What is the title of your latest release?
THE BRIDGE
What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
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.
How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
My husband and I were traveling from Seattle to Portland. About an hour out of Portland, the traffic on the freeway suddenly came to a standstill. We later found out it was due to an armed man carjacking multiple vehicles. When he attempted another carjacking on one of the main bridges crossing the Columbia River into Portland, deadly force was deployed by police. Traffic both ways was blocked, resulting in the delays. The whole time we were in that snarl of vehicles and irate drivers who just wanted to get to their destination, I kept thinking how one man’s choice—one bad choice—rippled out to affect thousands of people that day. That’s where the idea for The Bridge began.
Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Absolutely. Police Sergeant Archer Raines is a great guy, with a sense of humor, and he adores his wife. I think it would be interesting to spend a day job shadowing him.
What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Loyal. Honorable. Determined.
What’s something you learned while writing this book?
History about places in Portland. For example, St. Johns Bridge, the green Gothic suspension bridge that is the setting for a good part of the book, is an iconic landmark in Portland. Construction began on the bridge in 1929. When it was dedicated in 1931, it held the longest span of any suspension bridge west of Detroit. St. Johns Bridge has been included in a Captain Marvel comic book, as well as featured in both The Librarians and Grimm television series.
Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
Both! I generally edit as I’m writing the first draft, going back and adding to scenes or dialogue. Then, when the first draft is finished, I go back and edit the whole thing again before sending it off to my editor.
What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Chocolate. Moonstruck Chocolates in Portland create decadent deliciousness. I also tend to indulge in Tillamook ice cream. And it is hard to resist made-from-scratch bread or biscuits, hot from the oven, slathered with butter and homemade berry jam.
Describe your writing space/office!
My office walls are painted a soothing spa green and the space really reflects things I love like roses, and a cork board covered with words I find uplifting such as “Believe,” “Brave,” and “Blessed.” I have two windows by my desk and I enjoy being able to look outside while my brain is kicking around ideas.
Who is an author you admire?
I admire so many, but the one that comes to mind is Debbie Macomber. She’s a kind, generous, lovely human being full of sunshine, and I love her books.
Is there a book that changed your life?
A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter. I read it when I was about thirteen, and it was the first time I felt completely immersed in a story, like I was walking along beside the characters and experiencing everything with them.
Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
After receiving a multitude of rejection letters for the first book I’d written (the letters were informative, many suggesting if I’d written about a vampire instead of a cowboy, they might have been interested), I was discouraged but not ready to give up. A friend introduced me to her neighbor, who happened to be New York Times Bestselling Author Jane Kirkpatrick. Jane is an amazing, wonderful person. She suggested I give self-publishing a try. So, I learned all I could about it, published my book, and haven’t looked back. It turned out to be an excellent choice for me.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
Sweet romances. I enjoy both historical and contemporary as long as the story ends with a happily ever after.
What’s your favorite movie?
Tough question! I don’t have just one, but among my favorites are The Man From Snowy River, Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken, and Somewhere in Time.
What is your favorite season?
Any season that isn’t winter! I love spring because it’s full of renewal and hope. Summer is gorgeous with blue skies, long days, and the glorious fragrance of blooming roses. Autumn is cozy with sweaters and cider, and the scent of apples lingering in the air (we live across the road from an apple orchard).
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
My aunt’s birthday is the day before mine, and she always says birthdays should be celebrated all month, not just one day, so that’s my take on birthdays. They should extend to a month-long celebration of joy. A delicious chocolate dessert doesn’t hurt anything, either.
What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
Ransom Canyon by Jodi Thomas. I highly recommend reading the series, or you can watch the show on Netflix. She’s created a small town filled with relatable characters.
What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
American comfort food. My grandma and mom were both great cooks. I so enjoyed my mom’s homemade chicken and noodles, and my grandma’s fried chicken. I also love a great gyro, Kalua pork, and gnocchi with sausage.
What do you do when you have free time?
I enjoy baking and trying new recipes. I find it relaxing to work in my garden. I dabble in photography, and my husband and I enjoy traveling.
What can readers expect from you next?
More stories full of hope, humor, and heart. There will be more holiday stories coming, as well as romances with a little mystery.
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.
Romance Holiday | Mystery [Author Self-Published, On Sale: October 7, 2025, e-Book, ISBN: 2940184646169 / ]
USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield is a farm girl who loves to write. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances are filled with sarcasm, humor, hope, and hunky heroes. When Shanna isn't dreaming up unforgettable characters, twisting plots, or covertly seeking dark, decadent chocolate, she hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller.
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