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Gypsy Rose Dulan just knew there was a secret hidden in the stars. She just didn’t expect to fall asleep while searching for that secret. And she sure didn’t expect to be awakened by a rude, overbearing, short Irishman by the name of Tavish O’Leary. That he called her a squaw was contemptible enough, but to have to withstand his barbs for more than a month was more than she figured she could endure.

Meanwhile, Tavish had been waiting for a prophecy from a gypsy named Paqui to come true. He’d been told that when it was time for him to choose a wife, a pretty young woman with eyes the color of a robin’s egg would come into his life, but the gypsy had failed to mention that the woman with those eyes would be holding the sharp, hot blade of a knife against his throat the first time they met.

During their harsh, dangerous journey, Tavish and Gypsy discover the secret written in the stars. But can they hear their hearts’ desires when they don’t want to listen?

199 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2004

410 people are currently reading
319 people want to read

About the author

Carolyn Brown

181 books4,116 followers
Hi! 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!

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5 stars
1,169 (59%)
4 stars
535 (27%)
3 stars
205 (10%)
2 stars
49 (2%)
1 star
12 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Bruce Dinsman.
1,537 reviews3 followers
September 25, 2024
Awww! nice ending

It took the whole book but that match started when he called her a squaw and she replied that he was too small to be a man. Through all of their troubles and fights love grew until it exploded. Nice story with realistic historical development
Profile Image for Kathy Downey.
399 reviews3 followers
January 9, 2020
Gypsy had a name to fit her personality!! She eventually found her love but knew she had to honor her contract with the wagon train. It was quite the journey for her and her devilish ways found her in many predicaments but was able to survive them all often with the help of the Irishmen who loved her but would honor the contract as well. Stubbornness was part of their joint personalities! Love conquered over that stubbornness in the end!
Profile Image for Casey.
1,537 reviews6 followers
July 6, 2017
Excellent story

Gypsy is a bit wild, a lot ornery and even more full of courage. Tavish is just a bit better than the average man of the times but too bull headed for his own good.
Now if only Abuelita had been spelled right and if the correct past tense for drag had been used I'd have no complaints...
126 reviews3 followers
July 26, 2017
Oh, the Irish!

I'm about 75% Irish and the rest of me is mostly Irish, too, so I can attest for Tavish's temper. We may have kin somewhere. He and Gypsy may threaten to yank each other bald headed at various times throughout their lives, but making up will be such fun. Thanks, Ms. Brown. You're a jewel.
303 reviews
September 5, 2024
Wonderful Series

I waited to write a review until I read the last book. Carolyn Brown is a great writer but she out did herself with this series. I don't like to write reviews however I had to tell everyone about the books in this series. I haven't laughed or cried this much in a long time. I love all the books they all get a 5! Highly recommend!
377 reviews3 followers
January 24, 2018
Fantastic!

Another great book from the series. I am out of sequence but love all of Carolyn brown's books. I don't think I have located any of her books that I don't love. Read this one and enjoy..
14 reviews1 follower
November 12, 2018
Slow Poke

4 star was a good book but for me seemec to take forever to read. Still was agood story didfeel at times I was there. Im goi g to read every one of your books even if its the only thing i do sence i got my tablet. So Much Easier to read .
19 reviews
November 13, 2018
Wonderful continuing story!

I absolutely love Carolyn Brown's books, her imagination and story-telling skills! I've read at least 20 of them, and my only criticism is that she misuses "it's" when she means " its", the possessive, rather than "it is". She may need better editors!
Profile Image for Pam Salazar.
37 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2020
The Third Book in The Series

This book chronicled the life of Gypsy and her travel to get a husband. So far I can’t pick a favorite out of the sisters, they are all described by Carolyn Brown in vivid detail.
19 reviews
May 8, 2022
Fantastic as always!

Continuing saga of a family brought together by death, they didn’t know the others existed and yet formed a bond that only true families can form. Would recommend to all.
3 reviews
March 29, 2023
Sqaw

Love the strong pioneer women in this story. The characters are believable and so were the hardships of wagon train life. Wish this series were numbered because reading out of order takes some the enjoyment away
Profile Image for Katy Carkuff.
71 reviews2 followers
June 23, 2023
Loved Gypsy and Tavish

I recommend this story to anyone who has been in love! The history of wagon trains and the people who went west is so exciting, and Carolyn Brown described it all with finesse!
311 reviews
October 26, 2017
Promise Land!

Gypsy was a Texas strong woman and being a pioneer lady I 'm mighty proud of all the ones who came before me.
75 reviews2 followers
June 29, 2018
A great series!

