Talkshow Thursday:
Welcome Danielle Grandinetti!
What was your inspiration for the story?
I call Investigation of a Journalist Buck’s story. Buck is the hero, and I’ve been anticipating telling his story since book one. Who would be his heroine—and other details—I worked out along the way. But at its core, this has been, and always will be, Buck’s story.
How do you develop your characters? (e.g. decide on their vocation, names, etc.)?
Buck is head of the Crow’s Nest Conglomerate, a history that is complicated and explored through the previous books in the series. However, Caroline, the heroine, has a unique job for her gender. She’s an undercover investigative reporter. Since the story is about investigating a journalist in Buck’s town, Caroline’s job was the perfect counterpoint.
What sort of research did you do for your story, and was there an exceptionally interesting tidbit you knew you had to include?
Before I knew who Buck’s heroine would be, I had been studying female stunt reporters like Nellie Bly. I knew I wanted to write a book about one, and it fit perfectly with this story. But the exceptionally interesting tidbit I had to include was actually about Halloween. Originally, I planned to end this story at Thanksgiving. It’s a series finale, what better way to end than in thanks? But with Caroline’s undercover job, Halloween became more fitting. Masks and darkness and pranks and creepy decorations.The line between light and dark …it fit. What I learned as I researched is that the 1930s was the “hay day” of Halloween. The tricks were dangerous and disruptive, fed by the desperation of the Great Depression. And the decorations … wow. I included descriptions of actual decorations sold during that time whenever I could.
Have you ever considered writing under a pseudonym? Why or why not?
I have because I do! I began my career and my publishing journey before I married, so I decided to keep my pre-married name for work. I especially love that it allows me to show my Italian side.
If your book is part of a series: Did you set out to write a series? Why did you decide to write a series?
Investigation of a Journalist is part of a series, and yes, I had always planned it that way. As I
mentioned earlier, I knew Buck would get his story. But how many books in the series, or how it would all develop, was a book-by-book process. When I told my cover designer about the premise of this book, she ended up using pieces from Book One in the cover of this book, providing a visual bookend effect. I love it! And it’s perfect because Buck’s story brings everything full circle from book one.
If you were to write a spin-off book about one of your secondary characters, which one would you choose and why?
So I love this question because 1) I already have, and 2) I have more planned!
For Investigation of a Journalist, I included a character found in another of my series, bringing the two series into the same world. It was so much fun! And the more planned … well, this goes back to my research about female stunt reporters. Writing about just one isn’t enough … so readers will have to stay tuned for an exciting announcement coming in 2025!
What draws you to the time period about which you write?
I love writing in the 1930s, and you can expect all of my historical books will be set there (unless they are an origin story). I grew up listening to stories my Italian grandma told of growing up in 1920s-30s Chicago and my fascination of the decade grew from there.
There is so much in the 1930s. From the desperation adding a layer of suspense to my stories to the variety of events that occured. For example, technology and culture not only changed so fast within the decade, they were not unilateral changes. For example, electricity may be in the city, but not in the country. Then there was the world climate and prelude to WWII. The amount of strength it took to survive those years … it’s no wonder they are called the Greatest Generation.
Why do you write in your particular genre?
I love romantic suspense and romantic mystery, so when I decided to put that plot in an historical timeline, I immediately fell in love with the combination. History, romance, intrigue … all my favorite things in one.
What is your next project?
My next release is Heart of Beauty, which is part of the Hearts of the West historical romance series. This Beauty of the Beast retelling is the origin story for the ranch where one of the heroes from Crow’s Nest worked. It releases on Februrary 11.
Let's connect! https://daniellegrandinetti.com/links/
About Investigation of a Journalist
A second chance to set the record straight, and rekindle a lost love.
Wisconsin, 1931—Buck Wilson refuses to accept failure as his reward for all he has sacrificed, but he’s kept secrets for too long to be believed. With his freedom on the line, there’s only one person he trusts to mine for the true story: the woman he left one month before their wedding.
