Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

dani pettrey

5 on Friday: Authors who feed my travel bug

It’s no secret I read a lot. And books have varying effects on me. At times I’m inspired. Often, I’m challenged. And sometimes, reading a story just makes me want to travel.

Here are five authors who make me want to get on a plane or a train and see the world after reading one of their books.

1. Tracy Higley. Her latest book is set in first-century Ephesus (pictured below).

ephesus_harbor_streetShe’s set her books throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean, including Greece and Jordan. Every time I finish one of her books, I think about renewing my passport and saving up for a tour of biblical proportions.

2. Dani Pettrey. I’m no fan of cold weather, but she makes Alaska sound like an amazing place to visit. I’m not really into winter sports, either, but her books have put Alaska on my travel map.

3. MaryLu Tyndall. I’m new to her sailing adventures, but she makes sailing the high seas seem adventurous and fun, even if it’s also risky and terrifying. Her most recent series follows a group of Southerners to Brazil after the Civil War. Add Brazil to the travel map, please.

4. Liz Curtis Higgs. Scotland, oh Scotland, how little I appreciated you when I had the chance to visit. Her stories are dreamy, among other things, and my heart longs to see the sights of Scotland again.Minolta DSC

5. Colleen Coble. Whether she’s writing about lighthouses or beaches, she inspires me to take a relaxing vacation, even if the stories she writes are suspenseful and not altogether relaxing.

I need few excuses to want to travel. It’s a good thing budget, time and family keep me more tethered. At least with stories, I can dream a little.

Edge of your seat suspense: Review of Shattered by Dani Pettrey

The weather outside was frightful and cold when I dived in to Dani Pettrey’s second novel in the Alaskan Courage series, Shattered. Wrapping myself in blankets and sweatshirts while watching snow fall on a gray winter day was a sure-fire way to immerse myself in the setting. But Pettrey’s writing is such that even on a hot summer day readers will feel like they’re there.

Not long ago, I read Pettrey’s first novel, Submerged, on the recommendation of a friend, and I was caught up in the characters and mystery of the story. I didn’t hesitate to take the cShatteredhance to review her second novel and return to the island with Shattered.

The McKenna family is once again thrown into the middle of a murder mystery. Reef, a brother who  has been estranged from the rest of the family, has returned to his hometown of Yancey, Alaska but is soon a suspect in the murder of a fellow snowboarder. His sister Piper is convinced of his innocence and sets out to prove it. Deputy Landon Grainger, a longtime family friend, wants to believe Reef is innocent, but when the evidence points strongly to Reef and the sheriff wants a quick conviction, Landon puts his  job on the line to pursue the truth with Piper.

I haven’t read mystery/suspense in a long time, but picking up this set of books from Pettrey has sparked my interest. They’re compelling, the characters have depth and feeling, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep readers turning the pages.

The McKenna family is tight-knit, but they behave like a real family with problems. They look out for each other but they drive each other crazy sometimes. I want to re-read these books to spend time with the family because it’s not hard to imagine they’d welcome you to their family get-togethers.

And while I’m not the biggest fan of cold weather, Pettrey makes Alaska down-right appealing.

If you’re looking for an enjoyable escape with unpredictable plot twists, then pick up Pettrey’s latest. (Or the first one in the series, Submerged.)

I’m a new fan not only of Pettrey but of this genre of novel.

And the good news is: Pettrey just announced three more books to be published in this series. So, there’ll be plenty of romantic suspense in the future as well!

Meet Dani: pettrey

Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. 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 with their two teenage daughters.

Visit her website at www.danipettrey.com.
You’re invited!
Dani Pettrey is celebrating the release of Shattered with a Nook HD giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party {3/14}. Shattered Pettrey
One winner will receive:

  • A brand new Nook HD
  • Submerged and Shattered by Dani Pettrey {Be caught up in this riveting series.}

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 13th. Winner will be announced at the “Shattered” Author Chat Party on 3/14. Connect with Dani for an evening of book chat, trivia, and a chance to win gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!

So grab your copy of Shattered and join Dani on the evening of the March 14th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 14th!

In exchange for this review, I received a free advanced digital copy of Shattered from LitFuse Publicity Group.