Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!
This is my second time featuring Ms Hatfield during this year’s #blogmas – this time focusing on a different series – the Hardman Holidays, which is set during the Victorian era. I rather fancy finding new Western Romances to read as I don’t oft read them enough compared to how I used to read them. I believe its because of the lovely niches of stories I regularly seek out during the year, Westerns seem to fall by the wayside whenever I am sorting out my #nextreads. Finding a series which has 9 stories inclusive of it is wicked brilliant because you don’t have to wait to read the next installments whilst giving you the hope of feeling anchoured into the series start to finish.
The best part about Westerns to me is how the writers address the century we haven’t experienced in reality but regularly get to visit through their words and the ways in which the paint the West alive for our imagination! It is the same with Western tv series and films – usually it has a gritty side to it, as transportation was limited to horse, stage and buggy – but there are other telling ways to know if your in a Western, too. From the style of dress to the ways in which the communities were a bit standoffish towards outsiders and how communities had to rally together during the more adverse moments in order to survive whatever had gripped the local area.
For me, one of my favourite sequences in all Westerns (Historical or Contemporary) are the horses and the life on the ranches – to tuck close to the cowboys and the ranch hands, to see how a working ranch operates and to be aside the saddle next to everyone out on the range or on a trail. Riding is something which used to be part of my life and I have missed it for a very long time. There is something about being connected to a horse which gives the best soul lift you can feel whilst at the same time, there is something unique about riding and seeing the world from atop a horse as well. I loved the connection you feel to the horse and the companionship and friendship which naturally evolves from your time together.
This is why Westerns are a lot of fun to be reading – plus, of course, every writer has their own entrance into the genre and their own stamp on it as well. Half the fun is discovering which writer is writing the kinds of Westerns you will enjoy reading. Hence why I’m thankful I can spotlight Ms Hatfield twice this #blogmas and focus on two different series of hers to give my readers a chance to see if her stories are a wicked good fit for them as they seem to be for myself.
Curiously – which kinds of Western Romances and/or Holiday Western stories, series or authors do you enjoy reading yourself? Do you prefer Historical or Contemporary Western Romances? If so, which series stand out in your mind as #mustreads you think I might enjoy myself?
A traitor with a deadly plan.
The death of her mother left Philamena Booth grieving and at the mercy of her drunken father. After spending more than a decade held captive on their run-down farm, she’s left speechless and dazed when her father strikes a bargain to settle a long overdue debt. In lieu of payment, a handsome cowboy agrees to take her. Mortified yet relieved to leave the farm, Philamena unexpectedly finds herself married to a charismatic, caring man.
Luke Granger might own Hardman’s bank and the fanciest house in this Eastern Oregon town, but he’d much rather be outside riding his horses or wrangling his herd of cattle than keeping his account books straight. In a strange, unsettling turn of events, he finds himself accepting a farmer’s daughter instead of money to cover a loan. If the man hadn’t threatened to sell her to the saloon owner, Luke might have refused. He has no idea what to do with beautiful Filly or their marriage of convenience, but he’s about to get far more than he bargained for.
Full of Victorian and western charm, The Christmas Bargain is a sweet holiday romance filled with the spirit of the season.
Add to LibraryThing | ISBN: 978-1-4802-5785-6
Hardman Holidays series:
The Christmas Bargain (book one)
The Christmas Token (book two)
The Christmas Calamity (book three)
The Christmas Vow (book four)
The Christmas Quandary (book five)
The Christmas Confection (book six)
The Christmas Melody (book seven)
The Christmas Ring (book eight)
The Christmas Wish (book nine)
Converse via: #CleanRomanceForChristmas and/or #INSPYRomance or #INSPY
as well #ChristianFiction and/or #HistRom or #HistoricalRomance
Enjoy an Extract from
“The Christmas Bargain”:
Luke waited to catch a glimpse of his bride. Chauncy kept him updated on her progress during the week. Sincerely hoping his friend hadn’t exaggerated, Luke felt it best to give Philamena plenty of space to adjust to being off the farm and away from her father.
Eventually, with enough time and encouragement, he hoped they could become friends. If they were stuck living under the same roof for goodness only knew how long, it would be nice if they could get along.
With his gaze focused on the back of the church, Luke watched Chauncy step into the aisle accompanied by a vision in white. He caught his breath. The regal woman walking toward him could not possibly be Philamena Booth, his intended. Transfixed, all Luke could do was gape at her in wide-eyed bewilderment.
When the minister asked who gave Philamena in marriage, Chauncy answered that he and Abby did, placing her hand on Luke’s arm. Mindful of his befuddled state, Chauncy stepped beside him and nudged him gently in the ribs. Luke continued to stare at his bride, unable to speak.
The minister cleared his throat and smiled. “Shall we begin?” he asked, turning toward Luke as Philamena took a hesitant step forward.
Luke finally came out of his trance and stood beside her, a look of confusion on his face. This enchanting woman couldn’t be the plain, frightened girl he rescued not even a week ago. The soft rose scent floating around him filled his nose, and Luke decided being married might not be such a hardship after all.
Excerpted from The Christmas Bargain by Shanna Hatfield.
Copyright © Shanna Hatfield. Published by Wholesome Hearts Publishing.
How can you not laugh? By the end of this scene you are definitely tickled with laughter about how Luke thought the woman he was meant to be wed would be the same woman he had first met – as that is quite silly! Even the most inexperienced women who moved out West or undertook the journey of a mail-order bride – somewhere along that route they endeavoured for themselves found their confidence and adapted to the life they were willing to embrace. Of course, I am sure not all of them survived their choices or were as willing to adapt, but I like to hope that most of them did and were able to find a bit of happiness in a place so far removed from their homes and families.
It seems to me their life is just starting to begin and it will be full of lovely surprises for them both as they move towards understanding each other and getting better acquainted with each other, too. A bit like how Marty had to adjust in “Love Comes Softly” which is a Western Historical Romance (film) series I love dearly – yes, I know their based off books but I didn’t feel as locked into the book(s) as I had the adaptations which I’ve watched back to back as they originally released. I like finding stories which capitalise on the story Marty had herself and take it into different directions or explore some of the same territory as everyone has a different story to tell in these kinds of situations. I am definitely keen to know ‘what comes next’ and look forward to seeing if I can borrow this series in the New Year via my local library’s interlibrary loan services.
About Shanna Hatfield
USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield is a farm girl who loves to write. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances are filled with sarcasm, humor, hope, and hunky heroes. When Shanna isn’t dreaming up unforgettable characters, twisting plots, or covertly seeking dark, decadent chocolate, she hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller.
This blog tour is courtesy of: Prism Book Tours
Click through via the badge to find out what else awaits you!
Each day, a new author is showcased – I selected the authors I wanted to feature ahead of time –
therefore, return to see which of the authors I am focusing on throughout the 12 days!
NOTE: Similar to blog tours wherein I feature book reviews, book spotlights (with or without extracts), book announcements (or Cover Reveals) – I may elect to feature an author, editor, narrator, publisher or other creative person connected to the book, audiobook, Indie film project or otherwise creative publishing medium being featured wherein the supplemental content on my blog is never compensated monetarily nor am I ever obligated to feature this kind of content. I provide (98.5%) of all questions and guest topics regularly featured on Jorie Loves A Story. I receive direct responses back to those enquiries by publicists, literary agents, authors, blog tour companies, etc of whom I am working with to bring these supplemental features and showcases to my blog. I am naturally curious about the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of stories and the writers who pen them: I have a heap of joy bringing this content to my readers. Whenever there is a conflict of connection I do disclose those connections per post and disclose the connection as it applies.
{SOURCES: Cover art of “The Christmas Bargain”, the author’s photo (for Shanna Hatfield) and biography, the extract from “The Christmas Bargain”, the book photo for “The Christmas Bargain”, the cover collage for the series Hardman Holidays as well as the blog tour banner and The Prism Book Tours badge were all provided by Prism Book Tours and used with permission. Post dividers and My Thoughts badge by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Tweets embedded by codes provided by Twitter. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: #blogmas 2020 banner & badge and the Comment Box Banner.}
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2020.
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