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Cowboys & Brides #3
The Cowboy's Mail Order Bride
Book 3 of Cowboys & Brides
From New York Times and USA Today-bestselling author Carolyn Brown comes a contemporary Western romance filled to the brim with sexy cowboys, gutsy heroines, and genuine down-home Texas twang.
Emily Cooper promised her dying grandfather that she'd deliver a long-lost letter to a woman he once planned to wed. Little does adventurous Emily know that this simple task will propel her to places she never could have imagined...with a cowboy who's straight out of her dreams...
When sexy rancher Greg Adams discovers his grandmother Clarice has installed Emily on their ranch as her assistant, he decides to humor the two ladies. He figures Emily will move on soon enough. In the meantime, he intends to keep a close eye on her-he doesn't quite buy her story of his grandmother as a mail-order bride.
A lost letter meant a lost love for Clarice, but two generations later, maybe it's not too late for that letter to work its magic.
Fans of Linda Lael Miller and Diana Palmer will thrill to this charming story of a sexy Texas rancher and the mail order bride who brought him to one knee.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2014
588 people are currently reading
784 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Brown
185 books4,157 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!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
October 30, 2013
I have heard many, many stories about men and woman writing each other whilst the wars of our world were happening and then suddenly the letters stop only to years later be delivered. Of course this has caused relationships to suddenly end with no reason and irreparable heartache, woman have even go through the agony of thinking the man was killed in action but never found, the list goes on and on.
But every once in a while a letter gets delivered, some over a sixty years late, and the couple with the help of the world wide web gets reconnected and a beautiful love story lives on.
But because it does not always work out that way there is always a reason to feel sad as you cannot help but think about the what if's had those letters made it in time, but what author Carolyn Brown has done is taken the focus away from a sad story and turned it into a beautiful discovery of new romance that had me addicted from the first page!
The read is about Emily, she has the task of delivering a box of old letters sent to Clarice many years ago by Emily's grandfather, all were delivered except for one. She promised him on his deathbed it would get delivered to Clarice, but when she delivers the letters she not only discovers I 'll-never-get-enough-of-you Greg Adams but also lands herself a job as Clarice's assistant making it really hard to avoid Greg and his "I know you're hiding something " attitude. Greg however has no intention of letter her avoid him at all, he will be relentless in his pursuit of the truth.
The main characters were beautifully created by the author and I simply fell head over heals in love with them both. The secondary characters were all so magical and delightful that I found myself wishing someone like these woman would be around in my life and share some of the funky fun and laughter they get up to.
Clarice also very much reminded me of my own late grandmother, she was always there for everyone and always just wanted to see us all happy and she would meddle away all day long it it meant we would be smiling in the long run. It had me in tears missing my grandma very much but in a total good way, and this to me showed just how much emotion this author packs into her characters , it has never happened that I have found myself linking a character back to someone that has been in my own life, so truly excellent job Carolyn!
Emily was a really neat character as she had the shroud of mystery about her, with showing up with a box of letters and some mail order bride story but of course anyone could make up one of those if they found the letters, people are not always who they say they are. But this little mystery gave this character that perfect "I know something or I might not know and I might tell you or I might not it all depends " feeling and in turn created some truly awesome private moments between her and Greg.
Greg, darling,darling Greg was all kinds of yummylicous, lip smacking goodness! I adored his approach towards his suspicions and it showed that in real life it is sometimes necessary to think about it maybe being a life challenging set up and to then keep your enemies very close in order to find out if they are indeed enemies or possibly the one that will change it all.
The author made sure to incorporate that perfect Texan speech that simply makes for brilliant reading and no surprise I once again found myself rolling around on the floor with laughter! The author has a unique writing style that combines everyday situations with just a touch of fantasy, rolling out the perfect realistic 'this can really happen' read with just a glimmer of the 'stuff dreams are made of', all combined with laughter, romance and beautiful emotion.
I am taking away a message of life has it's reason's for the brining of sadness, but your sadness may just be the key needed to bring happiness to someone else.
I highly recommend this read to all fans of Carolyn Brown reads, she has once again given us a fun filled, kick ass, rocking, boots stomping, heart-stopping, dreams come true romance, that shows a powerful message of dreams can still come true , sometimes it is just not meant to be for us but for those closest to us.
5/5 star review
"She might have the mail but all he wants is her heart"
November 12, 2016
I have a friend who loves cowboy romances. This was a gift along with How to Marry a Cowboy, which I read last year. It's another fluffy, feel-good romance that involves a bundle of old letters, an independent pair of young ranchers, and some scheming senior ladies. Cute read.
February 5, 2014
I swear this series just gets cuter and more heartwarming as it goes and yet there's still all that heat generated when the hero and heroine knock boots together. The homey tones, the laughter, the playful plots and the passionate romances are like sinfully delicious forbidden dessert.
In this story, Emily Cooper arrives at Lightning Ridge Ranch up in North Texas in search of Clarise Adams nee Barton to fulfill her gramps' dying wish. A letter was found sixty years after it was posted having never left the post office to be delivered. Emily was tasked to make sure this letter along with several others were to be delivered to the lady they were meant for in the first place. Once upon a time, Clarise and her grandpa had corresponded when he was away at war and had big plans for the future that never came to be when she never heard from him and he never went looking when he didn't hear back from her.
Greg Adams arrives home from a cattle sale to find Emily established as his grandmother's temporary assistant. Emily was ordered by her granddad before he died to take some time and ponder her future instead of jumping right back in to make a go of the hundred acre spread she inherited. She has agreed to take that month at the ranch instead of heading on to Florida like she planned. Greg thinks its a great plan if only for the sake of convincing Clarise that she needs an assistant in the ranch office with the errands, computer and paperwork along with chauffeuring Clarise around while he's out doing actual ranch work. It doesn't hurt that his libido sat up and took notice of the lovely pert lady either.
Emily leaps right into the life at the ranch between running around with Clarise and her old cronies- Dotty, Rose and Maggie- and helping Greg when he's shorthanded. She fits in and everyone accepts and loves having her there. She loves the ranch and the rest of them too, but her home is back at Shine Canyon in West Texas and that's where she plans on returning when the month is out. Every day with Greg makes her really struggle to hold to her set plan and it doesn't escape her notice that she is jealous over the idea of any other woman dancing with him or winning a date with him at the charity 'win a date with a cowboy' auction.
Greg comes to the realization that Emily is the only woman he will ever want. He has dreams of her in his bed and dreams of a lifetime spent with her. She's perfect in every way since she has ranching in her blood and she makes his serious and no-nonsense approach to life jump out the window when she's around. He has a small plan to convince her to stay, but fortunately he's not the only one plotting to keep Emily. He has a pair of crafty old women and two adorable kittens on his side, but will it be enough or are her roots sunk too deep into the West Texas dirt?
This is one of those stories that just meanders along at its own pace. There's a nice plot and all, but it just gets comfortable as it makes its way in the general direction its headed. There is conflict, but its not deep and angsty. Emily has a decision to make, but her path to that decision isn't loaded with overthinking and unneeded torture. Quite refreshing for a change after some other books I've read recently. The passion between Greg and Emily builds as does the relationship against the backdrop of every day life in a ranching community. Even with the romance, this couple are honest with themselves and each other. Sooo nice to just read about two people enjoying the getting to know you stages of romance and enjoying the use of that twin bed up in the out of the way attic room in the barn. It brings out emotions, but they are mild. The conflicts in the story aren't huge barriers, but they are there to keep things interesting. It was just sweet and sassy from cover to cover.
