Thank you SO much to everyone who entered to win an Advanced Reading Copy of Stranded. I'm thrilled by your excitement for Gage and Darcy's story. Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. Have I mentioned that I have the best readers? I deeply appreciate you all. The winner of Stranded's Advanced Reading Copy is Caitlyn Santi. Congratulations, Caitlyn! Email your mailing address to me at dani@danipettrey.com and I will get Stranded and your gift card in the mail :)

If you aren't today's winner, don't worry. I'll be giving away two more Advanced Reading Copies of Stranded--one the last week of June and the other in mid-July.

In case you missed the announcement on my FB Author Page, check out your chance to join Team McKenna!

If you've posted a review for Submerged or Shattered (or both!) on GoodReads, Shelfari, Amazon, Facebook, or your blog, I've got a very fun opportunity for you. Find out more, here: http://danipettrey.com/join-team-mckenna/

Hi all, Some fun news to share and a giveaway to show my thanks! I've just learned that:

• Submerged has gone to its 4th printing.
• Shattered has been chosen as The Book Club Network's Book of the Month for May. Thanks to all who voted!
• Shattered is being translated into Norwegian. My full-blooded Norwegian father is extremely excited about this :)

I have the most amazing readers! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. In deepest appreciation for your continued support and encouragement, I'm giving away the first of three Advanced Reader Copies of Stranded--my September 1st release. I'm also including a $5 Starbucks gift card so you can enjoy your favorite drink while reading Gage and Darcy's adventure.

What do you have to do to enter?

Simply leave your name and email address in the comment section below. On Monday, June 10th, I'll randomly select a winner and announce the winner right here on my blog Monday night.

Best of luck, and thank you again for your amazing support!

Blessings,

I'm celebrating Shattered's release with some fun events, interviews and giveaways. Thank YOU so much for your support, and for sharing Shattered with your friends and family. It's because of YOU that Shattered has made the CBA, ECPA and LifeWay Bestseller lists this month!!!!

• Facebook Author Chat Party

• Guess the Name of Book #4 Contest

One person who guesses correctly will win an Alaskan Courage Prize Pack, which includes:

Autographed copies of Submerged and Shattered Submerged and Shattered custom travel mugs Submerged and Shattered keepsake bookmarks Submerged tote bag Bag of Moose Munch (Piper McKenna's favorite snack) 1lb. Caribou Coffee (Another McKenna family favorite) Chocolate covered espresso beans (to start your day off right) And a $10 Starbucks giftcard (a Dani favorite :) )

Winners will be announced during my FB Party on March 14th. You can submit a new guess each day! Open Internationally!

Can't wait to hear your guesses.

• Goodreads Giveaway

Shattered (Alaskan Courage, # 2) by Dani Pettrey (Goodreads Author)

Release date: Feb 01, 2013

Piper McKenna couldn’t be more thrilled that her prodigal brother, Reef, has returned to Yancey, Alaska, after five years. But her happiness is short-…more

Enter to win

Giveaway dates: Mar 06-Mar 28, 2013

5 copies available

Countries available: US and CA

• Recent Interviews

Sherri Wilson Johnson's Blog PLUS Giveaway of Shattered and Submerged!

Christian Novels Blog

Novel Crossings

I'm so appreciative to Sherri, Abbi, and C.J. for hosting me!

• Local Events

If you are in the Maryland area, I have two upcoming book signings and would love the chance to meet you. You can find more details on the News Page of my website.

March 24, 2013 – 2-4 PM EST -Local Author Day at the Bel Air Public Library | 100 E. Pennsylvania Ave, Bel Air, MD 21014

April 5, 2013, 5-7 PM - Booksigning at Fenwick Books |  41655A Fenwick Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650

• Fun Extras

In case you haven't already checked them out, there are a lot of new extras on my FUN Page including:

Submerged and Shattered's Playlists

Shattered Pinterest Board

Shattered Snow Cam

Book Club Packets (full of yummy McKenna recipes).

Plus, a video interview!

Hope you'll drop by and dive into the McKenna's world.

Thank you again for all your support and encouragement!

Blessings,

Thank you to everyone who joined me on Bethany House's Book Banter last night. I had an amazing time getting to chat with you all! Thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule to banter with me. If you asked a question that didn't get answered, please feel free to either ask it in the comments section below or on my FB Page and I will be more than happy to answer it :)

And now.....the winners of last night's Book Banter:

Misty Wilson

Teresa Lampkin Snyder

Musa Polat

Jeanene Boucher

Melanie De Jong

Cassie Dupre

Mandy Wadsworth

Tina StClair Rice

To get your complimentary copy of Shattered, simply email your mailing address to noelle.buss@bethanyhouse.com and she'll get your copy in the mail. Hope you'll enjoy Shattered if you haven't read it yet, and if you have, feel free to use the book as a giveaway (if you have a blog) or simply share it with a friend or family member you think will enjoy it.

