I am a wife, homeschooling mom and author. I feel so very blessed to write 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. I am a huge fan of dark chocolate, am always in search of the best iced mocha, and would love to one day own a little cottage on a remote stretch of beach. I live in Maryland with my husband and our two teenage daughters.
What is your new book, Shattered, about?
When her prodigal brother Reef's return to Yancey, Alaska, is shattered by his arrest for murder, Piper McKenna is determined to protect him.
Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he's also sworn to find the truth. And he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth puts Landon's career in jeopardy.
When Piper launches her own investigation, Landon realizes he must protect her from herself--and whatever complications await as the two follow clues deep into Canada's rugged backcountry. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step.
How did you come up with the title?
It just fit.
What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
I write all my first drafts longhand.
What's your favorite party food?
Seven layer dip and chips.
Do you have a favorite birthday/party memory you'd like to share?
My husband and I recently celebrated our 20th. He surprised me with a weekend away at a historic inn that has special meaning to us, dinner at one of our favorite restaurants and a really fun day including visiting ComicCon (at least part of it), visiting bookstores, enjoying a good cup of coffee while overlooking the harbor, etc. It was a great weekend and a wonderful memory.
What are your top three favorite songs?
Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
Busted Heart by For King and Country
I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin
A few this-or-that questions:
Cake or Cupcakes? Either as long as they are chocolate :)
Tea or coffee? Coffee!
Cats or Dogs? Dogs.
Early bird or night owl? Night owl.
Facebook or Twitter? Tough call….if I had to choose…Facebook.
Thank you so much for being here! Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers and where can we find you on the web?
Thank you so much for having me. I hope readers will enjoy Piper and Landon's journey. You can find me:
Website: www.danipettrey.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DaniPettrey
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/danipettrey
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DaniPettrey
Giveaway!
Dani is giving away two copies of Shattered along with keepsake bookmarks! Enter via the Rafflecopter below for your chance to be one of the two winners! Open Internationally!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Great interview! That sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate your 20th, congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz! Glad you liked the interview. :)
DeleteBeautiful site both visually and emotionally, nice to meet another Christian blogger. I just started my site about a month ago, its been more work then I would of thought. Love meeting other bloggers and seeing their blogs, that's the fun part. Have a good day, and God Bless!
ReplyDeletehttp://heartsue-bookreviews.blogspot.com/
Doesn't Melanie do a FABULOUS job! Best of luck with your blog too, Suzanne :)
DeleteThank you, Suzanne! Blogging does require a lot of work, but it is so much fun - especially "meeting" fellow readers/bloggers. :) Thanks for commenting!
DeleteLove, love, loved Shattered and Submerged. I only have the ebook of Shattered and would love to win the paper copy to go with my Submerged paper copy.
ReplyDeleteI reviewed both books on my blog. :)
godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Jan,
DeleteThank you so much for your support and reviews of Submerged and Shattered! Appreciate you :)
Thank you a lot for this international giveaway
ReplyDeleteit's a new author to me but this post intrigued me^^
Hi Miki,
DeleteGlad the post intrigued you. Best of luck in the drawing :)
Shattered looks great!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2 year blogoversary.
amyc
Thanks, Amy!! :)
DeleteIt's my newest favorite author! I did get to read Shattered already and loved it so much I want an extra copy to give a friend. :) Love your giveaways so far, Melanie, and it was a fun interview!
ReplyDeleteOh, you are so sweet! Thrilled you enjoyed Shattered and the interview. Thanks for joining in the celebration. Melanie does such an amazing job with this blog. So happy she invited me to participate in her Blogoversary!
DeleteThanks, Charity!! So glad you found the interview fun and are liking the giveaways so far! :)
Deleteinteresting and like the cover of the book :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eli. I may be biased, but I think my publisher does an amazing job on my covers. Just AMAZING. Thanks for dropping by and reading the interview :)
DeleteI haven't read these books yet. But they sure look and sound great!
ReplyDeleteI would love to be entered to win!
Thank you for the giveaway!
dymesich(at)juno(dot)com
Hi Leah,
DeleteSo glad Submerged and Shattered sound intriguing to you :)
I love how your husband had the anniversary weekend for you -so sweet
ReplyDeletevickie
Hi Dani! Last year I attended a fun chat with Dani and a few other authors with Kim Sawyer & Olivia Newport, it was tons of fun! Her husband even made a fun cameo appearance.
