Dani Pettrey is a wife, mom, grandma, and the acclaimed author of the Alaskan Courage romantic suspense series, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, and Silenced, and upcoming release, Sabotaged. Her books have been honored with the Daphne du Maurier award, two HOLT Medallions, a Christy Award nomination, two National Readers’ Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, and Christian Retailing’s Best Award, among others.
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 two daughters, a son-in-law, and a super adorable grandson.
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Savanna: Welcome to The Engrafted Word, Dani. Congratulations on your upcoming release, Sabotaged. What was your favorite part about writing Kirra and Reef’s story?
Dani: I think finally getting to tell Reef’s story. He’s been the black sheep of the family for so long and getting to see him finally move past that and become the man God intended for him to be was really exciting.
Savanna: What did you learn from the McKenna family throughout writing the Alaskan Courage series? What’s something you hope your readers will take away from these stories?
Dani: I learned a lot about grace under pressure, fighting for what is right, and protecting your loved ones. God has blessed me tremendously by allowing me to write the McKennas’ stories and I’ll be ever grateful. I hope readers will take away the fact that God is always present, even in the most difficult circumstances of life, and that He is the One who brings true healing, redemption, wholeness and purpose to our lives.
Savanna: That’s great, Dani! I’m so happy to have discovered this series. Can’t wait to read it. You and your characters seem very adventurous. 😉 What is one of your favorite outdoor activities?
Dani: I love hiking. I’d hike every weekend if I could. There’s just something about being outdoors, up in the mountains, away from it all. I find it so rejuvenating.
Savanna: I totally agree! 😉
It says on your website that you are a homeschooling mom. Can you share with us one of the blessings of homeschooling and also one of the greatest challenges?
Dani: Actually, this is my first year not homeschooling—need to update that on my website 🙂 My youngest graduated in May. It feels weird not homeschooling after so long. Homeschooling was a tremendous blessing for our family. I loved seeing my girls grow, having that home time with them, and watching them spread their wings. The hardest challenge was balance—balancing time for schooling, writing, and all their activities.
Savanna: Many readers enjoy picking their favorite quotes from novels. Do YOU have a particular favorite quote from Sabotaged that you can share with us?
Dani: I can’t narrow it down to a favorite quote, but I have a favorite exchange of dialogue.
“Man.” Reef whistled. “I really get under your skin, don’t I?”
“Ha.” She bit the inside of her cheek as the flames flashed higher, devouring the newly added branches.
“Good comeback.”
She took a deep breath, expelling it in a rush. “Contrary to what you think, you have no effect on me whatsoever.”
“Your heartbeat skipping along the curve of your neck seems to suggest otherwise.”
Savanna: Aww, love it! I’m intrigued even more now. 😉 Thanks so much for being with us today, Dani!
Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
Dani: I hope readers will enjoy the conclusion to the Alaskan Courage series. I’m so grateful for the tremendous support I’ve received. Thank you for sharing the McKennas’ stories with your friends and families. You’re the best.
I’m currently working on a new four book series for Bethany House. You can check out my Author Facebook Page for the latest updates.
GIVEAWAY!!
Dani has graciously offered to give away a copy of Sabotaged. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉
Thanks for entering! Contest is open only in the U.S. and ends Feburary 10, 2015. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody! 😉
Can’t wait to read this one!
Doesn’t it sound good, Sarah!? 😉 Thanks for joining us today. Hope you get to read it soon.
I also enjoy hiking and would do so more often if I could find a friend to hike with!
It’s always fun with a friend, isn’t it, Joan? 🙂 I’m ready for warmer weather, aren’t you? Good luck in the giveaway.
I love hiking! Give me a good state park anyday!
Yes! Gotta love a beautiful state park! Just talking about all this makes me long for summer that much more. 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Kathryn!
I don’t really *do* outdoors so I’m gonna be a total book nerd and say that “reading” is my favorite outdoor activity lol
Reading outside is SO nice! Great answer, Carrie. 😉 And, yes, the URL you shared will work fine. Thanks! And good luck!
(also… I shared on fb, but couldn’t figure out how to paste the URL so I just pasted my timeline URL. Hope that worked)
Like Reef, I love snowboarding!
Ohhhh, fun! Never tried that, but it looks exciting. 🙂 Thanks for visiting the blog, Jenni!
Love this series!
We’re glad you’re here, Susanne. Happy Reading!
Great interview! Reading it right now. This books is just amazing!!
Aww, lucky you, Debbie! 😉 I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the interview. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Have a great day!
I have really enjoyed the other books in this series and look forward to reading this one.
Favorite outdoor activity? Hmm…I guess it would be walking at parks with nice trails and a lake. Somewhere quiet and peaceful.
That sounds like a perfect outdoor activity, Sylvia. We have a botanical park nearby that has a beautiful lake and trail to walk or ride bikes on. So peaceful. 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Can’t wait to read this.
Me too, Brenda! 😉 Here’s hoping you get to read it soon!
Can’t wait to read this! I love McKenna’s!
