GREAT SUMMER READING with Debbie Mason and R.C. Ryan

Two of my favorite summer reads this year so far are Debbie Mason's Sandpiper Shore and R.C. Ryan's Cowboy on my Mind. What I mean of course they are summer books that are perfect for that beach read, sitting by the pool, or even just your favorite outdoor reading spot.

Harmony Harbor #6, I found the blurb on this one a little off, Jenna is a matchmaker, she owns a successful business with her stepmother until recently, she's engaged to the perfect guy until he walks in into her stepsisters dress shop and tells her the weddings off. The next thing Jenna knows she's jobless, broke, her stepsisters hate her and the only one really on her side, besides her best friend, is Logan Gallagher who has recently saved her from her ex and from herself more than once all in the span of a half a day. Protecting people is what Logan does, he's in the Secret Service, but when he meets Jenna her damsel in distress vibe is strong and he finds he can't help himself and keeps coming to her aid. After that horrible day they maintain a nice friendship. He even helps her get the job as a fill in wedding planner at Greystone Manor. But then Logan's job calls him away and then there's a car accident and when Logan comes back he not only can't remember the last few weeks of his life including everything that happened with Jenna he's engaged. To top it all off Jenna now has to plan Logan's wedding...to a princess.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. Jenna's poor life spirals out of control and nothing seems to be going right and just when she thinks things are finally going her way she gets thrown a curveball or two. This is a great Cinderella story, complete with mean stepsisters and a horrible stepmother and all Jenna ever wanted was for them to be a family. I loved the characters, especially Logan, the writing is so funny and heartwarming and with a little bit of intrigue to make it really interesting. I love Debbie Mason's Harmony Harbor series.

Montana Strong #1, This series starts off strong with a great introduction to characters. Montana rancher, Mac, a recent widower who not only lost his wife lost his son as well. With nothing else to live for he's on the verge of taking his own life when three young brothers who ran away from their individual foster homes break into his house in the middle of a blizzard. Seeing those boys so desperate to stay together and willing to work hard gives Mac a reason to keep going. Years later each of the three trouble makers has made something of themselves the eldest Ben is now helping out the Sheriff acting as a deputy at least temporarily until the sheriff can get back on his feet after an injury. Becca left Haller Creek the first chance she got and at first she never wanted to come back but after being gone for so long she realized how much she missed home. Becca is determined to keep her independence from her controlling and old fashioned parents and she wants to prove herself a good business woman to her Dad. Becca is not the only one back in Haller Creek, Will is back from seminary school and Becca's parents keep pushing to get her and Will to get into a relationship, but everytime her and Will are alone together someone takes a shot at them. Each shot is a miss so they are a crappy shot or they are just trying to scare them either way Ben is determined to protect Becca at all costs. Becca always had a crush on Ben, from the very first day and he's always protected her no matter what. Ben has always had a crush on Becca but was hesitant to act on it since her Dad hates Ben, but now Becca is a grown woman and she finally has the courage to act on her feelings and what she wants almost as much as she wants a successful business is Ben. It's not going to be an easy road to their HEA.

Overall, this was a great read. I love the relationship between Mac and the boys and how all three of the brothers are so different but their bond is strong and Becca fit in perfectly with their family dynamic. It was a nice tease for the other two brothers and I can't wait for their stories. Becca and Ben is a nice romance they are older and wiser and they are not going to let this second chance pass them by and dealing with Becca's dad is a handful but all in all I loved every aspect of this book.