A Spot of Story

Danielle Grandinetti

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Fiction
Updated Semiweekly

A Spot of Story brings you books, history, and the writing life over a steaming cup of tea. Tune in on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays for author conversations and quick history dives. Find out more at daniellegrandinetti.com/podcast. danielleswritingspot.substack.com

6d ago

Episode 24 | Echoes of History: 1932 Winter Olympics

Join us as we step back into February 1932 to explore the high-stakes, real-world drama surrounding the III Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York. 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. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 1

Episode 23 | Behind the Book: A Mess of Dreams with Jessie Mattis

Set your dial to A Spot of Story, where books, history, and the writing life come alive over a steaming cup of tea! 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. 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. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 18

Episode 22 | Echoes of History: Beach Reads vs. Cozy Cabin Reads

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. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 4

Episode 21 | Behind the Book: To Crown with Liberty with Karen Ullo

“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. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 20

Episode 20 | Echoes of History: Crow's Nest Real-World Inspirations

In this episode of A Spot of Story, we look at the real-world historical research behind the town of Crow's Nest from Confessions to a Stranger. 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. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 6

Episode 19 | Behind the Book: The Island Bakeshop with Roseanna M. White

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, we are diving into a deep conversation with best-selling, Christy Award-winning author Roseanna M. White about her new dual-timeline novel, The Island Bakeshop. 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. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe
May 16

Episode 18 | Echoes of History: Origins of the Great Depression

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 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. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe
May 2

Episode 17 | Behind the Book: Megan Schaulis

Settle in for an adventurous, beachy chat about an unexpected genre. On this episode of A Spot of Story, we dive into a dystopian, future-set reimagining of the book of Nehemiah. Megan shares how a year spent traveling in a tiny camper inspired her award-winning debut writing journey , the beauty of coastal settings , and the intricate art of molten glass. Episode Highlights: * A Day in Paradise: A look at the daily routines of a physically broken governor who starts his mornings climbing a mountain to see the sunrise , and a glass artist nicknamed “Princess” who unwinds by cliff jumping. * The Sinking Island of Evania: How the real-life Maldives—the flattest country on the planet—inspired a high-stakes tropical setting that begins sinking into the sea. * The Magic of Glass Blowing: Exploring the terminology, old-world history, and molten sand formulas required to bring a glass-blowing studio vividly to life. * Secretive Venetian History: A fascinating historical nugget about the peak of Renaissance glass-making on the island of Murano, where creators were legally forbidden to marry to protect trade formulas. * A Future Nehemiah Retelling: How the classic biblical account of rebuilding the broken walls of Jerusalem in fifty-two days was transformed into a beachy, nanotech landscape. 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. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

A Spot of Story brings you books, history, and the writing life over a steaming cup of tea. Tune in on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays for author conversations and quick history dives. Find out more at daniellegrandinetti.com/podcast. danielleswritingspot.substack.com

Creator

Danielle Grandinetti
Years Active

2026
Episodes

25
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Danielle Grandinetti
Show Website

A Spot of Story