CHASING DREAMS has three stories between the covers, told by the inimitable Carolyn Brown. Characters are the lifeblood of this author. Her fans are insurmountable, and I definitely count myself as one. Humor, sass, and wittiness are central. In CHASING DREAMS, there is a central theme of sorts. Just what makes these characters tick. Are they happy, or are they searching for something that seems elusive? First stop is the major tale where we are introduced and treated to some wonderful folk. Living their lives, and although looking backward at times, they seem happy with their lives. Within each of the three tales, the storyline revolves around some folk who are determined to be matchmakers. The targets seem amenable, and so there isn’t much in the line of reluctance.
First up, Aunt Bernie is considering retirement. What will be the future of her bar? She looks forward to being closer to her family, but that seems to depend on her matchmaking skills.
Next are three lifelong friends who decide that spending their retirement on cruise ships, rather than in any sort of housing for folks their age, would be a wonderful adventure, and if, along with their travels, playing matchmaker works, then that would be a terrific bonus.
Lastly, we have friends looking to fulfill their bucket lists. Plans include travel in a Volkswagen bus decorated in true hippie fashion. And of course, if they manage to help convince younger folk that friendship is indeed more than that, then all the better.
Nothing is more refreshing than having some more mature characters in lead roles. And in CHASING DREAMS, Carolyn Brown obviously shares my opinion. So very often I found myself seeing bits and pieces of many of my friends, and I must admit to myself. Bits of conversations and a sense of responsibility brought fond memories. CHASING DREAMS is a lighthearted look at getting older with grace and humor. Pure Carolyn Brown.
New York Times bestseller Carolyn Brown pens three contemporary love stories of fun, adventure, matchmaking, and romance.
Chasing Dreams
Nita, Sharlene, and Billy Joe, all about to turn 80, enlist Billy Joe's great-grandson, Ford, who has just gotten out of the Air Force, and Sharlene's great niece, Joelle, a schoolteacher who has the summer free. Their mission—to drive the three bickering old people on a road trip to remember. Each of the octogenarians is determined to tick off at least a few bucket list items before they go. Somewhere along the journey, Ford and Joelle discover that their elderly companions aren't the only ones who need to take some risks in life...and in love.
The Matchmakers
Dotty, Minnie and Sookie have been best friends for decades, so when they all retired they decided that living on a cruise ship was cheaper and a lot more fun than living in an assisted living facility. But after a cruise or two, they got bored and decided to become matchmakers. Not knowing that they were choosing a couple that was already bound for divorce, they had their work cut out for them. Could they get this poor couple who evidently were still very much in love back together?
A Summer to Remember (Sisters in Paradise series prequel novella)
Before she moves to the Paradise in Spanish Fort, Texas, Great Aunt Bernie runs a bar where she listens to all kinds of people's problems. One day, Nash, Hershel, and Clara walk into her bar and change the trajectory of Bernie's life forever. After seeing the sparks between Clara and Nash, Bernie decides to try her hand at matchmaking. If she's good at it—and it turns out that she is—she intends to retire and get to work marrying off her seven great-nieces.
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