The Creation of a Legendary Event

by Shanna Hatfield

 Although I write both contemporary and historical sweet romances, I love researching tidbits from the past for my historical books. One resource I often turn to when I'm writing my Pendleton Petticoats series is the online version of the town's newspaper from back in the day. Browsing through the newspaper gives me a general idea of what life was like at that particular time. 

The advertisements alone offer such an amazing peek into the past, a clear look at popular fashions, and words that may have been all the rage. The newsworthy events and articles also help me create a realistic world for my fictional characters. 

 Lately, I've had my nose buried in information from the autumn of 1910 for the latest book in the series. During that time, the very first Pendleton Round-Up took place in conjunction with the annual county fair. 

For nearly an entire month leading up to the events, the newspaper published at least one article (sometimes more) about the fair and rodeo each day. Excitement for this new event, a never-before-experienced rodeo, nearly leaped off the lines of print.

In fact, thoughts of the rodeo created so much anticipation, special trains were scheduled to run between Portland and Pendleton to bring in visitors for the event. 

Organizers came up with the idea of the rodeo to bring back what they felt was a fleeting way of life. They wanted the Pendleton Round-Up to be a "frontier exhibition of picturesque pastimes, Indian and military spectacles, cowboy racing and bronco busting." 

For the initial show, all the stores in town closed and 7,000 spectators descended on the arena with hundreds more left outside the gates because of a lack of seats. In true Pendleton style, workers hastily constructed an additional 3,000 seats before the second performance the next afternoon.

In addition to the rodeo events, the Pendleton Round-Up held a Westward Ho Parade (a completely non-motorized parade that continues today) and also crowned the first rodeo queen.

And the phrase "Let 'er Buck" was introduced as the tagline that was soon on everyone's lips as they marveled at a presentation unlike any they'd witnessed.

As I wrote my story, I did my best to imbue that sense of excitement and wonder that swept through the town as the very first Pendleton Round-Up took place. The only years the rodeo wasn't held was  during World War II.

When I thought about the cover for this book, it seemed only natural to include a real Pendleton Round-Up Princess in her hand-made leathers.

Dally, Book 8 in the Pendleton Petticoats series debuts May 18!

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She’s ready to spread her wing and fly…

            He’s scrambling to set down roots.

Unconventional, Dally Douglas is as likely to be found wearing her brother’s britches and riding a horse as she is dressed in lace-trimmed finery sipping tea in the parlor. With no plans to wed, she convinces her family to allow her to stay at their ranch in Oregon. Free and unfettered, she plans to remain that way, even when the town’s beloved young doctor returns home and captures both her interest and her heart.

Charismatic, handsome, and dedicated to his work, Doctor Nik Nash finally makes his way back to Pendleton. After years of studying and gaining hands-on experience, Nik is excited to bring his skills and knowledge to the place he calls home. Focused on his career, he has no time for a woman, especially not one as lively, fascinating, and enchanting as Dally Douglas.

When a freak accident brings the two of them together, their stubborn determination may cost them the chance to know true love.

Bursting with sweet romance, this tender yet lighthearted story draws readers into a world of rustic elegant charm.

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And if any of you read Dacey (American Mail-Order Brides series), Dally just happens to be her feisty daughter!

 

 For more information about the Pendleton Petticoat series, you can find the books here:
  Dacey (Prequel)
  Aundy (Book 1)
  Caterina (Book 2)
  Ilsa (Book 3)
  Marnie (Book 4)
  Lacy (Book 5)
  Bertie (Book 6)
  Millie (Book 7)
  Dally (Book 8)

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On a side note, don't forget to download your Grandma's Wedding Quilt series (if you haven't already) while the books are on sale for only 99 cents! They also make great gifts for Mom!

You can find all 12 stories on Amazon!

The Prequel is always 99 cents.

Books 2-7 are on sale through May 14.

Books 8-12 are on sale May 12-16.

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes character-driven romances with relatable 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.” Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, this hopeless romantic is out to make it happen, one story at a time. When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller. Please connect with Shanna online. She loves to hear from readers.

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Did You Know? The Suffrage Movement and Mail-Order Brides

The Suffragette movement takes center stage in The Suffragettes Choice Brides Agency series, which combines the amazing sacrifice and dedication of the suffragettes with sweet and clean historical romance.

Each story begins in Boston, (one of my favorite cities), and therefore it makes perfect sense that it would become the center of each mail-order bride’s origin in the series! The fact that the 1850 National Women’s Rights Convention was held a Brinley Hall in Worcester, MA, and 186 of the 268 attendees were from Massachusetts has a little something to do with it, too.

Here's some history...

In 1869, a joint special committee on Woman Suffrage was formed by the Massachusetts State Legislature; when the State House of Representatives voted on the question of municipal suffrage for women, there were 68 “Yeas” and 133 “Nays”.  This is what prompted the American Equal Rights Association to change the name of their organization to the National Women Suffrage Association. 

On July 4, 1876, Susan B. Anthony, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Sara Andrews Spencer, Lillie Devereux presented the “Declaration of Rights of the Women of the United States” and on September 12th they endorsed John I. Baker for Governor of Massachusetts. 

Once again, we find Massachusetts and Boston pivotal in the movement.

Historically, even women with the ‘highest standing’ in Boston (and other cities and states) struggled to find men who would take them as brides if they were a known suffragette. That is not to say that there were no men in Boston, MA who supported the Suffrage Movement, however, there were not many.

The territory of Wyoming was the first to give women the right to vote in 1869 (Go Wyoming!).  The West tended to give women this right on a much broader scale and earlier adoption than did the East, and we have a list below showing the chronological adoption of this right, by state. You can click the image to see the full list, as we cut it off when Massachusetts finally voted to allow women the right to vote!

I'm passionate about this, and grateful to all the women (and men) who sacrificed more than we'll ever know to pursue this right, and in some cases committed their entire adult lives to this cause. As a result, women today have the right to vote, own property, run their own businesses, and much more.

Although it may seem counterintuitive that a mail-order brides series would focus on Suffragettes, for this series it makes perfect sense.

Reading about the history of the Suffragettes is what prompted me to create the Suffragettes Choice Brides Agency series, and book one, BEGINNINGS, tells the story of one woman who decided to begin a mail-order bride agency to find husbands who supported the Suffrage Movement for her Suffragette friends.

I trust this brief synopsis has been interesting to you, and may even spur you on to learn more about the sacrifices and dedication of the suffragettes. 

It is my hope that as women we'll not take our rights for granted, but rather say a prayer of gratitude as we work, run our businesses, vote for the candidates we support, and teach our children the importance of this each and every day. 

It has not always been our right, but it is now. May we never lose sight of this fact, or become complacent. 

Maya Angelou is one of my absolutely favorite women in history, and so I leave you with her words, spoken at former President Bill Clinton's Inaugural address: 

"... give birth again to the dream... "

With love,

Kate Cambridge

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Consistently an Amazon top 100 bestselling author in Literature & Fiction Short Reads, Westerns, and Christian categories, Kate Cambridge writes always sweet historical and contemporary romances with strong characters, and a thread of faith and love interwoven throughout. She has loved writing since she was a child, and could not be more grateful to be an indie author! Her first Western Historical Series is The Suffragettes Choice Brides Agency series, and she also writes in collaboration with the Sweet Clean Book Club authors. Visit Kate's Amazon Author page here: Kate Cambridge on Amazon. Visit her website at KateCambridge.com and let's connect on Instagram! @KateCambridgeAuthor