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A Black Swan Historical Romance #2
From Thin Air
Ira McNewell was supposed to be dead. The government had sent a telegram saying he had been killed in action, yet there he was, sprawled out beneath Alice on the floor of the Black Swan Hotel. Ira had been engaged to her sister Catherine when he’d gone off to the war, not Alice. Not it was up to her to give him the terrible news that the flu had wiped out his whole family, and his fiancee had married another man. To soften the blow, she hired him to work for her at the hotel.
Poor Ira didn’t know if he was doing the right thing or not. Alice had been tagged the village idiot when she was just a child. Having her for a boss wasn’t the best-case scenario, but like thousands of other soldiers coming home from the war, he was broke and hungry. Working at the Black Swan was at least a job, and jobs were hard to come by.
Alice had never minded that the folks in Huttig, Arkansas thought she was dim-witted. At least not until Ira came home. She’d been in love with him since she was a girl, but she wasn’t stupid enough to think he could ever love her back…or could he?
Poor Ira didn’t know if he was doing the right thing or not. Alice had been tagged the village idiot when she was just a child. Having her for a boss wasn’t the best-case scenario, but like thousands of other soldiers coming home from the war, he was broke and hungry. Working at the Black Swan was at least a job, and jobs were hard to come by.
Alice had never minded that the folks in Huttig, Arkansas thought she was dim-witted. At least not until Ira came home. She’d been in love with him since she was a girl, but she wasn’t stupid enough to think he could ever love her back…or could he?
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2009
392 people are currently reading
526 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Brown
181 books4,128 followersHi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 10, 2024
The series of just the right read when you are looking for something easy and pleasant to read. The books end and you just have to know what comes next.
July 13, 2010
Ira Brown returns from WWI to find that his fiancee is happily married to another man and his entire family died during the Influenza Epidemic. Alice, who always loved Ira, is amazed and happy at his return. While Ira was always attracted to Alice, her reputation as an airhead discouraged him from considering her wife material. Alice hires Ira to give him a home after his negative return, and in close proximity to each other neither can deny their attraction. I love Alice and Ira, however Brown's romances are a little to gentle for my personal taste. Still, I think I will finish out this series to find out what will happen to the youngest sister.
April 17, 2010
When I'm in the mood for a nice, well written, sweet romance Carolyn Brown is a safe bet. This story took place in post war America when many servicemen were coming home to find their families deceased, their fiance's married to other men and their homes gone. This is Ira's story and how he fell in love with Alice. I fell in love with the characters and finished the book feeling happy with the way it ended.
Carolyn Brown's Broken Roads romances are also wonderful.
Carolyn Brown's Broken Roads romances are also wonderful.
March 24, 2020
The end of the war brought hard times to the men returning home. Jobs were scarce and government contracts had been cancelled. A virus had swept through the country last spring and left many families completely wiped out. Ira McNewel had been reported dead and his entire family had died from the flu.
Alice O’Shay was shocked to see Ira since he was dead. The government had sent a telegram saying so. It came to her sister, his fiancée. Catherine was married now since Ira was dead.
Alice always had a soft spot for him but everyone knew she was a little light in the head.
Ira had no job, no money, no home. The mill was not hiring. Alice offered him room and board till Christmas for handyman services. Ira accepted.
Alice O’Shay was shocked to see Ira since he was dead. The government had sent a telegram saying so. It came to her sister, his fiancée. Catherine was married now since Ira was dead.
Alice always had a soft spot for him but everyone knew she was a little light in the head.
Ira had no job, no money, no home. The mill was not hiring. Alice offered him room and board till Christmas for handyman services. Ira accepted.
April 7, 2021
Sweet story
Ira McNewell went to war engaged to Catherine O'Shea. When injured, he lost his memory long enough that he was thought to be someone else and declared dead. Catherine fell in love and married another man. When Ira showed up alive and ready to break off his engagement, Catherine's sister, Alice, finally has a chance with the man she'd secretly loved since she first met him. As all romance books go, Ira and Alice have plenty of trouble coming together, but when they do - fireworks! A fun book that had me smiling the whole time I was reading.
Ira McNewell went to war engaged to Catherine O'Shea. When injured, he lost his memory long enough that he was thought to be someone else and declared dead. Catherine fell in love and married another man. When Ira showed up alive and ready to break off his engagement, Catherine's sister, Alice, finally has a chance with the man she'd secretly loved since she first met him. As all romance books go, Ira and Alice have plenty of trouble coming together, but when they do - fireworks! A fun book that had me smiling the whole time I was reading.
June 14, 2018
Ira & Alice
Alice is the air as her mother told her and so people have already said that she has air up there and not a brain. In reality she is a genius and not good at everyday stuff.
IRA was engaged to Catherine the oldest O'Shea girl until he went off to war and was reported dead. Catherine met another man and married him.
IRA coming home was a surprise to everyone and set off a series of events that will keep you reading to the end.
Alice is the air as her mother told her and so people have already said that she has air up there and not a brain. In reality she is a genius and not good at everyday stuff.
IRA was engaged to Catherine the oldest O'Shea girl until he went off to war and was reported dead. Catherine met another man and married him.
IRA coming home was a surprise to everyone and set off a series of events that will keep you reading to the end.
April 13, 2018
Another amazing book
Could not put this book down. Had to finish the whole thing before I could do other things. This author created characters that are so real that you feel like you live among them. One minute you are laughing, the next weeping. What a story teller. God has blessed her with a talent for the ages.
Could not put this book down. Had to finish the whole thing before I could do other things. This author created characters that are so real that you feel like you live among them. One minute you are laughing, the next weeping. What a story teller. God has blessed her with a talent for the ages.
December 6, 2020
To air on the side of reason
Loved Alice from the first book, Pushing Up Daisies. If being an "Air head" means being like Alice, then let me be. Ira coming out of the fog brings Alice into the light. No wonder if knocked the air out of Ira. Can't wait for the next story. Thank you Carolyn!!
Loved Alice from the first book, Pushing Up Daisies. If being an "Air head" means being like Alice, then let me be. Ira coming out of the fog brings Alice into the light. No wonder if knocked the air out of Ira. Can't wait for the next story. Thank you Carolyn!!
February 13, 2021
An unexpected return
Ira was reported killed in action in the “Great War”, but he is very much alive! He returns to the Black Swan Hotel and finds his fiancé has married and moved away. He agrees to stay on as a handy man for her sister, Alice, and discovers a wonderful prize. Very enjoyable read.
Ira was reported killed in action in the “Great War”, but he is very much alive! He returns to the Black Swan Hotel and finds his fiancé has married and moved away. He agrees to stay on as a handy man for her sister, Alice, and discovers a wonderful prize. Very enjoyable read.
August 13, 2024
all is well?
Interesting twists and turns, new characters added, gossips abound, and the O’Shea sisters are up to their necks in suitors as men return from war and want security. Hotel owners have to be rich right? Not here anyway, so a few slide away owing them money and others try to woo them away to the city. Some fun huh?
Interesting twists and turns, new characters added, gossips abound, and the O’Shea sisters are up to their necks in suitors as men return from war and want security. Hotel owners have to be rich right? Not here anyway, so a few slide away owing them money and others try to woo them away to the city. Some fun huh?
November 5, 2017
More of the Best!
Another great story by Ms. Brown. I do love all of them. Besides the wonderful stories, I am a great fan of the clean reading format. Will read anything by this writer, with the possible exception of a grocery list. Even I have my limits.
Another great story by Ms. Brown. I do love all of them. Besides the wonderful stories, I am a great fan of the clean reading format. Will read anything by this writer, with the possible exception of a grocery list. Even I have my limits.
May 20, 2018
Not one of Brown's better books, in my opinion.
This story was as slow as the character Alice is supposed to be. Ira isn't very relatable and there were too many unnecessary characters. Again, just my opinion.
This story was as slow as the character Alice is supposed to be. Ira isn't very relatable and there were too many unnecessary characters. Again, just my opinion.
