by Debbie Mason
Series: Christmas Colorado #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
It will take a Christmas miracle to melt her heart. Resort developer Madison Lane is about to lose the one thing she loves most in the world—her job. Dubbed "The Grinch Who Killed Christmas," Madison spoiled a deal that would turn quaint Christmas, Colorado, into a tourist's winter wonderland. Now the citizens want her fired but the company gives her one last chance, sending Madison to the small town to restore the holiday cheer. For Sheriff Gage McBride, no hotshot executive from New York City is going to destroy the dreams of the people he loves. But one look at this beautiful woman and it's his heart that may be broken. In just a few days, Madison causes more trouble than he's had to deal with all year. He can't decide if she's naughty or nice, but one thing is for certain—Christmas will never be the same again...
The Trouble with Christmas is the first in a new series by Debbie Mason called Christmas, Colorado and already I want to back my bags and move there. Christmas, was delightful with its busy bodies, quaint shops and a bar called the Penalty Box.. The tale was romantic, with humor, lessons and of course the spirit of Christmas. Mini review: humor, snowflakes, a little drama and romance made this a sweet afternoon read by the fire.
Madison Lane’s past has made her loathe Christmas. Bah and Humbug. Her center of happiness is her career making projections and working numbers for a resort company. Her recent report recommending they cancel resort plans, with the town of Christmas, Colorado; is about to turn her world upside down. When her data squelches the deal for Christmas, Colorado the townsfolk there dub her “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” Did I mention the media jumped on the story, and it made the front page, complete with her picture? Seeing this as a PR nightmare, she is sent to Christmas, Colorado to persuade the citizens that ending the deal was the right thing to do. The tale that unfolds is hilarious, as of course chaos ensues. Madison may just end up fired or maybe, just maybe she may find the spirit of Christmas.
Madison has friends but has never had a really serious relationship. She is smart with numbers and at seeing the big picture when it comes to business. I adored her and all of her complexities. She loathes the holiday and the reasons will crack your heart. The author slowly reveals the warmer, fuzzier side of this misunderstood Grinch. Sheriff Gage McBride is a smexy, divorced, Daddy of two and the heart of Christmas, Colorado. He is the thread that holds them all together and may I just say he looks good doing it. There were a few sparks when these two meet, but this romance is slow to build. I laughed, sighed and covered my head while blushing. The townsfolk, the developer owner’s nephew and a nosy reporter all add suspense to the mix. Gage’s Aunt, Nell McBride, was a hoot and a force of nature I would not want to cross. Other characters added drama, tender moments and Christmas magic.
The Trouble with Christmas offered the perfect elements to make a tale memorable, from the town folks to the drama I was completely captivated. Mason did a wonderful job of bringing Christmas, Colorado to life, and I was beyond tickled to learn this will be a new series. Besides the humor, off key singing and stolen kisses, Mason also gives us hope, joy and the holiday spirit as the town changes Madison and she in turn changes the town. *cue snow* The romance was sweet felt genuine,and had just enough heat to curl your toes without any steamy details. The story unfolded at a wonderful pace, with twists and a few turns as we moved towards a climatic ending and our HEA. I closed the book with a smile, and thoughts of gingerbread dancing in my head.
Fans of small-town romances and quirky, lovable townsfolk grab a copy of The Trouble with Christmas. The next book, Christmas in July will release June 24, 2014.
Four and half cups of Christmas coffee out of five
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
aurian
Sold! Adding it to my wishlist.
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy my friend!
Lark
Sounds good! I’ll check it out – hopefully my library has it, because the book budget is nil this month.
kimbacaffeinate
It might be on NetGalley, and some of those are open till January 6th.
Diana Leigh
Love it! Your review gave me the warm-fuzzies. =)
kimbacaffeinate
Awe, so glad it did 🙂
Lily B
Aww I hope I can fit this one in, I keep seeing wonderful review on it. Heard it was sweet and funny so many times <3
kimbacaffeinate
This was delightful Lily 🙂
Andrea
Ooh, this looks like fun! I want to love to Christmas Colorado, too. I am loving all of these holiday reads!
kimbacaffeinate
Me too, thanks Andrea 🙂
Pamela D
I cover my head when I am blushing or embarrassed for characters in books and on TV too. My husband finds it hilarious. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Hehehe, me too but so does my husband we usually lean in and hide our faces in each others neck. My son however gets so embarrassed he leaves the room and paces in the hall until it is over..LOL
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
So glad you enjoyed it! ‘Tis the season. 😉 Thank you!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Melissa 🙂
Candace
I want to go to that town right freaking now! It sounds delightful!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, I love these types of small-towns
Heidi
I love cozy small town books like this and add in the Christmas cheer and romance and it sounds like a winner. I will be starting my Christmas reads next weekend perhaps I will add this one!
