Scent of Cedar

The Friendly Beasts of Faraday #1

by Shanna Hatfield

She needed a change of pace. . .
No one said anything about a friendly camel or a hunky mechanic Cedar Haynes has a change her high-pressure lifestyle, or end up dead by the time she’s thirty. Not one to do things by half measures, she quits her demanding corporate job, swaps her sports car for an SUV, and moves to the peaceful mountain community of Faraday. She envisions a quiet, peaceful Christmas, surrounding by silence and sparkling snow. When a camel takes up residence on her porch, she realizes small-town life may be more quirky and complicated than she imagined. Thankfully, the local mechanic seems to have all the answers - plus good looks, bad-boy charm, and a mysterious aura that leaves her wanting to know more. Rhett Riggs left big city life behind the moment his small-town uncle needed his help. To make ends meet, he takes over Faraday’s one and only garage and gas station. He gets more than he bargained for, though, when Uncle Will passes away, leaving Rhett a run-down farmhouse, a wacky camel named Lolly, and a deep-rooted love for the community he considers his home. With the holidays approaching, he watches with interest as a new neighbor moves in next door. He waits for Lolly to send the woman running, like she has the last handful of residents. Only this time, if his beautiful neighbor leaves, she’ll take his heart with her. Between spilled secrets, mistaken identities, and a camel determined to spread a little love, it will take more than mistletoe and holiday magic to help Rhett and Cedar find their happy ending. Come along on a sweet Christmas romance adventure sure to uplift the spirit, touch the heart, and imbue the warmth of the holiday season. ˃˃˃ Read all four sweet romances in The Friendly Beasts of Faraday series! * Scent of Cedar (Book 1) - A woman in need of a new beginning finds herself tormented by a camel and captivated by the town's bad boy. Can she overcome her fears to embrace a sweet holiday romance? * Tidings of Joy (Book 2)- Only one woman can draw a shy mail carrier out of his shell, but it will take the help of her donkey and puppy to make it happen. * Boughs of Holly (Book 3)- A free-spirited nurse winds up on a ranch with a stubborn cowboy and his matchmaking grandpa. Will love triumph over her need to roam? * Wings of an Angel (Book 4) - Will a fun-loving teacher convince a woman sworn off romance to give love a second chance? He'll need a hand from her son and his furry, feathered friends. ˃˃˃ The inspiration for the stories. . . The Friendly Beasts Christmas carol mentions a camel, a donkey, a cow, a sheep, and a dove. That sweet carol is what sparked the idea for this series, along with a steal-the-show camel at a live nativity performance. Start reading this heartwarming holiday series today!

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Christian Romance, Holiday

136 pages, ebook

Published November 16, 2018

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

[Tonya Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone needs that one book that will sweep you away from all your troubles. Well Ms. Shanna Hatfield has delivered just that type of book.
Her new release, The Scent Of Cedar is just what this holiday season needs. Joy and laughter!
Absolutely an amazing Christmas book unlike any I have ever read.
What can an over active-opinionated Camel and matchmaking have in common? More than you could imagine.
This festive hilarious romance is just what our hearts have been longing to read.
Rhett and Cedar are about to find out how Lolly, Rhett’s adoptive camel can bring them their happy ever after. Rhett and Cedar will captivate everyone with their magnetic attraction!
Never underestimate the power of fate, the reason for the season, or the love of a relentless pet.

[Glenda Kinard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scent of Cedar was just the book I needed to give my spirits a boost toward the joys of Christmas. Cedar and Rhett’s story was just absolutely perfect. Who would ever thought a Camel could have such a personality but Lolly was so lovable almost made me want one. Shanna Hatfield is blessed from the Angels above. She can weave such memorable characters and stories that snug into a reader’s heart. Can’t wait to read the next book in this cute Christmas series

[Ciara Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this sweet story! This book was the perfect introduction to "The Friendly Beasts of Faraday" series. Of course, I LOVED Lollie the camel. :) She was so mischevious and original. If you are looking for fresh characters, sweet story, set in the holiday season, this book is for you! I can't wait to read more of this series.

[Kav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when I thought I'd read every Christmas romance trope written, an author throws a matchmaking camel into the mix. :-) In fact, this whole series features the Outdoor Nativity cast (of the critter variety) matchmaking for their humans (and aptly titled The Friendly Beasts of Faraday.)

