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
