Honky Tonk Christmas

Honky Tonk Cowboys #4

by Carolyn Brown

One cowboy, one bar, one hell of a holiday!
Praise for Carolyn Brown's country music "You won't want to miss this boot scootin' contemporary full of sexy cowboys and sassy women."―The Romance Studio (My Give a Damn's Busted)
She means business…
Sharlene Waverly is determined to have the "new and improved" Honky Tonk up and running before the holiday. For that, she'll need Holt Jackson, the best darn carpenter in the state. But his warm, whisky-colored eyes make her insides melt, and before she knows it, she's sharing her darkest secrets and talking about the nightmares…
He's determined to keep things professional…
Holt Jackson needs the job at the Honky Tonk, but is completely unprepared to handle the beautiful new bar owner he's working for.
Sharlene and Holt try like crazy to deny the sparks flying between them, but their love may just be the best Christmas present either one of them ever got.
Praise for I Love This Bar : "Heart...sass...a lot of sparks and romance...country music. What more can I say? I really had fun with this book."― Red-Headed Book Child "Guaranteed to leave you countrified and satisfied!"― Love Romance Passion

Genres: Romance, Westerns, Contemporary, Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Holiday, Cowboy Romance

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

About the author

Hi! 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!

Reviews

[Book Addict · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has me mad enough to spit tacks. I liked the first 3 just fine, they're not Bronte but they're cute little reads. This book has a terrible ending, sure they get their HEA but based on what? None of the story problems were resolved. The author went from no, no, no, to YES! without giving a single detail of what turned the no into a yes.

I get the feeling she finished this book many weeks past her deadline and just jotted off any old ending at all.

Things that really bugged me:

1. The heroine hated her home town of Corn so much that she joined the army just to escape it as soon as she finished high school. Absolutely nothing had changed about the town to make it any more likable now as then.

2. The parents and hero never dealt with their issues with Sharlene and her barmaid/bar ownership. Basically they say she's not good enough to be a good role model for the kids and are ashamed of her life.

3. A whole host of other small details that slip through the cracks. Not to mention she married off poor (actually very rich)nice guy Wayne to a gold digging, vile witch. What the heck did he do to deserve that curse?

The moral of this story? Your family and boyfriend will only love you if you live in a town you hate and give up everything in life you've worked for this far. Oh and using kids to blackmail a prospective wife to the altar is totally ok!

[Mum · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book was good until the ending which made it into sexist tripe. Dreadful is too kind.

[Wendy Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who wouldn't want that sexy cowboy on the cover for Christmas? Hubby might mind, but I don't think I would!! Seriously, I've read and reviewed the whole Honky Tonk series to date, and I've loved every single one of them. Honky Tonk Christmas is no exception!! It's the icing on the already delicious cake.

Sharlene Waverly, if you remember her from the last book, she was a journalist looking for a story at the Honky Tonk. Instead, she found herself getting involved with the bar and before you know it, she quit her job and took over ownership of the Honky Tonk from Larissa - who found love.

Sharlene though is has viscous nightmares of her time in the military. She can't shake the sand from her eyes or the death from her mind and heart. She knows that the Honky Tonk has a record of the owners finding their soul mate, but Sharlene knows she isn't marriage or mommy material.

She is determined though to add to the Honky Tonk so there is more room for dancing. No one will do for the bar though, except the best carpenter in the state, Holt Jackson. He may look dreamy, but Sharlene knows love isn't for her.

Holt Jackson thinks Shar is a firecracker, and the electricity between them would be fine for a fling, but when Holt's sister died, he obtained full custody of his niece and nephew. They come first, so he is bound and determined to just do the job he is there to do and that's it. But sometimes fate has other things in mind, and Shar and Holt may both get what they really want for Christmas.

Carolyn Brown is a master storyteller! Mixing the twang and love of country music, setting it to the charm of the old Honky Tonk bar and a love between two people that will enrapture and capture your heart. I'm sad to see this series come to an end. Say it ain't so Ms. Brown!! If you love romance novels and or country music, don't miss this delicious series!!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Sharlene Waverly…new owner of the Honky Tonk bar. Sharlene is excited and can’t wait to expand the bar. Sharlene needs a contractor and fast. Sharlene is tried of looking at all the yellow electrical wiring tape and wants the new additional done in time for the holidays.

Holt Jackson is willing to take on Sharlene’s job in exchange for a place to stay. Sharlene agrees. There is just one other small or should I say two small catches. Holt is raising his nephew and niece. The last thing on Holt’s mind is having a romantic relationship with any woman, especially Sharlene. Though when the fire works start up…watch out!

I have enjoyed all the books in this series, though I have to admit that the past couple of books were missing the spark that I loved so much about these books. I am happy to report that the spark is back and better then ever in Carolyn Brown’s latest, Honky Tonk Christmas. Sharlene and Holt are a match made in honky tonk heaven. Holt is the hot, sexy guy with the heart of gold and Sharlene is the rock that every man needs in his life. I really liked Sharlene. She may have a tough exterior but she is also sweet. Holt is every woman’s dreams…good looking, loves children and goes after what he wants. Honky Tonk Christmas is the perfect Christmas gift.

[Virginia Hurley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Earlier reviewers were on point regarding the final outcome for the main character. The heroine should prevail given the internal fortitude needed for her to leave the small town where she grew up (along with the limited capacity family & community), accomplish with distinction a difficult specialty military career, and expand, in less than a year, a business which gives both her and her strong friends joy along with a solid sense of accomplishment while suffering quietly from PTSD! The author glides over the death of her longtime support animal at the beginning of the tale and then does not show her reconnecting to a new one in the rush to provide the ‘Happy Ever After” ending that appears contrived at her expense! This tale would have better served had the love interest showed more compassion rather than forcing the heroine to capitulate to the strong arm machinations of the family and community she had escaped from! There were so many missed opportunities in this book that I will only reluctantly go on to read other books from this author & series!

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted a sweet Christmas romance and loved the idea of one set in Texas.

What I got was a judgmental experience where a “cheap barmaid” could never be a good role model for children. By the time I finished it I was spitting mad and felt like women’s rights had been set back 100 years.

When you add in small continuity errors and editing I’m surprised I didn’t DNF this one.

[Erica Gabel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf at 4%

POV kept switching within the scene and I hate that in books.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, but I didn’t. I liked Sharlene in the previous story and wanted to know more about her. I did like both the Sharlene and Holt, plus Holt’s nephew and niece were very cute. I think my biggest problem was that a lot of the sayings and explanations for things had been done word for word in the other books in the series. (i.e. explanations of song lyrics and titles, cute little country sayings) Several times Sharlene goes through the history of the Honky Tonk and the previous owners. I could see doing this once for any new readers to the series, but more than that was too much. The other thing that bothered me in all the books, but mostly in this one was the “I can’t marry a barmaid” line that all the men gave. Holt said it several times. He didn’t want a barmaid to help raise his niece and nephew, but he let her take care of them everyday after school while he was working.

That said, I really love this author and will be reading more by her in the future.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, cliche ending

This began as an interesting story with some character roles that defied the ordinary. There was good suspense over the main character being able to find her own way when family manipulations threatened to force her back into an earlier mold— small town thinking (marry a bartender! OMG!) and conform to the ideas of people unable and unwilling to change. In addition, the boyfriend didn’t share his thinking with the main character but went on to make his own decisions and expect his love interest to fall in line. It made for an unsatisfying ending with characters unable to change and one (the woman, of course) capitulating to satisfy all the others. For those of us who escaped small town parameters and unwritten restrictions, it brought back all the claustrophobia of unenlightened thinking.

[Ceris Backstrom · Rating 1 out of 5]

The whole plot of this book is “bartender isn’t fit to be mother” and “woman must give up dreams to get man” and it WASNT EVEN SEXY!! They dead ads had sex ONCE and it was like a single paragraph of her being thrust into. This was porn without plot but also without porn. Insane that this was published! I have no idea who the target audience is. The only thing that get me through this was the amazing amount of hilarious cowboy talk.

[Shannon Telles lisowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fluff! Enough said. And it had enough mistakes in it to really tick me off. They are getting ready for a party that is being held on a Saturday and he announces that he will go get the kids from school. And would also pick them up the next two days as well from school..... Even Texas doesn't have school on Saturdays and Sundays.

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brown knows how to write her cowboys, well, Holt is not really a cowboy cowboy, but hey almost.

Sharlene is a war veteran, and honestly, this girl needs a support group. She was a sniper, and not allowed to talk about it, but suffers from ptsd. All her time goes to the Bar she has, the bar passed down from person to person as they find love and leave.

Hold is a contractor that she hires to get her bar some extra room. He has two adorable kids with him, and she will fall for them as much as she falls for him.

The drama then, well he is only passing through as this is a job, and she really loves her bar.

And everything will work out and everyone will live happily ever after.

Great narration with accents and everything that got me into the story. A sweet romance.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

honky Tonk Christmas by Carolyn Brown. Sharlene Waverly was in the army. Now she has nightmares. She was in charge of a machine gun killing people in the war. Now she runs a Honky Tonk bar. She loves it. She wants to expand the bar. She hires Holt Jackson. He is raising his six year old niece and nephew. They fall in love but Holt doesn't think a bar owner is right for his niece and nephew. Sharlene has a hard decision. To keep the bar or sell it and more to a ranch Holt is buying. A very good read.

[Heide Katros · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honky Tonk Christmas by Carolyn Brown

Carolyn Brown novels are becoming my addiction. Her stories take me back to the small town where I grew up. Ms.Brown creates people who seem real and to whom you can relate. They all run along the same story lines and you know they’ll end happily ever after and that is a hope we all live for. Ms.Brown’s stories will lift your spirits. Get one and try it and you’ll be as hooked as I am.
Reviewed by Heide Katros, Winter Haven News, Florida

‘

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Honky Tonk and Sharlene Waverly is the latest owner. She wants it to be the new and improved Honky Tonk. She has hired Holt Jackson and his construction company to build an addition. Of course there is a chemistry between Sharlene and Holt that cannot be denied but it sure can be ignored or they can try to ignore it. Read about the journey these two take to their happy ever after. I loved every minute of this book and was really sad for it to end.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read others in the series and was excited to read this one - until the last 2 or three chapters. Did it have a strong protagonist? Yes. Woman boss, knew exactly what she wanted, didn't hesitate to let her family and friends know. Did family and friends go behind her back? Yes! and that is where I feel the author let me down. Now I'm not sure if I'll read another one of this author's books...

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honey Tonk

I have just finished the Honky Tonk series and I love it as much as some of the other books. This author is so good , the heart ,the humor, the people you will love makes you want to go to the honky tonk for the boot scooting, down home fun,and friendly people there. Thank you Carolyn, just wish there was one more book to read

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

This ends the "charm" of the Honky Tonk bar. I'm sorry to see the series end. It has now come full circle, as Ruby was the first owner and Merle will be the last. Holt and Sharlene's chemistry is off the charts. Holt raising his sisters kids was a nice touch. I loved the kids from the very beginning. Very well done.

[Mellanie C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love Carolyn Brown, but this book really annoyed me. I couldn't stand that Holt, the "hero," had such a ridiculous view about Sharlene just because she was a barmaid (never mind that she owned the bar in question). It was so ridiculous that it kept taking me right out of the story. The whole sniper thing was kind of over the top, too.

[Diane Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book before. It was a bonus book with another author. Boy, what a bonus!! Glad I reread it. I really enjoyed Sharlene and Holt's tale. I liked seeing the whole crew and meeting new. Like the plot because it kept you interested. Looking forward to reading more from this talented storyteller.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted a cute little holiday ready and this checked the box but there were just a lot of unanswered issues & question marks.

And either I’m crazy or the author literally calls the hero the wrong name in one of the final paragraphs of the book lol. I had to re-read it three times & still was questioning it!

First by this author and I’m not sure I’m invested enough to read another one.

[lanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honky-tonk Christmas

Although formulaic, Carolyn Brown tells a good story. Her books are easy to read and contain nothing upsetting. I love reading about what these families eat at their many get togethers.

[lilly brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

I enjoyed Reding this one. I loved the characters and wished there was more story to tell. This is one of my favorite books that she has written and I have read just about all of them.
A must read .

[BONNIE DYAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely and utterly the most entertaining series of books

These are the most entertaining books, especially if you love all the emotions playing out in each one. I absolutely fell for these highly engrossing, funny, beautifully written stories. Bravo!!

[Gina W · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful ending to the Honkey Tonk books.

Once again Carolyn Brown has delivered another sweet romance book about a girl with a crunchy exterior falling in love with a sweet cowboy. This is a must read fourth book in the series.

[June Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story by Carolyn Brown.

Nothing is better than a Carolyn Brown cowboy book. She writes characters are believable situations that are funny, romantic and very entertaining.

[sherry young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book

I just love Carolyn Brown. I have never read a bad book by her. I can't say to much or I will give it away. Read it & all her books.Romantic , fiction is the way to go.

[Southern Oak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful characters

Carolyn Brown ALWAYS hits a home run and this book was right up there with her best. The emotional healing, the family ties and characters that are real, the tough choices people are always faced with make this a book hard to put down.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honky Toni Christmas!!

I loved this book. Carolyn is so gifted with her way with words. Sharlene is one feisty woman, I just loved her. Holt is one fine cowboy. Judd and Waylon are two of the best kids that I’ve read. Loved it

[Lydia Sadler]

This was a series I read out of order. The first one was My give a dams's busted and I thought it was a hoot. This is the final story of a bar called the Honky Tonk and the women who run it and the men who fall in love with them.