Carolyn Brown Books in Order

This page lists Carolyn Brown books in publication order by series, with standalone novels, novella placement, alternate titles, and current upcoming titles.

Carolyn Brown Books in Order

Quick Index

  • Scope: Carolyn Brown romance, women’s fiction, cowboy romance, historical romance, novellas, and nonfiction
  • Default Order: Publication order within each series
  • Best Starting Point: Love Drunk Cowboy for cowboy romance; The Ladies’ Room for standalone women’s fiction
  • Order Matters: Usually light to moderate; strongest inside connected ranch and town series
  • Includes: Lucky Cowboys, Spikes & Spurs, Honky Tonk, Longhorn Canyon, Paradise, and standalone novels
  • Not to be confused with: Carolyn Brown the dancer and author of Chance and Circumstance, or Carolyn Brown the historian

Reading Paths

1. Publication Order

Best catalog route for following each series as released.

  1. Choose a series.
  2. Begin with book 1 in that series.
  3. Continue in numbered order.
  4. Read standalone novels separately unless following the full-author path.

2. Cowboy Romance Path

Best for Brown’s western contemporary romance catalog.

  1. Lucky Cowboys
  2. Honky Tonk
  3. Spikes & Spurs
  4. Cowboys and Brides
  5. Burnt Boot, Texas
  6. Lucky Penny Ranch
  7. Happy, Texas
  8. Longhorn Canyon
  9. Ryan Family

3. Beginner Path

Compact route for trying the main catalog styles.

  1. Love Drunk Cowboy
  2. I Love This Bar
  3. The Ladies’ Room
  4. The Barefoot Summer
  5. Second Chance at Sunflower Ranch
  6. Meet Me in the Orchard

4. Completionist Path

Best for full bibliography tracking.

  1. Early historical and contemporary series
  2. Cowboy romance series
  3. Women’s fiction standalones
  4. Short stories and novellas
  5. Shared projects and anthologies
  6. Nonfiction and upcoming titles

Publication Order Master List

Catalog note: Modern order-list sources consistently place the main series and most standalones as listed below. Some bibliographies include earlier Kensington single titles before Love Is, but these are not carried consistently in the major order databases checked for this page.

Oklahoma Land Rush

  • Emma’s Folly (2001) – Novel – Oklahoma Land Rush 1
  • Violet’s Wish (2002) – Novel – Oklahoma Land Rush 2
  • Maggie’s Mistake (2002) – Novel – Oklahoma Land Rush 3
  • Just Grace (2003) – Novel – Oklahoma Land Rush 4

Promised Land

  • Willow (2003) – Novel – Promised Land 1
  • Velvet (2003) – Novel – Promised Land 2
  • Gypsy (2004) – Novel – Promised Land 3
  • Garnet (2004) – Novel – Promised Land 4
  • Augusta (2004) – Novel – Promised Land 5

Love’s Valley

  • Choices (2005) – Novel – Love’s Valley 1
  • Absolution (2005) – Novel – Love’s Valley 2
  • Chances (2005) – Novel – Love’s Valley 3
  • Redemption (2006) – Novel – Love’s Valley 4
  • Promises (2006) – Novel – Love’s Valley 5

Drifters and Dreamers

  • Morning Glory (2007) – Novel – Drifters and Dreamers 1
  • Sweet Tilly (2007) – Novel – Drifters and Dreamers 2
  • Evening Star (2007) – Novel – Drifters and Dreamers 3

Broken Roads

  • To Trust (2007) – Novel – Broken Roads 1
  • To Commit (2008) – Novel – Broken Roads 2
  • To Believe (2008) – Novel – Broken Roads 3
  • To Dream (2009) – Novel – Broken Roads 4
  • To Hope (2009) – Novel – Broken Roads 5

Black Swan Historical Romance

  • Pushin’ Up Daisies (2009) – Novel – Black Swan 1
  • From Thin Air (2009) – Novel – Black Swan 2
  • Come High Water (2010) – Novel – Black Swan 3

