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The Promised Land #5
Augusta
Augusta "Gussie" Dulan is the only Dulan sister to make it all the way to California on the wagon train for brides. Each of her four sisters has taken off along the trail to marry up with a man they fell in love with and now Gussie is hoping to find a man to love here at the end of the trail. Dressing in her fabulous red satin dancing dress, complete with black lace and feathered headdress, Gussie lines up with the other potential brides to see whom it is that they will marry. Gideon Jefferson, the town preacher, takes one look at Gussie and is horrified at her saloon girl outfit, but things turn even worse when his number is called and he "wins" Gussie's hand in marriage. Gussie is less that pleased to be stuck with this wretched, assuming man. Neither wants to be married, so they make a pact that she will be on the first wagon train out after the winter. In the meantime, Gussie will come home with him and tend to his four young daughters and run his unruly house. It seems like a good arrangement. But Gussie is much more than Gideon could have imagined. She not only keeps the house immaculate, the table filled with delicious food, the girls clean and happy, she has the women of the town following her example and turning Gideon's and the rest of the men's lives upside down. Neither Gussie nor Gideon will admit they actually have feelings for one another. It takes a lot of courage, four little girls, and a whole town to bring them both to their senses.
182 pages, Hardcover
First published December 30, 2004
280 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Brown
182 books4,132 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 71 reviews
March 6, 2019
Chorus Girl marries Holier then thou Preacher
Augusta had the housekeeping skills of Martha Stewart, the maternal instincts of old Mother Hubbard and can put together a chorus line in nothing flat. Unfortunately she wasnt bright enough to realize a red satin dancing costume might send a wrong first impression to a prospective bridegroom.
Gideon aka the Preacher is pompous, mean, hateful and surly and has bratty children. Though looking at the reviews I'm the only one seemed to notice it.
One star for the multi talented heroine. One star for the epilogue. I just love a good epilogue. Zero for the self centered hero. Zero for the bratty kids
Augusta had the housekeeping skills of Martha Stewart, the maternal instincts of old Mother Hubbard and can put together a chorus line in nothing flat. Unfortunately she wasnt bright enough to realize a red satin dancing costume might send a wrong first impression to a prospective bridegroom.
Gideon aka the Preacher is pompous, mean, hateful and surly and has bratty children. Though looking at the reviews I'm the only one seemed to notice it.
One star for the multi talented heroine. One star for the epilogue. I just love a good epilogue. Zero for the self centered hero. Zero for the bratty kids
July 25, 2021
The final book in the series telling the stories of five sisters who travelled west on a wagon train. I enjoyed each one individually and the series as a whole.
Author Carolyn Brown is a gifted storyteller and the trek west came alive in these five books. Yes, each is also the story of how each sister found love, but the strength in the women who made these adventures looking for “the promised land” was quite admirable.
Author Carolyn Brown is a gifted storyteller and the trek west came alive in these five books. Yes, each is also the story of how each sister found love, but the strength in the women who made these adventures looking for “the promised land” was quite admirable.
January 15, 2019
Good series
Really enjoyed the Declan sisters series. I have traveled the area where the wagon train crossed. The wagon tracks can be seen in the places travelled.
Really enjoyed the Declan sisters series. I have traveled the area where the wagon train crossed. The wagon tracks can be seen in the places travelled.
December 2, 2020
Oh man, did I love Augusta! Such a fun book to read! And I just loved how Augusta and her beau's romance blossomed, and how she loved the girls. I'll read it again : )
December 21, 2020
2.5☆ for the epilogue
July 29, 2017
My,Oh My!
Gussie was quite a woman, until a certain pious, holier-than-thou preacher, to whom it just so happened she was married, climbed all over her last nerve. Then all the fireworks in China had nothing on the former saloon dancer, who had a formidable temper. She also had four brand new little step daughters who were just as hot tempered as Gussie, especially when their Daddy got on his high horse. This is an excellent book that I would recommend to anyone who doesn't mind laughing and crying throughout a really great story. Ms. Brown, you just keep on keepin' on. Many thanks.
Gussie was quite a woman, until a certain pious, holier-than-thou preacher, to whom it just so happened she was married, climbed all over her last nerve. Then all the fireworks in China had nothing on the former saloon dancer, who had a formidable temper. She also had four brand new little step daughters who were just as hot tempered as Gussie, especially when their Daddy got on his high horse. This is an excellent book that I would recommend to anyone who doesn't mind laughing and crying throughout a really great story. Ms. Brown, you just keep on keepin' on. Many thanks.
July 22, 2019
These Sisters became my Sisters as I followed their adventures, enjoyed their personalities and really was delighted at their individual courageous fiestyness. Carolyn Brown has a way of drawing out the characters in each of her books so that they almost breathe through the pages.
