Commitment! It made Sage run the other way. It made Creed
shudder. But Sage's granny, the Widow Presley, was
determined to get her granddaughter a cowboy for Christmas.
And who better than Creed, the man interested in purchasing
the widow's Rockin' C Ranch?
The fact that a three-day blizzard was blowing in just made
things all the better. A person can't run from commitment
when they're snowed in, now can they?
Good morning everyone! I've got coffee in my hand and I'm ready for comments or to answer any questions! So come on in and let's visit! (Carolyn Brown 11:48am October 26, 2012)
I en joy reading your books, went to a book sale and found so many that I bought them all. I read and the characters become one of my friends,I even dream about the cowboys wishing he was in my life in real life.I hate it when the book ends for i enjoy it so much-I have to start reading another book, which i love to read...I love to hear what the old character is up to...I love to win this book to add to my bookshelf.. (Carole Fiore 11:48am October 26, 2012)
A really good story makes me feel that the characters have become friends. As much as I yearn to finish and get the rest of the story, it's hard to say goodbye when I do! I think that's why I love to read authors whose books have characters from previous stories that weave their way through the new story. It's kind of like having a visit with an old friend. (Marguerite Guinn 11:50am October 26, 2012)
Love, love, love Carolyn's books!!!! (Alisha Woods 11:54am October 26, 2012)
Yes, I laugh, cry and sigh with the "characters" that I read about. Blessings, Marjorie (Marjorie Carmony 11:58am October 26, 2012)
Carole: You note may be my ego trip for this day. Thank you so much! (Carolyn Brown 12:00pm October 26, 2012)
Maguerite: Thank you. This series ran to seven books before it ends with Dewar's story next August. Look for Just a Cowboy and His Baby (Gemma's story) in December! I'm glad you enjoy series. (Carolyn Brown 12:02pm October 26, 2012)
Alisha: Glad to see you popping by today. So glad that you continue to like my cowboys! (Carolyn Brown 12:03pm October 26, 2012)
Marjorie: That is exactly what a writer likes to hear. If we can bring our characters to life for you, then we've accomplished what we set out to do! (Carolyn Brown 12:04pm October 26, 2012)
I see the characters come to life (a movie in my head or something I am witness to). I love to lose myself in the pages of a series where I can meet a whole family or town, that I am able to laugh with, cry with, and contemplate matchmaking skills in secondary characters. In some way - great characters are (please don't call the Dr) my adopted relatives. (Carla Carlson 12:58pm October 26, 2012)
Oh yes, the characters come to life. I can visualize them in my head and laugh and cry with them. (Anna Speed 1:07pm October 26, 2012)
Most of the books I read draw me in and I feel like I am that character for a while. I can identify with the things the characters are feeling and doing. In some of the books, they make me laugh out loud or cry. I do like to see appearances of previous friends from the books that came before them. (Cathy Phillips 1:13pm October 26, 2012)
Carla, I LOVE IT! When I'm writing I hope that is the reaction I get from my readers when they get their hands on my books! (Carolyn Brown 1:22pm October 26, 2012)
Anna, Creed and Sage hope that they can touch your emotions just like that in Mistletoe Cowboy! (Carolyn Brown 1:23pm October 26, 2012)
Cathy, Welcome to the Palo Duro Canyon...where you hopefully will get cold, hot and enjoy a whole range of emotions with Sage and Creed as they battle the obstacles trying to figure out their Happy Ever After. (Carolyn Brown 1:25pm October 26, 2012)
I like it when I feel myself becoming that character, really can't enjoy a book unless I become part of the story. (Sheila True 1:28pm October 26, 2012)
I like Carolyn's books. I have read them and I love them. (Cynthia St. Germain 1:43pm October 26, 2012)
I love revisiting characters from previous stories... get a little peek of their lives... as I read a story, I enjoy entering their world and lives... (Colleen Conklin 1:52pm October 26, 2012)
I like it when characters from one book make an appearance in another book. (Sandy Giden 2:03pm October 26, 2012)
This looks like a fun read. Thank you. (Holly Vanderhule 2:10pm October 26, 2012)
