Where to Start with Debbi Rawlins
If you are looking to dive into the passionate, small-town romance worlds created by Debbi Rawlins, your absolute best starting point is Barefoot Blue Jean Night (2012). This novel kicks off her beloved, 19-book Made in Montana series, which is her most cohesive and widely celebrated work. It introduces the signature blend of rugged cowboys, independent city-slicker heroines, and small-town charm that defines her writing.
For readers who prefer a dash of speculative fiction mixed with historical settings, starting with Once an Outlaw (2009) is highly recommended. This is the first book in her Stolen From Time series, a four-book time-travel romance that transports a modern woman back to the wild days of 1876 Deadwood.
If you prefer a quick, self-contained romance without committing to a long series, the standalone romance Slow Hand Luke (2005) is a fan-favorite bad-boy cowboy romance that perfectly showcases Rawlins's ability to blend suspense, humor, and high-heat passion.
The Made in Montana Series
Set against the backdrop of the Sundance Dude Ranch in Blackfoot Falls, Montana, the Made in Montana series is Debbi Rawlins's flagship contemporary romance series. The books follow various couples as they find love, face personal trials, and embrace the wild beauty of the frontier. The series is best read in order of publication to appreciate the overlapping characters and the development of the Blackfoot Falls community:
- Barefoot Blue Jean Night (2012)
- Own the Night (2012)
- On a Snowy Christmas Night (2012)
- You're Still the One (2013)
- No One Needs to Know (2013)
- From This Moment On (2013)
- Alone with You (2014)
- Need You Now (2014)
- Behind Closed Doors (2014)
- Anywhere with You (2015)
- Come On Over (2015)
- This Kiss (2015)
- Come Closer, Cowboy (2016)
- Wild For You (2016)
- Hot Winter Nights (2016)
- Sizzling Summer Nights (2017)
- Stealing the Cowboy's Heart (2017)
- Her Cowboy Reunion (2018)
- To Trust a Rancher (2018)
Note: The digital-only novella Any Man of Mine was released in late 2012 and fits chronologically as book 3.5, right after On a Snowy Christmas Night.
The Stolen From Time Series
Combining the gritty atmosphere of the old West with the fun of time travel, this four-book series is a unique departure from Rawlins's standard contemporary settings. It follows modern characters who find themselves mysteriously thrown back to the 19th century, finding love with historical rebels and outlaws. Follow this order:
- Once an Outlaw (2009)
- Once a Gambler (2009)
- Once a Rebel (2009)
- Lone Star Lover (2010)
Shared Universe & Harlequin Multi-Author Series
Debbi Rawlins has spent a large portion of her career writing category romance for Harlequin, contributing to many of their massive multi-author projects. These series are typically thematic: different authors write standalone novels set in the same universe, featuring shared settings or starting premises.
The Wrong Bed Series
The Wrong Bed series is one of Harlequin's most famous lines, featuring stories where mistaken identity or mix-ups in hotel rooms lead to steamy encounters. While the series spans over sixty books by various authors, Debbi Rawlins's notable contribution is Texas Blaze (2009). The database list contains many classic titles from other authors (such as Rita Clay Estrada's Bedded Bliss and Donna Sterling's His Double, Her Trouble) which can be read independently.
Men To Do Series
This steamy Harlequin Blaze series revolves around the list of "men to do" before settling down. Debbi Rawlins contributed four titles to this collaborative series. They can be read as standalones, but the chronological order of her contributions is:
- He's All That (2004)
- Good To Be Bad (2004)
- The Honeymoon that Wasn't (2006)
- If He Only Knew... (2007)
Do Not Disturb Series
Set around the sexy, luxurious Hush Hotel, the Do Not Disturb multi-author series features high-heat romances. Debbi Rawlins's main contribution is Hot Spot (2005), which details the tension between a photographer and a news anchor. The overall list of books in this category spans numerous entries by other romance writers (such as Jo Leigh's Very Hush-Hush).
Other Collaborative Series
Rawlins has also contributed to other popular Harlequin continuities, including:
- Forrester Square: A shared series about the lives and secrets of individuals surrounding a Seattle daycare center. Rawlins wrote Reinventing Julia (2003).
- Cooper's Corner: Set in a historic B&B in Massachusetts. Rawlins contributed Double Exposure (2002).
- Texas Sheikhs: Contemporary romances featuring wealthy Texas oilmen of royal heritage. She contributed His Royal Prize (2001).
- Brides of the Desert Rose: A series combining desert kingdoms with classic romance themes. She wrote By the Sheikh's Command (2002).
What to Know Before You Start
Debbi Rawlins's books are known for their hot, sensual romance elements, especially those published under the Harlequin Blaze line. If you prefer sweet or clean romances, her Blaze contributions might be a bit too intense. However, her books in the Harlequin American Romance line offer a gentler, more traditional small-town feel with lower heat levels.
Additionally, while her books in the Made in Montana series feature overlapping characters, they are written so that each can function perfectly fine as a standalone. You will not be lost if you pick up a later book in the series, though reading them in order provides a more rewarding experience as you watch the town of Blackfoot Falls grow.