Wednesday Waypoints | Five Romantic Suspense Recommendations

Wednesday Waypoints | Five Romantic Suspense Recommendations

Wednesday Waypoints

by Danielle Grandinetti | May 13, 2026 | 0 comments

Today’s Wednesday Waypoints features ...

Five Romantic Suspense Recommendations

Welcome to Wednesday Waypoints, your midweek hygge inspiration. Each week, I'll share a small collection of things to brighten your day. Whether books I’m loving, favorite blog posts, cozy shopping selections, or even a short excerpt to savor.

What is hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah")? According to Visit Denmark, "In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people."  So grab a cuppa, slow down, and enjoy.

About Today's Curated List

Today on the blog, I’m diving into the high-stakes world of romantic suspense. Whether you prefer the glamorous grit of the 1920s or the fast-paced pulse of a modern-day rescue, this curated list has something for every suspense lover. I’ve pulled together four gripping titles from some of my favorite authors—plus a look at my newest release, Shipwrecked Faith—to help you find your next 'just one more chapter' read.

*as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Romantic Suspense Reccommendations

Book cover for Lost Cause by Susan Sleeman showing a woman's face in profile above a misty island and forest scene.

Susan Sleeman

Lost Cause

Working together is a challenge…
Detective Burke Ulrich is known for his unyielding dedication to justice and his methodical approach to solving crimes. When a valuable family heirloom is stolen from a recluse’s rundown estate on mysterious Ravenhook Island, Burke is called in to investigate. Despite the theft appearing straightforward, Burke senses there is more to the case, especially given the homeowner’s mysterious history.

But catching a killer is their priority.
Enter former sheriff Abby Day, a sharp and resourceful Lost Lake Locator hired by the recluse to find the missing heirloom. Abby’s involvement immediately irritates Burke, who is wary of private investigators interfering in police work. However, as the investigation progresses, Burke and Abby uncover a complex web of deceit involving long-buried family secrets, and a string of unsolved crimes connected to the estate, ultimately uncovering a murder. Burke orders Abby off the investigation to protect her, but will she listen, or will she risk her life and a potential relationship with Burke to catch a killer?

I loved Lost Cause! The beginning sets the perfect atmospheric suspense, on lonely island no less. From there, the mystery twists and turns, with such fascinating detail. You won't want to miss this lastest installment of the Lost Lake Locators series.

Book cover for Anchoring You by Robin Patchen featuring a woman looking out at a turquoise ocean with a yacht in the distance.

Robin Patchen

Anchoring You

On the glittering waters of the Caribbean, a yacht captain’s fight for survival forces her to rely on a man she swore she’d never trust.

A fiercely independent yacht captain, Kenzie Wright has spent her life disregarding her family’s expectations. She thrives on freedom, charting her own course, and never staying in one place—or with one person—for long. But when a routine voyage thrusts her into the crosshairs of a deadly drug cartel, her carefully crafted agenda is blown apart. Her last hope to save herself and her crew is the partying playboy, Jaz.

DEA informant Jasper Aylett has spent years hunting the cartel leader known only as the Ghost. The mission has cost him everything—his family, his reputation, and his chance at redemption. When a beautiful yacht captain gets caught in the Ghost’s web, Jaz risks his life to rescue her. It’s his last chance to secure the information he needs to take his enemy down—and get his life back.

Kenzie is forced into hiding with Jaz, and now two cartels want her dead. With their lives on the line, Kenzie and Jaz must work together to unravel the Ghost’s network before it’s too late. But the closer they get to the truth—and to each other—the more their past wounds and buried fears threaten to tear them apart, leaving them vulnerable to an enemy who won’t stop until they’re both destroyed.

Pirates in the Caribbean? Fantastic banter with layered characters? Mobster-like drama and undercover situations? If you're like me, you say yes to all of these! Anchoring You is the perfect combo of forced proximity and high-stakes boat chases. I highly recommend it!

Book cover for Blind Trust by Natalie Walters featuring a woman's face and blue technical architectural blueprints.

Natalie Walters

Blind Trust

Lyla Fox knows she has a reputation at the SNAP Agency for impulsivity, but when she receives a threatening letter from a man she helped put in prison, she can't stop herself from going all in to find out why he's coming after her. Unfortunately, she's going to need the help of the one person who questions her reckless choices more than anyone else.

Explosives and weapons specialist Nicolás Garcia agrees to help Lyla in order to keep her safe, but her recklessness continues to be a major concern, especially when her investigation into a conspiracy puts a target on her back. Dealing with bombs is dangerous. Working with Lyla is proving to be just as treacherous--to both the mission and his heart.

Natalie Walters closes out her SNAP Agency series with a bang with this nail-biting story of a deadly government conspiracy, an unlikely couple, and an ending that will leave you breathless.

Blind Trust is an absolutely amazing, incredible, wonderful story! The characters come to life, the action keeps the pages turning, and the way everything comes together at the end? Excellent! If you're like me, you'll laugh, you might even cry. This book has it all!

Book cover for The Mobster’s Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel featuring a woman in a red vintage coat and cloche hat in a 1920s city setting.

Rachel Scott McDaniel

The Mobster's Daughter

The one man who could help her must never know her name.

If Kate Chamberlin can’t reveal her true identity to the world, she must settle for sharing only her talent. Hired as a musician for KDKA radio, Kate plays everything from sponsors’ jingles to complex sonatas. As long as the whispers around the broadcasting room refer to her as “Killjoy Kate” and not “Catarina the crime boss’s daughter,” then her life is safe from danger.

Or so she thinks.

When anonymous violent threats surface, Kate is wary of accepting protection from the handsome private investigator, Detective Jennings. His save-the-world attitude is as charming as his manners, but no one, especially him, can know the gruesome realities of her birth.

The 1924 Pittsburgh underworld is as complicated as it is elusive, and though the dealings of the Salvastanos have dwindled, Rhett Jennings is certain the man responsible for his father’s death is still at large. But his personal hunt for justice must be set aside when his day job requires him to investigate threats directed at a young radio broadcaster with enamoring brown eyes and secretive behavior.

When danger surrounds them, will the truth of Kate’s past become the key to their survival?

The Mobster’s Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel is everything I love in a book. It has a historical setting, lots of suspense, and a sweet romance. Not to mention the main character is Italian like me. I highly recommend The Mobster’s Daughter and hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!

Book cover for Shipwrecked Faith by Danielle Grandinetti featuring a woman in a green 1920s dress with a steamer ship caught in a storm on Lake Michigan.

Danielle Grandinetti

Shipwrecked Faith

Chicago, October 1929—Kellan O’Roark is running on borrowed time. After handing over his cousin’s incriminating bootlegging ledger to the police, he intends to vanish before the mobster exacts revenge. His destination: the SS Wisconsin, a steamer headed for Milwaukee, upon which he’s secured work despite his fear of the water.

But despite his pressing need for escape, Kellan faces obstacles while leaving Chicago—including one who may break open his heart. Sadie Dawning, desperate to return to her family’s Wisconsin farm and ailing father, escapes a kidnapping attempt at Chicago Union Station when Kellan steps in and offers to smuggle her aboard the Wisconsin. His decision turns nearly fatal when an autumn storm capsizes the ship.

Washed ashore, the pair arrive at Sadie’s family farm to find new storms brewing on land. While Kellan hides his past to continue evading his cousin, Sadie fights for her place among her sisters while the farm battles the beginnings of the Great Depression. Caught between duty, a dangerous past, and a budding love, Kellan and Sadie must rely on their newfound faith in each other and renewed faith in God to weather the growing storm.

Shipwrecked Faith is my latest 1930s historical romantic suspense. If you enjoy forced proximity, small-town homecomings, family sagas, mafia danger, and a historical shipwreck ... you won't want to miss the first book in the Dawning Sisters trilogy!

Share the Tea

Enjoyed today’s post? You can share it with a friend, pin it to your reading list on Pinterest, or pass it along in your favorite book group. You’re welcome to use this graphic or one of the share buttons below.

I’d love to hear what resonated with you about this book — feel free to leave a comment. I always reply, though if it’s your first time posting I’ll need to approve it before it appears.

And if you’d like to support me and help keep it free, you can always buy me a tea.

Stormy sky over a road; cover text reads 'Five Romantic Suspense Recommendations' for Wednesday Waypoints.

Ciao, and thanks for visiting!

The best way to stay connected is through my weekly email, Fireside News. You’ll receive cozy updates, behind-the-scenes book notes, and a complimentary historical romance novelette when you subscribe.

Until next time, may your reading bring both light and encouragement.

Happy reading!
~ Danielle.

Wednesday Waypoints | Five Romantic Suspense Recommendations

Wednesday Waypoints | Five Historical Romances with Adventure

Wednesday Waypoints | Five Historical Romances with Adventure

Today’s Wednesday Waypoints features a moment from ...

Five Historical Romances with Adventure

Welcome to Wednesday Waypoints, your midweek hygge inspiration. Each week, I'll share a small collection of things to brighten your day. Whether books I’m loving, favorite blog posts, cozy shopping selections, or even a short excerpt to savor.

What is hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah")? According to Visit Denmark, "In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people."  So grab a cuppa, slow down, and enjoy.

About Today's Currated List

Today on the blog, I'm sharing five historical romances with adventure and why I recommend them. I love historical romance, but I'm especially drawn to those with plenty of danger. Here are four historical romances, plus one of my own, that have that delightful mix of romance and mystery while set in a time past.

