I first discovered Debbie Mason through her historical paranormal romances (written as Debbie Mazzuca) and followed her to contemporary romance when she launched her Christmas, Colorado series. I have fallen in love with the small mountain town of Christmas, it's quirky characters and heartwarming stories. Today is the release day for the fourth book in the series, Wedding Bells in Christmas and brings us the story of Vivi Westfield and Chance McBride, characters readers have met in earlier books in the series. (This book stands on its own though I think reading the series in order will give you a richer reading experience. The first three books are currently available in a Christmas, Colorado e-book collection for only $3.99.) With Vivi and Chance, Mason once again brings us an emotional journey with sizzle, some humor, and an edgy thread of suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed their story and am already looking forward to my next visit with the people of Christmas.
Here's a sneak-peek excerpt from Wedding Bells in Christmas.
Excerpt
His
eyes narrowed, and he let go of her hand. “You buy your own ticket?”
“My
plane ticket?”
He
nodded.
“No,
if I did, I wouldn’t be sitting in first class.” She didn’t add “beside you.”
Her eyes widened as she realized why he’d ask. “Did you buy yours?”
“No,”
he clipped out.
She
pressed her fingers to her temple. So this was what Skye had been talking
about. Nell’s plan had nothing to do with getting Vivi to move to Christmas.
She was up to her matchmaking tricks again. Vivi drowned out the little voice in
her head that cheered Nell on with a forced laugh. “Your aunt is deluded if she
thinks she can get us together.”
“I know that and you know that, but it won’t matter
what we say.”
His answer wasn’t a surprise. She knew how he felt
about her, but to hear him so casually dismiss any chance . . . Good God, she
really wasn’t over him, was she?
Obviously the twinge of pain in the vicinity of her heart
was reflected in her face, because he patted her thigh. “Don’t worry about it.
I’ll figure something out.”
“Good luck with that. She’s three for three. The
woman thinks she’s . . .” She trailed off as the flight attendant began the
safety briefing.
“Three for three? Who—”
She held up a hand and retrieved the illustrated
card from the pouch in front of her. She caught the amused expression on
Chance’s face as he watched her. She ignored him, focusing instead on the
flight attendant. When the woman turned to the person in the emergency exit
seat, Vivi raised herself up as much as the seat belt allowed. “There is no way
that guy will be able to throw the door.” She cast a sidelong and slightly
covetous glance at Chance’s corded forearms and bulging biceps. “You should
change seats with him.”
“Slick, we’re not going to crash. If you want to
worry about something, worry about Nell and what she has planned for us.”
Vivi dragged her gaze from his amazing biceps to . .
. dammit,
his equally amazing face. His eyebrows raised at what she belatedly realized
had been her very thorough perusal of all his amazingness. Her face, along with
a certain body part—one that had been piteously ignored for the last eighteen
months—got warm and tingly. She fanned herself with the informational card,
then realized what she was doing. She stuffed it back in the pouch. “Leave Nell
to me. I’ll talk to her and set her straight,” she said with perhaps more
feeling than was warranted.
“Trust
me, I know my aunt better than you do, and trying to reason with her will do as
much good as waving a red flag in front of a bull.”
“So
what do you suggest we do?”
“Simple.
We’ll tell her we’re together, and she’ll leave us alone.”
Her
and Chance . . . together. It was like her fantasy come true. Only it wasn’t.
She cleared what she imagined was a look of longing and hope from her face.
“Are you crazy?”
“No.
Think about it. If we don’t cut her off at the pass, she’ll drive us nuts. She
won’t let up, and she’ll get her buddies in on the action. What’s the big deal?
It’s only for a week. And it’s not as if anyone will expect us to spend much
time together. I’ll be busy with my dad’s wedding.”
Vivi
didn’t think Nell and Christmas’s matchmakers were that big a problem. Sure,
they’d be annoying and no doubt drive them slightly insane. But pretending to
be Chance’s girlfriend? That would be a problem. All those soft, romantic
feelings would come back to bite her in the butt. She opened her mouth to . . .
What? If she didn’t agree to his plan, he’d wonder why. He obviously had no
qualms about pretending to be in love with her. She felt like bonking her head
on the seat in front of her, but instead said, “Okay, fine. We’ll pretend we’re
dating. But we end our fake relationship before we head out of town. Publicly.
And this time, I’m the one who does the ending.” Good God, did she just say that?
It was exactly what she wanted to do, but she didn’t mean to tell him! And
she’d been doing so well playing it cool up until now.
He
rubbed his jaw, then looked at her. And that’s when she saw it—pity. He felt
sorry for her. “Vivi, I never meant to hurt you. I—”
“Hurt
me? Whatever gave you that idea? Come on, it’s not like we had a relationship
or anything. We had some laughs together, good times in bed, and—”
His
brow lifted. “Good times in bed?”
Typical. Of course he’d
hone in on that. Did he actually expect her to stroke his ego after he’d lied
to her and left her without an explanation? As if she were going to tell him he
was a sex god and had ruined her for mere mortal men.
“Yeah,
good times. It was fun while it
lasted. But I knew what I was getting myself into. I might not have known your
real name, but it was obvious you were a player.”
“I
am not a player.”
“Right.
And your name’s James Harris.”
“Look,
I couldn’t risk blowing my cover. My assignment was dangerous. I didn’t want
you to get—”
“It
doesn’t matter. No harm, no foul. I’ll go along with your plan.”
His
eyes roamed her face, then he nodded. “If it’ll make you feel better, you can
break up with me in front of the whole damn town for all I care.”
“Consider
it a public service for the trail of broken hearts you’ve left in your wake.”
“You
saying I broke your heart, Slick?” His voice was low and gruff, an unreadable
emotion in his eyes.
“Get
over yourself, McBride. I already told you . . .”
Vivi
eyes widened as the 757 started to shake. She dug her fingernails into the
armrest. Oh, God, oh, God. When the plane
took a stomach-turning drop, she screamed, throwing herself into the arms of
the man she wanted to smack only a few seconds ago. “Do something! You—”
He
sighed, lowering his head to smother her panicked cries with
a deep, soul-searing kiss.
Are you reading Debbie Mason's Christmas, Colorado series?
Tell me what you like about small-town romances.
Do you enjoy a bit of suspense with your contemporary romance?
Vivi and Chance are the latest targets of the Christmas matchmakers. Have you ever done any matchmaking? Been the target of matchmakers? How did things turn out?
One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on today's post will receive a print copy of WEDDING BELLS IN CHRISTMAS. (US/Canada only)
Are you reading Debbie Mason's Christmas, Colorado series?
Tell me what you like about small-town romances.
Do you enjoy a bit of suspense with your contemporary romance?
Vivi and Chance are the latest targets of the Christmas matchmakers. Have you ever done any matchmaking? Been the target of matchmakers? How did things turn out?
One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on today's post will receive a print copy of WEDDING BELLS IN CHRISTMAS. (US/Canada only)
Wedding Bells in Christmas
Christmas, Colorado - Book 4
By Debbie Mason
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: May 26, 2015
To have and to hold from this day forward
Wedding bells are ringing in the charming town of Christmas, but not for Vivian Westfield. She's just had her heart trampled under the cowboy boots of Chance McBride and lost her dream job at a big-city newspaper. But when she returns for a wedding, she stumbles on a story that could resurrect her career. First, though, she'll have to deal with the handsome man standing in her way . . . and a still-burning flame that's too hot to ignore.
Chance recognizes trouble when he sees it. He just didn't expect to find it in the first-class cabin on the flight home for his father's wedding. Yet there she is, as gorgeous as ever. Vivi dared Chance to want things he knew he could never have. It's why he left her. But Christmas's meddling matchmakers have them firmly in their sights. So if they want to survive the next week, they'll have to play the part of an adoring couple-an irresistible charade that may give them a second chance at the real thing . . .
Wedding bells are ringing in the charming town of Christmas, but not for Vivian Westfield. She's just had her heart trampled under the cowboy boots of Chance McBride and lost her dream job at a big-city newspaper. But when she returns for a wedding, she stumbles on a story that could resurrect her career. First, though, she'll have to deal with the handsome man standing in her way . . . and a still-burning flame that's too hot to ignore.
Chance recognizes trouble when he sees it. He just didn't expect to find it in the first-class cabin on the flight home for his father's wedding. Yet there she is, as gorgeous as ever. Vivi dared Chance to want things he knew he could never have. It's why he left her. But Christmas's meddling matchmakers have them firmly in their sights. So if they want to survive the next week, they'll have to play the part of an adoring couple-an irresistible charade that may give them a second chance at the real thing . . .
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Debbie Mason is the bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado series. Her books have been praised for their "likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots" (RT Book Reviews). She also writes historical paranormals as Debbie Mazzuca. Her MacLeod series has received several nominations for best paranormal as well as a Holt Medallion Award of Merit. When she isn't writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, their four wonderful children, an adorable grandbaby, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella.
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Love the Bride Dancing with her Dad.
ReplyDeleteNever got involved in matchmaking. Like the warm and fuzzy of a small town romance. Am enjoying this series. And Do like a little susp in my contemp romance.
Pat L.
I think Mason strikes a good balance between suspense and romance. Glad you're enjoying the series too!
DeleteI like the warmth and caring in small-town romances
ReplyDeleteThat's one of my favorite parts too!
DeleteMy daughter just got married 2 wks. ago and I have to say I loved it all but the exchange of rings with the vows that went with them is always a favorite.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your daughter!
DeleteThe ceremony and then smashing the glass which is important.
ReplyDeleteTraditions are important.
DeleteThe I do's are the highlight of the day.
ReplyDeleteThat's when I'm usually rummaging through my purse for more tissues. :)
DeleteThe ceremony itself is my favorite Part, bit throwing the bouquet and garter can be lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteThrowing the bouquet is usually entertaining, especially if you have enthusiastic single women in the crowd! lol
DeleteWatching the actual ceremony, I agree with Glenda.
ReplyDeleteSome ceremonies are more touching than others but all of them are meaningful.
DeleteSeeing the happy couple dance together and the bride with her dad...
ReplyDeleteThe parent dance always gets me.
DeleteI enjoy the exchanging of rings.
ReplyDeleteDenise
I like the solemnity of the ring exchange.
DeleteRomantic suspense is my favorite genre. I love small town romance because everyone is familiar and the potential for so many future stories is possible. I've read the Christmas books and just bought the new one today.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it, Debbie! I've really enjoyed getting to know these characters and am hoping for lots more Christmas, Colorado books!
DeleteSmall town romance is wonderful. There are always going to be the matchmakers in town.And they are such cozy reads. I love weddings ,especially the moment the Bride & Groom turn to each other to kiss. The look in their eyes is bursting with love. I've only read the first book in the series and loved it.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750. (at) aol (dot) com
Small town romance is wonderful. There are always going to be the matchmakers in town.And they are such cozy reads. I love weddings ,especially the moment the Bride & Groom turn to each other to kiss. The look in their eyes is bursting with love. I've only read the first book in the series and loved it.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750. (at) aol (dot) com
The food at this place was delicious. The menu options we had at this place were great (it was hard to choose) and one course was better than the next. It was great that they had different options at location for vows for those who didn't eat what we served.
ReplyDelete