I really like books that become series, I like being able to revisit favorite characters and settings. When familiar characters return it is a great bonus because it is like catching up with old friends. The end of a series is always sad, but hopefully the author will start up a new one with more interesting characters. Thanks for the chance to win Mistletoe Cowboy, I have been looking forward to this one. (Ann Sheiring 2:18pm October 26, 2012)
Sheila, Isn't that the truth? If we don't feel what the characters feel then we just want to toss the book aside. Thanks for commenting. (Carolyn Brown 2:39pm October 26, 2012)
Cynthia: YAY! Keep your boots on, there are more on the way! (Carolyn Brown 2:40pm October 26, 2012)
Colleen: As a reader, that's why I like series, too. As a writer, it's always fun to revisit previous characters as well to see if they're enjoying their HEA! (Carolyn Brown 2:41pm October 26, 2012)
Sandy and Holly, thank you both for stopping by and leaving a comment. You never know when Creed and Sage will pop up in another book! (Carolyn Brown 2:42pm October 26, 2012)
Ann, Good luck on the drawing! And I do hope you enjoy your time with Creed and Sage when you get your hands on the book! (Carolyn Brown 2:43pm October 26, 2012)
I get very wrapped up in the characters and their story. I love series storiies so I can keep enjoying. (Theresa Norris 3:03pm October 26, 2012)
I definitely read for character development. My favorite series have very well developed characters. (Shannon Scott 3:22pm October 26, 2012)
I love series! :) It's always nice to revisit favorite characters! (May Pau 3:25pm October 26, 2012)
When I read a good book I am transported into its world so in a way yes the characters do become real to me & I love hearing about them later & finding out how they are doing. I am torn about how I feel about a series ending. In some ways I do hate to see a series end because that usually means that I will not be able to learn any more about what happens to them and there will not be anymore stories about them but at the same time I really want to know how the story ends so I look forward to reading the end of the series. (Chelsea Knestrick 3:25pm October 26, 2012)
When I read books, sometimes the characters become very real to me. (Cheryl McEwen 3:29pm October 26, 2012)
You can always tell when a writer is great. Its when you are drawn into the story and they become real. There have been some books that dont do that for me and the books were alright. But my true favorites can spin a tale and make you believe in these characters. And i love it when authors carry on other people. Sometimes at the end your like ok what happens next and that way you get a least a glimpse of them . (Leanne Jacobson 3:35pm October 26, 2012)
yes, I love to read a book that makes you feel you know the characters personally. I hate to finish but am excited when old friends reappear in other books. (Mary Hay 3:38pm October 26, 2012)
I GET PULLED INTO THE BOOKS I READ AND THE CHARACTERS FEELS SO REAL TO ME WHEN I READ ABOUT THEM. I NEVER LIKE IT WHEN THE BOOKS COMES TO THE END I WOULD LOVE FOR IT TO GO ON TO THE NEXT BOOK AND THE NEXT. (Shelly Caggiano 3:43pm October 26, 2012)
I love all this series and can't wait to read "Mistletoe Cowboy"! I get so engrossed in some books and the characters really do come alive to me. I also like the characters reappearing in sucessful books as you can keep up with them a little through the others. Being very familiar with both Palo Duro and Post, TX (hometown), I can see where Creed probably chose that locale! (Shirley Bowman 4:04pm October 26, 2012)
I left to do some rewriting on Billion Dollar Cowboy and came back to find even more wonderful comments. Thank you, Theresa, Shannon, May, Chelsea, Cheryl, Leanne, May and Shelly for stoppign by and leaving comments. Your input means a lot to me and I value what you have said. Writing a series about a family is rewarding and difficult at the same time. I get to revisit old haunts and see about my characters but then each book has to be a stand alone title so it has to have it's own world built around it. (Carolyn Brown 4:05pm October 26, 2012)
Shirley, how delightful to "meet" someone from Post, Texas. It was such a sweet little town to visit and the people there were so friendly. I could easily set a future book right there! (Carolyn Brown 4:06pm October 26, 2012)
I love series books and hate to see them end. You get to really know the characters and feel that they are like family.I do like when characters from previous books make cameos in later books in the series. I like getting updates to let us know what's going on with them. (Joanne Balinski 5:16pm October 26, 2012)
