Jangle my bells and call me a fruitcake (you wouldn’t be the first), but I’m as pleased as a cup of Christmas punch to be a guest once again here today.
I’ve had Christmas on the brain since mid-summer when I started working on holiday stories. Two of them released yesterday, so I’m excited to share a little about them with you today.
The Christmas Vow is the fourth book in my Hardman Holidays series. These sweet Victorian romances take place in Eastern Oregon in the town of Hardman.
Once upon a time, there was a town named Dairyville, springing up from the barren landscape of sagebrush and rolling hills in the Eastern Oregon desert.
Eventually, the town became known as Raw Dog while a rival settlement sprang up a mile away known as Yellow Dog. Stagecoaches and wagon trains traveling north and south through eastern Oregon and Washington found a convenient stopping point in both Raw Dog and Yellow Dog. The rivalry between the two locations escalated as they competed over which town would secure the stagecoach depot for the area. When Raw Dog received a permanent stagecoach station, the two towns became one — Dogtown.
The town’s name changed to Hardman in 1881 when David N. Hardman, an old pioneer farmer, moved to town and brought the post office with him, by consent of the government, which he previously operated from his farm. The town took the name of the post office, and was known from that point on as Hardman.
Today, Hardman is a ghost town, but I like to envision it when it was bustling with activity. Images of what it used to be like filled my head as I created the first book in this series, The Christmas Bargain.
As owner and manager of the Hardman bank, Luke Granger is a man of responsibility and integrity in the small 1890s Eastern Oregon town. When he calls in a long overdue loan, Luke finds himself reluctantly accepting a bargain in lieu of payment from the shiftless farmer who barters his daughter to settle his debt. Much to his surprised pleasure, Luke discovers his wife is a wonderful cook, among other things.
In fact, her skill at whipping up delicious meals and sweets carries through all four stories in the series.
Here’s a little excerpt from The Christmas Bargain:
“I happen to know a thing or two about you.” He shot her a sideways glance.
“Do tell, kind sir.” Filly batted her eyelashes at him. If Luke didn’t know better, he would think she was being downright flirtatious.
“I have observed, dear woman, that you put others before yourself, you are a dedicated and caring friend, and that you have a keen mind with a quick wit. You are clever, smart, and not afraid of hard work. Also, you’re very talented with domestic skills and inspiring as a cook. Your chocolate pudding could make grown men weep.”
Filly offered him a perturbed glare. “So, Mr. Granger, I have missed my calling as a schoolteacher or perhaps a cook at the restaurant. If my chocolate pudding makes grown men weep, what will my peach pie do to the male population? Bring them to their knees? Make them beg for mercy?”
Luke laughed aloud…
*****
Visit Hardman as I see it in my imagination through the Hardman Holiday series: The Christmas Bargain, The Christmas Token, The Christmas Calamity, and The Christmas Vow.
In addition to The Christmas Vow, Capturing Christmas, the third book in my Rodeo Romance series, released yesterday as well.
Life is hectic on a good day for rodeo stock contractor Kash Kressley. Between dodging flying hooves and babying cranky bulls, he barely has time to sleep. The last thing Kash needs is the entanglement of a sweet romance, especially with a woman as full of fire and sass as the redheaded photographer he rescues at a rodeo.
November 1 through Dec. 24, ten percent of the net proceeds from all Shanna Hatfield book sales will be donated to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. The JCCF is a non-profit organization that assists rodeo athletes who’ve sustained catastrophic injuries and are unable to work for an extended period.
Heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful gals here at Petticoats & Pistols for inviting me back for a visit today.
As a thank you, I’ll give away one digital set of the Hardman Holidays series. Share a comment answering this question:
What’s your favorite holiday treat?
Wishing you all an early but very happy holiday season!
Author Bio:
Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield is out to make it happen, one story at a time. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances combine humor and heart-pumping moments with characters that seem incredibly real. When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller. This USA Today bestselling author is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, Romance Writers of America, Sweet Romance Reads, and Pioneer Hearts.
Find Shanna’s books at:
Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Apple
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These books like great reads for this time of year (or any other time) I used to love cookies but now I cannot eat them. Looking for a new fav. Know any that are gluten free?
Hi Debra!
Thanks for stopping by today. Here’s a link to a recipe for an old-fashioned cookie that is gluten free.
http://savvyentertaining.com/2011/01/21/chocolate-coconut-kisses/
Hope you find a new favorite!
Welcome, Shanna! We’re so happy to have you visit and bring all these wonderful Christmas books to get us in the spirit. Christmas is such a special exciting time for me. I love shopping for just the right gift for friends and family. Cooking not so much but I often make fudge. Give most away though because I have to watch that stuff. My absolute favorite thing of all is a tradition I started with my kids and now they do for theirs–sausage cheese balls. We eat these on Christmas morning with our coffee. I love these balls. For a day that’s crammed full of eating they’re just right. And the taste is heavenly.
Wishing you much success with your books, your life and career, dear friend!
Those sausage cheese balls sound so good, Linda!
It’s such a pleasure to be a guest here today!
Thank you, sweet lady, for your kind wishes!
Smiles!
Goodness, it is always interesting to hear how a town got its name. Congrats on the releases!! As for treat, I always love Christmas cookies with homemade frosting.
Hi Susan!
Homemade frosting is the best!
Thank you for stopping by today and for your congratulations!
Enjoy your day – and holidays!
Shanna
My favorite holiday treat has always been my grandmother’s pumpkin pie! Even though she is gone, my family is lucky enough to have her recipe and we still continue to make it every year. Brings back great memories!
I am a pumpkin pie junkie. My grandma’s pie was so good! Glad you have your grandmother’s recipe.
Hi Shanna, so nice to have you here for the weekend! Your stories are just my cup of tea. Christmas books and movies are my favorite all year long. The treat I like best is probably pumpkin pie. Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas season overflowing with new memories.
Thank you for your gracious welcome, Tanya.
I could happily indulge in Christmas books and movies all year round, too.
All the best of the season’s blessings to you and yours!
Loved the post. My favorite would have to be Pumpkin Cheesecake.
Yum! That’s a great favorite!
Loved this post. I shall be checking all of your books out. Perhaps after the first of the year. My New Year’s resolution worked out so well for me this year that I think it will continue next year. I vowed to read a new to me author every month. This year I read 32!
My favorite holiday treat was my mother’s divinity. While I have the recipe mine just does not turn out the same. A friend’s father mastered it and always sent me some but now he, too has passed on so it has once again just become a memory.
Hi Connie!
That is an awesome resolution and what a fun way to discover new authors. Congrats on reading 32!
My dad and aunt are divinity fanatics. I will admit I’ve never tried to make it, but Mom always says you have to make it on a sunny, clear day because if it’s cloudy or there is moisture in the air, it won’t work. I guess I’ll have to give it a try one of these days.
Thanks so much for stopping by today and wishing you a fabulous holiday season!
Love the excerpt, Shanna! I read A Christmas Vow a couple years ago and really enjoyed it too.
So favorite holiday treat: Sweet treat – Raspberry Chocolate Walnut Fudge. Savory treat — my mother in-law’s spinach and sausage rolls.
Hi Shanna,
My favorite holiday treat are my M-I-L’s Spritz cookies, buttery deliciousness which melts in your mouth!
When my family moved back to Washington State after living “overseas,” we moved to a small town founded by Dutch immigrants. We’ve been back about 8 years and I love the holiday treats that you can find in the local bakeries this time of year – my favorite being the Banketstaven (Dutch Almond Pastry Roll.) As I get older, my desire for sweet treats becomes less and the Banketstaven is the perfect pastry – sweet, but not too sweet. Pair that with some Starbucks Christmas Blend coffee and you have the perfect dessert.
Your books sound like fantastic reads and I would love to read them. I think my favorite treat is peanut butter fudge I only make it at Christmas with a lot of other home made candies to give away. Peanut butter balls are very good also.
I think I would like to read your books. I like to find new to me authors too. I like to get together with friends at this time of year. It’s hard to get together with them as we are scattered around. We are also involved with our activities and responsibilities so the time we can squeeze out is special.
Apple pie because only eat it on holidays.
I love Shanna Hatfield ? my favorite holiday treat is Juniors christmas swirl cheescake yum! Thank you
Thank you for the great post. I love books set during Christmas too!
Through the years I have had several favorite treats. My mom used to make gumdrop fruitcakes. Also, we make See’s fudge which is awesome! But now that we are all quite a bit older, the fruitcakes don’t get made anymore and none of us need the fudge, so my very favorite thing now has been a tradition in our family ever since I was a very small girl (I”ll be 63 on the 21st)and that is Chipped Beef Gravy over biscuits for Christmas morning breakfast.
I would love to be entered into your giveaway! Thank you for the opportunity.
Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com