The characters and dialogue are probably the best part outside the romance of Greg and Emily. Clarise and her best friend, Dotty live in the ranch house with Greg and now Emily. Clarise just wants to secure Greg's future happiness and spend her golden years watching him take over ranching operations and starting a family. She's not above plotting behind his back to achieve this. Dotty cooks and cusses with equal aplomb, but she's Clarise's battle buddy in the campaign to hook Emily for Greg. Other characters like the ranch hands, Greg's best friend Jeremiah and others from the community along with Emily's cousin, Taylor all just add so much depth to the story when they're in the scenes. I laughed so hard when all those old ladies got together making up a fake profile and pretending to be Greg on the singles websites (no ladies when the women speak of leather and whips they aren't talking saddles and quirts).
All in all, I loved experiencing ranch life and romance with Greg and Emily. I look forward to finally getting Mason's story with his harridan twin girls. I would recommend this book and the series to those who enjoy light contemporary Western Romance with a pinch of spice to the romance. It could be read as a standalone, but there are light connections with each story running through the series.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
In this story, Emily Cooper arrives at Lightning Ridge Ranch up in North Texas in search of Clarise Adams nee Barton to fulfill her gramps' dying wish. A letter was found sixty years after it was posted having never left the post office to be delivered. Emily was tasked to make sure this letter along with several others were to be delivered to the lady they were meant for in the first place. Once upon a time, Clarise and her grandpa had corresponded when he was away at war and had big plans for the future that never came to be when she never heard from him and he never went looking when he didn't hear back from her.
Greg Adams arrives home from a cattle sale to find Emily established as his grandmother's temporary assistant. Emily was ordered by her granddad before he died to take some time and ponder her future instead of jumping right back in to make a go of the hundred acre spread she inherited. She has agreed to take that month at the ranch instead of heading on to Florida like she planned. Greg thinks its a great plan if only for the sake of convincing Clarise that she needs an assistant in the ranch office with the errands, computer and paperwork along with chauffeuring Clarise around while he's out doing actual ranch work. It doesn't hurt that his libido sat up and took notice of the lovely pert lady either.
Emily leaps right into the life at the ranch between running around with Clarise and her old cronies- Dotty, Rose and Maggie- and helping Greg when he's shorthanded. She fits in and everyone accepts and loves having her there. She loves the ranch and the rest of them too, but her home is back at Shine Canyon in West Texas and that's where she plans on returning when the month is out. Every day with Greg makes her really struggle to hold to her set plan and it doesn't escape her notice that she is jealous over the idea of any other woman dancing with him or winning a date with him at the charity 'win a date with a cowboy' auction.
Greg comes to the realization that Emily is the only woman he will ever want. He has dreams of her in his bed and dreams of a lifetime spent with her. She's perfect in every way since she has ranching in her blood and she makes his serious and no-nonsense approach to life jump out the window when she's around. He has a small plan to convince her to stay, but fortunately he's not the only one plotting to keep Emily. He has a pair of crafty old women and two adorable kittens on his side, but will it be enough or are her roots sunk too deep into the West Texas dirt?
This is one of those stories that just meanders along at its own pace. There's a nice plot and all, but it just gets comfortable as it makes its way in the general direction its headed. There is conflict, but its not deep and angsty. Emily has a decision to make, but her path to that decision isn't loaded with overthinking and unneeded torture. Quite refreshing for a change after some other books I've read recently. The passion between Greg and Emily builds as does the relationship against the backdrop of every day life in a ranching community. Even with the romance, this couple are honest with themselves and each other. Sooo nice to just read about two people enjoying the getting to know you stages of romance and enjoying the use of that twin bed up in the out of the way attic room in the barn. It brings out emotions, but they are mild. The conflicts in the story aren't huge barriers, but they are there to keep things interesting. It was just sweet and sassy from cover to cover.
The characters and dialogue are probably the best part outside the romance of Greg and Emily. Clarise and her best friend, Dotty live in the ranch house with Greg and now Emily. Clarise just wants to secure Greg's future happiness and spend her golden years watching him take over ranching operations and starting a family. She's not above plotting behind his back to achieve this. Dotty cooks and cusses with equal aplomb, but she's Clarise's battle buddy in the campaign to hook Emily for Greg. Other characters like the ranch hands, Greg's best friend Jeremiah and others from the community along with Emily's cousin, Taylor all just add so much depth to the story when they're in the scenes. I laughed so hard when all those old ladies got together making up a fake profile and pretending to be Greg on the singles websites (no ladies when the women speak of leather and whips they aren't talking saddles and quirts).
All in all, I loved experiencing ranch life and romance with Greg and Emily. I look forward to finally getting Mason's story with his harridan twin girls. I would recommend this book and the series to those who enjoy light contemporary Western Romance with a pinch of spice to the romance. It could be read as a standalone, but there are light connections with each story running through the series.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2015
Fun book. Emily has inherited a small ranch in West Texas from her grandfather. But before she settles in to run it, she promised her grandfather she would deliver a letter to an old girlfriend of his. She had also promised him she would take a month away from the ranch and think about what she really wants. Her plan is to find the old lady, drop off the letter, and head to the beach. But best laid plans...
When Emily arrives in Ravenna her grandfather's old flame, Clarice, asks her to stay on for a little while so she can talk to Clarice about her grandfather. Clarice's grandson, Greg, has been after her to hire an assistant, so Clarice talks Emily into doing it for the next month. Of course, Clarice has another reason to ask Emily to stay - she thinks Emily would be perfect for Greg.
Emily is happy to help Clarice out. She loves ranching and when she isn't being assistant to Clarice she's helping out with ranch work. She's made it clear to Clarice that she's only there for a month, that she has her own place to get back to. She considers her roots well buried in West Texas. The only fly in the ointment of her plans is Greg. She has been attracted to him since the moment she met him, but getting involved with him would not be a good idea.
Greg is a bit suspicious of Emily and her "lost letter" story at first, but he's willing to let her play assistant to his grandmother while he keeps an eye on her. He quickly realizes that she is exactly who she says she is. He's also attracted to her, but hesitant to get involved because he knows she's leaving.
I loved seeing the romance develop between Greg and Emily. They have so much in common with their love of ranching that it's easy for them to spend time together. Especially at the beginning, Emily constantly surprises Greg with what she can do. I really loved that first day when she blew him away with how much she accomplished. They are also quite sensitive to each others feelings. Both have lost their grandfathers, whom they loved, and they are able to express their grief to each other where they've hidden it from others.
Greg is really sweet at times, such as when he found Emily crying over her grandfather, and when he gave the two kittens to her. He can also be a bit on the alpha side, showing some jealousy when he thinks other men are paying her too much attention. It was fun to see him change from the straight up business oriented rancher who doesn't really believe in romance, to a man who finds that romance and business can coexist. I loved the way he started writing letters to Emily, following in his grandmother's footsteps, and seeing the romance of sharing his feelings that way. I loved seeing the way that he gave Emily the time she needed at the end, but that he wasn't too patient to be believed. I loved what he had waiting for her when she came back.