Carolyn, I enjoy reading all your books. The characters do become real people when I'm reading a book as well written as yours are. I always hate to see them end, but yours always end on a happy note, which I love. I am anxious to read this new book, Mistletoe Cowboy. I'm a fan of series books! Keep writing those great cowboy romances...love 'em!!! (Linda Luinstra 5:25pm October 26, 2012)
Love romantic books with cowboys. (Roseann Moss 5:33pm October 26, 2012)
Joanne, Linda and Roseann: Thank you for dropping in today! It's always such a pleasure to stop here on my blog tour and visit with all you lovely folks. Linda, Creed and Sage were delighted to hear that you are interested in their story. Jaonne, the characters do become like family, don't they. My sweet aunt was reading one of my books once and said that she laid it down and wondered if that family went to her church! Roseann, nothing much better than romance with a sexy cowboy! (Carolyn Brown 5:58pm October 26, 2012)
Love the cover now is the book going to match????? (Shelly Itkin 6:07pm October 26, 2012)
The characters do become real people to me when I'm reading the story. I would hate to see a book or a series come to an end when they become part of my life I definitely would like to see a cameo appearance of old characters in new editions. This way they will never go away. (Kai Wong 6:23pm October 26, 2012)
oh my - nothing sexier than a man in (or out of!) plaid! and plaid flannel - so soft and warm - just the thing to run your hand down...I work for an outdoor retailer here in the Northeast, and to my delight - it's [plaid] flannel shirt weather - so many good lookin' guys, all day long... (Beth Fuller 6:25pm October 26, 2012)
I believe that a good books characters will seem to be real people. It makes it so great to read. I do get upset with series or books ends if I really enjoy them. It is awesome when old characters make appearances in new books. I enjoy reading about how they are and being able to keep up with them. It makes the series an enjoyable read. (Emily Bowes 6:37pm October 26, 2012)
i love the cover and can't wait to read the inside..bet it as good as it looks (Kimberly Hoefs 7:21pm October 26, 2012)
sounds like a great book and i cant wait to read!! (Jennifer Beck 7:23pm October 26, 2012)
Shelly, I sure do think the book matches the cover very well from the sprig of mistletoe to the black and red plaid shirt. Kai, you are so right. Cameo appearances are a lot like meeting an old friend on the street and having a couple of minutes to catch up. Beth, yes ma'am, I'm in agreement. A good soft plaid shirt with a nice hard muscular chest...yummy! Emily, when they are so real that you think they are the folks down the street, then the author has done a good job! Kimberly, hats off to the designing gods at Sourcebooks for my fabulous covers. They are simply awesome. Jennifer, happy reading! Thank you all for taking time to stop in and leave a comment. This has been such a fun day! (Carolyn Brown 7:48pm October 26, 2012)
I absolutely hate it when a favorite series of mine ends---I feel just lost for a while after reading the last book. I do enjoy a good Christmas book so I really want to read this one. (Sue Farrell 8:01pm October 26, 2012)
Sue, I'd just love for you to dive right into Creed and Sage's story. (Carolyn Brown 8:03pm October 26, 2012)
The people in a book become so real I miss them when the book ends. Yes, I love to see a cameo appearance of favorite people. (Rita Wray 8:31pm October 26, 2012)
I like when series continue and when there's some reality in the setting for anchoring. Your bookcover looks mighty fine indeed. (Alyson Widen 8:47pm October 26, 2012)
Any time that I read a book, I usually put myself in the place of the main character. Hopefully that person is a woman, but it could be a man as well. If the Author does their job, it's as if I'm actually experiencing the same things that the main character does. For the duration that I'm flipping the pages, I want to be taken to another place, and have a new experience, be it bad or good. If it was a book worth reading, I will continue to read the series, and it's nice when a character from a prior book pops in. It's like an old friend coming to call. Congratulations on your latest book. After reading all of the reviews, I'm going to make sure to keep my eye out for it, if I'm not fortunate enough to win it. This sounds like the book I've been waiting for this Fall!! (Peggy Roberson 9:04pm October 26, 2012)