Each book just gets better and better. What a story teller Carolyn Brown is. She leaves nothing to your imagination.
125 reviews3 followers
August 11, 2019
Gypsy

A very nice love story. Nicely written. Tells the story log the strength of women. Tales of the long wagon ride and all its trials.
138 reviews
August 18, 2019
Great author and storyteller.

Great author and storyteller writer. Have loved this series......recommend to all to read. Love all of Carolyn Brown books. !


5 reviews
September 4, 2019
The Dulan sisters #3

This story did not disappoint. Gypsy was amazing and so much fun to see what she would do next to frustrate Tavish.
50 reviews
April 1, 2020
Great book and I loved it.

This book was well written and easy to follow. The stories kept your attention and made you want to keep reading until you complete .The
1 review
November 19, 2020
Gypsy

Love all the books in this series. Of course the author has now become my favorite. Have not been disappointed with any of her writings.
Profile Image for Donna Duggins.
240 reviews
March 17, 2021
All colors

Love comes in different looks and color. A small Irishman meets a Mexican lady. Together they make fireworks. They are working together.
Profile Image for Jill.
79 reviews
September 15, 2021
Another Good Read

Such an interesting story line. You feel the struggles, the pain, the love and the happiness. Though you know how it will end, the journey is worth the read.
30 reviews
November 9, 2022
good read

I like sweet romance novels, this was one of those for sure. A little fire never hurt the suspense. Good book!
219 reviews
January 29, 2024
Gypsy

Another story about the Dylan sisters. I enough the story alot. Gypsy was,a,tough one with all she got into and did 1 more to go and I will have the series comply.
Profile Image for Dorcas.
676 reviews232 followers
March 20, 2015
'Gypsy' is book 3 in the Promised Land series (5 total), the first being 'Willow' (4 star) the second, 'Velvet' (5 star). Gypsy is the weakest story by far.

Each book is based on one of the five Dulan sisters as they travel west as mail order brides. Gypsy (thats her name) is half Mexican and has long black hair and blue eyes. The hero of the story is a short Irishman by the name of Tavish O'Leary.That was really the one good thing about this book, I do like an unusual hero and Tavish was both different and likeable.My problem was with Gypsy herself.

Now I know the 5 Dulan girls are all spitfires, I get that. But what I don't get is why Gypsy is so over the top mad at the world and ready to fly of the handle at every little thing. Case in point: the opening introduction. Gyspy is napping against a tree with her long hair braided and her arms limp. Tavish (who hasn't met her yet) assumes she's an Indian and, worried that maybe she was dead or something, nudges her with his toe and whispers, 'Hey, Squaw". Her reaction is this:

(I quote),'Instantly, the woman grabbed his leg, flipped him onto his back, was sitting astride his chest in a flurry of petticoats, and had the blade of a knife to his throat.' what the whaaat?? Well, after the who's who is exchanged here's what she says," Give me two good reasons why I shouldn't slit your sorry throat right now."

Did you get that? That was my first glimpse of Gypsy and I didn't like her. Seriously, that is your FIRST reaction when someone nudges you??
And she didn't really change. She, who thinks everybody is so prejudiced against "mixed breeds" like herself has more prejudices than anyone, especially in the form of one small Irishman.

And you know the kind of story where the H/H hate each other so much they must be in love? What's up with that? In moderation it can be humorous but this book just takes it too far.
I found 'Gypsy' to be a re-masticated form of Willow and not half as rich an experience. It's almost like the author, after having agreed to write a 5 part series got tired of it all and had nothing new to say. The Dulan sisters, while all LOOKING different(they have different mothers) have almost identical personalities. And it's getting old...

I still plan on finishing the series (cos I like to finish a series when I start one) but I hope the next book, 'Garnet' is an improvement.

*one more pet peeve, if I may:
WHY WHY WHY do you take us through the whole infuriating experience and then, as soon as the couple agree that they love each other and lets get married, the book ends? Can we not just get a TASTE of their new happy lives?? So far, each book is like that and it's not very satisfying.

CONTENT:
SEX: None
LANGUAGE: None
VIOLENCE: Not really. Just very bad tempers
PARANORMAL ELEMENTS: the main character is named after a gypsy who was a friend of her mothers. And there is mention of a prediction (not an actual palm reading, more like, "the gypsy once told me..."
MY RATING: G
79 reviews3 followers
December 13, 2013


I have stumbled on this author's series of books and so I have stumbled on this author's series of books and so far found mostly good ones.

She makes the heroin to be a normal woman, with opinions, comforts and desires, but she keeps the desires in a very good place. She does not have sex before marriage, or cussing and this is so refreshing .

Her books do have some twists and turns not expected of typical novels. Thus the books are a delight to read and reading them without putting them down is hard. I do walk through my house, with my nose stuck in and reading her books, so I can get a glass of tea or put mail in the box or get started cooking, not putting the book down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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