Barbourville Series by Carolynn Carey

Note to Readers: Celebrations of Joy is a stand-alone novella, but it can also serve as an introduction to the Barbourville series, which is set in a small fictional town in Tennessee. Events in this prequel take place one year prior to the first book in the series, A Summer Sentence. Following is a brief summary of Celebrations of Joy: The day Melody Mills buried her mother was the day she vowed to save enough money to buy herself a one-way ticket out of Barbourville, Tennessee... moreNote to Readers: Celebrations of Joy is a stand-alone novella, but it can also serve as an introduction to the Barbourville series, which is set in a small fictional town in Tennessee. Events in this prequel take place one year prior to the first book in the series, A Summer Sentence. Following is a brief summary of Celebrations of Joy: The day Melody Mills buried her mother was the day she vowed to save enough money to buy herself a one-way ticket out of Barbourville, Tennessee. Trouble is, she has no job, no home, and very few possessions. Enter Judge Robert McCray, the most influential man in Barbourville, not to mention the most annoying, at least in the opinion of Connor Webb. The judge wants Connor to hire Melody to manage the bed and breakfast that Connor is trying to establish in the neglected Kessler mansion. Connor can’t really afford an employee, especially one he doesn’t need, but he can’t turn his back on this frail, impoverished woman who, for some strange reason, packs her depleted wardrobe in luggage that’s worth at least half a year’s wages. With both Melody and Connor working hard and exploring new options for the old Kessler estate, the launch of a promising business is just around the corner. Unfortunately people they thought they’d left behind suddenly reappear and seem determined to derail their plans. Will their love for each other be strong enough to help them overcome the challenges from their past and secure their dreams for the future? less

Megan Marsh was just passing through McCray County, Tennessee on her way to a career in Chicago, but after a run-in with an overzealous deputy involving a bee, a slap, a speeding ticket, and a heap of misunderstanding, she finds herself suddenly immersed in small town life serving a summer sentence. The man responsible for her community service is the devastatingly handsome sheriff, Daniel McCray. From the moment they meet, something sparkles in each of them... moreMegan Marsh was just passing through McCray County, Tennessee on her way to a career in Chicago, but after a run-in with an overzealous deputy involving a bee, a slap, a speeding ticket, and a heap of misunderstanding, she finds herself suddenly immersed in small town life serving a summer sentence. The man responsible for her community service is the devastatingly handsome sheriff, Daniel McCray. From the moment they meet, something sparkles in each of them. Unfortunately, Daniel's roots are firmly entrenched in rural McCray County and the last thing he needs is to feel an overwhelming attraction for a city girl who's just passing through. But for some reason, every time they meet the attraction grows. Much to Megan's surprise, she revels in the joys of small town society, but she can't forget her vow to become an inner city teacher. She wants to teach the underprivileged. However, the more she learns about McCray County and Daniel, the more she believes her future lies there. Can the rural sheriff and the city socialite learn to accept love even when their dreams keep pushing them apart? less

(Author’s note: The second in the Barbourville series, Falling for Dallas was originally published in 2006. This edition contains updated text and a new cover.)Beth Ann Stanfield has an independent streak as wide as the state of Tennessee, which came in handy when she was widowed at a young age, just before the birth of her son, Trevor. Now, twelve years later, she’s a single mom struggling with a mountain of debt and a business she can barely keep afloat... more(Author’s note: The second in the Barbourville series, Falling for Dallas was originally published in 2006. This edition contains updated text and a new cover.)Beth Ann Stanfield has an independent streak as wide as the state of Tennessee, which came in handy when she was widowed at a young age, just before the birth of her son, Trevor. Now, twelve years later, she’s a single mom struggling with a mountain of debt and a business she can barely keep afloat. When sophisticated, educated, and wealthy Dallas Vance moves in across the street from her while visiting his niece, she convinces herself that their mutual attraction is headed for a dead end.Dallas admires Beth Ann more than any woman he’s ever met, and he wants to help her solve some of her financial problems, but she’s too proud to accept anything resembling charity. Fortunately, there’s an old-fashioned cottage on her property, and he convinces her that if she’ll sell him the cottage, he can renovate it and both of them will benefit.But even when Beth Ann’s financial worries are lessened, she understands that her love for Dallas is doomed unless she can find a way to even out the other disparities between them. less

