“Your eyes sparkle, amore mio.”

Warmth filled her more than any caffè could do. Ali liked Griff’s use of Italian. Over the decades they’d been married, he’d been getting better and better at it.

“Sì. I didn’t realize how much I needed a little time away from the city.” With her husband, just the two of them.

“Will Cora be joining us?” Griff sipped his own mug of coffee.

“She has to finish up an interview with Samantha Martins about the hat shop.” Ali glanced toward the plump woman behind the counter with her cheerful face. She could almost imagine one of her own journalists, Klara, aging just like the baker. Both had that gregarious, warm, welcoming personality that seemed to draw everyone to them like moths to the light.

Griff took another sip. “Doesn’t sound like her usual exposé.”

“No, I don’t believe it is.” Ali ran her finger over the lip of her cup. “I do believe she’s adapted to writing about more than uncovering the latest crime.”

Read more

In this episode, we chat about:

• Mass Starts & Boycotts: How a clash between American rules and international standards sparked a speed skating boycott.

• Medal Stands & Melting Ice: The chaotic debut of the very first Olympic podium and the last-minute blizzard that saved the games from an unseasonal thaw.

• The Lake Placid Club Controversy: How Melvil Dewey’s restrictive bylaws almost cost Lake Placid the Olympic bid, and how the Olympic Committee worked around them.

• Pioneering Women in Sports: The record-shattering performance of female speed skater Jean Wilson, the long road to official medal status, and how modern sports like the Nordic Combined are still fighting for inclusion today.

• Behind Sabotage Games: How these real 1932 events serve as the backdrop for Sabotage Games, a 1930s historical romantic mystery.

To read the full transcript and explore additional resources, visit the episode page.

Further Reading or Listening

• More on the Podcast: View all the episodes, read the transcripts, and explore more about each featured book.

• Danielle’s Writing Spot: My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.

• Dispatch Flash Fiction: ​This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.

• The Author Shop: If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.

  Thanks for reading The Fireside Wire! This post is public so feel free to share it.

  Share

As that concept has settled into my bones, I’ve noticed myself going through a philosophical shift. I’m beginning to see how this shift is showing up not just in my personal life, but in my business life.

It’s infiltrating the way I run my author business, how I want to be present with my readers, and how I spend my working hours.

You see, I am a storyteller. That is my heart. I love reading. I love writing. I love celebrating stories.

On Story not Product

I’ve never thought of my writing as a commodity to sell, so it’s always been a challenge for me to reconcile selling my books as a product. However, I took a course by Roseanna and David White about Identity Marketing that helped me see things more clearly.

Of course, being an author is also a business, and I do need to make some kind of money (bills and all, ya know). But as this change in philosophy has begun soaking into the soil of my business tactics, I’ve started to shift away from conventional marketing advice.

You see, my preferred way of “marketing” is all about relationships.

I don’t like selling a product, but I love building relationships. Out of those relationships, perhaps one of my stories will be enjoyed by a reader, becoming a mutually beneficial connection—one where my readers support me as an author and I, as an author, support them through prayer, through sharing my stories, and through encouraging them as they encourage me.

On Avoiding the Virtual Street Corner

So how has this way of thinking adjusted where I show up?

I have shifted away from chasing algorithms and instead focused on what’s called long-tail discovery and evergreen assets, meaning when I have energy or something fun to say, I share.

For my regular posts, I schedule them to my blog, my podcast, or Substack so they aren’t dependent on my day-to-day. I also schedule graphics and videos to Pinterest and YouTube for the same reason. I’ll often write a few flash fiction short stories all at once, when inspiration strikes, and then share them at regular intervals rather than all at once.

The goal for me is to let these systems aid in discovery while allowing them to work for me—helping connect my readers to me and my stories rather than being at the mercy of the algorithm. The last thing I want to do is stand on a virtual street corner, waving one of those twirly arrow signs and being like, “Hey, come read my book.”

I also don’t believe readers wish to be coerced into a story they aren’t going to enjoy. But if we’re welcomed into a story and can escape into it or disappear into another decade, well, that’s the type of story I want to offer my readers. It’s about the experience more than it is about the product itself.

On Not Chasing Algorithms

As these concepts have sunk into my psyche, I’ve seen them showing up in my business decisions.

One of the reasons my ebooks were originally distributed wide, including on my direct shop, is because I wanted my books to be where the readers are (cue The Little Mermaid song).

But as a result of marketing pressure, I tried Kindle Unlimited. You know what I discovered? My readers aren’t there. Some of them are, yes, but mostly because they need affordable reading options, which I can provide through discounting on my shop, the library, and other subscription channels like Bright Haven (which is for clean reads only) or Kobo.

Now my stories will meet readers where they’re at, and I no longer have to chase the algorithm of Kindle Unlimited reads.

I know I’m sacrificing some discoverability because of that. However, I’ve also reached another conclusion: my new releases are for my readers—the ones who can’t wait to read my next book and are already connected to me via my newsletter or here on Substack.

What about new readers finding my books? Someone who’s never tried one of my books and doesn’t know whether they would like it … well, there might be a lot of hype about a new release, but a full-priced book is still an investment. So perhaps they’d be more willing to try a new-to-them author during a sale.

Whether this new reader reads that book now or in a year, it’s a low-risk entry point. And if they read it and love it, I have a whole backlist waiting for them, and they’ll be excited for my future releases.

On Release Months vs. Release Days

I want to build a relational foundation meant for longevity because I want my readers to know I’m not just a flash in the pan. I have many more stories ahead of me, and I want to build a long-term relationship so my books are there whenever someone is ready to read them.

I don’t expect readers to rush out and buy my books on release day, so I’m making a shift. Instead of pouring all the hype and pressure into a single release day or week, I want to create a release month. Making it an intentional strategy feels like a meaningful step forward.

