Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Golden Years of Romance by Shanna Hatfield

Developing characters for my stories is something I enjoy. I strive to make each couple (not matter how unlikely they might be) different or unique or somehow memorable.

When I sat down to create a couple for a new series I'm working on with five other authors (including our own Liwen Y. Ho), I decided to make them an older couple. And not just a little older than the typical 20 to 30-somethings I typically write about. Jess and Doris are in their seventies.

I just loved the idea of a couple who thought they were far beyond the need, or perhaps even the ability, of romance falling in love.

What made writing their story so fun was imagining the verbal sparring that took place between them.

It was so easy to picture the two of them, attracted to each other and fighting it every step of the way, as they lobbed insults and stingers.

Here's a little teaser:

“I had to drag the bench by the back door over to where you have the spare key hidden in the rafters of the porch. Why have you got all the doors locked? Afraid someone will come in here and put you out of your misery?” Doris asked. She marched back into the kitchen before he could answer.

Apparently, she wasn’t yet ready to put aside their differences and be on civil terms. Well, two could play that game. The promise he’d made to Janet to attempt to be nice to Doris crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. The woman was more snappish than a testy turtle.

“Why didn’t you just fly your broom up there and grab it?” he asked as he made his way into the kitchen. Although he kept his tone friendly, she spun around and snarled at him after tossing her outerwear on a chair at the table.

Jess barely suppressed a chuckle.

She took containers out of a basket and set them on the counter. “Are you hungry or not? I’ve got better things to do than mollycoddle a senile ol’ donkey like you.”

He moved his walker until he stood in front of her. Doris wasn’t short by any means, but he stood several inches over her. He leaned down until his face was less than a foot from hers. “Senile ol’ donkey, huh? Surely you can do better than that.” He bent a little closer. “What have those kids been doing to you over there on your place? It looks like you’ve gotten a dozen new wrinkles that are as deep as furrows. Aging you by the day, are they?”

Doris took a step back, flames shooting from her eyes.

Jess hadn’t felt this good since before his surgery. He grinned and shuffled over to the table. 

~*~

CIR meme with covers
Celebrate Christmas in Romance
Between odd animals, lost loves, second chances, hidden identities, a secret Santa, and bickering senior citizens, it might just take a miracle to bring everyone a happily-ever-after for the holidays.
Settle in a chair by the fire, sip a cup of hot cocoa, and immerse yourself in the friendly town of Romance with this series of six sweet Christmas novellas from bestselling and award-winning authors.
 Sleigh Bells Ring Meme
Sleigh Bells Ring in Romance by Shanna Hatfield – Releasing Nov 1.
You’re never too old to fall in love . . .
Will two over-the-hill neighbors embrace a holiday romance?
Rancher Jess Milne lost his wife years ago, but he’s finally ready to give love a second chance. It’s a shame the one woman in Romance who captures his interest is a prickly, wasp-tongued she-devil. She used to be one of his closest friends until he asked her out. Her vocal, vehement refusal made her thoughts on dating him crystal clear. Despite her animosity, Jess can’t help but be attracted to her fire and spirit.
Widowed more than ten years, Doris Grundy tries to convince herself she’s content with her life. Her recently married grandson and his wife bring her joy. The ranch she’s lived on since she was a young bride gives her purpose. She’s an active member of their close-knit community. But the old coot who lives down the road continually invades her thoughts, keeping her from having any peace. Doris will be the last to admit she longs for the love and affection of her handsome neighbor.
When the two of them are unexpectedly thrown together, will they find a little holiday spirit and allow the love of the season to ring in their hearts?
pre-order SBR

A Merry Miracle Meme
A Merry Miracle in Romance by Melanie D. Snitker – Releasing Nov. 2.
It’ll take a Christmas miracle to turn a grudging friendship into true love.
Baxter Reid returns to his hometown of Romance, eager to see his childhood crush. Unfortunately, Savannah hasn’t forgotten all the ways he used to tease her back then. He’s got his work cut out for him if he’s going to get a second chance.
When Savannah Miller learns her former arch enemy is back in town, she dreads running into him. Baxter is at the center of some of her most embarrassing childhood memories. She’s more than happy to avoid Baxter until he apologizes and suggests a truce. Now what is she supposed to do?
Only time will tell whether the spirit of Christmas in Romance is enough to transform a grudging relationship into true love.

