
About the Book
Book: The Finding of Miss Fairfield
Author: Grace Hitchcock
Genre: Historical Romance
Release date: August 29, 2022
When an engagement of convenience becomes anything but convenient . . .
Forced into a betrothal with a widower twice her age, Charleston
socialite, Sophia Fairfield is desperate for an escape. But, while her
fiancé is away on business, he assigns his handsome stepson, Carver, the
task of looking after his bride-to-be. Much to her dismay, Sophia finds
herself falling in love with the wrong gentleman—a man society would
never allow her to marry, given Sophia was supposed to be his new
stepmother. The only way to save Carver from scandal and financial ruin
is to run away, leaving him and all else behind to become a Harvey Girl
waitress at the Castañeda Hotel in New Mexico.
Carver Ashton has had his life planned out for him since birth, but
when he encounters Sophia Fairfield, he glimpses a new life—apart from
his overbearing stepfather’s business. But, when the woman he loves
disappears before he can express his devotion, Carver abandons all to
find her. However, his stepfather has other intentions for Sophia and
will stop at nothing until she is his bride . . . even if it is against
her will.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Grace Hitchcock
is the award-winning author of multiple historical novels and novellas.
She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in
English with a minor in History. Grace lives in the New Orleans area
with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter. Connect with her online at
GraceHitchcock.com.
More from Grace
Q: What type of fiction do you write? What is it about this type that appeals to you?
Grace Hitchcock: I write historical romance with a
dash of suspense, unless it was for my true crime books which have a bit
more than a dash of suspense For my American setting novels, The
Gilded Age speaks to me as it was a time of change for women. While
still having that epic romance feel with balls and dancing and
courtships with a sweet romance, women were breaking ground and making
history and pairing that with the fact that it was a time of emerging
inventions, it is an all-around exciting era to research, read, and
write.
Q: Who were the Harvey Girls?
Grace Hitchcock: Whenever I tell people I am writing
about a Victorian Harvey Girl romance, they usually assume the Harvey
Girls are associated with an old-time saloon, but nothing could be
further from the truth. In the 1890s, there were not many respectable
jobs for women, so when Englishman Fred Harvey created his chain of fine
dining restaurants along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroads,
single women without an education, or in need of earning their own way,
were given a chance to earn an honest wage without the speculation that
they offered anything else but food as a service. With Mr. Harvey’s
strict rules about the waitress’s code of conduct, the women were given
their independence while still maintaining their good name and place in
society under the protective, fatherly arm of Fred Harvey. These
extraordinary, brave women became known as the Harvey Girls, the ladies
who tamed the Wild West with fine china, good pie, and exceptional
service with complete propriety.
While Harvey Houses were built to serve the needs of the passengers
on the rail to encourage tourism in the west, the railroad workers and
local townsmen also dined at the restaurant, but usually at the lunch
counter. At a time when men filled towns and women were scarce,
inevitably, a railroad worker or townsman would express interest in
marrying a Harvey Girl. In order to marry, she would need to fulfill her
work contract or risk paying a fine of a month of salary. The fine was
set in place to ensure that Fred Harvey would have enough workers and
that he wouldn’t simply train a girl to have her shipped to a town of
bachelors and leave him without a waitress.
As you can probably tell, such a set up sends an author’s head to
spinning with all the romance that could come from a woman venturing out
on her own in a land filled with cowboys, bandits, ranchers, and
farmers. The possibilities for romance are endless! There is so much
more I could write about these fascinating ladies and their
contributions to society, but I hope you enjoyed this taste of history
on the Harvey Girls!
Q: What are your publications? And what are you currently working on?
Grace Hitchcock: After signing with The Steve Laube
Agency in 2015, I sold three novellas to Barbour Publishing and then, in
March 2019, I released my debut novel, The White City, from Barbour Publishing and signed for a second novel, The Gray Chamber.
My latest release, His Delightful Lady Delia, concludes my 3-book American Royalty series for Bethany House Publishers and hit the shelves in November 2022.
This spring, I signed with Kregel Publications for my first ever REGENCY series!!!! I am thrilled for this dream come true!
While I wait for its release, I’m keeping busy editing and writing book two in my Harvey Girls Aprons & Veils series, The Pursuit of Miss Parish.
The Pursuit of Miss Parish summary:
Love’s gentle promise becomes nothing more than a withered dream.
With dreams of love and a hope for belonging, shy Belle Parish leaves
her position as a maid in Charleston to travel to New Mexico with her
best friend to become mail-order brides. Colt Lawson’s letters hold
great promise and while his devilishly handsome face matches his
picture, something does not add up. Discovering his lie only moments
before they wed, Belle flees the church and straight into the Castañeda
Hotel Harvey House. Giving up the prospect on ever marrying, she dons
her nun-like uniform and focuses on her role as a Harvey Girl waitress
until a strong, former Texas Ranger rides into her life.
Colt Lawson didn’t want to send that letter to Belle Parish in the
first place, but her first response had all but captured his heart. When
he is left standing at the altar alone, he is left with two
choices—either release his dream of a love marriage, or attempt to win
her heart. Wooing her would be a lot easier if that Texas Ranger wasn’t
back in town. Who wants a dusty rancher with a past when she could have a
shining knight in a Stetson?
While you wait for The Pursuit of Miss Parish to release in
Summer 2023, please be sure to check out book one in my brand-new Harvey
Girl series set at the historical Hotel Castañeda, The Finding of Miss Fairfield, a tale about Charleston socialite who is on the run from an engagement of convenience.
Happy reading, friends!
Blog Stops
Connie’s History Classroom, March 12
Christina’s Corner, March 12
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 13
Genesis 5020, March 13
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 14
deb’s Book Review, March 14
Texas Book-aholic, March 15
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, March 15
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 16
Splashes of Joy, March 16
Melissa’s Bookshelf, March 16
Vicky Sluiter, March 17
Cover Lover Book Review, March 17
Simple Harvest Reads, March 18 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 18
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 19
Books You Can Feel Good About, March 19
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 20
For Him and My Family, March 20
Blogging With Carol, March 21
Back Porch Reads, March 21
Artistic Nobody, March 22 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
EmpowerMoms, March 22
She Lives To Read, March 23
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, March 23
Pause for Tales, March 24
Holly’s Book Corner, March 24
Mary Hake, March 24
Lights in a Dark World, March 25
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 25
Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving
away the grand prize package of $50 Amazon gift card, a signed copy of
the book, a bookmark, and a book magnet!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/24b7a/the-finding-of-miss-fairfield-celebration-tour-giveaway