A release month means the entire month is dedicated to celebrating that book. I might release direct on my shop early in the month and then on retail platforms toward the end. That creates a gradual excitement, building a low hum around a new release. It gives readers a chance to catch up on earlier books in a series, or gives me space to run a sale on book one to draw in new readers.

Most importantly, it takes away the pressure of selling because focusing solely on launch day is too focused on the product itself. I’d rather build an experience, something I’ve loved doing with my Christmas in July releases over the last few years.

Shifting to a release month also allows me to be present in a lower-key way for longer. It takes away the pressure of needing reviews by a specific date or hoping everyone reads the book right away. A story doesn’t die after launch week. It lives on through new discoveries, re-reads, and different formats.

Releasing a book isn’t the finish line—it’s only the beginning. As Elizabeth Yates once said, “A writer only commences, it is the reader who completes the book. Reading is communication from one mind to another, and from thence the ripples reach.”

You never know when a story is going to touch someone’s life, whether the day it releases or five years down the road.

On the Process of Slow Living

What this will look like exactly, I don’t fully know yet, but I like sharing my thought process—my musings—with you.

Today’s culture promises to “lose weight in 30 days” or “change your life in six weeks.” As you could probably guess, I’m not big on trends, but I do love the idea of hygge—of creating a cozy, relational space where everyone can simply take a deep breath. We don’t need to be running everywhere every moment of the day.

Isn’t that the real joy of reading? To let out a deep breath and immerse yourself in an experience?

If that’s what I want my books to offer, then my author business needs to reflect it, too. Instead of talking sales numbers or launch metrics, it’s about welcoming readers into an experience.

The best way to follow along on this journey is through my private newsletter. Because I’m no longer chasing algorithms, social media platforms won’t always show you my posts, and I don’t want you to miss updates you actually want to see. Joining my list keeps us connected—no algorithm required.

I hope you’ll join me on this hygge path.

Further Reading or Listening

• Dispatch Flash Fiction: ​This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.

• The Author Shop: If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.

• Danielle’s Writing Spot: My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.

• A Spot of Story Podcast: Grab a steaming cup of tea and set your dial to our podcast, where 1930s history, research, and deep-dive author interviews come alive.

  The Fireside Wire is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In the middle of that, we took a lovely family vacation to see more family, survived the worst air quality Wisconsin has ever seen, and spent several days on Lake Michigan’s beach to stay cool as temps rose. Honestly, we might joke about those in the southern states not knowing how to handle the snow, but give me -40 windchills over heat indexes over 100.

What I'm Writing

As I mentioned, I released a new book. Not just any new book—The Robber and the Witness is my 20th print book. I can’t believe it!

Upcoming Release: Sabotage Games

September 22 is when my next book releases. Sabotage Games is a historical romantic mystery surrounding the 1932 Olympic Games and the second book in the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency series.

Find out more about Sabotage Games

Current Work-in-Progress: Developmental Edits

The month of July I spent … not writing. I needed a little break, so I focused on editing. The end of the month was entirely focused on the developmental editing for my December release with Ashberry Lane, an imprint of WhiteFire Publishing Group. I can’t wait to tell you more about the second Dawning Sisters book!

Explore Dawning Sisters Book 1

What I'm Reading

I’ve been in a reading slump the past few months, but I’m finally coming out of it! It started with an alpha/beta read of Roseanna M. White’s next romantasy, Amazed. (Check out the rest of the series with this affiliate link.) It’s so good, y’all!!

Then I continued the Only Magic in the Building multi-author series. According to Amazon, “These closed door, whimsical romance books are all set in the same historic building, which has a habit of playing matchmaker with its residents. There are light magical elements, but no spells, shifters, or dark magic of any kind.” This is true, and it was such a fun series! Check out the series here at this affiliate link.

Meanwhile, I’m continuing to listen through Susan Sleeman’s Cold Harbor series on Audible. It’s so fun to revisit a series I love in a new format. Check out the series here at this affiliate link.

I haven’t picked up a paperback book this month, needing to give my eyes a break from smaller print. I love the accessibility of ebooks and audiobooks, but I do miss holding a paperback. Do you have a favorite format or do you switch between them?

Top Three Articles

What articles did you love most this month?

1. The top article was A Spot of Story Episode 12 | Echoes of History: The Origins of a Reverse Aladdin (Part 1). I love seeing a podcast episode ranking so high. Have you listened to the episode or read the transcript?

2. The second most-read article was an excerpt from Some Like it Scot by Pepper Basham. This is an older article and a great book. Read the excerpt here.

3. Two guest posts round out the top articles. The first by Linda Hoover about her book Heart’s Promise and the second by Chris Maday Schmidt about her book A Mother’s Prayer.

ICYMI: Meanwhile Over on YouTube

I had my first mini-viral short! If you’ve watched this Sunday Psalm short, I’d love to know what about it resonated with you.

Looking Ahead to August

• Sheltered by the Doctor is on sale for 99¢ from August 1-15, 2026! Learn more here.

• Heart of Beauty is now available to download when you upgrade to my paid substack! Find out more here.

• I’m hoping to begin writing Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency book three, Shrouded Trail, by the end of the month!

Be sure to follow me so you don’t miss all the fun ahead!

Further Reading or Listening

• Dispatch Flash Fiction: ​This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.

• The Author Shop: If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.

• Danielle’s Writing Spot: My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.

• A Spot of Story Podcast: Grab a steaming cup of tea and set your dial to our podcast, where 1930s history, research, and deep-dive author interviews come alive.

  The Fireside Wire is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode, Danielle sits down with author Jessie Mattis to chat about her novel, A Mess of Dreams (Book 1 in The Middlefork Series).

In this episode, we chat about:

• Life on the 1940s Home Front: What a typical day looks like for 17-year-old Lorene Stewart in rural Illinois.

• Favorite Moments: Writing town cakewalks, emotional scenes, and capturing real-world nostalgia.