*as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I received complimentary copies of these books and was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Five Historical Romances with Adventure

Mail-Order Duchess cover

by Misty M. Beller

Mail-Order Duchess

A marriage born of duty. A love neither expected.

When Enoch Balfour’s eldest brother tragically dies, the weight of family responsibility falls on his shoulders. Now this Montana rancher must train for his role as the next Duke of Clarence—and marry the mail-order bride his brother sent for. Hardened by loss, Enoch has no intention of opening his heart to a stranger, but duty demands he produce an heir.

Mandie Beaumont is a desperate young widow fleeing the sinister advances of her brother-in-law. After arriving in the Montana Territory to marry a man she's never met, an accident leaves her robbed of her recent memories—memories that conceal a devastating secret. When she discovers she's carrying a child conceived through betrayal and violence, Mandie fears rejection and ruin. Yet, in Enoch, she finds an unexpected protector whose fierce gentleness makes her long to trust again.

Though Mandie’s charm and resilience begin to thaw Enoch’s guarded heart, he struggles with his fear of loss. When Mandie’s past resurfaces, Enoch must risk everything to save her. If he fails, Mandie will be torn from him—and the love they've begun to embrace could be lost forever.

Mail-order Duchess was a fantastic opening to this new series from Misty Beller. I thoroughly enjoy family sagas and I especially love a rugged hero who's softer side is drawn out by his compassion. Mandie deserves every ounce of that protective empathy so that I rooted for them the entire story. If you enjoy romantic adventures set in the Rockies, you won't want to miss this first-in-series.

The Spice King cover

by Elizabeth Camden

The Spice King

Gray Delacroix has dedicated his life to building his very successful global spice empire, but it has come at a cost. Resolved to salvage his family before it spirals out of control, he returns to his ancestral home to save his brother and sister before it's too late.

As a junior botanist for the Smithsonian, Annabelle Larkin has been charged with the impossible task of gaining access to the notoriously private Delacroix plant collection. If she fails, she will be out of a job and the family farm in Kansas will go under. She has no idea that in gaining entrance to the Delacroix world, she will unwittingly step into a web of dangerous political intrigue far beyond her experience.

Unable to deny her attraction to the reclusive business tycoon, Annabelle will be forced to choose between her heart and loyalty to her country. Can Gray and Annabelle find a way through the storm of scandal without destroying the family Gray is fighting to save?

I loved reading The Spice King. Elizabeth Camden has a masterful way of turning an ornery recluse into a man readers want to see succeed. Annabelle was a perfect counterpoint with her sunny hopefulness. This story epitomizes what I love about historical fiction.

The Number of Love cover

by Roseanna M. White

The Number of Love

Three years into the Great War, England's greatest asset is their intelligence network--field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren't enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy who just won't give up. He's smitten quickly by the intelligent Margot, but how can he convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life's answers lie in the heart?

Amid biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save themselves from the very secrets that brought them together.

The Number of Love was my first book by Roseanna M. White, and I was instantly hooked. Margot is a fascinating individual who feels deeply though she hides behind her incredible mind. I loved how Drake was courted Margot as slowly and uniquely as she needed. If you’re looking for a book that wraps itself around you like a London fog, grab yourself a copy of this story.

Far Side of the Sea cover

by Kate Breslin

Far Side of the Sea

In spring 1918, Lieutenant Colin Mabry, a British soldier working with MI8 after suffering injuries on the front, receives a message by carrier pigeon. It is from Jewel Reyer, the woman he once loved and who saved his life--a woman he believed to be dead. Traveling to France to answer her urgent summons, he desperately hopes this mission will ease his guilt and restore the courage he lost on the battlefield.

Colin is stunned, however, to discover the message came from Jewel's half sister, Johanna. Johanna, who works at a dovecote for French Army Intelligence, found Jewel's diary and believes her sister is alive in the custody of a German agent. With spies everywhere, Colin is skeptical of Johanna, but as they travel across France and Spain, a tentative trust begins to grow between them.

When their pursuit leads them straight into the midst of a treacherous plot, danger and deception turn their search for answers into a battle for their lives.

Kate Breslin does a fantastic job of casting Colin and Jo in real colors. We can feel Colin’s fear and Jo’s loss, their questions and determination. Then there is the setting. From Hastings, England, to Paris, to Barcelona, these places are brought to life through sounds and smells. A spy thriller at its heart, the plot doesn’t disappoint And since the results of the quest are personal to Colin and Jo, they become personal to the reader as well. If you love history or romance or spy novels, Far Side of the Sea has it all.

Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency 1 Eyewitness Sketch

by Danielle Grandinetti

Eyewitness Sketch

Finding love at Death's Door might destroy them both.

CHICAGO, Ill., 1931—Gabriella Salatino, an illustrative journalist for the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency, never planned to return to her island home at the tip of Wisconsin's Door Peninsula. Nor did she plan to witness a murder. But when her life is threatened, she has no choice but to hide out under the protective care of the man she left behind.

Deputy Andri Jóhannsson has been coming to Gabby's rescue his entire life, but having her in his secluded home tests the limits of his patience. The woman has no sense of self-preservation, and he has a smuggling ring to ferret out. Except, her skill with sketchpad and pencils might be the very investigative tool he needs in order to catch the bootleggers.

With a murderer on her trail and criminals evading detection, Gabriella and Andri must set aside the past or risk its eruption. Because this time, the collateral damage might include more than losing their friendship. It might cost them the lives of those they love.

La Verità con Integrità. Truth with Integrity. The Legacy of a (Girl) Stunt Reporter.

Since this is my book, here's my take on why I think you might enjoy Eyewitness Sketch. It's set on an island during Prohibition. The reunion romance is between an artist heroine and policeman hero. Plus there's a K9 named Freya! If you enjoy cozy mysteries with deep themes and a 1930s midwest setting, I think you'll enjoy this story!

Share the Tea

Enjoyed today’s post? You can share it with a friend, pin it to your reading list on Pinterest, or pass it along in your favorite book group. You’re welcome to use this graphic or one of the share buttons below.

I’d love to hear what resonated with you about this book — feel free to leave a comment. I always reply, though if it’s your first time posting I’ll need to approve it before it appears.

And if you’d like to support me and help keep it free, you can always buy me a tea.

Ciao, and thanks for visiting!

The best way to stay connected is through my weekly email, Fireside News. You’ll receive cozy updates, behind-the-scenes book notes, and a complimentary historical romance novelette when you subscribe.

Until next time, may your reading bring both light and encouragement.

Happy reading!
~ Danielle.

Wednesday Waypoints | Five Romantic Suspense Recommendations

Wednesday Waypoints | Five Novels with Dogs

Wednesday Waypoints | Five Novels with Dogs

Today’s Wednesday Waypoints features

Five Novels with Dogs

Welcome to Wednesday Waypoints, your midweek hygge inspiration. Each week, I'll share a small collection of things to brighten your day. Whether books I’m loving, favorite blog posts, cozy shopping selections, or even a short excerpt to savor.

What is hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah")? According to Visit Denmark, "In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people."  So grab a cuppa, slow down, and enjoy.

About Today's Currated List

Today’s curated list explores the unwavering loyalty of canine companions. From the elite protection dogs of modern security agencies to the K9 bodyguards and dedicated trainers of the 1930s, these stories follow characters who find hope and safety through the bond of a four-legged friend.

In these novels, you’ll meet heroes like Andri Jóhannsson from my historical romantic mystery, Eyewitness Sketch, who uses his home as a sanctuary for a woman in danger. You'll also meet Lily Moore from my historical romantic suspense A Strike to the Heart, a dog trainer caught in a violent conspiracy.

Whether they are providing emotional support for a veteran or helping a father reconnect with his secret son, these dogs are central to the characters' journeys toward healing and home.

Enjoy these first lines!

*as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Five Novels with Dogs

Eyewitness Sketch

Danielle Grandinetti

Finding love at Death’s Door might destroy them both.

CHICAGO, Ill., 1931—Gabriella Salatino, an illustrative journalist for the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency, never planned to return to her island home at the tip of Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula. Nor did she plan to witness a murder. But when her life is threatened, she has no choice but to hide out under the protective care of the man she left behind.

Deputy Andri Jóhannsson has been coming to Gabby’s rescue his entire life, but having her in his secluded home tests the limits of his patience. The woman has no sense of self-preservation, and he has a smuggling ring to ferret out. Except, her skill with sketchpad and pencils might be the very investigative tool he needs in order to catch the bootleggers.

With a murderer on her trail and criminals evading detection, Gabriella and Andri must set aside the past or risk its eruption. Because this time, the collateral damage might include more than losing their friendship. It might cost them the lives of those they love.

La Verità con Integrità. Truth with Integrity. The Legacy of a (Girl) Stunt Reporter.

CHICAGO, Ill., Saturday, March 7, 1931—They say curiosity killed the cat, which is why Gabriella Salatino preferred to let the cat keep her tongue. Silence was golden, as the saying went. However, she’d never managed to rein in her curiosity, which meant tonight might kill her.

A Strike to the Heart

Danielle Grandinetti

She’s fiercely independent. He’s determined to protect her.