All investigative journalist Caroline Wagoneer wants is to shine a light on the truth wherever darkness threatens to obscure it. Which is the only reason she agrees to help her ex-fiance when he begs for her to go undercover in Crow’s Nest. What she discovers paints Buck in a whole new light.
With lies and rumor hemming them in, Buck and Caroline realize their love may be doomed on the altar of altruism. Unless love can truly conquer all.
Welcome to Crow’s Nest, where danger and romance meet at the water’s edge.
Buck is head of the Crow’s Nest Conglomerate, a history that is complicated and explored through the previous books in the series. However, Caroline, the heroine, has a unique job for her gender. She’s an undercover investigative reporter. Since the story is about investigating a journalist in Buck’s town, Caroline’s job was the perfect counterpoint.
What sort of research did you do for your story, and was there an exceptionally interesting tidbit you knew you had to include?
Before I knew who Buck’s heroine would be, I had been studying female stunt reporters like Nellie Bly. I knew I wanted to write a book about one, and it fit perfectly with this story. But the exceptionally interesting tidbit I had to include was actually about Halloween. Originally, I planned to end this story at Thanksgiving. It’s a series finale, what better way to end than in thanks? But with Caroline’s undercover job, Halloween became more fitting. Masks and darkness and pranks and creepy decorations.The line between light and dark …it fit. What I learned as I researched is that the 1930s was the “hay day” of Halloween. The tricks were dangerous and disruptive, fed by the desperation of the Great Depression. And the decorations … wow. I included descriptions of actual decorations sold during that time whenever I could.
Have you ever considered writing under a pseudonym? Why or why not?
I have because I do! I began my career and my publishing journey before I married, so I decided to keep my pre-married name for work. I especially love that it allows me to show my Italian side.
If your book is part of a series: Did you set out to write a series? Why did you decide to write a series?
Investigation of a Journalist is part of a series, and yes, I had always planned it that way. As I
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| Pixabay/Valerio Errani |
If you were to write a spin-off book about one of your secondary characters, which one would you choose and why?
So I love this question because 1) I already have, and 2) I have more planned!
For Investigation of a Journalist, I included a character found in another of my series, bringing the two series into the same world. It was so much fun! And the more planned … well, this goes back to my research about female stunt reporters. Writing about just one isn’t enough … so readers will have to stay tuned for an exciting announcement coming in 2025!
What draws you to the time period about which you write?
I love writing in the 1930s, and you can expect all of my historical books will be set there (unless they are an origin story). I grew up listening to stories my Italian grandma told of growing up in 1920s-30s Chicago and my fascination of the decade grew from there.
There is so much in the 1930s. From the desperation adding a layer of suspense to my stories to the variety of events that occured. For example, technology and culture not only changed so fast within the decade, they were not unilateral changes. For example, electricity may be in the city, but not in the country. Then there was the world climate and prelude to WWII. The amount of strength it took to survive those years … it’s no wonder they are called the Greatest Generation.
Why do you write in your particular genre?
I love romantic suspense and romantic mystery, so when I decided to put that plot in an historical timeline, I immediately fell in love with the combination. History, romance, intrigue … all my favorite things in one.
What is your next project?
My next release is Heart of Beauty, which is part of the Hearts of the West historical romance series. This Beauty of the Beast retelling is the origin story for the ranch where one of the heroes from Crow’s Nest worked. It releases on Februrary 11.
Let's connect! https://daniellegrandinetti.com/links/
About Investigation of a Journalist
Wisconsin, 1931—Buck Wilson refuses to accept failure as his reward for all he has sacrificed, but he’s kept secrets for too long to be believed. With his freedom on the line, there’s only one person he trusts to mine for the true story: the woman he left one month before their wedding.
All investigative journalist Caroline Wagoneer wants is to shine a light on the truth wherever darkness threatens to obscure it. Which is the only reason she agrees to help her ex-fiance when he begs for her to go undercover in Crow’s Nest. What she discovers paints Buck in a whole new light.
With lies and rumor hemming them in, Buck and Caroline realize their love may be doomed on the altar of altruism. Unless love can truly conquer all.
Welcome to Crow’s Nest, where danger and romance meet at the water’s edge.
Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/3Gq8Vp
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