Hi friends,
Today I’m celebrating the release of 14th book—The Deadly Shallows. I’m thrilled I get to spend part of it with you. In addition to The Deadly Shallows’ release, I’m also celebrating 10 years of publishing this summer. My debut novel, Submerged, came out in May of 2012. I still can’t wrap my head the fact that it’s been a decade.
Given that, I thought it might be fun to share some behind-the-scenes factoids about a three of my books leading up to The Deadly Shallows. Since Submerged kicked things off, I’ll start with Cole and Bailey’s story.
I often get asked where I get my ideas and I always answer, they come from all different places. The idea for Submerged came from a movie my hubby and I just happened to watch about cave divers. It got me thinking….who would do something so dangerous, and do it for a living? That question inspired Cole McKenna and the entire McKenna clan.
Once I knew the family, then I needed a setting. Where would be the best home for a family of extreme athletes who run an adventure outfitter company? I knew I needed extremes—things that would push my characters beyond their limits. I also wanted a location that would provide for a wide variety of adventures—everything from cave-diving to heli-skiing. I had a few options, but I settled on Alaska. Risk and extreme are inherent in the rugged, wild, and beautiful state.
Curious about your adventure style? Click on the graphic below and find out!
The first book in my Chesapeake Valor series, Cold Shot, starts out at Gettysburg National Military Park. It follows the story of former-Police sniper-turned-Park-Ranger, Griffin McCray. Griffin’s running and hiding himself away in an old military park seems the best place to keep the status quo in his life. That is, until Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Finley Scott walks into his life. She’s vivacious, intelligent and if he’s not careful he’ll fall hard. Finley, on the other hand, has nicknamed Griffin, “Ranger Grumpy.” The two are opposites in every way, but when a modern body is found in the Park, the two are thrown into the thick of the dangerous case together.
To go deep with research, I asked our historian guide where the best place in the Park would be to hide a body. I think he choked for a moment, but then he got into the fun of it and here’s the spot we picked:
I often get asked how I go about researching my novels, especially after I tell the Gettysburg story. LOL! I research in a varied of ways ranging from online, to books, to interviewing people in the professions or areas of service I’m writing about. When I turned The Deadly Shallows in my editors remarked how excellent the research was, particularly in the secondary suspense thread (don’t worry, no spoilers). They joked I must have an “inside” man. Truth is, I do. My hubby was my source for the secondary thread. It was fun brainstorming with him and learning even more about what he does. I hope you’ll enjoy Caleb and Austin’s adventure thread.
Thanks for celebrating the release of The Deadly Shallows with me today and a little walk down memory lane.
Reader Question: What is your favorite profession to read about? Or one you’d love to see in a book one day?
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Best,
Dani
I love reading about the men and women in the armed forces or law enforcement.
Hi Terri,
Those are great professions to read about. I’ve loved writing about both because I really enjoy reading about them myself 🙂
I love reading about FBI, chefs,undercover agents, firefighters, SARs and the medical field
Oooh, that’s a fun variety, Janet! Love Chef tucked in there. They make great romance stories, I think.
I’d live to read about meterologist
Hi Hannah,
Wow. That’s a really unique profession. Wonderful idea!
I enjoy reading books with characters that play domestic career, such as, housewives who try to solve a who -dun-it in their communities without the local authority’s help. These usually include unexpected twists and turns.
Hi Debra,
Those are really fun!
I like a pretty wide variety of books, including historical, but for the suspense books, I like reading about FBI or other law enforcement careers.
Hi Renee,
I love reading a wide variety of genres too. I really enjoy YA, historical romance, mysteries, and contemporary romance. Oh, and I love the Classics. Do you have a favorite genre?
I’m a retired RN, so I like to read about characters in the medical field, especially in the 1800’s- early 1900’s.
Hey Tina,
Thanks so much for dropping by. That’s a really cool time period to read about medical professions. Very intriguing.
