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The Promised Land #2
Velvet
Velvet is about to breathe her last and doesn't even know it when Patrick O'Leary lays her on the bed in a very strange house. When she does awake from a fever-induced coma, she finds herself in a cabin with Dr. Hoyt Baxter, who's hateful, mean and spiteful and doesn't care if she lives or dies, so long as she's out of his house and his life as soon as possible. Which is exactly what Velvet wants, but she has to have the strength to walk out the door before she can actually do it. Hoyt had stopped practicing medicine a year before, vowing he'd never be a doctor again, but when it came right down to the wire, he did bring Velvet Jane Dulan back to life, a choice he would live to regret for many weeks. She interfered with his self-imposed hermitship. She shook the rut he'd been living in all the way to the roots. He just wanted her to be gone, but every plan he made to get rid of her backfired, and he found himself stuck with the unwanted woman. Until finally he realized that he did want her to stay. However, it was too late. Or was it?
192 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2003
About the author
Carolyn Brown
193 books4,233 followersHi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
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March 19, 2026I borrowed Velvet from the library on a whim. The book is a sequel, but details from the previous installment were relayed in a way that I didn't feel like I lacked information. However, my big gripe is that this book is set in 1860, before the start of the American civil war, and with that came the opinions of white Americans who refused to denounce the institution of slavery - or rather the south's "right" to continue the practice of enslavement. Velvet's grandparent's didn't have slaves, but her grandfather was the pastor of the local church so his congregation lent their enslaved help to him for dinners and various tasks throughout the week. As a young child, Velvet felt very fond of one cook, Lizzy, who is sent away after Velvet says she wishes she had dark skin like Lizzy and her daughter.
Both Velvet and her beau Hoyt don't believe people should be enslaved, however, Velvet says "I'm not so sure it's [the war] all about slaves." Of course, Carolyn may just be presenting an opinion that a woman of the time may have had, but no character outright denies the institution of slavery and also calls the perpetrators evil, which I think is spineless of the author. Another insane instance occurs when a group of Native American men approach the ranch while Hoyt is out and Velvet essentially curses them - it's unsettling and insulting. and from then on the men at Fort Laramie revere Velvet for her treatment of Running Antelope and the men with him.
The description and handling of people of color eclipsed many parts of the romance for me, which had its ups and downs and would have been interesting otherwise. I think Carolyn may be in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" spot with this story. I've read many period pieces from this era that focus only on the settler's POV while not mentioning Native Americans or enslaved Black people... Is it better to focus on the flowery or to confront the very real prejudices that occurred?
Both Velvet and her beau Hoyt don't believe people should be enslaved, however, Velvet says "I'm not so sure it's [the war] all about slaves." Of course, Carolyn may just be presenting an opinion that a woman of the time may have had, but no character outright denies the institution of slavery and also calls the perpetrators evil, which I think is spineless of the author. Another insane instance occurs when a group of Native American men approach the ranch while Hoyt is out and Velvet essentially curses them - it's unsettling and insulting. and from then on the men at Fort Laramie revere Velvet for her treatment of Running Antelope and the men with him.
The description and handling of people of color eclipsed many parts of the romance for me, which had its ups and downs and would have been interesting otherwise. I think Carolyn may be in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" spot with this story. I've read many period pieces from this era that focus only on the settler's POV while not mentioning Native Americans or enslaved Black people... Is it better to focus on the flowery or to confront the very real prejudices that occurred?
February 4, 2021
I can't imagine trusting some guy to drop my dying sister off at a fort or doctor's office or the side of the road for all I know. Not one sister went with her? Maybe help nurse her or bury her if it came to that. But fortunately our heroine doesn't see a problem with this and can't wait to be reunited with her wonderful sisters. Wake up Velvet. They don't care.
The hero was in the I'll never get over my first wife club. SPOILER ALERT....he does get over it. Surprised? I didn't think so. Unfortunately you have to read the whole dreary book to get to that part.
However if sisters that abandon you when you're dying and rude and obnoxious dumb as rocks hero's are your thing this might work for you.
The hero was in the I'll never get over my first wife club. SPOILER ALERT....he does get over it. Surprised? I didn't think so. Unfortunately you have to read the whole dreary book to get to that part.
However if sisters that abandon you when you're dying and rude and obnoxious dumb as rocks hero's are your thing this might work for you.
October 19, 2021
A Promised Land
A very unlikely beginning for Velvet and Hoyt. He has vowed to never fall in love again after losing his wife and son in childbirth. She had to leave the bride wagon train because of an illness. As the only doctor in the area, Velvet is taken to his cabin, where they find their promised land together. Book two of the Promised Land Romance series by Carolyn Brown was a fun read.
A very unlikely beginning for Velvet and Hoyt. He has vowed to never fall in love again after losing his wife and son in childbirth. She had to leave the bride wagon train because of an illness. As the only doctor in the area, Velvet is taken to his cabin, where they find their promised land together. Book two of the Promised Land Romance series by Carolyn Brown was a fun read.
July 24, 2017
Velvet Can Be Tough
Velvet was determined to be as strong as her youngest sister Willow, even if it killed her, which she thought might happen. The "former" doctor who was treating her in his cabin, had his thoughts on the subject, too, but stayed silent. Their falling in love was pretty rough on both of them, but they managed to survive - barely. Good story, Ms. Brown.
Velvet was determined to be as strong as her youngest sister Willow, even if it killed her, which she thought might happen. The "former" doctor who was treating her in his cabin, had his thoughts on the subject, too, but stayed silent. Their falling in love was pretty rough on both of them, but they managed to survive - barely. Good story, Ms. Brown.
October 10, 2019
She found her promised land
How to cure a fever when you are near death? Find a doctor in the middle of Wyoming. One that no longer practices medicine and is now a hermit. Just put a nearly dead woman in his bed and leave. He will either kill her or cure her. Maybe even fall in love.
How to cure a fever when you are near death? Find a doctor in the middle of Wyoming. One that no longer practices medicine and is now a hermit. Just put a nearly dead woman in his bed and leave. He will either kill her or cure her. Maybe even fall in love.
October 18, 2024
Wow! What a ride that was. So it was Velvet who almost died and wound up marrying the man (former doctor) who got her through it. I admired the spunk of the Dulan daughters. Velvet faces down an Indian War Party and straightens things out at the fort where Opal (the General's Wife) has run him and the fort for years. I see a bright future for Velvet in Wyoming.
January 9, 2020
What a shock to find that Violet was leaving the wagon train and her remaining sisters on her deathbed! This journey for her life had several twists and turns until she found her love in the doctor who she had been dropped off in his bed without him even knowing until he read a note!! She found her Dulan backbone when she needed, though her sisters would've never believed she did since she was a sweet as a violet! Oh but they would be proud of her! She didn't need to go to CA to find her promised land and love of her life!
October 22, 2022
Velveteen
You're not real until the fur is rubbed off and the fur is lost in places. You have too break before you're real. That's what Velvet must find. It's cold and hurts. But once you're real you can never go back.
You're not real until the fur is rubbed off and the fur is lost in places. You have too break before you're real. That's what Velvet must find. It's cold and hurts. But once you're real you can never go back.
November 7, 2017
Velvet!
This was a fun read and I laughed through out the story . I was glad that Velvet and Hoyt found each other.
This was a fun read and I laughed through out the story . I was glad that Velvet and Hoyt found each other.
June 23, 2018
They just get better!
Two Sisters down and three to go and each book just gets better and better. The books in this series just get harder and harder to lay down.
Two Sisters down and three to go and each book just gets better and better. The books in this series just get harder and harder to lay down.
July 1, 2018
Less pleased by the second volume as the plot and characters were quite similar to the first in the series. Pleasant reading but just needed one.
August 26, 2018
Very good book!
August 26, 2019
The second sister story.
The story about Velvet did not disappoint. I am looking forward to hearing how the next sister finds her man.
The story about Velvet did not disappoint. I am looking forward to hearing how the next sister finds her man.
October 11, 2019
Smiling face
Really enjoyed following Velvet and her adventures. Made me laugh and made me cry can’t wait to read the next adventure
Really enjoyed following Velvet and her adventures. Made me laugh and made me cry can’t wait to read the next adventure
December 15, 2019
Enjoyed
I enjoyed the read like the way the author tells the story and incorporates the story line from the previous book.
I enjoyed the read like the way the author tells the story and incorporates the story line from the previous book.
May 4, 2020
Another romance to savour
Ms Brown at her best A beginnig that could end bady but insted it blossoms into a sweet tomance love conquers all
Ms Brown at her best A beginnig that could end bady but insted it blossoms into a sweet tomance love conquers all
August 1, 2020
Loved it! Made me so happy to read it!
March 14, 2021
Acceptable
The second of five daughters finds her forever. A doctor heals her from death. She gives him life that he thought he would never have again.
The second of five daughters finds her forever. A doctor heals her from death. She gives him life that he thought he would never have again.
April 13, 2021
Another good.book.
TheyThis author just keeps writing good books..
I love that now she is writing a book ,about ,each girl of the 5 sisters.She is the best author out there.
TheyThis author just keeps writing good books..
I love that now she is writing a book ,about ,each girl of the 5 sisters.She is the best author out there.
September 19, 2021
another great read
This series is fun, sad, adventurous and easy reading. The characters are smart, articulate and entertaining. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
This series is fun, sad, adventurous and easy reading. The characters are smart, articulate and entertaining. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
November 16, 2021
Great book
March 19, 2023
Excellent series!
December 27, 2023
good read
This was was a little more long winded. But still a good story. I have 3 more in this series and so excited to see what happens next.
This was was a little more long winded. But still a good story. I have 3 more in this series and so excited to see what happens next.
January 23, 2024
Velvet
Didn't think I would like this series of stories but have read 2 and have,really enjoyed them. Velvet was quite the free spirit.
Didn't think I would like this series of stories but have read 2 and have,really enjoyed them. Velvet was quite the free spirit.
January 9, 2025
Another sister finds her place, who is next! Read on, I am.
March 15, 2017
Sweet Love..nice for youngsters.. I liked relaxing just an old romantic at heart
Sweet and young****PG ...very innocent.. good for my stress and slows my brain down. I brought the entire series!!! Nice
Sweet and young****PG ...very innocent.. good for my stress and slows my brain down. I brought the entire series!!! Nice
September 8, 2013
This is the second book in the "Promised Land" series ; the first being "Willow". Both are good but "Velvet " I enjoyed more. C.B. is a masterful storyteller. The characters are real and their feelings palpable. I love a story that can make you both laugh and cry and Carolyn accomplishes that.
In this book the hero is a former doctor who "hung up his bag " when he couldn't save his wife and twin brother from death. A tortured soul, he resides as a hermit outside the army fort he used to practice in.
Velvet (the heroine) is unceremoniously dumped at his cabin when she gets a fever on the wagon train. By the time he finds her -in his bed, no less - the train is long gone...
I felt that the raw emotion experienced by the hero was true to life. And Velvet...well she's just a hoot. On one occasion she sends a pack of warring Indians away with "blessings " in the form of curses. I was killing myself laughing. Ok maybe it wasn't neccessarily realistic but it was hilarious. The Indians take her for a "devil woman " and gallop away.
As time goes on it becomes increasingly apparent that the two of them may just need eachother ...if they can only let go if their stubbornness and misplaced loyalties.
Overall it was a wonderful read with no violence or sex. There was one cuss word.
Bottom line : don't let the boring cover fool you its a great read!
In this book the hero is a former doctor who "hung up his bag " when he couldn't save his wife and twin brother from death. A tortured soul, he resides as a hermit outside the army fort he used to practice in.
Velvet (the heroine) is unceremoniously dumped at his cabin when she gets a fever on the wagon train. By the time he finds her -in his bed, no less - the train is long gone...
I felt that the raw emotion experienced by the hero was true to life. And Velvet...well she's just a hoot. On one occasion she sends a pack of warring Indians away with "blessings " in the form of curses. I was killing myself laughing. Ok maybe it wasn't neccessarily realistic but it was hilarious. The Indians take her for a "devil woman " and gallop away.
As time goes on it becomes increasingly apparent that the two of them may just need eachother ...if they can only let go if their stubbornness and misplaced loyalties.
Overall it was a wonderful read with no violence or sex. There was one cuss word.
Bottom line : don't let the boring cover fool you its a great read!
January 27, 2015
The setup of this book surprised me -- I thought we'd be carrying on with the wagon train, but this time we're stopped in Wyoming where Velvet, one of the five sisters introduced in the series, has become sick almost to the point of death and is unloaded on (but of course!) a local -- tortured, handsome, abandoning his practice and eschewing all human contact -- doctor. The predictable course of events ensues, but I enjoyed this because there were some unexpected elements. As always, a fun, light read and a satisfying conclusion.
May 23, 2016
Velvet had a great premise and some enjoyable banter between the hero and heroine. 3.5/5 stars
February 15, 2008
I love this time period when miners discovered gold in California. This is a series of books about a wagon train that heads acroos the United States as mail order brides for rich gold miners in California. 100 women, it takes them 9 months, this takes place when the US was right on the verge of the Civil War.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews