The Christmas Confection: (A Sweet Victorian Holiday Romance) (Hardman Holidays Book 6)
by Shanna Hatfield
Series: Hardman Holidays #6
Publication Date December 5, 2017
Genres: Christmas, Clean Romance, Historical Fiction
Setting: Oregon Gilded Age – US – 1875 – 1900
Main Character Ages: 18-25
Written for: Adult
Pages: 166
Synopsis:
Will a sweet baker soften a hardened man’s heart? Find out in this historical holiday romance!
Born to an outlaw father and a shrewish mother, Fred Decker feels obligated to atone for the past without much hope for his future. If he possessed a lick of sense, he’d pack up and leave the town where he was born and raised, but something. . . someone. . . unknowingly holds him there. Captivated by Hardman’s beautiful baker, Fred fights his attraction to the lovely woman. He buries himself in his work, refusing to let his heart dream.
Elsa Lindstrom adores the life she’s carved out for herself in a small Eastern Oregon town. She and her twin brother, Ethan, run their own bakery where she delights in creating delicious treats. Then Ethan comes home unexpectedly married, the drunks in town mistakenly identify her as a missing harlot, and a mishap in the bakery leaves her at the mercy of the most gossiped-about man in Hardman.
Mix in the arrival of three fairy-like aunts, blend with a criminal bent on dastardly schemes, and sprinkle in a hidden cache of gold for a sweet Victorian romance brimming with laughter and heartwarming holiday cheer.
I would like to thank Shanna Hatfield for giving me this copy of the book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
If you have ever struggled with feelings of insecurity and lack of self-worth, you’ve got nothing on Fred. Because of his father’s crimes and the abuse he heaped on him, Fred feels unworthy and unlovable. He is one of the hardest workers in town and is constantly showing kindness to anyone he comes across who needs it, but still only sees himself as the son of a reprobate.
Elsa and Ethan were super close as twins, when things changed between them, she felt betrayed and all alone. Well, except for Fred.
I loved each of the characters in this book. Well, except for Curly and his cohorts, but I wasn’t supposed to like them. 🙂 My favorites were Fred’s aunts. Even before seeing the author’s comment that she thought of them as fairy godmothers, I saw them as exactly that.
I always appreciate the attention to detail that Shanna Hatfield puts into her books. She does extensive research, and it shows in the way her books feel so authentic. And I generally learn things about the time period as well. I also love the way she finds little ways to make her various books intersect with each other, even across the various series.
This story is very heart-felt and tender and includes a little bit of intrigue and danger. Just don’t read it when you are hungry, because it will cause you to crave all sorts of confections!
Shanna has a wonderful giveaway with giveaway for $75 worth of Christmas goodies. You can click on the image above or on the link to enter. This is the same giveaway as the one I mentioned in the post for The Dove and you can only enter once.
Here is the blog tour schedule for this book:
12/12
Among the Reads
Lisa Book Blog
12/13
Breaking Genre
12/14
Wide World of Books
12/15
Abibliophobia Anonymous Book Reviews
Brenda’s Blog
G & T’s Indie Café
The Book Addict’s Reviews
12/16
Lady Amber’s Reviews & PR
About Shanna Hatfield
From the author:
Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield is out to make it happen one story at a time. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances combine humor and hopelessly romantic moments with unforgettable characters.
When this farm girl isn’t writing or indulging in rich, decadent chocolate, Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.
Shanna loves to hear from readers.
My Notes: I have read around 30 of Shanna’s books, so that should give you a pretty good idea what I think of her writing. The average rating is 4.5 stars. My favorites have been the stand-alone books she writes, but they are all enjoyable and worth taking the time to read.
Series-es written by Shanna
HISTORICAL
Pendleton Petticoats – Brave, strong women forge their own paths and fall in love with determined heroes in this series set in the Wild West town of Pendleton, Oregon.
Baker City Brides – Sassy women tangle with headstrong men in the historic town of Baker City, Oregon, known as the Denver of the Blue Mountains during its days of gold in the 1890s.
Hardman Holidays – A blend of Victorian splendor and Old West rugged charm, this heartwarming series takes readers on lovely holiday adventures in the once thriving town of Hardman, Oregon.
Hearts of the War – The poignant romances in this series remind readers of the struggles Americans faced during World War II while highlighting the triumphs found in hope, joy, and love.
CONTEMPORARY
Rodeo Romance – Laced with humor and rural life, in this series hunky rodeo cowboys tangle with feisty women who can’t help but love them.
Grass Valley Cowboys – Meet the Thompson family of the Triple T Ranch in Grass Valley, Oregon. Three handsome brothers, their rowdy friends, and the women who fall for them are at the heart of this sweet contemporary western romance series.
Women of Tenacity – Tenacious, spunky women give the wild, rugged men who love them a run for their money in this contemporary western romance series.
Silverton Sweethearts – Sweet love combines with romantic comedy in this fun contemporary series set near Portland, Oregon.
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