Escape with the Prodigal

Harbored in Crow's Nest #2.5

by Danielle Grandinetti

Only a Christmas miracle will save an unwed mother and the lumberjack protecting her.Wisconsin, 1930—Since her late fiancé was killed in a supposed logging accident, Meredith Hughes knows her only safe choice is to keep her unexpected pregnancy hidden, especially from her father. But Supervisor Emyr Hughes, demands his daughter remain at the logging camp with him through the winter, leaving Meri at his mercy.Patrick Martins has no interest in responsibility and going up to the lumber camp is a chance to get away from Crow’s Nest and his hovering grandmother, nosy great-uncle, and drunk of a father. If only his older brother wasn’t at the camp, too.Though Patrick doesn’t expect to be taken with his boss’s daughter, when Meri’s volatile father learns of her pregnancy, Patrick refuses to let harm come to Meri and her unborn child, even if he has to sacrifice his life and that of his brother in order to save her.Welcome to Crow’s Nest, where danger and romance meet at the water’s edge.

Genres: Christmas, Christian Fiction, Novella, Historical Fiction

133 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2024

About the author

Danielle Grandinetti writes both historical romantic suspense and contemporary sweet romance. She is an avid reader 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. Find her online at daniellegrandinetti.com.

Reviews

[Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.
Great novella! I loved how Patrick was willing to protect Meredith and her unborn child from Meredith’s father despite not having any commitment to her. And I liked how their relationship progressed in this quick story. Definitely recommend!

[Betty Strohecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella takes us to a winter logging camp where the Martins brothers are working to earn money for their family. Patrick is put in a position where he must decide to take responsibility for someone, something he has been avoiding all of his life. I enjoyed being back with this family from Crow's Nest, as well as the new characters that were introduced. The suspense grows as our main characters face life or death situations.

[Bonnie Fakhri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to your holiday reading list

This suspenseful novella takes us deep into the Wisconsin log camps of the late 1920s. It can be read as a stand alone story but features characters from the author's Crow's nest series. Themes of responsibility and redemption make the Christmas novella feel deeper than most Hallmark type novellas that are so readily available this time of year. The book is action packed from start to finish. This is a great addition to any Christian fiction fan's holiday reading list.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read! The story was really good and I enjoyed every bit of it.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced and enthralling!

This Christmas time novella set in a Wisconsin winter lumber camp 1930 is action packed, highly charged with angst and strong emotions to give the reader a story that will not be forgotten!

Thoroughly enjoyed seeing Patrick’s transformation and Meredith finding hope both in the physical and spiritual realms…God was honoured in this story too.

A clean, thought provoking read about responsibility and family difficulties along with God being a help in time of trouble and providing a way back to Himself.

I received this as an Advanced Reader Copy and this is my own opinion given voluntarily.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meredith Hughes, after her fiancé dies, finds herself trapped in the logging camp with the abusive father who runs it. Once her father finds out she finds herself on the run with Patrick, one of his workers, and Patrick's brother.

The two characters of Meredith and Patrick had many flaws, but it was interesting to watch them grow and change into better people. The story was exciting as they fled from the vindictive father, and I found myself wondering what would happen next as well as how it would all turn out.

[Susan Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fast-paced story that felt like a full-length novel packed into a shorter format. The setting is a logging company in the early 20th century, and the characters quickly captured my interest.

When the daughter of the logging company overseer decides she can no longer hide her pregnancy, she finds an unexpected ally in one of the disgruntled employees. Their race to escape to a safer place puts them in greater danger and creates a bond that could lead to more.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stand-alone read or in order

What a cute little Christmas story! I’ve had Confessions to a Stranger on my TBR since January. Now, I will finally read it. I want to find out more about the Martins. I’m definitely adding the story of Mrs. Nelson’s daughter to my TBR. Mrs. Nelson is the coolest ever!

[Vicki Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Book 3 in this series is definitely worth the read. It is heartwarming and clean and sweet. I am very impressed with Danielle Grandinetti's books. I will be looking for all of her books. On to Book 4!

[Joan McDowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family dynamics

A tyrranical father, a rough working environment and being one of two women in an all male environment is a heady cocktail for disaster. Into this mix, hope shines through.

[Meredith Resce · Rating 3 out of 5]

probably 3.5 stars. A short story with tension and drama, and a dash of romance.
If you like a short drama, this will suit you. With all of the character internal conflicts, it might have read better as a longer novel, allowing the backstory and motivations to build.

[Ja’net · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely Christmas romantic suspense novella. I blazed through this one and couldn’t put it down. I loved the characters and the storyline. Protection and responsibility and family. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.