Bertie
by Shanna Hatfield
Series: Pendelton Petticoats, #6
Genre: Sweet Historical Western Romance
Release Date: April 7, 2016
History is Full of Surprises
Writing historical fiction is such fun for me because I learn so much about the places, people, and experiences of the past. More often than not, I’m astounded by how innovative and creative people were “way back when.”
When the idea for a new historical western romance series began bubbling in my head, I decided it should take place in the town of Pendleton, Oregon, at the beginning of the 20th century.
Many people know Pendleton as the home of the world-famous
Pendleton Round-Up and the
Pendleton Woolen Mills. It billed itself as the “queen of a golden empire - golden wheat.” Around this time, Umatilla County produced one percent of the nation’s wheat crop.
As I began digging into the town’s past, I discovered, much to my surprise, Pendleton was a happening place to be in the early 1900s.
Modern and progressive for its time, Pendleton was a unique blend of Wild West and culture. They had plenty of crime and wild rowdies, as one would expect in a western town. Pendleton also boasted an opera house and theater, a teashop, a French restaurant, and a wide variety of businesses in the early years of the new century.
On any given day during that time, someone walking down the street could see well dressed ladies and gentlemen, as well as Chinese immigrants, Indians from the nearby reservation, miners, businessmen, ranchers, and farmers.
Mystery and intrigue surrounded the tunnels of the city’s Underground. What began as a way for respectable businesses to easily deliver their goods from the depot, soon turned into a booming mini-city of saloons, card rooms, working girls, Chinese laundries and more. According to local tales, the working girls used the tunnels to enter respectable businesses and do their shopping without being seen around town. Reportedly, a tunnel even ran to the doctor’s office for them to pay their visits undetected.
While the town didn't lack for colorful characters, those portrayed in my
Pendleton Petticoats series are purely fictional.
The women in Pendleton Petticoats come from all walks of life but find commonality in drawing strength from their courage and persevering in chasing their dreams. One woman longs to better her future, one to escape her past, and one just wants to find a place to call home. The female characters in these stories challenge the roles typically assigned to women of this era.
If you enjoy historical fiction, clean romances, or a good western, consider reading
Aundy and its sequels,
Caterina,
Ilsa,
Marnie,
Lacy, and
Bertie. I love to hear from readers, so feel free to drop me a note via any of my social media links.
Thank you for hosting me today. I’m so grateful for this wonderful opportunity to connect with your readers.
Dust off your dancing shoes and choose your formal attire for the
Petticoat Ball Party on Facebook April 7, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.(Pacific Time) Giveaways, games, and guest authors will make for a fun and memorable event as we celebrate the release of Bertie!
Here is the link to the party:
One randomly drawn person will win, but you get additional entries for every 50 people you invite!
Also, ask your friends who join the party to share that you invited them in the comments in the post. Each friend who mentions your name, earns you another entry in the contest!
Winner will be announced prior to the start of the party April 7!
She needs an adventure -
He needs the warmth of her smile…
Bertie Hawkins survived a traumatic ordeal that stripped away her sunny outlook on life and left her afraid of every shadow. Terrorized and tired of reliving the past, she accepts an offer to change her situation. Although she only intends to work through the summer, the peace she finds at Nash’s Folly keeps her there every bit as much as her interest in a mysterious new ranch hand.
Desperate to escape his memories, Riley Walsh buys a run-down farm in Pendleton, Oregon. To pay for the many necessary repairs, he goes to work for his neighbor, never intending to fall in love with the effervescent girl who helps around the house.
Riley isn’t the only one enchanted with Bertie. His own crazy mule and the neighbor’s son both share his infatuation, driving him past the brink of jealousy.
A sweet romance that embraces the trials and triumphs of yesteryear, Bertie blends laugh-out-loud adventures with heartwarming moments.
Involved in the unfolding story, she didn’t hear anyone approach until a warm hand caressed her bare foot.
Yanking her foot up, she gazed down into Riley’s face. The fiery look in his eyes made heat pool in her belly and her mouth go dry.
“I’ve seen a lot of birds perched in trees, but never one so lovely.”
Bertie’s cheeks flushed at his compliment. “You’ve suffered a heat stroke, Riley Walsh. Apparently, you’ve lost the ability to see properly, otherwise you’d know I’m a wilted mess.”
To emphasize her point, Bertie pushed at the damp curls that had fallen around her face hours ago. Her dress was limp and she felt about as fresh as a wrung-out dishrag.
“I can see just fine, Roberta Elizabeth.”
Much to her surprise, Riley grabbed hold of the limb and swung himself up into the tree, sitting in front of her. “What are you doing out here?”
“Reading.”
“I can see that.” Riley grinned and tapped the book with his finger. “I meant why did you come out here to read? You could do that at the house.”
“It’s miserably hot in the house and Aundy decided I needed a break. I’ve discovered arguing with her does no good at all, so I took the book she handed me and came out here.”
Bertie tried to adjust her skirts to hide her bare legs but Riley held the hem, keeping her from moving. “Riley…”
“If you’re trying to cover up those pretty ankles, you might as well not bother. I’ve already seen them. Enjoy the breeze while you can. I don’t know how you women survive on days like today, fastened into layers of petticoats with stockings and drawers and corsets and…”
Bertie leaned forward and clamped a hand over his mouth. “Riley! You shouldn’t speak of such things. It’s improper.”
He shrugged and kissed her hand, holding it in his instead of releasing it. “Never understood why it’s so improper to talk about what you wear. Why, didn’t I see a lacy pink…”
The first book in the Pendleton Petticoat Series will be available for
FREE digital downloads April 6-10.
Pendleton Petticoats Series, Book #1
One stubborn mail-order bride finds the courage to carry on when she's widowed before ever truly becoming a wife, but opening her heart to love again may be more than she can bear.
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.
, a Golden Nose
, an Emerald Thumb
, Platinum Hair
, Sapphire Eyes
, Diamond Hand
and, now Garnet Face
, a during her globetrotting. The winner of The Bony Blithe Award for Best Light Mystery in 2015, when not helping Cait solve traditional, closed-circle mysteries, Cathy’s a keen gardener, ably assisted by her green-pawed chocolate Labradors.
Pocket Prayers (with various authors; Thomas Nelson, March 2016)
. It introduced Ernie Bisquets, a retired London pickpocket who decided he was going to assist the London police with their most difficult cases—whether they want his help or not. Michael has completed 3 books in the series, and has plans for at least five additional books.