Tag Archives: Carolyn Brown

Paradise for Christmas by Carolyn Brown – a Review

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Paradise for Christmas by Carolyn Brown – a Review

 

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Description:
The oldest of seven sisters, Ursula Simmons has followed in her mother’s footsteps as a novelist. With a bad case of writer’s block, she brings her notebooks and computer home to the old brothel called Paradise where they all grew up, in the hope that being home for the holidays will inspire her—and since it’s Christmas, all her sisters will be there too. The sisters take the holidays very seriously, and as soon as they’ve celebrated Thanksgiving, it’s on to decorating for Christmas. As all pitch in to make the spirits bright, younger sister Endora is dismayed to find some of the handsome men who’ve come to help doing more flirting than anything else. She’s determined to show her sisters that no relationship is worth the heartbreak. But it might be Ursula who reminds the family that Christmas is a magical time, and finding new love is always a gift.

 

 

Review:

Paradise for Christmas by Carolyn Brown is the 1st book in her new Sisters in Paradise series. We meet Ursula Simmons, who is the oldest daughter of the seven sisters in this family.  Ursula has decided to move back home to Paradise, which used to be an old brothel, with her mother still living there with her husband, Joe Clay (she was divorced at a young age, with the first husband leaving her to bring up seven young girls).  The story revolves around the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and all seven children return home to be together to decorate and celebrate the holidays, (we meet the Simmons sisters, Ursula, Ophelia, Tertia, Rae, Bo, Endora and Luna)

The girl’s mother, Mary Jane is a famous novelist, and Ursula is also a writer, in the midst of a writer’s block that she hopes coming home will find her muse. She is trying to write a historical novel, based on Daisy, a mail order bride, who made friends with the madam during the old days.  Ursula meets Remy, who lives next door, and someone she had a crush on in high school.  In a short time, both Remy and Ursula will begin to have feelings for each other, as well as Remy helping her find old books about the brothel and Daisy, her muse.  I really enjoyed Remy and Ursula, who were so great together. 

Luna, the youngest sister (she is a twin, Endora), and she too finds someone she is falling in love with.  Shane is her boyfriend, and their relationship escalates over time.  They too were both great together.  However, Luna and all the sisters try to help Endora get over her broken heart, when her boyfriend, was she caught having an affair with her best friend.   

It was nice to see all the sisters return home to help celebrate the holidays, as well as all seven of them spending the day together buying presents for all.  They all take the holidays very seriously, jumping from Thanksgiving and then Christmas. I loved how Mary Jane and Joe Clay (all the girls called him Daddy, since he was always part of the family) created such a wonderful family. I thought Aunt Bernie (a former bar owner) was a hoot, always pushing and using curses forcing Ursula and Luna into relationships. This was a great family with wonderful strong bonds.

Paradise For Christmas was an enchanting delightful family-oriented story that not only captured the holiday spirit, but emphasized a family filled with love, support, happiness and heartwarming. Paradise for Christmas was so very well written by Carolyn Brown. I look forward to seeing who will be the next two sisters.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby by Carolyn Brown-a review

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The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby by Carolyn Brown-a review

The Cowboy's Christmas Baby

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 24, 2013

‘Tis the season for…

A pistol-totin’ woman who’s no angel
A tough rancher who doesn’t believe in miracles
Love that warms the coldest nights

After a year in Kuwait, Lucas Allen can’t wait to get back to his ranch for Christmas and meet his gorgeous Internet pal in person.

When he pulls in, there’s Natalie Clark right in his front yard with a pink pistol in her hand and a dead coyote at her feet.

Lucas is unfazed. But wait…is that a BABY in her arms?

REVIEW

4 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Ah … what a beautiful story this was. The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby by Carolyn Brown is exactly as the title suggests. One cowboy, one baby and one heck of a Christmas. A contemporary love story, with some hot scenes, amazing comedy and a list of secondary characters that make you want to read more.

What would you do if you were our main man Lucas?? He comes home to his ranch after serving overseas for the past year, all he wants is a good home cooked meal and to anticipate the arrival of a lady (this is our main lady Natalie) that he has been cyber dating during that year away. What he gets and what meets him at his front door is not only Natalie with a pink pistol in her hands, dead coyote at her feet, but a BABY on her hip. WHAT?? A BABY???

Yah that kinda got my attention too! LOL Turns out Natalie was preggers when they were cyber dating (most def it is deceitful, but she is easy to forgive) and she had wanted to show up a few days early to surprise Lucas. Lucas is, rightfully so, SHOCKED. He is okay with her being there early .. but a BABY?? After the initial shock and a few chapters, there is an acceptance (didn’t hurt that the family was completely, excuse the pun, gaga over lil man, and the fact that Natalie grew up on a ranch) Lucas and Natalie settle into really getting to know each other in person. Turns out the chemistry they had over the internet, is doubled face to face. As they ease into a romance, each also deal with the loss of a close friend (you have to read for more on that), and Lucas has trouble with PTSD and reintegrating into his “normal life”.

