Savoring Christmas

by

 

I’ve been writing in the Rodeo Romance series since 2013 when The Christmas Cowboy released.

When I wrote that first sweet romance about a saddle bronc rider and a focused corporate executive, I never imagined it would lead to a whole series of books.

But it has.

Each holiday season, I release a new book in the series and last week  Savoring Christmas released.

This story is a combination of hilarity and heartfelt moments that tug on your heartstrings.

Troy Lucas gave up his winning rodeo career to run the family ranch after the death of his grandfather. Now, being a rancher, a farrier, and even doing some team roping just for fun can’t seem to keep him satisfied. He didn’t think he’d miss his glory days in the rodeo when he came back home – in fact, there’s no where else he’d rather be. Still, he can’t deny the hole inside that keeps reminding him he’s hungry for something…more.

Chef Lark Gibson has only one thing on her mind: opening a restaurant in Portland. Until that day comes, Lark will take her food truck to as many events as possible and make sure her customers are always begging for more. The last thing she expected was to find herself distracted by a knight in dusty Wranglers, until a handsome cowboy comes to her rescue and catches her off-guard.

 

 

The idea for Troy and Lark’s story started when Troy first made an appearance in a book a few years ago as a quiet and shy farrier. I knew as soon as his character popped onto the page, I wanted him to have his own story and find his happily ever after.

Last year, when I was working on Remembering Christmas, I came around to the idea of Troy’s love interest running a food truck – because … well, why not? So I asked my reader group for food truck ideas. As soon as one of them (thanks, Stephanie R!) mentioned a tater tot truck, I knew that was what I wanted to include, and their sweet romance grew from there. (You might remember I wrote a whole blog about tater tots a few years ago.)

Josephine Blake from Covers & Cupcakes created this amazing cover for me and I couldn’t love it more. She took my request for a cowboy, a red-headed woman, a food truck, and a snowy background and turn them into something amazing.

EXCERPT:

“Are you hurt?” he asked, hunkering down beside her, not wanting her to feel rushed to move. He’d had the air knocked out of him often enough to know it was an uncomfortable, unsettling feeling.

When she didn’t answer, only inhaled a third breath, he started to worry. “Should I find a medic?”

She shook her head, sending that mane of finger-tempting hair into a lively dance. Troy kept his hands pressed to his thighs when he experienced a sudden, inexplicable need to brush the hair away from her face. With the verdant grass providing a sharp contrast to her red hair, it was all Troy could do not to snap a picture of her to make him smile on a lonely gray day. The woman could be her own Christmas decoration with her alabaster skin, red hair, and the green background.

Despite comparing her to holiday décor, she really was a beauty, even with her hair in a tangle and no makeup on her face, at least that he could see.

“Just take your time. No need to get in a hurry to move. If you need assistance, I’ll go find someone.” Troy wasn’t certain if her pale skin was natural because of her red hair, or if she was injured and trying to make light of it.

She pushed herself up into a sitting position. “That won’t be necessary, even if that was an exciting way to start the day,” she said in a mellow voice that flowed over him like rich honey warmed by the sun.

“Are you sure you aren’t hurt?” he asked, rising to his feet, then offering her his hands.

“Just my pride.” She latched onto his hands and Troy almost jumped back, feeling something charged, like a current of electricity, shoot up both of his arms. It was like grabbing onto an electrified wire. Instead of letting go, though, he tightened his fingers around hers and hauled her upright.

The woman appeared of average height for a female, not too tall or too short. She had a nice figure he tried not to ogle as he observed her bright blue T-shirt and a pair of dark gray cotton shorts with pockets on the legs. His gaze slid down the length of her to her blue sneakers, then started back up when he noticed blood trickling down her leg and over her knee.

“You’re hurt,” he said, reaching for the cuff of her shorts that fell just above her knee, hiding her injury from his view. He stopped before his fingers connected with the cloth and dropped his hand to his side. Touching a stranger that way seemed rather inappropriate. He certainly didn’t want her to wrongly assume he was a pervert who preyed on women who’d been bowled over by belligerent bovine running amok.

 

To me Savoring Christmas isn’t just about Troy enjoying the food Lark creates.

It’s about savoring the season and the people they love and care about. It’s about savoring moments that will become treasured memories. It’s about savoring the warmth in their hearts and the joy of selfless giving.

May we all savor this special time of year!

Just for fun, here’s a song my narrator, Luke Andreen, wrote for this series. Enjoy!

If you were going to write a song to go with one of your favorite things

(can be a book, movie, person, place, thing – whatever),

what would the song be about? 

Share your answer for a chance to win a digital copy of Savoring Christmas and a $5 Amazon Gift Card!

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After spending her formative years on a farm in Eastern Oregon, hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield turns her rural experiences into sweet historical and contemporary romances filled with sarcasm, humor, and hunky western heroes.
When this USA Today bestselling author isn’t writing or covertly hiding decadent chocolate from the other occupants of her home, Shanna hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller.

52 thoughts on “Savoring Christmas”

  2. Right now the song would be about our 2 Chihuahua-Terrier mix puppies. They are so cuddle, adorable and exhausting!

  3. I love the idea of the narrator creating a song to go with the book. If I wrote a song, I would like for it to be about a quilt (something about putting the pieces together) and relate it to life.

  7. Good morning Shanna I LOVED Troy and Lark’s book. It was perfectly written and I was so hungry after I finished it. You certainly can write exceptional romance.
    If I was going to write a song, I’d write about my sobriety. The struggles that alcohol can have on a person and the blessings that come when you give your addiction over to God and start living a free life from the grip the brown bottle poison.
    I am so blessed to have just celebrated my 2/bd year sober in September.

    Love you dearly, have a great day.

  8. A song about family and the crazy things grandchildren do…or road trips with my husband.
    Savoring Christmas edged its way to the top of my favorite rodeo romance books. My favorite used to be Capturing Christmas. They are both wonderful, fun stories.

  9. It could be about grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My youngest grandson is 3 and my oldest great-grandson is 4 with more greats younger than him. The song could also be about my Lord Jesus Christ.

    • They would be wonderful songs! I’m sure your grandchildren would love a song about them. And a song about Jesus – what a beautiful expression of joy and blessings. Have a fabulous day!

  11. My song would be one of joy about being the grandmother to four wonderful grandsons. P.S. My husband wrote a song for each of our two children when they were young and one about his love for me. It was a year we were so broke he couldn’t buy me an anniversary gift so he wrote me a song. Best present ever!

  12. This goes Waaayy back when I was 13 or 14 and I was out feeding the chickens and gathering eggs. I used to make up tunes and words while doing these mundane chores. I am positive they would not have ever hit the charts as they were pretty silly. I do not remember any words or tunes I made up anymore. On the other hand, the tune you included in this meme sure makes you want to read the whole story. Thanks so much Shanna.

    • Oh, thank you, Judy! It is a catchy tune! And so fun you used to sing to the chickens and while doing chores. I’m sure it made the chores pass quickly. So neat that you did that!

    • I love that song too – those jingling bells… nothing quite like the sound! Years ago, we got to attend a Boston Pops performance and that was my favorite song of the whole show!

  19. My song would be about just living your life through the good times and the not so good times and Always being Thankful and grateful to God for what and who we have with us. My family is my happiness.

  20. My song would have to be about Jesus and books!!! It would have to include thanks that He gave me my dream job!!

  22. I would have to say it would be about all the close calls. Of all the times my family, my ancestors where so close to death (from the trail of tears to french ancestors going to Canada in 1700’s and surviving to my mother being really really sick as a child.) and surviving That if any one of my ancestors died I wouldn’t be here.that God has a plan and a way.

  23. I would write about my grandkids. I have 6 with another due in December. My heart is full when I get to spend time with them.

  26. My song would be about the importance of being involved with your community and helping where needed.

    I really like the song that goes with the book. Easy and nice to listen to. I look forward to reading the book.

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