A Chat with Author Dana Mentink and a Giveaway!

 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 26^th, 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 40^th 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