The Christmas Confection Read online

  Oh, I should mention how much fun I had creating the characters of Fred’s loveable aunts. They make me think of three beautiful, delightful fairy godmothers. I wouldn’t mind if they’d show up at my house and toss around a little magic.

  As always, dear reader, thank you for reading my books. If you have ideas for a future story in this series, I’d love to hear from you!

  Wishing you a bright, beautiful holiday season!

  Thank you for reading Fred and Elsa’s sweet romance. If you enjoyed the story, I truly hope you’ll share a review. Even a line or two is appreciated more than you can know. You can leave a review on The Christmas Confection page on Amazon.

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  Hardman Holidays Series

  Heartwarming holiday stories set in the 1890s in Hardman, Oregon.

  The Christmas Bargain (Book 1) — As owner and manager of the Hardman bank, Luke Granger is a man of responsibility and integrity in the small 1890s Eastern Oregon town. When he calls in a long overdue loan, Luke finds himself reluctantly accepting 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. Returning to the community where she spent her childhood years, she plans to relax and enjoy a peaceful visit. Not expecting 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) — Tom Grove just needs to survive a month at home while he recovers from a work injury. He arrives to discover his middle-aged parents acting like newlyweds, the school in need of a teacher, and the girl of his dreams already engaged.

  The Christmas Confection (Book 6) — Will Hardman’s sweet baker be able to soften Fred Decker’s hardened heart?

  The Dove (The Second Day, 12 Days of Christmas Mail-Order Brides) — Bewitched, beguiled, and in over his head…

  Culver Daniels spent years cultivating a peaceful, orderly existence with his blacksmith shop and livery business. Then the pastor of Noelle landed upon a crazy scheme to save the town by sending for a bunch of mail-order brides. Despite his determination to remain single, Culver finds himself among those agreeing to wed. The moment he meets the beautiful gypsy woman he’s promised to marry, he realizes life will never be the same.

  Widow Kezia Mirga has no desire to marry again. Yet, for the sake of her most cherished treasure, she decides to wed a man in a remote Colorado mining town. She arrives to find nothing as she expected, the town in a state of turmoil, and her intended far more handsome and charming than she imagined. Dare she dream of a future with the burly blacksmith, or should she escape back to Denver before she loses her heart?

  Will true love triumph over secrets and surprises in this sweet and wholesome holiday romance?

  Turn the page for a preview of The Dove…

  An Introduction

  Denver, Colorado

  Autumn 1876

  Soap suds crawled up her arms and clung to the front of her stained apron as Kezia Mirga buried her hands in a sink full of dirty dishes. Her chapped, reddened hands stung each time she plunged them into the hot water. She pulled out another plate and rinsed it, adding it to the growing pile of clean dishes stacked on the counter waiting to be dried and put away for the night.

  With the back of her wet hand, she brushed a lock of raven hair away from her face and stretched her sore back before reaching into the water for another plate to rinse. She hated working in the hotel restaurant’s kitchen, slaving away washing dirty dishes, but she didn’t have many choices. A woman alone with no formal education couldn’t be choosy when it came to honest, gainful employment.

  If she was alone, without any responsibilities, she might quit and see what sort of adventure she could find. But that wasn’t to be. Not when she had a great responsibility riding on her shoulders.

  A slight cooing sound from the corner drew her gaze to a large wooden crate. Although it once held sacks of sugar, it now sheltered her most precious possession.

  “What is it, little dove?” Kezia asked, love softening the ever-deepening lines of worry on her face.

  One of the waitresses breezed into the kitchen with another order. She gave it to the cook then turned and bent over the crate. “How are you, little Jemimah? You’re smile is almost as bright as summer sunshine,” the woman said, lifting the baby in her arms and cuddling her close. “Are you being a good girl while your mama washes all those nasty dishes?”

  The baby cooed again as the waitress kissed her cheek. “You’re just so scrumptious, Jem, I could eat you with a spoon. Yes, you are, you beautiful girl. Why, you’re the best baby in the world. ”

  Kezia looked to her friend and smiled. “Sally, you are going to spoil her the way you lavish attention on her every time you have a minute to spare.”

  Sally blew softly on the baby’s neck then made silly faces at the little one. “She deserves all the attention she receives and then some. She really is such a sweet, sweet baby, Kezia.”

  “I’ve been blessed by her in so many ways.” Kezia glanced over at her tiny daughter. “She’s so good-natured and hardly ever fusses.”

  “It’s a good thing she is, or you wouldn’t be able to keep her here in the kitchen like a stray puppy,” the cook groused as she ladled gravy over a mound of creamy potatoes. “Now, quit wasting time with her and get back to work.” The crotchety woman held out the plate to Sally and tipped her head toward the kitchen door. “Scoot!”

  Kezia wiped her hands on her apron and took Jemimah from Sally, holding her baby close. She bent her head and breathed in the heavenly scent of the little one, filling her nose and heart with the fragrance. She checked Jemimah’s diaper, and finding her dry, rocked her gently for few moments.

  Sally rushed back into the kitchen with another order. She gave it to the cook then walked over to where Kezia held the baby near the blanket-lined crate.

  Jemimah’s eyelashes fluttered against her rosy cheeks as she drifted off to sleep.

  “What am I going to do when she gets a little bigger?” The desperation she felt edged into her voice. “Who would have thought it would be nearly impossible for a widow with a new baby to find a job?”

