About the Book

Book: As Silent as the Night

Author: Danielle Grandinetti

Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense

Release date: September 13, 2022

He can procure anything, except his heart’s deepest wish. She might hold the key, if she’s not discovered first.

Chicago, 1933―Lucia Critelli will do anything for her ailing grandfather, including stand in a breadline to have enough food to make him a St. Nicholas Day meal. When she catches the eye of a goon who threatens her grandfather, she discovers the end of Prohibition doesn’t mean the end of the mafia’s criminal activity.

Retired Marine Scout Giosue “Gio” Vella can find anything, especially if it helps a fellow Italian immigrant, so he has no doubt he can locate his neighbor’s granddaughter, who has gone missing from a local church. Keeping her safe is another matter. Especially when he chooses to hide out with his Marine buddy in Eagle, Wisconsin, the site of a barely-held truce among striking dairy farmers.

Will Christmas bring the miracle they all need or will Gio discover there are some things even he can’t find, particularly when he stumbles upon the most elusive gift of all: love.

As Silent as the Night is the Christmas novella to To Stand in the Breach and A Strike to the Heart.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti is author of A Strike to the Heart and To Stand in the Breach. She is also a book blogger at DaniellesWritingSpot.com. Her short stories have appeared in several publications and her writing has won the University of Northwestern Distinguished Faith in Writing Award. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline with her husband and their two young sons. Danielle especially loves quiet mornings served with the perfect cup of tea.

More from Danielle

I have this memory, from when I was a little girl, of Christmas at my grandma’s house. The table was expanded to hold a dozen people. The little Christmas tree stood on a table before the window, the Nativity beneath it. A gingerbread house sat on the radio cabinet, which played my grandpa’s old Christmas records.

 

In the kitchen, my Italian grandma, now a widow, had on a ruffled apron as she cooked the Christmas meal. She had short, graying black hair, perfectly curled, and large, round glasses. And, was still taller than me, though she was under 5 foot in height.

 

Through the haze of childhood memory, I can’t recall everything she cooked that Christmas, I just know it filled the table to overflowing. I can guess who celebrated with us, but I know the large table was completely surrounded by people I loved. And, I’m sure I received gifts, but that’s not what I remember from that day.

 

What fills my memory is the feeling of family and the love my grandma showed us, through food. My full belly. My contentment. The wonder of the holidays. All through the eyes of my young self.

 

In As Silent as the Night, I attempt to capture some of this nostalgia, lace it with suspense, and wrap it in romance. I show about some of the traditional holidays celebrated by my characters, from St. Nicholas Day to Christmas Eve. And, while Gio can find anything, love eludes him. However, Lucia may hold the key, but he must first save her.

 

Silent as the Night concludes my Strike to the Heart series, which began with prequel novella To Stand in the Breach. As sad as it is to say goodbye to the farmers of Eagle, Wisconsin, I have loved sharing the stories of Katy and Joey, Lily and Miles, and Gio and Lucia with you. I hope you’ll enjoy this last installment and I look forward to sharing more stories from other places with you.

 

Buon Natale.

Merry Christmas.

MY REVIEW

The opening pages gives us an insight into what we are about to engage in. I remember the old movies where Tommy  guns were used in heists. The fear in people were  evident as the mob seemed to run the city. Thinking that Ice would get away with his extra assignment that fateful day was his biggest mistake. The author quickly grabbed my attention and I was transported back to Chicago, December , 1933. 

Lucia is determined to keep her grandfather safe. Standing  in long lines to get a loaf of bread, she wants to bring it home to make her grandfather happy. I could feel the tension in the air as the mob seemed to be running everything. I held my breath as Lucia found herself in danger. Grabbed off the street to be used for criminal acts, she fears if she doesn’t do what she is told, her grandfather will be killed. The author paints a picture of desperation on the women who have been gathered up. 

Gio right away is a man with determination to help others. He has been known to rescue those who are targeted by the mob. I adored him when he comes to Lucia’s aide. Now he needs to convince her to leave the city for her safety as well as her grandfather’s. Gio is asking a lot from her, but she will need to trust him if she is going to survive.  When they arrive in Eagle, Wisconsin the welcoming is not as warm as he had hoped. I can’t blame his family for being upset. After all Gio has brought a woman that the mob wants. How  are they going to keep everyone safe? 

The author examines the effect prohibition has had and the after effects of it being overturned. Many people benefitted from selling alcohol illegally. Now that things have changed profits are dwindling. The chaos seems to be trickling down as the mob is using  young women  to be messengers. The question is why was Lucia singled out? The danger increases for everyone around Lucia as someone wants her back. I loved how the author draws us to the fact that greed will cause chaos. There is so much going on that I sat on the edge of my seat waiting to see if Gio and his family would be able to  keep Lucia  safe. 

The story is filled with faith, danger, compassion and hope. I liked how the author develops Lucia and Gio’s relationship slowly. Gio is afraid of hurting Lucia but his feelings run deep  for her. Lucia feels the same way toward Gio but something stops her from giving her heart to him. “Relationships only survive because of communication.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, September 13

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, September 14 (Author Interview)

The Sacred Line, September 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 15

Inklings and notions, September 16

For Him and My Family, September 17

deb’s Book Review, September 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 19

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 20

Inkwell Inspirations, September 20

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 21

Connie’s History Classroom, September 22

Betti Mace, September 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 24

Holly’s Book Corner, September 24

Labor Not in Vain, September 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Danielle is giving away the grand prize package of a Bag of Books Bundle, which includes a signed copy of each book: To Stand in the Breach, A Strike to the Heart, and As Silent as the Night, plus a Donkey Tote to carry the books!! (https://www.etsy.com/listing/1130961309/donkey-canvas-tote-bag-heavy-duty)

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2159f/as-silent-as-the-night-celebration-tour-giveaway