Meet Danni Lansky: the woman who keeps it all together 💛

Calm. Kind. And nobody’s fool. (She's a school librarian, and wicked smart!)

Next up in my All In character introductions: Danni Lansky.

Danni is the kind of woman who can handle chaos with one raised eyebrow and a steady hand on the wheel. She is pure heart—and yes, she will absolutely tell you the truth whether you want it or not.

Here’s a short free read:

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DANNI: A SHORT FREE READ

Danni could tell how Brick’s day was going by the way he set down his keys.

When things were normal, he dropped them into the bowl by the door like a civilized adult.

When things were stressful, he set them down carefully—too carefully—like they might explode.

Tonight, the keys were placed on the entry table with the delicacy of a museum curator handling an ancient coin.

Danni looked up from the sofa. “Bad day?”

Brick’s smile appeared, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Just busy.”

Peefur stood behind him like a furry bodyguard, gazing at Danni as if to say: He’s lying. Proceed accordingly.

Danni patted the cushion beside her. “Come here.”

Brick took one step forward, then stopped. “I don’t want to dump it on you.”

Danni gave him a look. “Sweetheart. We’re married. The dumping is included.”

Ten-year-old Gordie popped his head into the room. “Is there dumping? I love dumping. Emotional dumping. Physical dumping. Dumpster dumping—”

“Go away,” Danni said pleasantly.

Gordie vanished.

Brick sat beside her, still holding himself tight, like he was wearing invisible armor.

Danni reached over, took his hand, and rubbed her thumb across his knuckles. Brick’s fingers were tense.

“Tell me,” she said. “This is for adults, only, kiddo.”

Brick exhaled, long and slow. “People keep forgetting I’m not just…playing cards.”

“I know,” Danni said.

“They act like it’s a hobby,” he went on. “Like I’m playing for bragging rights.”

Danni’s expression didn’t change, but her voice softened. “You’re playing for your family.”

Brick’s eyes flicked to hers.

Danni squeezed his hand. “And you’re not alone.”

Brick’s mouth twitched. “I know.”

Peefur sighed loudly and rested his head on Brick’s knee, as if sealing the statement in fur and bone.

Danni smiled. “See? Even Peefur agrees.”

Brick ran his hand over the dog’s head and something in his posture eased—like a knot loosening.

Danni leaned her head against Brick’s shoulder, just for a moment. Not dramatic. Not needy.

Just there.

“Also,” she added lightly, “you have a phone call tomorrow.”

Brick frowned. “I do?”

“Yes,” Danni said. “From your wife.”

Brick blinked. “I live with my wife.”

“Yes,” Danni said, “and tomorrow, your wife is going to remind you to eat lunch. You keep forgetting.”

Brick’s laugh startled him a little—like he hadn’t expected to still be capable of it.

Danni kissed his cheek. “We can’t win the world if you faint into a poker table.”

Brick arched a brow. “That’s not a dignified way to go.”

“It’s terrible,” Danni agreed. “We’d never hear the end of it.”

Peefur’s tail thumped once.

Brick looked at Danni. “Thank you.”

Danni tilted her head. “For what?”

“For being the person who makes the world stop wobbling.”

Danni’s eyes softened, and her voice went gentle. “Always.”

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📚 ALL IN releases January 31
👉 Preorder here: https://amzn.to/4qH0P0Z

xoxo,
Joanna