A homeless young woman finds an unexpected family in beloved New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown’s novel of healing hearts and new beginnings in a small Texas town.In the fading town of Rooster, Texas, all that’s really left is a service station, a church…and the Banty House, a long-ago Depression-era brothel. For more than seventy-five years, Betsy, Connie, and Kate Carson have … and Kate Carson have called their mama’s house a home. The three eccentric sisters get by just fine with their homemade jams and jellies, a little moonshine on the side, and big hearts always open to strangers. Like Ginger Andrews.
An abandoned teen with a baby on the way and nowhere to go, she’s given a room to call her own for as long as she wants. The kind invitation is made all the sweeter when Ginger meets the sisters’ young handyman, Sloan Baker. But with a past as broken as Ginger’s, he’s vowed never to get close to anyone again. As a season of change unfolds, Ginger and Sloan might discover a warm haven to heal in the Banty House, a place to finally belong, where hope and dreams never fade.
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Welcome my Wonderful Wyverns to Whimsical Wednesday. Our Gem this evening is not one Gem, but a bag of assorted stones of all shapes and sizes for all types of uses: healing, strength, support, dreaming. This is Gem Maker Carolyn Brown’s “The Banty House”.
Carolyn Brown has taken the lovely memories of her own grandmother’s stories and gift of storytelling and given us the gift of this tale. A tale of three elderly sisters who love each other deeply and unbreakably. Kate, Connie and Betsy have been raised by their Mama in the Banty House. Mama wrote the rules they live by decades earlier when, to make a living for herself and her three daughters, she turned the large home in Rooster, Texas into an upscale brothel called “The Banty House”. She had named it for the men who came their, acting like little Banty Roosters, cocky and strutting.
Mama had ever only loved one man, being herself, a quarter black, she knew he could not keep his job and so refused to marry him, but loved the three daughters she had by him ferociously, she made sure they grew up to be good hearted women. The story of Mama is a lovely one in and of itself, for this my dear Book Dragons, the book should be read, but there is so, so much more.
The Sisters go each week to have their hair done at a salon and Connie goes out to have a cigarette when she meets a shy young woman on the bench outside. She is young, skinny and very pregnant. Connie looks her over and they talk for a bit and she decides there and then that Mama’s Rule #1 needs to be exercised: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have show hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Heb. 13:2
The Sisters agree and take her in. What should have been for a day or two turns into a week. This book is at it’s heart, a love story. Not a romance, although there is romance in it. No, my Fellow Book Dragons, a love story. Love between sisters, strangers, friends and others. It is one of the most beautiful, funny, interesting books I have ever read.
If you are feeling down, discouraged, depressed or even bored at this point, this book is for you. It is coming on the market May 26th, 2020. You can pre-order it now. I would suggest doing so, because this is going to fly from the shelves!
Make sure you are also answering the daily question! I will be revealing another item in the basket in the next 48 hours so be paying attention! Until tomorrow, I remain, your humble Book Dragon,
Drakon T. Longwitten
I received a copy of this book as part of #JackiesFavoriteBookClubFriends and the Author #CarolynBrown . My opinions are my own.
Omg, I loved this so much. I was pulled into the journey and followed them all right along, seeing and hearing everything. The emotions were felt no matter the scenario, and brought to mind many personal memories.
This was a truly amazing story with a realness to it.
The three sisters Kate, Betsy, and Connie were hilarious, with the best hearts ever, even when they got into trouble.
Ginger and Sloane, I believe, were just destined to meet and have a good life together.
I won an ebook from Goodreads and am giving my own opinions.
This is a clean, stand alone read that will touch your heart in so many ways.
THE BANTY HOUSE by Carolyn Brown is a sweet, feel-good, poignant story that drops you into the lives of three elderly sisters in small town Texas who are about to have their lives changed forever.