I love the beach so that would be my favorite outdoor activity…
Hi Summer! Thanks for joining us and the McKenna family. 😉 The beach sounds so nice right about now, huh? I’m so ready for winter to be over. Throw in a book and I’m there! 😉
I’m really looking forward to Sabotaged, I have all of the previous 4 books and they are favorites of mine!
Wonderful, Rachel! Then I hope this giveaway completes your collection. 😉
Dani, I haven’t read any of this series but I have read reviews & from what I have seen, this would be an exciting set of books to read. I especially love series books, probably because I hate to leave my favorite characters behind! Especially when the author so entangles you with their lives that they become real to you.
You are welcome to come to the beautiful Pacific Northwest (Oregon & Washington) anytime. There are so many places to go hiking. It has to be one of the favorite pastimes here! You will have no lack of beautiful scenery either. The many trails here range from beginner to the more experienced hikers. We don’t hike, but if I were to take up an outdoor hobby, this would be it! It’s so beneficial health-wise and you get to see God’s glory in all of His creation.
Thank you for taking time out to come talk to us about your books today! I love it when an author does that. It makes readers feel pretty special. Blessings on your writing as you do it for God’s glory & our reading pleasure!
Thanks again Savanna. What can I say that I haven’t already? Blessings to you both as you walk the path God has for you!
I’m so happy to see you here, Trixi. Thanks for your comments. I always look forward to reading them. 😉 I’ve only been to Oregon once, but it was so beautiful that I definitely want to go back. It’s quite the road trip from Missouri, but it was worth it! 😉
Dani is a new-to-me author as well. I can’t wait to read her stories!
Love to go walking outside and taking pictures
My hubby and I love photography too, Samantha! There’s so many sights to capture outside. 😉 I’m glad you stopped by. Good luck in the drawing.
My favorite activity is fishing. Our family laughs when I catch more fish than my husband or the kids!
Haha! Way to go, Merry! 😉 I haven’t gone fishing in forever, but I remember thinking it was a lot of fun. Another peaceful outing. We seem to think alike. 😉 Happy Reading… and fishing!
I look forward to reading this book. I have really enjoyed the first four books in the series.
So glad to hear it, Edward. We appreciate you joining us. Good luck in the drawing and have a great week!
I would love to read this new book. I always enjoy books set in Alaska.
It’s a beautiful setting, for sure! Hope you get to read “Sabotaged” real soon, Carol! Good luck. 😉
Looking forward to reading Sabotaged! I’ve really enjoyed the series.
Wonderful, Margaret! You came to the right place then. 😉 Let’s hope to get a copy in your hands, right?
I am intrigued by this one and can’t wait to read it! In the great outdoors, I love to fish!
Another reminder that I need to pick back up fishing. You all are giving me lots of ideas for summer. 😉 Thanks for visiting, Melanie.
Your books look great. I have never read them. I would love to win a copy. The covers are amazing.
Thanks
Becky
Yeah, I love her covers too! Hi Becky! We’re glad you stopped by. Happy reading!
This series is on my TBR list. I love romantic suspense and series books. Thanks for the giveaway!
Great! Hope you get to read this one soon, Loraine! 😉
So excited for this book! I loved the exchange you shared! Not a big outdoorsy person, I’d much rather be inside with a good book!
Hi Abbi! We’re glad you stopped by. I don’t blame you for wanting to be inside reading a good book. Doubt anyone here will judge you on that. 😉 Good luck in the giveaway!
I just started reading “Silenced” and I can’t wait to read this one. I have so enjoyed this series so far.
I’m not an outdooorsy person, but I still love reading about the great outdoors. The characters can camp and hike all they want! 🙂
Haha, Melissa, I understand! Sometimes it’s easier to read them going through it instead, huh? 😉 Glad to hear you’re enjoying “Silenced”. Hope we can get this copy in your hands too. Good luck!
Can’t wait to read Sabotaged! I have loved the rest of the series!
That’s great, Mary! Hope you get to finish this great series soon. 😉
Great interview! I enjoyed getting to know about Dani. I haven’t read any of her books but they do come highly recommended. Maybe I will be able to remedy that soon. Our youngest graduated from home school last year, too. Now my time is still spent mostly at home getting caught up on years of stuff that got set aside, and also spending time with our grandchildren and our oldest daughter. My favorite outdoor activity is either hiking (gently for this old lady 😉 ) or driving around the countryside taking photos of barns. I am a semi-regular blogger about rural life. 🙂
Hi Anne! Thanks for joining us for the interview. And congrats on your kiddos completing their homeschooling. I always love to hear that. 😉 (Yes, I’m partial, though!)
I’ve seen some of your barn photos. Just beautiful!!
Hope you get to read Dani’s work soon. Have a great week!
I just bought a copy yesterday and am so excited to start it! Even more so after reading this interview! I’ll have to wait until I have a day off, because I know when I pick up one of Dani’s books, I’m going to struggle with putting it down! 🙂
Yay, Sarah! Hope you LOVE the book! Thanks for sharing with us. 😉
Will enjoy reading this.. I enjoy going on short road trips with my husband & stopping and enjoying lakes and the scenery…
That sounds wonderful, Deanna! I love taking road trips with my hubby too. 😉 Good luck in the giveaway!
My favorite thing to do outdoors is fishing.
Sounds like fun, Jan! Thanks for joining us. Have a great week and good luck in the giveaway! 😉
How fun to get to know Dani a little better. Love her books. Thank you for this super interview.
Isn’t it fun chatting with our favorite authors?! 😉 I’m glad you could join us, Robin. Good luck in the drawing!
How fun to get to know Dani a little better. Love her books. Thank you for this super interview.
I can’t wait to get this book. I have the rest of the series. My sister in law had borrowed them right now. She is loving them! And your new series looks like it us going to be great as well!
Wonderful, Nancy! I hope you get to finish out this series soon. 😉 We appreciate you stopping by. Happy Reading to you and your sis-in-law!
I can’t wait to get this book. I have the rest of the series. My sister in law had borrowed them right now. She is loving them! And your new series looks like it us going to be great as well!
I’ve read the others in the series and would love to win a copy of this newest one. Thanks for the chance!
After hearing so many of you say how much you love this series, I can’t wait to start them! 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Cheryl. Good luck!
I’ve read the others in the series and would love to win a copy of this newest one. Thanks for the chance!
I enjoy taking pictures outdoors, and even more when my 2 young grandsons are in the pictures!
Sounds like a perfect combination, MS Barb! 😉 Have a great week and good luck in the drawing!
I enjoy taking pictures outdoors, and even more when my 2 young grandsons are in the pictures!
I love to read outdoors and play with my dogs when the weather is nice.
I’m ready for that nice weather to get here, aren’t you, Melissa? 😉 Thanks for joining us!
I love to read outdoors and play with my dogs when the weather is nice.
these are among my favorite books! I can’t wait for the new one.
Another fan of Dani’s! Yay! 😉 We’re glad you’re here, Kelli!
these are among my favorite books! I can’t wait for the new one.
I am so ready to read Reef’s story and catching up with the rest of his family. I am a Caribbean girl so it is very interesting to me that they love the cold weather in Alaska. I have been in this country for 25 years and I am still not a fan of the cold.
Awww, I hope you get to read Reef’s story soon too, Sonnetta! 😉 And enjoy Alaska from your comfy chair, right?
I am so ready to read Reef’s story and catching up with the rest of his family. I am a Caribbean girl so it is very interesting to me that they love the cold weather in Alaska. I have been in this country for 25 years and I am still not a fan of the cold.
Thanks so much for hosting me, Savanna! Loving reading everyone’s comments. Thanks to everyone who stopped by. Appreciate you guys!
We’re thrilled to have you here, Dani! Thanks for taking the time to chat with your readers. 😉
Thanks so much for hosting me, Savanna! Loving reading everyone’s comments. Thanks to everyone who stopped by. Appreciate you guys!
The interview was so interesting with Dani Pettrey! I cannot wait to read this last book in the series. Love your website, Savanna!
Thanks, Laura! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed our interview. Now here’s wishing for a giveaway win, right? 😉 Have a great day!
The interview was so interesting with Dani Pettrey! I cannot wait to read this last book in the series. Love your website, Savanna!
I love this series! I can’t wait to read sabotaged and I’m really looking forward to the new series also! 🙂
Great! Love all this reading enthusiasm. 😉 We’re glad you could stop by, Jess!
I love this series! I can’t wait to read sabotaged and I’m really looking forward to the new series also! 🙂
Last year we tried kayaking for the first time… love it and can’t wait for summer!
Me too, Merry! I love kayaking. We live near a river and kayak during the summer. So much fun! So peaceful. Good luck in the giveaway!
The reviews I have seen for this are wonderful. I enjoy gardening in the Summer and plant a huge one every year. I do it all from the plowing, planting,watering and weeding. The best part is eating my homegrown salad.I would love to have a chance to win and read the book. Have a wonderful day !
Hi Deanne! You’re a gardener after my own heart. Your comments made me smile. 🙂 Thanks for joining us. And good luck in Dani’s giveaway!
My grandparents lived in the outskirts of the Ozarks – love, love, love that area of the world! Great interview! Blessings!!
Welcome, Lanna! So glad you’re here. I love the Ozarks too… but then again, I am partial. It’s been my home for many years now. 😉 Thanks for stopping by. Happy Reading!
My grandparents lived in the outskirts of the Ozarks – love, love, love that area of the world! Great interview! Blessings!!
Welcome, Lanna! So glad you’re here. I love the Ozarks too… but then again, I am partial. It’s been my home for many years now. 😉 Thanks for stopping by. Happy Reading!
Love reading this series. I love Alaska, too. Hubby wants to live there, but not me! It’s too cold and dark too long to live there for me. But I still love Alaska for it’s beauty and wildlife.
Welcome, Karen! We’re glad you could join us. I’d love to see Alaska some day. It sounds beautiful! 😉
Love reading this series. I love Alaska, too. Hubby wants to live there, but not me! It’s too cold and dark too long to live there for me. But I still love Alaska for it’s beauty and wildlife.
Welcome, Karen! We’re glad you could join us. I’d love to see Alaska some day. It sounds beautiful! 😉