The written word can be compelling in its telling and Ms. Brown's gift of weaving the threads of a story together to form a vivid tapestry of comfort and humanism is captivating as well as thoroughly enjoyable. Personally I derive a pleasurable calmness from reading her novellas.
The written word can be compelling in its telling and Ms. Brown's gift of weaving the threads of a story together to form a vivid tapestry of comfort and humanism is captivating as well as thoroughly enjoyable. Personally I derive a pleasurable calmness from reading her novellas.
December 7, 2019
Well done!
I loved the characters in every book in this series. And the way she brought the sisters into each book, while telling the individual stories at the same time. I thought the author did a wonderful job in bringing them all together in the end. And the fact that she brought closure by letting readers know how each sister’s family grew. I was sad to see the series come to an end.
I loved the characters in every book in this series. And the way she brought the sisters into each book, while telling the individual stories at the same time. I thought the author did a wonderful job in bringing them all together in the end. And the fact that she brought closure by letting readers know how each sister’s family grew. I was sad to see the series come to an end.
January 14, 2020
Oh my Augusta couldn't have had a stranger name taken from the hat when the wagon train finally arrived to their destination! Besides a preacher for a future husband, but to add 4 young daughters to the mix was really something! Oh but how she loved those girls. Once again, one of the Dulan sisters found herself being falsely accused! In the end the surprise was on the town! And, Gussie found her promised land!
The reunion in 1880 was something to behold!!
The reunion in 1880 was something to behold!!
June 26, 2020
The Fifth Book In The Series
This was the fifth book in the the series and centered on Augusta “Gussie” the last daughter to get settled and married. I did t like the book at first because of the characters and then of course the characters made me fall in love with them and there was a conclusion to the series. I would definitely recommend the series, you won’t want to put it down.
This was the fifth book in the the series and centered on Augusta “Gussie” the last daughter to get settled and married. I did t like the book at first because of the characters and then of course the characters made me fall in love with them and there was a conclusion to the series. I would definitely recommend the series, you won’t want to put it down.
October 27, 2021
Arrived in Promised Land
This final book in the Promised Land series was a great finish. I had a hard time liking Gideon because of his snobberies toward Gussie. He was a preacher who did not follow the Bible teachings except to his own objectives. But in time he finally recognized that Gussie was much more than a saloon dancer and fell in love with the amazing woman she was. Overall I really enjoyed all five books in this series.
This final book in the Promised Land series was a great finish. I had a hard time liking Gideon because of his snobberies toward Gussie. He was a preacher who did not follow the Bible teachings except to his own objectives. But in time he finally recognized that Gussie was much more than a saloon dancer and fell in love with the amazing woman she was. Overall I really enjoyed all five books in this series.
October 9, 2025
I finished the series in order, and enjoyed each story. This last one left me with mixed feelings. I enjoyed Gussie a lot, a strong and determined woman, eager to find a home and love. I never grew to like her husband. I found him far too judgmental and pious with no real warmth for either Gussie or his daughters. Still glad I finished the series, and the short epilogue reuniting all the sisters and their families was sweet.
January 12, 2020
Augusta makes it to California and is the first name drawn to be a mail order bride. She put on her fanciest red dress she had worn when she worked in a saloon before heading west. Her name is drawn by the widower with four small daughters needing a "new momma'. The draw back is he is the preacher who believes she is a unclean woman because of her previous job.
July 9, 2022
Great series
I love just about everything Carolyn Brown writes. This series of the Promise Land has been wonderful. Each book a great story, but I have to say Augusta was the best and perfect ending to it all. I laughed, cried, got mad and fell in love with the story and the characters.
I love just about everything Carolyn Brown writes. This series of the Promise Land has been wonderful. Each book a great story, but I have to say Augusta was the best and perfect ending to it all. I laughed, cried, got mad and fell in love with the story and the characters.
October 28, 2024
Nice Wrap up!
Great story but I really liked the epilogue and what “The Promised Land” meant to all of them. But especially this last story at the end of the journey with a preacher marrying a dancehall girl. At least she had his daughters on her side right? Read the whole series folks, it’s a good look at the westward expansion and the run up to the Civil War.
Great story but I really liked the epilogue and what “The Promised Land” meant to all of them. But especially this last story at the end of the journey with a preacher marrying a dancehall girl. At least she had his daughters on her side right? Read the whole series folks, it’s a good look at the westward expansion and the run up to the Civil War.
July 8, 2017
Sad to say goodbye
Living with the delightfully strong and courageous Dulan sisters through theses five books has been an adventure I'm sad to bring to an end. Thankfully Carolyn will or has written something equally enjoyable for the next round.
