Dreams of Love

by Shanna Hatfield

Will dreams of love lead to an unexpected future?Weathered from too many years of apprehending outlaws, Marshal Dillon Durant is resigned to a life of solitude. The small community of Holiday, Oregon, offers the opportunity for him to build lasting friendships while discovering a sense of belonging. Then he encounters an exasperatingly beautiful woman attempting to break into the local school, leaving him to contemplate the possibility of a new chapter in his life.

Desperate to escape the arranged marriage her father is attempting to foist upon her, Zara Wynn accepts a job as a schoolteacher in Holiday. Intent on a fresh start, she doesn’t want anyone to discover she’s a runaway bride. But concealing her past proves difficult, especially when the astute and handsome Marshal Durant captures her heart.

When her father and fiancé find her, will Zara be forced to abandon her dreams of love? Or will Dillon make them come true?
♥ ♥ ♥
Enjoy a visit to Holiday, a small town built by honorable men and determined women, in the mountains of Eastern Oregon. Each sweet and wholesome historical romance novella features memorable heroes, relatable heroines, quirky and fun characters, family, faith, humor, and hope.

121 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 21, 2024

About the author

A hopeless romantic with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure, Shanna Hatfield is a best-selling author of clean romantic fiction written with a healthy dose of humor.

In addition to blogging and eating too much chocolate, she is completely smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.

Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic 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.”

She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.

To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her blog http://shannahatfield.com
or find out news at her facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/shanna.hatfield

Reviews

[Priscila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dreams of Love was such a sweet read! It's on the shorter side (less than 100 pages) but it's exactly what I was in the mood for, especially with it being a Shanna Hatfield Historical Romance. 😉 Marshall Dillon Durant and Miss Zara Wynn's story was fun, and had me picking it up whenever I could (though if you have the time, it can be a one-time read.) There's certainly chemistry and attraction between the two (and it's kind of a slow burn, so you have to wait for the kisses but they're worth the wait), however, they've also been wounded by their pasts, so there are also some secrets and earning trust, as well as helping each other, even if at times it may not seem so. The themes of forgiveness and redemption were done well, and I loved the reminders about God's love.
The town was lovely as always, and I certainly loved revisiting past characters like Henley and Dr. Evan, among others. Nan's meddling was fun, but what had my heart was her relationship with Dillon. And now I'm intrigued with Ps. Ryan's story as well as Rowan's, so I'll be sure to check out the next books in this series. ~ 4.5 stars

Content:
Romance: Clean - Sweet. It's "just kisses", but there's a line where she wonders how he'd look from behind while walking out of bathing in the river.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our author takes us back in time, one that makes you feel like you are there in Holiday, Oregon. A small community who takes care of each other. Zara has gone there to take a teaching position, but she has a secret that she has run away from a very abusive situation. Marshal Durant is the town's law. He sees a poster come through showing she is a runaway and is forced to follow the letter of the law and report she is there. Can he keep her safe when those who wish to harm her come calling to rip her away from her safe place? She tried to convince him not to let them know where she is, after all she is not a minor, but he is bound by the law. Zara is very distressed she can't talk him into letting it go. Will the Marshal be able to break through this situation to let Zara know just how much he loves her and care about her. Will he be able to keep her safe? You won't want to miss a page of this wonderful story Shanna Hatfield has spun for us. You will want to revisit Holiday and your wish will be granted because you won't want to miss the next book in this trilogy!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The description of "Dreams of Love" instantly caught my attention: "Enjoy a visit to Holiday, a small town built by honorable men and determined women, in the mountains of Eastern Oregon. Each sweet and wholesome historical romance novella features memorable heroes, relatable heroines, quirky and fun characters, family, faith, humor, and hope."

Shanna Hatfield has once again delivered a delightful, wholesome, and inspirational love story with a touch of suspense that keeps you fully engaged. Marshal Dillon and Zara Wynn, the schoolteacher and runaway bride, will capture your heart from their unique first meeting. The redemption arc adds a nice twist to the story.