I loved Emily's sense of her own worth. She knew what she was capable of and she wasn't going to let Greg get away with patronizing her. She has a terrific sense of family, and I loved how important it was for her to carry out her grandfather's wishes. She was conflicted by her feelings for Greg, because her plans had been to go back to her ranch, but the more time she spends with him the more his ranch feels like home. I really liked the way that she fit in so easily. She also tries to resist her growing feelings for him, but her heart is pretty much set on him. She also had some jealous moments that made her realize just how deep she was into him. I liked the ending as she faced her past and put it to rest so she could have the future she wanted.
Some of the funniest parts of the book involved Greg's grandmother Clarice and her friends. When Emily arrives they are already deep into a scheme to find Greg a wife, by setting up profiles for him on online dating sites. They pretend to be him, and things get a bit out of hand by the end. There were a couple great scenes where Emily, who has discovered their scheme, rescues Greg from some of the more forward candidates. I also love how the ladies take advantage of their ages and are pretty outrageous in the things they say. Their scholarship fundraiser at the end shows their community spirit, but also the trouble they can get themselves into.
When Emily arrives in Ravenna her grandfather's old flame, Clarice, asks her to stay on for a little while so she can talk to Clarice about her grandfather. Clarice's grandson, Greg, has been after her to hire an assistant, so Clarice talks Emily into doing it for the next month. Of course, Clarice has another reason to ask Emily to stay - she thinks Emily would be perfect for Greg.
Emily is happy to help Clarice out. She loves ranching and when she isn't being assistant to Clarice she's helping out with ranch work. She's made it clear to Clarice that she's only there for a month, that she has her own place to get back to. She considers her roots well buried in West Texas. The only fly in the ointment of her plans is Greg. She has been attracted to him since the moment she met him, but getting involved with him would not be a good idea.
Greg is a bit suspicious of Emily and her "lost letter" story at first, but he's willing to let her play assistant to his grandmother while he keeps an eye on her. He quickly realizes that she is exactly who she says she is. He's also attracted to her, but hesitant to get involved because he knows she's leaving.
I loved seeing the romance develop between Greg and Emily. They have so much in common with their love of ranching that it's easy for them to spend time together. Especially at the beginning, Emily constantly surprises Greg with what she can do. I really loved that first day when she blew him away with how much she accomplished. They are also quite sensitive to each others feelings. Both have lost their grandfathers, whom they loved, and they are able to express their grief to each other where they've hidden it from others.
Greg is really sweet at times, such as when he found Emily crying over her grandfather, and when he gave the two kittens to her. He can also be a bit on the alpha side, showing some jealousy when he thinks other men are paying her too much attention. It was fun to see him change from the straight up business oriented rancher who doesn't really believe in romance, to a man who finds that romance and business can coexist. I loved the way he started writing letters to Emily, following in his grandmother's footsteps, and seeing the romance of sharing his feelings that way. I loved seeing the way that he gave Emily the time she needed at the end, but that he wasn't too patient to be believed. I loved what he had waiting for her when she came back.
I loved Emily's sense of her own worth. She knew what she was capable of and she wasn't going to let Greg get away with patronizing her. She has a terrific sense of family, and I loved how important it was for her to carry out her grandfather's wishes. She was conflicted by her feelings for Greg, because her plans had been to go back to her ranch, but the more time she spends with him the more his ranch feels like home. I really liked the way that she fit in so easily. She also tries to resist her growing feelings for him, but her heart is pretty much set on him. She also had some jealous moments that made her realize just how deep she was into him. I liked the ending as she faced her past and put it to rest so she could have the future she wanted.
Some of the funniest parts of the book involved Greg's grandmother Clarice and her friends. When Emily arrives they are already deep into a scheme to find Greg a wife, by setting up profiles for him on online dating sites. They pretend to be him, and things get a bit out of hand by the end. There were a couple great scenes where Emily, who has discovered their scheme, rescues Greg from some of the more forward candidates. I also love how the ladies take advantage of their ages and are pretty outrageous in the things they say. Their scholarship fundraiser at the end shows their community spirit, but also the trouble they can get themselves into.
July 19, 2016
A heartwarming tale that readers will not soon forget! Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com:
Just days after the death of her grandfather, Emily Cooper sets out to fulfill his last request. She has to travel across the state to deliver a boxful of letters written years earlier to a woman her grandfather had never met, except through their letters, including a recently delivered letter that has been lost in the mail for sixty years. Still grappling with her grief, Emily finds it hard to believe that there had been another woman in her grandfather’s life other than her Nana. Emily had promised her grandfather that she would take one month off from working on the ranch, a one hundred acre spread that he had left to her. Once the month is up, she plans on returning and working to get back the other tracts of land that had once made up the much larger ranch. Her cousin Taylor now owns that land and hopes to buy the remaining hundred acres from her, but the ranch has been her home all of her life and she cannot imagine giving it up.
While delivering the letters, Emily is intrigued by the picture of a handsome cowboy on Clarice’s mantle. The eyes of the cowboy, who is Clarice’s grandson, seem to follow her everywhere. When the woman offers Emily a temporary, month-long job as her assistant, Emily cannot bypass the opportunity. This will give her a chance to make some extra money, plus she will still be fulfilling her grandfather’s wish that she take off a month from their ranch and she will get to know this woman who had once had a part in her grandfather’s life, not to mention that she will get a chance to meet the cowboy in the picture.
Rancher Greg Adams is surprised when his grandmother installs the attractive stranger in their home. But he decides to go along with it. After all, he has been trying to get his grandmother to hire an assistant and he figures this experience will convince her to hire a permanent one once Emily leaves the ranch. But in the meantime, he intends to keep a close eye on this stranger whose story seems implausible. He cannot even imagine his grandmother as a mail order bride. But when he meets Emily, he realizes that the picture of her that Clarice had sent him via her phone did not do her justice.
As they work together on the ranch, things soon turn intimate. Will the lost letter, written long ago, work its magic two generations later? Could this be why Emily’s grandfather had wanted her to take a month off to explore her options?
THE COWBOY’S MAIL ORDER BRIDE is another scrumptious, heartwarming story by author extraordinaire Carolyn Brown. This contemporary romance is the third one in her COWBOYS AND BRIDES series. As a huge fan of Ms. Brown’s work, all it takes is seeing her name on the cover of a book to make it a must read. Once more, her unforgettable prose fills the pages of a delicious new novel complete with cowboys, the women who love them, humor, ranch life, romance and true love. This emotion laden story will keep you glued to the pages. Just to give a fair warning - before starting this book, be sure you have enough time carved out to finish it because the captivating plot and well-drawn characters will soon sweep you up, making you feel as if you have come home after an extended time away. You will find yourself laughing along with the characters, empathizing with them and perhaps, shedding a tear or two. I am sure that after reading this fast-paced romantic tale, you will be marking your calendar for Ms. Brown’s next release, HOW TO MARRY A COWBOY, scheduled for July 2014. But by all means, be sure to pick up a copy of THE COWBOY’S MAIL ORDER BRIDE, as well as the other delicious stories in this series, including BILLION DOLLAR COWBOY and THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS BABY.
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
Just days after the death of her grandfather, Emily Cooper sets out to fulfill his last request. She has to travel across the state to deliver a boxful of letters written years earlier to a woman her grandfather had never met, except through their letters, including a recently delivered letter that has been lost in the mail for sixty years. Still grappling with her grief, Emily finds it hard to believe that there had been another woman in her grandfather’s life other than her Nana. Emily had promised her grandfather that she would take one month off from working on the ranch, a one hundred acre spread that he had left to her. Once the month is up, she plans on returning and working to get back the other tracts of land that had once made up the much larger ranch. Her cousin Taylor now owns that land and hopes to buy the remaining hundred acres from her, but the ranch has been her home all of her life and she cannot imagine giving it up.
