For today’s Sunday Dinner author interview, I’m inviting you to join me for a chat about my next historical romance: Sheltered by the Doctor.
Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning inspirational romance author fueled by tea and books. As a FHLCW Reader’s Choice and Selah Award Finalist, she mixes romance, suspense, and history to bring her stories to life. 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.
I took an Italian language course while I was in Italy years ago, and returned to studying it over a year ago. It’s such fun!
Can you tell us about your latest novel?
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.
In what city is your story set and why did you choose to set your novel there?
We’re back in Crow’s Nest, Wisconsin for the fifth book in the series.
Describe your setting. And, if it’s a real place, have you visited?
Crow’s Nest is located on Lake Michigan. While a fictional town, in my mind, I have it located around Two Rivers, which is a real place that claims to be the home of the original sundae.
What research was required to set a book there?
One of the most fascinating aspects of location-research was the weather. The temperature data I include in Sheltered by the Doctor is based on true meteorological data from those dates. That includes June 30, 1931, recorded as being the hottest day that year, and, as far as I could ascertain, the first time the temperature reached over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in recorded history for that portion of Wisconsin.
What does a day in the life of one of your characters look like?
Before the story begins, Mindy is a waitress, working to help support her family. Nick is a physician who left New York City under a cloud. They are an unlikely pair, but that is exactly what draws them together.
Were resources easy or difficult to find on these topics? Do you have a favorite resource?
Most of the information was available from my own experience, but I did have to check the adoption laws of New Mexico. Very interesting!
What is one piece of your research that you couldn’t include in the book, but wish readers could know?
Because Nick is a doctor, Mindy is dyslexic, and her sister battles childhood mutism, this story required significant digging into historical medical research and treatment. Much as changed in 100 years, but stigmas remain …
Do you have another book in the works? What can you tell us about that book?
Yes! A few, actually. I’m currently writing Buck’s story, which is the sixth and final book in the Harbored in Crow’s Nest series. However, the story I want to tell you about is more directly related to Nick’s history.
In Nick’s backstory, he speaks out against the growing atrocities occurring in Italy as Europe marches toward the second world war. The more I researched those events, the more I knew I had to put a face to those suffering at the hands of Mussolini’s Blackshirts. And so, I put a name to a friend Nick’s sister left behind in Italy: Margherita.
Margherita was crippled in the same earthquake that caused Cora’s amnesia in Refuge for the Archaeologist. But her story doesn’t end by simply being remembered by her friend. When I was invited to participate in a multi-author/multi-genre novella collection that takes place in England, I knew at once that Margherita would get a happily ever after.
So … this August … join us in Our House on Sycamore Street! (And don’t miss any announcements by joining our Facebook Reader Page)
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
I also have a Christmas novella releasing in July. I’m putting together some special Christmas book boxes that will include the hardcover of The Baby and the Guardian. Only available through my website.
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?
If readers would like to learn about you or your other books, how might they find you online?
Facebook | Instagram | Facebook Readers Group
Question for Readers
*Answer in the Comments!
What disabilities would you like to see better represented in Christian Fiction?
We will be on hiatus next week for Memorial Day (US). See you in two weeks!
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