Natalie is a spitfire and one strong woman. Despite her deceit, she is perfect in all ways. She is so strong and such an asset to Lucas and his family and I couldn’t help but admire her a little. Add in a few more sexy cowboys (this is the second book of this series), some amazing laugh out loud moments and the magic of the Christmas holiday, I found myself feeling so much warmth and love towards these people and anxious to read more!

An absolute great read, but I never felt that WOW factor that I feel with my 5 out of 5 ratings. That will be my only negative (if that can even be considered negative) comment, as it’s a Christmas story and it just doesn’t feel right to nitpick anything Christmas. LOL

If you love some hunky cowboys, one liners, lots of teasing, a romance that comes together against most odds and lots of Christmas love then this book is for you. It’s not a heavy read but one you can enjoy curled up by the fire with the snow falling outside. You do not have to read the first book to appreciate this book, but if you like visits by past characters of a series, then you may want to read the first one before you tackle this one!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS READING! 🙂

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Rachel T.

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Casa For The Holidays Virtual Tour and Giveaway from Sourcebooks

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Casa For The Holidays Virtual Tour and Giveaway from Sourcebooks

CasaForTheHolidays-Banner

Sourcebooks is celebrating the upcoming holiday season with an early gift for one lucky reader at The Reading Cafe. Read about each of the author’s favorite Christmas Story and then tell us what is your favorite holiday read. ONE lucky commenter will win ALL 4 new release holiday books from Sourcebooks. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.

Carolyn Brown Xmas

Carolyn Brown’s Favorite Christmas Books:

Holiday books are such fun and always put me in the spirit. My all-time favorite Christmas book has always been ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. The pictures and the rhyme speak volumes to my imagination. I can feel the cold outside and hear the jingle of the bells. I can even see Rudolph’s red nose. In my Christmas romance novel, The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby, Henry loves to read to Baby Joshua. Maybe Henry is just using the excuse to reread them to the baby, like I do when I read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to my grandchildren. One of Henry’s favorite Christmas books is Baby Jesus is Born and he is convinced that Joshua understands every single word.

My favorite Christmas book lately has been Grace Burrowes Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish but it could take a back seat to her newest one, Lady Jenny’s Christmas Portrait which I’ve promised to buy myself for the holidays.

A quick story here: I used to read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to our children during the season so Husband wrote his version of the poem when they weren’t very old. It became a tradition for him to read it to the children and later to all the grandchildren on Christmas Eve at our house when they gathered to open presents. I won’t quote the whole thing but it starts out: ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except a flea and a louse.

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Grace Burrowes Xmas

Grace Burrowes’ Favorite Christmas Books:

I love O’Henry’s “Gift of the Magi,” a short story supposedly written in about two hours flat. The penniless young husband and wife long to give each other the best possible holiday gift, even in their straitened circumstances. The husband sells his heirloom watch to buy his wife decorative combs for her beautiful hair; the wife sells her hair to buy her husband a gold chain to go with his prized heirloom watch.

The punch line of the story is that, in the Christian tradition, love was the gift of significance on the first Christmas, and love remains the essence of the holiday when it’s properly celebrated.

Sigh.

I don’t find that message reflected in too many longer works of fiction, so I’ll have to wiggle away from the notion of Christmas books, and say instead that “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is one of my favorite stories. When Linus comes out on that empty stage, makes his little speech, and uses his beloved blankie to begin the transformation of the bedraggled Christmas tree, I just tear up.

Every. Time.

Because the other aspect of Christmas that should be part of its proper celebration is togetherness. Love wants sharing, whether it’s love in the form of voices raised in song, a shared batch of cookies, two friends watching “It’s A Wonderful Life,” or a skating party that will end with an empty bowl of wassail.

And I do love “It’s A Wonderful Life.” I may not watch it each year, but when I do catch that story, I’m always heartened by it. Same with “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Garfield’s Christmas,” and “Rudolph” (all together now: “Bumble’s bounce!!!”).

How fortunate we are, to have so many Christmas stories, all of them cheering, and all of them about the enduring power of love, and the pleasure of celebrating that power with friends, family, and the entire world.

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Terry Spear Xmas

Terry Spear’s Favorite Christmas Books:

Some of my favorite holiday books include The Snowman (watched the video with my married daughter last time I visited in the spring—it’s just special), The Polar Express, A Christmas Carol, Gift of the Magi, and The Elves and the Shoemaker… Notice they’re all Christmas stories suitable for children? I’m a kid at heart.

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Juliana Stone XmasJuliana Stone’s Favorite Christmas Books:


I have a confession to make to you all—I don’t read a lot of Christmas books. And Ever since I bawled for hours watching The Christmas Shoes, I don’t watch many Christmas movies either.

