Category Archives: Debbie Mason

June 27, 2018 · 11:58 pm

Review: Sandpiper Shore by Debbie Mason

Title: Sandpiper Shore by Debbie Mason
Harmony Harbor Series Book Six
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Wedding Planner Rule #1: Never, ever fall for the groom

There’s nothing Jenna Bell loves more than a happily-ever-after. That’s why being a wedding planner is her dream job – until the groom is Logan Gallagher. She’s had a crush on him since . . . well, forever. And now she has to make his day magical as he walks down the aisle without her.

As a secret service agent, Logan’s already married – to his career. A wife was never in his plan, until he finds out he needs to marry the woman he’s been protecting. He takes his latest assignment in stride, but when he sees Jenna again, he can’t deny the attraction sparking between them. Can he really say “I do” if it means saying goodbye to the woman of his dreams?

Review:

Sandpiper Shore by Debbie Mason is a light-hearted contemporary romance. This latest release is the sixth installment in the Harmony Harbor series and should be read in order since there are many guest appearances by characters from previous books.

Jenna Bell is a matchmaker with an amazing track record so she is blindsided when her feckless fiancé Lorenzo Romano abruptly dumps her a week before their wedding. Compounding her humiliation is the discovery Lorenzo is romantically involved with her greedy stepmother. Even more embarrassing is the public brawl that ensues after Secret Service Agent Logan Gallagher saves her from getting hit by a car. With her stepsisters, Arianna and Serena, furious at the spectacle and the monetary loss from the cancelled nuptials, Jenna drowns her sorrows at a local bar. After Logan once again rescues her, they end up in a compromising position on the beach. Recovering from her broken heart at breakneck speed, Jenna is quite smitten with Logan but he swears he is not the marrying type. Will this wistful matchmaker who dreams of a happily ever after find the prince who will make her dreams come true?

Jenna’s heart is in the right place as she tries to salvage her stressed relationship with Serena and Arianna. Unfortunately, her efforts to placate them give the impression she is a pushover who will do anything to please them.  Jenna quickly recovers from her broken engagement and immediately jumps into a long distance flirtation with Logan.

Logan is quite charming and loves his zany family but he has no desire to settle down. His chivalrous rescue lands him in a heap of trouble due to the machinations of a local cop who has it in for his family.  Logan is intrigued by Jenna but when duty calls, he does not hesitate to leave. Before he leaves for his assignment, Logan secures a position for Jenna that will hopefully salvage her tarnished reputation.

At this point, the storyline becomes a tangled mess of several story arcs and a dizzying array of characters.  Jenna’s broken engagement becomes a complicated storyline featuring the dastardly deeds of Lorenzo and her stepmother’s attempt to swindle Jenna, Arianna and Serena out of their inheritance.  The Gallagher family has plenty of trouble since Logan’s mother is facing a health crisis and she has recently left his father. The ghost of Colleen Gallagher is still trying to right the wrongs she made during her long and illustrious life. Logan and the princess he is guarding unexpectedly turn up in Harmony Harbor which puts Jenna in an uncomfortable situation that she cannot wriggle out of. The smarmy cop with a grudge continues to bedevil everyone who crosses his path.

Sandpiper Shore is a madcap adventure featuring an insta-love romance and numerous storylines. Jenna and Logan are likable characters but their relationship is sorely underdeveloped due to the convoluted plot.  Longtime fans of Debbie Mason’s Harmony Harbor series will enjoy this latest outing but newcomers will most feel lost amongst the various characters and their complicated connections to one another.

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Filed under Contemporary, Debbie Mason, Forever, Harmony Harbor Series, Rated C, Review, Romance, Sandpiper Shore

November 12, 2017 · 11:58 pm

Review: Sugarplum Way by Debbie Mason

Title: Sugarplum Way by Debbie Mason
Harmony Harbor Series Book Four
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

“Heartfelt and delightful!” -RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author

Romance writer Julia Landon knows how to write a happily-ever-after. Creating one for herself is a whole different story. But after a surprising–and surprisingly passionate–kiss under the mistletoe at Harmony Harbor’s holiday party last year, Julia thought she might have finally found her very own chance at true love. Until she learns her Mr. Tall, Dark, and Broodingly Handsome has sworn off relationships. Well, if she can’t have him in real life, Julia knows just how to get the next best thing….

Aidan’s only priority is to be the best single dad ever. And this year, he plans to make the holidays magical for his little girl, Ella Rose. But visions of stolen kisses under the mistletoe keep dancing in his head, and when he finds out Julia has written him into her latest novel, he can’t help imagining the possibilities of a future together. Little does he know, though, Julia has been keeping a secret that threatens all their dreams. Luckily, ’tis the season for a little Christmas magic.

Review:

Sugarplum Way by Debbie Mason is an endearing holiday themed romance.

Julia Landon is upbeat, positive and always has a smile on her face. With the holidays fast approaching, she is stretched to her limits as she frantically attempts to get her latest novel turned in on time. Juggling many duties, she nonetheless never tells anyone no when they for help. For rather mysterious reasons, Julia is determined to ensure everyone in the Gallagher family is blissfully happy and she has her hands full trying to ensure her last matchmaking attempt succeeds.  She is also doing everything she can to make sure her secret crush Aidan Gallagher has everything he needs to win custody of his daughter Ella Rose. Unfortunately her attempts to secure his future with the Harmony Harbor Police Department run into numerous problems with the police chief, but Julia is undeterred as she continues her attempts to “fix” things for Aidan.

Aidan is extremely suspicious of Julia which has resulted in quite a few inauspicious run-ins between them.  Despite knowing she is keeping secrets, he is also very attracted to the quirky, perky darling of Harmony Harbor.  But with his divorce behind him, Aidan is concentrating on improving his relationship with Ella Rose while also trying to gain custody of her.  Although he is frustrated by Julia’s interference in nearly every aspect of his life, he is also charmed by her.

Despite feeling a little lost due to not reading the previous novels in the Harmony Harbor series, Sugarplum Way is an enchanting holiday love story. Julia is a likable character despite being just a tad too perfect. Aidan is realistically depicted and it is wonderful watching his scenes with his daughter.   The romance between Aidan and Julia is slow moving and peppered with witty banter and laugh out loud humor.  Although the storyline is rather busy due to several story arcs, Debbie Mason beautifully weaves the various threads into a cohesive and entertaining novel.  Readers of the previous books will enjoy this latest addition to the series whereas newcomers will most likely feel confused by the first few chapters. All in all, a charming love story with a few mystical (and magical) elements.

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Filed under Contemporary, Debbie Mason, Forever, Harmony Harbor Series, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sugarplum Way

October 7, 2015 · 11:58 pm

Review: Snowbound at Christmas by Debbie Mason

snowboundTitle: Snowbound at Christmas by Debbie Mason
Christmas, Colorado Series Book Five
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 341 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Surviving the holidays will take a Christmas miracle . . .

Ex-cop Cat O’Connor is bored working for her sister, Chloe, as a personal assistant on the set of her soap opera. Until Chloe gets an opportunity to audition for the role of a lifetime and asks her identical twin to substitute for her on the soap with no one the wiser. It’s a perfect switch-until Cat attracts the attention of the mysterious Mr. Tall, Dark, and Way-too-handsome leading man.

Grayson Alexander never thought being snowbound in the charming town of Christmas, Colorado, for the holiday would get so hot. But between working with sexy, tough Cat on set and keeping his real reason for being there under wraps, he’s definitely feeling the heat. And if there’s one thing they’ll learn as they bring out the mistletoe, it’s that in this town, true love is always in season…

Review:

Snowbound at Christmas is a sweet, sassy and suspenseful romance by Debbie Mason. The sixth installment in the always fun Christmas, Colorado series is a laugh out loud novel that old and new fans are sure to enjoy.

Cat O’Connor is an ex-Denver police woman now working for her spoiled twin sister Chloe, a popular soap opera actress. Tired of pandering to Chloe’s whims, Cat is ready to quit and return to Colorado when she discovers someone is trying to kill her sister. Unbeknownst to Cat (or anyone else on the set), the show’s newest guest star, Grayson Alexander, is working undercover to investigate the threats on Chloe’s life.  Despite the sparks that immediately fly between them, there is little trust between Grayson and Cat since they both suspect the other of being behind the threats on Chloe’s life.

Cat is a strong heroine who pretty much deserves sainthood for putting up with Chloe’s over the top behavior. Cat has had a rough time ever since her ex-boyfriend’s Ponzi scheme was uncovered and everyone thinks (but cannot) prove she knew what he was doing. Working for her sister has worn very thin since Chloe is demanding and spoiled but when Cat discovers someone is trying to kill her, Cat knows she has stay by her side to protect her from harm and uncover the identity of the assailant.

Grayson is about to embark on a much needed vacation when he is unexpectedly saddled with his grandmother Estelle. When he tries to find another relative to take her off his hands, his cousin calls in a favor which means Grayson is not only going undercover but he also must bring his grandmother with him. The number one suspect on his list is Cat and he is dismayed by his attraction to her. He is equally disconcerted when Chloe sets her sights on him and his grandmother decides to try her hand at a little matchmaking.