If your name is not listed, there's still a chance to win a copy of Shattered. Visit me on Coffee Cups & Camisoles today for another chance to win.

Thank you again for joining me last night! It was a joy getting to know you.

Blessings,

After so many months of waiting, I am amazed the day is finally here. Today is Shattered's official release date! Yay!! To celebrate the launch, and give you an inside glimpse of Landon and Piper's world, I've put together a Pinterest board for their story. Click the image below to see the board.

You do not need to have an account on Pinterest to view the board, but if you do have a Pinterest account, I'd love if you'd add me as a friend :)  I look forward to seeing your favorite boards and connecting with you.

P.S. Think I've missed something on Landon & Piper's board? Some scene, recipe, or fun photo you think should be included? Post the link in my comments section below. Your suggestion might show up at the top of my Shattered board in the next few weeks!

Blessings,

It's hard to believe Christmas is almost here and that 2012 is almost to an end. It's been a crazy year for me and my family. A lot of wonderful--Submerged hitting the shelves and the bestseller lists. A lot of heartache--losing my mom and grandmother. But God is faithful. He's been carrying me this entire time and I'm so very grateful. I'm also grateful to all of you for your support and encouragement. Because of you Submerged has been nominated for Book of the Year, and Cole has won Fiction Hero of the Year. I'm thrilled you have fallen in love with the McKennas like I have. Piper's book, Shattered, will start hitting shelves mid-January. I hope you will enjoy her and Landon's journey as much as I enjoyed writing it. I'll be unplugging from the computer for the next week and a half to enjoy Christmas and New Years with my family. I have some fun stuff in store when I return to celebrate Shattered's release. Until then, I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas and a very blessed New Year.

God bless,

Piper and Landon's dossiers are now available on my website. Hope you'll enjoy getting a small glimpse of them before Shattered releases February 1st. Blessings,

I hope you are all having a wonderful day. A few weeks ago I attended ICRS (International Christian Retail Show) in Orlando and thought it'd be fun to share a bit about that with you all. It was my first time at ICRS and I was a bit in awe to learn that Phil Vischer and Matthew West were there, though I didn't realize that until I was on the plane flying home and actually had time to read through the convention program. Bummer.

The trip kicked off meeting my fabulous roommate and dear friend Kelli Standish. Kelli and I have worked together for a few years now, but it was the first opportunity we've had to meet in person. We met at the airport and made a midnight breakfast run to Denny's. I think we got all of four hours sleep that night and it started a trend :)

Sunday began with Books & Such brunch. It was a joy getting to meet my lovely agent in person.

Sunday night I attended the Baker dinner where I had a wonderful time reconnecting with friends and fellow Bethany House authors.

Monday I headed over the convention center and was thoroughly impressed. There were so many Christian publishers represented there along with Christian music companies, film production companies, stores, and vendors. So many people yearning to share Christ with the world. I felt like a drop in a much greater ocean. An ocean hopefully reflecting our Father's love and majesty.

I spoke at a Fiction event (hosted by the fabulous SuzyQ) alongside authors I greatly admire, and had the privilege of signing books afterwards.

Monday night I attended the Christy awards where I got to cheer on numerous Bethany House authors. I am so blessed to be part of such an amazing publishing family.

Tuesday I taped a video interview with Ray Sadler (super fun guy!) for LifeWay Christian Stores, I did a signing in the Bethany House booth next to Davis Bunn (I so admire him), and wrapped up the afternoon sitting on a panel about Christian Fiction's Impact on Faith and Culture. Quite an interesting discussion. It was such an honor to be on the same panel as Colleen Coble, Rachel Hauck, and Kim Vogel Sawyer.

ICRS was a wonderful experience. Great food. Time with fellow writers and even more importantly, fellow believers in Christ. But it was good to return home to my tiny office, to quiet time with the Lord, to focusing on the story He's laid on my heart. To shift the focus off of me and onto Him because it's all for His glory. I'm just so thankful He provides opportunities for story lovers to group together from time to time (like at ICRS and ACFW), and incredibly grateful that He's always guiding us through this journey He's called us to.