While this novella stands well on its own and is perfect for a cozy afternoon or evening with a cup of tea, I am eagerly anticipating the next visit to Holiday in the upcoming book of the series!

#DreamsOfLove #ShannaHatfield #HistoricalRomance #SweetRomance #WholesomeReads #InspirationalFiction #MustRead #BookReview #HolidaySeries #RomanticSuspense

[Cindy y · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again we are back in Holiday, Oregan with a new series that brings us back in touch with old friends. We’ve met Marshall Durant as he has helped take care of his community of Holiday, and his friends. While he is happy to see his friends find love, it just reminds him of what he doesn’t have, of what he doesn’t think he will ever have. Enter Zara Wynn, the newest schoolteacher that has been hired in Holiday. But little does our law enforcing friend know that she is running from her father and his determination to marry her off to the man who holds a lot of his debt.
But when the Marshall finds out about her past, can he keep it a secret, or will he abide by the law he has made an oath to uphold? And will Zara ever forgive him for his decision?

[Marty Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

What a wonderful story. Dillon (the Marshall) didn't know what to make of this beautiful woman who was trying to pick the lock on the school house. Once it was established that she (Zara) was the new teacher who had arrived early, he helped her find who had the key so she could get in. Turns out, the place was a disaster. Dillon was already smitten with Zara, but felt his profession was not one that was conducive to marriage. Zara didn't like the idea of marriage either. She didn't want to live her life by what a man told her to do.
It's funny how just when you think you've mapped out your life, something changes your plans.
This is a wonderful story and a great visit to Holiday, Oregon.

[Joyce Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Zara's mother dies, her father starts drinking and gambling. When he offers Zara's hand in marriage to Conroy to pay off his debts, she knows she has to leave. Conroy intends to have her work in his saloon. She applies for a teaching position and goes to Holiday, OR.

Dillon is the sheriff and he's seen a lot in his young years. He feels he is too jaded to marry. He enjoys the quieter pace of Holiday. He meets Zara and is taken with her spirit. When he sees a wanted poster for information on a runaway bride, he can't believe it. He confronts her with the news. They must work together to stop Conroy from fulfilling his plans.

Great book. Loved the characters and the community. Zara is passionate about teaching and the students love her.

[Elaine Kiefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another delightful story by Shanna Hatfield. A woman fleeing from an arranged marriage to a despicable man, ends up in Holiday OR taking the job as a school teacher. When she meets the handsome Marshall there is instant attraction, but neither one is ready for a relationship. As their friendship grows they develop stronger feelings for each other. When her past catches up to her, Dillon steps in to protect her and they find their happily everafter. It was so much fun to re-visit Holiday and all the people from previous books.


I received a copy of this book from the author as an ARC but the opinions are my own.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Holiday Oregon! Zara has to get away from her father and a shady arranged marriage. When she applies for and gets a teaching position in Holiday she immediately packs up and weaves her way there. Marshal Dillon (yeah—don’t you love it!) finds her trying to pick the lock on her new lodgings. From there, love blooms and the town of Holiday steps in to make her feel like part of the family. As usual, Shanna weaves a sweet, clean, inspirational, love story, with a little suspense thrown in, that will keep you fully engaged. This is a standalone story but you will love catching up with the other families in Holiday. I’m ready for the next one in this series!!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this sweet romance. Zara is running away from her grief crazed father and the evil fiancé her father promised her to in order to settle his gambling debts. She finds her way to the small town of Holiday in eastern Oregon with a position to teach in their one room school house. She arrives two weeks early, tries to break into her new lodgings with hat pins and is met by the town Marshall, Dillon Dutton. Dillon has seen way to much horror to ever think he is deserving of love. He does his job honestly and with kindness. Great characters with a sweet story and a little suspense thrown in!