Lucky Cowboys

  • Lucky in Love (2009) – Novel – Lucky Cowboys 1
  • One Lucky Cowboy (2009) – Novel – Lucky Cowboys 2
  • Getting Lucky (2010) – Novel – Lucky Cowboys 3
  • Talk Cowboy to Me (2017) – Novel – Lucky Cowboys 4

Honky Tonk

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

Angels and Outlaws

  • From Wine to Water (2010) – Novel – Angels and Outlaws 1
  • Walkin’ on Clouds (2011) – Novel – Angels and Outlaws 2
  • A Trick of the Light (2011) – Novel – Angels and Outlaws 3

Spikes and Spurs

  • Love Drunk Cowboy (2011) – Novel – Spikes and Spurs 1
  • The Honeymoon Inn (2011) – Novel – Spikes and Spurs 2
  • Just in Time for Christmas (2011) – Novel – Spikes and Spurs 3
  • One Hot Cowboy Wedding (2012) – Novel – Spikes and Spurs 4
  • Christmas at Home (2012) – Novel – Spikes and Spurs 5
  • Just a Cowboy and His Baby (2012) – Novel – Spikes and Spurs 6
  • Cowboy Seeks Bride (2013) – Novel – Spikes and Spurs 7
  • Summertime on the Ranch (2021) – Novella – Spikes and Spurs 8
  • Love Struck Café (2022) – Novella – Spikes and Spurs 9

Three Magic Words

  • A Forever Thing (2011) – Novel – Three Magic Words 1
  • In Shining Whatever (2012) – Novel – Three Magic Words 2
  • Life After Wife (2013) – Novel – Three Magic Words 3

Cowboys and Brides

  • The Billion Dollar Cowboy (2013) – Novel – Cowboys and Brides 1
  • The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby (2013) – Novel – Cowboys and Brides 2
  • The Cowboy’s Mail Order Bride (2014) – Novel – Cowboys and Brides 3
  • How to Marry a Cowboy (2014) – Novel – Cowboys and Brides 4

Cadillac, Texas

  • The Sisters Café (2013) – Novel – Cadillac, Texas 1
  • The Shop on Main Street (2014) – Novel – Cadillac, Texas 2
  • The Yellow Rose Beauty Shop (2015) – Novel – Cadillac, Texas 3
  • The Wedding Pearls (2015) – Novel – Cadillac, Texas 4

Burnt Boot, Texas

  • Holidays on the Ranch (2014) – Novel – Burnt Boot, Texas 1
  • The Trouble with Texas Cowboys (2015) – Novel – Burnt Boot, Texas 2
  • One Texas Cowboy Too Many (2016) – Novel – Burnt Boot, Texas 3
  • A Cowboy Christmas Miracle (2016) – Novel – Burnt Boot, Texas 4

Canyon

  • Long, Hot Texas Summer (2014) – Novel – Canyon 1
  • Daisies in the Canyon (2014) – Novel – Canyon 2
  • Wildflower Ranch (2020) – Novel – Canyon 2.5
  • Sunrise Ranch (2020) – Novel – Canyon 3

Lucky Penny Ranch

  • Wild Cowboy Ways (2015) – Novel – Lucky Penny Ranch 1
  • Hot Cowboy Nights (2016) – Novel – Lucky Penny Ranch 2
  • Merry Cowboy Christmas (2016) – Novel – Lucky Penny Ranch 3
  • Wicked Cowboy Charm (2017) – Novel – Lucky Penny Ranch 4

Happy, Texas

  • Toughest Cowboy in Texas (2017) – Novel – Happy, Texas 1
  • Long, Tall Cowboy Christmas (2017) – Novel – Happy, Texas 2
  • The Luckiest Cowboy of All (2018) – Novel – Happy, Texas 3

Longhorn Canyon

  • Cowboy Bold (2018) – Novel – Longhorn Canyon 1
  • Cowboy Honor (2018) – Novel – Longhorn Canyon 2
  • Cowboy Brave (2019) – Novel – Longhorn Canyon 3
  • Cowboy Rebel (2019) – Novel – Longhorn Canyon 4
  • Christmas with a Cowboy (2019) – Novel – Longhorn Canyon 5
  • Cowboy Courage (2020) – Novel – Longhorn Canyon 6
  • Cowboy Strong (2020) – Novel – Longhorn Canyon 7

