What inspired you to write this THE DEADLY SHALLOWS? Since it includes a mass shooting, was that in part inspired by real life events? I didn’t base The Deadly Shallows on a specific tragedy, but the mass shootings our country has endured over the last two decades certainly inspired the horrific event Noah and Brooke face. Watching the emotional aftermath of the tragedy ripple through their lives and the lives of those present was really difficult to write. Researching was heart breaking but seeing how Noah and Brooke not just survive but, in a way, overcome its effects on them was inspiring.   How would you describe CGIS Agent Noah Rowley to readers? Noah is the head special agent of CGIS Wilmington. He takes his leadership role gravely, knowing a mistake on his part can lead to tragedy for his team. Couple that intensity with his devotion for his family, friends, and the woman he falls hard for, and you see the heart of Noah Rowley.   How would you describe the dynamic between Noah and Coast Guard flight medic Brooke Kesler? Do you tell the story using alternating perspectives? I do write alternating perspectives. I find it helps me…

Hi, friends! I’m super excited to share today’s word with you. It was a little interesting come up with an applicable word for X, but I found one, and I don’t know about you, but it really speaks to where I am right now with my recent health issues and some other trials I’m facing. It’s a word that holds so much encouragement, I feel God whispering it to my soul as I type this out. So, without further ado, x is for xerach! Yes, it’s a word. A wonderful word full of deep meaning. Xerach is: Plant succession starting on bare ground or rock (an empty place or a hard surface) and culminating in a mature climax forest. It is mature forest growing from the humblest of beginnings. A lone xerach flower blooming in the desert is a far mightier display of God’s might than a meadow full of them. If He’s planted you in a dry place, trust that He’ll bring you to bloom. God says in His Word: If you are struggling to grow in a dry, hard place, trust that God is at work and when you mature into full bloom, you will be a glorious…

I’d chose Gage’s Peppermint Mocha because I love peppermint, coffee, chocolate and the very handsome Gage McKenna from my Alaskan Courage series novel—STRANDED. Gage is quite the chef and loves to mix up flavors and this drink is layered with plenty of yummy warmth for a cold, winter day. My family and I love to sip holiday drinks like these sitting by the fire or in front of our lit Christmas tree and just soak in the season, and peppermint Christmas just go together perfectly. Try it with some Christmas cookies or even a Pettrey Family Favorite like our Holiday pretzels, which I’ve included as well. This tradition started when our kiddos were young and they’d have a blast squishing the M&Ms into the melting Hershey Kiss as they came out of the oven. Really gets you in the festive, Christmas mood. Hope you enjoy, and Merry Christmas! STRANDED by Dani Pettrey Alaskan Courage #3 Eager Fans Await Bestselling Author Dani Pettrey’s Latest Romantic Suspense When her friend vanishes from a cruise ship, reporter Darcy St. James isn’t satisfied with their explanation that she simply left her job of her own accord. Something isn’t lining up, and Darcy believes the…

I hope you had a good week. Unfortunately, I spent mine sick with a head cold, sinus infection and fun upper respiratory infection. But I was happy to catch a cold if it meant spending a few days up in Hershey, PA with my awesome gal-pal and fantastic fellow author (if you haven’t read her, you MUST check her out), Kathryn Cushman. Why did I share that? Because, I don’t about you, but when I’m sick (which, unfortunately, is a lot of the time of late), I feel very vulnerable. I’m not able to do all the things I want to do and I feel like it’s a great lesson in humility. I realize the truth that I don’t, in fact, run my own little world. I don’t control the universe. I can’t do it all. In fact, I can’t do anything (that’s right, anything) without God’s enabling. When I’m sick I realize how fully dependent I am on God for the breath in my lungs (particularly when I’m stuffy and struggle to breathe), and the gift of waking up every morning (even if it’s with coughing). I am fully dependent on God. Why am I such a slooowww learner…

I chose the word obstacles for our letter today, because let’s face it, we all encounter our fair share of obstacles. Whether it’s an issue with our kid’s homework or teacher, an issue on the job, a family issue, a spiritual issue–life is full of issues and obstacles, but it’s how we react to the obstacles that matters. It’s a great idea to just weave around the obstacle and smile about it, and honestly I hope that’s my attitude the majority of the time, but often the obstacles are so big and heavy that instead of swerving around them, we’re forced to climb them. To sweat it out. To scramble our way up with God’s help. I love this verse from Isaiah: “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” ~Isaiah 41:13 No matter what obstacle we may be facing, and it may be a brutal one, we can rest assured God is right there with us. Holding us by His right hand and guiding us along the way. I love Alistair Begg. He’s an amazingly gifted preacher from Parkside Church in Cleveland,…

“A major thrill ride with some fascinating twists…” ~RT Book Reviews 4 Stars I’m super excited to share my latest release, Blind Spot, with you all. It’s the third book in my Chesapeake Valor series, which focuses on the lives of four boyhood friends who’ve all grown up and gone into law enforcement careers. Blind Spot is Federal Agent Declan Grey and crisis-counselor Tanner Shaw’s story as they face down one of the greatest terrorist threats to America since 9/11. Research for Blind Spot involved a wide array of topics—everything from motorcycle skills, to weapon choices, police procedure, bombs, and, most heartbreaking, the epidemic of human trafficking. I spent a lot of hands-on time researching their story and it was extremely helpful that the series is set in my own backyard, including the historic neighborhood where Declan lives. Baltimore’s Little Italy is an amazingly quaint Italian neighborhood in Baltimore City that has thrived for multiple generations. Its original immigrants from Italy emigrated between the mid-1800s through the early 1900s. By 1920, the entire neighborhood was 100% Italian. The neighborhood is comprised of century-old row homes, family-run restaurants, open-air movie nights and bocce courts. Little Italy is home to the Star-Spangled…

Happy Friday, friends! Is there any word more beautiful than Hope? Dictionary.com describes hope as: the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best No offense to Dictionary.com, but I totally disagree. Hope is not a feeling. It’s a belief. Belief and trust in the One who is our hope. The One who is the anchor for our soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:19) I love the reference to an anchor. While thinking on hope the following definition came to mind. Hope is your beacon in the dark shoals of life. Let it shine!  Again, I love the ocean imagery. If you don’t know, I’m a beach girl through and through. I married a Navy guy who loves to dive. My girls and grand babies are all swimmers. I have a shirt that says Part-time Mermaid (though my puppy ate a whole in the center of it–though I digress…). Needless to say if it involves water or the beach, I’m there. However, here’s the thing about the ocean, you can never turn your back on it. As beautiful and majestic as it is, it can also be deadly with rip currents, strong undertows,…

Hi friends, I can’t believe it’s September already. The summer months just flew by! I hope you had a wonderful summer! Switching gears and moving into to fall… I can’t wait to share Declan and Tanner’s exciting adventure in Blind Spot with you. It’s hard to believe Blind Spot’s release is only a month away. Yeeps! To celebrate and to thank you for your amazing support, I’m offering a special Pre-Order Bonus and entry into my Pre-order Giveaway.   What’s the bonus and giveaway you ask? I’m so glad you did. I’m thrilled to announce that everyone who pre-orders a copy of Blind Spot between now and 10/2 (and those who have already pre-ordered it) will automatically receive four gorgeous, inspiring printables, exclusive early release of my Blind Spot story soundtrack, and the opening chapter! Just fill out the form here: http://danipettrey.com/blind-spot-pre-order-bonus/ Even more exciting, you’ll automatically be entered to win an hour phone call with me to chat over any burning questions you’ve been dying to ask about my stories or anything writing related. I can’t wait to connect with you! You will also be entered to win $200 in gift cards to stores Tanner loves shopping at. Target…

Happy Friday, friends! Thanks so much for joining me. Today’s letter is E and for it I chose the word extraordinary. I love this word because it literally means extra ordinary. Or, if you want to get more technical, Dictionary.com defines extraordinary like this: beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular, or established exceptional in character, amount, extent, degree, etc.; noteworthy; remarkable I personally love the first definition. Beyond what is ordinary. I like it so much because for us, to become beyond what is ordinary, we need God. God takes the ordinary (though if you think about it, nothing God created is ordinary. Everything is a masterpiece and work of art, but I digress.) and makes us extraordinary. He equips us through His Holy Spirit to accomplish extraordinary tasks, to break the bond of what is regular, and to become remarkable. A few examples from the Bible that I love are: David defeats Goliath. A young boy with a sling and a rock defeats a mighty warrior. ( 1 Samuel 17) The walls of Jericho come tumbling down from just the blare of horns and days of marching around them. (Joshua 6) Sarah gives birth to Issac when she is…

Happy Friday friends, Today I am chatting about bravery. We all exhibit some level of bravery every day. I’m not talking soldiers on the battlefield bravery, they are heroes and I respect them immensely. I’m talking about the bravery it takes to be our real, authentic selves day in and day out through trials, obstacles, and fears. Being who we were created to be and resting in that is one of the most freeing things you’ll ever experience and I pray with all my heart you do. But it also takes a whole heap of bravery not to try to fit in with your peers, colleagues, friends, or even your family. To not feel the need to conform or to hide the beauty of who God made you to be. The verse I chose for this week’s principle is from the song of Solomon. “You are altogether beautiful my love. There is no flaw in you.” Solomon 4:7. (ESV)  Some things to keep in mind this week as you go through your days: “God knit each of us uniquely together in our mother’s womb.”  Solomon 139:13-14 “God knew you before you were born.” Jeremiah 1:5 “God has called you by name and you were…