While delivering the letters, Emily is intrigued by the picture of a handsome cowboy on Clarice’s mantle. The eyes of the cowboy, who is Clarice’s grandson, seem to follow her everywhere. When the woman offers Emily a temporary, month-long job as her assistant, Emily cannot bypass the opportunity. This will give her a chance to make some extra money, plus she will still be fulfilling her grandfather’s wish that she take off a month from their ranch and she will get to know this woman who had once had a part in her grandfather’s life, not to mention that she will get a chance to meet the cowboy in the picture.
Rancher Greg Adams is surprised when his grandmother installs the attractive stranger in their home. But he decides to go along with it. After all, he has been trying to get his grandmother to hire an assistant and he figures this experience will convince her to hire a permanent one once Emily leaves the ranch. But in the meantime, he intends to keep a close eye on this stranger whose story seems implausible. He cannot even imagine his grandmother as a mail order bride. But when he meets Emily, he realizes that the picture of her that Clarice had sent him via her phone did not do her justice.
As they work together on the ranch, things soon turn intimate. Will the lost letter, written long ago, work its magic two generations later? Could this be why Emily’s grandfather had wanted her to take a month off to explore her options?
THE COWBOY’S MAIL ORDER BRIDE is another scrumptious, heartwarming story by author extraordinaire Carolyn Brown. This contemporary romance is the third one in her COWBOYS AND BRIDES series. As a huge fan of Ms. Brown’s work, all it takes is seeing her name on the cover of a book to make it a must read. Once more, her unforgettable prose fills the pages of a delicious new novel complete with cowboys, the women who love them, humor, ranch life, romance and true love. This emotion laden story will keep you glued to the pages. Just to give a fair warning - before starting this book, be sure you have enough time carved out to finish it because the captivating plot and well-drawn characters will soon sweep you up, making you feel as if you have come home after an extended time away. You will find yourself laughing along with the characters, empathizing with them and perhaps, shedding a tear or two. I am sure that after reading this fast-paced romantic tale, you will be marking your calendar for Ms. Brown’s next release, HOW TO MARRY A COWBOY, scheduled for July 2014. But by all means, be sure to pick up a copy of THE COWBOY’S MAIL ORDER BRIDE, as well as the other delicious stories in this series, including BILLION DOLLAR COWBOY and THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS BABY.
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
February 12, 2014
Carolyn Brown brings readers another great Contemporary Western Romance with her latest book in the Cowboys and Brides series, The Cowboy's Mail Order Bride. Brown is one of the best at writing cowboy romances and this one is no exception. With everything from lost love letters to busy-body old ladies this book has it all. Brown's trademark wit and humor shine in the banter and dialogue of the characters and her love of all things cowboy will have readers smiling with the turn of every page. A great addition to the series.
What I liked:
Carolyn Brown is easily my favorite writer of this kind of romance. Cowboy romances were something I always thought existed only in historical romances until I started reading Brown's contemporary novels with Western settings. She has a knack for the cowboy lifestyle, from huge ranches to small spreads and the Cowboys and Brides series indulges a readers love of the idealism of the cowboy and his lady. Brown has made a niche for herself and she writes to fit that niche easily and with great candor and love for all things Western.
Have you ever written a love letter? I have and the idea of how Greg and Emily got together was just a real gem. At the dying wish of her grandfather Emily takes several letters that were never delivered to Clarice, Greg's grandmother. The two had, had big plans during the war, but Emily's grandfather's letter was never delivered and Clarice had no idea that he had sent it. What a beautiful story and great way for the hero and the heroine of this story to me. The written letter is a form of communication that is certainly dying out with the advent of email and texting, and I loved the fact that Brown uses a regular snail mail letter in this book, to convey so much.
I liked the fact that Brown gives us a heroine and hero that readers will enjoy. Emily is strong minded and very intelligent. It is easy to see that she could indeed run her own ranch. Greg is also smart and well mannered, a real gentleman. Brown doesn't rush the romance with these two, she didn't have to. The story felt very natural and everything seemed to progress at it's own pace, but not too slow. They get to know each other and then things get steamy and Brown can write a love scene with a lot of heart and sensuality. She makes the experience seem organic and not contrived and rushed as some romance authors do. These two were a great fit.
Emily has a lot of decisions to make in this book and Greg's grandmother and her cronies are making decisions as well. I loved the fact that they are taking Greg's future into their own hands. The dating site fiasco was priceless. It really showed Brown's ability to inject humor into her stories without coming off as pretentious or over-the-top. This book will make you smile and often.
What I didn't like:
Though I loved Clarice, Dottie and the rest of the gang. They were a bit overwhelming. Greg was a big boy and he was easily capable of finding a lady for himself. A little meddling of course is to be expected. But I think this one went a little too far in that direction. The ladies could have stepped back a bit when it was evident that Emily and Greg were on the same wavelength and were moving toward a relationship. I think they had it under control.
Bottom Line:
This is another exceptional cowboy romance from Carolyn Brown. I love the fact that she can take a working ranch and turn it into a great setting for a romance. She has a knack for humor and for realism in her stories and I think this is one of her best to date.
What I liked:
Carolyn Brown is easily my favorite writer of this kind of romance. Cowboy romances were something I always thought existed only in historical romances until I started reading Brown's contemporary novels with Western settings. She has a knack for the cowboy lifestyle, from huge ranches to small spreads and the Cowboys and Brides series indulges a readers love of the idealism of the cowboy and his lady. Brown has made a niche for herself and she writes to fit that niche easily and with great candor and love for all things Western.
Have you ever written a love letter? I have and the idea of how Greg and Emily got together was just a real gem. At the dying wish of her grandfather Emily takes several letters that were never delivered to Clarice, Greg's grandmother. The two had, had big plans during the war, but Emily's grandfather's letter was never delivered and Clarice had no idea that he had sent it. What a beautiful story and great way for the hero and the heroine of this story to me. The written letter is a form of communication that is certainly dying out with the advent of email and texting, and I loved the fact that Brown uses a regular snail mail letter in this book, to convey so much.
I liked the fact that Brown gives us a heroine and hero that readers will enjoy. Emily is strong minded and very intelligent. It is easy to see that she could indeed run her own ranch. Greg is also smart and well mannered, a real gentleman. Brown doesn't rush the romance with these two, she didn't have to. The story felt very natural and everything seemed to progress at it's own pace, but not too slow. They get to know each other and then things get steamy and Brown can write a love scene with a lot of heart and sensuality. She makes the experience seem organic and not contrived and rushed as some romance authors do. These two were a great fit.
Emily has a lot of decisions to make in this book and Greg's grandmother and her cronies are making decisions as well. I loved the fact that they are taking Greg's future into their own hands. The dating site fiasco was priceless. It really showed Brown's ability to inject humor into her stories without coming off as pretentious or over-the-top. This book will make you smile and often.
What I didn't like:
Though I loved Clarice, Dottie and the rest of the gang. They were a bit overwhelming. Greg was a big boy and he was easily capable of finding a lady for himself. A little meddling of course is to be expected. But I think this one went a little too far in that direction. The ladies could have stepped back a bit when it was evident that Emily and Greg were on the same wavelength and were moving toward a relationship. I think they had it under control.