Freelance writer Mattie Meadows has found an excellent excuse to visit Barbourville, Tennessee. She's been assigned to write an article about a local cottage for a travel magazine. But her real reason for visiting the town is much less transparent, and if she succeeds in her quest, some prominent citizens may very well become her enemies. Attorney Denver Vance is using Barbourville as a stopover on his way home to Chicago from a Florida vacation... moreFreelance writer Mattie Meadows has found an excellent excuse to visit Barbourville, Tennessee. She's been assigned to write an article about a local cottage for a travel magazine. But her real reason for visiting the town is much less transparent, and if she succeeds in her quest, some prominent citizens may very well become her enemies. Attorney Denver Vance is using Barbourville as a stopover on his way home to Chicago from a Florida vacation. When he meets a prickly female in his brother's cottage, he reluctantly agrees to help her in her quest, never dreaming that their chance encounter could lead to their falling in love. But then they uncover secrets that impact their new Barbourville friends, and they realize that in the process, they may have destroyed any chances they might have had to build a future together. less

This is a sweet romance. Jill Taylor has had a crush on her best friend’s uncle, Chicagoan Dayton Vance, since she was a teenager. Unfortunately, Dayton insists that Jill is too young for him even though only six years separate them. Finally, having given up on Dayton, Jill closes her Atlanta counseling practice to follow her friend Megan to Barbourville, Tennessee, where she opens Jill’s Soup Bowl in a renovated Victorian house... moreThis is a sweet romance. Jill Taylor has had a crush on her best friend’s uncle, Chicagoan Dayton Vance, since she was a teenager. Unfortunately, Dayton insists that Jill is too young for him even though only six years separate them. Finally, having given up on Dayton, Jill closes her Atlanta counseling practice to follow her friend Megan to Barbourville, Tennessee, where she opens Jill’s Soup Bowl in a renovated Victorian house. Jill is contentedly settling into small-town life when Dayton’s appearance on her front porch disrupts her peace and has her questioning her real reasons for moving to Barbourville. Attorney Dayton Vance, one of triplets, was born a few minutes before either of his brothers, Dallas and Denver, and he’s always felt responsible for both of them, along with his niece Megan. When those three end up living in Barbourville—a move Dayton considers ill advised—he wonders where he’s gone wrong. Because Jill Taylor is the only counselor he knows who is acquainted with his entire family, Dayton flies from Chicago to Atlanta to consult her. Horrified when he discovers Jill has moved to Barbourville to open a restaurant, he hunts her down to complain, only to end up in her kitchen the next day peeling potatoes and asking himself how he managed to lose control of his plans so completely. Can the town of Barbourville work its usual magic and help two obstinate people discover that following their dreams will lead them in the right direction, no matter where they live? less

Abby Grant grieves because she failed to fulfill her father’s dying wish—that she take care of her identical twin sister and their mother. Now her sister has gone her own way, their mother is dead, and Abby’s left to fend for herself and her five-year-old nephew Blaine—and she’s failing again. Homeless and almost broke, she travels to Barbourville, Tennessee, looking for a clue as to the identity of Blaine’s father... moreAbby Grant grieves because she failed to fulfill her father’s dying wish—that she take care of her identical twin sister and their mother. Now her sister has gone her own way, their mother is dead, and Abby’s left to fend for herself and her five-year-old nephew Blaine—and she’s failing again. Homeless and almost broke, she travels to Barbourville, Tennessee, looking for a clue as to the identity of Blaine’s father. What she finds is a man who holds her responsible for the death of his best friend and a place that she longs to call home, both for Blaine and for herself. After Jim Markman lost his best friend to an IED in Iraq, he returns home to Barbourville, hoping to heal his spirit in the peacefulness of the quiet mountain town. Then she arrives—the woman who jilted Anthony, causing him to drop out of college and join the Army. Except she claims to be Abby Grant—not Annie, the female he blames for Anthony’s death. Although he first tells Abby to get out of town, he’s soon eager for her to stay, at first because he hopes to determine if the boy she has in tow might be Anthony’s son and later because he can’t imagine going on without her. As Jim and Abby get caught up in Barbourville’s many Christmas festivities, can they also make peace with their pasts and learn to embrace the promise of their future? less

