Thursday, October 2, 2014

Today's Special - - Debbie Mason



I am so happy to host Debbie Mason today to celebrate the release of the third book in her Christmas, Colorado series, IT HAPPENED AT CHRISTMAS.  I adore this series and have fallen more deeply under the spell of this cozy, mountain town and it's quirky inhabitants with each book published.  

You can connect with Debbie online at Facebook and Twitter and discover more information about her and her books at her website.  If you enjoy Scottish historicals with a touch of faery magic, be sure to also check out her books written as Debbie Mazzuca.  

Please join me in giving Debbie a warm welcome! 




Hi Debbie!  Welcome back to The Romance Dish.  It’s always a pleasure to host you here.  Congratulations on the release of IT HAPPENED AT CHRISTMAS, the newest book in your Christmas, Colorado series.  Please tell our readers what they can expect from this book.

Hi, PJ! It's great to be back for a visit with you and your readers! IT HAPPENED AT CHRISTMAS is the third book in the Christmas, Colorado series and features environmental activist Skylar Davis and Republican senatorial candidate Ethan O'Connor.  Readers can expect some holiday fun, some laughs,  a little drama, a little spice, and plenty of romance as they follow Skye and Ethan on their journey to a happy ever after. Their ride's a bumpy one, but characters from previous books are there to smooth things over--sometimes. At other times they make matters worse. For readers who are new to the series, don't worry, you won't have a problem following along as the book is written to stand alone.

Skylar and Ethan could be poster children for attraction of opposites.  With such opposing viewpoints, what was it about these two that convinced you they had a chance at a happy ending?

Ha! They sure could be, PJ.  And while physically their attraction to each other is off the charts, their political views are so far apart that even Nell  McBride, Christmas's resident matchmaker, gave up on them. And that's saying something! But as the story progresses, you'll see they're a lot alike. They both come from wealthy, political families and want to make a difference in the world. They're caring, kind, compassionate people who once circumstances force them together come to respect one another. Skye helps the more serious Ethan to lighten up and have fun while Ethan settles the free-spirited Skye with his steadiness and strength. They complete one another.

One of the things I most enjoy about these books is the sense of community within the story and the richly developed supporting cast.  Speaking of supporting cast, what’s next for our Christmas, Colorado friends?  Are Vivi and Chance headed for a shot at a happy ending?

Yes, they are, PJ! I can't wait for Chance and Vivi's book, WEDDING BELLS IN CHRISTMAS, to come out next May. Nell has been trying to get these two together since book one in the series. There's a sneak peek at their story at the end of IT HAPPENED AT CHRISTMAS, and here's a sneak peek of their cover. I love all my covers, but this is one of my favorites.

There are so many wonderful scenes in IT HAPPENED AT CHRISTMAS. Some had me reaching for tissues to wipe away tears while others elicited rip-roaring laughter.  Without giving away spoilers, what’s the one scene that you’d never cut from this book?

Doing a little happy dance that you laughed and cried while reading the book, PJ:) Honestly, it's hard to think of any scene I'd cut, but I'll go with the one that first came to mind. I call it the Magic Mike scene:) It's sexy and cute, and the moment  Skye realizes Ethan might not be the uptight, straitlaced conservative she thought him to be. From that scene on their relationship changes.

One of my favorite scenes from this book is the Thanksgiving dinner with so much going on both above and below the surface.  If you could host a dinner with any ten people – living, dead or fictional – who would be on the guest list?

So glad you enjoyed the Thanksgiving scene, PJ! It's one of my favorites, too. Over the last five years we've lost several members of our family, and I'd love to have them all with us for one last dinner. Especially my dad. I miss him every day, but I miss him even more during the holidays.

Most of us have stacks of books waiting to be read.  When you’re not busy writing your own stories, what types of books do you enjoy reading?