Bottom Line:
This is another exceptional cowboy romance from Carolyn Brown. I love the fact that she can take a working ranch and turn it into a great setting for a romance. She has a knack for humor and for realism in her stories and I think this is one of her best to date.
January 15, 2014
Awww cuteness promised and delivered. She has not failed me so far.
Emily is a true rancher and loves everything about the life. Country girl to the bone. She just lost her grandfather and delivered some old love letters to an old flame of his. In comes Greg, the old "girlfriend's" grandson. A hunky cowboy who loves his farm and who first mistrusts Emily. She does come out of nowhere, but she shows her worth, friendship blossoms, and then romance.
And no book is complete without two meddling old women, haha, yes I loved them. They also had some plans in motion and it was just hilarious.
The romance was sweet and these two sure fell for each other. No over done drama either, just two people falling in love.
Emily is a true rancher and loves everything about the life. Country girl to the bone. She just lost her grandfather and delivered some old love letters to an old flame of his. In comes Greg, the old "girlfriend's" grandson. A hunky cowboy who loves his farm and who first mistrusts Emily. She does come out of nowhere, but she shows her worth, friendship blossoms, and then romance.
And no book is complete without two meddling old women, haha, yes I loved them. They also had some plans in motion and it was just hilarious.
The romance was sweet and these two sure fell for each other. No over done drama either, just two people falling in love.
February 7, 2014
The Cowboy's Mail Order Bride was a really fun book to read. Emily goes to Greg's ranch to deliver some letters to his grandmother. She is fulfilling her grandfather's dying wish. She only planned on being there for one day. What she didn't plan on was finding love and a home. I loved watching Emily and Greg fall for each other. More than their story, though, I loved all of the other characters in the book. Clarice, Dottie, Rose and Madge added a lot of comic relief to the book. Their plan for finding Greg a wife was too funny! This is the third book in the series and for me it was the best. Each of them can be read as a stand alone, so you could start with this one.
June 6, 2014
Carolyn Brown delivers another sexy, fun, hilarious read with a well-developed storyline and characters. I always enjoy a Carolyn Brown book, for I know I will have a smile on my face while reading her books. She always makes me laugh with her witty banter in her books. THE COWBOY’S MAIL ORDER BRIDE delivered as usual. When Emily promised her grandfather that she would deliver the last letter he wrote his sweetheart and the post office had lost 60 years ago, and found it just recently and returned it to him, when he asked before he passed away from cancer. She delivers it to Clarice on the Lightning Ridge Ranch. Now everything has a reason for not going as planned and Emily’s grandfather’s letter was lost that he proposed to Clarice in, they were not fated to get married. Apparently Emily and Greg are the couple that is fated to be soul mates and Greg has to convince Emily of it.
Clarice offers Emily a position at the ranch so she can figure out what she wants to do like she promised her grandfather. He wanted her ponder whether she wanted to keep the 100 acres of ranch land that he left to her or if her fate was somewhere else. Now when she meets Greg, she knows that there is something about him that draws her to him. Now Greg’s grandmother and aunt hatch a plan to get the two together and marry. What the two ladies do will have you laughing, especially the colorful language the aunt uses. This was a fun, sexy, hilarious read, and I give THE COWBOY’S MAIL ORDER BRIDE 5/5 STARS.
IF YOU HAVE NOT READ A CAROLYN BROWN BOOK, I URGE YOU TO DO SO. YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED.
Clarice offers Emily a position at the ranch so she can figure out what she wants to do like she promised her grandfather. He wanted her ponder whether she wanted to keep the 100 acres of ranch land that he left to her or if her fate was somewhere else. Now when she meets Greg, she knows that there is something about him that draws her to him. Now Greg’s grandmother and aunt hatch a plan to get the two together and marry. What the two ladies do will have you laughing, especially the colorful language the aunt uses. This was a fun, sexy, hilarious read, and I give THE COWBOY’S MAIL ORDER BRIDE 5/5 STARS.
IF YOU HAVE NOT READ A CAROLYN BROWN BOOK, I URGE YOU TO DO SO. YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED.
December 1, 2013
Emily Copper wants to keep her dying grandfather wish and take the letters he write to Clarice. Emily finds Clarice but wan't expecting a hot grandson named Greg. Clarice hires Emily to be her assistant to Greg dismay. He thinks Emily is up to no good but Clarice knows better after reading the last letter to her from Emily's grandfather.
Greg slowly comes around and see Emily in a whole new light and wants to know her better. Emily does the same and soon the two spend more time together. The two learn more about each other and learn to trust and love.
I will be looking for the other two books in this series. This story is book 3.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.
Greg slowly comes around and see Emily in a whole new light and wants to know her better. Emily does the same and soon the two spend more time together. The two learn more about each other and learn to trust and love.
I will be looking for the other two books in this series. This story is book 3.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.
Read
August 28, 2016DNR beyond page 162
This is the only Carolyn Brown story that didn't work for me. As likable as Emily and Greg are, they bored me--not in an annoying way, just unexciting. The mischievous senior ladies, the grief and recovery theme, the close-knit community and the overall charm of her writing are really appealing.
Pretty sure this is just a one-off. Still a C.B. fan.
This is the only Carolyn Brown story that didn't work for me. As likable as Emily and Greg are, they bored me--not in an annoying way, just unexciting. The mischievous senior ladies, the grief and recovery theme, the close-knit community and the overall charm of her writing are really appealing.
Pretty sure this is just a one-off. Still a C.B. fan.
November 26, 2013
Reviewed for RT Magazine
February 17, 2014
Four stars: A fun, lighthearted romance that will leave you with a big smile.
Emily stares timidly at the door, she has driven a long way to deliver an old box of letters. Just as she gathers her courage and knocks, a large cat drops a dead mouse on her foot. Emily shrieks and kicks the mouse as the door opens. What a way to make a first impression. Thankfully, the lady who answers the door hates mice just as much as Emily. Emily is here to deliver her grandfather's letters to Clarice. Sixty years ago, Marvin and Clarice exchanged letters while he served in the military over seas. Recently, the postal service delivered her grandfather's final letter to Clarice back to the house, it seems that it had gotten lost and was found all these years later. Emily's grandfather's dying wish was for Emily do deliver that final letter along with the rest of Clarice's old letters to her. Emily plans on handing over the letters and heading to Florida to clear her head for thirty days before returning home and restoring her ranch. What she doesn't count on is two old ladies and a handsome cowboys grabbing her heart. Can a box of old letters ignite a romance?
What I Liked:
*I am a huge fan of Carolyn Brown's characters. She never disappoints with her genuine, likable and often hilarious characters. I immediately fell in love with this new batch. Emily and Greg are just adorable while Clarice and Dotty, Rose and Madge made me laugh. This witty foursome is always up to something and they are a riot. Doty was by far my favorite with her feistiness and straight shooting dialogue. Like Emily, I want to be just like her when I grow up! I thoroughly enjoyed the antics of these scheming ladies, especially watching them trying to tackle and master modern technology as they attempt to masquerade as Greg on online dating sites. They have a notebook of all the abbreviations that are commonly used today to help keep it all straight, but they still make some mistakes. If you enjoy funny, lively and entertaining characters, grab this book! There is plenty of humorous dialogue that will make you chuckle.