Ginger Andrews has aged out of the system, has a baby on the way and no where to go. She dreams of seeing the ocean in California, but her bus ticket only goes as far as Hondo, Texas. As she is sitting on the bench outside of the hair salon, an elderly woman sits beside her. She is offered room and board for the weekend, but she is soon to find herself wrapped in the love and lives of the Carson sisters of the Banty house.
The Banty House was a long-ago brothel run by the sister’s mother, Belle. For more than seventy-five years, Kate, Betsy and Connie Carson have lived in and cared for their mama’s home. They have big hearts and each has her own passion.
Ginger is not only a breath of fresh air to the sisters, but she also intrigues their handyman, Sloan Baker. Sloan came home from the Army broken and swore to never get close to anyone ever again. Ginger’s past may not be the same, but it is just as broken. Slowly, the two discover they may just be what the other needs to heal.
The Banty House is once again to be the safe place where healing happens and hopes and dreams never fade.
I felt like I was wrapped in the love and acceptance of the three sisters as I read this story. They are wonderful characters who always lived their lives on their own terms, but also followed the moral upbringing of their mama. They are just what Ginger needed, even as it took awhile for her to accept that. Ginger was just what Sloan needed, but I was disappointed by how often she kept thinking about leaving. The romance that grew between Ginger and Sloan was a cozy romance, but never overshadowed the main themes of love, healing and acceptance overall. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it, but it was not my favorite by this author.
You are going to love the Carson sisters of Banty House.
Thanks very much to Montlake Romance and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC.
Book Review: The Banty House by author, Carolyn Brown ~ Montlake Publishing
As I sit here on the screened-in porch, watching the rain with the sweetest of scents in the air, I find it only fitting, and timely, to write my review of a story that has found its way into my heart…
The Banty House is a incredibly satisfying read that welcomes you to the world of the Carson Sisters, and into their life long residence in the dusty little town of Rooster, TX. Betsy, Connie and Kate invite you with open arms to experience their world of eccentricities, quirks, spunk, and hearts that are as big as the state of Texas is wide.
A story of love, trust, secrets and family~ with a dose of humor that will bring your laughs right out into the open, and it’s ability to surround you with its good old down-home country living style, The Banty House will seep into your heart with its pearls of wisdom, it’s lovable characters and it’s atmospheric charm.
Full of laughter and tears, you’ll find this story to be a comfort-for-the-soul in
a place where “Blood don’t always make families. Hearts do.”
This is my first read by author, Carolyn Brown ~ a Storyteller that I know will entertain and me again and again with her ability to write a truly charming and heartwarming tale.
I thank the author for my personal copy of The Banty House, and for allowing me the opportunity to experience the voices she heard in giving them all a life of their own by creating this most enjoyable story.
5+ Stars
#TheBantyHouse
#CarolynBrown
#Montlake
Wild Sage Book Blog
The thing I love about a Carolyn Brown book is the down-to-earth realness of it. She gives us beloved characters who are simple yet complex. Characters with all of their flaws, pain and vulnerability displayed in a way that only endears them more to the reader.
She writes about real life, with all of its struggles and pain, yet leaves our hearts happy and satisfied with an uplifting, joyous ending. To borrow from a cliché, she begins with lemons and then, step by step, takes us through making the sweetest most wonderfully refreshing lemonade, sprinkling humor and sentiment in equal measure along the way.
Rooster, TX, population 95, has small-town charm complete with colorful, quirky characters and meddling neighbors. This small town has changed a lot over the decades that the three Carson sisters have lived there in the Banty House.
The house itself has known a questionable past, but it’s been in the family for generations, changing with the times to meet the needs of the community. The first rule of the Banty House, which the Carson sisters’ mama set down more than half a century ago, is to never turn away a stranger.
I can’t find the words to explain how deep the emotional hits go and how uplifting, inspiring and satisfying this amazing story is. From tears to laughter, abandonment to unconditional acceptance, and the pain and ghosts of the past that lead to healing and joy, these characters will have your heart beating to their rhythm and leave their permanent mark on your soul.
