what happened to the girls’ father. At one point, Dakota’s thoughts reveal that he is dead: “Her father died young, trying to farm rocky, uneven terrain.” Later she says to her grandmother, “My father is not dead. At least not that I know of. He just left us the month after I was born, remember?”  I read the book twice and did a dedicated search of the words “father” and “Davis” and was unable to find answers to my questions. I should add that I read an ARC, and it is possible that contradictions were resolved in the final copy. As I said, this is not a major point, but such details can drive me batty. :)

Overall, this is not the best book in the series, but Blade and Dakota make it worth reading nonetheless. If you have read the earlier books, the positive will outweigh the negatives. You should add the book to your list. If you are new to the series, start with Ransom Canyon. Maria Davis, an interesting, endearing character, will be the heroine of a novella, A Christmas Affair (October 1), and I’ll definitely be reading that one. Thomas begins a new series in the spring. I look forward to that as well.

Indigo Lake is another powerful entry in Jodi Thomas's Ransom Canyon series. She introduces new characters, Blade and Dakota, while maintaining the longstanding relationships and continuing to build on those characters. This book can serve as a wonderful introduction to the series for those new to the west Texas community. For those familiar with the families of Ransom Canyon, the book is feels like a vacation to visit with old friends and catch up on things on going. In addition to Blade and Dakota, whose families go back generations with a history marred by a bloody feud, the story revisits the seesaw relationship between Lucas Reyes and Lauren Brigman, Thomas is a masterful storyteller, the pacing and narrative are perfect. She's also a delight with phrasing and humor. (I read an advance copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review)

The Hamilton-Collins feud is settled as we meet several new characters in the series. At the same time two of the original characters in the series finally get their HEA. In typical Jodi Thomas fashion a large group of characters fill the pages with danger, tension, and romance. I loved seeing the new characters as I also got to visit with some old friends. A good addition to the Ransom Canyon series. It can stand alone but is more fun if you start at the beginning.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Indigo Lake by Jodi Thomas is #6 in the Ransom Canyon series, and what can I say but that I loved this visit to Crossroads Texas. Its another one of those places I'd love to live or ... at least visit.

We have ourselves a bit of feud between the  Hamilton and Davis family, it seems there has been some bad blood in the past and if Grandmother is to be believed its best that they don't approach each other. However Blade really likes the pint sized Dakota and if anything he is about to put that feud to bed.

We also catch up with Lauren and Lucas and Tim and that other one Ryan, all linked together by a happening when they were teens. We've watched the attraction between Lucas and Lauren wax and wane, and wondered whether they will ever find their way together. Plus Tim and Lauren are best friends and might even enjoy sleeping with each other. I ask you! Where is all this going!

Something very fishy is going on at Ryan's ranch, there a few bodies and something that just does not seem right. Dan Brigman is sheriff and he wants to find out just what it is.  So before we know it Blade is sworn in as a deputy with little pay and an eighteen hour day or more. 

This is a place where you can expect shootings and danger. We're talking a good cowboy story. Where people are locked up in the local jail for their own safety and the town looks after them. 

I loved the humor and the turn of phrase that makes this series so fun to read. All that I expected was there. I was just sorry I couldn't get to visit with all the beloved people of the town, but I hope to make the acquaintance of some of them next time. There sure needs to be a #7 and more!

And delighted to see that Jodi says she is going to have a story for Dakota's sister, who happens to be blind. Yay. Going to be an October happy read.

I love going back to Crossroads, Texas and seeing what’s new with the people we’ve met in previous Ransom Canyon series books and meeting new ones. Indigo Lake introduces readers to Blade and Dakota – two people who don’t think love will ever find them. Blade is a man whose job takes him in every direction so he’s never put down roots. He plans to sell the ancestral home (he didn’t know about until recently) he’s inherited and move on. Dakota’s life revolves around her job, studying, and taking care of her older sister and grandmother. She doesn’t have time for a relationship. And besides, their families are in a feud! It was fun watching these two become important to each other. It was also fun seeing Lauren Brigman’s life progress in a way she didn’t dare hope. I thought it was very sweet (in a good way) how Jodi Thomas made that happen. Of course, there are the usual quirky characters and inept criminals who added the element of suspense as well as humor to the novel. I enjoyed it all and wonder if there will be more to the Ransom Canyon series. I hope so!

Another great addition to the Ransom Canyon series. So glad we finally got closure with Lucas and Lauren. Blade was a great addition, I hope we hear more about him in future books.

A romance that will keep you turning the pages.  The characters were so well done you wanted to see what happens in the end.
An author I will be checking out again.

I love all of Jodi Thomas' books.  She does such a great job with characters and settings. I always have a waiting list of customers wanting to buy her new books.