But, there are some books that always remind me of Christmas, Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I loved all the books and of course watched the television series ( I had a huge crush on Michael Landon) but that first one, where they spent the winter in the big woods and had Christmas is special.

Another is Little Women. Both of these books are timeless classics and speak of a simpler time. For me, that is the real spirit of Christmas and sadly, sometimes that spirit is lost. I think that’s why—for me—Christmas is my favorite holiday. I keep it simple. It’s about family and that’s not always about blood either—a lot of my friends are as close to me as if they were family, and I love spending time with them!

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giveaway

To enter to win a prize pack of all 4 of these Christmas authors’ novels, tell us in the comments the books you love to read during the holidays!! This contest is open internationally.

Sourcebooks Xmas Giveaway

1.  Please register using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins

2.  If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with the comment.

3.  Tell us in the comments, which book(s) you love to read during the holidays.

4.   Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY

5.  Giveaway runs from October 29 to December 10, 2013

blog tour schedule

FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE “CASA FOR THE HOLIDAYS” VIRTUAL TOUR!

October-December 2013

Fun Holiday-Themed Posts from Carolyn, Grace, Terry and Juliana,

And Chances to WIN Books at Each Stop!

 

October
Oct. 8 Booked and Loaded http://bookedandloaded.com/
Oct. 16 Ramblings From This Chick http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/
Oct. 23 Debbie’s Book Bag http://debsbookbag.blogspot.com/
Oct. 29 The Reading Café http://www.thereadingcafe.com/

November

Nov. 4 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell http://books-forlife.blogspot.com/
Nov. 6 Smexy Books http://smexybooks.com/
Nov. 12 Cocktails and Books http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/
Nov. 14 The Bookish Babe http://thebookishbabes.blogspot.com/
Nov. 20 Night Owl Reviews http://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Blog
Nov. 22 Fresh Fiction http://freshfiction.com/pages.php?id=blog

December

Dec. 4 USA Today HEA http://www.usatoday.com/blog/happyeverafter/
Dec. 5 Under the Covers http://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/
Dec. 10 Romancing the Book http://romancing-the-book.com/
Dec. 11 Anna’s Book Blog http://annavivian.blogspot.com/
Dec. 16 What’s on the Bookshelf http://whatsonthebookshelf-jen.blogspot.com/
Dec. 17 That’s What I’m Talking About http://twimom227.com/

 

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The Blue Ribbon Jalapeno Society Jubilee by Carolyn Brown-a review

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The Blue-Ribbon Jalapeño Society Jubilee by Carolyn Brown-a review

Blue Ribbon Jalapeno Society

AMAZON Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 1, 2013

Bestelling author Carolyn Brown makes her first foray into women’s fiction with this poignant and hilarious novel about four friends in Cadillac, Texas—where the best jalapenos in the world are grown.

Everything is calm in Cadillac, Texas until Aunt Agnes declares war on Violet Prescott, the president of the Blue-Ribbon Jalapeno Society, just in time for the annual jubilee. But after the festivities—and the hostilities—are over, it’s four friends who are left standing, proving once again that friendship is forever

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If you love small town stories with wonderful characters and witty dialog, this book by Carolyn Brown will thrill you! It’s sort of a “Steel Magnolia” type with more than a bit of “Texas Attitude” thrown in.

It does start out a little slow as she builds the vision of the town and people, but just a short way in becomes a funny, emotional and very interesting story of the drama involving the women and some of the men of the small Texas town of Cadillac. It’s actually hard to put down once it gets really rolling.
Centered around the Blue-Ribbon Jalapeño Society and the “power” wielded by current president and one of the founders of the “Society” Violet Prescott, and the contentious relationship of Marty and Cathy Andrews, twin sisters and daughters of the other founder of the Society Claudia Andrews (now deceased). It’s small town drama with comic and emotional impact.

Claudia was the person who found the “secret” of growing the hottest jalapeño peppers in Grayson County and claiming the first of a tradition of blue ribbons from the state fair – the reason for the founding of the Blue-Ribbon Jalapeño Society. Claudia’s daughters now run Miss Clawdy’s Café in their family’s old home in the heart of town.

A group of friends: Marty, Cathy, Trixie, Darla Jean and Aunt Agnes are the main group of “friends” that become the focus of the story. My favorite if Aunt Agnes…who I would aspire to be like! These wonderful women are each very different people and great friends to have. Their imaginative and often funny ways of doing things is really a hoot to read. They see each other through the hard spots in life like cheating husbands, small town power struggles, abusive relationships, loveless marriages and much more. This is a group of people you can visualize clearly and would be such fun to visit with and know.
I don’t like to do spoilers, so I’ll just say you have to read this wonderful story to understand the great emotional yet often comic impact. It’s a great read and I look forward to more from this new author!

Copy supply by publisher.

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

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