Shanna Hatfield
Author Interview - Shanna Hatfield
Author of The Bridge
One Bridge. Five Strangers. A Christmas Eve That Changes Everything.
On a bridge suspended above the Willamette River, five lives collide for a journey through hope and hardship in a suspenseful, heartwarming tale of courage, connection, and the magic of second chances.
Sergeant Archer Raines has worked every holiday all year for one reason: to finally spend Christmas with his wife. But when a desperate man threatens to jump from Portland’s St. Johns Bridge, Archer’s expert negotiation skills are required to defuse the situation.
Rosalee, a high-powered accountant and mom-to-be, only meant to swing by home for a forgotten phone and client file. Then her car is caught in the chaos on the bridge, she unexpectedly goes into labor, and her carefully planned world begins to unravel amidst the unfolding drama.
Exhausted nurse Nova just wants to make it home for Christmas after too many night shifts. When the pileup halts traffic and Rosalee’s baby is on the way, Nova puts her own plans on hold to help a stranger in need.
Carter, the owner of a busy tow truck business, regrets taking the call to clear the multi-car collision off the bridge. He’d intended to spend the day tackling last-minute holiday errands. Instead, he’s praying the lunatic pointing a gun at him doesn’t pull the trigger.
Fresh out of college and anxious to kick-start his career, Ian’s running late when his car won't start the morning of his big interview. His rideshare driver turns out to be a captivating girl with a penchant for aggressive driving that narrowly saves them from being part of the wreck on the bridge, sending Ian on an unexpected path of his own.
The Bridge is the perfect uplifting holiday read and a story of how one frozen moment can thaw even the loneliest of hearts.
Author Interview - Shanna Hatfield
Author I draw inspiration from:
Debbie Macomber.
The emotion she packs into her stories has been so inspiring to me, and she writes characters that are so real, it’s easy to envision them as friends or neighbors. She also writes settings that are so easy to envision, which is so important for drawing the reader fully into the story. Some of my favorite books that she’s written include Morning Comes Softly, A Walk Along the Sea, The Wyoming Kid, Someday Soon, and Trading Christmas. Books I read in my teen years (Island of the Blue Dolphins, Little Britches, and A Girl of the Limberlost) have also influenced my writing.
Author Interview - Shanna Hatfield | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
I have a cozy chair by my fireplace that is a favorite place to read in our chilly winter months. In fair weather, I enjoy sitting on a bench outside where the sunset provides a beautiful backdrop. I’ve also been known to fall asleep in bed with a book in my hand. I love to read at night because I find it to be so relaxing.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Quillan Shepherd from the Diamond of the Rockies series by Kristen Heitzmann. Of the three books, The Tender Vine is my favorite.
The books have been around awhile, but each time I’ve reread the series (which has been numerous times), I find myself drawn to Quillan because he is such a reluctant hero. At his core, he’s such a good guy, but he often fails to see or realize it.
If I happened to be stuck in an elevator with him, I picture him being polite at first, then trying to get the elevator to work. He might even attempt to climb up the elevator shaft, because he isn’t very good at sitting still. If he couldn’t rescue us, I imagine he’d finally be resigned to waiting, and perhaps even talking a bit, answering a few questions. He is a man of few words, but those he does speak often hold value.
The other book character I’d like to know more about is Marcellus from Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Although, I would have a heart attack if I was on an elevator with an octopus, let alone stuck there with it.
Author Interview - Shanna Hatfield | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I wrote my first “masterpiece” in the fourth grade about a raccoon. My brother had a pet raccoon at the time, and I wrote this whole adventure about Bandit. I knew I wanted to write stories from that point on, even if it took me a while to begin writing novels. I started my career as a newspaper journalist, then segued into marketing, before I finally began writing a novel. I was hooked after the first one and fell in love with writing sweet stories full of heart, humor, and hope.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Hardbacks have a feeling of substance, like they are meant to last and be around for a long while, but I don’t carry them with me, and I tend to remove the lovely jacket covers. Paperbacks are great because I do love the feel of holding a book in my hand, but they require a light for reading at night which disturbs my husband’s sleep when I’m trying to finish just one more chapter. My favorite form of reading is eBooks because I can take my Kindle anywhere and have dozens of books right at my fingertips. Audiobooks are amazing, but I find I get distracted and my mind wanders, so I don’t often listen to them.
The last book I read:
Silverleaf Rapids by Jodi Thomas
I loved it! I’ve read all the books in Jodi’s Ransom Canyon series, so it was fun to read this prequel that takes us through the lives of the main characters when they were young with their whole lives stretching out ahead of them.
Author Interview - Shanna Hatfield | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
If I had to rely on pen and paper for writing my books, I’d still be working on the first one, trying to decipher my handwriting. My preference is to write on the computer. I enjoy sitting in my office at my desk and letting the words flow while listening to music that fits the book and characters. It helps keep me focused on the story.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Lauraine Snelling wrote a wonderful book called The Second Half. In the story, Mona Sorenson is preparing for her husband’s retirement and looking forward to a new lifestyle of travel and relaxation, then life throws them a curve ball. I could so easily picture being friends with her because she’s real, flawed, kind, generous, and would be the sort of person you could count on and relate to.
Author Interview - Shanna Hatfield | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
An event planner. I have such a great time putting together party ideas and working with themes. Or, I might be a baker. I love to bake and try out new recipes. Sometimes, I play around with ingredients and make up my own recipe. I always include a recipe at the back of each book I’ve written, because it’s a fun thing to do and readers seem to enjoy it. I could also see opening a B&B where I can fix breakfast (my favorite meal of the day), decorate the house to my heart’s content, and make others feel welcome.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
I adore the fashions from the Edwardian era. They are so elegant and lovely, but the corsets are a deal breaker. I also love the styles from the 1940s with tailored suits, and peplums, and such cute shoes!
Place I’d most like to travel:
My husband and I want to visit every state in America. We still have several to go and I look forward to completing the goal and all the adventures that will come along with it. Once we do that, we'd like to take a European tour to see castles.
My signature drink:
I most often drink water, but on occasion I’ll splurge and have a Dr Pepper. In the summer, I enjoy a refreshing glass of sweet peppermint tea, and in the winter, I like to savor a cup of hot chocolate (marshmallows are a must) on Sunday afternoons.
Favorite artist:
It’s hard to choose just one, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be Thomas Kinkade. The way he painted light into his incredible works speaks to my heart. His paintings are so beautiful and infused with hope. I also like Tom Browning (especially his Santa paintings), Robert Duncan, and Terry Redlin.
Number one on my bucket list:
There are so many things on my bucket list, like travel. I also want to learn to play the harp, and play golf. I’d love to learn to knit but based on my tendency to tie the yarn into tangled knots, I should probably just take that off the list.
Anything else you'd like to add:
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be here today. Thank you for the invitation.
Find more from the author:
Website: http://shannahatfield.com
Newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/shannasnewsletter
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/shanna-hatfield
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorShannaHatfield
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/shannahatfield/boards/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4981400.Shanna_Hatfield
X: https://x.com/ShannaHatfield
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannahatfield/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shanna-Hatfield/e/B0056HPPM0
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ShannaHatfield?feature=watch
About Shanna Hatfield:
Author Interview with Shanna Hatfield
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, Shanna cherishes time at home in the Pacific Northwest with her beloved husband, affectionately known as Captain Cavedweller.
