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 … 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.
˃˃˃ Enjoy all the books in the Hardman Holidays series!
* The Christmas Bargain (Book 1) When Luke Granger calls in a long overdue loan, he reluctantly accepts a bargain in lieu of payment from the shiftless farmer who barters his daughter to settle his debt.
* The Christmas Token (Book 2) Determined to escape an unwelcome suitor, Ginny Granger flees to her brother’s home in Eastern Oregon for the holiday season. The last thing she expects is to encounter the boy she once loved, her exile proves to be anything but restful.
* The Christmas Calamity (Book 3) Arlan Guthry’s uncluttered world tilts off kilter when the beautiful and enigmatic prestidigitator Alexandra Janowski arrives in town, spinning magic and trouble in her wake as the holiday season approaches.
* The Christmas Vow (Book 4) Sailor Adam Guthry returns home to bury his best friend and his past, only to fall once more for the girl who broke his heart.
* The Christmas Quandary (Book 5) In need of a place to recuperate from a work injury, Tom Grove heads home for the holidays. He didn’t plan on his parents acting like lovesick newlyweds, being asked to teach at the school, or falling in love.
* The Christmas Confection (Book 6) Will Hardman’s sweet baker be able to soften Fred Decker’s hardened heart in time for a Christmas miracle?
Scroll up and grab your copy today.
more
Sweet book with charming characters. Shanna never fails to entertain in a historical setting with her wholesome and romantic tales.
Fred has to decide what effects a lot of bad family history will have on his future. Will he let it stop him from pursuing a relationship with the sweet baker, Elsa? And will Elsa take time from her goals for her shop to think about the possibility of marriage? I enjoyed seeing how things played out for the two of them. I craved cinnamon rolls throughout this book! (I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
I loved this book! It left me with such a great, happy, hopeful feeling. It is full of the messages of redemption, forgiveness, acceptance and love – so perfect for the Christmas season!
If you’ve read the rest of the series, you first met Fred in The Christmas Calamity. He was a trouble making teen, whose life was not headed in a positive direction. By choosing to change, and with great mentors and examples in the town, he has become an incredible man!! The difference between who he was, and who he is, adds great beauty to this story. It was wonderful to watch him find love and family, and discover where he belonged.
I loved Elsa! She is a delight! I really wish I could visit her bakery!! I also loved Fred’s aunts! They brought light and magic everywhere they went. And it’s always great to see everyone in Hardman again. It is a very special town, with amazing people!
Shanna Hatfield has once again written a story that I can’t put down, filled with humor, romance and characters that jump off the page. There is a reason she is one of my favorite authors – and every book she writes confirms that!
I received a complimentary copy of the book, which I voluntarily reviewed. I have given my honest opinion.
i loved the story very good i have read all of the series. love it, the aunts are a nice twist
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book and am leaving my honest review based on my enjoyment of the book.
Fred Decker can’t help who his family is. His father was an outlaw and murder. His Mother, although she loved him wasn’t the best Mom. Fred doesn’t feel he is worthy of love by a woman because of his father’s past. He becomes a hard worker and respected citizen in his town. When Elsa Lindstrom arrives in Eastern Oregon he becomes enthralled with her from the start. Elsa and her twin Ethan start up a bakery in the neighborhood, and it does very well.
Fred begins a friendship with Elsa over time as he visits the bakery. He comes to her rescue on more than one occasion. An enjoyable historical romance with a happy ending.
I was blessed to read a beta version, and loved this story with some sass, some suspense and the best fairy godmothers ever – you need to read it to see for yourself!