Author Interview (and a Giveaway!): Dana Mentink & Treacherous Trails

As part of the Celebrate Lit tour for Treacherous Trails, I am delighted to welcome Dana Mentink to the blog today!

Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is a national bestselling author of over thirty five titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House. Dana was thrilled to be a semi-finalist in the Jeanne Robertson Comedy With Class Competition. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, teen bear cubs affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo, Junie, the nutty terrier, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet.

You can connect with Dana on her website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.

Falsely accused…

Can she escape the real killer?

In this second installment in the Gold Country Cowboys series, farrier Ella Cahill is accused of murder—and only former marine Owen Thorn, her brother’s best friend, can help clear her name.

Now with someone trying to kill Ella, Owen must protect her…despite his promise to her brother to stay away from her.

But can they work together to find the true killer before she becomes the next to die?

Hi Dana! Welcome back to the blog!

Dana: Apples, cuz they translate easily into pie! 

Carrie: I like the way you think, Dana!

Dana: Summer. I am not weather-sturdy. There is whining in the winter months. It’s not pretty. 

Carrie: hahaha! I’m whiny in the summer…

Dana: Dogs. Junie the Wonder Dog is my best buddy. You don’t get such unbridled devotion from a cat. 

Carrie: My dog Zuzu is one of Junie’s biggest fans, especially after their chat.

Dana: Coffee. Try as I might, I just think tea tastes like grass. 

Carrie: Well… because it does 😉

Q: Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?

Dana: I teach third grade. Not to brag, but I can solve the problems of 26 children at one time, while administering band aids, refereeing, singing The Seven Continents Song and using the paper cutter. Seriously, we’re talking superpowers here, people, as any elementary school teacher can attest!

Carrie: As a former 3rd grade teacher myself, I can attest that this is absolutely at least ten superpowers in one!

Q: Which books are ‘on your nightstand’?

Dana: You see now, that’s the problem. I have such a teetering pile of books to be read that I’m fearing a structural collapse! At the moment, I am judging a contest so I’ve got those books, reading about beekeeping (research for a novella collection) and perusing all manner of amazing books for the California Women’s Retreat (I am their book reviewer.) TOO MANY, but that is a good problem to have, right? 

Carrie: There is no such thing as too many books! (I keep repeating that to myself, hoping the teetering piles of books in my own house will be appeased and not revolt against me…)

Q: Do you have any strange writing habits/quirks? Any snacks/beverages that are a must when you sit down to write?

Dana: Well, I thrive on coffee, so that’s always handy. I try not to drink too much so I will switch over to hot water with lemon and try to pretend it’s coffee. A funny thing about me is that I just DON’T LIKE PEOPLE AROUND WHEN I’M WRITING! Since I am currently housing three teenagers, plus Papa Bear and all manner of folks coming and going, I have to get up REALLY early to avoid all these people. I realize this makes me sound antisocial, but I’m really nice (after the word count is met.) 

Carrie: LOL! #priorities 😛

Q: Describe your main characters, and tell me who you would cast in their roles if Hollywood wanted to produce Treacherous Trails as a movie! 

Dana: Well we’ve got twin Owen Thorn, he’s a Marine and Chris Hemsworth would be PERFECT to play him (even without the Thor hammer!) Ella Cahill is a farrier, caring for her disabled sister. She’s one of those people who would have your back in a crisis. Emma Stone could probably pull her off nicely.

Carrie: I already loved Owen and now i’m swooning all over again since i know he looks like Thor ♥

Q: What surprised you about Treacherous Trails or your characters as you wrote their story? 

Dana: I didn’t think the story would be so much about Ella and her personal struggle to sacrifice some of her dreams in order to care for her sister. It was a wonderful topic to explore because the role of caregiver is one that many people find themselves thrust unexpectedly into. 

Carrie: I really enjoyed that dimension to Ella’s story!

Q: What do you most want readers to take away from Treacherous Trails?

Dana: I want them to put the thing down at the end and say, “Wow! That book really entertained me, encouraged me spiritually and took me on a wild adventure!”

Carrie: It absolutely did for me – mission accomplished!

Thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! 🙂 Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you.

Dana: Awww! Thanks for having me! I’m deep into books three and four of the Gold Country Cowboy series. Holding onto the keyboard as I’m galloping on! God bless, everyone!

Carrie: Gallop on, dear Dana! Always look forward to whatever story you’ve got up your sleeve next!

Stay tuned tomorrow for my review of Treacherous Trails!

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away a grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card, Cornbread Mix, and Cowboy Caviar Salsa!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

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This giveaway is hosted by Celebrate Lit, not RimSP
Follow along with the tour for more chances to win!

What about you? What interests you about Dana or her new book?