Brown, Carolyn 1948-

PERSONAL:

Born 1948, in TX; married Charles Brown (a high school English teacher); children: three.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Davis, OK. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Writer.

WRITINGS:

ROMANCE NOVELS

Love Is, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 1999.

The Yard Rose, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2000.

A Falling Star, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2000.

All the Way from Texas, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2000.

The Ivy Tree, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2001.

Lily's White Lace, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2001.

That Way Again, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2003.

The Wager, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Trouble in Paradise, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2005.

The PMS Club, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2006.

Morning Glory, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2007.

"OKLAHOMA LAND RUSH" HISTORICAL ROMANCE NOVEL SERIES

Emma's Folly, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Violet's Wish, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Maggie's Mistake, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2003.

Just Grace, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2003.

"PROMISED LAND" HISTORICAL ROMANCE NOVEL SERIES

Willow, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2003.

Velvet: [A Promised Land Romance], Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2003.

Gypsy, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Garnet, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Augusta, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2004.

"LOVE'S VALLEY" HISTORICAL ROMANCE NOVEL SERIES

Choices, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2005.

Absolution, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2005.

Chances, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2006.

Redemption, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2006.

Promises, Avalon Books (New York, NY), 2006.

Also author of the newspaper column "That's The Way It Is."

SIDELIGHTS:

Carolyn Brown is known for the "Promised Land" series, historical romance novels about the Dulan sisters in the American West of the 19th century. In the novel Garnet, Garnet Dulan leaves a bridal train on its way to California. The independent-minded Garnet instead heads off to Frenchman's Ford in the Nevada territory, where she meets Sheriff Gabe Walker, who eventually arrests her for bank robbery and murder before discovering that she is innocent and in danger from the real criminals. Booklist contributor Lynne Welch noted that the author "skillfully incorporates a wealth of interesting historical detail into each vivid adventure." In Augusta, Brown tells the story of Gussie Dulan, who is set to marry a Washington, CA, preacher named Gideon Jefferson. Although Gideon does not like Gussie's daring dress or manners when she arrives for their marriage on the bridal train, Gussie is determined to make their marriage work as she becomes close to Gideon's four daughters. Writing in Booklist, Welch noted that the novel "showcases her [Brown's] ability to bring a vibrant time to life in all its glory."

Brown is also the author of other historical romance novels, such as Just Grace and Maggie's Mistake, both published in 2003. Just Grace features Grace Benjamin Listen, who finds herself at odds with the local doctor Gatlin O'Malley after he teases her over a broken arm. However, when the two are kidnapped by the Bonney Boys' Gang, they must join forces to escape. They soon find that their antagonistic relationship is changing. John Charles, writing in Booklist, called Just Grace "an excellent story to introduce younger teens to historical romances." In Maggie's Mistake, Maggie Listen finds herself part of a shotgun wedding after spending an innocent night stranded with Everett Dulanis. Everett, who always wanted to marry a refined lady, is not happy with Maggie and intends to dissolve the marriage as soon as possible. However, the two eventually begin to imagine a future together. John Charles, writing in Booklist, called the novel "a sweetly appealing love story."

Absolution takes place just after the Civil War. It tells the story of Ellie Hamilton, who has been left to die shackled to a wall by her kidnappers. When she is rescued by Colum Sullivan, Ellie's problems have only just begun. The two must travel a long distance by foot to safety. Lynne Welch, writing in Booklist, noted the author's "down-home, folksy style." In Choices, Douglass Esmeralda Sullivan finds herself stranded in the desert when she leaves her stagecoach. Captain Monroe Hamilton happens to come along to save her. The Captain helps escort her to Philadelphia without realizing that Esmeralda's brothers are after her so they can send her off to a convent. Writing in Booklist, Lynne Welch noted that the novel includes the author's "trademark sass, down-home descriptions, and verbal sparring."

Brown is also the author of modern-day romances, such as The PMS Club, which features friends Dixie, Faith, and Jill. All in their mid-thirties, the three Greenbrier, Arkansas, schoolteachers decide to spend their summer without men as they vacation in a Florida beach house. The three are only in Florida for a short time, however, when they begin rethinking their plan of "no men." Booklist's Lynne Welch referred to The PMS Club as "a pleasantly light and breezy read."

Brown told CA: "I can't remember when I didn't write stories so I've always been interested in writing, but the love of reading has to be what set me on a path to write romance. I loved writing Trouble in Paradise. Those seven little girls stole my heart. But then I also loved writing my first historical series, the "the Oklahoma Land Rush" series, and The PMS Club,, and Love Is … mercy. Who could ever choose a favorite?

"I hope my books create readers. Readers are the lifeline of the writing industry. Without them we'd soon be at the top of the endangered species list. Earline Piercy, the librarian in our small hometown, said once that folks who'd never read a complete book were coming into the library now and asking for my books. Now that's a compliment. I want more and more people to get hooked on reading because there's a whole new world in books. If I can have that kind of effect, then I'm a successful writer."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, February 15, 2002, John Charles, review of Emma's Folly, p. 997; August 1, 2002, John Charles, review of Violet's Wish, p. 1934; June 1, 2003, John Charles, review of Just Grace, p. 1751; February 1, 2003, John Charles, review of Maggie's Mistake, p. 976; October 15, 2003, Lynne Welch, review of Willow, p. 395; December 1, 2003, Lynne Welch, review of Velvet, p. 653; September 1, 2004, Lynne Welch, review of Garnet, p. 71; December 15, 2004, Lynne Welch, review of Augusta, p. 713; April 1, 2004, Lynne Welch, review of Gypsy, p. 1355; May 1, 2005, Lynne Welch, review of Choices, p. 1573; October 15, 2005, Lynne Welch, review of Absolution, p. 34; December 1, 2005, Lynne Welch, review of Trouble in Paradise, p. 30; April 15, 2006, Lynne Welch, review of Redemption, p. 31; September 1, 2006, Lynne Welch, review of The PMS Club, p. 65; December 1, 2006, Lynne Welch, review of Promises, p. 30.

Library Journal, February 15, 2003, Kristin Ramsdell, review of Maggie's Mistake, p. 121; November 15, 2003, Kristin Ramsdell, review of Willow, p. 54.

Publishers Weekly, October 24, 2005, review of Trouble in Paradise, p. 36.