Carolyn Brown Books in Order

Where to Start with Carolyn Brown

With more than 100 books spanning multiple decades, New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown has mastered the art of the small-town romance and emotional women's fiction. If you are new to her warm, folksy, and humorous stories, there are three primary paths you can take to dive into her bibliography:

• The Cowboy Romance Path: Start with Love Drunk Cowboy (2011), the first book in her beloved Spikes & Spurs series. It features a city girl inheriting a watermelon farm and clashing with a charming local cowboy, showcasing the best of Brown's sassy banter and romantic tension.
• The Women's Fiction Path: Pick up the standalone novel The Sometimes Sisters (2018), a heartwarming story about three estranged sisters who must reunite to run their grandmother's lakeside tavern. It is a perfect introduction to her focus on family dynamics, resilience, and second chances.
• The Historical Western Path: Start with Emma's Folly (2001), the beginning of the Oklahoma Land Rush series. It delivers rugged, late 19th-century adventure combined with feisty heroines and historical grit.

Crucial Reader Tip: Watch Out for Alternate Titles!

Before you run to your local bookstore or library, here is a vital piece of advice: Carolyn Brown’s books have occasionally been republished under different titles. To make sure you do not buy the same story twice, keep an eye out for these alternate titles identified from her publishing history:

• Red's Hot Cowboy is also published as The Honeymoon Inn.
• Darn Good Cowboy Christmas is also published as Just in Time for Christmas.
• Mistletoe Cowboy is also published as Christmas at Home.
• The Blue-Ribbon Jalapeno Society Jubilee is also known as What Happens in Texas or The Sisters Cafe.
• The Red-Hot Chili Cook-Off is also known as A Heap of Texas Trouble or The Shop on Main Street.
• Cowboy Boots for Christmas is also known as Holidays on the Ranch.
• Luckiest Cowboy of All is also known as Hometown Cowboy.

Contemporary Cowboy & Western Romance Series

Carolyn Brown is best known for her rugged Texas and Oklahoma cowboys. These series are contemporary romances that are mostly self-contained, but they are best read in publication order to appreciate recurring characters and community updates.

Spikes & Spurs Series

Set in rural Texas, this is one of her signature cowboy romance runs. Read them in this order:

1. Love Drunk Cowboy (2011)
2. Red's Hot Cowboy / The Honeymoon Inn (2011)
3. Darn Good Cowboy Christmas / Just in Time for Christmas (2011)
4. One Hot Cowboy Wedding (2012)
5. Mistletoe Cowboy / Christmas at Home (2012)
6. Just a Cowboy and His Baby (2012)
7. Cowboy Seeks Bride (2013)
8. Summertime on the Ranch (2021)
9. Love Struck Café (2022)

Cowboys & Brides Series

A fun, lighthearted series focusing on cowboys finding love. Read them in order:

1. The Billion Dollar Cowboy (2013)
2. The Cowboy's Christmas Baby (2013)
3. The Cowboy's Mail Order Bride (2014)
4. How to Marry a Cowboy (2014)

Rocky Mountain Riders Series

Taking a trip to the Rockies, this series features rugged mountain cowboys. Read them in order:

1. Hometown Cowboy (2017)
2. Comeback Cowboy (2017)
3. Renegade Cowboy (2017)
4. Rocky Mountain Cowboy (2018)
5. True-Blue Cowboy (2018)
6. Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas (2018)
7. Colorado Cowboy (2019)
8. A Cowboy for Christmas (2019)

Texas Rodeo Series

For readers who love the high stakes and dust of the arena. Read them in order:

1. Reckless in Texas (2016)
2. Tangled in Texas (2017)
3. Tougher in Texas (2017)
4. Fearless in Texas (2018)
5. Mistletoe in Texas (2018)
6. Relentless in Texas (2020)

Longhorn Canyon Series

A series detailing the lives and loves of the residents of Longhorn Canyon. Read them in order:

1. Cowboy Bold (2018)
2. Cowboy Honor (2018)
3. Cowboy Brave (2019)
4. Cowboy Rebel (2019)
5. Christmas with a Cowboy (2019)
6. Cowboy Courage (2020)
7. Cowboy Strong (2020)

Small-Town & Contemporary Romance Series

In addition to cowboys, Carolyn Brown writes fantastic contemporary stories set in small-town businesses like diners, bars, and cafes. These feature strong women, community networks, and plenty of laughs.

Honky Tonk Series

A beloved series focused on the characters revolving around a local Texas honky tonk bar. Read them in order:

1. I Love This Bar (2010)
2. Hell, Yeah (2010)
3. My Give a Damn's Busted (2010)
4. Honky Tonk Christmas (2010)
5. A Slow Dance Holiday (2020)

Cadillac, Texas Series

Centered around the colorful community of Cadillac, Texas. Read them in order:

1. The Blue-Ribbon Jalapeno Society Jubilee / What Happens in Texas / The Sisters Cafe (2013)
2. The Red-Hot Chili Cook-Off / A Heap of Texas Trouble / The Shop on Main Street (2014)
3. The Yellow Rose Beauty Shop (2015)
4. The Wedding Pearls (2015)

Sisters in Paradise Series

A newer series following sisters finding their way back to family and love. Read them in order:

1. Paradise for Christmas (2023)
2. Sisters in Paradise (2024)
3. Coming Home to Paradise (2024)

Chapel of Love Series

Focuses on brides and weddings in a small-town chapel. Read them in order:

1. A Fairytale Bride (2016)
2. A Christmas Bride (2016)
3. A Small-Town Bride (2017)
4. Here Comes the Bride (2017)
5. The Bride Next Door (2018)

Historical Romance Series

Carolyn Brown’s historical western romances are set in the 19th century and deal with pioneers, mail-order brides, and land rushes. They are packed with historical details and the same sassy wit she brings to her contemporary novels.

Oklahoma Land Rush Series

Follows the lives and loves of pioneers settling in Oklahoma. Read them in order:

1. Emma's Folly (2001)
2. Violet's Wish (2002)
3. Maggie's Mistake (2002)
4. Just Grace (2003)

The Promised Land Series

A historical western saga following strong heroines. Read them in order:

1. Willow (2003)
2. Velvet (2003)
3. Gypsy (2004)
4. Garnet (2004)
5. Augusta (2004)