This first book opens with a hilarious barnyard meeting where the animals commit to finding mates for their humans...four hapless bachelors who need a little shove towards matrimonial bliss ..and Lolly is leading the challenge, which means cue the laughter and mayhem!

Then we switch over to human POV and, honestly, the first time Cedar meets Lolly is laugh-out-loud funny. Things go off kilter from there, turning into a sweet romance with lots of holiday touches and just enough missteps that require Lolly to step in and save the day.

Quirky and fun -- a quick little read that will put a smile on your face and a yen in your heart for your very own camel...maybe.

[Debra Brigden · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when a camel chooses you as the partner of her owner? Mayhem, mischief and love! Shanna Hatfield masterfully weaves a story of love helped by an animal who wants to see the bachelors of Faraday happily married. Lolly the camel is a loveable mischievous camel owned by Rhett the town mechanic. Cedar is new in town and looking to escape the fast paced city life she is no longer hapy with. Despite a secret that can keep this couple apart, they develop a bond that could last a lifetime. I loved Cedar, Rhett and Lolly and was rooting for them to discover their HEA together! Shanna Hatfield has created a town filled with people and Matchmaker Animals that I want to return to! I highly recommend Scent of Cedar!

[Jerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Shanna story filled with laughter, love and animals

Animals and kids. Ever want to know the true man, let animals and kids around him. Your heart can tell you so much, but your head can get so in the way. Lolly knows what is best for her human, and he is coming around. Now for that neighbor lady.
Shanna writes such sweet stories with some of the best belly laughs. Romance that warms the heart and more. Loved this read.

[Jeffrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first perusal, this appears to be just another formulated contemporary Christmas romance. Not so fast there! Throw together an upscale high-powered CFO escaping the stress of downtown Portland with a down-home automobile mechanic and you have the ultimate odd couple. Not content with that scenario, the author introduces a pet camel as "matchmaker." Yes, you heard me right, a camel! Nobody mixes unusual full-throttle romances between deserving heroes and heroines along with animal friends better than author Shanna Hatfield. You will quickly fall in love with Cedar, Rhett and lovable Lolly the camel. The first installment in the Christmas contemporary romance series The Friendly Beasts of Faraday will have you laughing out loud with Lolly's antics as the budding but complicated romance between Cedar and Rhett warms your heart. I can hardly wait for story #2 in this series, Tidings of Joy, due to be released November 23rd.

[Dorothy Roller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable, fun and funny story with animals as a big part of this story and others to follow in this wonderfully thought out series by Ms. Hatfield.
These animals talk to each other and have their own association. That alone cracked me up. Besides trying to figure out the Christmas live nativity when they need another animal, there main goal is to find their humans a partner for life.
This first one has Lolly, the camel who can chase people moving in next door to his humans’ home as fast as she wants.
Can you imagine waking up in your new home to see a camel looking in your back door?
Cedar moves in the Victorian home her sister had renovated and completely furnished before she even moves in. She has no idea who anyone is and does see a red barn next door across the pasture but what she didn’t know is that is where Lolly lives with Rhett his human, plus a dog and cat.

You will laugh, fall in love with Lolly and the main characters and then be disappointed when all falls apart that Lolly has to stage an intervention so to speak to get Cedar and Rhett back together.

You have to get this funny, loving, exciting story that is also illustrated on the cover and the start of each chapter. I highly recommend this fun Christmas story that I don’t think you will ever regret getting it. I think you will want this whole series so go to your favorite book store on line to get your copy for now.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shanna Hatfield's books are always warm and wonderful. The Christmas fun enhances a thoroughly delightful romance with a touch of the whimsical. The beginning of the book has a meeting of the animals to decide what to do about their beloved single people. From that point the animals are silent but a certain camel works hard to do her share to match up her person with a new neighbor. Lolly is great but I loved the people. too. Each book of the series has an animal working to matchmake for someone and I can not wait to read the other books.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started to read this story and thought it was very cute and humorous. Then the author started trying to make it too amorous with heavy kissing and groaning, etc... It wasn't that kind of story in the beginning and could have been very good if the romance wasn't so overblown. I gave up when every other page was of heavy kissing and passionate thoughts.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Heart Full of Christmas

Scent of Cedar is the first story in The Friendly Beasts of Faraday… and what a delightful, full of Christmas magic tale it is. I fell in love with Lolly during the introduction from the previous Christmas Eve – when animals can talk. The plans put into motion then are played out in this set of four Christmas Romances. And, frankly, I can’t wait for next week’s Tidings of Joy to be available. Lolly certainly is a character, and you’ll fall in love with her antics, and her matchmaking, too… I’ve no doubts.