Praying you feel God's leading on your life and your journey.

Blessings,

Today you're in for a treat. An interview with Nora St. Laurent of The Book Club Network. Let's jump right in. 

What inspired you start TBCN?

The Book Club Network was born out of a desire to share Christian Fiction authors with other book clubs, share book club ideas with other leaders and to encourage the authors who are writing such amazing books. The economy has been really tough for a few years and people are not parting with money like they used to. Through TBCN they can take their time and find the right book or win it. We have give away opportunities each month. ALL of our contests are from the 19^th – 21^st of the month.

I run two face-to-face book clubs, one at the Christian Book Store I work at and the other at the church I attend. It’s a position I never imagined I’d be in since I didn’t read for pleasure much before I started working in a Christian book store 11 years ago.

But since I love talking with people and the main thing to talk about in a book store is books I started reading Christian Fiction (publishers sent ARC copies to our store and I started checking them out) The first book that rocked my world and got me hooked in Christian Fiction was a book by Linda Nichols called Not a Sparrow Falls her next book did me in and I couldn’t stop talking about it, At the Scent of Water was her next book that prompted me to contact the author and let her know how much her book touched my spirit.

After reading these two books and telling customers about these reads I had a reason to read.  These books spoke to me because I wasn’t expecting it. It reminded me of the stories in the bible. Jesus is the greatest story teller and He knew a story could change a life or prick our spirit and move us in a direction we never thought we’d be in.

I tell you all that to say I’m dyslexic and I have not been a fan of reading. Movies were more my thing. I could watch a movie of a book and have a lot more fun. Reading Christian Fiction changed my life in more ways than one.  I wanted to tell everyone about the greatest book I read, and I’d do that at the book store.  It was possible to talk about the new book I read and loved for about a month or more but when At the Scent of Water and Not a Sparrow Falls were not on the shelf anymore, I had to find some other books to talk about at work.  I’m not a very fast reader so; discovering the next new book was a challenge. Would I get the book read before it disappeared from the shelf?  How long do books live on a book shelf? The shelf life of a book was a mystery to me and still is.

I was whining to my husband Fred about my problem. How can I get the word out about great books for a very long period of time??? Being a man who likes to face challenges head we began to talk about how we could do this and the fact that I can’t read books fast enough to keep up with it’s shelf life at the store.

I also told him as a book club leader I wanted to promote great books and share them with other groups. Not everyone has the advantage of working at a book store and see what new books hit the shelves each week. Another struggle I had was if I had an author speaking at my book club I wanted to share them with other book clubs in the area. How could I do that? Where are book clubs meeting?

Our answer to many of these questions and more was the birth of The Book Club Network - TBCN. Connecting authors to book clubs and readers to their books; it’s also a network of book clubs as they post what they’ve read and how the meeting turned out.

It’s a place to find where a book club is located. We have a member map where you can find a book club near you. Message them and see if they are accepting new members. I envision it to be similar to the Weight Watchers program (don’t laugh-Grin) you can go to a meeting anywhere in the country right? All you have to do is look on line and get connected. This is my hope for the future of TBCN.

That is so exciting, Nora. Have there been any surprises for you @TBCN? What benefits have you seen by bringing readers and authors together?

I’ve been encouraged and fascinated by our growth. I can see there were other people out there like me wanting to connect with other book club members.

I’ll tell you what has surprised me is the author/reader interaction each month. This is something I didn’t foresee as I’ve watch the authors are having a blast interacting with the readers and visa/versa. The beauty of this discussion is it’s there forever for all to read no matter when you join TBCN.

The authors have done a great job coming up with questions for reader to answer that give them a peek into their book – create interest and then the discussion helps book club leaders connect with the author. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the amount of authors that want to be featured @The Book Club Network. It’s been a great thing.

The interaction with the authors is almost like having a book club meeting on line. It’s a huge benefit for both the authors who’ve wanted to ask clubs questions and readers who want to get to know authors. The authors are catching on. Our sponsors have loved the interaction as well. Members have told me that they love the author interaction from the 19^th-21^st as much as having a chance to win all these books. It’s hard to know if a book will be a fit for your group so these interaction times are helpful for that and so much more. Another thing I love about TBCN members is the fact they are not afraid to share what they think in a good way. I’ve learned so much and laughed out loud in some discussion where the questions lead to sharing funny moments.