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet and short story. Zara has accepted a teaching job in Holiday but arrives early because she had to run from her father and the man that said he wanted to marry her. She is sure that he had other ideas for her besides marriage. The first person she runs into is Marshal Dillon Durant as she is trying to pick the lock on the schoolhouse. Dillon really likes the beautiful new schoolteacher, but he is too jaded to subject a woman to his way of life and so he plans to remain alone. But the more he around her, the more he thinks that he just might have to change his mind. When danger comes to call, Dillon is right there to protect Zara. Will he change his mind?

[Linda R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zara Wynn is Holiday's new schoolteacher. Arriving earlier than expected and finding no one to let her in the teacher's quarters, Zara tries picking the lock. However, Marshal Dillon Durant appears, explaining she will find herself in jail if she doesn't tell him what she is doing.

Dreams Of Love is the first book in the Holiday Dreams series by Shanna Hatfield. I loved Dillon. I only wish his story had been longer. This historical novella was terrific. It was great to return to the town of Holiday and visit with old friends.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book. I volunteered to read it and write a review.

[Mitchy Beach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the fictional town of Holiday and it was so nice to revisit it. I have read all the books set in Holiday by this author and it was great to be reunited with the characters from the previous books. The new character introduced in this story is Zara, a young woman fleeing an untenable engagement back at home. She is the new school teacher in Holiday and falls for the town’s marshal, Dillon. Both Zara and Dillon are such sweet people and I enjoyed their story of how they found love. This is a quick read (novella), but very enjoyable. I look forward to the rest of the books in this series.

[Ronnie Fody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like all the historical background in Shanna’s novels. Zara goes to the town of Holiday as their new teacher. However, motivated by her misguided dad and an evil friend Conroy, who both insist she marry Conroy, she arrives in Holiday two weeks early careful to cover her tracks. What unfolds next is a touching love story between her and Marshal Dillon. I enjoyed reading their journey as they both in the end acknowledged their feelings for one another. Of course, sprinkled through out are trials they need to face. An enjoyable and informative read.
R. Fody
March 13, 2024

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful beginning to the new series Holiday Dreams by Shanna Hatfield.
Short but sweet story with characters you will recognize from Holiday, Oregon.
Zara is the new schoolteacher in town, but she’s arrived two weeks early.
Dillon is the marshal in town and their first meeting was not as impressive as it could have been. He caught her trying to break into the teacher’s living quarters.
She had fled an unwanted engagement to a man her father owed large debts to.
What happens when someone comes looking for her?
*I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.

[April Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running away was the best thing to do

Zara ran from the evil that engulfed her life and ran right into her future. Marshal Dillion just wants for keep her safe. There is betrayal, danger, bad men, a fresh start, friends, and a romance that she never thought she would have.

A shorter, quick read that will have you cheering for Dillion and Zara all the way through. I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.

[Christie Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zara leaves home in order to avoid an arranged marriage to an evil man. She has contracted to be a teacher in the small western town of Holliday. Dillon is the sheriff and discovers Zara trying to pick the lock to the school teacher’s quarters. Drama soon follows Zara, and Dillon must make a hard decision in order to protect her.

This is a well-written short story with wonderful, loveable characters.

I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is entirely voluntary and unbiased.

[Nethanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zara is the new schoolteacher in Holiday but arrives a little early, but breaking in the schoolhouse and being caught by the handsome marshal wasn’t what both expected. Can she build a new life with the people of Holiday and the handsome marshal, or will her past ruin everything?
It’s great to be back in Holiday and meet the characters of previous books. A fun story with fun friendships and love, just what you always get from this author. Looking forward to read the other books in this series.

[Bonnie Theel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zara decided to leave the only home she'd ever known when her father, who owed a large gambling debt to Conroy, agreed to let the man marry her to wipe away the debt. She answered an ad for a schoolteacher in the small town of Holiday, Oregon. She was very careful to hide her trail.

Would she be able to hide from her father and Conroy there? Or would they find her and force her to go back with them?

I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.

