Grace Hitchcock Spotlight: Harvey Girls, The Wild West, Romance & More
I hope you enjoy this week’s spotlight with Historical Romance author Grace Hitchcock as she shares the inspiration behind her new release, The Finding of Miss Fairfield. She’s graciously offered TWO ebook copies as giveaways. Comment below by September 6 for a chance to win!
Welcome Grace! I’m thrilled for you to share about your new book and series with my readers.
Hi Deena, thank you so much for having me today!
I’m excited to share with you all something I have been obsessed with since I was about ten years old. I blame Judy Garland, from whose musical I first discovered a little-known slice of American history, the Harvey Girls. From there, I went on to devour every novel I could find on the Harvey Girls, including a pile of research books which led to my latest series, Aprons & Veils.
Now, 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!
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!
Thanks so much for sharing with us this week, Grace. I’ve never heard of the Harvey Girls, and I’m intrigued by your explanation! Can’t wait to read your books. Blessings to you!
Join the conversation. Have you ever heard of the Harvey Girls? Does a novel based on them intrigue you? Are you a fan of Victorian romance? What questions and comments do you have for Grace?
Keep scrolling to find the comments section.
The Finding of Miss Fairfield by Grace Hitchcock
Click the book cover for purchase link
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.
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.Â
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If you missed Carol James’s spotlight last week, find it here.
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
39 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations Christina Sinisi, you’re the winner of Grace’s book! Look for an email soon.
Christina Sinisi
Thank you!!
Loraine P Ertelt
I knew about the Harvey House girls because I grew up riding the train with my family from southern California to Toronto Canada to see my grandparents. There weren’t any Harvey House girls anymore, but the waiters and conductors on the train would tell about them. Can’t wait to read this new book from Grace Hitchcock as I love her prior books.
Deena Adams
Hi, Loraine. What a cool experience you must’ve had riding the train to Canada! I’ve never ridden a train anywhere like that. I’m looking forward to reading Grace’s book too. I haven’t read anything by her yet. Thanks for joining the conversation!
Abigail Harris
I’ve read a few Harvey Girl books but there aren’t nearly enough! I look forward to reading Grace Hitchcock’s since I enjoyed her other books.
Deena Adams
Hi, Abigail. I’m feeling like I’ve been in the dark all these years not knowing about the Harvey Girls! I’m intrigued and looking forward to learning more about them through Grace’s book. Thanks for stopping by!
Ruth Tichler
I’ve read some of the Harvey girls books and enjoyed them. Looking forward to reading this one.
Deena Adams
Thanks for chiming in, Ruth! Good luck in the giveaway.
Martha Artyomenko
I love stories about the Harvey Girls. One of my favorites was “One of Fred’s Girls” by Elizabeth Friermood. I loved her books. This one looks great.
Deena Adams
Hi, Martha. Sounds like I’ve been missing out! Thanks so much for stopping by the blog.
Margaret
I have seen the Judy Garland Harvey girl movie, Such a really good movie. I can’t wait to read this story of the Harvey girls.
Deena Adams
Hi, Margaret. I’ll have to see if I can find the movie and watch it. Thanks for joining the conversation!
Lexi
I had never heard of the Harvey girls before. What a fun story! I can see how it could be an exciting romance. I saw info about the book in the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction group.
Deena Adams
It does sound like a fun story, doesn’t it, Lexi? Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
Roberta Taylor
I Love stories about the Harvey Girls. It is a subject that has interested me for some time. Would love to r receive this book. I saw the contest post on Avid Readers of Christian Fiction page on Facebook.
Deena Adams
Good luck in the giveaway, Roberta! Thanks for stopping by.
Brenda Morton Gordon
Yes I have heard of The Harvey Girls. If I’m not mistaken I think Tracie Peterson wrote a series years ago that I read. Different authors put their own spin on the same subject so I would love to win your book!! You’re a new author for me.
Deena Adams
Hi, Brenda. Good luck in the drawing! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Christina Sinisi
How great to learn a bit of history I knew nothing about–thanks!
Deena Adams
Hi, Christina. It’s fun to learn somehting new through fiction. One of the many reasons I love it! Thanks for stopping by.
AmyLi
How cool that the idea has been with you since you were 10!
Deena Adams
Hi, Amy. Thanks for reading Grace’s post and commenting. It’s amazing how God can use an idea from childhood so many years later, isn’t it?
Grace Hitchcock
Thank you!! My mom introduced me to musicals quite young and the Harvey Girls totally captured my attention! I’m very excited to release the Harvey Girl fan within me for this Aprons & Veils series haha!
Lynn Moore
Grace…..what a great intro to your book! I’m not normally “Wild West kinda gal…. but hearing about the “Harvey girls” draws me right in!
Blessings! 📚📚📚
Deena Adams
Thanks for stopping by, Lynn. Hearing Grace’s description of the Harvey Girls makes me want to know more, too!
Grace Hitchcock
Hi Lynn! Thank you so much! If you do read it, I hope you enjoy it! There was a time when I read every wild west Christian novel I could get my hands on, but these days, I read only about 2 or 3 westerns a year 🙂
Alyssa Schwarz
I don’t know much about Harvery girls, but I love Victorian fiction!
Deena Adams
Hi, Alyssa. Hope you get the chance to read Grace’s book! Thanks for joining the conversation. 🙂
Grace Hitchcock
Hi Alyssa! I’m a huge fan of Victorian fiction too! Some of my favorite authors in that era are Jen Turano, Regina Jennings, and Karen Witemeyer! Hope you get a chance to read Miss Fairfield 🙂
Teri DiVincenzo
I don’t know much about them, but the Harvey Girls just fascinate me! Thanks so much for sharing a little known piece of history!
Deena Adams
Hi, Teri. The Harvey Girls sound fascinating to me, too. I’ve never heard of them before.
Dave
“The Finding of….” What an intriguing title.
Deena Adams
Hi, Dave. A good title can draw us right in, can’t it?
Grace Hitchcock
Thank you so much, Dave! My original title was Searching for Bluebonnets, but I thought it was too abstract, so I’m happy you like the title!
LeighAnne Clifton
Congratulations on your series debut! It sounds fascinating. I love historical romances set in the old West. Can’t wait to read this one!
Deena Adams
Grace’s book sounds so interesting, doesn’t it Leighanne?! It’s definitely on my want to read list. Thanks for stopping by!
Grace Hitchcock
Thank you so much, Leighanne! I hope you enjoy it!!
Teresa Moyer
I had never heard of The Harvey girls. Interesting. Another new to me author. Loved reading the interview.
Deena Adams
So glad you enjoyed the interview, Teresa. I hope you’ll get a chance to read Grace’s book.