Danielle's Writing Spot Articles Header

Wednesday Waypoints | Five Historical Romances with Adventure

by Apr 15, 2026Wednesday Waypoints0 comments

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.

0 Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Danielle's Writing Spot is free to read, and always will be. If you’d like to support me, you can “buy me a tea,” which is my cozy name for the Buy Me a Coffee program. It’s a safe, simple way to give a one-time tip or set up a monthly contribution, helping to me keep sharing interviews, excerpts, and reflections with you.

Don't Miss a Post

Danielle's Writing Spot Instant Notifications

Get an email notification whenever a new article or podcast episode drops on my book blog!

By joining, you agree your info will be stored in line with my Privacy Policy. I’ll only use your email to send you my stories, news, and book updates. You can unsubscribe at any time.