Sunrise Crossing

In Thomas’s stellar contemporary, Crossroads, Tex., is where broken people go to hide, and with kindness and trust, they find friendship and love. Talented artist Victoria is desperate to escape from the gilded cage in which her parents have trapped her. Dallas art gallery owner Parker helps her disappear to Crossroads, setting off a chain of seemingly unrelated events: Tori meets and falls in love with ex-con Yancy, bounty hunter Gabe returns to his childhood home, and deputy sheriff Fifth starts dating helicopter pilot Madison. And when it’s Parker’s turn to run away from Dallas and her problems, Clint, the grieving widower next door, is the only one she can call. Thomas’s talent shines as every multifaceted character is painstakingly crafted with an intricate set of motivations. There are no cardboard cutouts or shortcuts here. The pacing is just right, never bogged down with anyone’s backstory. The ending is not rushed, and just like real life, the resolution is messy. There are some unanswered questions, but the strong love among friends, lovers, and neighbors make the ending satisfying. (Sept.)