Please welcome Carolyn Brown to Book Reviews & More by Kathy. Thank you so much for chatting with us today.
Thank you, Miz Kathy, for inviting me! It’s a pleasure to be here!
Kathy: I would like to begin by congratulating you on the release of Cowboy Bold which just happens to be your 90th release! In your wildest dreams, did you ever think you would hit such an impressive milestone? What do you believe has been the key to your success?
Ms. Brown: I think that people like to read about folks they can relate to, those who have real problems, real friends in a world that they can recognize. And back when I sold my first book, 21 years ago, I wondered if I’d even sell a second one. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I hope to stay on the train for many years more. Some asked me when I was going to retire, and my answer was, “I hope that I write THE END at the close of the last book on my last contract just before I breathe my last—and we’ll just call that my retirement day.”
Kathy: Well, I sure hope your retirement day is a ways off in the future! Now curious minds want to know, what inspired this new series?
Ms. Brown: I’m not sure that there was a single inspiration for the series. I’ve always thought it would be great if a bunch of underprivileged city kids could spend several weeks on a ranch. Then Cade Maguire appeared in my mind with his hat in his hand wanting me to tell his story. I asked him how he felt about kids on his ranch. He said he’d love that so we struck a deal!
Kathy: Would you tell us a little about Cowboy Bold?
Ms. Brown: Cowboy Bold is Cade and Retta’s story. She’s was raised on a ranch, but she was a city girl for several years. At least until her father got sick and she had to go home to take care of him. Now he’s gone and she needs a temporary job so she applies for and gets the position as the little girl’s bunkhouse supervisor at Longhorn Canyon Ranch. It was supposed to be a five week job but their hearts thought otherwise.
Kathy: Cade Maguire and Retta Palmer are the lead characters in Cowboy Bold. Which one of them did you find the easiest to develop? What is each characters best trait?
Ms. Brown: I’d say that was a toss up. Cade has some baggage leftover from a previous experience. Retta still has grieving issues from her dad’s death, plus she’s never really grieved for her mother. Cade’s best trait is that he’s got a big heart. Retta’s is that she truly loves those little girls in her care.
Kathy: Do you work from an outline while writing your novels? How closely do the finished novels fit your original vision of the characters and storyline before you begin writing?
Ms. Brown: Here’s the way I describe my writing process—I start out with a rough outline for maybe five chapters. Picture it like this: I’m the pilot of a big jet airplane. The passengers are my characters, and we’re going on a journey from chapter one to the end of the book. We get to about chapter five, and the two main characters hijack the plane. That’s when the book becomes character driven, and my tunnel vision sets in. I fall asleep at night listening to the voices in my head telling me what to writing tomorrow. I wake up wondering where they might take me that day. And somehow it all turns out great, but not always fitting that original vision.
Kathy: What project(s) are you currently working on?
Ms. Brown: I’m working on a women’s fiction book titled The Perfect Dress. As soon as I finish it, I’ll be working on the fourth book in the Longhorn Canyon series, Cowboy Rebel. It will follow Cowboy Honor and Cowboy Brave.
Kathy: Again, congratulations on reaching such an amazing milestone! Hope you drop by and visit with us soon!
Thank you so much, Kathy. I’m blessed with an awesome team at Grand Central/Forever who continue to believe in me. And thank you for the invitation to come back to see y’all again!
Title: Cowboy Bold by Carolyn Brown
Longhorn Canyon Series Book One
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Summary:
With her sassy humor and sexy cowboys, USA Today bestseller Carolyn Brown launches her new Longhorn Canyon series.
One city girl, one die-hard rancher, and eight mischievous kids. What could go wrong?
Every summer Cade Maguire looks forward to opening his Longhorn Canyon Ranch to underprivileged city kids. But this year, he’s having no luck finding a counselor for the children-until Retta Palmer walks through his door.
Flat broke after selling everything she owns to pay her father’s medical bills, Retta is thrilled to hear of an opening for a counselor position. She’s not as thrilled about the ranching part, or the sexy cowboy with beautiful blue eyes who’s her new boss.
After being left at the altar two years before by his fiancée, Cade isn’t sure he can take another heartbreak. And Retta isn’t even sure she wants to stay. But the sparks between them are absolutely undeniable. And with a couple of lovable kids and two elderly folks playing matchmaker, Cade and Retta may find that the best way to heal is with each other.
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Purchase Links: Amazon * B&N * Google Play * iTunes * Kobo
Author Bio
Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author and RITA® Finalist who has sold more than 3 million books. She presently writes both women’s fiction and cowboy romance. She has also written historical single title, historical series, contemporary single title, and contemporary series. She lives in southern Oklahoma with her husband, a former English teacher, who is not allowed to read her books until they are published. They have three children and enough grandchildren to keep them young. For a complete listing of her books (series in order) check out her website at CarolynLBrown.com.
Author Links: Website * Facebook * Instagram * BookBub * Goodreads
Giveaway
I am giving away ONE PRINT copy of Cowboy Bold (US Addresses ONLY). To enter today’s contest, fill out the form below. PLEASE NOTE: Contest is open to US mailing address ONLY. Contest ends 5 PM mountain time Monday June 4th.
CONTEST OVER
The book for this giveaway has been generously provided by Forever Publishing. Winners will be selected by random.org. Forever will mail the prize to the winners. Not responsible for lost or misdirected packages.
* I am the only person who will have access to info that is submitted to me UNLESS a publisher or author has donated an eBook or print book for the giveaway. For a prize donated by an author or publisher, I will forward your e-mail and format selection or address to the person responsible for distributing the prize. Please refer to the privacy page HERE if you have questions about how your information is used. In the event the contest form is not working, please leave your book selection in the comments below.*
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Thanks so much for the chance!
Thanks for the chance. I love Miss Carolyn’s books