• Uncovering Forgotten History: The fascinating history of German POWs working on American farms during World War II and the real family story that inspired the book.

• Wrestling with Grace: How fiction helps us process guilt, build trust, and recognize hope through life’s trials.

Read the Transcript

Further Reading or Listening

• More on the Podcast: View all the episodes, read the transcripts, and explore more about each featured book.

• Danielle’s Writing Spot: My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.

• Dispatch Flash Fiction: ​This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.

• The Author Shop: If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.

  Thanks for reading The Fireside Wire! This post is public so feel free to share it.

  Share

Or read on for the complimentary first chapter.

Subscribe now

About Heart of Beauty

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.

2026 Holt Medallion Winner, Novella Category
2026 CROW National Excellence in Storytelling Winner, Short Inspirational Category

Chapter 1 - Sallie

March 15, 1871 Heart of Montana Territory

“Beware the Ides of March,” Sallie Beauregard muttered as she donned the disguise within her room, tucking her long braid up inside her cowboy hat. In Shakespeare’s day, young men played female roles in his plays. Here in Montana Territory, she dressed as a boy to keep wayward eyes from realizing she was, in fact, a very eligible maiden.

“Sal, you ready, my girl?” her father called from the main room. A well-respected nomad trapper, it’d been his idea to dress her in trousers and a buckskin coat after Mama died when Sallie was but a child of five. Sallie hadn’t minded then. It was easier to traipse after her father in something other than a dress. Who had use for frills and lace, anyway?

She still believed that, but now she wore plain dresses or a split skirt unless they went into a town. Then she honored her father’s request because all anyone knew of old Saul Beauregard, who lived up on the mountain near Blue Spruce, Montana, was that he had a son named Sal—a son who never spoke—except to horses.

Sallie slung her saddlebags over her shoulder as she followed her father to the barn. “Where are we making camp tonight?”

With the first breaths of spring, Papa got antsy to leave the confines of the old cabin. They’d return every few weeks to stock up on supplies, then go again to hunt and sell the meat and furs to those in towns along their way.

Papa scratched his full gray beard. “We’ll head down to the valley and follow the waking critters.”

She nodded. There was no need to comment as she saddled Gunpowder, named for the horse Ichabod Crane rode in Washington Irving’s tale. When she first met Gunpowder, the poor horse reminded her of the broken-down plow horse in the book. She patted his nose. Now his black coat shone, and his belly showed him well-fed. Gunpowder nuzzled her under the chin.

Supplies loaded onto the horses, she swung into the saddle and followed Papa down the mountain. Today, she believed spring could be around the corner. While a chill still permeated the air, snow dripped from the cabin roof and rocky outcroppings. Soon, the rivers would rage, waking the world from the depth of winter.

The advent of warmer weather usually sparked warmth in her heart, but a strange foreboding hovered this year. Perhaps because they were setting out on the fifteenth of March? She might not be superstitious, but she loved her books and had read Julius Caesar a few too many times not to have the warning echo in her head.

She rubbed Gunpowder’s neck, letting a prayer from Psalm 121 whisper upon the wind. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. Amen.

The journey down the mountain took several hours, and they paused for the noon meal before entering the town limits. The cowboys and miners who happened to be in Blue Spruce greeted Papa warmly. They traded gossip as much as legitimate news. Sallie listened as she gathered canned goods in the general store. She recognized a few names from their last visit. Some had given up their claims and headed back east or further west. But one name stood out. It never ceased to send shivers down her spine.

Physically large and politically powerful, Brendan Doran thought first only of himself. Perhaps that’s why he owned the largest saloon in town, a place that also housed the only other unmarried women who lived in Blue Spruce. And the primary reason Papa disguised Sallie’s femininity.

“Rumor is Doran wants to settle down.” One grizzled man set a tin of tobacco on the counter. “Can you imagine having all those women around you and wanting to pick just one to spend the rest of your life with?”

Another old cowboy tipped up his hat and laughed. “I doubt he’ll give that up. He just needs a girl he can hoodwink.”

Papa caught Sallie’s eye, nodded toward the crate of goods he was about to pay for, and then pointed his chin toward the door. He wanted her away from this conversation, and Sallie was more than happy to oblige.

She shouldered the crate as a lad might and pushed into the pale sunlight. The men who passed barely cast her a second glance. Just as she set the crate beside where she and Papa had tied the horses, a shout brought her gaze east, to the road leading out of Blue Spruce. Or into it, considering the billowing cloud that loomed closer.

Sallie rested her hand on Gunpowder’s flank as she circled him. Men ran out of buildings as a horse with a black coat that made Gunpowder’s color appear faded galloped into town, a lead rope trailing behind him. Considering the rope’s frayed end, the black must have broken his lead. And having it whacking his bare back surely wasn’t helping his panic. Fortunately, the horse slowed as it reached the center of town, but his nostrils flared.

Mr. Doran swaggered out of his saloon, laughing loudly. “Orson can’t even keep hold of his horse.” Doran weaved as he walked, probably inebriated.

The black, presumably owned by local reclusive rancher Caleb Orson, shied. Sallie could see what would happen next as if reading it in the pages of her favorite book.

“Wait! It’s the horse Orson stole from me!” Doran added colorful descriptions that burned Sallie’s ears as he strode toward the animal. His cocky bluster propelled her into Gunpowder’s saddle, leaving the crate of supplies beside Papa’s horse.

“It’s not your horse, Doran!” someone shouted.

“Leave him alone!” another man shouted.

Sallie cringed but put Gunpowder into motion, aiming in the direction she suspected the black would run: west, toward the mountains.

Doran pulled his pistol, though what he planned to do with it was anyone’s guess. “This horse cost me—”

The black horse reared and then ran.

She and Gunpowder were already in place, cantering in the same direction the black raced. At any moment, she expected a gunshot to strike the air or a bullet to whiz by as the black horse caught up to them by the edge of town. Lord, Your protection, please!