ReplyDeleteIn your interview, I am only sad she chose dogs over cats, boo!
I would love to win Shattered, then I could read her books back to back (my favorite way to read series books) =)
Hi Marie,
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed the video chat. That was so much fun :) Thanks for dropping by and celebrating with Melanie today. Best of luck in the giveaway!
PS Happy Blogiversary, Melanie!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marie!! :)
DeleteI read mostly historical fiction, so something surrent might be nice for a change!
ReplyDeletePatty
Hope you'll really enjoy Shattered if you win :) Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteLoved both of Dani's books and can't wait for the next one in the series! Great interview ladies! And Dani...mmmmm chocolate! I too am happy with either a cupcake or cake, but definitely need the chocolate.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed Submerged and Shattered, and the interview. Yes..chocolate is the BEST :)
Thanks, Julie!! Glad you liked the interview! :)
DeleteShattered sounds like a great read (so does Submerged). Looking forward to reading both!
ReplyDeleteI agree about the chocolate too- cake, cupcakes, doesn't matter as long as it's chocolate :-)
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Hi Amanda,
DeleteThanks so much for dropping by and celebrating with Melanie :) Hope you'll really enjoy Shattered if you win a copy in the giveaway! Okay, now I'm craving chocolate....thankfully, I always have some on hand :)
I absolutely loved both Submerged and Shattered!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! :)
Aww, thanks so much, Caitlyn!
DeleteSounds like an intense read!
ReplyDeleteHi Heidi,
DeleteShattered's definitely an adventure :) One I hope you'll enjoy! Thanks for dropping by the celebration :)
I just finished reading Submerged! I absolutely loved it and I can't wait to read Shattered. Keep writing!!!
ReplyDeletePS - Phil. 4:8 is a great verse! :)
So thrilled to hear that, Echo. Thanks for your kind encouragement. Best of luck with the giveaway :)
DeleteHappy Blogoversary Melanie! I am looking forward to celebrating all your fun posts!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for giveaway and making INT :)
Thanks so much for dropping by, Filia :)
DeleteThanks, Filia! Hope you continue to enjoy the celebration posts! :)
DeleteI love Alaska as a setting for stories, it's such a unique place. Love Van Morrison too. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carl :)
DeleteI love reading books set in Alaska too! Thanks for commenting! :)
DeleteThese books sound great! Happy Blogoversary and thanks for the interview and giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ladette. So glad you enjoyed the interview :)
DeleteThank you, Ladette! :)
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading these books!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway and happy blogoversary Melanie!!
Thanks so much, Cathy. Hope you'll enjoy them :)
DeleteThanks, Cathy!!
DeleteYour covers are very eye-catching (which is pretty much their job ...) Draws me in. (ditto!) Looking forward to checking out the WORDS now!
ReplyDeletep.s. happy anniversary, Melanie (and Melanie's blog!)
KuligowskiAndrew (at) gmail (daht) com
Thanks, Andrew. So thankful to have such an amazing publisher with such a talented cover art department. Hope you'll enjoy Submerged and Shattered. Blessings!
DeleteThank you, Andrew! Completely agree - the covers are very eye-catching! :) Thanks for commenting!
DeleteDani is a new author to me. Looks like a great book. I love seven layer dip too!
ReplyDeleteHappy blogoversary Melanie!
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Thanks, Mary!
DeleteBook one (Submerged) was great and I think Shattered will be too. :) Thanks for stopping by, Mary!! :)
DeleteI enjoyed your interview with Dani, and would love to be entered in your contest to win a copy of Shattered. Thank you for the opportunity! Happy Anniversary!!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed the interview, Nancee. Best of luck in the giveaway!
DeleteThank you, Nancee! :)
DeleteWow sounds like a great book to read. Dani sounds like someone who I would enjoy chatting with - I mean, chocolate, coffee, dogs and nightowl plus author must be a great recipe
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Shattered yet, but book one (Submerged) was fantastic! Hope you enjoy them. :)
DeleteThanks, Retha. Definitely sounds like we share a lot of 'likes' :)
DeleteI would like to thank you so much for this fantastic giveaway and also i would like to wish you a very happy anaversary!! x
ReplyDeleteEmail: lfountain1(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk
Thank you, Lucinda! :)
DeleteThanks, Lucinda :)
DeleteHappy 2 Years Melanie! You have a great blog!
