The Strawberry Hearts Diner

Due to be released July 18, 2017

THE STRAWBERRY HEARTS DINER
by
Carolyn Brown

• Number: B01MQO8WSU
• Release: July 18, 2017
• Author: Carolyn Brown
• Availability: E-Book
• Genre: Romance
• Tags: * Contemporary, Women's Fiction
• Publisher: Montlake Romance

Being broke, unemployed, and stranded back in the tiny town of Pick, Texas, was not part of Jancy Wilson’s plan. Yet here she is, watching her car literally go up in smoke—along with her last-ditch hope of staying with her cousin in Louisiana. When Jancy spies a Help Wanted sign hanging in the window of the quaint Strawberry Hearts Diner, the memories of the two years she spent there as a teenager—and the lure of the diner’s beloved strawberry tarts—are enough to draw her in and plant her feet…but only temporarily. Raised by parents who refused to settle anywhere for long, Jancy has never known what it is to have roots. Now that Jancy’s swept up by the warmth and character of this quirky little community—and by the pull of an old crush—it’s beginning to feel like home. She’s making friends and even discovering the sweetness of falling in love. But when the town is threatened, Jancy knows it will take more than its legendary tarts to save it. Can she fight for this little Texas town—knowing she might not stay forever? (from Night Owl Reviews)

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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!
 
MY THOUGHTS
 Jancy Wilson had plans but being in Pick, Texas, of all places, wasn't part of that plan.  She had no job, no money and now her old beat up car is, well let's say, smoking, and not in a good way. It's going up in flames. Her plan was to go to Louisiana and stay with her cousin. She was just passing through, not planning on staying. She only ended up in Pick since she was going to visit her grandmother's grave as she passed through. No car, no money, she is now stuck in Pick.   She needs money so she needs a job.  In the window of The Strawberry Hearts Diner is a Help Wanted sign.   She remembers the diner from being a teen and those scrumptious strawberry tarts.  So in she goes to apply for the job.

The author gives the reader four women and their lives.  Three residents of Pick, Texas, Nettie, is aging and is full of knowledge, Vickie, who is Emily's mom and trying to learn to let Emily grow and live her life, and Emily who has lots of love from family and friends.    Jancy now becomes a part of that group.  We get three stories in a way. One is the relationships between the four women, a developer who the town has problems with and, of course, romance.  The book flowed at an easy pace which was nice, being in a small town where life went along a little slower.  A heart warming read about friendships, finding a place where you feel loved and at home and family.  Will Jancy find a lasting friendship, romance and finally, a home?  Don't miss out on this fun charming book!


I received a copy of this book from the author and Night Owl Reviews and voluntarily decided to review it.

I would give this book 5 STARS.