pre-order Melanie

Holding Onto Love meme
Holding Onto Love in Romance by Liwen Y. Ho – Releasing Nov. 3.
She’s a small town inn owner learning how to trust.
He’s a big time singer struggling to protect the woman he loves.
Together, they must fight to keep their romance alive.
Being engaged to America’s hottest pop star brings Izzy Sutton’s insecurities to the surface, making her question if she can handle life in the public eye. Complications multiply when her ex shows up on her doorstep two weeks before the wedding, with nowhere to live.
Through hard work and determination, Chase Lockhart climbed the Top 40 charts and won the hand of the only woman he’s ever loved. Helping Izzy overcome her cold feet, however, proves to be more challenging than expected, especially when he’s away on tour days before their wedding.
With their Christmas Eve wedding fast approaching, Izzy and Chase face the biggest decision of their relationship. Will they allow their circumstances to divide them or will they find enough reasons to keep holding onto love?

pre-order Liwen


A Reel Christmas in Romance by J. J. DiBenedetto  – Releasing Nov. 4.
Owner of the lone movie theater in Romance, Marianne Carter loves the old movies she shows on the big screen. She’s just struck up an email friendship with a newcomer to town. Unaware of his identity but feeling loyal to him, she fights her attraction to a handsome man she keeps bumping into around town.
Under a false identity, Jack Nelson comes to Romance to investigate the historic movie theater and decide if it should receive the status of a historical landmark. Little does he know the woman sending him charming emails is the same one who owns the theater.
While Marianne’s theater plays the old classic film The Shop Around the Corner, Marianne and Jack unknowingly play out the same story in real life. Will they figure it out in time to write their own happy ending?
pre-order James

A Christmas Carol meme
A Christmas Carol in Romance by Franky A. Brown – Releasing Nov. 5.
Christmas is coming to Romance, Oregon…but for Andy McKay, it’s only a reminder of the day the love of his life walked away. Guilted into playing Scrooge as a young man in the town’s production of A Christmas Carol, Andy unexpectedly finds himself acting alongside his girlfriend of romance past.
Cassie Winston has spent the past year traveling, writing, and regretting that she left the man she loved behind her. She’s afraid the old adage about how you can never go home again might be true. It’s hard enough to convince Andy to consider giving them a second chance, and acting with him in Scrooge and Belle’s breakup scene certainly doesn’t help.
As ghosts from the past resurface, can they find a way to create a new future together?
pre-order Franky



Santa’s Visit in Romance by Jessica L. Elliott – Releasing Nov. 6.
Santa’s got his work cut out for him to help a reluctant couple find love during the holidays.
Marshall Duncan swore off women when his wife ran away, leaving him with an infant to raise alone. But a newcomer to Romance might just change his mind, with some help from a mysterious friend and his precocious daughter, Savannah.
Latiesha Harris lost everything when her fiance left her in Denver. Hoping to escape her mother’s judgment, Latiesha goes to Romance to stay with an old sorority sister. But when she meets Katie’s childhood friend, there’s no denying the sparks between them.
When Nick Klauss gets a Santa letter by mistake, he can’t help but try to make the little girl’s wish come true. But how can a retired cowboy give Savannah a mommy by Christmas?
pre-order Jess
Don't miss out on the release party! 
https://www.facebook.com/events/237499566929251/
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 dreamy characters, twisting plots, or covertly hiding decadent chocolate from the other occupants of her home, she hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller.
Shanna loves to hear from readers. Follow her online at:
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9 comments:

  1. Wow, Shanna, what a fabulous collection of wonderful authors! Looking forward to each one!

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  2. I love the teaser about your book, Shanna. It sounds wonderful! Best of luck to you, Liwen, and the other authors of this series!!

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  3. I loved this story! So fun and sweet! :)

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  4. I'm looking forward to this set of books, especially yours. I'm happy someone has written something about an older couple, I love their barbs.

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  5. Wow this sounds amazing. I do believe love can come and remain at any age. Your books-are so amazing.

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