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The Love's Valley #3
Chances
Adelida Broussau took a big chance by saying she was Rueben Hamilton's new bride. But even a rat will stand up and fight when it's cornered and she was surely feeling the pinch of being pushed in the corner. Her sister, Maria, was dead. Her sorry, Yankee loving brother-in-law, Victor, had issued her an ultimatum to be out of New Orleans by night, or else; then stole the rest of her money so she couldn't leave. Then there was Rueben, hit on the head for attempting to thwart a bank robbery, his memory gone and leavingtown that very day. All she had to do was say she was truly his wife. Everyone in the chaos after the robbery already thought they were newlyweds. So she took a big chance andlet them go right on believing she was. Rueben Hamilton went to New Orleans from southern Pennsylvania at the request of the President of the United States to help with the reconstruction of Louisiana after the Civil War. He'd gone into the bank to finish his business before boarding The Queen for the first leg of his journey home. He didn't remember the bank robbery. All he remembered was awakingwith a headache, no memory, and a wife fresh from the Acadian bayou country. None of it made a bit of sense. It was supposed to take a month for them to reach Love's Valley, an obscure little valley near Shirleysburg, Pennsylvania. That was if everything went according to plan and Rueben's memory didn't return; if he didn't toss Adelida off at the next port of call to fend for herself, or worse,throw her overboard. But fate played her hand and dealt the two of them some unforeseen cards that turned their world upside down. Their hearts didn't care that there'd been a war and it was the worst possible time for a Yankee soldier and a Louisiana bayou woman to fall in love. But listening to the stirrings of hearts bound for love isn't an easy thing to do.
185 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2005
446 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Brown
185Ìýbooks4,031ÌýfollowersHi! 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 46 reviews
November 22, 2022
Book 3 in the "Love's Valley" series. Monroe's brother is ready to go home since his last military posting, for Reconstruction in New Orleans, and his military service, are over, and he longsnfor Love's Valley on PA.
Adelida lost her mother when she was very young, and her 3 brothers died fighting for the Confederacy, then her father sickened for grief at losing his 3 sons, and died of a broken heart. She sold the bateau, their houseboat, so she could bury her father. Her sister, Marie, had married a man who turned out to be pure evil. She and Marie had a small joint bank account in just their names. Marie died in a freak accident that Adelida feels was no accident at all. She goes to withdraw the money from their account, but in 1866, a widower owns all his wife had, even if his name wasn't on the account, and Marie's Yankee spy husband - who has given Adelida 24 hours to leave if she wants to live, while leaving her nothing with which to leave - has cleaned out their account, leaving Adelida penniless.
On their way into the bank, a preoccupied Reuben and a distracted Adelida collide, and Reuben is so tangled up in her petticoats that he is desperately attempting to extricate himself without tearing her clothes or turning red as he profusely apologizes for running into her. He finally frees himself, stands, and tries to give her a hand up, but she insists on standing under her own power, while forgiving him. He escorts her into thee bank, where she discovers her penury and he withdraws a substantial sum. Just then, 3 bank robbers come in. Reuben has a gun in his shoulder holster but when he tries, slyly, to reach for it, a robber clubs him in the head. Since he was sitting beside Adelida, when he keels over towards her, his weight dumps both, and she finds herself on the floor with his bleeding head in her lap. Someone who had been in back had sent for help. The doctor sewed him up and as he regained consciousness, he remembered nothing. Assuming she was his wife, the doctor continued to give them both instructions on care and regaining of memory.
Earlier Reuben, conversing after the collision and before he wlas clubbwd in the bank, had told her that he was going on a ship from New Orleans to Baltimore, then by train and stage home. Reuben had been at a wedding the night before; his friend & cousin had gotten married and his head had already been pounding from too much liquor when he collided with Adelida. He had some flashbacks to a wedding, enough that when she told him they were married, he believed her. She knew this was her only chance to get away from the vicious Victor before he killed her, and he'd said his home was in the mountains, which she'd always wanted to see. The stateroom he and his cousin had reserved would be empty on one side. The 2 of them got her trunk and made it to the ship in time.
And so began their adventures, as he regained his memories, a hurricane sank their ship, and they made it to an islet in the barrier islands that paralleled most coastlines. There, her skills living in the bayou on a bateau help feed them and help them survive, and lead to discoveries of all sorts before they are rescued. The boat that rescued them has a nasty captain, and a suspicious one, and soon they're dodging spies and fighting for their lives. Reuben meets his brother at a a prearranged spot, where his younger brother Reed is still serving out his enlistment. As their charade as newlyweds continues, will anything real come of it, as happened with Monroe and his feisty Southern Irish-Mexican wife, or his now feisty cousin and her Irish-Mexican husband (brother to Monroe's wife), or will she see the mountains and then return to the Bayou?
Adelida lost her mother when she was very young, and her 3 brothers died fighting for the Confederacy, then her father sickened for grief at losing his 3 sons, and died of a broken heart. She sold the bateau, their houseboat, so she could bury her father. Her sister, Marie, had married a man who turned out to be pure evil. She and Marie had a small joint bank account in just their names. Marie died in a freak accident that Adelida feels was no accident at all. She goes to withdraw the money from their account, but in 1866, a widower owns all his wife had, even if his name wasn't on the account, and Marie's Yankee spy husband - who has given Adelida 24 hours to leave if she wants to live, while leaving her nothing with which to leave - has cleaned out their account, leaving Adelida penniless.
On their way into the bank, a preoccupied Reuben and a distracted Adelida collide, and Reuben is so tangled up in her petticoats that he is desperately attempting to extricate himself without tearing her clothes or turning red as he profusely apologizes for running into her. He finally frees himself, stands, and tries to give her a hand up, but she insists on standing under her own power, while forgiving him. He escorts her into thee bank, where she discovers her penury and he withdraws a substantial sum. Just then, 3 bank robbers come in. Reuben has a gun in his shoulder holster but when he tries, slyly, to reach for it, a robber clubs him in the head. Since he was sitting beside Adelida, when he keels over towards her, his weight dumps both, and she finds herself on the floor with his bleeding head in her lap. Someone who had been in back had sent for help. The doctor sewed him up and as he regained consciousness, he remembered nothing. Assuming she was his wife, the doctor continued to give them both instructions on care and regaining of memory.
Earlier Reuben, conversing after the collision and before he wlas clubbwd in the bank, had told her that he was going on a ship from New Orleans to Baltimore, then by train and stage home. Reuben had been at a wedding the night before; his friend & cousin had gotten married and his head had already been pounding from too much liquor when he collided with Adelida. He had some flashbacks to a wedding, enough that when she told him they were married, he believed her. She knew this was her only chance to get away from the vicious Victor before he killed her, and he'd said his home was in the mountains, which she'd always wanted to see. The stateroom he and his cousin had reserved would be empty on one side. The 2 of them got her trunk and made it to the ship in time.
And so began their adventures, as he regained his memories, a hurricane sank their ship, and they made it to an islet in the barrier islands that paralleled most coastlines. There, her skills living in the bayou on a bateau help feed them and help them survive, and lead to discoveries of all sorts before they are rescued. The boat that rescued them has a nasty captain, and a suspicious one, and soon they're dodging spies and fighting for their lives. Reuben meets his brother at a a prearranged spot, where his younger brother Reed is still serving out his enlistment. As their charade as newlyweds continues, will anything real come of it, as happened with Monroe and his feisty Southern Irish-Mexican wife, or his now feisty cousin and her Irish-Mexican husband (brother to Monroe's wife), or will she see the mountains and then return to the Bayou?
December 6, 2020
That Cajun Woman
Loved Adelida (the Rebel). She was more sassy than Esmeralda. She was wild, bold, beautiful, and from the Bayou. Adelina had skills that helped her and Rueben (the Yankee) survive on the island. Just like Esmeralda, she hitched a ride with Rueben to Love's Valley, but she pretended to be his wife. I guess they butted heads enough that the eventually fell in love. This story had adventure just like books 1&2. However, with no epilogue too much was left hanging? Did the get married? How much was the treasure worth? Did she ever go back to Louisiana and deal with her brother-in-law?
Loved Adelida (the Rebel). She was more sassy than Esmeralda. She was wild, bold, beautiful, and from the Bayou. Adelina had skills that helped her and Rueben (the Yankee) survive on the island. Just like Esmeralda, she hitched a ride with Rueben to Love's Valley, but she pretended to be his wife. I guess they butted heads enough that the eventually fell in love. This story had adventure just like books 1&2. However, with no epilogue too much was left hanging? Did the get married? How much was the treasure worth? Did she ever go back to Louisiana and deal with her brother-in-law?
July 31, 2022
Oh yes. Much better.
I was disappointed with the first book of this series. But I'm happy to announce that since then, they've only been better.
It's a very easy read, which is nice. No heavy flowery descriptions . No burdensome language - by this I mean that some authors want to show off their vocabulary. Fine. I know big words too. But really? I just want a good story. The plots are good and the characters are interesting and entertaining.
I'm now off to get the next one. Book 4. Cheers.
I was disappointed with the first book of this series. But I'm happy to announce that since then, they've only been better.
It's a very easy read, which is nice. No heavy flowery descriptions . No burdensome language - by this I mean that some authors want to show off their vocabulary. Fine. I know big words too. But really? I just want a good story. The plots are good and the characters are interesting and entertaining.
I'm now off to get the next one. Book 4. Cheers.
August 8, 2020
Hurray for Carolyn Brown's Love's Valley Historical series!
Picking up Carolyn Brown 's "Chances" is like having a visit with an old friend! The ride on the ship, getting marooned on an island off the coast of Florida after the hurricane sinks there ship. What a fast paced adventure! New adventures around every corner. I was almost afraid to put it down, and this was my Third time to read it! Very entertaining!!
Picking up Carolyn Brown 's "Chances" is like having a visit with an old friend! The ride on the ship, getting marooned on an island off the coast of Florida after the hurricane sinks there ship. What a fast paced adventure! New adventures around every corner. I was almost afraid to put it down, and this was my Third time to read it! Very entertaining!!
June 26, 2021
Having read the earlier books in the series I looked forward to this one and was not disappointed. The story was fun and fast moving. It gave some insights into what everyday life at the time could be like. The story also emphasized that there are always greedy people who will take any advantage they can to further their own interests even if it hurts others which is a sad commentary on humanity. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
February 8, 2018
Another Good Story
Ms. Brown, once again, I'm finding magic in your books. If you have a notebook of sorts in which to write story ideas, I would imagine that about an entire gross of them are full by now. Thanks for your fertile mind and abundant energy. Your characters read as though they might be encountered just around a corner on any given day. That works well for me.
Ms. Brown, once again, I'm finding magic in your books. If you have a notebook of sorts in which to write story ideas, I would imagine that about an entire gross of them are full by now. Thanks for your fertile mind and abundant energy. Your characters read as though they might be encountered just around a corner on any given day. That works well for me.
August 17, 2018
Always a good read! Ms. Brown is a storyteller with humor and very good character development. As per usual, I want to know more of the characters story after the book has ended. So glad these characters are part of a series. More to come.
For anyone who, like I. have been hooked by Carolyn Brown! Enjoy each of the novels in this series and beyond!
For anyone who, like I. have been hooked by Carolyn Brown! Enjoy each of the novels in this series and beyond!
June 6, 2019
A good story from being to end
This was a well written story about a soldier from the north being "tricked" by a woman from the south, so she could escape her circumstances. Never knew what their next escapade was going to be. Love the fact that they were headed to Shirleysburg, PA..close to where I grew up. There is actually an old fort in Shirleysburg.
This was a well written story about a soldier from the north being "tricked" by a woman from the south, so she could escape her circumstances. Never knew what their next escapade was going to be. Love the fact that they were headed to Shirleysburg, PA..close to where I grew up. There is actually an old fort in Shirleysburg.
August 20, 2024
I'm sorry to reach the end of this story!
The books in this series get better and better! Reuben and Adelida had an action packed love story which just actually began when the book ended! I want to learn more about them! And I definitely want to see the hateful Indigo get put in her place!
The books in this series get better and better! Reuben and Adelida had an action packed love story which just actually began when the book ended! I want to learn more about them! And I definitely want to see the hateful Indigo get put in her place!
June 19, 2019
Love this book
I have to say I have read 3 of the Love's valley books so far and I love them all so far.
I am in love with all of the thrills, and romance that these books bring.
Carolyn Brown is an amazing author.
Now on to the next book of Loves valley.
I have to say I have read 3 of the Love's valley books so far and I love them all so far.
I am in love with all of the thrills, and romance that these books bring.
Carolyn Brown is an amazing author.
Now on to the next book of Loves valley.
August 12, 2019
Enjoyable reading
Not really a fan of historical fiction but Chances was an interesting story. The characters were rather annoying at times. I doubt that I will read the second book.
I'm more a fan of the author's modern day books.
Not really a fan of historical fiction but Chances was an interesting story. The characters were rather annoying at times. I doubt that I will read the second book.
I'm more a fan of the author's modern day books.