Living with the delightfully strong and courageous Dulan sisters through theses five books has been an adventure I'm sad to bring to an end. Thankfully Carolyn will or has written something equally enjoyable for the next round.
January 21, 2018
A wonderful loving novel
I owe ms. Brown a great deal of gratitude, because of gift of writing, I enjoy myself every time I start reading one of her books. Another heartfelt story that never be left unread.
I owe ms. Brown a great deal of gratitude, because of gift of writing, I enjoy myself every time I start reading one of her books. Another heartfelt story that never be left unread.
April 22, 2019
So satisfying!
Loved this final part of the Dulan Sister’s story! This entire series has captivated me from the beginning and intended on such a wonderful note. I highly recommend this series to any fan of historical romantic fiction!
Loved this final part of the Dulan Sister’s story! This entire series has captivated me from the beginning and intended on such a wonderful note. I highly recommend this series to any fan of historical romantic fiction!
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July 30, 2019Awesome job couldn't put it down until I fished all five books.💞💖
Carolyn Brown does a great job in grabbing you and drawing you in her book with her awesome animation of her people she bring to life no matter what the time period is.. thanks for another awesome series!!!
Carolyn Brown does a great job in grabbing you and drawing you in her book with her awesome animation of her people she bring to life no matter what the time period is.. thanks for another awesome series!!!
September 17, 2019
The last of the Dulan sisters.
I was not disappointed, all five sisters proved to be strong women. If you enjoy experiencing the hardships and joys of our early years in America these stories are great.
I was not disappointed, all five sisters proved to be strong women. If you enjoy experiencing the hardships and joys of our early years in America these stories are great.
September 25, 2019
Loved the series
Read the series in not perfect order. Before I finished reading one I couldn't wait to start the next book. Makes you think about what life was like in the 1800's.
Read the series in not perfect order. Before I finished reading one I couldn't wait to start the next book. Makes you think about what life was like in the 1800's.
February 22, 2020
Excellent reading
It was an interesting group of books I liked how each one followed the last one. I liked that the language was clean and though there was romance it also was clean. Hated to read the last book in that series. Have also enjoyed others she has written.
It was an interesting group of books I liked how each one followed the last one. I liked that the language was clean and though there was romance it also was clean. Hated to read the last book in that series. Have also enjoyed others she has written.
June 17, 2020
This last book is so funny. You'll have tons of fun reading it. I laugh, I cry at the antics of the kids and the things that Gideon say to Gussie. This was the perfect end to the series. The kids specially Lucy has a great sense of humor. I love it all.
January 29, 2021
Gussie
Gussie has her hands full as a mail order bride to one seriously uptight, judgemental preacher and his four orphaned daughters. She manages to conquer Gideon with sass and pragmatism.
Gussie has her hands full as a mail order bride to one seriously uptight, judgemental preacher and his four orphaned daughters. She manages to conquer Gideon with sass and pragmatism.
March 19, 2021
Lord love a preacher
The end of a 5 part books. Gussie finds the family she always wanted and with it a husband that is a preacher. It also leads to how all 5 daughters ended up with it all.
The end of a 5 part books. Gussie finds the family she always wanted and with it a husband that is a preacher. It also leads to how all 5 daughters ended up with it all.
April 18, 2021
Very good short story.
This is the highest I can go up in the star's.I would give them a 9 if I could. Carolyn Brown is a great author.If you read one then you will read another.Read her books please.
This is the highest I can go up in the star's.I would give them a 9 if I could. Carolyn Brown is a great author.If you read one then you will read another.Read her books please.
October 20, 2021
Promised Land
What wonderful romance novels I have just finished reading, all written by Carolyn Brown. I could not put the books down once I started reading them and stayed awake until the wee hours of the morning actually living ever word I read. Must reads!
What wonderful romance novels I have just finished reading, all written by Carolyn Brown. I could not put the books down once I started reading them and stayed awake until the wee hours of the morning actually living ever word I read. Must reads!
July 6, 2017
Greatt stories. Reading was delightful.
The stories of each of the sister's made it interesting. I read one after the other and really enjoyed them.
The stories of each of the sister's made it interesting. I read one after the other and really enjoyed them.
November 2, 2017
Gussie
It was one of Carolyn 's books in this series . I loved the last of this book. It was a great series.
It was one of Carolyn 's books in this series . I loved the last of this book. It was a great series.
July 5, 2018
Don't miss this series!
I have read a lot of series in books, but this has been the best I have read in many a year.
I have read a lot of series in books, but this has been the best I have read in many a year.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews