Shanna Hatfield joins us at the Junction to discuss the methods she uses to research her books. Shanna is also giving away two books! Please join us in welcoming her!
What a treat to be back on Petticoats & Pistols as a guest today. Thank you to all the Fillies for this wonderful opportunity!
Although I write both contemporary and historical sweet romances, I love researching tidbits from the past for my historical books.
One resource I often turn to when I’m writing my Pendleton Petticoats series is the online version of the town’s newspaper from back in the day.
Browsing through the newspaper gives me a general idea of what life was like at that particular time. The advertisements alone offer such an amazing peek into the past, a clear look at popular fashions, and words that may have been all the rage.
The newsworthy events and articles also help me create a realistic world for my fictional characters. It is easy to picture them sitting down for supper and recapping something they might have read in the newspaper or heard in town (or the nosy ones may have gleaned gossip by listening in on the party lines of the telephone). Would an attempted bank robbery in a neighboring town be that evening’s hot topic? Or would their interest turn more to an upcoming event that has the town all abuzz?
I’ve been researching information during the autumn of 1910 for the latest book in the series. During that time, very first Pendleton Round-Up took place in conjunction with the annual county fair. For nearly an entire month leading up to the events, the newspaper published at least one article (sometimes more) about the fair and rodeo each day.
I could write pages and pages of historical facts about the Round-Up, but I thought I’d share something a little different today.
One article I found very amusing was a recap of the baby show that took place the last day of the fair. It was fun to realize proud mothers showed off their babies even back then.
A judge from a distant town was coerced into the unenviable job of judging the contest.
According to the article, mothers remained confident their little darlings were the “prettiest, sweetest, and best regardless of the decisions of Judge Addison Bennet.”
After announcing the first, second and third place winners, the article went on to state that Judge Bennet “escaped with his life on the first train.”
Who knew baby contests were such a cutthroat business even way back then?
Just for fun, here’s an old tune that seems rather fitting…
To enter for a chance to win autographed copies of the first two books in the Pendleton Petticoats series along with some other goodies, please share your response to this question:
What is your favorite county fair event?
For more information about the Pendleton Petticoat series, you can find the books here:
Dacey (Prequel)
Aundy (Book 1)
Caterina (Book 2)
Ilsa (Book 3)
Marnie (Book 4)
Lacy (Book 5)
Bertie (Book 6)
Millie (Book 7)
Dally (Book 8)
USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”
Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, this hopeless romantic is out to make it happen, one story at a time. When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.
Please connect with Shanna online. She loves to hear from readers.
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