INTERVIEW WITH DANI PETTREY

Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the romantic suspense series Alaskan Courage, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, and her latest release, Silenced. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and super adorable grandson.

INTERVIEW WITH DANI PETTREY

  

S.S: How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing for eleven years now. I spent seven years writing and learning the craft before receiving my first contract. I now have four books out and have just finished writing the fifth.

S.S: Do you write full time? If the answer is no, what else do you do? If you are a full time author, what other jobs did you have in the past? 
Up until now I’ve been a homeschooling mom and author. With my youngest daughter graduating I’ll no longer be homeschooling, which will be quite the transition. However, with the birth of my first grandson, I’ll be having a lot of Grammie time.

S.S: Do you write in any other genres? If so, what? 
I love writing inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things I love--the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of one's faith and plenty of romance so I don’t see myself changing styles anytime soon, but only God knows what He has in store for me :)

S.S: How does your faith play into your writing?
My faith plays a great role in my writing, but I hope in a natural way. Just as my love of adventure permeates the stories I write, so does my faith. My relationship with Jesus is part of every facet of my life; it’s only natural to be part of the stories I tell.

S.S: Tell us about your current release. 
Jake Knew Something Was Wrong.
But He Never Guessed How Wrong.
A relaxing day of rock climbing takes a disturbing turn when Kayden McKenna's route brings her face-to-face with a dead climber. Is it a terrible accident or something darker? When the case is handed to overburdened sheriff Landon Grainger, he turns to Jake Westin for help. With Jake's past now revealed, he's ready to use his talent for investigation again--but he could never prepare for where the mystery will take him. Kayden's climbing expertise soon leads her and Jake to the realization that the death was no accident. And worse, it seems the killer is onto them. When strange things begin happening in Yancey, Jake is terrified that once again his world may put someone he loves in danger. But the truth is far worse than he could ever imagine.

S.S: Where did you get your inspiration for this book?Silenced is the story of deputy Jake Westin Cavanaugh and Kayden McKenna. The inspiration primarily came from the characters themselves as they grew and developed through the earlier books in the Alaskan Courage series. It’s been so much fun watching Kayden’s apprehension of Jake fade and be replaced by deep and abiding love. Unfortunately, a killer stands in the way of their happiness.

S.S: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from your story? I think Jake says it best:

 

S.S: Each of the books in your Alaskan Courage series focuses on a different adventure sport—in Submerged, it was cave diving, and in Shattered, it was heli-skiing. What adventure sport awaits readers in Silenced?
Rock climbing! Kayden is an expert free climber, meaning she doesn’t use any safety apparatus while making her darling climbs. While I love rock climbing, free climbing is far too extreme for me, but, of course, right up Kayden’s all-about-the-challenge alley.

S.S: What are you working on now?
I’m working on revisions for the fifth and final book in the Alaskan Courage series. SABOTAGED will be a February 2015 release.

S.S: Now let’s get a little personal. Name two things on your “bucket list” that you haven’t done yet.   
Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef and skiing the Alps.

S.S: What inspires you to write? 
I believe the love of story that God has placed in me. I truly love the power of story. How it can transport you to another time, another place. Books have been such a huge part of my life. There are many novels that have touched my life—helped me to see something in a different light, inspired hope, and made me a better person. I humbly hope that my stories touch my reader’s lives in a similar way.

S.S.: Where can readers find you on the internet?
Website: www.danipettrey.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DaniPettrey
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DaniPettrey
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/DaniPettrey

S.S.: Anything else you’d like to share with us?  
I’ve got a lot of fun Extras on my website to really enhance the Alaskan Courage reading experience. I hope you’ll drop by and check out my story Pinterest boards, character dossiers, soundtracks, and, of course, say hi while you’re there. I love connecting with readers and fellow writers.

Thanks so much for having me!  

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