I can't have stacks of books waiting to be read. I'm a book-a-holic. If there's an unread book in the house, it calls to me until I pick it up. I read anything and everything. The moment I sent off WEDDING BELLS IN CHRISTMAS to my editor, I took a few days off to read WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART'S BLOOD by Diana Gabaldon, THE BOOK OF LIFE by Deborah Harkness, and ONE PLUS ONE by JoJo Moyes. Three fabulous books by three amazing authors. At the end of the month, I'll be sending the next book off to my editor and will be indulging in another read-a-thon. This time the latest from Jill Shalvis, Kristen Higgins, Kristen Ashley, Chloe Neill, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Rachel Gibson, and JD Robb, are on my to-buy list.  I may need to stretch those few days off to a week or more:)

In my family, Thanksgiving means turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and football.  Canada’s Thanksgiving is next week.  What traditions for this holiday do you follow in your family?

Food is a big part of our Thanksgiving celebration too, PJ. And because of when the holiday falls here, one of our favorite traditions is to go on a family walk and enjoy the gorgeous fall colors. When our children were little, we'd take them to the pumpkin patch. Now it's a walk in Gatineau Park. Only our walks don't always turn out  to be the Hallmark moment we envisioned. Last year it was my mother who was the problem. Not ten minutes into our walk, she asked how much further, this continued every five feet or so. Until finally my brother and I pointed out that my nephews weren't complaining, and they were nine and seven at the time. That didn't go over well and the squabbling began. A man driving by in his car rolled down his window and said with a grin, "Are you having fun yet?"  Guess who's not going on the walk this year;)

What’s next for Debbie Mason?

Book five in the series, SNOWBOUND AT CHRISTMAS, is due at the end of the month and releases September 2015. Then it's on to A MATCH MADE IN CHRISTMAS, which comes out in March 2016.

Thank you for visiting with us today, Debbie.  Would you like to ask our readers a question?

Thank you so much for having me, PJ! I'd love to hear what your readers favorite traditions are for the holidays.

Okay, readers!  Let's hear about your favorite holiday traditions.  Debbie is graciously giving one randomly chosen person leaving a comment a prize package consisting of signed copies of THE TROUBLE WITH CHRISTMAS and CHRISTMAS IN JULY as well as a Christmas ornament. (U.S./Canada only)


29 comments:

  1. I this series and thanks for clueing me in on the upcoming ones. Would love to win this prize pkg.

    Christmas Eve we used to go to my aunt's for a lovely Italian meal. she passed away a few years ago and some family moved away and my daughter and her family go to her inlaws for the Eve. Christmas Day we have at our house. We do Thanksgiving here as well. Things change and you have to adapt. We have a little granddaughter so that adds joy to our holidays.

    Patoct

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    1. I love the concept of the Christmas Eve Italian meal. (though I'm not Italian and we've never had one) ;-)

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  2. Many years ago I started a tradition of a tree trimming get together. It started because we had a well loved uncle that didn't have family and oh how it has grown. The youngest is my nephew's son who is 2 and my mom who is 92 (their birthdays are a day apart plus 90 years lol). I take out my cherished ornaments that I've now been collecting for 45 yrs and it's laughs, food, drinks and my tree gets trimmed lol.

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  3. We collect Christmas ornaments that represent our travels and family milestones. It is a trip down memory lane when we decorate the tree.

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    1. What a great idea! I have ornaments that were gifts and others that represent milestones but I never thought of the travel ornaments. Wish I had! :)

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  4. Holiday celebrations have changed for our family over the last 4yrs or so. My mom loved to have all the holiday celebrations at her home. She loved to have all her family about her, my dad did too. But we have kind of gone our separate ways for Thanksgiving. I will be spending next weekend with my Aunt and her family. I am a fellow Canadian and I love that we have the changing of the season and all the wonderful colours and I hope good weather to enjoy in giving thanks for our wonderful Harvest.

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    1. Happy Thanksgiving (a little early), Kathleen. So glad you'll be spending the day with family.

