Category Archives: Carolyn Brown

February 28, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: The Blue-Ribbon Jalapeño Society Jubilee by Carolyn Brown

Title: The Blue-Ribbon Jalapeño Society Jubilee by Carolyn Brown
Cadillac, TX Series Book One
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Sourcebooks Landmark
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Bestselling 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 jalapeños 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 Jalapeño 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.

The Review:

Carolyn Brown’s The Blue-Ribbon Jalapeño Society Jubilee is an absolutely delightful departure from her typical romance novel. It is a captivating story of friendship that will make you laugh and cry as four close friends support one another through good times and bad.

Trixie Matthews, twin sisters Marty and Cathy Andrews have been friends since childhood. As adults, their circle has expanded to include ex-“escort” turned preacher Darla Jean. Together these four women, along with their other childhood friend Jack Landry, maintain a close bond that is soon tested by secrets, betrayals, small town gossip and the infighting among the members of the Blue-Ribbon Jalapeño Society.

Marty and Cathy Andrews might be twins but their personalities are completely opposite. Marty is outspoken and has a serious weakness for cowboys and one night stands. Cathy is quieter, engaged to be married and content to not rock the boat. Marty stays the same throughout much of the story while Cathy learns to stand up for herself and in doing so, she discovers the passion that has been missing from her life.

Trixie and Darla Jean have both undergone some dramatic changes in their lives over the past few years. Trixie has been through a difficult divorce from her cheating husband, Andy, and she still finds him pretty irresistible. Darla Jean has found her calling as a preacher, but she is also drawn to helping women in need.

The on-going, life-long feud Marty and Cathy’s Aunt Agnes and Violet Prescott, one of the founders of the Blue-Ribbon Jalapeño Society, provides some of the funniest moments in the story. Aunt Agnes is not one to back down from a fight and she is just as outspoken as her niece, Marty and I want to be just like her when I grow up. Loyal to a fault and protective of those she loves, her gruff exterior hides her gooey soft marshmallow heart. Violet Prescott is mean, vindictive and petty and I loved seeing Aunt Agnes put her in her place!

The Blue-Ribbon Jalapeño Society Jubilee is a fabulous novel about life in a small town and the strong bonds of friendship. With her trademark wit and down home charm, Carolyn Brown has written a compelling story with an eclectic and vibrant cast of characters that that will steal your heart.

4 Comments

Filed under Cadillac TX Series, Carolyn Brown, Contemporary, Rated B, Review, Sourcebooks, The Blue-Ribbon Jalapeño Society Jubilee, Women's Fiction

November 29, 2012 · 3:58 am

Review: Just a Cowboy and His Baby by Carolyn Brown

Title: Just a Cowboy and His Baby by Carolyn Brown
Spikes and Spurs Series Book Six
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

She’s Got Her Eyes on the Prize…

Gemma O’Donnell wasn’t the first woman to win the ProRodeo buckle for bronc riding, but she was darn well going to be the second. What she didn’t count on was her main competition sweeping her
off her feet.

He’ll Do Whatever It Takes To Win…

Trace Coleman isn’t really after a title—he needs the cash prize to buy his dream ranch. But one sexy, determined cowgirl keeps getting in his way. In his effort to take her out of the running, he risks losing both the title—and his heart.

They’re Both in For a Little Surprise…

Everybody’s world is turned upside down when a pint-sized bundle of joy gets dropped right into Trace’s lap…and suddenly all the stakes are higher.

The Review:

Things are heating up for Gemma O’Donnell and Trace Coleman both in and out of the rodeo arena in Just a Cowboy and His Baby. This sweet yet sexy romance is a delightful addition to Carolyn Brown’s Spikes and Spurs series and it definitely ranks up there as one of my personal favorites of this fabulous series.

Gemma O’Donnell and Trace Coleman have their sights set on winning the million dollar prize for saddle bronc riding in Las Vegas. Gemma is stiff competition for all of the competitors in this male dominated sport, but Trace is the man she needs to beat. She is instantly attracted to him but she is not going to let this sexy and flirtatious cowboy distract her from her goal. With their paths frequently crossing, they become traveling partners with benefits. The closer they get to Vegas, the stronger their feelings for one another become. Their relationship might be strong enough to survive their fierce rivalry in the arena, but will an unexpected complication tear this couple apart?

Gemma is a strong, sassy character that I absolutely loved. She knows what she wants and she does not hesitate to go after it. She is Trace’s match both in the arena and the bedroom. Gemma speaks her mind and I like that she calls Trace out when he needs it. One of the things I like most about her is how her idea of home evolved throughout the novel. She thoroughly gained my respect by her calm reaction and easy acceptance when confronted by Trace’s past.

Trace is the absolutely perfect man for Gemma. Sensitive, caring and determined to live life on his own terms, he is a quintessential cowboy through and through. He is also stubborn and pigheaded, but Gemma can definitely hold her own against him. Trace might be ill-equipped to deal with the bombshell dropped on him, but he really shows his true character by rising to the challenge. And he scored major points by expressing appreciation for Gemma’s reaction and help when his past comes back to bite him on the butt.

I thought I knew exactly how Just a Cowboy and His Baby was going to play out, but Ms. Brown just flat out surprised me. There is nothing stereotypical about this engaging story. Gemma competing as a saddle bronc rider is very unique and I especially enjoyed the fact that most of book takes place on the rodeo circuit. The dialogue between Trace and Gemma is fun and laced with humor. There is little conflict between them and their romance grows over several months. Their sex scenes are very sensual and the chemistry between them is positively smoldering.

