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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Review: The Blue-Ribbon Jalapeno Society Jubilee by Carolyn Brown



From Sourcebooks:

Everything is calm in town until Great-Aunt Agnes declares war on Violet Prescot, the president of the Blue-Ribbon Jalapeño Society, the very elite ladies society club that all ladies—young and old—hope to join. Agnes’ niece, Cathy, just so happens to be engaged to Violet’s son! Meanwhile, Cathy, along with her twin sister Marty and their best friend Trixie are busy running Miss Clawdy’s Café, the highlight of the Jubilee. Add to the mix Darla Jean, a former madam-turned-preacher running her church out of an old gas station, the devious Anna Ruth, secret romances, sabotaged cakes and the wedding of the century… There’s a cast of a delightful and quirky characters, moments of true poignancy and the hottest jalapeños in all of Texas at the heart of this fabulous new story.

My Thoughts:


The small town of Cadillac, Texas sounds just like what I imagine small towns to be:  
  • People who grow up together and remain friends for life, 
  • Society clubs who are always run by the town “Queen”  who is always a piece of work 
  • Fairs and parades that everyone goes to
  • A general feeling of content and happiness with a slower pace of life than what is in the city.  
Small towns have always appealed to me, and if I could meet and have friends like the women in this book, I would move there in a heartbeat.   This book has fun, friendship, and laughter as well as characters who grow up and finally realize what they want in life. 

The core group of three women, Cathy, Marty and Trixie, are in their mid-30’s and that is probably why they appealed to me most.  At that age, you begin to really sort yourself out, and make decisions that you stick with.  You’re not a flighty twenty-something anymore!  The other girlfriend in this group is Darla Jean.  I took her to be in her late 40s early 50s so she has more life experience.  You know that one who is the “mother” in every group of girlfriends, that’s her.  Then there is the crazy relative, Aunt Agnes.  I swear this character reminded of Wheezer from Steel Magnolias.  Agnes was a trip.  A bit mean and too honest at times, but everything comes from a good place.  She loves her nieces (Cathy and Marty) and wants to be a good Aunt to them.  Agnes made me chuckle the most, because she pull these antics that are too much for words.  I shook my head quite a bit while reading this one, because the way the characters interact with others, is priceless.  

The Queen of Cadillac, Violet Prescott, thinks her crap doesn't stink.  She thinks she and her son are like the Kennedys of Texas or something.  There were times when I wanted to tell her off myself, but she gets hers in the end.  I could go on and on about each character of the book, but I think you should read it yourself.  In a nutshell, it’s everything you would expect in a story set in a small town.

My one quibble, was there wasn't a whole lot about the jalapenos except some really tasty sounding food.  For example, I need to find jalapeño jelly and see what the heck that tastes like!

The Blue-Ribbon Jalapeño Society Jubilee  was a fun and delightful read.  It was perfect for in between classics or heavy books, and I finished it in a week.  This book is the start in a new series by Carolyn Brown and I will be definitely be back to visit with the girls in Cadillac, Texas. 


Carolyn Brown's website: http://carolynlbrown.com/index.html 

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Trade paperback, 321 pages
Book Source: Sourcebooks


Thanks to Danielle from Sourcebooks for my review copy.


© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"

Comments (25)

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I think I am gonna stay away from jalepenos, way too spicy for me
1 reply · active 624 weeks ago
I don't think I've ever had one...oh wait stuffed with cheese I have!
Sounds like a fun read. My son likes jalepeno jelly, never tasted it myself.
1 reply · active 624 weeks ago
Nise! How are ya darling! Is the jelly spicy? They have it with biscuits so it sounds like it would be tasty.
I passed on reviewing this one because of my crazy schedule, but I see it would have been a fun read. Glad you liked it!
1 reply · active 624 weeks ago
Thanks Laura. There is some infidelity, but otherwise I think it would qualify as a clean read.
This sounds great, and I like stories about female friendships. Great review :)
1 reply · active 624 weeks ago
thanks Naida. I'm picky about female friendship books but this one was perfect!
Thank you, thank you for the absolutely awesome review. I'm so so glad that you visited Cadillac! Look for The Red Hot Chili Cook-Off next spring when things once again heat up in Cadillac.
1 reply · active 624 weeks ago
Hi Carolyn! I certainly will. I think these are girls I would definitely hang out with in real life. Thanks for stopping by :)
Sounds like a great choice for taking a classics break!
1 reply · active 624 weeks ago
that's it exactly! That may be the reason I flew through it so quickly too.
I'm not keen on starting a new series, but this does sound like a fun book. Great review!
1 reply · active 624 weeks ago
I have a post I keep meaning to do about all of the series I never finished and maybe buckling down and finishing them.
I know this is another, but at one book a year, I think it's worth it. Plus it went by quick.
Sounds interesting to read. Love this book review!
1 reply · active 624 weeks ago
Oh, this sounds exactly like the kind of books I like. Every time I read a book about small towns I really want to move to one. They seem so caring and close. It would be nice to have that especially coming from a big city.
1 reply · active 624 weeks ago
It is so you Darlene! Small town and female friendships.
I admit, after I finished this I Googled small towns looking for one to move to in case Hawaii doesn't work out!
It does sound delightful! Small towns and the friendships are sooo moreish, I'll keep an eye out for this one.
1 reply · active 623 weeks ago
Books like these really brighten my day. Hope you like it if you ever get to read it :)
This looks fun! I grew up in a small town and there were so many appealing things about it. We're trying to figure out if that 's what we want for Gage.
1 reply · active 622 weeks ago
When I was younger, I would have said no. But now being older I realize what's important in a community.
and yes, this was a fun book!
I was expecting to like this book, but I loved it. it was fun, but also full of caring relationships.
1 reply · active 621 weeks ago
Agree. I knew I would like ti but didn't think I would like THAT much :)
The women seemed like real women to me.

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