Galloping side by side, not chasing, she hoped her horse could calm the black so she could get him away from Doran.

Except a large cowboy astride a gigantic horse thundered toward them from the south. Orson. She recognized him by his horse, and the beard that hid most of his face. He must have circled the outskirts of town, aiming to cut off the black. It would have worked, if Doran hadn’t spooked the poor animal.

Behind them, an angry Doran had jumped on a horse and given chase, pistol free of his holster. Would he shoot a horse in broad daylight? Risk a hanging? If he was drunk enough, maybe he hadn’t thought it through.

Of course, the hoopla only made the black gallop faster. He veered northwest toward the open plain that rose to meet the mountains, away from both his master and Doran. Gunpowder kept pace beside him, the two running as a herd, even with Sallie on Gunpowder’s back.

“It’s going to be just fine, ol’ boy,” she said, bending low over Gunpowder’s neck. Please, Lord. Her body, tense from expecting a gunshot, ached with the ride. But she wouldn’t let the black face this danger alone.

Gunpowder kept pace with the black, whose sides were heaving now. How long had the horse been running before reaching town? And what had caused it to spook so that it ran so far from home? All questions for after she got the poor beast to stop.

Using Gunpowder, she guided the black toward the mountain path she and Papa had used less than an hour ago. The rising ground caused the horse to slow enough that Sallie felt it safe enough to grab the broken lead rope and give a gentle tug.

“Whoa there, ol’ boy.” She spoke firmly, banking that the authority in her voice would give the black a sense of security. “Whoa, now. You’ve run enough.”

The black slowed more, and when they came to the edge of the mountain, instead of picking its way up the path, the horse turned and halted. Late afternoon sunlight cast them in the shadow of the cliff face. The black tossed his head and pawed the ground. Sallie slid from Gunpowder’s back and tiptoed into the black’s line of sight. He snorted and huffed.

“Easy, ol’ boy. You poor thing. Utterly terrified, aren’t you?” She eased closer, the rope still in her hand. A frothy, heaving mass of muscle he was. “What spooked you, huh? Was it a little critter or a big one? Human or animal? Hmm? You can tell me, ol’ boy.”

The black shook his head.

“Not talking, huh? That’s all right. No need to relive what scared you so.” She held out her hand, palm up. “But I’m here now and won’t let anything harm you.”

Eyes wide, he backed up a step. Sallie didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Just waited. Another snort came from the horse. Gunpowder nosed at the slushy ground for any grass that might appear beneath the melting snow.

Pounding hooves gave warning that they’d have company in moments, spooking the horse again. Only then did she realize her tactical error. She never spoke when she went into a town, especially when they went into Blue Spruce. She might disguise her figure, but her voice was undeniably that of a woman.

Caleb

If Arion, or the lad who went chasing after the black horse, were injured, Caleb Orson could blame no one but himself. If only he’d realized he used a frayed rope when he tied Arion in the open yard. If only that stack of boards hadn’t fallen so near him. If only … well, there were only so many regrets a man could have.

Usually, when one of his horses got out, they stayed close, but Arion’s fear sent him searching for his old herd. At least, that’s what Caleb suspected. He’d rescued the horse when he was injured a year ago, then tried to release him back into the wild. If Doran would have left the poor animal alone, maybe all would have gone well. But the man had wanted to break the majestic animal and now had a vendetta.

Caleb didn’t trust what Doran would do if he came upon Arion alone. Or if only a boy stood in his way. He was too powerful in town. No one would speak against him to the marshal.

Arion and the lad halted at the cliff face west of Blue Spruce, but Doran chased them. Caleb had attempted to intercept while his foreman and one of his cowboys followed Arion from behind. The plan had been to herd Arion back toward the ranch after the horse cleared the town. If only …

The lad had slid down from his horse. Fear for the youth pumped through his body so that the blood pulsing in his ears blended with the pounding of his horse’s hooves. Your fault. Your fault. The lad glanced over his shoulder, obviously spotting Doran’s approach.

Arion snorted and shied. His fear edged toward panic. If Doran spooked Arion, this could become a deadly situation. Caleb adjusted his grip on Duke’s reigns, unsure how to save this situation.

“What’s the plan, boss?” Art Thomas, his foreman, came alongside. “Doran is going to get that kid killed.”

The lad edged between Arion and his own horse, a large black one not nearly as sleek as the stallion. Caleb’s stomach vaulted into his chest. Broken bodies swam in his memory. Blue uniforms and gray. Friends and enemies.

“Sal!” The shout cleared the fog from before his eyes and made him aware of the heaviness of his breathing. And then the melee before him.

Arion kicked at the air. The lad ducked before his slashing hooves. The lad’s horse pranced sideways. Saul Beauregard galloped past them, catching up to Doran, who had slowed at the trapper’s shout. What was the old man thinking? Wait. Was the kid the trapper’s son? The one who would only speak to horses?

Arion reared, and the boy stepped out of the horse’s way, letting it take off south along the range. Defeat washed the other emotions from inside Caleb. Hopefully, Arion wouldn’t run far. Maybe even circle back to the ranch. He’d give him a minute, make sure the lad wasn’t hurt. Maybe confront Doran for pulling a pistol aimed at the horse.

He, Thomas, and the newest addition to his ranch, fifteen-year-old Carl Anchorman, reined to a stop beside Beauregard and Doran.

“That horse is a menace, Orson.” The sneer was Doran’s greeting. “Or are you such a beast that all critters just run away from you?”

Caleb clenched his jaw and fisted his hands around Duke’s reins. When Doran first arrived in Blue Spruce wearing the tattered trousers of a blue Union uniform, Caleb thought they would be friends. Brothers-in-arms. But Doran was mean, and greedy, and that was putting it kindly.

“Unless you plan to help us herd Caleb’s horse, move along, Doran,” Thomas spoke with an emotionless authority Caleb could never have achieved.