I love having characters from previous books make an appearance and learning wht's been happening in their lives. It's always sad to see a series end, but there are always rereads. (Mary C 9:21pm October 26, 2012)
I love your bpoks. Write more! (Nancy Gallagher 9:46pm October 26, 2012)
Cowboys and Christmas---2 of the best topics. Sounds like a good read:) (Barbara Studer 10:57pm October 26, 2012)
One of the reasons I read series is because then I can revisit favorite characters. When I get lost in a book yeah the character seem very real. (Larena Hubble 11:13pm October 26, 2012)
Rita, Alyson, Peggy, Mary, Nancy, Barbara and Larena: Y'all are the best! Thank you so much for continuing to read. Without our readers, authors would be listed right up there at the top of the endangered species list! I'm grateful for all of you! (Carolyn Brown 11:35pm October 26, 2012)
When I read, the book has to be really good in order for the characters to "come off the page." If the characters are well written, they definitely come to life for me. I love seeing old characters make cameos. Its always been one of my favorite things in books and movies alike. ^_^ (Samantha King 11:45pm October 26, 2012)
they become real to me and I hate to louse them so bad that my favorite books are series. (Stacey Smith 12:40pm October 27, 2012)
In a good story the characters do come alive to me and it is a little sad to come to the end of their story. (Maureen Emmons 6:12am October 27, 2012)
Samantha, Stacey and Maureen: Yes, yes, yes...as a reader I want the characters to "come off the page" and be live, breathing souls, also. As a writer, I'm always striving for that,not only in the hero and heroine but in secondary characters. One never knows when a secondary character will stand up and demand their own story! (Carolyn Brown 8:21am October 27, 2012)
Characters become real to me in only a well-written book. When I read one of those, I hate to let the characters go. That's why I like to hear about them again in later books. It is very disappointing when past characters are not even mentioned in the next books in a series. (Cheryl Castings 10:05am October 27, 2012)
What do you mean "those characters aren't real"? I love to submerge myself in a good book and believe I am there. When I surface from the book I hate to leave those "people" behind and it takes a while for me to be truly back in the moment. Thank you for such great books! (Sandra Spilecki 11:55am October 27, 2012)
One of the reasons to read fiction, for me, is to lose myself in the book, let it become my world for awhile. (Penny Mettert 12:14pm October 27, 2012)
I do become involved with the characters in a book when I read it and often wonder if they stay together. When a movie is made about the book I am often disappointed because the characters don't fit the picture of them that I had in my head. (Kathleen Yohanna 12:25pm October 27, 2012)
Love meeting new authors that I haven't read before. (Dianne Arsenault 1:21pm October 27, 2012)
Yes, when I read a book the characters do become real; especially if there is a good story behind them. I also like to keep up on previous characters in new books. It's like finding out what the relatives are doing. "Mistletoe Cowboy" sounds like my kind of book. (Sharon Extine 1:38pm October 27, 2012)
It's not that charactors "become" real when I'm reading a book - it's that they ARE real!! Even if I end up not liking the book very much, the charactors are still real, and nothing can take that away from them.
That's one really great things about book series - you get to revisit old friends again and again, so when a series ends, it's pretty painful. But then you can just sit down and re-read the books over and over again, so the charactors never leave your heart!
Later,
Lynn (Lynn Rettig 2:31pm October 27, 2012)
Hello to all of you who have commented TODAY! Thank you for coming by and reassuring me that you like series and you like seeing characters revisit in later books. I'm glad that you can lose yourself in the setting and get to know the characters. Love that you said, they ARE real, Lynn. And I really liked that you mentioned they stayed in your heart! What wonderful praise! (Carolyn Brown 3:24pm October 27, 2012)
if the book is good and grabs my attention then I would have to say the characters do come to life for me . i prefer series so the book can continue on about the life of the characters . (Danielle McDonald 3:39pm November 3, 2012)