I’m so excited to get to talk with my friend, author Dana
Menink today and share a little “inside information” about her with you.
On October 26th, Yukon Justice, Alaska K-9 Unit
Book 7, released and promptly made the USA Today Bestsellers List as well as being on the Publisher’s
Weekly list for two straight weeks.
Yukon Justice is Dana’s 40th book with Love
Inspired Suspense and one that you won’t want to put down!
Sabotage on a family ranch…this K-9’s on the case.
When her estranged uncle attempts to sabotage her family’s
reindeer ranch, K-9 team assistant Katie Kapowski heads home to help save
it—and becomes his target. With their rocky past, Alaska State Trooper Brayden
Ford and his furry partner are the last team Katie wants assigned to protect
her. But with the ranch under siege, they must work together…or risk falling
victim to a killer.
Dana, if you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what
would you say?
Dana’s a bit of a
dork, but she means well.
What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting
hobbies?
I REALLY want to be a
good cook. In reality, I’m a pretty mediocre cook, which is sad, right? I also
aspire to be a fantastic gardener, yet God keeps me continually humble in this
regard. I have, however, grown a broccoli tree. Yes, you read that right. It’s
a broccoli plant which I never had the heart to dig up because the birds and
bees love it, so it grew into a tree.
What was your favorite book as a teen or child?
Without question, my
favorite book was the Oz series. I have all of them. L. Frank Baum showed me an
amazing and magical world that took my breath away and turned me into a
storyteller. I’ve visited The Hotel Del on Coronado Island where he wrote his
stories.
Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your
readers.
Hmmm. Let’s see.
I was an elementary
school teacher for most of my career.
My great pandemic
achievement was teaching Junie the Wonder Dog how to ride in a booster seat in
the car.
I was a nationally
ranked competitive speaker in college.
What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course?
Why or why not?
Interestingly, I
started in cozy mystery, then sidestepped to romantic suspense and guess what?
I’m back in cozy mystery again along with the suspense. Life’s funny that way.
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
What has been the best compliment?
The toughest
criticism was given about one of my earliest books. The reviewer said I
portrayed a senior citizen character in a ridiculing manner. That cut me to the
quick because I have a heart for seniors and always have. I felt terrible that
she felt my character was poking fun. Ouch! The best compliments are the ones
that say they were touched and moved in some way, especially if it was an
encouragement to them.
Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why?
I think I’d probably
have a go at children’s books, perhaps, but I don’t have time to explore that
right now.
If you could go back in time and do something differently at
the start of your career, what would it be?
I would probably try
to take more classes and attend conferences, but I was working, with young
babies, so that really wasn’t doable at that point.
What is the most important thing you’d like readers to take
away from your books?
That they are loved
by God, and He uses our failures to bring us closer to Him.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give
to unpublished authors?
There’s a difference
between “I want to publish a book” and “I want to write professionally.” Figure
out which path you want to take and seek out mentors and avenues to lead you to
your goal.
Thank you, Dana, for being here today with us. It has been a
pleasure getting to know you better.
Readers--leave a
comment and I'll enter you in a drawing for a copy of Yukon Justice! The winner will
be announced next Friday here in the comments. Print copy for a US winner, or e-book
for those outside the US.
All the best...
Mary Alford
www.maryalford.net