*I always enjoy Carolyn's small town, cozy settings. It doesn't take but a few chapters before I am settled in and right at home. I adore books with a cozy small town and this one is no exception. After reading this book, I want to pack my bags and go live on a ranch in Texas. As there are not many dull moments and lots of handsome cowboys. Ms. Brown does an exceptional job with her portrayal of ranch life in Texas.
*The romance is a fast mover, but it is believable and packed full of passion and heat. It starts with sparks of instant attraction, and then it takes a bit of time to settle in before it takes root and explodes. Emily and Greg make an adorable couple and I loved both of them. I know many of you may feel like this is an insta love romance, but I thought it was done just right.
*The sex scenes have plenty of sizzle, but they don't stray into the too much information territory. I thought they were well balanced with enough detail to satisfy but they don't go on for pages and pages. Less is more and I thought it was just right!
*I loved the way the old letters were incorporated in the tale, and then I liked the way that Emily and Greg utilized letters to convey their feelings. Letters are dying form of communication. I liked that Ms. Brown reminded me of the importance of a written note or letter, whether it be a mailed letter, a sticky note or a letter slipped under the door. Written words are powerful!
*All around, this is a charming, feel good tale that blends the past with the present. I loved meeting the four old woman and watching them meddle and play match maker. The entire cast of characters is terrific. I loved all of them. This is a book that you can pick up and read when you are in the mood for something romantic and fun and it will leave you smiling.
*For those of you who don't like to read books out of order in a series, this is not a traditional sequential type series. This is a set of three companion books. All three books involve different couples so you can pick up a book in the series in any order without missing a beat. There are a couple of mentions and cameos from the characters in the other books, and I liked catching up with them.
*Finally, for all your naysayers out there that don't believe this type of romance is possible, there is a word at the end from Carolyn that tells the true story behind this book. I loved learning more about the backstory and it made the read more impactful knowing that there was a bit of real life inspiration behind the romance.
And The Not So Much:
*The old letters play a huge role in the book as they bring Emily to Greg. I was absolutely itching to know more about what was written in those letters as there is something so romantic about falling in love through letters. Alas, the dialogue between Martin and Clarice is never shared. I wanted so much to know more, and I would have loved for Clarice to read a few snippets of her letters to the others.
*I very much enjoyed the romance even though it moved at an incredibly quick pace. I was on board with it right up until the very end. I thought that perhaps the couple should have taken that final step a bit slower, but I guess they knew their hearts, so who am I to judge?
*I am fascinated by the whole idea of the mail order bride and I very much wanted to know more about Rose's, Madge's and Doty's experiences as mail order brides.
*The book romance predictable and it plays out just as you expect after the initial sparks fly. No big deal especially for those of you looking for something light and cozy. If you want a romance with a bit of surprise you will likely be disappointed.
The Cowboy's Mail Order Bride is a charming, cozy and cute contemporary romance. I loved all the characters and the small town setting. If you are in the mood for a book that is light and fun for the winter months, get this one it is sure to make you smile! Besides, how can you risk sexy cowboys and hilarious old women?
Favorite Quotations:
"I got the pants. You got the shirt. Between the two of us, we're dressed."
"I know how old I am, Clarice Adams, and I know if you don't use it, it'll dry up and my arms already look like bat wings, so I am not going to just sit around and let them go to complete fat," Rose said...."Well, shit! I ain't used my female equipment since my husband died. You think it's dried up?" Dotty asked."
"Folks think if they walk into a church religion is going to jump out from the corners and attack them."
"There is something about a letter that you can hold in your hands even after sixty years and still feel the emotions that you felt that day."
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Rainy Day Ramblings.
Emily stares timidly at the door, she has driven a long way to deliver an old box of letters. Just as she gathers her courage and knocks, a large cat drops a dead mouse on her foot. Emily shrieks and kicks the mouse as the door opens. What a way to make a first impression. Thankfully, the lady who answers the door hates mice just as much as Emily. Emily is here to deliver her grandfather's letters to Clarice. Sixty years ago, Marvin and Clarice exchanged letters while he served in the military over seas. Recently, the postal service delivered her grandfather's final letter to Clarice back to the house, it seems that it had gotten lost and was found all these years later. Emily's grandfather's dying wish was for Emily do deliver that final letter along with the rest of Clarice's old letters to her. Emily plans on handing over the letters and heading to Florida to clear her head for thirty days before returning home and restoring her ranch. What she doesn't count on is two old ladies and a handsome cowboys grabbing her heart. Can a box of old letters ignite a romance?
What I Liked:
*I am a huge fan of Carolyn Brown's characters. She never disappoints with her genuine, likable and often hilarious characters. I immediately fell in love with this new batch. Emily and Greg are just adorable while Clarice and Dotty, Rose and Madge made me laugh. This witty foursome is always up to something and they are a riot. Doty was by far my favorite with her feistiness and straight shooting dialogue. Like Emily, I want to be just like her when I grow up! I thoroughly enjoyed the antics of these scheming ladies, especially watching them trying to tackle and master modern technology as they attempt to masquerade as Greg on online dating sites. They have a notebook of all the abbreviations that are commonly used today to help keep it all straight, but they still make some mistakes. If you enjoy funny, lively and entertaining characters, grab this book! There is plenty of humorous dialogue that will make you chuckle.
*I always enjoy Carolyn's small town, cozy settings. It doesn't take but a few chapters before I am settled in and right at home. I adore books with a cozy small town and this one is no exception. After reading this book, I want to pack my bags and go live on a ranch in Texas. As there are not many dull moments and lots of handsome cowboys. Ms. Brown does an exceptional job with her portrayal of ranch life in Texas.
*The romance is a fast mover, but it is believable and packed full of passion and heat. It starts with sparks of instant attraction, and then it takes a bit of time to settle in before it takes root and explodes. Emily and Greg make an adorable couple and I loved both of them. I know many of you may feel like this is an insta love romance, but I thought it was done just right.
*The sex scenes have plenty of sizzle, but they don't stray into the too much information territory. I thought they were well balanced with enough detail to satisfy but they don't go on for pages and pages. Less is more and I thought it was just right!
*I loved the way the old letters were incorporated in the tale, and then I liked the way that Emily and Greg utilized letters to convey their feelings. Letters are dying form of communication. I liked that Ms. Brown reminded me of the importance of a written note or letter, whether it be a mailed letter, a sticky note or a letter slipped under the door. Written words are powerful!
*All around, this is a charming, feel good tale that blends the past with the present. I loved meeting the four old woman and watching them meddle and play match maker. The entire cast of characters is terrific. I loved all of them. This is a book that you can pick up and read when you are in the mood for something romantic and fun and it will leave you smiling.
*For those of you who don't like to read books out of order in a series, this is not a traditional sequential type series. This is a set of three companion books. All three books involve different couples so you can pick up a book in the series in any order without missing a beat. There are a couple of mentions and cameos from the characters in the other books, and I liked catching up with them.
*Finally, for all your naysayers out there that don't believe this type of romance is possible, there is a word at the end from Carolyn that tells the true story behind this book. I loved learning more about the backstory and it made the read more impactful knowing that there was a bit of real life inspiration behind the romance.
And The Not So Much:
*The old letters play a huge role in the book as they bring Emily to Greg. I was absolutely itching to know more about what was written in those letters as there is something so romantic about falling in love through letters. Alas, the dialogue between Martin and Clarice is never shared. I wanted so much to know more, and I would have loved for Clarice to read a few snippets of her letters to the others.
