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USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield grew up on a farm where her childhood brimmed with sunshine, hay fever, and an ongoing supply of learning experiences.
Today, Shanna draws on her rural roots to create sweet and wholesome romances brimming with hope, humor, quirky characters, realistic heroes, and women of strength.
When this award-winning author isn’t writing or baking, she cherishes time at home in the Pacific Northwest with her beloved husband, affectionately known as Captain Cavedweller.
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Welcome to Heartbeats & Hideaways! To celebrate her visit, our guest is generously giving away a $5 Amazon gift card and a digital copy of For Liberty and Love. Simply leave a comment on today’s post to enter the giveaway. Winners will be selected from the comments, so jump into the discussion below!
Thanks for joining us today, Shanna. I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.
How do you research historical elements to make your stories feel authentic without slowing the narrative?
History has always fascinated me. Diving into the research for a story is one of my favorite parts of the writing process. I tend to wander down a lot of research rabbit holes, but I love it. I think that passion translates into making the stories feel real and authentic.
When a reader picks up one of my historical romances, I want them to be able to smell the scent of the sea mingling with tar and woodsmoke. I want them to feel the sunshine on their face or hear the clip-clop of hooves on a cobblestone-paved street. All those everyday details are immersive and help draw readers into the story.
I have a collection of history books I turn to for research, but I also do a lot of online searching. I try to weave historical details into the story in a way that feels natural, whether it’s part of a conversation or simply helps the reader envision the heroine strolling through a garden filled with historically accurate flowers.
Your romances are known for being “sweet” and heartfelt. What do you think makes a love story resonate with your readers?
I think love stories focus on the heart, and that is what resonates with readers. It’s about two hearts connecting in a way the couple never expected. I also believe that allowing my characters to be real, flaws and all, adds to the heartfelt emotion of each story.
What has been one of the most surprising lessons you’ve learned during your publishing journey?
I think the most surprising thing I’ve learned is that there is always more to learn. You never reach the point of knowing everything you need to know because the industry is so fluid and constantly changing.
Technology is constantly evolving. Life is constantly changing. So every day, I try to learn something new.
Are there particular themes or messages you find yourself returning to again and again in your work?
Hope is a theme that has carried through all my books. When there is hope—even the tiniest glimmer of it—there is always a reason to carry on.
I also try to incorporate the word cavedweller into all my books. Years ago, my husband was dubbed Captain Cavedweller, so making a reference to a cavedweller is my way of paying a little tribute to him in every story I write.
What projects or stories are you most excited about right now?
I am incredibly excited about the Petticoats & Patriots series, which features seven authors and eight books spanning 250 years as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
My book, For Liberty and Love, kicks off the series. Set in Philadelphia in 1776, the story begins just days after the Declaration of Independence was read publicly for the first time. It’s filled with history, patriotic warmth, adventure, and a wholesome romance.
My book Declaration of Love is the eighth and final book in the series. It brings the story full circle as a couple celebrating America’s birthday learns more about the heroine’s ancestors, who happen to be the couple from For Liberty and Love.
It has been a joy to step into America’s history while writing these books. As someone whose ancestors fought in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, I feel a deep appreciation for the sacrifices they made and a profound love for the country they helped create.
FOR LIBERTY AND LOVE | Book 1 of the Petticoats & Patriots series
She never intended to become a spy … or fall for one.
Philadelphia, 1776
As whispers of revolution turn swell into a roar for freedom, Lucy Carlson is no longer content to simply watch from behind the counter of her father’s jewelry shop. When a mysterious woman—none other than Martha Washington—leaves behind a locket, Lucy discovers the piece is more than a pretty keepsake. The necklace is a secret vessel for the revolution that carries the promise of love.
Drawn into a dangerous spy ring, Lucy begins crafting coded messages concealed within the locket’s clever design, living a secret double life and risking everything she holds dear in a time of sacrifice and war.
Continental soldier Branch Barton is a man defined by duty. Tasked with rooting out traitors, he moves through the shadowed world of deception and divided loyalties. He’s trained to trust no one, yet he finds himself drawn into a slow-burning connection with the jeweler’s spirited daughter.
But when Lucy begins to suspect Branch may be a Redcoat in disguise, their fragile bond is tested by mistaken identity, growing mistrust, and the threat of betrayal.
In a war where even allies can become enemies, Lucy and Branch must navigate a world of hidden truths and guarded hearts. With the fate of the colonies—and their hearts—hanging in the balance as Lucy delivers a message in enemy territory, will they find the courage to trust each other and choose love?
Courage built a nation. Love made it worth fighting for.
Throughout 250 years of American history, a well-loved locket finds its way into the hands of eight spirited heroines—each standing at the crossroads of love and destiny, and each inspired by a true patriot. As it journeys from one heart to the next, these stories unfold with sweet romance, unwavering hope, and a deep love of country, proving that even in uncertain times, love is always worth the risk.
Start reading the Petticoats & Patriots series today!
