Visit to learn about The Sheriff and the Outlaw, the prequel short story to The Baby and the Guardian, a Christmas Cabin historical romance by Danielle Grandinetti.
About the Book
This Christmas … an attack changes everything.
Wisconsin, 1928—Instead of preparing for Christmas, Sheriff Casper Yarwood must track an outlaw through his forested county. Success is within his grasp. Until the criminal threatens the life of a woman Casper admires.
Discover the beginning of the Christmas Cabin series in this Christmas suspense short story.
Read an interview with Danielle Grandinetti, as we discuss The Baby and the Guardian, book 1 in the Christmas Cabin historical romance series.
About the Book
A baby in danger, a man in turmoil, and a woman determined to save them both.
Wisconsin, 1929—When her best friend is murdered, Eira Mae Pryce gains guardianship over her friend’s baby. A baby in danger. Charged with the child’s protection, she must outrun a snowstorm, her grief, and a killer to seek refuge with the man who saved her life last Christmas.
All ex-sheriff Casper Yarwood wants for Christmas is to be left alone. With failure ringing in his ears, he retreated to his family’s cabin in the densely wooded portion of his former jurisdiction. But when his uncle’s secretary–and the woman he believes he failed–arrives on his doorstep with an endangered child, Casper cannot turn them away.
Casper and Eira Mae face impossible odds that require facing their pasts, sacrificing their futures, and ignoring their growing feelings for one another. But they’ll do so if it means they keep their charge alive long enough to experience his first Christmas.
Author Interview
What is something interesting readers would enjoy learning about you?
I love Christmas novellas. Every December, I gather as many as I can, both new and old favorites, to read throughout the month. It's a treat, like having candy canes, only during the holiday season.
What does a day in the life of your characters look like?
For Eira Mae, a typical day would mean working as a secretary for Judge Cavanaugh to provide for her mother and siblings. For ex-Sheriff Casper Yarwood, his solitary, self-imposed exile consists of caring for his animals and gathering enough supplies to survive the winter.
What was the inspiration behind your story?
This story began with a lady, a baby, and a snowstorm. Instead it turning into a bad joke, the premise grew into a suspenseful second chance romance set at the most wonderful time of the year.
What did you learn while writing this story?
While I knew how much I enjoy reading, and writing, Christmas novellas, writing this story was such fun, I hope to write one every year! (At least for the foreseeable future :))
What encouragement do you hope readers will take away from your story?
I hope readers will be whisked away to a cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, where a taste of Christmas will bring hope no matter the time of year.
I am thrilled to finally be able to share this story with you. Not just because it tells it gives Marian Ward and her girls, who we met in Refuge for the Archaeologist their own happily ever after, but because you get to meet Gil. To make him likable right from the start, I connected him to one Gilbert Blythe, from Anne of Green Gables, and so I hope you love him as much as I do.
Relying on the Enemy is book four in the Harbored in Crow's Nest series. However, if you haven't read this Depression-era series yet, this book can still stand alone. However, I will say, Gilbert's last name is a spoiler for Refuge for the Archaeologist. If you want to read that Silas Ward and Cora's romance first, find the link here.
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. How 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.
Where can you find your copy of Relying on the Enemy?
Paperback and e-book are available at the following:
*as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases
If you love Marian and Gil's story as much as I enjoyed writing it (or even if you didn’t!), I would be honored for you to leave a rating or review on your preferred retail site. Reviews are a wonderful (and free) way to support an author and ensure they will continue to write stories you love.
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Relying on the Enemy by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Relying on the Enemy Series: Harbored in Crow's Nest #4 Author: Danielle Grandinetti Publisher: Hearth Spot Press Release Date: February 20, 2024 Genre: Historical Romance, with suspense
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. How 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.
Danielle Grandinetti is an inspirational romance author fueled by tea and books, and the occasional nature walk. A 2023 Finalist in the FHLCW Reader’s Choice Award, she has also won the UNW Distinguished Faith in Writing Award and the CROW National Excellence in Story Telling Award. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline with her husband and their two young sons.
Connect with Danielle by visiting daniellegrandinetti.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Excerpt
Marian fingered her wedding band. “I’ve had my chance at true love. I never planned to marry again because I had my chance at happiness, and I surely never thought I’d need to marry for convenience. But my girls’ lives come before my own. I will do anything to protect them.”
“Even marry the son of the man who ruined your family? How does that protect them?” Gilbert stared at her, realization hitting him. “Are you actually considering agreeing to this idea?”
She slid the ring from her finger. “You would keep your job, which means you could provide for us.”
“You would be relying on the enemy, Marian.” He couldn’t let her do this. It was too drastic a solution. “I could barely keep you safe at the drugstore.”
She laid the ring in her palm, running her finger over it. “I’m desperate, Gil. I cannot heat my home or afford medicine for my mother-in-law. And now my family is under threat. I need a provider, a protector. You need a wife.” She shrugged as if it made every logical sense. On paper, perhaps it did, but this was marriage they were talking about.
Tour Giveaway
(2) winners will win signed paperback copies of Refuge for the Archaeologist & Relying on the Enemy; a Crow's Nest Canvas Tote & a Crow's Nest paperback notebook!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 19, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 26, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
For today’s Sunday Dinner author interview, I'm here to talk about Relying on the Enemy, the next installment in my Harbored in Crow's Nest historical romantic suspense series.
Danielle Grandinetti is an inspirational romance author fueled by tea and books, and the occasional nature walk. An award-winning author and FHLCW Reader’s Choice Finalist, her stories span from the Great Depression to present day. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline with her husband and their two young sons. Find her online at daniellegrandinetti.com.
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!
This or That Quick Takes
*Author's choice is in bold.
Mountain or Beach
Lake or Ocean
Hot or Cold
Coffee or Tea
Dogs or Cats
Contemporary or Historical
Lots of Romance or No Romance
Lots of Danger or No Danger
Stand Alone or Series
Short Books or Long Books
Ten Questions
Tell us something interesting readers would enjoy learning about you.
Gilbert Blythe is one of my favorite classic fictional heroes, which made this story extra fun to write because it's a marriage of convenience historical romance with a twist of Anne of Green Gables.
Can you tell us about your latest novel?
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. How 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.
In what city is your story set and why did you choose to set your novel there?
Crow's Nest, Wisconsin. This story is set there because it is part of the Harbored in Crow's Nest series
Describe your setting. And, if it's a real place, have you visited?
Crow's Nest is set on the western bank of Lake Michigan. And yes, I live near where the story is set!
What research was required to set a book there?
One aspect of research in this story required researching into the symptoms of stroke, and the treatment in the 1930s. Like other industries, the medical field went through dramatic growth between the World Wars. However, much is still being learned about conditions like stroke.
I attempted to show the effects of what we now call a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and ischemic stroke through the lens of the 1930s, including the diagnosis and treatment. For example, the angiogram was first developed in 1927, but it would not have been available to someone in Marian's mother-in-law's position.
With the economic trouble of the early 1930s, the elderly, especially those with health issues like Elaine Ward, were among the most vulnerable. As part of the New Deal, the government began the Old Age Assistance program in 1935.
What does a day in the life of one of your characters look like?
Marian is a mom, so even in the 1930s, her day would have looked like many a mom's day looks like now. Getting her children to school. Taking care of the house. Being a caretaking of her mother-in-law. Searching for a job ...
Were resources easy or difficult to find on these topics? Do you have a favorite resource?
Research was both easy and difficult to come by. Because the story is set in the 1930s, there is more information to be found, but it requires digging. Some of my favorite sights are medical history archives, though the wording can be quite technical at times. I also love archived newspapers, which is how I find prices for things like aspirin.
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 delved into more of the medicinal treatments available at the time. It's fascinating!
Do you have another book in the works? What can you tell us about that book?
Yes! The next book is Sheltered by the Doctor, the romance of Mindy Zahn and Dr. Nick Matrone. It releases in May. Preorder availability will begin rolling out soon, but you can preorder now through my website!
A fake relationship might keep her safe, but will it break their hearts?
Wisconsin, 1931—Mindy Zahn can’t understand why her parents deserted the family farm, leaving her mute younger sister in her care. Until her mother’s cryptic warning to keep her sister safe becomes a life-threatening task.
Searching for that elusive something to ease his weary heart, Dr. Nick Matrone is drawn to the cheery Mindy. He would never presume to bring such a sweet woman into his beleaguered past, so friendship is all he can offer. Except, he doesn’t expect needing to save her life.
As the danger grows, they both must battle through physical and emotional wounds to have a hope of their counterfeit relationship becoming true.
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?
If you love Anne of Green Gables and/or marriage of convenience like I do, then I hope you'll especially love this story.
The Wrap-Up
The afternoon is slipping away, so we have to draw the stories to an end. Thank you for joining us today!
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If readers would like to purchase a copy of your book, where might they be able to do so?
Escape with the Prodigal is now available in both ebook and paperback!
While this Christmas novella originally appeared in the Holiday Menace ebook collection, I'm thrilled to present this story for the first time in paperback! The paperback also has a bonus short story that was, until now, only given to my newsletter subscribers.
Escape with the Prodigal is book three in the Harbored in Crow's Nest series. However, if you haven't read that Depression-era series yet, this Christmas novella is a wonderful introduction. For readers who have read Confessions to a Stranger, and wanted an epilogue. Escape with the Prodigal is just for you.
About Escape with the Prodigal
Only a Christmas miracle will save an unwed mother and the lumberjack protecting her.
Wisconsin, 1930—Since her late fiancé was killed in a supposed logging accident, Meredith Hughes knows her only safe choice is to keep her unexpected pregnancy hidden, especially from her father. But Supervisor Emyr Hughes, demands his daughter remain at the logging camp with him through the winter, leaving Meri at his mercy.
Patrick Martins has no interest in responsibility and going up to the lumber camp is a chance to get away from Crow’s Nest and his hovering grandmother, nosy great-uncle, and drunk of a father. If only his older brother wasn’t at the camp, too.
Though Patrick doesn’t expect to be taken with his boss’s daughter, when Meri’s volatile father learns of her pregnancy, Patrick refuses to let harm come to Meri and her unborn child, even if he has to sacrifice his life and that of his brother in order to save her.
Welcome to Crow’s Nest, where danger and romance meet at the water’s edge.
Where can you find your copy of Escape with the Prodigal?
If you love Patrick and Meri's story as much as I enjoyed writing it (or even if you didn’t!), I would be honored for you to leave a rating or review on your preferred retail site. Reviews are a wonderful (and free) way to support an author and ensure they will continue to write stories you love.