My hope is that book club leaders and/or members participate in the discussions and make that book connection with the author and their book. I want TBCN to be a tool for them in picking out their books. Maybe invite the author to speak to their book club on the phone. It’s my hope. The discussion will be there forever. No worries about a books shelf live here @TBCN. So, everyone has time to get to know each other!! It’s a beautiful thing!

How can readers join in the anniversary celebrations?

It’s easy to sign up to be a member of TBCN.  We ask a few questions for you to answer and for other information that helps us keep spammers and other information seekers out of the network. It’s also FREE. You have opportunities to win lots of books. For our BIRTHDAY BASH we are giving away 10 books a day and announcing winners once a week. You’ll have all week to enter the daily featured contests.

Do you have any other comments for my readers?

If you are avid reader this is the place for you to learn about the latest in Christian Fiction and interact with the author each month.

Are you a book club leader? Well this is the place for you to find your next book club pick. We’d also love for you to set up your Book club page at our site for others to see. It’s a place to share your latest featured book. Post pictures of your club and the field trips you’ve taken. The authors you’ve met and the book fun you’ve had. Learn from other book clubs that have already set up their pages.

Want to start a book club but felt it was too overwhelming? You can learn from other experienced book club leaders, and you can start right away making your book club list!

Do you like to win books? This is the place for you. You’ll have a chance to get to know the authors and their books and read genre’s you normally wouldn’t. We’ve been giving away about 100 books a month and for our birthday bash it’s going to be 10 books every day; starting August first. Winners are picked weekly and announced each weekly.

THANK YOU! You’ve been a grand host to have me here and let me talk about The Book Club Network and our Birthday Bash!! I hope to see you there @TBCN www.bookfun.org

You are a Blessing!!

Nora :o)

Nora, it was a blessing having you here. I love The Book Club Network and am always excited to help spread the word.

A little about Nora:  

Nora is the CEO of The Book Club Network Incorporated. Nora and her husband run The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org She runs two book clubs near Atlanta, Ga., Former ACFW On-Line Book Club. Nora currently writes a Book Club column for the Christian Fiction OnLine Magazine and is a Book Club Talk Columnist for Novel Rocket. You can read author interviews on her Finding Hope Through Fiction blog, located at http://www.psalm516.blogspot.com, and reviews around the web at The Christian Pulse Mag, Title Trakk, Novel Reviews, and Suspense Zone.

Hope you've enjoyed today's interview, and I hope you have fun checking out TBCN.

Blessings,

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. I'm busy working away on the final revisions for Shattered (Book Two in my Alaskan Courage series). Loving this story. Hope you'll all love it too! I'm taking a short break from edits to chat with Crystal Kelly over on Inspired Shelves. Hope you'll drop by and say hi!

Blessings,

I'm guest blogging today over on Cathy West's A Blog About Books! Chatting about why I love writing adventurous characters.

Blessings,

Romantic Times Book Club is doing a feature on their blog today about my writing journey and Submerged! Hope you'll drop by and ask your burning writing/publishing questions.

Hi all, I hope this post finds you well. I'm guest blogging today on A Fictional Life about my love of words. Hope you'll drop by and say hi. You could win a copy of Submerged!

Blessings,

Want to learn more about Cole and Bailey? You're in luck! They're in the spotlight today on Relz Reviewz.

Drop by to get the inside scoop.

Yes. That's right. Today is the official release date of my debut novel Submerged. What does that mean exactly? It means that as of today Submerged is available in stores, online and for download on your e-reader of choice. It's such an exciting day and I'm looking forward to celebrating with my family tonight.

I have been especially blessed to enjoy this debut experience with three very talented authors:

Beth Vogt

Olivia Newport

Katie Ganshert (Katie's debut will officially release May 8th)

Join us on May 15 for our Debutantes’ Story Soiree: a live, worldwide online party to celebrate our debuts and also learn more about Heart of the Bride, a nonprofit ministry devoted to meeting the needs of orphans worldwide.

Also celebrating a release today is fellow Bethany House author Becky Wade. Yay, Becky!  I feel so very blessed to be surrounded by such lovely women.

Well, it looks like this might be my last post for a while. It seems Dani is itching to take control of her blog back. I hope you'll read the rest of my story in Submerged. Today's subject is a touchy one for me. I'm a Christian. I should know all about redemption. Thing is, I believe Christ died for my sins and I believe He saved me, but I still struggle. As you've learned these past few weeks if you read my posts on Facing Your Fears and Shame (still stinging from that one), I continue to wrestle with fear and shame.

I should know better. I should have it all together on the inside like I do on the outside, but I don't.

I still struggle.

I still hurt.