[Beverly Dibble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable! I laughed as Zara tried to break into the school house but was interrupted by the local law. I shuddered when I imagined the filth and vermin that had taken over the place. I smiled as I met the locals, some of whom I had met before – they are a lot of fun, and it was good to get reacquainted. I loved watching Dillon and Zara get to know each other and fall in love. Truly a great book. I look forward to the rest of the series.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love being back in the town of Holiday, meeting new characters and revisiting ones I knew.
Zara and Dillon is a cute story that had me hooked and intrigued from the start. I love the runaway bride aspect, ok, so she wasn't quite the bride, but was quickly heading there.

I also really enjoyed the shorter book this time, I love the longer books too, but this one just fit perfectly into my life at the moment :) I can't wait to read the rest of the stories in this series :)

[Debbie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book! Zara was hired as a schoolteacher in Holiday. She arrived two weeks early because she needed to escape her father and the horrible man he arranged for her to marry. Dillon caught Zara trying to break in to the schoolhouse. As a lawman, Dillon knows Zara is hiding something! What will happen when he finds out? This is a clean wholesome book. I highly recommend reading this book!

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dillon took the job as Marshal in Holiday to put behind him all of the danger and criminals he had to deal with. Zara, the new teacher, is hiding from her father and an evil man who wants to own her. Dillon is taken right away with Zara, but he does not feel good enough due to all he's seen. Zara feels an attraction to Dillon, too. When her past collides with her present, Dillon will be the one to save her. But will he ever change his mind about marriage

[Nita Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams of Love

A warm and lovely love story of a young teacher hired to teach at Holiday, Oregon. She arrived two weeks early to escape her father and supposed fiance. But arriving early, she was caught trying to enter the school and her new place with pins from her hair, by Marshall Durant. This is when Marshall Durant falls in love. Enjoyed reading the story, could not stop reading until the end.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dillon catches Zara trying to break into the schoolhouse - she is the new teacher and has showed up two weeks early! He father was going to marry her off to pay his debts and she is running from them. Dillon is very interested but his job can be dangerous and he is sure she won't be interested - they find themselves thrown together and finally give in! This is a great start to this new series! I read a beta version and freely leave my opinion!

[Karen Brasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dreams of Love

This is a short and sweet novella set in the small town of Holiday. Zara Wynn is a runaway bride. Her father has promised her hand to a vile man who only wants her in his brothel. She is an educated school teacher who applies and is hired to teach in Holiday. Marshall Dillon Durant is smitten the first time he meets the new school teacher. What will he do when he finds out she is a runaway?

[John Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Assume the Worst

Zara watched as her father spiraled into the oblivion of drink and gambling. There are still out there today men like Connor ready to exploit those grieving and not of correct mind. Each person must find it within themselves to stand and face life's difficulties. This was a well constructed story, that left the reader feeling good, and is definitely worth the five star.

[Barbara Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgiveness isn’t earned. It’s a gift that is given freely."
This was a beautiful story of forgiveness. Zara ran when her father bartered her off to be married to a saloon keeper. He really only wanted her to be one of his girls in his brothel. She meets the Marshall in Holiday, OR when she tries to break into the school where she has been hired to be the new school teacher. It was a great book which I totally recommend.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zara and Dillon have an... interesting first meeting. They each think the other is attractive, but don't go further than that.
She's not ready to trust and he's too broken.

I loved this short story, The characters were relatable and the ending was satisfying.

This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running from an arranged marriage to pay her father’s debt, Zara runs far way to take a teaching job. She meets the local marshal and he helps her get settled in. All goes well until a lost person poster crosses the desk of the marshal. Torn between keeping her location a secret and trying to bring the issue to a head, will he make the right decision? Rhis my honest review in my own words.

[Tracy Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will bring you into Holiday, Oregon and make you feel that you’re home amongst friends. Zara Wynn arrives in town to become the new school teacher. When she arrives early she finds herself trying to enter the school using hairpins and is wondered upon by Marshal Dillon Durant. This is such a sweet, wholesome love story settled in a welcoming small town with incredible characters.