This unforgettable must-read is just what you need to escape for a few hours and leave your heart full, happy and content. Visit Rooster, TX, right away. You just might want to stay there forever.
If I could I’d give it more stars!!!!!
What a great read! I wish I knew someone as interesting as the Carson sisters! This book makes you rethink that terms of a family and how innocent those “little old” ladies are. This book will have you laughing out loud, crying and feeling all warm and fuzzy. The Carson sisters have lived on the edges of society, never fitting on one side the other but they’re full of heart and open arms to all. Ginger arrives in Rooster, Texas with just a suitcase in her hand, a child of the system since birth she’s never really had anywhere to call home and kindness wasn’t always freely given so when the three sisters took the very pregnant young girl home Ginger had no idea what she was in for. Sloan saw these ladies as honorary grandmas he wasn’t about to let a down on her luck stranger take advantage of the sisters. Lots of healing is needed by both Sloan and Ginger and the sisters have the best medicine for lost souls. Family can be by blood but the best is by choosing, and this book is a wonderful story in family.. I think this is my favorite Carolyn Brown to date!
The Banty House by Carolyn Brown is a standalone women’s fiction. The story begins in a fading town of Rooster, Texas where the Banty House, a long-ago Depression-era brothel, is the home of Betsy, Connie, and Kate Carson. They are eccentric sisters with sassy attitudes who will make you laugh or cry. When Ginger Andrews arrive, homeless and penniless—and eight-month pregnant, the three sisters welcome her into their home. Grown up in the Foster System, Ginger meets the sisters’ young but handsome handyman, Sloan Baker. With a past as broken as hers, he’s vowed never to get close to anyone again. As the season unfolds, Ginger and Sloan find warm haven to heal in the Banty House and learns about family and unconditional love.
Carolyn Brown writes a powerful and moving story that I found myself laughing or crying whether in happiness or sadness. It is not a just story about Ginger and Sloan learning life’s lessons from the Carson sisters, but a story about unconditional love the sisters share with each other. Betsy, Connie, and Kate share a strong family bond and unconditional love. They are funny and lovable. They follow their mama’s rules to help Ginger and Sloan to overcome the pain of their past. They argue like sisters but never judge or hold a grudge. I find myself emotional involved in the characters’ lives to feel their joy and pain. Their antics make me laugh. The Banty House is an incredible book, and it’s such an honor to receive this book from Miz Carolyn Brown to read and write a review. Thank you, Miz Brown! The book’s release date is May 26, 2020.
This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. From Ginger to the Carson women to Sloan, you will fall in love with them. I found myself chuckling one minute and then my eyes would fill with tears. This is a feel-good book that has you wishing you lived in Rooster, Texas so you could visit The Banty House. The relationships are amazing … even between those who don’t “get along.” Betsy, Connie, and Kate, the seventy-something sisters at The Banty House, are delightful. They are spunky, unique, caring, and strong. Their personalities are each different, but their love for each other and the people who come into their lives is heartwarming. The author has once again written a book that touches you deeply and has you cheering on the characters. As you read the last word and close the book, you will do so with a smile on your face and a warm feeling. I can’t encouraged you to read this book enough!
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I liked this story by Brown. I liked the characters and the plot of this book. So looking forward to reading more from this author.
This book feels like a porch swing with a friend, a cold drink, and a summer night with stars above and fireflies out on the lawn. Carolyn Brown stories are full of country charm and down home storytelling. The Banty House is no exception.
The story focuses on three elderly sisters who have lived a full life and still do (Oh lawd, do they!) as they remain one of the chief sources of their small town’s gossip. They are the daughters of a former brothel owner and their mama never married. But, their mama gave them a set of rules to live by and the first about caring for strangers and the second about helping others brings a homeless, pregnant young Ginger to them so they can show her what family and home are and she, in turn, can show a former soldier who lost his team that he was meant to survive and live.
