By Sabrina Novacov
With heart-pounding suspense, deeply relatable characters, and threads of faith woven through every story, bestselling author Dani Pettrey has captured the hearts of readers around the world. From her breakout Alaskan Courage series to her latest high-stakes thrillers like One Wrong Move and Two Seconds Too Late, Dani masterfully combines mystery and spiritual depth. In this exclusive interview, Dani shares the early spark that ignited her passion for writing, how her faith continues to guide her creative journey, and the inspiration behind her unforgettable characters and gripping plots.
Q: What first inspired your passion for writing, and in what ways has your faith shaped your journey as an author?
A: I was first inspired to write when I received Murder on the Orient Express for my eighth birthday. It’s not the normal eight-year-old book, but I devoured it. I loved solving the mystery before it was revealed and from that point on, I was hooked. I continued to read mystery novels and watch Scooby Doo after school. I got a notebook and began writing down story ideas and continue to do so to this day. Entering college, I took a journalism class I loved but ended up being a Classic major. I met my husband, we got married and had kids, so I set writing aside, but my passion for writing continued. I truly believe God placed it in my heart and held it there until it was time to really pursue writing. I decided to attend a creative writing course at my local college and was determined to write with the dream of publication one day. God kept the passion alive and seven years later gifted me with a publishing contract.
My faith has always played an integral role in my writing—from the first inkling of dreaming of being a writer to the time I received a publishing contract. God continues to work in my heart. He fosters ideas for future books and directs me which story to write next. I truly believe He writes with me through His Holy Spirit every time I sit down at my desk. The beauty of feeling Him with me is indescribable. He guides my journey and walks with me on it. I can see Him when looking back on my story, and I know He’ll be with me every step of the way. Each book is a love project to glorify Him.
Q: Both One Wrong Move and Two Seconds Too Late are full of high stakes and suspense. What draws you to writing suspense novels?
A: Ever since I was little, I’ve loved mysteries, but it wasn’t until I was much older and first read a Dee Henderson novel, The Protector, from her fantastic O’Malley series that I discovered the power of Christian fiction and great storytelling. Amazingly enough, God brought Dee into my life to be a friend and mentor throughout the years. Reading a book with high stakes, fast pacing and a great twist at the end grabbed me, and I decided I want to follow that path. There’s nothing I enjoy more than striving to write novels that keep readers guessing who the culprit really is and surprising them with a twist at its conclusion.
Q: One Wrong Move draws into a race against the clock - Was there a particular moment in writing this book that was especially meaningful and/or challenging for you to write?
A: I loved writing One Wrong Move. I was able to create characters who grew up with con artists for parents and were pulled into the cons from a young age. This haunts them for years until they find Christ. These characters find satisfaction in opening a private investigation firm where they bust cons and fight injustice. However, writing about their faith journeys is the most meaningful part for me. Seeing them seeking hope, watching how God works in their hearts throughout the novel and then bringing them to a place of restoration and hope is such a wonderful feeling. It challenges me in my faith to grow and to always hold on to hope. Balancing the suspense, romance and faith journeys of the main characters is always the most challenging part. Working to make sure each part has its own storyline takes a lot of time to get it right. You want each thread to hold the reader’s attention and to see each grow and change throughout the story.
Q: In Two Seconds Too Late, the title itself carries a sense of urgency. How does that idea of timing—being "too late"—shape the suspense and themes of the story?
A: Two Seconds Too Late features skip tracer and tracker Riley MacLeod and private investigator Greyson Chadwick. When a woman disappears from a luxury resort, they go undercover to try and discover what happened to her, but soon they are on the run, racing to locate the woman before the pursuing hitman finds her first. If they’re even two seconds too late, she won’t make it.
Hope is the overriding theme of the novel. It highlights hope in Christ and the future He has perfectly planned for us. Additionally, it shows hope in the saving grace of His Son, one that fills us and doesn’t let go. We all endure painful times, but our hope in Him is what lights our path and pulls us through. As I focused on the theme during rewrites, this verse brought me peace, and I hope the theme readily conveys its truth. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~Romans 15:13
Q: Were any of the characters in any of your books inspired by people you’ve met or observed in real life?
A: Yes. In my first series, the Alaskan Courage series, which features a family in Alaska that owns an adventure outfitting company, all the siblings volunteer with search and rescue. Among the five McKenna siblings, three were inspired by real people. Gage was inspired by my husband’s sense of humor. Piper’s curiosity and inquisitiveness was inspired by my young daughter, Kayla. And, Kayden, the oldest sister, was inspired by my older daughter Tylynn—her wit, sarcasm in a playful way, plus her attention to detail. I loved creating characters that reflected their personalities while still creating them unique in their own right.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to future writers, what advice would you give?
A: Never give up. The writers who don’t get published most often are those who sadly gave up. They need to think about it as a long game. Most often, things don’t happen overnight. It can take years to get published, but be encouraged. If you stick at it, there’s a strong chance one day your dream of publication may come true. As I was waiting hopefully for publication, I kept an encouragement file. In it, I noted how many years it took some of my favorite writers to get published. I realized, if it took some of them ten years and then they had a wonderfully successful career, it was okay if it took me that long, too. I also kept Bible verses in it and inspiring quotes to reflect on. I highly recommend keeping an encouragement file and putting in it whatever inspires you most to keep on the journey.
Q: Can you tell us what projects are next in store for you?
A: I just finished writing Three Steps Behind. Funny enough, my grandsons came up with the name, and my publisher loved it. It’s book three of the Jeopardy Falls series and features Deckard MacLeod, the oldest brother, and Harper Grace, a beautifully deep person in whom Deckard has met his match.
I’m also honored to be part of The Washington Policy Institute’s “Celebrate America 250 Essay Contest,” which focuses on patriotism and the history of faith in America, as well as the role it plays today. As a sixth generation military descendent, honoring our military is part of my makeup. As a Christian, seeing students write about our nation’s faith, both in its founding and today, is paramount to me. I’ll be judging the entries and cannot wait to read them.
Lastly, I’m also ecstatic to have the privilege of attending and participating with Great American Media’s “Great American Christmas” this November in Franklin, Tennessee. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the start of the Christmas season than with a festive movie premiere in the heart of the Volunteer State.
Biography: Publishers Weekly and #1 Amazon bestselling author, Dani Pettrey has sold nearly one million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance. Her novels stand out for their “wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters” (Publishers Weekly), “gripping storyline[s],” (RT Book Reviews), and “sizzling undercurrent of romance” (USA Today). Dani loves to mentor aspiring and newly-published authors. Seeing them grow and spread their wings is so rewarding. She recently was awarded ACFW’s Mentor of the Year.
Website: https://danipettrey.com/books/
Instagram: @authordanipettrey
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