Interview with Carolyn Brown
Interview with Carolyn Brown
Happy Tuesday, folks! We’ve got another ALL ABOUT COWBOYS interview for you, this time with romance author Carolyn Brown. Carolyn Brown is an author many romance readers will recognize, as she has written in several different genres, sold millions of copies of her books, and, in case you didn’t know, she is also the creator of ranch foreman, Levi Jackson, Forever Romance’s latest #CowboyoftheMonth.
To learn more about Levi, pop on over to Forever Romance’s Cowboy of the Month page. To learn more about Carolyn and read our exclusive interview with her, which includes an excerpt from her latest release, Cowboy Honor (Levi’s book), take a gander below.
Meet Carolyn Brown
New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Carolyn Brown has sold over four million copies of her novels and presently writes both women’s fiction and cowboy romance. She has also written historical single title, historical series, contemporary single title and contemporary series. She lives in southern Oklahoma with her husband, a former English teacher. They have three children and enough grandchildren to keep them young.
For a complete listing of her books (series in order) check out her website at http://www.carolynbrownbooks.com
ALL ABOUT COWBOYS
An exclusive interview with Carolyn Brown
Author of Cowboy Honor
We often hear about the cowboy code; what do you think it is and how do you think it pertains to romance heroes today?
Carolyn: All of today’s heroes will appeal to the readers, men and women alike, if they follow the Cowboy Code. I capitalized it because it’s that important. A little excerpt from Cowboy Honor, the second book in the Longhorn Canyon Series to explain exactly what that code is:
“Never have been married and most of my relationships lasted a weekend at the longest,” he (Levi) answered.
“Not a very honorable cowboy then, are you?” she (Claire) asked.
“Hey.” He argued. “I never lie, never promise what I’m not willin’ to deliver and never, ever give my word unless I mean to keep it. I live by the cowboy honor code.”
“And that is?” She asked.
“There’s ten of them. You want me to say them all right now?”
“Got somewhere you need to be?” She asked.
“Okay then.” He raised one finger. “Live each day with courage. Take pride in your work. Finish what you start.” He set the coffee on end table so he could use the other hand, raising a finger for each statement. “Be tough but fair. Do what has to be done. When you make a promise keep it. Ride for the brand. Talk less, say more. Remember some things aren’t for sale and last, know where to draw the line.” He finished and picked up the mug again.
What part of that code do you think appeals to romance readers and why do you think it resonates the way it does?
Carolyn: All of it—readers can relate to an honest, fair person who keeps their promises no matter what.
How do you think this code of ethics helps you in creating the emotional entanglements the heroes in your stories face?
Carolyn: Sometimes it’s not easy to tell the truth when you know it’s going to upset someone, especially when it has to do with the past. And it’s really difficult to talk less and say more—to listen to others. And to know where to draw the line. These things can cause all kinds of emotional problems. But when the hero and heroine learn that when a cowboy is living by the code, then the issues can be worked through and their relationship comes out stronger on the other side.
Have you ever intentionally written a hero that went against the code; and if so, why did you choose to take that route and what kind of impact did it have on your hero’s emotional journey?
Carolyn: Not that I know of, but that’s an interesting concept that I might think about for the future.
What do you think is the major appeal of the cowboy romance hero?
Carolyn: That he does his best to live by the code. And then, of course, there’s the boots, the hat, those snug fitting jeans and that sexy swagger.
If you could choose one trait that defines a cowboy romance hero in your mind, what would it be and why?
Carolyn: That he respects and puts the woman he’s fallen/falling in love with, and no one, not even his mama (and cowboys do love their mamas) can come between them.
Who is your ultimate cowboy hero and why do you love him?
Carolyn: In my books, it’s whichever cowboy I’m writing about at the time. I’ve been working on Cowboy Brave (Jan. 2019) and right now Justin is probably my favorite because he doesn’t let anyone talk him out of his feelings for Emily.
Do you have a favorite cowboy book or cowboy quote to share? (We’ll take cowboy themed recipes, too)
Carolyn: Inscription on John Wayne’s headstone: “Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we’ve learnt something from yesterday.”
Have you read Carolyn Brown’s latest release?
COWBOY HONOR
400 Pages
Grand Central:
Forever Romance
Oct. 30, 2018
This knight in shining armor wears cowboy boots
Patience was never one of her virtues. After her SUV runs off the road in the middle of a Texas blizzard and her cell stops working, Claire Mason is about to snap. Getting back home to Oklahoma with her four-year-old niece is top priority. And lucky for her, help comes in the form of a true Texas cowboy…
Levi Jackson has always been a sucker for strays. So he can’t help getting involved when he comes across Claire and her little niece shivering in the cold. By offering them a place to stay until her car is fixed, he can make sure the two are taken care of – and get to know the sassy Claire better.
What starts as something awkward and temporary starts feeling cozier by the minute. And soon Levi is hoping he can convince Claire she has a permanent place in his heart.
Includes a bonus story “O Little Town of Bramble” by Katie Lane!
All Ethan Miller wants for Christmas is to celebrate in Bramble, Texas, with family and friends. But when his childhood neighbor comes home for the holiday, Ethan realizes that the girl-next-door could be the girl of his dreams.
Longhorn Canyon (Book Two)
Romance | Contemporary | Western
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
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