The Banty House was heartwarming and gently paced, but those feisty gals can be so unexpected that there was never a dull moment. I love the cross generational cast of characters and how they worked well together.
The history of the Carson sisters, their home, and the town was interesting and set the background. I also felt so touched for Ginger who had a truly tough row to hoe as a foster kid who had no one ever and then got tricked by a slick guy before finding her way to Rooster, Texas and the Banty House and Sloan.
The romance is background for much of the book as the story is mostly about the Carson sisters and Ginger. Plus, Ginger is planning to move on when she gets on her feet and Sloan has stopped living and is even suspicious of Ginger at first. They both have painful pasts that they need to address and then there is the fact that she’s pregnant and worried that no man would take on her situation and someone else’s child. Sloan was a bit lost himself so caring for Ginger anchored him and he had a huge, generous heart that had room for her, her complications, and a baby.
There were a few exciting moments, but for the most part this was a character-driven comfort read that left me smiling and feeling lighter. Oh, and needing piles of home-cooked food after the descriptions of what Betsy and Ginger made. Those who enjoy women’s fiction crossing over with contemporary small town romance should definitely give this one a try.
Sometimes you just need to be loved! Three aging sisters live in their mother’s house in the fading town of Rooster, Texas. Given that the house was used as a brothel back in the day, the sisters are scorned upon by the ladies of the town. Ginger is a young homeless woman who is escaping her past while trying to find the future. The Carson sisters take her in and show Ginger what love is all about. Down the street, army vet Sloan Baker struggles with his guilt over an accident during the war. You can add two and one and get the path to happiness! Carolyn Brown writes delightful small town romance novels that you can believe and hate to put down!
Reading a Carolyn Brown book is liked being wrapped in a snuggly blanket your grandmother knit with a cup of hot cocoa on a cold day. You always feel better and and comforted having had the experience. Three wonderfully quirky somewhat eccentric sisters live in their long gone mommas house and though in their golden years still live by the rules she established when they children. They are fixers of the heart and soul. Sloan suffers from PTSD and unnecessary, but very real guilt having lost his platoon while serving in the military and Ginger, a pregnant teenager who is truly all alone in the world are their current projects. Through love, perseverance, humor and more love they learn to trust, live and enjoy life again. Treat yourself to this sweet wonderful book. You will thank ourself for it!!
A sweetly thrilling, heartwarming and fun journey filled with engaging charters, witty dialog, heart racing twists and emotional turns. Was a great read from beginning to end and so hard to put down.
Great book set in Texas with a bunch of wonderful characters!
Wonderful story.
I love how Carolyn Brown can take a bunch of unique characters toss them like a salad and make it into something Wonderful! And it stays with you for a while after you finish the book. Which is why I always read her books.
absolutely a wonderful read. Laughed so hard I cried. Tears at times, so well written that I was in the house with them. Enjoyed this book very much.
I love all of Carolyn Brown’s books Banty House is the 98th book of hers I’ve read. I especially love the humor downhome quality of her writing.
Loved the book, I love all of Carolyn Browns books!
Take a trip to a small town in Texas where everyone knows each other’s names and has a bartering system set up for services. While there, you are introduced to three elderly sisters who own the Banty House and come upon a girl at a bus stop. I immediately began to adore the relationship the sisters have and the way they opened their home to Ginger. I felt as if I was at family dinner right along with the Banty House inhabitants and their neighbor Sloane. Once I picked up this book, I needed to see how it continued and could not put it down. I really enjoy these small community, family stories that Carolyn Brown writes.
A lighthearted, endearing tale of three sisters who decide to take on a young pregnant woman and offer her more than she ever could have imagined. A family. For herself and her child. A place to belong, rich in history and steeped in traditions. Each woman brings something different to her and the love she finds with them changes everything.