Ryan Family

  • Second Chance at Sunflower Ranch (2021) – Novel – Ryan Family 1
  • Texas Homecoming (2022) – Novel – Ryan Family 2
  • Buttercup Farms (2023) – Novel – Ryan Family 3

Sisters in Paradise

  • Paradise for Christmas (2023) – Novel – Sisters in Paradise 1
  • Sisters in Paradise (2024) – Novel – Sisters in Paradise 2
  • Coming Home to Paradise (2024) – Novel – Sisters in Paradise 3

Paradise

  • Meet Me in the Orchard (2025) – Novel – Paradise 1
  • A Little Christmas Matchmaking (2025) – Novel – Paradise 2
  • Until It Gets Real (2026) – Novel – Paradise 3

Town of Sunny

  • Taking Sides (2027) – Novel – Town of Sunny 1 – Upcoming

Standalone Novels

  • Love Is (1999) – Novel – Standalone
  • A Falling Star (2000) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Yard Rose (2000) – Novel – Standalone
  • All the Way from Texas (2000) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Ivy Tree (2001) – Novel – Standalone
  • Lily’s White Lace (2001) – Novel – Standalone
  • That Way Again (2003) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Wager (2005) – Novel – Standalone
  • Trouble in Paradise (2005) – Novel – Standalone
  • The PMS Club (2006) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Dove (2008) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Ladies’ Room (2011) – Novel – Standalone
  • Hidden Secrets (2012) – Novel – Standalone
  • Bride for a Day (2014) – Novel – Standalone
  • Honky Tonk Angel (2014) – Novel – Standalone
  • On the Way to Us (2014) – Novel – Standalone
  • Red River Deep (2014) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Lullaby Sky (2016) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Barefoot Summer (2017) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Lilac Bouquet (2017) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Strawberry Hearts Diner (2017) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Sometimes Sisters (2018) – Novel – Standalone
  • Small Town Rumors (2018) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Magnolia Inn (2019) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Perfect Dress (2019) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Empty Nesters (2019) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Family Journal (2019) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Banty House (2020) – Novel – Standalone
  • Miss Janie’s Girls (2020) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Daydream Cabin (2020) – Novel – Standalone
  • Hummingbird Lane (2021) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Hope Chest (2021) – Novel – Standalone
  • Secrets in the Sand (2021) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Sunshine Club (2021) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Bluebonnet Battle (2022) – Novel – Standalone
  • Riverbend Reunion (2022) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Sandcastle Hurricane (2022) – Novel – Standalone
  • A Chance Inheritance (2023) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Devine Doughnut Shop (2023) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Wedding Gift (2023) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Lucky Shamrock (2023) – Novel – Standalone
  • Meadow Falls (2024) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Sawmill Book Club (2024) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Party Line (2024) – Novel – Standalone
  • Bed of Roses (2025) – Novel – Standalone – With Caylee Hammack
  • The Paradise Petition (2025) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Wild Card (2025) – Novel – Standalone
  • From Fantasy to Reality (2026) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Tomorrow Tree (2026) – Novel – Standalone
  • Unforgettable (2026) – Novel – Standalone
  • The Purple Thistles (2026) – Novel – Standalone – Upcoming

Short Stories and Novellas

  • The Third Wish (2017) – Short story – Standalone
  • Small Town Charm (2021) – Novella – Standalone
  • The Matchmakers (2022) – Novella – Standalone
  • Chasing Dreams (2023) – Novella – Standalone
  • Mother’s Day Crown (2023) – Novella – Standalone
  • Paint Me Happy (2026) – Novella – Standalone