Wisconsin, 1933—When a routine mission becomes an ambush that kills his team, Craft Agency sniper Miles Wright determines to find the persons responsible and protect the woman he rescued. But the fierce independence that led Lily Moore to leave her family’s dairy business for the solitary life of a dog trainer and the isolation of her farm don’t make that easy. Neither does his unwanted attraction to her. Meanwhile, escalating incidents confirm that she’s far from safe.

Lily fears letting the surprisingly gentle retired marine into her life almost as much as she fears whoever is threatening her. As Wisconsin farmers edge toward another milk strike, one that will surely turn violent, it becomes clear that the plot against Lily may be part of a much larger conspiracy. When the search for her abductor leads close to home, she must decide whether to trust her family or the man who saved her life.

Friday, October 13, 1933
Northern Wisconsin

Miles Wright pressed his eye to the A5 telescopic sight attached to his Springfield long-range rifle.

Unseen Danger

Jerusha Agen

This woman and her K-9 protect others. Now who will protect them?

After a brutal attack, it took Nevaeh Williams six years to rebuild her life. Now a security specialist at the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency, she faces danger nearly every day. But when an old friend is targeted, her fragile stability begins to crumble.

Celebrity bodyguard Branson Aaberg could lose more than his career if he fails to end the mysterious threat against his client. Soon he’s more concerned with rescuing the tough but vulnerable woman who joins his security team.

Nevaeh is there to protect her friend, but what if she needs protection? What if the feeling she’s being watched isn’t the result of her traumatized imagination? If the danger is real, Nevaeh's only hope for survival may be the God powerful enough to defeat her worst enemy—the one she doesn't see before it's too late.

The building quaked, helpless against the pounding onslaught. D-Chop was famous for his ear-blasting hip-hop concerts, but Nevaeh Williams was glad she wasn't back-
stage at the moment.

The Father He Deserves

Lisa Jordan

An unexpected reunion may mend a broken heart and complete a family in this heartwarming second chance romance.

Injured in a kayaking accident, champion Evan Holland returns home to train rescue dogs. But his unexpected partner is the woman he left behind, Natalie Bishop. And she has a secret: a son Evan never knew he had.

Now, Evan must prove he can be a real father. But earning Natalie's trust back will take hope, forgiveness—and risking everything on forever . . .

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Evan hated returning home a failure.

The Veteran’s Vow

Jill Lynn

Could his biggest fear
be what he needs to heal?

After a traumatic brain injury, military vet Behr Delgado refuses the one thing that could help him—a service dog. But Ellery Watson is sure the perfect pup will change Behr’s life and offers to work with him one-on-one. As Behr sets about overcoming his fears, Ellery’s surprised to find herself opening up about her troubled nephew. Will family obligations force them to deny what’s in their hearts?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Ellery Watson's job description did not include tracking down veterans at their homes to investigate why they hadn't shown up for training, but when she realized her no-show lived in her town, she'd been unable to resist.

Share the Tea

Enjoyed today’s post? You can share it with a friend, pin it to your reading list on Pinterest, or pass it along in your favorite book group. You’re welcome to use this graphic or one of the share buttons below.

I’d love to hear what resonated with you about this book — feel free to leave a comment. I always reply, though if it’s your first time posting I’ll need to approve it before it appears.

And if you’d like to support me and help keep it free, you can always buy me a tea.

Ciao, and thanks for visiting!

The best way to stay connected is through my weekly email, Fireside News. You’ll receive cozy updates, behind-the-scenes book notes, and a complimentary historical romance novelette when you subscribe.

Until next time, may your reading bring both light and encouragement.

Happy reading!
~ Danielle.

Wednesday Waypoints | Five Romantic Suspense Recommendations

Wednesday Waypoints | Three First Lines with Love in the Title

Wednesday Waypoints | Three First Lines with Love in the Title

Today’s Wednesday Waypoints features ...

Three First Lines with Love in the Title

Welcome to Wednesday Waypoints, your midweek hygge inspiration. Each week, I'll share a small collection of things to brighten your day. Whether books I’m loving, favorite blog posts, cozy shopping selections, or even a short excerpt to savor.

What is hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah")? According to Visit Denmark, "In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people."  So grab a cuppa, slow down, and enjoy.

About Today's Currated List

This week’s Wednesday Waypoints celebrates Valentine's Day and the season of love with three first lines. I've gathered three historical romances that all share one thing in common: the word "Love" in the title. From the high-stakes intrigue of the Gilded Age to the courage required on the battlefields of WWI and the rugged lumber camps of the West, these stories prove that while danger may be the setting, love is the ultimate destination.

*as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

List

The Element of Love

Mary Connealy

She mixed danger, desperation, and deception together. Love was not the expected outcome.

With their sharp engineering minds, Laura Stiles and her two sisters have been able to deal with their mother's unfortunate choice in husband until they discovered his plans to marry each of them off to his lecherous friends. Now they must run away--far and fast--to find better matches to legally claim their portion of their father's lumber dynasty and seize control from their stepfather.

During their escape, Laura befriends a mission group heading to serve the poor in California. She quickly volunteers herself and her sisters to join their efforts. Despite the settlement being in miserable condition, the sisters are excited by the opportunity to put their skills to good use. Laura also sees potential in Caleb, the mission's parson, to help with gaining her inheritance. But when secrets buried in Caleb's past and in the land around them come to light, it'll take all the smarts the sisters have to keep trouble at bay.

May 1972
Northern California

They were running away from the threat of misery, pain, and degradation.

Counterfeit Love

Crystal Caudill

Can this undercover agent save the woman he loves--or is her heart as counterfeit as the money he's been sent to track down?

After all that Grandfather has sacrificed to raise her, Theresa Plane owes it to him to save the family name--and that means clearing their debt with creditors before she marries Edward Greystone. But when one of the creditors' threats leads her to stumble across a midnight meeting, she discovers that the money he owes isn't all Grandfather was hiding. And the secrets he kept have now trapped Theresa in a life-threatening fight for her home--and the truth.

After months of undercover work, Secret Service operative Broderick Cosgrove is finally about to uncover the identity of the leader of a notorious counterfeiting ring. That moment of triumph turns to horror, however, when he finds undeniable proof that his former fiancée is connected. Can he really believe the woman he loved is a willing participant? Protecting Theresa and proving her innocence may destroy his career--but that's better than failing her twice in one lifetime.

They must form a partnership, tentative though it is. But there's no question they're both still keeping secrets--and that lack of trust, along with the dangerous criminals out for their blood, threatens their hearts, their faith, and their very survival.

December 31, 1993

"I don't understand why we can't marry sooner."

In Love's Time

Kate Breslin

At the height of World War I, two sweethearts face impossible odds in this powerful tale of courage, duty, and heartbreak.

In the summer of 1918, Captain Marcus Weatherford arrives in Russia on a secret mission, with a beautiful ballerina posing as his fiancée. He's there to find the Romanov tsarina and her son and glean information about a plot to assassinate Lenin. As the danger intensifies, Marcus's sense of duty battles with his desire to return home to Clare, the woman he truly loves, before it's too late.

Military hospital orderly Clare Danner still suffers from Marcus's betrayal after learning he's engaged to another woman. Clare also fears losing her daughter, Daisy, to the heartless family who took her away once before. Only Marcus can provide the critical proof needed to save Daisy, but when an injury leaves him powerless to help, Clare's fate--and the fate of the top-secret mission--hangs in the balance.

Whitehall, London
Monday, August 5, 1918
2130 Hours

Would the human destruction never end?

Share the Tea

Enjoyed today’s post? You can share it with a friend, pin it to your reading list on Pinterest, or pass it along in your favorite book group. You’re welcome to use this graphic or one of the share buttons below.

I’d love to hear what resonated with you about this book — feel free to leave a comment. I always reply, though if it’s your first time posting I’ll need to approve it before it appears.

And if you’d like to support me and help keep it free, you can always buy me a tea.

Ciao, and thanks for visiting!

The best way to stay connected is through my weekly email, Fireside News. You’ll receive cozy updates, behind-the-scenes book notes, and a complimentary historical romance novelette when you subscribe.

Until next time, may your reading bring both light and encouragement.

Happy reading!
~ Danielle.

Wednesday Waypoints | Five Romantic Suspense Recommendations

Wednesday Waypoints | Four Romances Featuring Italian Characters

Wednesday Waypoints | Four Romances Featuring Italian Characters

Today’s Wednesday Waypoints features ...

Four Romances Featuring Italian Characters

Welcome to Wednesday Waypoints, your midweek hygge inspiration. Each week, I'll share a small collection of things to brighten your day. Whether books I’m loving, favorite blog posts, cozy shopping selections, or even a short excerpt to savor.

What is hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah")? According to Visit Denmark, "In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people."  So grab a cuppa, slow down, and enjoy.

About Today's Currated List

This week’s Wednesday Waypoints explores Italian heritage. Discover four of my stories that feature Italian heroes and/or heroines.From 1890s Chicago to 1930s England and Wisconsin these characters navigate the danger and romance. At the end, I feature a bonus book of mine!

*as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

List

As Silent as the Night

Danielle Grandinetti

He can procure anything, except his heart’s deepest wish. She might hold the key, if she’s not discovered first.

Chicago, 1933?Lucia Critelli will do anything for her ailing grandfather, including stand in a breadline to have enough food to make him a St. Nicholas Day meal. When she catches the eye of a goon who threatens her grandfather, she discovers the end of Prohibition doesn’t mean the end of the mafia’s criminal activity.

Retired Marine Scout Giosue “Gio” Vella can find anything, especially if it helps a fellow Italian immigrant, so he has no doubt he can locate his neighbor’s granddaughter, who has gone missing from a local church. Keeping her safe is another matter. Especially when he chooses to hide out with his Marine buddy in Eagle, Wisconsin, the site of a barely-held truce among striking dairy farmers.

Will Christmas bring the miracle they all need or will Gio discover there are some things even he can’t find, particularly when he stumbles upon the most elusive gift of all: love.

Sheltered by the Doctor

Danielle Grandinetti

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.

The Italian Musician's Sanctuary

Danielle Grandinetti

Hunted by one man, can she open her heart to another?

Eden Cove, England, 1931—Margherita Vicienzo flees Italy pursued by her former fiancé, a member of Mussolini's Blackshirt. Smuggled illegally into England, Margherita is a foreigner at the mercy of strangers. Her limp from an improperly healed broken leg means she has nothing to offer the Ferryman family, who offer her sanctuary, and nothing to appease their son who resents her presence.

Luke Ferryman needs a wife. He wants to marry for love, but carries the weight of his family’s generations-old expectations on his shoulders. Though he inherited the role of both baker and ferryman, he knows he can’t fulfill both needs once his aging grandparents retire. A wife would help, but not an illegal one like the refugee his matchmaking grandmother is harboring.

As opposite as night and day, Luke and Margherita forge a tentative friendship that grows despite the constant threat of Margherita's discovery. But when strangers appear in the close-knit seaside town, threatening Luke's livelihood and Margherita’s safety, the choice between justice and mercy becomes harder. And sacrifice proves the only answer.

Undercover Wish

Danielle Grandinetti

Wealth is but an illusion, hers to wield and his to escape.

CHICAGO, Ill., 1892—Stunt reporter Ali Di Stasio will risk anything to expose the truth and protect her fellow orphans, including rummaging through trash bins and putting herself in the crosshairs of the dangerous elite. After living on the streets, she knows every corner of her city, which means she can stay one step ahead of the cops, the powerful men who'd love to silence her before she can reveal their secrets, and the occasional wealthy bachelor wandering through her alleyways, lost and in danger of being mugged.

Griff Moorland, heir-apparent to his father's shipping enterprise, is summoned home to Chicago's wealthiest neighborhood for one purpose: marriage. Worse, his choices are to marry the conniving daughter of his father's business partner or an heiress with a sizable dowry. If he doesn't comply before the contract to bring in steel for the Columbian Exposition ends? His ailing mother will be stranded across an ocean, homeless.

Caught between keeping his mother alive and his father's questionable business practices, Griff needs a way out of the bind his father has put him in. When Ali swoops in like a knight in shining armor, she insists the pen is mightier than a sword. But with the Chicago World's Fair fast approaching, sinister forces conspire against them. Will love prove only a mirage, or will it be strong enough to set them free?

La Verità con Integrità. Truth with Integrity. The Legacy of a (Girl) Stunt Reporter.
A Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency origin story and a retelling of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp.

Eyewitness Sketch

Danielle Grandinetti

Finding love at Death's Door might destroy them both.

CHICAGO, Ill., 1931—Gabriella Salatino, an illustrative journalist for the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency, never planned to return to her island home at the tip of Wisconsin's Door Peninsula. Nor did she plan to witness a murder. But when her life is threatened, she has no choice but to hide out under the protective care of the man she left behind.

Deputy Andri Jóhannsson has been coming to Gabby's rescue his entire life, but having her in his secluded home tests the limits of his patience. The woman has no sense of self-preservation, and he has a smuggling ring to ferret out. Except, her skill with sketchpad and pencils might be the very investigative tool he needs in order to catch the bootleggers.

With a murderer on her trail and criminals evading detection, Gabriella and Andri must set aside the past or risk its eruption. Because this time, the collateral damage might include more than losing their friendship. It might cost them the lives of those they love.

La Verità con Integrità. Truth with Integrity. The Legacy of a (Girl) Stunt Reporter.

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Four Romances Featuring Italian Characters

Ciao, and thanks for visiting!

The best way to stay connected is through my weekly email, Fireside News. You’ll receive cozy updates, behind-the-scenes book notes, and a complimentary historical romance novelette when you subscribe.

Until next time, may your reading bring both light and encouragement.

Happy reading!
~ Danielle.

Wednesday Waypoints | Five Romantic Suspense Recommendations

Wednesday Waypoints | Three Stories of When Danger Draws You Closer

Wednesday Waypoints | Three Stories of When Danger Draws You Closer

Today’s Wednesday Waypoints features a moment from ...

Three Stories of When Danger Draws You Closer

Welcome to Wednesday Waypoints, your midweek hygge inspiration. Each week, I'll share a small collection of things to brighten your day. Whether books I’m loving, favorite blog posts, cozy shopping selections, or even a short excerpt to savor.

What is hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah")? According to Visit Denmark, "In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people."  So grab a cuppa, slow down, and enjoy.

About Today's Currated List

Happy New Year! Let's start the new year with one of my favorite genres: romantic suspense. When danger closes in, people reveal who they truly are. Dangerous Beauty, Shadow of Doubt, and Lights Out each capture that moment when risk and connection intertwine. Read why I especially loved these three books!

*as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

List

Dangerous Beauty

Melissa Koslin

What is the price of freedom?

Liliana Vela hates the term victim. She's not a victim, she's a fighter. Stubborn and strong with a quiet elegance, she's determined to take back her life after escaping the clutches of human traffickers. But she can't stay safely in America--unless the man who aided in her rescue is serious about his unconventional proposal to marry her.

Meric Toledan was just stopping at a service station for a bottle of water. Instead, he becomes the key to Liliana's rescue. If he can keep his secrets hidden, his wealth and position afford him many resources to help her. But the mysterious buyer who funded her capture will not sit idly by while his prize is stolen from him.

Why I Love It

Wow is this a good book! So deep. So moving. This story made me tear up, root for the characters, and fear that they wouldn’t get the healing and happily ever after I was hoping for them. If you’re looking for an emotional journey, then definitely add this book to your reading list. It’s outstanding!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

Shadow of Doubt

Susan Sleeman

A cyber-stalker and a murder threaten her life…
When IT specialist, Brooklyn Hurst’s cyber stalker grows bolder and the police refuse to do anything about it, she has to take drastic measures. Like fleeing the only home she’s known to a place so off the map that the stalker would never think to look. When she discovers, Colin Graham, a former FBI agent and now Shadow Lake Survival cyber expert, is looking for a live-in caregiver for his mother, she applies for the position and is hired via an online interview. She quietly packs up everything she can fit into her car and disappears in the middle of the night, ensuring that her stalker doesn’t follow her.

Will the danger draw the couple closer together or push them apart?
She fits in perfectly with Colin and his mother, but he’d never met a more jumpy and fearful woman in his life and is sure something is wrong. As they grow closer, he gains her trust, and she shares about her stalker. As if talking about her stalker conjures him up, he makes his appearance in Shadow Lake. Had Colin betrayed her? Done something stupid to bring danger to her doorstep again? Should she run again or could she trust Colin? Colin knows running isn’t the answer and promises to keep her safe. But can he do so while also protecting his heart from pain again?

Why I Love It

I’ve been looking forward to the hero’s story for a while, and am so glad he got a happily ever after. I loved the heroine with her kind heart and gentle ways. The mystery wove and twisted in the author’s signature way, which I love. Plus we got to see the Cold Harbor and Veritas crews again!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

Lights Out

Natalie Walters

CIA analyst Brynn Taylor developed a new program to combat terrorism, and she invited members of foreign intelligence agencies to America to foster cooperation between countries. Now one of them, Egyptian spy Remon Riad, is missing.

Jack Hudson has been working for the Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency for almost nine years and takes the lead in hunting down the missing spy. But he isn't at all pleased to find out Brynn is involved. It's hard to trust a woman who's already betrayed you.

Every lead they follow draws them dangerously deeper into an international plot. Kidnapping, murder, explosions, poisoning--the terrorists will do anything to accomplish their goal of causing a digital blackout that will blind a strategic US military communications center and throw the world into chaos.

Can Brynn surrender control to a man who doesn't trust her? And can Jack ever get over what she did to him? The fate of the world--and their hearts--hangs in the balance.

Why I Love It

Lights Out starts out with lots of great friction that keeps the pages turning. So many leads. So many dead ends. Literally. The story takes the reader on a ride that I didn’t want to end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

Share the Tea

Enjoyed today’s post? You can share it with a friend, pin it to your reading list on Pinterest, or pass it along in your favorite book group. You’re welcome to use this graphic or one of the share buttons below.

I’d love to hear what resonated with you about this book — feel free to leave a comment. I always reply, though if it’s your first time posting I’ll need to approve it before it appears.

And if you’d like to support my blog and help keep it free, you can always buy me a tea.

Ciao, and thanks for visiting!

The best way to stay connected is through my weekly email, Fireside News. You’ll receive cozy updates, behind-the-scenes book notes, and a complimentary historical romance novelette when you subscribe.

Until next time, may your reading bring both light and encouragement.

Happy reading!
~ Danielle.