*I very much enjoyed the romance even though it moved at an incredibly quick pace. I was on board with it right up until the very end. I thought that perhaps the couple should have taken that final step a bit slower, but I guess they knew their hearts, so who am I to judge?
*I am fascinated by the whole idea of the mail order bride and I very much wanted to know more about Rose's, Madge's and Doty's experiences as mail order brides.
*The book romance predictable and it plays out just as you expect after the initial sparks fly. No big deal especially for those of you looking for something light and cozy. If you want a romance with a bit of surprise you will likely be disappointed.
The Cowboy's Mail Order Bride is a charming, cozy and cute contemporary romance. I loved all the characters and the small town setting. If you are in the mood for a book that is light and fun for the winter months, get this one it is sure to make you smile! Besides, how can you risk sexy cowboys and hilarious old women?
Favorite Quotations:
"I got the pants. You got the shirt. Between the two of us, we're dressed."
"I know how old I am, Clarice Adams, and I know if you don't use it, it'll dry up and my arms already look like bat wings, so I am not going to just sit around and let them go to complete fat," Rose said...."Well, shit! I ain't used my female equipment since my husband died. You think it's dried up?" Dotty asked."
"Folks think if they walk into a church religion is going to jump out from the corners and attack them."
"There is something about a letter that you can hold in your hands even after sixty years and still feel the emotions that you felt that day."
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Rainy Day Ramblings.
July 21, 2022
Good, even though this is not a book with a virgin hero as was tagged by another reviewer before I read it.
There is a line that the H says " I've never.." but it clearly meant something else, like he never was in love, which may have been the confusion of the above mentioned reviewer. Later in the book it is very clear he was experienced. The details were not mentioned very much, but there is no doubt.
Regardless, I still enjoyed it. The H was very sweet and he never felt real love before the h. That coupled with the fact that the h was very experienced leveled the playing field.
That said, the book was funny, and sweet. Some of the dialogue was strange and a bit off sounding at times but it was still enjoyable.
The h & H were soulmates and fate was definitely working to get them together, along with 3 old women who played matchmakers behind their backs. It almost felt like an episode of "Golden Girls" the way those ladies acted. Very witty. My only beef with them was that they cursed too much for women in their 80's. It felt strange.
Summary: Emily drives 8 hours to deliver a letter to Clarice, a woman who her deceased grandfather loved before her grandmother. She was carrying out one of her gramps last wishes. Another wish was for Emily to take a month off from ranching. Emily was born and raised at her ranch and also has to decide on whether to keep it or sell it to her cousin Taylor. She stays with Clarice for a month where she meets and falls in love with her grandson, also a rancher, Greg.
Good read.
Content concerns:
There is a line that the H says " I've never.." but it clearly meant something else, like he never was in love, which may have been the confusion of the above mentioned reviewer. Later in the book it is very clear he was experienced. The details were not mentioned very much, but there is no doubt.
Regardless, I still enjoyed it. The H was very sweet and he never felt real love before the h. That coupled with the fact that the h was very experienced leveled the playing field.
That said, the book was funny, and sweet. Some of the dialogue was strange and a bit off sounding at times but it was still enjoyable.
The h & H were soulmates and fate was definitely working to get them together, along with 3 old women who played matchmakers behind their backs. It almost felt like an episode of "Golden Girls" the way those ladies acted. Very witty. My only beef with them was that they cursed too much for women in their 80's. It felt strange.
Summary: Emily drives 8 hours to deliver a letter to Clarice, a woman who her deceased grandfather loved before her grandmother. She was carrying out one of her gramps last wishes. Another wish was for Emily to take a month off from ranching. Emily was born and raised at her ranch and also has to decide on whether to keep it or sell it to her cousin Taylor. She stays with Clarice for a month where she meets and falls in love with her grandson, also a rancher, Greg.
Good read.
Content concerns:
October 19, 2019
Emily Cooper made two promises to her dying grandfather. One that she’d take a month to decide whether or not she wanted to live on her very small ranch and the other was to deliver a box of letters to Clarice Barton, the woman he never met but wrote to more than sixty years ago.
Still torn up with grief, Emily’s plan is to deliver the letters then spend a month in Florida before returning to her beloved Shine Canyon. Clarice is emotional and wants to hear everything Emily can tell her about her grandfather and it just so happens her handsome, fit, single, bespectacled grandson, Greg Adams, has been pestering her to hire an assistant.
Determined to remain a bachelor, Greg would prefer a man as Clarice’s assistant but agrees to Emily for a month to keep his grandmother happy. It takes moments for Greg to be mesmerized by Emily’s big blue eyes and he finds himself surprised that she’s as hard a worker as he’s ever seen, plus Emily loves ranching as much as he does. She’s perfect.
There’s plenty of cute in the third predictably fun entry of this common thread not common character series. Each outing has a single Texas ranger, an older pair deciding the young rancher’s future and contrived circumstances that brings the ranchers an unexpected bride to be to shown off at the territorial dance they all attend.
Rating 3.75stars
Still torn up with grief, Emily’s plan is to deliver the letters then spend a month in Florida before returning to her beloved Shine Canyon. Clarice is emotional and wants to hear everything Emily can tell her about her grandfather and it just so happens her handsome, fit, single, bespectacled grandson, Greg Adams, has been pestering her to hire an assistant.
Determined to remain a bachelor, Greg would prefer a man as Clarice’s assistant but agrees to Emily for a month to keep his grandmother happy. It takes moments for Greg to be mesmerized by Emily’s big blue eyes and he finds himself surprised that she’s as hard a worker as he’s ever seen, plus Emily loves ranching as much as he does. She’s perfect.
There’s plenty of cute in the third predictably fun entry of this common thread not common character series. Each outing has a single Texas ranger, an older pair deciding the young rancher’s future and contrived circumstances that brings the ranchers an unexpected bride to be to shown off at the territorial dance they all attend.
Rating 3.75stars
February 20, 2018
Love Comes Softly...
The Cowboy's Mail Order Bride by Carolyn Brown is the best. It's emotional, gooey, and sweet. Hot, sexy, and funny too. I feel in love with all of the characters. The older ladies, were funny and caring individuals. They made me want to move in with them. Sure they can be bossy and sassy, but they were real. The featured cowboy, was a wonderful man. He has so much to offer the strong, independent, yet beautiful cowgirl. They were made for each other. I can go on with more details, but I will give away the entire book. I loved reading this book. Ranching, cowboy auction, and online dating are some things mentioned here. I can't remember laughing as hard as I have when I read this novel. I couldn't put it down...Carolyn Brown hooked me right into her world of fiction. Overall, I recommend this third book to all readers.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
The Cowboy's Mail Order Bride by Carolyn Brown is the best. It's emotional, gooey, and sweet. Hot, sexy, and funny too. I feel in love with all of the characters. The older ladies, were funny and caring individuals. They made me want to move in with them. Sure they can be bossy and sassy, but they were real. The featured cowboy, was a wonderful man. He has so much to offer the strong, independent, yet beautiful cowgirl. They were made for each other. I can go on with more details, but I will give away the entire book. I loved reading this book. Ranching, cowboy auction, and online dating are some things mentioned here. I can't remember laughing as hard as I have when I read this novel. I couldn't put it down...Carolyn Brown hooked me right into her world of fiction. Overall, I recommend this third book to all readers.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
September 22, 2017
Emily Cooper is on a quest. The last thing her grandfather requested of her before he passed away was to deliver a box of letters to Clarice Barton at Lightning Ridge Ranch. Emily doesn't know what is so special about the letters but she adored her grandfather and his wish was her command. Once she arrived; Clarice welcomed her with open arms. Greg Adams was her grandson and he was very leary of Emily and her intentions. Neither could deny the sparks between them. Clarice decided she needed an assistant and Emily would be perfect for the job. There are so many twists and turns, laughs and tears to peak your interest in this love story. Now, what are you waiting for....start reading!