Nonfiction

  • That’s The Way It Was In… 1980 (2026) – Nonfiction

Related Works and Where They Fit

Alternate Titles

  • The Honeymoon Inn – Also published as Red’s Hot Cowboy.
  • Just in Time for Christmas – Also published as Darn Good Cowboy Christmas.
  • Christmas at Home – Also published as Mistletoe Cowboy.
  • The Sisters Café – Also published as What Happens in Texas and The Blue-Ribbon Jalapeño Society Jubilee.
  • The Shop on Main Street – Also published as A Heap of Texas Trouble and The Red-Hot Chili Cookoff.
  • Holidays on the Ranch – Also published as Cowboy Boots for Christmas.
  • Wild Cowboy Ways – Also published as Home of the Heart.
  • The Luckiest Cowboy of All – Also published as Hometown Cowboy.
  • On the Way to Us – Also published as An Old Love’s Shadow.

Shared Projects and Contributions

  • To Catch a Bouquet (2015) – Novella – Princess Cruises Presents
  • A Little Country Christmas (2020) – Collection – With other authors
  • Tiny Blessings (2024) – Collection – With Stacy Finz and Fern Michaels
  • Lilac Time (2025) – Collection – With Lori Foster and Fern Michaels
  • Once Upon a Time in the South (2027) – Collection – Upcoming

Early Standalone Bibliography Note

  • This Time Forever (1997) – Early Kensington title – Needs official-bibliography confirmation before placement in the master list
  • Love Is the Answer (1997) – Early Kensington title – Needs official-bibliography confirmation before placement in the master list
  • Winning Angel (1998) – Early Kensington title – Needs official-bibliography confirmation before placement in the master list
  • For the Love of Mercy (1999) – Early Kensington title – Needs official-bibliography confirmation before placement in the master list

Dependencies & Notes

  • Most Carolyn Brown series can be read by series rather than by full-author chronology.
  • Publication order is the clearest default for recurring towns, ranch families, and holiday-linked titles.
  • Lucky Cowboys and Lucky Penny Ranch are separate series.
  • Paradise and Sisters in Paradise are separate catalog lines.
  • The Canyon has a 2.5 placement for Wildflower Ranch.
  • Honky Tonk has four core novels, followed by the later novella A Slow Dance Holiday.
  • Spikes and Spurs includes later shorter works after the original seven core novels.
  • Alternate titles are important for avoiding duplicate purchases.
  • Standalone women’s fiction titles do not require series reading.

FAQs

What Carolyn Brown book should I read first?

Start with Love Drunk Cowboy for cowboy romance, or The Ladies’ Room for a standalone women’s fiction entry.

Do Carolyn Brown books need to be read in order?

Read connected series in publication order. Standalone novels can be read in any order.

What is the order of the Spikes and Spurs books?

Begin with Love Drunk Cowboy, then The Honeymoon Inn, Just in Time for Christmas, One Hot Cowboy Wedding, Christmas at Home, Just a Cowboy and His Baby, Cowboy Seeks Bride, Summertime on the Ranch, and Love Struck Café.

What is the order of Carolyn Brown’s Longhorn Canyon series?

Read Cowboy Bold, Cowboy Honor, Cowboy Brave, Cowboy Rebel, Christmas with a Cowboy, Cowboy Courage, and Cowboy Strong.

Are Carolyn Brown’s Paradise books connected to Sisters in Paradise?

They are listed as separate series. Read each series internally in publication order.

What book is Luck of the Draw?

Luck of the Draw appears to have been retitled before publication. Order sources identify the final published title as Talk Cowboy to Me.

What is Carolyn Brown’s most recent known release?

As of this check, That’s The Way It Was In… 1980 is the most recent listed release, and Paint Me Happy is the most recent listed fiction-format release.

What Carolyn Brown books are upcoming?

Upcoming titles include The Tomorrow Tree, Until It Gets Real, Unforgettable, The Purple Thistles, Once Upon a Time in the South, and Taking Sides.

Change Log

  • Last checked: June 15, 2026
  • What changed: Added 2026 and 2027 upcoming titles; separated Paradise from Sisters in Paradise; added alternate-title notes; flagged early Kensington titles for official-bibliography verification.
  • Most recent known release included: That’s The Way It Was In… 1980 (2026)