Still, he pulled Thomas back with a shake of his head and pointed his chin toward where Arion had disappeared. Caleb wouldn’t let Thomas get caught in Doran’s sights. Thomas backed away.

“You don’t deserve that critter. If I catch up to it again, I’m taking the shot.” Doran glared at Caleb, and Caleb knew the man would do exactly that.

“No!” The lad pushed between them, facing down Doran as if he didn’t tower above him. “That horse doesn’t deserve to die because of your feud with Mr. Orson.”

Doran’s laugh faded at the same moment the realization struck Caleb. Sal Beauregard wasn’t the old trapper’s son. Sal was his daughter.

Want to continue reading?

If you are a free subscriber, you can purchase a copy from my author shop, borrow from your library, or shop your preferred retailer to continue reading Heart of Beauty.

Or … you can upgrade to the Dispatch paid tier. You’ll not only get access to download a copy of Heart of Beauty, you’ll also have access to my growing list of flash fiction and a discount code for more of my 1930s historical romantic mystery from my author shop.

Read more

Set your dial to A Spot of Story, where books, history, and the writing life come alive over a steaming cup of tea.

On this episode of the podcast, we are exploring the difference between a beach read and a cabin read. While summer is the pinnacle season for light reads and sun-drenched vacations, not all books create that feeling—nor do we always want it.

In this episode, we dive into the unique emotional architecture of a cozy cabin read. That sense of nostalgia and slower pace that invites you to hunker down by a roaring fire on a chilly afternoon, wrapped in a blanket with a warm mug in hand. Whether it’s blistering hot outside or the seasons are turning, a cabin read delivers a distinct, comforting sense of rest.

Grab your favorite mug and tune in as we discuss:

• The Emotional Landscape of Escape: How a beach read transports you to wide-open horizons, while a cozy cabin read offers the slow-living focus of a winter refuge.

• The Power of Immersive Writing: A look at how rich sensory details and historically grounded settings build an evocative story world readers want to return to again and again.

• Nostalgia and Cozy Suspense: Why the background of the 1930s—and classic mystery structures reminiscent of Agatha Christie—naturally align with the “cabin read” mentality.

Read the full episode transcript: Listen and Read the Full Post Here.

Further Reading or Listening

• More on the Podcast: View all the episodes, read the transcripts, and explore more about each featured book.

• Danielle’s Writing Spot: My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.

• Dispatch Flash Fiction: ​This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.

• The Author Shop: If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.

  Thanks for reading The Fireside Wire! This post is public so feel free to share it.

  Share

Klara James closed the front door of the brownstone that housed the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency, her golden hair glimmering in the bright summer sun.

“What is this?” Emma wiped her hands on a cloth before shifting to the right of the stoop, patting the empty space beside her for Klara to sit.

Klara arranged her skirts as she perched on the edge of the step, then handed off the small hat box.

“It’s not my birthday. It’s not Christmas.” Emma took the box from her colleague and friend. “What is this for?”

“You have to open it, silly.” Klara’s eyes sparkled like Lake Michigan did this time of year.

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Video Title

The Research Log

• 00:00 – Reflections from the Wisconsin shore of Lake Michigan.

• 00:50 – Why a Great Lake behaves more like an inland sea than a typical lake.

• 01:25 – The narrow layout of the lake, wind speeds, and the “wash basin” effect.

• 02:15 – Black Tuesday on the water: The real-world sinking of the SS Wisconsin.

• 02:40 – The distance view of a lighthouse and the sheer volume of these connected waters.

• 03:30 – How the lakes create their own shoreline microclimates.

Further Reading or Listening

• Dispatch Flash Fiction: ​This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.

• The Author Shop: If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.

• Danielle’s Writing Spot: My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.

• A Spot of Story Podcast: Grab a steaming cup of tea and set your dial to our podcast, where 1930s history, research, and deep-dive author interviews come alive.

  The Fireside Wire is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

We recently and unexpectedly lost an extended family member. At her celebration of life, the stories shared were entirely about the lasting impact she had on so many people throughout her very long journey. She left behind a legacy of welcome and love.

Because the timing of her passing happened near the release of my novel, Shipwrecked Faith, it made me think about the legacy my books leave behind. In this digital age, the words we put into the world can long outlast us, which made me ask: What am I spending my time on that truly lasts?

For a while now, as I’ve come to terms with a dynamic disability, I’ve had to reevaluate my energy. My musings on legacy have wrapped themselves around the reality of limited time. If my capacity is finite, I want to spend it on what matters: on my family, on my readers, and on stories that outlast me. I don’t want to spend it on social media reels that disappear in twenty-four hours, or on chasing algorithms just to be seen.

I want to play the long game. I want to build a sustainable path to build a legacy that matters so that when my time on earth is done, my family will remember the time I spent with them, the stories I told, and perhaps even readers will be touched by the books I have written.

A Parking Lot Discovery

How have these musings affected my plans going forward? They have definitely made me more circumspect. Circumspect in how I’m spending my time and what I’m spending it on.

It sounds funny to like the word optimize, but truly, I’d prefer to work on making sure the unseen is working for me so that I can spend the time on the seen—on the relational human side, the human connection.

When I was wrestling with how to manage my dynamic disability, my doctor suggested getting a handicap parking placard and I struggled with that because I’m not in a wheelchair and I can physically walk. So why do I need one?

My gracious husband helped me understand that, sure, I am capable of actually walking to the door of a store. The question is, what do I plan on doing once I get there? Do I plan to shop? Do I plan to get back to my car? If walking that distance to prove I can means I can’t do anything the rest of the day, then what good has it done me?

That really stood out to me. The parking placard allows me to not just make it to the door, but fulfill my reason for being there, to return to my car, to pace my energy in order to spend it on what really matters rather than spending it all on walking a parking lot just to prove to the universe that I can.