  Sally leaned closer and lowered her voice to a whisper. “You should go see Mrs. Walters at the Benevolent Society of Lost Lambs. I heard she’s looking for women to go to a remote mining town as mail-order brides. If you’re willing to marry a stranger, you might be able to provide Jem with a better future than growing up in this hot, stuffy kitchen.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with good, honest work,” the cook said, scowling at the two younger women as she eavesdropped on their conversation. Her icy glare settled on Sally. “Quit gabbing and get back to work or I’ll make sure you both receive a dock in your pay.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Sally said, turning her back to the cook. The face she pulled was so comical Kezia had to work to contain a laugh as her friend bustled back out to the dining
room.

  Kezia settled her sleeping infant in the primitive bed then returned to washing dishes. Her mind whirled with possibilities while she worked.

  Should she take Sally’s advice and speak to Mrs. Walters about becoming a bride to a man she’d never met? What about her vow to never wed again? The two horrible men she’d known were enough to cure her for a lifetime of wanting to be around members of the male species.

  Could she give up her freedom, her dreams, to secure a safe and stable future for her daughter?

  How could she not…

  The Dove

  Available on Amazon

  Baker City Brides Series

  Determined women, strong men and a town known as the Denver of the Blue Mountains during its days of gold in the 1890s.

  Crumpets and Cowpies (Book 1) — Rancher Thane Jordan reluctantly travels to England to settle his brother’s estate only to find he’s inherited much more than he could possibly have imagined.

  Thimbles and Thistles (Book 2) — Maggie Dalton doesn't need a man, especially not one as handsome as charming as Ian MacGregor.

  Corsets and Cuffs (Book 3) — Sheriff Tully Barrett meets his match when a pampered woman comes to town, catching his eye and capturing his heart.

  Bobbins and Boots (Book 4) — Carefree cowboy Ben Amick ventures into town to purchase supplies… and returns home married to another man’s mail-order bride.

  Lightning and Lawmen (Book 5) - Coming in 2018!

  Rodeo Romance Series

  Hunky rodeo cowboys tangle with independent sassy women who can’t help but love them.

  The Christmas Cowboy (Book 1) — Among the top saddle bronc riders in the rodeo circuit, easy-going Tate Morgan can master the toughest horse out there, but trying to handle beautiful Kenzie Beckett is a completely different story.

  Wrestlin’ Christmas (Book 2) — Sidelined with a major injury, steer wrestler Cort McGraw struggles to come to terms with the end of his career. Shanghaied by his sister and best friend, he finds himself on a run-down ranch with a worrisome, albeit gorgeous widow, and her silent, solemn son.

  Capturing Christmas (Book 3) — Life is hectic on a good day for rodeo stock contractor Kash Kressley. Between dodging flying hooves and babying cranky bulls, he barely has time to sleep. The last thing Kash needs is the entanglement of a sweet romance, especially with a woman as full of fire and sass as Celia McGraw.

  Barreling Through Christmas (Book 4) — Cooper James might be a lot of things, but beefcake model wasn’t something he intended to add to his resume.

  Chasing Christmas (Book 5) — Tired of his cousin's publicity stunts on his behalf, bull rider Chase Jarrett has no idea how he ended up with an accidental bride!

  Books by Shanna Hatfield

  FICTION

  HISTORICAL

  Baker City Brides

  Tad’s Treasure

  Crumpets and Cowpies

  Thimbles and Thistles

  Corsets and Cuffs

  Bobbins and Boots

  Pendleton Petticoats

  Dacey

  Aundy

  Caterina

  Ilsa

  Marnie

  Lacy

  Bertie

  Millie

  Dally

  Hearts of the War

  Garden of Her Heart

  Home of Her Heart

  Hardman Holidays

  The Christmas Bargain

  The Christmas Token

  The Christmas Calamity

  The Christmas Vow

  The Christmas Quandary

  The Christmas Confection

  CONTEMPORARY

  Blown Into Romance

  Learnin’ The Ropes

  Love at the 20-Yard Line

  QR Code Killer

  Rose

  Saving Mistletoe

  Taste of Tara

  Grass Valley Cowboys

  The Cowboy’s Christmas Plan

  The Cowboy’s Spring Romance

  The Cowboy’s Summer Love

  The Cowboy’s Autumn Fall

  The Cowboy’s New Heart

  The Cowboy’s Last Goodbye

  Holiday Brides

  Valentine Bride

  Rodeo Romance

  The Christmas Cowboy

  Wrestlin’ Christmas

  Capturing Christmas

  Barreling Through Christmas

  Chasing Christmas

  Silverton Sweethearts

  The Coffee Girl

  The Christmas Crusade

  Untangling Christmas

  The Women of Tenacity

  A Prelude (Short Story)

  Heart of Clay

  Country Boy vs. City Girl

  Not His Type

  CHILDREN’S BOOKS

  Steve the Mule

  NONFICTION

  Farm Girl

  Fifty Dates with Captain Cavedweller

  Recipes of Love

  Savvy Entertaining

  Savvy Autumn Entertaining

  Savvy Holiday Entertaining

  Savvy Spring Entertaining

  Savvy Summer Entertaining

  About the Author

  Hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield spent ten years as a newspaper journalist before moving into the field of marketing and public relations. Sharing the romantic stories she dreams up in her head is a perfect outlet for her love of writing, reading, and creativity. She and her husband, lovingly referred to as Captain Cavedweller, reside in the Pacific Northwest.

  Shanna loves to hear from readers.

  Connect with her online:

  Blog: shannahatfield.com

  Facebook: Shanna Hatfield’s Page

  Shanna Hatfield’s Hopeless Romantics Group

  Pinterest: Shanna Hatfield

  Email: [email protected]