Monday, October 27, 2025

Interview with Danielle Grandinetti, Author of The Neighbor and the Gifts

 


Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning author of 1930s historical romance, where mystery and suspense intertwine with hope. Her work has received recognition, including a Distinguished Faith in Writing Award, two National Excellence in Storytelling Awards, and finalist honors in the FHLCW Reader’s Choice, Selah, Holt Medallion, and Daphne du Maurier contests. 

A second-generation Italian-American rooted in Midwest traditions, Danielle draws inspiration from tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature. Holding a master’s in communication and culture, and driven by a lifelong love of stories, she crafts tales that celebrate resilience, diversity, and belonging. Danielle lives along Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan shoreline with her husband and two sons. Find her online at daniellegrandinetti.com.

All links can be found at https://daniellegrandinetti.com/links

What do you remember about the Christmases of your past?

I’m originally from the Chicagoland area, and some of my favorite memories are going downtown to look at the Marshall Field's windows (it will always be Field’s to me), then visiting the Christkindlmarket. It was always cold, so warming up with cider or hot chocolate as we walked outside warmed with all the holiday goodness.

What is your favorite part of the holiday season?

I love everything about it! The carols, the traditions, the tree, the food, the snow, the movies, the Story. It’s my favorite time of year.

When did you first realize you wanted to write Christmas stories or stories set during the holiday season?

My first Christmas story was As Silent as the Night, and in it, I had the opportunity to delve into Italian and Wisconsin Christmas traditions. I fell in love with telling Christmas stories while writing that one, and the following year, I wrote Escape with the Prodigal. 

From that moment on, I knew I had to write at least one Christmas story every year for no other reason than because I enjoyed it. And so, the Christmas Cabin series was born.

 What is your latest book about?

My latest Christmas story is The Neighbor and the Gifts, the second book in the Christmas Cabin series. These are standalone romances with mystery, all centered around a cabin that seems to have a special Christmas matchmaking magic. 

The Neighbor and the Gifts tells the story of a quiet librarian and a deputy who has a secret crush on her … and how they outwit a stalker to survive until Christmas.

What inspired you to write it?

As I mentioned, I love Christmas carols. The "Twelve Days of Christmas" is a popular one, and since it talks about a true love giving gifts, it’s often retold in Christmas romances. However, I had a question … what if … what if the bad guy was the one giving the gifts? And thus, The Neighbor and the Gifts was born.

Where can readers buy your book?

Readers can find The Neighbor and the Gifts in the usual places. 

Paperback copies are available at all the major retailers and libraries, whereas signed copies can be purchased from my Hearth Spot Shop on my website. 

From September to December, the ebook is part of the Kindle Unlimited program, so it can only be found on Amazon and in library systems like Hoopla and Libby. However, from January to August, readers can find it in the other ebook stores, like Nook, Kobo, and Apple, as well as through my website.

 What is up next for you?

My next Christmas Cabin novella is already up for preorder! It releases July 2026 and is called The Robber and the Witness. Readers can find all the information at https://daniellegrandinetti.com/the-robber-and-the-witness/


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. 

One cabin in the Northwoods … a decade of Christmas miracles.

https://daniellegrandinetti.com/the-neighbor-and-the-gifts


Sunday, October 26, 2025

Christmas... in the News: The Tabernacle Choir Reveals Guest Artists, Sharing Christmas Store & Pottery Barn Traditional Christmas Decor

 


Welcome to this edition of Christmas... in the news. This is a review of Christmas articles and news over the last week.

Happy Sunday! We are 60 days away from the big day. Are you getting ready?

This week, we start with music. Deseret News reported this week that the Tabernacle Choir has announced its guest artists, and for the first time in their 20-plus-year history, they have a married couple. Want to know more? Click here.

Ever heard of the Sharing Christmas Store? KELOLAND reported that The Community Outreach out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is committed to making Christmas more affordable by running a toy drive to fill their store and allow qualifying families to buy gifts at a reduced cost. You can read more here.

Woman & Home shared Pottery Barn's festive new Christmas collection for those looking for a traditional Christmas vibe. Check it out here.

That's it for this week. Hope you enjoyed this week's Christmas... in the news.

Sunday, October 19, 2025

Christmas... in the News: Netflix Christmas Movies, Tree Themes for 2025 Stroll at Disney Springs & Christmas at Wooddale

 


Welcome to this edition of Christmas... in the news. This is a review of Christmas articles and news over the last week.

Isn't it great to be back on Sunday again? That means there are only 67 days until Christmas!!! So many fun things are going on this time of year.

For those of us who can't get enough Christmas movies, NJ.com released a list of all the Netflix Christmas movies premiering this season. How fun! Check out the list here.