ReplyDeleteDani- I loved Submerged and I was delayed a bit in starting Shattered but I already know it's going to rock! Congrats on your 20th anniversary, I'm jealous that you got to go to Comic Con.
xoxo,
Renee C.
Thanks, Renee! You have a great blog, too! :)
DeleteThanks, Renee! Yep. Comic Con was so fun. First time we'd ever been.
DeleteA great interview with Dani. I would love to be entered in your contest to win a copy of Shattered. I have her book Submerged and would like to add Shattered to my collection!
ReplyDeleteHappy blogoversary Melanie!
Blessings!
Judy
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thank you, Judy! So happy you enjoyed the interview! :)
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed the interview, Judy :)
DeleteCongrats and thanks for the giveaway! I love those book covers!
ReplyDeletemestith@gmail.com
Thanks, Meghan! I love the covers, too. SO gorgeous!! :)
DeleteThanks, Meghan :)
DeleteThank you for the giveaway - and the interview! :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to read Shattered. :)
You're welcome! Thanks for commenting! :)
DeleteThanks, Mallen. So glad you enjoyed the interview. Love your name, btw :) Very unique and cool!
DeleteThanks for the giveaway. I love the covers!
ReplyDeleteMe too! Thanks for stopping by! :)
DeleteThanks, Stacy :)
DeleteOH I'm SO happy you are giving this away! I have seen these books for a while now, and they look very intriguing. This isn't usually something I read though. Maybe I'll be genre branching out soon LOL! :)
ReplyDeleteAmada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a)
amada_chavez{AT}yahoo{DOT}com
Romantic Suspense is one of my favorite genres - hope you enjoy Shattered if/when you read it! Book one (Submerged) was great! :)
DeleteThanks, Amanda. Hope you enjoy trying a new genre and enjoy Shattered if you get a chance to read it :)
DeleteHi sorry it took so long to get here! Trying to visit all these great blogs from Book Blogs, is taking some time, but fun!! Finding new books to read everyday!!!
ReplyDeleteAlice
Thanks so much for stopping by, Alice!! :)
DeleteThanks so much for dropping by, Alice :)
DeleteI've heard such good things about these books, but haven't gotten around to reading them! Thanks for the giveaway and happy blogoversary. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sara! :) Hope you enjoy the books when you read them. :)
DeleteThanks, Sara. So glad you've heard good things. That's always nice to hear :)
DeleteI would love to win!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway and God Bless!!!
Sarah Richmond
sarahrichmond.12@gmail.com
You're welcome, Sarah! Thanks for entering! :)
DeleteThanks, Sarah :)
DeleteI love Dani Petry. This interview was cool. I love seven layer dip, Chris Tomlin, coffee, dogs, being a night owl, and I'd choose Facebook over Twitter. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the interview! Thanks for visiting! :)
DeleteHi Leah,
DeleteSounds like we have a ton in common! Thanks so much for dropping by :)
What nice cover! I am from Montana but I absolutely love to read books about/in Alaska!
ReplyDeleteJasmine A.
montanamade(at)gmail(dot)com
I love to read books about/in Alaska too! Thanks for commenting! :)
DeleteHi Jasmine,
DeleteThanks so much. I've had a blast writing these books set in Alaska. Such an incredible state :)
Thanks for giveaway!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThanks for dropping by, Samantha :)
DeleteThanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Thanks for entering! :)
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Deborah :)
DeleteDani Pettrey is one of my new favorite authors. I would love to win a copy of Shattered. Thanks. And happy blogoversary. :)
ReplyDeletesuperstarsarah94(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, Sarah!! :)
DeleteAww, thanks so much, Sarah :))
DeleteThanks for the interview and giveaway. Alaska is one of my favorite places and I frequently read and enjoy inspirational romantic suspense, so I would love to read this book.
ReplyDeletemay_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com
You're welcome! I so want to visit Alaska. :) Hope you enjoy Shattered. :)
DeleteThanks, Kay. So glad you enjoyed the interview. Alaska is so amazing. I've loved being able to set my stories there :)
DeleteSounds like a good book. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteKatie J (johnsonk133[at]yahoo[dot]com
Thanks for stopping by, Katie!
DeleteThanks, Katie :)
DeleteI have yet to read one of Dani's books. Look forward to it. Thanks for the chance to win one. Happy Blogoversary!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan! I hope you get to read her books soon! :)
DeleteThanks so much for dropping by, Susan. Hope you'll get a chance to read Submerged/Shattered :)
DeleteEnter me this book looks great!!
ReplyDeleteSharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
You're entered!! Thanks for commenting! :)
DeleteThanks, Sharon :)
DeleteWould LOVE to win this book!! Thanks for the giveaway and the interview. (PS: Dani, I really like London and Piper's soundtrack on your website. Have played some of the songs several times.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Ganise!! :)
DeleteWaving hi, Ganise :) Thanks so much for dropping by. So glad you enjoyed the interview and I love that you are enjoying the soundtrack! God bless.
DeleteWould love to win and read Shattered. I read Submerged and loved it. Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteKaren G
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
So glad you loved Submerged - I did too! :)
DeleteHi Karen,
DeleteThrilled you enjoyed Submerged. Hope you'll love Shattered too when you get a chance to read it. Thanks so much for stopping by :)
Shattered looks like a book I'd enjoy.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the contest to win a copy.
Thanks!
cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com
Hope you get the chance to read it soon. :) Thanks for visiting! :)
DeleteThanks, Cindi :)
DeleteGreat new author!!
ReplyDeleteAgree! I loved Dani's debut novel - Submerged! :)
DeleteAww, thanks, Michelle :))))
DeleteI am so excited to read shattered!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMe too! Can hardly wait to read Piper and Landon's story! :)
DeleteThanks, Jojos. Really hope you enjoy Shattered!
DeleteAwesome! I read Submerged and loved it. Thanks for the oppurtunity to win Shattered!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Happy to hear you loved Submerged, too! :)
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed Submerged, Rebekah! Hope you'll really enjoy Shattered too :)
DeleteI can't wait to read these books!!
ReplyDeleteHope you get to read them soon! Thanks for commenting! :)
DeleteThanks, Marissa. Really hope you enjoy them :)
DeleteSounds like a good book! Hope to read it soon!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to. :) Thanks for stopping by! :)
DeleteThanks, Salyna :) Hope you enjoy it!
DeleteReally looking forward to reading this. Good luck to all who enter. It's always fun to learn more about the authors I enjoy so much. Blessings, Susan Fryman
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan :))
DeleteInteresting interview, imagine writing your draft in longhand., wow. I would love a chance to win this giveaway.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed the interview. Thanks so much for stopping by :)
DeleteI am excited to read this newest book by a great author. Thanks for the fun blogoversary event!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Andrea :)
DeleteI would love to win Dani's book. I first met her at a FB video chat party. Was neat actually seeing and talking to her and watching her answer. Maxie
ReplyDeleteHey Maxie! So glad you enjoyed the video chat. That was so much fun!
DeleteI have really been looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for offering a free copy...it would be very exciting to win!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Randi. Really hope you enjoy Shattered when you get the chance to read it :)
DeleteI would like to thank you for making this international giveaway, I read your summary about the book and the love story along with the suspense sounds really amazing... it seems like the charachters self monologue and the feelings are already shown in the review and I'd like to read more about it in the book :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Best of luck in the giveaway :)
DeleteI love romance and suspense novels and I have Dani's books on my to read list. This book sounds really good! I would enjoy winning the giveaway and thank you for the opportunity. I too love Chocolate more than I care to admit! Thank you for writing good Christian books and thanks for the great interview!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Lori
Thanks so much, Lori. So glad you enjoyed the interview!
Deletelove that you still use longhand to write - rare to see handwriting these days.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Renee. It's definitely more time-consuming, but it's the only way that works for me with the initial draft. Put me in front of a blank screen and my mind goes blank :D
DeleteEnjoyed the interview. Sounds like a wonderful read.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed the interview, Patricia! Thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteI've been wanting to read Submerged since Sept. and was on the waiting list for the only copy in our State's Library system and then that copy got lost, so I've been saving to purchase my own copy..... Your books sound so intriguing, Dani ..... I hope to win this book so at least I can read one of your books. Thanks for the interview and the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteOh, Susie, that's terrible. I hope your library gets another copy in, and best of luck in the giveaway! God bless.
DeleteI really enjoyed reading Submerged and winning Shattered would just be the icing on the (chocolate) cake!
ReplyDeletekandrajane at bellsouth dot net
Kandra,
DeleteA girl after my own heart--using a chocolate analogy to describe winning Shattered. LOVE it!
I loved Shattered and Submerged. They are such beautiful books. I always love getting to know authors better.
ReplyDeleteDani, I also love that you still use longhand to write. What a great interview.
Thanks for sharing, Melanie and Dani.
Melanie, I just realized we weren't friends on blogger yet, so I just rectified that. I always love meeting other Christian fiction fans.
Thanks so much, Danica. Thrilled you enjoyed Submerged and Shattered. And, so glad you enjoyed the interview. Melanie does such a great job. I was super excited I could celebrate her Blogoversary with her :)
DeleteCoffee & dogs! she sounds like my kind of girl :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a good book!
Thanks for the giveaway
Thanks, Ruth :)
DeleteIt's nice to find an author using Canada as their scene. I would love to qualify for the book.
ReplyDeleteHelen Morell-Bailey
Thanks, Helen. I really enjoyed researching British Columbia. Gorgeous area :)
DeleteFun interview and your books sounds interesting.This Auusie would like to read about Canada.
ReplyDeleteHi Dale,
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed the interview!
Book looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindy!
DeleteCongratulations on your second blog anniversary, Melanie! I've been hearing a lot of great things about Dani Pettrey's books. Would love to read them!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're hearing good things, Jemimah :) Thanks for stopping by to celebrate with Melanie.
DeleteGood book. I need to read "Submerged" but for now, I'd love to have another copy of this one!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Charity!
DeleteHappy Blogaversary, Melanie! ;)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the interview. I loved Dani's first book, Submerged! Can't wait to read Shattered! :)
Thanks so much! Thrilled you enjoyed the interview and Submerged. Hope you'll really enjoy Shattered too :)
DeleteThese look really good. I love romantic suspense. We are actually homeschooling this year and I don't know how Dani has time to do both. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteHi Tressa,
DeleteThanks! That's awesome you're homeschooling! It has been such a blessing for us. As for writing...I only have one high schooler left at home so most of her work is independent :)
I absolutely loved Submerged! It was one of my absolute favorite reads from 2012 and immediately put Dani Pettrey on my favorite authors list! I couldn't put it down and the second I finished I wanted to read book 2 unfortunately I've had to wait a whole year! Can't wait to dive into Piper and Landon's story!
ReplyDeleteRomance and suspense? Sounds super.
ReplyDeleteWe would love to win and share this with family and friends.
We really appreciate these giveaways. It is do good to actually
have the book to add to our library.
Thank you.
I am so excited to read Shattered. I loved Submerged. It was an awesome book!
ReplyDeleteI think I found another book to read! I am intrigued by Alaska and this sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteHow did I get so far behind? Oh well not sure if it's to late to enter but I'll post anyway. Love, love, love you're book covers and can't wait to get my hands on them. Thanks for taking the time for the interview. I truly enjoyed it. God bless.
ReplyDeletekristie(at)connectiolifechurch(dot)org
Not too late! All blogoversary giveaways (except for day one) will end on the 17th. Thanks for stopping by. :)
DeleteThis, very honestly, sounds really awesome. How have I never heard of this book?!?!
ReplyDeleteSounds awesome....I'd love to read it!
ReplyDeleteSounds really good!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
Congratulations, Melanie! I loved Submerged so I would love to read this one! Thanks for sharing. Great interview with Dani :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great reader giveaway - thanks so much!
ReplyDeletebonnieroof60@yahoo.com
Congratulations on the 20th wedding anniversary! Nice way to celebrate it.. Very nice interview. The book cover is attractive. Hope to be one of the lucky winners!. Thanks for making it international.
ReplyDeleteI love Dani Pettrey's books and can not wait until the 3rd book comes out in September! I gave her too books to my mom the other day and I have not heard from her since because she is reading the books lol
ReplyDeleteLisa Medeiros
deiselbuffs@yahoo.ca
Melanie, I would love to win Dani's book. I first met her at a Video chat party. Wish they could all be Videos. Was so neat seeing them while we chatted. But, still don't have one of her books. Dani, I too, like any thing chocolate, but do prefer it not to be the dark choc. Of course, it's the healthy one. LOL Please put my name in the hat for a win. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI loved Submerged and am looking forward to reading Shattered ~ so many books, so little time. Sigh!
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogoversary!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the amazing giveaway!
elizabeth @ bookattict . com
Shattered sounds like a great read.I love all chocolate-y things too! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
sounds a great book!!!
ReplyDeletethx u :)
Shattered sounds like the type of book my
ReplyDeletefamily enjoys. Melanie, we do enjoy your
interviews. Thanks for the generous giveaways
to you and the wonderful authors.
suzieqaa@yahoo.com