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  5. We like to have the kids to make up a treat for the reindeer before going to bed of 3 teaspoons of glitter and about a 1/2 cup oats.the take it outside and spread it around.once the are asleep we take a bite from a carrot go out and spread the mix around leave the carrots the kids enjoy looking out to see if the reindeer ate it.I have to say I've seen a lot of smiles over the years

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    1. I love this tradition! We used to do that when the kids were younger.

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  6. I always spend the holidays with family and we have certain food traditions as well.

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    1. How fortunate you are to be surrounded by family over the holidays.

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  7. Congrats to Debbie on the new release! Ummm... we actually don't have any family holiday traditions. Our extended family has drifted away and out, so it's just my immediate family and we do what we want :) Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Erin, my family is spread over several states. I usually celebrate with good friends.

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  8. Congrats on your new release! I usually cook Thanksgiving dinner for my family and sister's birthday. My sister cooks Christmas dinner. We always have turkey and homemade dumplings like my grandmother fixed along with mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, gravy and anything that others in the family. We go all out on these dinners.

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    1. I'm drooling over the thought of those homemade dumplings!

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  9. We go to my oldest daughter's on Christmas Eve morning for breakfast and our gift exchange. The whole family is there. Then either that night or Christmas night we have a big dinner at my youngest daughter's. It all depends on her work schedule as she is a nurse and has to work some holidays. No matter what we find a way to be together.

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    1. Those were the holiday traditions we had when I was growing up; when my parents were alive and we all lived close. You're creating wonderful memories for your family.

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  10. Having Christmas as the name of a town is so unique...and it's no wonder it's about romances because Christmas is all about love. Our holiday traditions are always about family...and especially children. As many of the adults have become older and our family gatherings larger, we decided that the gift giving would be only for the children and grandchildren. It was an idea welcomed by all. The rest is about food of course...turkey, stuffing, candied yams, fresh green beans cooked with bacon, mashed potatoes and gravey...and pecan, pumpkin and apple pies. I love mince pie, but as no one else does, I always make myself some cookies with the mincemeat. We play board games and other participation games that can include the children. We laugh a lot...and love a lot. The holidays are very special and memories of those gone from our gathering are always remembered., Thanks for the question and this post. jdh2690@gmail.com

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    1. We laugh a lot...and love a lot.

      That pretty much sums it all up, doesn't it? :)

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  11. I have really enjoyed the "Christmas" series and am looking forward to the newest book!

    My husband works at a high-end jewelry store and the week before Christmas is crazy, so our Christmas tradition is to have a quiet holiday. We visit our horses at the barn where they are boarded and give Jesus' roommates treats. Later, we watch A Christmas Story and then grill steaks for dinner. Our family is far away or has passed on, so we developed this tradition of our own. Several of my friends who have huge families and Byzantine family traditions have told me they are jealous. :) My personal tradition is to buy the Hallmark "Pony for Christmas" ornament the day it comes out.

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    1. I think your tradition is lovely. Sometimes, simple and heartfelt really is best.

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  12. I really enjoy books set as Christmas. Among our traditions are baking lots of cookies, attending mass, getting together to open family presents on Christmas Eve, and having a big family dinner on Christmas day. One of the things I love is watching the grandkids open their Christmas stockings from "Santa" on Christmas day. Thanks for visiting.

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  13. decorating the tree together

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  14. We bake and cook as much as possible. We always decorate the tree together - even if it means we have an undecorated tree set up for a few days. ;-) The whole family gets together at my in-laws house on Christmas Eve for the big celebration with a massive dinner - including any family members of mine from out of state. Christmas morning is spent at everyone's own home with multiple visits to other homes.

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  15. My 2 daughters every year one gets a crochet Angel and the other gets a wooden nutcrackers, and I always get some kind of a ornament. Both girls are 19 and 20 years old now but it is still wonderful having them here. We baked Christmas goodies and hang stockings.
    Penney

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  16. Our neighbors were a large family and would go caroling every year!

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  17. Just realized I have both these books, so don't put me in for the contest.
    Patoct

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