SUSPENSE SISTERS: An Interview with Dana Mentink

I’m very excited to have the chance to talk with my good friend, Dana Mentink, about her upcoming October 24^th release, Snowbound Escape.

Dana and I worked on a previous collection together, and I got to know her better. She’s an amazing woman and a talented author.

So, let’s dive in.

First, tell us a little about your latest release:

My latest title is Snowbound Escape, which releases the end of October. It’s the eighth book in the Pacific Northwest K-9 unit series. It was really fun to write because it’s a “running for your life in the wilderness” type story. Love that plot scenario! It’s always fun to toss in a dog character. In this case it’s Britta the boxer who accompanies the heroes on their hair raising adventure.

If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?

She tries hard, gets lost often, laughs frequently, and loves God.

What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?

Currently, I’m trying to learn how to juggle. It’s not going well. I can manage scarves, but the balls go flying everywhere and I spend way more time chasing them than juggling. Suffice it to say, the local circus is not knocking on my door. My other passion is gardening. I have a little indoor garden I started during the virus-that-shall-not-be- named. I just think it’s the biggest gift in the world to watch God’s miracles unfold in those little leaves and shoots. This summer I managed to grow a crop of potatoes in an old ten gallon bucket. Honestly, it was more exciting than completing a manuscript.

What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

I was a huge Oz and Narnia fan. The world building in those books just blew me away. I didn’t know the Narnia books were Christian allegory until I was an adult. I decided this summer to reread the Narnia series and I’m enjoying it so much. That’s the hallmark of a great book, isn’t it? That children and adults alike love them.

What is the most important thing you’d like readers to take away from your books?

For me, it’s my desire that readers would come away encouraged. Maybe it’s looking at forgiveness in a new way, or thinking about the incredible depth of God’s love, or just enjoying a great story with characters they can relate to. If they come away uplifted, then I’ve done my job.

Here’s a little about Dana:

Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and the recipient of a Holt Medallion for excellence in mystery/suspense. She was honored to receive the Author of the Year award from West Coast Christian Writers. A California native, she’s written over fifty titles for the general and Christian markets in the suspense, lighthearted romance, and mystery genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense and Poisoned Pen Press. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com if you’d like to learn more.

About SnowboundEscape- Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit Book 8 which comes out October 24th:

To rescue a witness…

this K-9 team must face a killer and a storm.

After months tracking a colleague falsely accused of a double homicide, officer Tanner Ford and his K-9 partner finally locate crime tech Mara Gilmore—but the real murderer is closing in. Now they must run into a frozen wilderness to survive. Evading the killer is the only way for Mara to clear her name. But will the harsh winter conditions cover their tracks…or bury them forever?

The Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit Series:

Book 1: Shielding the Baby by Laura Scott

Book 2: Scent of Truth by Valerie Hansen

Book 3: Explosive Trail by Terri Reed

Book 4: Olympic Mountain Pursuit by Jodie Bailey

Book 5: Threat Detection by Sharon Dunn

Book 6: Cold Case Revenge by Jessica R. Patch

Book 7: Undercover Operation by Maggie K. Black

Book 8: Snowbound Escape by Dana Mentink

Have you read this amazing series yet? Do you enjoy stories that feature K-9s?

Dana is giving away an e-book copy of Snowbound Escape, so leave a comment for a chance to win. Be sure to include your email address. I’ll announce the winner soon!

Until next time, dear friends, happy reading!

Mary

www.maryalford.net.