It Comes Down to Relationship

That parking lot is exactly how I have come to view modern book marketing.

Marketing feels too corporate a word for what it should be. I want a sustainable discovery system that functions like a savings account—doing the deep work once then letting it compound in the background so I can spend my active energy on what only I can do: human creation and human connection.

Finding readers requires discoverability, but I believe that discoverability should grow out of relationship. While I believe wholeheartedly that artists should be compensated for their labor to keep the craft sustainable, it has to be more than a transaction. I don't just want a book sale, I want to offer an experience of escape, safety, and belonging.

It’s about building connection, meeting readers where they’re at, and providing my stories in an accessible way.

• If a reader is looking for a no-spice romance, my books are a safe space.

• If a reader wants a faith-threaded story that won’t preach at them, they will find that here.

• If a reader is looking for a story of welcome and belonging, they will find it in my books.

At the end of my life, the legacy I want to leave behind is one of love and acceptance because that’s how God sees us. He has thrown open His arms to welcome us just as we are because He has paid the admission fee. We simply need to show up and allow Him to pay our tab.

What does that mean going forward?

One of the reasons I have thoroughly enjoyed discovering Substack. It has given me a space to share these musings and genuinely interact with you as you discover them.

And perhaps if you enjoy my articles here on my Newsreel, or the interviews and historical insights on my podcast, or the flash fiction on my paid Dispatch, you’ll enjoy my novels and novellas, too. Or vice versa!

This legacy perspective has made me far more circumspect about my time. I want the unseen parts of my author life to work for me in the background, so that I can focus entirely on the seen—the relational, human side of storytelling.

It all comes down to a legacy of presence. And I’m here for it.

Join the Conversation

How do you ensure you are saving your strength for the things—and the people—that truly matter?

Leave a comment below because I would love to hear your thoughts.

Further Reading or Listening

• Dispatch Flash Fiction: ​This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.

• The Author Shop: If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.

• Danielle’s Writing Spot: My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.

• A Spot of Story Podcast: Grab a steaming cup of tea and set your dial to our podcast, where 1930s history, research, and deep-dive author interviews come alive.

Inside a 1894 Shipwreck: The Lottie Cooper

The Research Log

• 00:00 – Welcome to Sheboygan Harbor: Standing with the remains of the Lottie Cooper.

• 00:30 – Behind the pages: How real maritime history inspired Shipwrecked Faith.

• 01:00 – The architecture of a 19th-century commercial wooden lumber schooner.

• 01:40 – Walking the center beams to inspect the original construction and iron bolts.

• 02:15 – Looking ahead: Why the Great Lakes are some of the most dangerous waters in the country.

Further Reading or Listening

• Dispatch Flash Fiction: ​This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.

• The Author Shop: If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.

• Danielle’s Writing Spot: My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.

• A Spot of Story Podcast: Grab a steaming cup of tea and set your dial to our podcast, where 1930s history, research, and deep-dive author interviews come alive.

  The Fireside Wire is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

“Set your dial to A Spot of Story, where books, history, and the writing life come alive over a steaming cup of tea.”

On this episode of the podcast, we are exploring the dramatic history of the French Revolution—an era inspired by the birth of the United States 250 years ago. I’m sitting down with award-winning author and editor Karen Ullo to discuss her historical novel, To Crown with Liberty.

We dive into the fictional story of an 18th-century French court lady-in-waiting and talented harpist to Marie Antoinette who survives the blood-soaked streets of Paris, only to build a new life on a flatboat in the untamed Louisiana swamps of 1795.

Grab your favorite mug and tune in as we discuss:

• The Power of Contrast: How a refined noblewoman copes with the radical transition from the opulent halls of Versailles to the alligator-infested wilderness of the frontier.

• The September Massacres: A look behind the scenes at the pivotal 1792 historical event that marked the true beginning of the Reign of Terror.

• Separating Fact from Folklore: The truth behind George Washington Cable’s Strange True Stories of Louisiana and how Karen spent over four years navigating genealogical records and on-site research in France to bring this tale of resilience to life.

Read the full episode transcript: Listen and Read the Full Post Here.

Further Reading or Listening

• More on the Podcast: View all the episodes, read the transcripts, and explore more about each featured book.

• Danielle’s Writing Spot: My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.

• Dispatch Flash Fiction: ​This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.

• The Author Shop: If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.

  Thanks for reading The Fireside Wire! This post is public so feel free to share it.

  Share

What I'm Writing

The biggest news is that I finished my work-in-progress!! The Daughter’s Goodbye is a 1930s novella set in South Africa. Unique setting, right? I loved exploring the history, even though the 1930s has some dark events. Events I pull into my story (because I always do).

Maybe it’s the way history is taught in the US, but it’s easy to think of WWII as an event that happened in Europe in the early forties. Four years of fighting across the pond.

Of course that’s not the full story.

Instead, there was a decade or more leading up to full scale physical destruction. Psychological and political maneuverings. And those philosophies were not contained to a single country. They spread like a virus to other nations and continents.

It’s that aspect of history that I delve into in The Daughter’s Goodbye. Because of that, and because my main character’s mother is dying, this was an emotional story to write.

What impacted me most, however, is the way the characters ended the story … with hope despite all the hardships they faced.

Intrigued? The ebook and paperback pre-order is up on my website, and the ebook preorder is up on the various retailers. Or you can visit this link to read the blurb and learn more.

Preorder Here

Upcoming Release: The Robber and the Witness

I love Christmas in July! Which is why I love releasing my annual Christmas novella during that celebration. This year, it’s The Robber and the Witness, book 3 in my 1930s Christmas romantic mystery series.

Want to get your ebook copy early? It releases from my author shop on July 7, and from other retailers on July 21!

Get The Robber and the Witness

Current Work-in-Progress: Marketing

Yup, marketing. I’m taking a creative break for the month of July to make sure all my systems are set up to run smoothly in the background. I usually need one of these types of months per year. It’s when I update my website, refresh my bio, and otherwise do all the behind-the-scenes stuff it takes to run my own business. I enjoy it, mostly. Best of all, once I’m done, I’m soooo ready to get back into my fictional worlds.

What I'm Reading

I’m a huge fan of Susan Sleeman’s romantic suspense and decided to reread her Cold Harbor (and beyond) books via audiobook. I’ve read them multiple times, but this is the first time in audio form. I’m enjoying it!

Interested in reading them, too? Start with Cold Silence, Cold Harbor Book 1 (that’s an affiliate link).

Top Three Articles

What articles did you love most this month?

1. My top article was my stop in the JustRead Blog Tour for the Rendezvous author-reader event in November. What made it more special was the book I featured, my own Heart of Beauty. See, not only am I a participating author at Rendezvous, but Heart of Beauty had just won the 2026 Holt Medallion (novella category). Read the excerpt here.

2. The second most-popular post was the podcast show notes and transcript for my author interview with Roseanna M. White where we talked about her book, The Island Bakeshop. You can read or listen here.

3. The third is an old post that grew popular again. Originally published in 2025, it’s a Top Ten Tuesday post about books set in the 1930s. Like mine. You can see the list here.

ICYMI: Meanwhile Over on YouTube

The top Sunday Psalm for the month is from Psalm 46.

Looking Ahead to July

• The release of The Robber and the Witness

• Christmas in July fun

• Prepping for an August Birthday Bash!

Be sure to follow me so you don’t miss all the fun ahead!

Further Reading or Listening

• Dispatch Flash Fiction: ​This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.

• The Author Shop: If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.

• Danielle’s Writing Spot: My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.

• A Spot of Story Podcast: Grab a steaming cup of tea and set your dial to our podcast, where 1930s history, research, and deep-dive author interviews come alive.

  The Fireside Wire is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode:

• Commercial Fishing: The history of the industry on the Lake Michigan coast during the 1930s.

• Sheboygan Boardwalk: The riverfront elements that inspired the town’s architecture.

• Two Rivers: Incorporating local coastal charm and ice cream history.

• Story World Building: Creating the geographic boundaries for the series.

Show Notes & Resources:

• Read the complete episode transcript on the blog: https://daniellegrandinetti.com/post/episode-20-echoes-of-history-crows-nest-real-world-inspirations/

• Discover the Harbored and Crow’s Nest series.

Further Reading or Listening

• More on the Podcast: View all the episodes, read the transcripts, and explore more about each featured book.

• Danielle’s Writing Spot: My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.

• Dispatch Flash Fiction: ​This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.

• The Author Shop: If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.

  Thanks for reading The Fireside Wire! This post is public so feel free to share it.

  Share

As pushed open the heavy wooden door, she bumped into a blonde-haired detective attempting to enter.

He tipped his cap. “Pardon me, ma’am. I am looking for Gio Vella.”

Her favorite informant. “Have you a meeting with him?” The scent of rain on the night air, where the storm would likely arrive within the hour. Thankfully her carriage awaited her at the curb.

“He told me to meet him here.”

“Senora Di Stasio?” A female voice called from deeper within the church. “Hold him a moment, per favore?”

Ali pressed her back against the door to hold it open for Gio’s sister, Concetta, hastening forward. “Detective Anderson, this is Connie. Connie, Detective Anderson of the Chicago Police.”

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Roseanna returns readers to the coastal setting of Avon, North Carolina, building a beautiful story around second chances, family legacy, and unexpected protection. In this episode, we discuss:

• The Reality of the Baker’s Life: Roseanna shares her on-location research with a baker from Hatteras Island, revealing the demanding midnight schedules behind running a seaside bakery.

• The Hurricane: A look into the real-world history and historical accounts of a storm so powerful it physically altered the geography of the Outer Banks, opening new inlets and changing coastal shipping forever.

• The Sailboat Scene: Roseanna opens up about her favorite chapter to write, where an innocent, sensory sailing lesson on the open water forces a reserved, retired Navy veteran to reveal a closely guarded secret.

• A Message of Hope: Navigating the weight of genetic predispositions and family history, Roseanna shares an encouraging reminder that our personal weaknesses are never greater than God’s strength.

Helpful Links & Resources

• Read the Full Transcript: daniellegrandinetti.com/post/episode-19-behind-the-book-the-island-bakeshop-with-roseanna-m-white/

Further Reading or Listening

• More on the Podcast: View all the episodes, read the transcripts, and explore more about each featured book.

• Danielle’s Writing Spot: My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.

• Dispatch Flash Fiction: ​This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.

• The Author Shop: If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.

  Thanks for reading The Fireside Wire! This post is public so feel free to share it.

  Share

What I'm Writing

I’m not sure I’ve ever not written for as long as I did in the month of May. Three weeks. No words. And even since the first ones started to return, I haven’t found my rhythm again. Yet.

Upcoming Release: The Robber and the Witness

With Shipwrecked Faith out in the world, it’s time to turn my attention to my next book release. Before I do, however, I must express my intense thankfulness for my publishing team, launch team, readers, and friends who carried its launch while I focused on my family. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Next up is … Christmas! Hehe, not December Christmas, but Christmas in July. It’s one of my absolute favorite events of the year, and I have a tendency to go all out. I mean, I plan my Christmas novella book releases for July for this reason. I love it!

The Robber and the Witness is the third book in my Christmas Cabin series. It officially releases on July 21 but it’s ready, so I’m toying with the idea of releasing the ebook early through my author shop. Ideas.

Thoughts. Possibilities. You know, because I love Christmas in July and why not make it even more fun?!

Preorder The Robber and the Witness

So what’s The Robber and the Witness about? A simple favor, a best friend's promise, and the end of the line. Wisconsin, 1931—When Gideon Lundgren agrees to escort his best friend's sister to Manitowish Waters, plans go awry when she witnesses a robbery. However, Evangeline's Christmas spirit might be the death of them both.