February 19, 2020
Couldn't put the book down
Part 2 was just as enjoyable as Part 1! I thoroughly enjoyed the continuing story. There was even little surprise in Part 2. Well worth the time to read if you want something to make you feel good.
Part 2 was just as enjoyable as Part 1! I thoroughly enjoyed the continuing story. There was even little surprise in Part 2. Well worth the time to read if you want something to make you feel good.
March 13, 2021
Alive and lost
Engaged to the oldest sister, declared dead and the soldier comes home. The middle sister has to give him the run down her sister is married, his family has all passed away and he has no home. Love always finds a way.
Engaged to the oldest sister, declared dead and the soldier comes home. The middle sister has to give him the run down her sister is married, his family has all passed away and he has no home. Love always finds a way.
March 22, 2022
Excellent!
I liked the story very much. Got frustrated that neither IRA nor Alice could get over their pridefulness and wasted a lot of time that they could have been in each other's arms making plans for their life together.
I liked the story very much. Got frustrated that neither IRA nor Alice could get over their pridefulness and wasted a lot of time that they could have been in each other's arms making plans for their life together.
December 7, 2017
I love all of Carolyn Brown books! This was another awesome read! Thanks, Carolyn Brown!
December 12, 2017
Best I've read in a long time!
Loved the book. Held my interest from start to finish. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys a quick read with twists and turns.
Loved the book. Held my interest from start to finish. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys a quick read with twists and turns.
April 17, 2018
Sweet book
I like romance and this is a cute one. It's clean with just a few curse words but other than that it's a fun book.
I like romance and this is a cute one. It's clean with just a few curse words but other than that it's a fun book.
May 25, 2018
Loved It!
What fun to read about these girls. There is never a dull moment. I can't wait to get started on book number three
What fun to read about these girls. There is never a dull moment. I can't wait to get started on book number three
August 19, 2018
Lovely
I enjoy the Carolyn Brown books very much with their simple country settings. Easy to picture the characters and scenery.
I enjoy the Carolyn Brown books very much with their simple country settings. Easy to picture the characters and scenery.
February 8, 2019
Second in a series. I didn't like it quite as much as the first book, but it was a nice, clean romance. Characters were a little more far-fetched this time.
July 26, 2019
He did, she did
Love always takes a whole book to win out.
I like the story and am glad I got to read it.
Thank you Carolyn Brown.
Love always takes a whole book to win out.
I like the story and am glad I got to read it.
Thank you Carolyn Brown.
September 29, 2019
This book had great potential at the start; a story set in small-town Arkansas in 1919. But the book should actually be categorized as a romantically romantic romance with a tiny bit of historical.
February 22, 2020
Great story!!!
Another excellent story from Carolyn Brown!!! Enjoyed every single bit of it!!!! She is definitely one of my favorite authors!!!
Another excellent story from Carolyn Brown!!! Enjoyed every single bit of it!!!! She is definitely one of my favorite authors!!!
June 6, 2020
From Thin Air (Black Swan Historical Romance)
This is the second book in series and it is a story about love and the closeness of sisters and the men they love
This is the second book in series and it is a story about love and the closeness of sisters and the men they love
June 24, 2020
All about life
These characters went through a lot of heartache each in their own way. In the end they found true love.. Great reading.
These characters went through a lot of heartache each in their own way. In the end they found true love.. Great reading.
July 1, 2020
Good Book
This was a very nice easy read book. Where you can be transpired to another era. I enjoyed as much as book #1. Now on to book #3.
This was a very nice easy read book. Where you can be transpired to another era. I enjoyed as much as book #1. Now on to book #3.
October 30, 2020
Another wonderful story. Love reading her books
November 20, 2020
Amazing
Absolutely amazing book. My birth town, Rolla, Missouri, was mentioned in this book too!! Can't wait to read the next one. I loved the last 2.
Absolutely amazing book. My birth town, Rolla, Missouri, was mentioned in this book too!! Can't wait to read the next one. I loved the last 2.
January 13, 2021
Brown's books are so easy to read. Characters are always pleasant, realistic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews