I never intended to write the book.
The one that just released two weeks ago.
In the Market for Love is a story of redemption, hope, second chances, forgiveness, and listening to your heart. It’s just that the hero was originally the evil twin of the hero in my book Capturing Christmas.
Try as I might, I couldn’t think of Ransom Kressley in terms of hero material.
But my readers could.
In fact, over the years, you’ve requested his story more than any other.
After I received another flood of requests after Christmas for Ransom to please get a happily ever after, I surrendered to the inevitable and decided to try seeing him in a new light.
The result is In the Market for Love . It has laughter, love, heartache, and heartwarming moments, and I hope if you give it a chance, it will make you smile (and maybe sigh a little at the sweet ending). You can even preview the first chapter here.
He’s never opened his heart to anyone. She wears her emotions on her sleeve. When romance blooms, will they realize love is what they both need?
Ransom Kressley possesses the gift of gab, striking good looks, and a blistering disdain for his family’s Idaho ranch where he resides with his father and identical twin brother. His genuine passion is football, but a knee injury shattered his dreams of an NFL career. After years of channeling his frustration and anger toward those who care about him most, Ransom resolves to change. He accepts a job in Portland as a promotions manager for an arena football team and eagerly steps into his new life. As he makes a fresh start, his past continues to plague him, interfering with his chance to get to know the woman who lingers in his thoughts.
Despite her sunny smile and tender spirit, Kelly Truman isn’t in the market for love or even a relationship when she agrees to have lunch with her best friend’s soon-to-be brother-in-law. Familiar only with Ransom Kressley’s notorious reputation, Kelly is determined to keep her guard up around him. However, Ransom proves to be nothing like she expected. Soon, she realizes she cherishes time spent with the man, but fears trusting him with her heart.
When their friendship evolves into something more, will Ransom’s charm and silver tongue split them apart or bind them together?
A sweet romance full of warmth and humor, In the Market for Love is a story of hope, forgiveness, and redemption.
In the story, Kelly’s favorite flowers are tulips.
For a chance to win a mystery prize,
just share your favorite spring flower and why you like it.
Bonus question: Do you like redemption stories?
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.
I would have to say roses are. My mom used to have a flowerbed with several rose bushes. They were so beautiful.
Roses are so, so lovely, and my favorite flower of all.
Grape hyacinths. I just associate them with Easter and spring and I love their fragrance.
Happy Book Release!
Thank you! Grape hyacinths are such a sweet sign of spring! Happy spring to you!
Daffodils always bring a smile to my heart. I enjoy their reminder that beauty comes after the dark. I love redemptive stories because it’s a reminder that we are never to far from God’s grace.
Such a lovely thought you shared, and flower you chose! Happy spring to you!
Good morning Shanna! I use to say daisies, and they still are one of my favorites, but zinnias are such a joy with all the different colors! I also love redemption stories. We all fall short in some way or another and it’s good to know we are all God’s children no matter our past.
Best wishes always Shanna!
Yes! Love what you shared! Zinnias are my youngest niece’s favorite. She had them for centerpieces at her wedding. Happy spring wishes to you, my friend!
Carnations are my favorite flower, but I love to see the daffodils start blooming. To me, that is the first sign that spring is on the way.
I love redemptive stories. We know that with God, all things are possible. We just have to listen to His calling.
Love what you shared, Bonnie. Thank you! And carnations are such a pretty flower!
I love all flowers! My favorite would probably be roses. I associate blooming flowers with the renewal of life. Spring has sprung! I like redemptive stories. All things are possible.
Yes! All things are possible! And spring and renewal are all tied together in my head and heart as well. Happy spring to you!
daffodils for the color
They are such a happy flower!
I like bleeding hearts as they are so unique. I do enjoy redemption stories.
They are so pretty. My aunt had a huge bleeding heart that grew by her porch. I thought it was the pretties thing ever! Have a beautiful day!
Lilacs and their lovely scent are a sure sign of spring, assuming a late heavy frost doesn’t kill the buds as they are starting to burst forth in all their glory. Redemption stories have an appeal of their own when written right, as was Ransom’s. His turn around from annoying/obnoxious to lovable was a fun read.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the story, Carol. Thank you for reading it! Lilacs are such a lovely part of spring. Hope you have many to enjoy this year!
Redemption stories bring hope to everyone and love reading them. Some of my favorite spring flowers are hyacinths and daffodils.
So glad you enjoy redemption stories. And hyacinths and daffodils are among my favorites!
Daffodils are my favorite, and I love redemption stories!
Daffodils are so cheerful! Thank you so much for stopping in Tracy! Have a fabulous day!
I fell in love wirh Daffodils when were on a trip to London and area. It was ery March and they were just Starr to bloom. Every town we went to had more bloims.
That is wonderful. It must have been such a lovely trip!
Welcome today. I love almost all flowers. But my two favorites are Mexican Sunflowers and Carnations. BONUS: yes I love redemption stories
Hi Lori! Great flower choices. Carnations always make me think of my grandma. And yay to redemption stories!
The book sounds wonderful, Shanna. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much, Janice!
The book was amazing! I too was skeptical of how Ransom would be able to redeem himself, yet he managed and found his perfect mate as well. I enjoy reading redemptions stories that show the characters growing and finding themselves. My favorite flowers are calla lilies, sunflowers, and lilacs.
Oh, thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading it! And those are all beautiful blooms to enjoy!
Yes I love redemption stories and was afraid I could not like this book – but your lovely story was great fun to read! I love lilacs (the smell) and the 68 year old honeysuckle just outside our back door that was planted the spring my hubs was born
So glad you enjoyed Ransom and Kelly’s story. Thank you for reading it! Lilacs and honeysuckle are a delight. How special the plant was planted when your husband was born. Love that!
Hi Shanna!
I live in SE Florida, so I’m not sure we really have a spring. But I do love dayliliies.
I also enjoy redemption stories. It is so heartwarming when you can see the former anti-hero in a new light.
Can’t wait to read In the Market for Love.
Thank you, Alisa. It is so special to watch an anti-hero change. I hope you enjoy the book. And daylilies are lovely!
I like crocus or hyacinth because of their fragrance. Tulips are fun too. Congrats on another great story Shanna. So inviting.
Thank you so much, Kathy! And I love all those spring flowers too. I discovered a few hyacinths blooming on the south side of the house yesterday and inhaled deep breaths of that glorious perfume!
I’ve always loved the blooms on a dogwood tree, and the story of Easter it seems to share. 🙂
Dogwoods are beautiful, and so special when connected to Easter!
Shanna. I love the smell of lilacs and the variety of colors in the tulips
I do like redemption stories
I like the slight sarcasm exchanged between a couple.
The smell of lilacs is one of my favorite fragrances! And you can’t beat the color of tulips in bloom!
So glad you enjoyed the banter!
Geraniums are beautiful. Redemption stories give me hope.
Geraniums were one of my mom’s favorite flowers to grow. And we all can use more hope! Thank you for stopping in today!
Hydrangeas are so colorful and special. I enjoy redemption stories since they are so meaningful.
Hydrangeas are so lovely! I have a terrible time keeping mine blooming, but it is a joy when they do!
My favorite spring flower is coltsfoot. It’s the very first flower you see here in Eastern part of Finland.
I didn’t know what coltsfoot is, so I looked it up. What a fun flower!
I love sweet peas-their color, their shape, and their smell
Yes, i like to read redemption stories.
Sweet peas are such a fun flower. Enjoy and happy spring to you!
I like the Easter Lily.
They are so lovely, Becky! Happy spring to you!
My favorite are the Ranunculus which are blooming now in my area of Southern California.
How lovely, Jackie! Enjoy those lovely blooms!
I LOVE redemption stories!!! And, you can’t go wrong with a “bad boy” finding redemption and love!! I live in Central Florida, and we don’t really participate in spring! In fact, one of my orchids is blooming even though we’ve been in the 40’s at night this month! My desert roses are putting out new leaves, though my plumeria’s haven’t started yet. I love crepe myrtles, which is why I have four of them, though they haven’t started putting out leaves yet, either.
You can’t go wrong with the bad boy changing his attitude and ways and finding love!
The flowers you mentioned sound lovely, Trudy! I hope you have a bevy of blooms to enjoy!
Lilacs! Growing up we had a large grouping of lilacs and the smell always meant spring to me.
That is such an amazing scent of spring! I hope you have some to sniff and enjoy this year!
I love roses though I admit Tulips and daffodils are right up there with them!
Three three of them in a floral arrangement are so pretty! Happy spring!
>>He’s never opened his heart to anyone. She wears her emotions on her sleeve.
Perfect contrast! I love, love heros and heroines who are so different. Always makes for a page turner for me.
Congrats on your release, my friend. It was meant to be!
Thank you so much, Pam! It was meant to be.
Ransom and Kelly are so different, which is what makes them so fun to put together!
Happy spring, my friend!
I love roses . Yes I like redemption stories.
Roses are spectacular!
Happy Spring to you!
I love peonies. My yard is filled with them. I wish they bloomed all summer long.
Peonies are gorgeous! I hope you get a season of spectacular blooms!
I like stories that tie up character’s lives from previous books. Not sequels, but it gives me a sense of closure. This one seems to have done that nicely.
Thank you, Susan. It was about closure for Ransom, and I’m so glad I wrote the story!
I really like hyacinths. They usually spring up early, they smell wonderful, and they look so very pretty. Plus, they are a great reminder that warmer weather is on the way.
They are a great reminder that warmer weather is just around the corner! Happy spring!
I love Azaleas! I have a yard full of them. I like the smaller pink flowers.
I do love stories of redemption. I love book series but they do need to have an ending.
Redemption stories are special.
And azaleas are so pretty! How fun you have a yard full of them!
Loved the book – even went back and reread the previous book which led up to this one, The Christmas Cowboy. Once again, Shanna has hit it out of the ballpark!
Oh, thank you, Ginni. So glad you enjoyed it.
And how fun you love cherry blossoms. They are so pretty!
BTW, my favorite spring flower is the cherry blossom. Having grown up in a fruit-growing area in western Colorado, this is always a sign of spring coming!
I love hyacinths, they smell so nice and have such pretty colors! Yes, I like redemption stories for sure!
Hyacinths have the best fragrance, and so many pretty colors. Happy spring!
Good afternoon Shanna, your book sounds like a great read and I love your book cover! I love all flowers so it is hard to choose one, in spring flowers I love Tulips , daffodils , crocuses, they are the first flowers to come out in Spring. You know I planted my very first tulip bulb and so far one of them has flowered, I love it and what big satisfaction to have something come out and flower from a bulb that I planted! I love redemption stories because we all deserve second chances as long as it comes from the heart. Have a great day and a great rest of the week. Thank you for the chance.
How fun you have a tulip already flowering! That is wonderful. I love planting bulbs in the fall because by spring, I’ve forgotten what all I’ve planted and it’s a wonderful surprise when they bloom!
Redemption stories are such great reminders we all need second chances.
Happy spring to you!
My favorite spring flower is a daffodil. These are the first flowers that I see every spring in my yard. I love seeing the bright yellow against the fading winter bleakness.
They are such a cheerful beacon of hope to remind us of brighter days ahead. Happy spring!
My birthday’s in February and my favorite flower is the one for that month, the violet. They come in gorgeous colors and smell lovely.
Redemption stories are good.
Violets are such a sweet flower, Mary! Happy spring to you!
Daisies are my favorite flowers. As Meg Ryan said in You’ve Got Mail “they’re happy flowers”.
They are such happy flowers! Happy spring!
I have to say tulips are my favorite but have never had much luck raising them.
Favorite Spring Flower is the Carnation
Bonus: Yes, I do like redemption stories
I love redemption stories. A reminder that Jesus died to redeem us all and all we have to do is believe. None of us is too far gone to be redeemed by His blood. I know this is a different kind of redeemed, but still gives people hope. Love all your books.
I love peonies and irises. They are both “old” flowers. My starter plants came from old houses that were being torn down. They both remind me of Victorian ladies and tea parties.
I like tulips.
Roses are my favorite because of how they smell. I love a good redemption story!
My favorite spring flowers are daffodils. They’re so bright and cheery!
I like daffodils wth their blooms reaching upward mostly because they are my favorite color yellow
My favorite are Carnations especially the varigated ones. I like how frilly the petals are.