Pretty much everything you really need to know before starting this story is in the cover description. To say much more would spoil the fun for you. If you love a really good Christmas Romance, with likable, interesting characters, adorable and mischievous animals and a couple that are so very right for each other… then you need to get started on this new Christmas series, like right now. I laughed out loud, got a bit frustrated, a bit angry, shed a few happy tears and simply enjoyed every moment of Scent of Cedar. If that doesn’t describe a good, emotional Christmas Romance then I’ve no clue what would.

I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

[Ann-Maree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this is only book one of this new series, but I am really going to enjoy this whimsical twist of a holiday romance that this wonderful author had brought to us to enjoy. If a live Christmas nativity scene does not get you into the holiday's spirit with talking animals holding a meeting about their human owners nothing else will do the job. I was excited to learn that the main animal in this first book was a camel as only a few months ago I had ridden one for the first time and they are a lovely and very caring animal. I received an ARC copy and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Cedar Haynes had taken her life back into her own hands and left her high demanding job and home in the city for the quiet town of Faraday. Her parents never celebrated Christmas, she will learn the magic of this time of years from the local mechanic and she just might lean some other things by spending time with him.

Rhett Riggs returned home a few years ago to look after his ailing Uncle and has now made a happy life for himself living on his Uncles farmhouse and taking over the local mechanic shop. Life is not lonely at the farmhouse as he has three animals to take care of a dog, a cat and a very crazy Camel called Lolly.

[Jan Niblock · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun story. You will fall in love with Lolly, she is really something else. I really liked the background on the animals in the beginning, it gave you a sense of what to expect.

Rhett really never let himself think that he could have happiness in a family. He never really had a family only his Uncle who took him an abusive childhood. But he was content with his life, his friends and his animals.

Cedar was on the top of the financial world until she lost it mentally. She moved from the big city to the small town of Faraday and adjusting to life in a small town where camels roamed free was more than she expected. But she adapted and came to love being there.

Will Rhett and Cedar find each other and overcome the issues that were brought on by Lolly? You will have to read it to find out. But you will find that this story was truly a sweet story that will make you want to read about Rhett’s other friends.

[Stephanie Jenkins Ortiz Cerrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet, funny and mood boosting read by Shanna Hatfield! I just loved Lolly, the camel, in this book and her quirky, smart and loveable personality. You'll just love Rhett and Cedar and their story. You won't believe what all was missing in Cedar's life before she moved to Faraday! Who were her parents anyway,  Mr. And Mrs. Scrooge? Rhett is on a mission to bring the biggest traditional Christmas possible to Cedar. That is, if hiding that he's Lollie's owner and the fact that he and Lolly are Cedars neighbors doesn't make her hate him. I'm officially in the Christmas spirit after reading this book and I can't wait to read the rest of this series and finally started baking my tons of Christmas cookies while reading this book.

[Elizabeth Fiscus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Swoon-worthy Story!

This was such an adorable story! I loved Lolly the camel. She was such a devious beast. She wanted to find her owner a girlfriend so she did her best to play matchmaker! When Cedar moved into Faraday, she had a rude awakening when Lolly pressed her face up to the door LOL!
Rhett, Cedar's neighbor and Lolly's owner wants nothing to do with the neighbor who leaves frantic messages about his camel, so he ignores them.
Neither of them know who the other is when they actually meet face to face and feel a spark. Will their budding relationship survive once the truth comes out about Lolly?
I loved that this was a clean book, but still had plenty of spice! It was humorous and perfect to lighten the mood.

[Linda DuPont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do yourself a favor and read this book. A quirky, funny camel and her antics made my day! So many little touches, all added together, made this one of my favorites.

One of these is how Cedar got her name. There is a reason the children of her family have tree names, and it got me to thinking of even more possibilities. Magnolia, Willow, Maple…

Has anyone ever suffered with having bought a lemon, when you thought you were getting a dream car? The details surrounding this aspect of the story bring a mixed blessing: Cedar meets Rhett.