kimbacaffeinate
enjoy Heidi, and add Sleigh Bells in the Snow too 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
I do like fictional towns set in CO. I might have to check it out just for that. I also like that the romance sounds sweet. Love the *cue snow* 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
hehehe, thanks Melissa 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Thanks Kimba, I adore Christmas tales.
kimbacaffeinate
Me too 🙂 goes perfect with coffee or cocoa on a cold winter night 🙂
Cathy
OOh, great! I’ve been looking for a good Christmassy read! Getting this straight away 🙂
Cathy x
http://whiskshooksandbooks.blogspot.co.uk
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, enjoy Cathy 🙂
Lieke
Sounds good! I love good Christmas stories 😉
kimbacaffeinate
This was delightful Lieke, thanks 🙂
Braine Talk Supe
This sounds so funny! I fondly nickname my neighbor, Grinch, coz every Halloween she has a sign that says NO CANDY and all lights are off in her house. It’s pretty much the same during Christmas too and she’s not very friendly. That or she doesn’t like brown people like me.
Anyway, maybe I should leave this book on her porch. Hopefully it’ll make her more sunshine-y.
kimbacaffeinate
Awe, I see a Christmas miracle in the making!
Michelle
One of my favorite things about smaller towns are the busibodies. So I love that you mentioned them. haha This book looks really cute. Now that I am seeing christmas lights go up I am really int he mood for some holiday reads.
Great review kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh lord, Michelle Gage’s Aunt is wonderfully busy 🙂
Darlene
Aww, this sounds so good and I’d really like to get a Christmas book in before Christmas this year!
kimbacaffeinate
Everyone should enjoy at least one:) thanks Darlene
Ginny
Such a fantastic review. I actually sighed and had visions of snow dancing in my head. 🙂 I believe I found my book to read while my hubby has to work on Christmas eve…can’t wait. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Awesome, this was one of my favorites, my other is Sleigh Bells in the Snow
Ginny
I ordered it today. I will check out the Sleigh Bells in the Snow as well.
kimbacaffeinate
My review won’t post until the 16th, but it was my absolute favorite of the season.
Jenea
Small town romances are the best ones. Christmas sounds like a place I need to live. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I agree, they are 🙂
blodeuedd
Awwww it looks so cute 😀
kimbacaffeinate
It was, I love books that me laugh and want to back my bags 🙂
Mary
Why can’t I find a cute town like Christmas, Colorado to live in? One thing I love about these cozy romances is the adorable towns filled with mischief and hot guys that the characters live in. And I want to go there!
kimbacaffeinate
I so agree Mary, and this town has a cast of memorable, funny and mischievous characters that will have you packing your bags.
Tanja
Kim I’m packing my bags and see ya there. This place sounds amazing and I’d love to be there too. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Awesome, Jenny from Supernatural Snark is coming too, we hope to open a bookshop.
Jenny
*starts packing bags to move to Colorado with you* I love small town romances like these, I’m a small-town girl at heart even though I live in a bigger city, so these types of stories just make me happy. Definitely need to meet Gage!
kimbacaffeinate
We will have a blast, I don’t remember a book store, so we can open one!
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
Town Folk drama and Christmas if done right makes the best read overall 🙂 Adding this to my Christmas Read list!
kimbacaffeinate
I agree and this delivered humor, suspense and a sweet romance. I love when secondary characters are strong 🙂
kindlemom1
I meant to read more Christmas themed books this month and I just haven’t gotten around to it, in fact, it seems I have barely read at all. Crazy busy lately!
Glad you are loving these Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
It’s that time of year 🙂 Hope you find time to read soon 🙂
Carmel
After getting tons of snow over the past week today it’s raining so I might have to read a few books to get my winter wonderland fix. Plus, I’m kinda a Scrooge when it comes to the holidays so perhaps some fictional Xmas cheer will help me get into the mood. Nice review Kimberly!
kimbacaffeinate
Awe, that is no fun, I hope the holiday spirit bites you 🙂 This was a good one, as was Sleigh Bells in the Snow 🙂
Lotte
Sounds like the perfect Christmas read! I can’t wait until my Christmas break, when I’ll finally be able to catch up on my reading. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh hang in there Lotte, it’s almost here 🙂
Jeann
I’m feeling the Christmas spirit here lately! Sounds like this could take me to a white Christmas 🙂 Glad she balanced all the parts in the book perfectly.
kimbacaffeinate
It was nicely done, and I love when the secondary characters are engaging too 🙂
Chene Sterckx
This book sounds like a whole lot of fun! I love it when they get quirky humour right 🙂 What a great review, thanks for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
It was fun, I love romances with humor 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Awww, so cute. The author sounds like she did a great job all around cover all the book lover basics.
kimbacaffeinate
she did Jennifer, it has that small-town charm that I love.