December 14, 2019
Superb.
Very interesting plot. Enjoyed this love story with all the fascinating characters. I loved the perky spirits they had.
Lots of mystery involved here too. My first read with this Author. Want to read more of her work.
Very interesting plot. Enjoyed this love story with all the fascinating characters. I loved the perky spirits they had.
Lots of mystery involved here too. My first read with this Author. Want to read more of her work.
April 16, 2020
Didn’t feel the love blooming between these characters. Unusual for Carolyn Brown. Usually you fall right with them. This got more and more comfortable like your favorite shoes. No hot romance just shared experience that made it easy to be together.
June 26, 2020
Loved this book. The intrigue and containing of danger with romance. Rate this a ten.
Great read. Loved the characters. I recommend this and any other books by Carolyn Brown. I have loved this one and other books that she has written.
Great read. Loved the characters. I recommend this and any other books by Carolyn Brown. I have loved this one and other books that she has written.
March 30, 2021
some good adventures with shipwrecks and kidnapping and treasure.
little predictable as a romance. With the couple fighting each other from their opposite ends of the civil war, Their almost constant fighting made me wonder if they weren’t better off as enemies.
little predictable as a romance. With the couple fighting each other from their opposite ends of the civil war, Their almost constant fighting made me wonder if they weren’t better off as enemies.
August 13, 2022
Amnesia, hurricane, deserted island and pirate treasure!
Perfect ingredients for the perfect love story!! Enjoyed reading the 3rd in this series. Happy to see that it could stand alone, but enjoyed catching up with the family at the end. Ok to #4!!
Perfect ingredients for the perfect love story!! Enjoyed reading the 3rd in this series. Happy to see that it could stand alone, but enjoyed catching up with the family at the end. Ok to #4!!
January 3, 2023
wonderful series
Loved this series. The characters were strong and full of depth. Each book stood on its own and filled with humor and feelings. Carolyn this was one of your very best
Loved this series. The characters were strong and full of depth. Each book stood on its own and filled with humor and feelings. Carolyn this was one of your very best
April 11, 2023
So kiss her already!
It took the whole book, right down to the last page to get them to admit their love. Plenty of opportunity to mess it up and walk away but the didn’t. At the very last also somebody finally admits that the north south thing was bogus too.
It took the whole book, right down to the last page to get them to admit their love. Plenty of opportunity to mess it up and walk away but the didn’t. At the very last also somebody finally admits that the north south thing was bogus too.
June 24, 2023
Exciting, fast moving and gripping.
A good yarn, full of pirates, treasure chests, skeletons and villains. But true love will conquer. I loved as much as some of the stories from my childhood, although with more adult themes.
A good yarn, full of pirates, treasure chests, skeletons and villains. But true love will conquer. I loved as much as some of the stories from my childhood, although with more adult themes.
July 20, 2017
Getting Married!
This was a fun read and I love the way you write about a the quality of life in this case.
This was a fun read and I love the way you write about a the quality of life in this case.
June 2, 2018
Better than better!
I can't say best yet because, I have two more books to read in this series. They just keep getting better
I can't say best yet because, I have two more books to read in this series. They just keep getting better
July 28, 2018
Lots of adventure. It was fun following the journey of Rueben and Adelida. I wish it was longer.
July 28, 2019
LOVED IT
It was so sweet to read how they fought and how they fell in love. Such a sweet and entertaining story!
It was so sweet to read how they fought and how they fell in love. Such a sweet and entertaining story!
September 20, 2019
Chances
This is a good story with many twists and turns that keeps you reading. The characters were complex and fun.
This is a good story with many twists and turns that keeps you reading. The characters were complex and fun.
September 20, 2019
Another great read!!
Interesting and could barely put it down! Can hardly wait to read the next book!! Keep them going Carolyn Brown is an outstanding
Interesting and could barely put it down! Can hardly wait to read the next book!! Keep them going Carolyn Brown is an outstanding
November 10, 2019
Good quick read!
February 26, 2020
Once I started reading, couldn't put this one down. Read t this in one day! Loving this series as much as Carolyn Brown's other series.
June 25, 2020
Lovely story! Easy read.
October 18, 2020
Very enjoyable.
June 22, 2021
Love's Valley
Enjoyed the book. It was a captiving. It keep my interest. Got to see what happened next. Easy to follow
Enjoyed the book. It was a captiving. It keep my interest. Got to see what happened next. Easy to follow
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