Regret and shame still cling to me like an ugly old sign flashing 'she doesn't belong.'

I strive to be good, to be perfect and on the outside I might even appear to be, but on the inside....

Bethany shared redemption's definition over on Katie's blog today. Four and Five hit me the hardest.

1. An act of redeeming or the state of being redeemed

2. Deliverance or rescue

3. Deliverance from sin; salvation

4. Atonement from guilt (I wish! I know I'm saved, but I fear this guilt will never go away. And, in truth, I don't deserve for it to).

5. Repurchase, as of something sold (I gave myself away painfully enough, but you're going to have to read my story if you want to find out more, because unlike Dani, I'm not ready to share the source of my shame).

What about you? Which definition of redemption hits you hardest, for good or for bad?

Check out Dani's Facebook Author Page or Katie Ganshert's Facebook Author Page for some encouragement regarding redemption.

Do you ever feel the hot sting of shame? Ever feel that you're not enough, you'll never be enough? You're not alone. My name is Bailey Craig and I've wrestled with shame for years.

Shame grips you, makes you want to shrink away and cower in your pitiful ugliness, in your past sins and mistakes. It whispers you don't belong. You'll never belong.

That's where I am--knowing I don't belong. Knowing that no matter how put together I look on the outside, no matter how confident I may appear, inside I'm suffocating and scared. The past lingers and the shame remains. Reminding me of what I've done, of who I used to be.

Leave it to Dani to make me face it. At least I'm not alone. Bethany is suffering too, only at Katie's hands.

I wonder how Dani and Katie would feel if we brought up the things that cause them shame. Would they really make us faces our pasts? Would Dani really bring me face-to-face with my shame and the one person it wounded most?

I doubt it, but here I am, about to face my fears and the overwhelming burn of shame. I pray I make it through. Pray I don't yearn to shrivel away when my past catches up with me.

How about you? Do you ever wrestle with shame?

Dani and Katie are chatting about shame today on their FB Authors Pages, offering words of encouragement.

Missed last week's post on Facing Your Fears? Click here.

Are you being forced to face your greatest fear? I am.

It's something I've prayed I'd never have to face. In fact, I'd happily dive into a pit of vipers if it meant I didn't have to go home. But I don't have a choice. Not unless I want to ignore the passing of the only family I had left. The only real family I had left.

Fear is an odd thing, isn't it? You think you can ignore it, think you can make it go away if you just smoother it down deep enough.

But it's not gone.

Oh, it never leaves--just lingers, simmering beneath the surface, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. To clutch you in its greedy, all-consuming grasp. That's where I am. Where Dani has placed me.

Fear is crawling up my neck, winding around my throat, threatening to suffocate me and I'm not the only one. Bethany is also wrestling fear's domination. Both of us are being forced to face what we'd rather run from.

The difference is I should know better. I know God. I know His Word says not to fear and yet I quake in it. What's wrong with me? Why can't I be stronger, better...different?

I stand on the precipice knowing I have to jump, and I'm terrified.

My name is Bailey Craig. Submerged is my story.

What about you? Have you ever felt suffocated by fear? Ever been forced to do something that terrified you? Ever had to face a fear you'd rather run from?

Bethany and I are chatting about it today. Protesting the painful turn our lives have recently taken at Dani and Katie's hands.

Struggling with fear? Check out Dani's Facebook Author Page or Katie Ganshert's Facebook Author Page for a word of encouragement.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday. I'm knee-deep in my first draft of Stranded--Gage McKenna's story and I'm having so much fun getting to know him.

Today I'd like to share one of my favorite fundraisers: Brenda Novak's Annual Online Auction for Diabetes Research. Brenda started this auction because it is very near and dear to her heart. Brenda' youngest son, Thad, was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes at the age of five, so she knows firsthand how difficult the disease is. To date, she has helped raise more than a million dollars for this great cause.

I've been participating since the auction began a number of  years back, and I'm doing so again this  year.

To celebrate the launch of Submerged with Bethany House, I'm donating a Bethany House Reader's Basket. It's filled with great titles from my very talented Bethany House colleagues along with an autographed copy of Submerged and some fun goodies.

The auction starts May 1st and runs until May 31st. You can find more information on Facebook,  Twitter, or Brenda's For the Cure website.

I hope you'll drop by and check it out. The money goes to a great cause and the items available for bidding are fantastic!

Here are a couple I'm keeping my eye on:

Alaskan Cruise

Hawaiian Getaway

Hope your days are filled with adventure,