Our House on Sycamore Street
Behind the Pages: The Italian Musician's Sanctuary
Knock on the door of number one Sycamore Street and peak behind the pages of The Italian Musician’s Sanctuary.
Welcome back Danielle Grandinetti!
Tell us a bit about who you are and how you write?
I love romance, mystery/suspense, and history, so why pick just one or two? Why not all three! My historical romance is primarily set in 1930, however The Italian Musician’s Sanctuary is my first foray in writing a story set outside the US. And what fun it was!
You write alot about the 1930s. What do you like about the time period?
There is so much history, nostalgia, and drama built into the 1930s. A global depression, the build up to a world war, and leaps in technological advances … the setting itself becomes a character within the story. I love it!
So what is your book about?
The Italian Muscian’s Sanctuarygrew out of research I did for another historical romance of mine, Sheltered by the Doctor. The hero in that story, Nick, spoke up about the atrocities happening in Italy, even in 1931. When Anna invited me to be a part of the Our House on Sycamore Street series, it was perfect timing to put a face and name to someone there in Italy. And so Margherita Vicienzo was born.
Crippled in a devastating earthquake, Margherita must escape her country when her life is in danger. As a refugee smuggled into England, she is taken in by the Ferryman family in Eden Cove, England. Luke Ferryman wants to keep his grandmother’s bakery in the family, but his legacy is as the town’s ferryman. A wife would solve his dilemma, but not a woman who is in his country illegally, even if he promises to protect her.
What was the most challening this about the Our House on Sycamore Street collaboration?
The most challenging thing about the collaboration was writing about a place I haven’t visited in person. Most of my stories are set in the midwest where I live, but, while I have visited England, I have not been to that portion of the coast before. However, it was a lovely experience and the other authors were happy to answer all my questions.
Tell us a story you came across in research that didn’t make it into the book.
As I mentioned earlier, technically, this is the story that didn’t make it into a book, lol. Even the earthquake that breaks Margherita’s leg before the story begins is told in Refuge for the Archaeologist. It was such fun to be able to put to use the research I’d done for my Harbored in Crow’s Nest series and create Margherita’s character.
The Italian Musician Sanctuary releases on 13 August 2024.
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