Congrats on your anniversary! That is an awesome accomplishment 🙂 I like to read about things that I know nothing about so definitely the professions in your stories…. and even things like contractors or architects because I am SO unable to do anything handy or imagine how buildings come together at all. LOL I also like to read about things set in places like wild Alaska or other remote locations because I’ve lived in a suburb my whole life with easy access to everything and find remote locations or even small towns fascinating.
Hi Vicki,
Thanks so much :)))
That’s a great point. I love reading about different locations than I’ve grown up in too. Like exploring a new world.
I have enjoyed reading books where one character is a veterinarian or vet tech. I love seeing the animals that they take care of. I even have a manga that I like where one is a veterinarian (well he started out in school studying to be one)
Very cool, Rachel. There are so many stories that can feature vets or vet techs, and all be so very different. Thanks so much for sharing.
One thing I have liked about your books is that you choose a variety of things that your characters do and the different locations where they live and work. Your research shows in your stories and makes it feel like we readers are there with the characters!
Some occupations that I think would be interesting to read in a series is firefighting (wildfires out west) and the Navy (submarine).
Congratulations on The Deadly Shallows… recently got my copy, looking forward to reading it!
Hi Angela,
Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement! Appreciate you :))
My hubby was in the Navy and I’ve seriously considered doing a Navy series. Maybe one day…. Love the idea of it.
Hi Dani, This one looks like a real page-turner!
I agree, looks awesome.
Thanks so much, Ashely!
Awww. Thanks so much, Cissy!
Law enforcement and medical are my favorite professions to read. Currently I’ve been reading K-9 and search and rescue.
Hi Lynn,
K-9 Rescue is always cool to read about. Hope you’re enjoying the series!
I always like law, military and law enforcement. My husband is retired Army, so military could be located almost anywhere!
Thank your hubby for his service. You’re right. It can be so many places. It’s a great service to write about. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Book Release Day!
I love strong female characters in any job.
Thanks so much, Denise!
Yep. Love strong female characters.
Would have loved to see the face of your historian guide where when you asked about hiding a body lol.
I love reading novels based on/showcasing detectives, either police or private. I find it fascinating to follow their procedures.
Procedurals are so fun to follow and try and figure out. Love those!
Vickie,
It was priceless. LOL!
I love the special forces and their heroic exploits! And I love your stories! So well researched and developed.
Aww. Thanks so much, Kathleen! So glad you enjoy them.
Special Forces are so fun to read about.
Love your books. Just about anything law enforcement interests me. Particularly profilers.
Thanks so much! Thrilled you’re enjoying them.
Profilers are fascinating.
I love reading about military or former military and law enforcement. Christian romance suspense is my favorite genre.
Hi Tracy,
Thanks so much for sharing. Love reading Christian romantic suspense too. I like lots of genres but it’s my favorite.
I love the Coast Guard heroes. I would like to see a SEAL team featured.
I love reading about writers and crime solvers
I love reading about military specialists and police detectives/officers.
I’m fascinated by science – so any book where a scientist gets to be part of the action: solve the case, figure out the puzzle.
I’m so excited to read The Deadly Shallows, my copy is waiting in my mailbox as soon as I get home!
Like reading about chefs
I’m not picky about what the profession is – but it’s really great when the author uses it in an unexpected way.
any kind of profession
I love archaeology. I wanted to be one when I was little except I don’t like dirt, heat, and primitive camping. No archaeology for me. I also love different and unique occupations in the military. Seals and Rangers are common enough in fiction, but other occupations are not regularly included. Also anything marine life related. Marine biology, submarine personnel, etc
I like reading about former military people. That being said, I have loved learning about all the professions that you have covered. It feels like I was educated at the same time I was being entertained!
I agree with Hannah B…a meteorologist or climatologist story would be so interesting and fun! I love natural disaster movies (they inspired me to major in geosciences) and I think books centered around then would be great too. I just love your books and the thought and research you put into then! Thank you 🙂 Can’t wait to read Deadly Shallows!
FBI and law enforcement
Oh I am not picky… love to read about all types… it is fun to learn about professions I have no clue about…
I love reading about cops, military and the FBI.