October 26, 2018
Influenced by Real Life
Another wonderful Carolyn Brown story. This one was influenced by her own love story. Emily fulfills her promise to her grandfather to take a lost love letter to his old sweetheart after his death. While things didn't work out for them, sparks fly when their grandchildren meet. Emily and Greg have an incredible connection. Grandmother Clarissa , best friend Dottie and two other friends are the crazy characters that keep us laughing with their zany plans. The "conversations" they have pretending to be Greg on online dating sites are a hoot. The special love Mrs. Brown has for this tale shines through. It leaves you with an extra special warmth in your heart.
Another wonderful Carolyn Brown story. This one was influenced by her own love story. Emily fulfills her promise to her grandfather to take a lost love letter to his old sweetheart after his death. While things didn't work out for them, sparks fly when their grandchildren meet. Emily and Greg have an incredible connection. Grandmother Clarissa , best friend Dottie and two other friends are the crazy characters that keep us laughing with their zany plans. The "conversations" they have pretending to be Greg on online dating sites are a hoot. The special love Mrs. Brown has for this tale shines through. It leaves you with an extra special warmth in your heart.
December 27, 2018
This is book 3 in the series, but I do not care that they were read out of order. Each book so far has had a good story that can stand on its own. Imgine a group of ladies all in their eighties trying to marry off the 30 year old grandson. Now imagine that the ladies each join and sign up on various dating sites and pretend to be that grandson, well that is the story of Greg Adams, and all his nana wants is for him to find a woman to marry and get some grand babies. Is that too much ask for?
This book had me laughing at the antics of the elderly ladies who are just too cute, and the two main characters of Greg and Emily are good for each other, and ultimately fall in love and then marriage.
This book had me laughing at the antics of the elderly ladies who are just too cute, and the two main characters of Greg and Emily are good for each other, and ultimately fall in love and then marriage.
February 20, 2019
Not what I was expecting from the title, but a fun book without much tension anywhere in it, so it was a relaxing read. I was a little upset by the four older women who pretended to be one of the cowboys on a dating site. It felt like they were a little selfish in not thinking about how much time and money the women they wrote to were losing in a dead-end relationship that was never going to get off the ground. They should have backed out of the sites after Emily arrived. If it was supposed to be funny, it missed the mark with me.
August 11, 2022
Another awesome story!
Loved this one! The letters reminded me of my mom and dad, they had dated while working with her family who supplied and cared the stock in Gene Autry 's movies, later wrote letters back and forth when her family returned to ranching in Wyoming. She rented a postbox because her mother would steam the letters open. He went to Wyoming several years later to work and they got married without telling his parents.
I love all of this authors books but this one will have a special place in my heart!
Loved this one! The letters reminded me of my mom and dad, they had dated while working with her family who supplied and cared the stock in Gene Autry 's movies, later wrote letters back and forth when her family returned to ranching in Wyoming. She rented a postbox because her mother would steam the letters open. He went to Wyoming several years later to work and they got married without telling his parents.
I love all of this authors books but this one will have a special place in my heart!
June 29, 2024
3 1/2 stars The h travels 8 hours across Texas with a shoebox of her grandpa's letters written 60 years ago to his love. His love is now an 80 year old grandma with a handsome grandson, the H. A group of 80 year olds have put the H on dating sites and pretended to be him while corresponding with prospective brides. The h is pretty, has ranching knowledge and experience and is a nice person. Clearly a winning combination. The matchmaking grannies start plotting for a romance between the H and H as a meant to be conclusion to the letters exchanged 60 years ago. A sweet story.
October 13, 2023
I loved this book and could not put it down.
Emily lost her grandfather and made a dying promise to take all the letters he wrote to a woman he loved years ago.
Greg thinks Emily is after something so he keeps a close eye on her.
Emily takes a temporary job working for his grandma. With the help of family they realize they love each other and Emily's home is with Greg and his family but promises to visit her family
Emily lost her grandfather and made a dying promise to take all the letters he wrote to a woman he loved years ago.
Greg thinks Emily is after something so he keeps a close eye on her.
Emily takes a temporary job working for his grandma. With the help of family they realize they love each other and Emily's home is with Greg and his family but promises to visit her family
July 30, 2017
This book was an interesting combination of the “Meddling old folks” story line with a “cowboy mail order bride” story line, although technically there is no mail order to the bride. I know, confusing. Overall, I liked the writing and enjoyed the delightful characters. I’d definitely recommend the book to someone who liked the genre. It’s cute and a quick enjoyable read.
August 6, 2021
Enjoyed reading
Enjoyed reading about Emily. When her Grandfather died he asked her to deliver a box to an old girlfriend and told her to take a month off the ranch before she made any decisions. When she delivered the box Clerics invited her to stay and help her. Full of ranch life and love
Enjoyed reading about Emily. When her Grandfather died he asked her to deliver a box to an old girlfriend and told her to take a month off the ranch before she made any decisions. When she delivered the box Clerics invited her to stay and help her. Full of ranch life and love
Read
July 5, 2022Read about half of book; enjoyed what I read;expiration date stopped the book(I was in process of moving),Unable to renew loan, request for loan puts book 4-6 wks out; so tried to borrow book from Goodreads with their result that I had read the book;wanted review, but would not allow me to borrow to read.I am very frustrated
January 31, 2019
One of Carolyn's best
What a sweet and fun romance this is. A modern day mail order bride. After finishing the book and then reading about Carolyn's own true story I understood why it was so good. Keep them coming Carolyn!
What a sweet and fun romance this is. A modern day mail order bride. After finishing the book and then reading about Carolyn's own true story I understood why it was so good. Keep them coming Carolyn!
April 8, 2021
Great writing Mrs Brown.
I love Ms Brown.So pretty much anything she writes I give a 5. This author has the ability to take a bad thing, & give it humor.You need to read this & all her books.
I love Ms Brown.So pretty much anything she writes I give a 5. This author has the ability to take a bad thing, & give it humor.You need to read this & all her books.
May 2, 2021
It’s awesome. Love reading it. Love all those characters, dialogue as well as those fate, kismet, soul mates. I find it romantic in a wholesome way. I agree with Emily. She needs to settle the past before looking to the future.
April 30, 2022
Sizzling!!!
OMG I’m either feeling the heat Big Time between Emily & Greg or laughing until the tears are streaming down my cheeks & repeating one liners out loud between Clarice & Dottie. One of my favorite reads by the amazing Miz Carolyn thank U!!!
OMG I’m either feeling the heat Big Time between Emily & Greg or laughing until the tears are streaming down my cheeks & repeating one liners out loud between Clarice & Dottie. One of my favorite reads by the amazing Miz Carolyn thank U!!!
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