I could go on and on with other memorable aspects of this delightful book, but I will let you find those for yourself. Great characters, human and animal alike!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful thing Lolly is. Really neighborly and aware of what’s going on around her. The only thing: SHE’S A CAMEL.
When Cedar quits her stressful job and moves to the country, she is not aware of the fact that her unreachable neighbor has a menagerie of animals. After trying desperately to reach him because of his camel, she finally gives up and gets to know Lolly and falls in love with her. Her owner is still not responding to her calls and then she finds out who it is!
Just imagine looking up and seeing a camel staring at you through your window! Hilarious at times and quite touching.
Loved it!

[Joyce Vasilev · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Wonderful Surprising Start to a Series

I had never read this series because I thought it was for children. When I came across a preview after reading another book I read that and was intrigued. The animals really make the story come to life. Shanna has a great imagination and it seems to be another amazing series. I have loved her Grass Valley cowboy series, her rodeo series, her Summer Creek series and Holiday Brides series to name a few. Learning The Ropes has been a favorite as well.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Scent of Cedar by Shanna Hatfield. Come meet Ceder and and especially Lolly. Both Ceder and Rhett are so different. Cedar moved to a different town and started her own business to remove stress from her life. First night in New house she is startled by Lolly on her porch. The camel belongs to Rhett. She was his Grandfather's who had raised him. Rhett shows Cedar how to decorate for Christmas. And takes her to cut down her first Christmas tree. This book is a delight to read

[Tracy Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful holiday read that will keep your attention from cover to cover. Such incredible characters both human and animal alike. A unique romance brought about by some farm animals that want to do what it takes and find mates for their owners. In this engaging story Lolly the camel decides to find love for her owner Rhett Riggs. Lolly likes to get into trouble and crosses the pasture to meet her new neighbor, Cedar Haynes. You'll enjoy this cute, unique romance story!

[Naga Lakshmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good...

Holiday Romance books are my favourite. This one was so good with holiday cheer and nice warm characters. Family and small town with pet animals organising the romance made the reading enjoyable. This author's feat was in keeping me hooked even though I read for short intervals only. She is one of the best and proves it with each one of her books. Many thanks for giving us such wonderful experience...

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the story, this is an uplifting story for everyone, Rhett owns a camel, Lolly, Cedar has just moved to town, she looks out her window and screams, Lolly was on the porch looking in the window at her. if you want a story that is cute and funny that will have you laughing you need to read the book.

[Vickey Mcgee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Winner

Beautifully written. As an animal lover, got to say I love Lolly. The human characters are good also. The story was not only beautifully written but clean to boot, which is the authors style. It's a heartwarming story for young and old. You'll give a chuckle or two at the antics of Lolly.

[Judy Esposito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scent of Cedar! Book 1 in this series of 4

What a delightful sweet book! A Sweet Romance and a HEA, all arranged by Lolly the Camel. I loved the humor in this book and all the characters.. Shanna Hatfield's characters are always ones you would love to have as your friends. Looking forward to the next three books. JudyE

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scent of Cedar

This was a fun book.  The set up to these stories, reminded me of a kids book, but it's a necessary precursor to make sense of the series.  I loved the Christmas tree scenes and the non stop talking boy Nick.  I expect to see more of him in another book in this series!  As much as i enjoy the sweet romance in this book, Lolly the camel, is truly the star of this show! 

[Jeene Hobbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

My December reading begins

I read holiday stories throughout December. Shanna Hatfield’s books have been on my reading list in previous years. This year it is The Friendly Beast series. These beasts are acting as matchmakers for 4 local guys in a small Oregon town.

You are going to want to know why this woman is named Cedar!

[Vickie Raynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll admit when I read the prologue, I thought that this book was sounding like a children’s book. How wrong I was. That little prologue was, strangely, necessary for the story. This ended up being one of the sweetest romances I have read. I found myself full of warm happy throughout the book. I can’t wait for more in the series.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small towns, fresh starts, hunky "bad boy" mechanic with a heart of gold and a love for animals (who could ask for more?)
This is one of four related romance novellas where the animals have a hand in making a love connection for their humans.

Swoon worthy clean romance that hits a few bumps along the way.
This series does not need to be read in order but this is a fantastic start.

[Anita Rohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

A delightful tale of Christmas and love and very cute animal friends who keep everyone on their toes doing what makes all humans look forward to ensuring that their pets are happy. A very fun read.

[Tammy Rolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great holiday story

What fun. Faraday's annual nativity stars a group of match making animals full of mischief led by Lolly, fun loving camel. Can't wait to see what more they have in store for their needy town folks.