Adrienne Rani Day is happily convinced she’s left Barbourville behind for good. After moving away to earn a college degree and then getting an accounting job, she rarely thinks about the town where she was born and raised, although a certain fellow from Barbourville continues to haunt her dreams. Then an unexpected inheritance with a very interesting condition lures her back to Barbourville where she must face her past and try to explain her actions to the boy she left behind... moreAdrienne Rani Day is happily convinced she’s left Barbourville behind for good. After moving away to earn a college degree and then getting an accounting job, she rarely thinks about the town where she was born and raised, although a certain fellow from Barbourville continues to haunt her dreams. Then an unexpected inheritance with a very interesting condition lures her back to Barbourville where she must face her past and try to explain her actions to the boy she left behind. Steve Travis is as shocked as everyone else when his Aunt Gertie’s will is read and he discovers she left her house and a good bit of property to the girl he once loved. Even worse, Aunt Gertie has made it a condition of the inheritance that Steve and the girl who rejected him must open a nursery together. He is determined to keep their partnership on a professional level, but then an old adversary of Rani’s moves back to town and Steve finds himself attempting to ensure her survival in Barbourville while trying to unravel her reasons for leaving in the first place. less

Casey Trent is on the fast track as associate manager for an upscale department store in the city. Josh Preston is owner of a rundown farm in the country outside Barbourville, Tennessee. Casey is known as an up-and-comer; Josh, who takes in abandoned animals, is known as the cat-and-dog man. Casey figures they have nothing in common, but when Josh tries to interest the citizens of Barbourville in building an animal shelter, Casey offers to help... moreCasey Trent is on the fast track as associate manager for an upscale department store in the city. Josh Preston is owner of a rundown farm in the country outside Barbourville, Tennessee. Casey is known as an up-and-comer; Josh, who takes in abandoned animals, is known as the cat-and-dog man. Casey figures they have nothing in common, but when Josh tries to interest the citizens of Barbourville in building an animal shelter, Casey offers to help. The town can’t afford to support the center, so she suggests that she and Josh collaborate to raise funds for an endowment. Thus is born The Bow Wow and Meow Campaign. As they work together to plan their campaign, Casey begins to realize that there are depths to Josh she hadn’t previously suspected, but nothing has prepared her to learn the full truth about his past. Once she does, can she find a way to forgive him, or is their tenuous relationship doomed to fade away? less

Author's Note: This story was originally published in November 2015 as part of the anthology titled Christmas Wishes: Seven Stories of Second Chances. Realizing he’s going to be alone for Christmas, successful businessman Allan Weaver decides on a whim to visit Barbourville, the town where he grew up and went to high school. Twenty years have come and gone since then, but something draws him back... moreAuthor's Note: This story was originally published in November 2015 as part of the anthology titled Christmas Wishes: Seven Stories of Second Chances. Realizing he’s going to be alone for Christmas, successful businessman Allan Weaver decides on a whim to visit Barbourville, the town where he grew up and went to high school. Twenty years have come and gone since then, but something draws him back. Could it be fond memories of Gabby Richards, the girl he crushed on when the two teenagers worked at Travis Tree Farm helping families find their perfect Christmas tree? Gabby has been widowed for years, but she’s content in her small hometown with her career as a high school English teacher. She’s just begun her annual Christmas break when word reaches her that an old friend is in town—and he’s homeless. Should she risk embarrassing him by visiting him at Sonny’s Diner where rumor has it he’s staying free of charge in the apartment above the restaurant? But then she learns that help is needed on the tree farm where she and Allan once worked, and she figures out a way to help Allan earn a little extra money. In the meantime, Allan is amazed at the warm welcome he’s received in his old hometown, and he’s especially thrilled that he and Gabby are reconnecting after all these years. Then he learns that everyone—including Gabby—thinks he’s homeless and broke. When the truth comes out, can everyone’s hopes for a happy Christmas survive? less

Chase Cunningham and Aurora Nolan meet at the side of the road in a near accident as each heads to Barbourville for the first time. Irritated with each other, they go their separate ways, content in the notion that they will probably never see each other again. But of course fate has other plans... moreChase Cunningham and Aurora Nolan meet at the side of the road in a near accident as each heads to Barbourville for the first time. Irritated with each other, they go their separate ways, content in the notion that they will probably never see each other again. But of course fate has other plans. They end up as coworkers trying to pull off a grand opening for the new Barbourville Visitors Center despite well-intentioned interference from one of the most prominent citizens of this small Tennessee mountain town. As they work together, they come to realize that their original impressions of each other were inaccurate, but since Barbourville is just a temporary stop on their way to achieving their dreams, they know better than to get involved with each other—assuming they can keep from it. less