WDW News Today reported that Disney Springs has planned a Christmas Tree Stroll. The article reveals the tree themes for 2025. You can read more here

EPLN has reported that the holiday tradition known as Christmas at Wooddale returns December 13 and 14. Broadway and screen star Corey Cott will join the Wooddale Choir and Orchestra to provide what sounds like an amazing performance. For more details and a link to order tickets, you can visit here.

That's it for this week's edition. Check back for more Christmas... in the news next Sunday. 

Three Things to Do in October to Prepare for Christmas

Can you believe we are already through 19 days of October? Christmas is a little over two months away. Yikes! How has this fall been for you? It's been busy around here.

If you've been following along with our monthly to-do lists, you should be less stressed about Christmas preparations. If you haven't had the chance to keep up, or if you are just discovering this blog, check out the monthly lists and see what you can manage:

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

Here are three things you can do in October to prepare for Christmas.

Order Christmas Cards

Photo credit: alicia_mb on Freepik

Back in May, you took some fun family photos. Now, pick one of your favorites and order your Christmas cards. I rarely ever sent photo Christmas cards to family and friends, but as I go through our yearly keepsakes, it's neat to see people change through the years. Hallmark often sends coupons if you have ordered cards from them in the past.

Plan Your Outside Decorations


Photo credit: Freepik

Now is the time to figure out how you want to decorate the outside of your home. While we often reuse the same lights and decorations each year, the last couple of seasons, I've switched how the lights were hung, changed the groupings of items, or added a live plant or two. Check Pinterest for inspiration. 

Plan Your Holiday Meal


With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it's good to plan your meal ahead. Magazines have tons of new recipes for main dishes and sides, so there might be something new you want to try. Here are three places to look for recipes:




Enjoy getting ready for the holidays!

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Hallmark Channel's "Countdown to Christmas" Starts Friday

The time of year we've all been waiting for is coming up soon. Hallmark Channel's "Countdown to Christmas" starts this Friday! What are you looking forward to watching? 

You can also sign up to play games, watch videos, and more! Click here.



Sunday, October 12, 2025

Christmas... in the News: Old-Fashioned Christmas in the Woods Returns, Best New Christmas Decor at Walmart & Christmas Music on The Wave

 


Welcome to this edition of Christmas... in the news. This is a review of Christmas articles and news over the last week.

Every week, we love bringing you Christmas news from around the nation and around the world. And guess what? There are only 74 days left until Christmas!!! It's a good thing my yard is finally decorated for fall. Before we know it, we will be stringing Christmas lights. 

Today, we start our news journey in Ohio. WKBN First News 27 reported on this weekend's return of the Old-fashioned Christmas in the Woods annual holiday craft fair. With live entertainment, food, and over 200 vendors, it sounds like a great time. Looks like it will also be running next weekend. Check out the article here.

Leah Barrett at BestLife.com is sharing some of the best new Christmas decor items at Walmart for 2025. I love the wreath. Check out Barrett's list here. Do you agree with her picks?

If you are ready for Christmas music, Salt Lake City's 103.1 The Wave started playing Christmas tunes this past Tuesday. Sounds like they are eager to spread some early holiday cheer. Check out the article here.

That's it for this week's Christmas... in the news. Look for our October task list to prepare for the holidays coming soon. 

Monday, October 6, 2025

Coming October 7: Christian Historical Romance from Roseanna M. White - The Christmas Book Flood

 



In this charming World War II historical romance novella inspired by Jolabokaflod, Iceland’s Christmas Book Flood, an author falls in love with a man who doesn’t know he is her editor. 

Iceland. December 1944. Tatiana Eliasdottir is looking forward to welcoming her niece Elea for Christmas. She’s determined to give the little girl a joyful holiday and take her mind off troubles at home. Soon, however, the publishing house where Tatiana works is flooded with orders thanks to the first issue of a seasonal book catalog. With the war causing so many shortages, Icelanders are eager to give their loved ones something that isn’t rationed, and books are the perfect solution to their dilemma.

Anders Johannsson is an editor who shares Tatiana’s love for stories. While he wishes to know her better, he’s never dared pursue more than friendship. They are first and foremost colleagues. But when Tatiana’s attempts to cheer Elea fail, Tatiana recruits him to help, a plea he can’t refuse. He is, after all, not only an editor but a beloved children’s book author and devoted uncle to his adoring nieces and nephews.

As the two creatively bring Icelandic Christmas traditions to life for Elea and frantically work to meet the demands of the publisher’s holiday rush, Tatiana finds herself increasingly drawn to kind, thoughtful Anders. But if a love is to grow between them, she will need to reveal her closely held secret: she is the mysterious author of a popular new novel . . . and Anders is her editor.



  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FDJM4K83
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tyndale Fiction
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 7, 2025
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.0 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled 
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled 
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 175 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8400501883

Interview with Danielle Grandinetti, Author of The Neighbor and the Gifts

  Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning author of 1930s historical romance, where mystery and suspense intertwine with hope. Her work has...