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Wednesday Waypoints | 2025 Writing Year in Review

by Jan 7, 2026Wednesday Waypoints0 comments

Today’s Wednesday Waypoints features …

2025 Writing Year in Review

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

As I close the books on 2025, I’m ruminating on the word that defined my year: Reset.

This past year was a season of navigating medical tests and learning the true cost of my energy levels—a “reset” that required trimming away the extra to protect the essential.

In that quiet space, I found that reading and writing aren’t just work, they are the very things that steady my soul.

And so, within this restorative rhythm, I was able to write over 300,000 words, publish four novellas, launch my A Spot of Story podcast, and sign a 3-book contract with Ashberry Lane, an imprint of the WhiteFire Publishing Group.

It turns out that a rooted life is a fruitful one. Which means I’m especially excited for next year.

With potentially seven new book releases and more exciting ideas in the works for 2026, it will be a year of expectancy, of seeing what sprouts from the tended soil and pruned plants of this past year.

What about you? What are you looking forward to in this new year ahead?

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

My 2025 Novellas

Heart of Beauty

Danielle Grandinetti

How can a beauty save a beast?

Blue Spruce, Montana, 1871—When Caleb Orson’s prize stallion escapes his ranch, Sal Beauregard rides to the rescue, revealing her true identity as a one of the few eligible females in town. She’d do it again if it meant saving an animal from the cruel retaliation of Brendan Doran. The man has no respect for women or God’s creatures.

But the sun’s early setting strands her at Caleb’s ranch. Worse, Sallie’s father unceremoniously leaves her there under Caleb’s protection. However, Doran refuses to lose again to Caleb—first a horse, now a woman. He wants Sallie as his wife, and not even the reclusive ogre of a cowboy can stand in his way. No matter Sallie’s opinion.

Choosing to make the best of a difficult situation, Sallie takes over the gentling of Caleb’s stallion. She believes she can reach Caleb as well. Only, the first blush of friendship grows into something … more. Something that threatens the desires of Caleb’s enemy. And if Doran cannot have a beauty like Sallie, neither can a beast.

The Neighbor and the Gifts

Danielle Grandinetti

Twelve days. Twelve gifts. One unlikely hero.

Wisconsin, 1930—When Manitowish Waters librarian Olivia “Ollie” Larson finds a package on the library steps, she expects the children’s books she ordered, not a taxidermied partridge. By the fourth gift from her unknown and unwelcome True Love, disappearing to her grandfather’s isolated cabin in the Northwoods is the only way she can escape him.

Deputy Titus Wilburn is happy to escort the lovely librarian to her grandfather’s house on his way to the neighboring Yarwood cabin. After all, he’s been smitten with her since they attended school together, and she needs his protection. However, the plan fails when Ollie’s uninvited suitor discovers her new location.

As the man’s actions become more desperate and his gifts more dangerous, an unexpectedly bedridden Titus decides to free Ollie from this menace, which puts the enemy’s sights directly on him. Ollie refuses to let her injured hero sacrifice himself, but with the days ticking closer to Christmas, she may have no choice but to accept whatever fate her suitor has in store for her if she wants to save Titus’ life.

The Recluse's Vindication

Danielle Grandinetti

The Loch Ness Monster isn’t the only recluse seeking a Scottish haven.

Bieldfell. Scotland, 1933—Falsely accused of murder sixteen years ago, American cowboy Benjamin Ford has chosen to hide out in the Scottish Highlands. Reclusive and not afraid to die, he rescues children out of an increasingly dangerous Germany. When his childhood best friend appears at his door, he’s not the boy she remembers.

Eleanor Finch’s life ended sixteen years ago. In one horrible day, she lost her dreams, her reputation, and her heart. However, she never gives up the hope of finding her friend, so when she learns of Ben’s whereabouts, she leaves all that is familiar to convince him to return home.

But Eleanor isn’t the only person searching for Ben. Hunters follow her trail. The thin veil of gossip and rumor may be their only chance of a future … unless the Loch Ness Monster is real after all.

His Boss's Little Sister

Danielle Grandinetti

Broken hearts, underground smuggling, and a meddling family … one Wisconsin Teehaus offers a love of more than sweet treats.

November 1931—Needing a new start, Samantha Martins escapes the happily-ever-afters of her hometown to take a waitressing position at a German Tea House. But all is not as it appears beneath the pretty trappings. When she discovers illegal oleomargarine on the premises, which could shut down the cafe, and thus cost her job, she goes searching for the source.

Samantha’s old beau, Kyle Docherty, returns to Crow’s Nest a changed man, both inside and out. An apology burning in his heart, he finds she’s left home. However, with trouble on her trail, Samantha’s brother hires Kyle to be her bodyguard. But will she even speak to him? And if not, will she at least allow him to protect her, even without the arm he lost in a logging accident?

When the breadcrumbs lead them into a trap, putting Kyle’s life in danger, Samantha faces an impossible choice: listen to Kyle and run for help, or stay a captive and outwit a criminal. If only the ticking bomb were on their side.

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Ciao, and thanks for visiting!

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

Happy reading!
~ Danielle.

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