Once again, Carolyn Brown has written a fast paced and appealing romance that fans of the Spikes and Spurs series are going to love. There are references to characters from earlier books, but Just a Cowboy and His Baby can be read as a standalone novel. The first three books in this series have been languishing in my TBR pile, but I am definitely planning on reading them as soon as I can!

Read my other reviews of the Spikes and Spurs series HERE.

12 Comments

Filed under Carolyn Brown, Contemporary, Just a Cowboy and His Baby, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sourcebook Casablanca, Sourcebooks, Spikes & Spurs Series

October 1, 2012 · 3:56 am

Review: Mistletoe Cowboy by Carolyn Brown

Title: Mistletoe Cowboy by Carolyn Brown
Spikes & Spurs Series Book Five
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: C+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Commitment! It made Sage run the other way. It made Creed shudder. But Sage’s granny, the Widow Presley, was determined to get her granddaughter a cowboy for Christmas. And who better than Creed, the man interested in purchasing the widow’s Rockin’ C Ranch?

The fact that a three-day blizzard was blowing in just made things all the better. A person can’t run from commitment when they’re snowed in, now can they?

The Review:

A scheming grandma comes up the perfect plan to bring together her beloved granddaughter and a sexy cowboy in this latest installment of Carolyn Brown’s Spikes & Spurs series. Mistletoe Cowboy is an enchanting Christmas romance about two commitment phobes who fall in love when they are snowed in together during a blizzard.

Sage Presley and Creed Riley are likable characters who may start off on the wrong foot but quickly realize they are attracted to one another. Both are carrying emotional baggage and neither is interested in a relationship. Their back and forth bickering is delightful and their heart to heart discussions are quite touching. And their sex scenes are soo sexy!

While Mistletoe Cowboy is well-written, it is a slow moving story. I like Sage and Creed as individuals but I really never connected with them as a couple. I absolutely loved the descriptions of Sage’s creative process and I could easily visualize her paintings. Creed is a typical well-mannered cowboy and I was really rooting for him to buy the Rockin’ C Ranch.

But what I enjoyed the most about Mistletoe Cowboy is Sage’s grandma, Ada and her Aunt Essie. Their scenes together are a perfect combination of humor and love between two sisters. Ada’s conflicting emotions about her desire to live with Essie and her reluctance to leave Sage just about broke my heart. But I loved the compromise she came up with and her negotiations with Essie just cracked me up!

But what I found most striking about Mistletoe Cowboy is the setting. I live close to the Canyon and Carolyn Brown does a wonderful job of bringing this amazing place vibrantly to life.

Mistletoe Cowboy is a light-hearted holiday novel that fans of contemporary Westerns will enjoy. Even though it is part of the Spikes & Spurs series, it can be read as a standalone story.

Read my reviews of the other books in the Spikes & Spurs series HERE.

4 Comments

Filed under Carolyn Brown, Contemporary, Mistletoe Cowboy, Rated C+, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Spikes & Spurs Series

March 29, 2012 · 3:57 am

One Hot Cowboy Wedding by Carolyn Brown

Title: One Hot Cowboy Wedding by Carolyn Brown
Spikes and Spurs Book 4
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A marriage made in Vegas…

Hunky cowboy Ace Riley wasn’t planning on settling down, but his family had other plans for him…The only way to save his hide, and his playboy lifestyle, is to discreetly marry his best friend, Jasmine King.

Can’t possibily last…

Fiesty city–girl Jasmine as just helping out her friend—that is, until their first kiss stirs up a whole mess of trouble, and suddenly discretion is thrown to the wind.

One hot cowboy, one riled up woman…
And they’ll be married for a year, like it or not!

The Review:

Buckle up, lovers of cowboy romances, you are in for a wild and wicked ride with Carolyn Brown’s latest installment in her Spikes and Spurs series, One Hot Cowboy Wedding.

Good friends Jasmine “Jazzy” King and Ace Riley discover pretty quickly that what happens in Vegas doesn’t necessarily stay in Vegas. When their plans to keep their in name only marriage a secret go up in a flurry of unexpected publicity, they are forced to live in close quarters for a year. With their mutual desire for one another burning out of control, both are left wondering if their friendship will survive their marriage.

While the marriage of convenience and friends to lovers plot device is nothing new, Carolyn Brown keeps One Hot Cowboy Wedding delightfully fresh and unique. Jazzy and Ace are beautifully developed characters that are immensely appealing. Jazzy is energetic and strong-willed and she is absolutely perfect for the charming and oh so very sexy Ace. The sexual chemistry between them is scorching hot and their sex scenes, while understated, are incredibly romantic and playful.

There is a little conflict in the story as both Jazzy and Ace struggle with their emerging feelings for one another. There is also an interesting subplot between Jazzy and her mother that is easy to relate to. As the fourth novel in the Spikes and Spurs series, readers get the opportunity to catch up with characters from past novels.

One Hot Cowboy Wedding is a charming novel that is heartwarming and deliciously romantic. Engaging characters and a captivating storyline keep this fabulous story moving at a brisk pace. Carolyn Brown’s writing style has a such a down home country feel that is so realistic you will feel like you are right in the heart of Texas. Definitely a recommended read for fans of contemporary cowboy romances.

8 Comments

Filed under Carolyn Brown, Contemporary, One Hot Cowboy Wedding, Rated B+, Romance, Sourcebooks, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Spikes & Spurs Series