Current Work-in-Progress: The Daughter’s Goodbye

Surprise! It’s a title reveal. If you follow my newsletter, you’ll get the cover reveal this week, too.

This story is a stand alone historical romance that’s part of the Our House on Jakaranda Laan multi-author series. It also connects to my other Our House books, though how you’ll discover how within the pages of the story.

Pages I haven’t written yet because I couldn’t write most of this past month.

The story, however, is roaming about my head. In fact, my heroine’s mother revealed a spy thread I didn’t see coming! Cue research I hadn’t anticipated and a plot that I can’t wait to flesh out.

The Daughter’s Goodbye releases in November, so I’m behind schedule on writing it. Hopefully by my June Wrap-Up the story will be finished! Please send all the prayers and good vibes!

What I'm Reading

I’ve been in a reading slump … but that’s returning now too thanks to being an “alpha” reader for my friend’s next romantasy. I don’t usually read this genre, but when one has a favorite author, one reads all the books no matter what. That’s how I feel about Roseanna M. White’s books. And the book I’m reading is Amazed. It’s so good so far!! I believe it releases in December and is up for preorder here.

Top Three Articles

What articles did you love most this month?

1. The top two articles were both author interviews. One with Eva Marie Everson and the other with C.C. Warrens. I love seeing how much you enjoy learning more about my fellow authors.

2. Which brings me to the next top article: a book list featuring Five Romantic Suspense Recommendations. I do about one of these a month, so it’s always fun to see it make the top article list. This one is about four romantic suspense books I recommend, plus a look at my newest release, Shipwrecked Faith.

3. Technically, this is the fourth top article, but since I combined the first two, I added a bonus. This is another author interview, but from my podcast. Listen (or read the transcript) of my talk with Megan Schaulis about her book Rebuilder.

ICYMI: Meanwhile Over on YouTube

Far and away, this clip about the Real Life Shipwreck of The Lottie Cooper was the most viewed short on my YouTube channel. Have you seen the clip or watched the full Field Notes video?

Looking Ahead to June

• This month is all about writing. And the start of Summer Break.

• If you like closed-door, clean romance (or however you would describe it), there’s a new reading subscription app that lets you sort their catalog by spice level and content so you only read what you want to read. My Harbored in Crow’s Nest books are there (with more coming soon). Check it out here.

Be sure to follow me so you don’t miss all the fun ahead!

Further Reading or Listening

• Dispatch Flash Fiction: ​This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.

• The Author Shop: If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.

• Danielle’s Writing Spot: My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.

• A Spot of Story Podcast: Grab a steaming cup of tea and set your dial to our podcast, where 1930s history, research, and deep-dive author interviews come alive.

  The Fireside Wire is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Behind the Phonetics

The Research Log

• 00:00:43 | The Secret to Italian Phonetics: A simple trick for sounding out the Di Stasio Journalist Agency title by reverse-engineering the syllables from the end of the word.

• 00:01:57 | La Verità con l’Integrità: The story behind the agency’s 1930s tagline—Truth with Integrity—and the legacy of a girl stunt reporter.

• 00:02:39 | Words from Ali’s World: Pronunciations and meanings for favorite character phrases, including Come sta la mia stellina (”How is my little star”), Grazie, and Rallenta (”Slow down”).

• 00:03:51 | The Prequel Origin: A look at how Undercover Wish serves as an 1890s Aladdin-retelling prequel that sets up the entire 1930s agency series

Want more from Ali? Upgrade to the paid level to read my flash fiction from Ali's point of view.

Further Reading or Listening

• Dispatch Flash Fiction: ​This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.

• The Author Shop: If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.

• Danielle’s Writing Spot: My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.

• A Spot of Story Podcast: Grab a steaming cup of tea and set your dial to our podcast, where 1930s history, research, and deep-dive author interviews come alive.

  The Fireside Wire is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

On this episode of Echoes of History, we step back into the 1930s to explore the true beginnings of the Great Depression. While history often focuses on the stock market crash of October 29, 1929, the reality was a multifaceted building of problems that started long before the bubble burst.

In this episode:

• The Post-War Foundation: How the opulence of the 1920s was built on shaky ground following World War I.

• The Climate Factor: The impact of Western expansion and farming practices that led to the erosion of the prairies and the onset of the Dust Bowl.

• A Cultural Gender Clash: Why the return of soldiers from war created an employment crisis for the independent women who had filled their roles.

• The Banking Spiral: Why the lack of insurance and the interdependence of banks and the stock market left everyday people with nothing.

• Historical Inspiration: How the localized headlines of a Wisconsin shipwreck on Black Tuesday inspired the story behind my novel, Shipwreck Faith.

Featured Resources:

• Read the Transcript: Full Transcript & Show Notes

• Featured Book: Shipwreck Faith — Discover the story of an Irish immigrant and a farmer’s daughter whose lives collide during the most infamous week of 1929.

Further Reading or Listening

• More on the Podcast: View all the episodes, read the transcripts, and explore more about each featured book.

• Danielle’s Writing Spot: My book blog with weekly psalms, hand-picked book recommendations, and exclusive author interviews.

• Dispatch Flash Fiction: ​This paid subscription level opens a private collection of exclusive vignette flash fiction (400–900 words) tracking the hidden cases and character scenes you won’t find anywhere else.

• The Author Shop: If you love ebooks and signed paperbacks browse my website storefront to buy direction from the author.

  Thanks for reading The Fireside Wire! This post is public so feel free to share it.

  Share

She preferred not to enter this particular area of town, especially with the tensions high between the Irish and Italians, but she declined to send one of her girls on such a dangerous assignment and her source refused to meet her anywhere else.

The wind pushed against her, and a nudge in her spirit whispered a warning.

Read more