The supporting cast of characters are well drawn and range from delightfully quirky to downright annoying. Cat’s close friend Ty is a wonderful breath of fresh air and his antics are quite funny. Estelle is also a pretty fun character although her matchmaking attempts are a bit misguided. Chloe is nearly impossible to like and it is extremely frustrating watching her manipulate Cat for much of the story.

For a good part of the novel, the storyline focuses on the ensuing investigation. Grayson and Cat continually butt heads as they pursue various leads and their attraction for one another only complicates things between them. Neither of them trust their instincts at this point since Cat cannot believe she missed what her ex-boyfriend was up to and Grayson completely misjudged someone on his last case.  It is not until they, along with the cast and crew of Chloe’s soap opera, relocate to Cat’s hometown in Colorado, that their relationship becomes less adversarial. As Cat and Grayson begin working together on the investigation, their attraction deepens but just as they are considering telling one another the truth about their respective roles in the investigation, Chloe’s latest shenanigans cause problems for them.

With an intriguing storyline, a cast of eclectic characters and a sweet love story, Snowbound at Christmas is a captivating novel that is fast paced and engaging. This latest installment in Debbie Mason’s heartwarming Colorado, Christmas series is an absolutely delightful read that I highly recommend to readers of contemporary romances.

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Filed under Christmas Colorado Series, Contemporary, Debbie Mason, Forever, Rated B, Review, Romance, Snowbound at Christmas

July 1, 2014 · 11:57 pm

Review: Christmas in July by Debbie Mason

julyTitle: Christmas in July by Debbie Mason
Christmas, Colorado Series Book Two
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Grace Flaherty had given up hope of ever seeing her husband again. After all, it’d been over a year since he went missing in combat. So when he strides through the door of her bakery in downtown Christmas one sunny afternoon, she can hardly believe her eyes. But her happily-ever-after is going to take some effort – because Jack has no memory of his family.

All Jack Flaherty remembers about Christmas is that he couldn’t wait to leave town. Now he’s a local hero with a wife and son he doesn’t know. Even as he struggles to rekindle the romance with his wife, he knows in his heart what he wants: a second chance at love.

The Review:

Christmas in July by Debbie Mason is a beautiful love story that is poignant, romantic and heartwarming. In this second installment of the Christmas, Colorado series, Grace and Jack Flaherty’s reunion encounters numerous complications as they try to pick up the pieces of their marriage. Amnesia, guilt, secrets and interference from well-meaning friends and family are just a few of the issues facing them when Jack safely returns home seventeen months after he was declared MIA in Afghanistan.

By the time Jack returns home, Grace is firmly rooted in his hometown of Christmas. While she is overjoyed at his safe return, their reunion is overshadowed by their last parting and at first, Jack’s amnesia is a blessing in disguise. When he does recover his memory, they have barely begun to work on rebuilding their troubled marriage when a secret Jack has been keeping is revealed in a very public setting.  At the same time, a vengeful revelation hurts Grace’s reputation and puts her marriage on even shakier ground and she is faced with trying to save not only her relationship with Jack, but her bakery business. From this point on, they overcome one crisis only to have another challenge takes its place.

By all appearances, Jack and Grace are a mismatched couple. Jack is a thrill seeking, adrenaline junkie while Grace is a bit uptight with a few control issues. But they perfectly complement one another and each brings out the other’s hidden qualities. Underneath Grace’s prim, proper exterior, she is wildly passionate and she has an incredible sense of humor. Jack is a typical Alpha male but with Grace and little Jack, he is pretty much nothing but a softie with an incredibly tender and loving heart.

In addition to the external conflict they are struggling to overcome, Jack and Grace are also dealing with their emotional baggage from their individual pasts. Jack’s wild child reputation comes back to haunt him and he resents living under the small community’s watchful eye. Grace carries a heavy burden that has its roots in her childhood and she is further stressed by Jack’s inability to figure out what he is going to do about his military career.

Despite the many crises that Jack and Grace must endure on their way to happily ever after, Christmas in July is a delightfully angst free novel. The characters are vibrantly developed and the problems they must overcome are believable and true to life. The small town of Christmas is realistically depicted with a wonderful spectrum of caring and somewhat colorful townspeople. This incredibly heartfelt and deeply moving romance is an outstanding addition to Debbie Mason’s Christmas, Colorado series that old and new fans do not want to miss.

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Filed under Christmas Colorado Series, Christmas in July, Contemporary, Debbie Mason, Forever, Rated B+, Review, Romance