Responsibility is a bummer. Living up to others
expectations may be even worse. So, when faced with a
choice, Sharlene Waverly decided to join the Army never
considering that she would be assigned to not one but two
tours in Iraq. Her talent with a gun had her assigned to
classified missions. Her appearance easily fooled those
around her -- who would suspect a petite, red-headed, sassy
girl is actually a highly trained sniper?
Sharlene made it through her two tours but, like so many
other vets, didn't come out unscathed. Physically fine, she
waged a constant battle with insomnia caused by dreams that
haunted her. The chance to own the Honky Tonk gave her the
perfect way out of returning home to her small town and a
family who would be appalled to know she works as a barmaid.
Sharlene was equally sure they would be embarrassed to find
out that she used her journalistic skills to write a romance
novel. They never got over her military time so why add fuel
to the fire -- it was just easier to have them think she was
living in Texas pursuing a career.
The Honky Tonk was a hugely successful
operation for a small town bar and its success grew with
each new owner. Sharlene knew it was time to expand and
that's where Holt Jackson fit in. His reputation as a
contractor was good, his pricing fair with few doable
conditions, and he was good on the eyes. As a bonus, she
learned that her nightmares magically disappeared while
wrapped in his arms.
Holt came with a ready-made family consisting of a skittish
nephew and a wise cracking niece. The more he learned about
Sharlene the more impressed he was, and there was no
dismissing the amazing chemistry between them. He also loved
the relationship that was building between Sharlene and the
kids. But there was no denying a simple fact -- a barmaid
was not a good role model for his kids. Funny thing is
Sharlene totally agreed. They were to both to learn an
important lesson -- love doesn't really give a damn.
Once again Carolyn Brown fans will not be disappointed. She
gave us a book whose unexpected storyline is fits a title
like HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS. Sure the plot's destination was
spending the holiday with the regulars at the Honky Tonk but
the route there was anything but predictable. The most
difficult thing about reading a Brown book is putting it
down. If I were to chose a favorite in the Honky Tonk
series, this would be it but I think I felt that after
reading each one so don't put much credence on that. Make up
your own mind. Enjoy.
She Means Business... Sharlene Waverly is determined to have the new room she's adding to the Honky Tonk up and running before it's time to hand the mistletoe. For that, she'll need Holt Jackson, the best darn carpenter in the state, but his warm whiskey-colored eyes make her insides melt and make him the only person she can talk to about her military career and her nightmares... He's Determined to keep things with her Strickly Professional... With his young niece and nephew depending on him, Holt Jackson would take any job he could get. But when Holt shows up at the Honky Tonk, he's completely unprepared for the sparks that fly between him and the beautiful new bar owner, and what started out as a routine job turns into anything but! Sharlene and Holt try like crazy to deny the electricity crackling between them, but their love might just be the best Christmas present either one of them ever got...
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