For today’s Sunday Dinner, I’m inviting you to chat with me about my upcoming release: Refuge for the Archaeologist. I’m an inspirational romance author fueled by tea and books, and the occasional nature walk.
Sunday Dinner is a traditional (noon) meal served after church on Sundays. Whole families, including extended family, would gather over a large meal to celebrate a day of rest. Multiple cultures enjoy this Sunday Dinner tradition. In my experience, I know it from both my Midwestern farm family as well as my Italian-American family. Now, I’d like to bring Sunday Dinner virtually to you. So, pull up a chair as we invite various guests to join us each week!
Without further ado, please tell us something interesting readers would enjoy learning about you.
Like my heroine, I find old cemeteries compelling. They represent so many names and stories and lives lived. My favorite kind are small ones that seem randomly placed on the side of the road because often they are from longest ago.
Can you tell us about your latest novel?
Will uncovering the truth set them free or destroy what they hold most dear?
Wisconsin, 1930—With her health in shambles and her archaeological career on the line, Cora Davis retreats to Crow’s Nest and the home of her great aunt to heal. She doesn’t think much of the missing memories from between the earthquake that caused her dizzy spells and her trip home. Until she begins remembering the danger that sent her fleeing her last dig and the person responsible.
After a decade as a ranch hand, Silas Ward returned to Crow’s Nest to provide for the women in his life. That same protective instinct propels him to Cora’s aid. But when finances dwindle, the lies and greed of others threaten to ruin his family. Unless Silas can walk the thin line of compromise. A choice that might cost him Cora’s affection.
As winter’s chill threatens, will Crow’s Nest prove a refuge, or will both Cora and Silas have no choice but to sacrifice their chance at happiness to save those they love?
Welcome to Crow’s Nest, where danger and romance meet at the water’s edge.
Why did you choose to write a story about a female archaeologist?
I’ve always found archaeology fascinating. Mix that with my love of putting female characters in counter-cultural gender roles for their time, and Cora’s character was born.
Women were just being allowed into the field of archaeology in the 1930s thanks in large part to the pioneering efforts of women like Dorothy Garrod who worked on archaeological digs in the Mediterranean region beginning in the 1920s.
Then, when I discovered a major earthquake occurred on July 23, 1930 in Provincia di Avellino, Campania, Italy near the Accesa Etruscan settlement, where archaeological research was conducted beginning in 1930, I knew I had Cora’s exact backstory.
Your female main character suffers amnesia and other health concerns. What research was required to write about those topics in the 1930s?
As someone who lives with Chronic Migraine, I pulled from my decades of experience and personal research living with this neurological disease. In Cora’s case, it is triggered by a TBI from surviving the earthquake I mentioned above.
Migraine looks different for every person. Not only are there different symptoms, which range from debilitating head pain, to sensory (all five senses) sensitivity, to temporary paralysis or stroke-like symptoms, but the triggers are different as well.
While there might not have been the understanding, treatment, nor terminology in 1930, symptoms would have been similar to what they are now. That made it easy to imagine the fear a character would have experienced when not understanding why these symptoms were happening.
With apples on the cover, what place do they have in the story?
Apples were a boon in the early days of the Great Depression, so I enjoyed adding them to this story. Thanks to a surplus, apples provided income and food to those out of work. Apples were also a staple for Wisconsin farms, and the state still offers a variety of heirloom orchards.
What does a day in the life of one of your characters look like?
I haven’t talked about my hero yet, so I’ll share about his day. Silas a former cowboy, still wearing his Stenson though he moved back home to provide for his mother, sister-in-law, and two nieces after his brother died. He’s a carpenter, and when he’s not helping his mother and sister-in-law, he builds and refurbishes furniture. His day is mostly spent in his workshop, but he also enjoys spending time with his adorable little nieces.
Were resources easy or difficult to find on these topics? Do you have a favorite resource?
The challenging thing about the research required for this story was how easily I could go down a rabbit hole. From archaeology to furniture design to the history of paper … it was all so fascinating!
What is one piece of your research that you couldn’t include in the book, but wish readers could know?
I wish I could have explored more of the history of curiosity shops and the items inside. I touched on the topic, but there wasn’t time to dive into more.
Do you have another book in the works? What can you tell us about that book?
I do! Marian’s story is now in the editing process. Marian is Silas’s sister-in-law, mother of his nieces. I can’t wait to share her marriage of convenience story with you!
About Relying on the Enemy …
She’s protecting her children. He’s redeeming his past. But there’s nothing convenient about saving their patchwork family.
Wisconsin, 1931—All widowed mother Marian Ward wants is to provide for her girls. However, she faces the dead of winter with no income and dwindling resources. Then she overhears a nefarious conversation, putting her life and that of her children in immediate danger.
Aiming to make amends to the Wards, Gilbert steps in when the threat to Marian escalates. It costs him dearly. Either lose his career or marry her, and be tied to his past until death do them part.
He leaves the decision to Marian, who will do anything to protect her girls, even marry the son of the man who ruined her family. Will their fledgling trust prove strong enough to fulfill their vows as winter tightens its grip and desperation stalks at the door?
Welcome to Crow’s Nest, where danger and romance meet at the water’s edge.
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
I have several exciting stories releasing in the next 12-18 months. If you’d like to keep tabs on what they are and when you can get your copy, I highly recommend becoming a newsletter subscriber. Plus, as a thank you for joining my Fireside News, you receive a complimentary ebook. Sign up here.
The afternoon is slipping away, so we have to draw the stories to an end. Thank you for joining me today!
If readers would like to purchase a copy of Refuge for the Archaeologist where might they be able to do so?
It’s available on *Amazon, BN.com, *Bookshop.org, and as a Signed Paperback. *As an Amazon & Bookshop.org Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases with no extra cost to you.
If readers would like to learn about you or your other books, how might they find you online?
Find me right here at daniellegrandinetti.com!
Over Sunday Dinner next week author Carolyn Miller will be joining us. See you then!