About the Book

Book: Two Seconds Too Late (Jeopardy Falls Series: Book Two)

Author: Dani Pettrey

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: April 29, 2025

A missing woman. Two hit men. When every second counts, who will survive?

In the stark but beautiful wilds of northern New Mexico, a couples’ retreat at a luxury resort turns into a chilling nightmare when a woman vanishes. Skip tracer Riley MacLeod and private investigator Greyson Chadwick pose as a couple to hunt for clues that might reveal the missing woman’s location. Those leads uncover a harrowing truth: They’re not the only ones looking for her. What begins as a normal tracking case turns into a deadly chase when they, too, become the hunted.

As Riley and Greyson work together, their partnership ignites a tumultuous attraction, but Greyson’s secrets prevent him from acting on his feelings for her, and Riley can’t bring herself to fully trust him. Delving deeper into the case, they find themselves fighting not only for justice and the chance at a loving relationship . . . but also for their very survival.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

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. She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Florida, where she lives with her husband.

More from Dani

Hi friends! Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to stop by and say hi. I deeply appreciated. I have loved writing Riley and Greyson’s story. They are my favorite couple since Landon and Piper in my Alaskan Courage series. She’s fiery and independent and he is smitten by her, but also fears for her safety and after you read Two Seconds Too Late, you’ll understand why. Taking them out of their regular environment and placing them as a couple at high-end spa and resort brings on the opportunity to test out their feelings for one another under the guise of playing along. It’s a close proximity, opposites attract, and fake relationship story that tugged at my heart and I hope it’ll dug at yours too.

Every time I release a new book, I get a bunch of questions, which I love. I love sharing more about the story and digging into my hope for it, so I’m sharing several of the questions I get asked most and I wanted to share the answers to them with you. Please feel free to ask any other questions in the comment section below and I’ll respond within a day. Thanks again for stopping by! I hope you enjoy reading Riley and Greyson’s adventure as much as I enjoyed writing it.

• What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

That despite a strong, complexed and nuanced antagonist, that light can come from the darkest places and bring peace or, at the very least, closure to not only the families of the victims but to the hero and/or heroine as well. It might not be perfect, and it certainly doesn’t fix anything, but I still believe in the hero/heroine triumphing over the villain.

2) What authors or books have influenced your career as a writer, and why?

So many. I would say my top three influencers were Sue Grafton and are Lisa Gardner and Dee Henderson. The three write very different style of stories. Sue perfect the mystery with some edgy suspense scenes. Lisa creates the best or worst, I suppose. They are a force to be reckoned with and I love her twists and surprises. And, Dee’s book are paced so well and laid out so methodically. I’ve learned something different, and continue to do so, from these three, excellent authors.

3) Which took shape first: plot, character, or setting?

To me it’s a combination of knowing the hero and heroine’s jobs. I like to think about what kind of person would do that job and how it will affect them and the story itself. I also know the setting as it’s a character its own right and adds to and affects the story overall. I also know the crime, but I don’t know who did it. I like to leave my options open to see the direction the story goes, and where the investigation leads.

4) What was the biggest challenge this book presented? What about the biggest opportunity?

The balance between what was occurring on the surface in contrast to what was simmering beneath the surface and rising up in subtext. Creating that balance and keeping things on track was interesting, but It provided the perfect opportunity to delve into the deepest part of the characters. Overall, it was tricky to strike the right balance and have the subtly rise to the surface in a natural and authentic way.

Homemade Butterscotch Recipe:

Butterscotch is Riley’s favorite candy & the bane of Greyson’s existence (you’ll see why in the book ).

Ingredients:

2 ½ cup sugar

1 cup unsalted butter

1/3 tsp. salt

¾ cup water

½ cup molasses

¼ cup honey

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

And a little sea salt for an added touch.

Directions:

Put ingredients in pan. Cook mixture to 250 degrees.

Pour into a lined pan with parchment paper and leave it alone.

Sprinkle some sea salt if you’d like.

Let it sit overnight.

Cut it up into squares (a pizza cutter works great) and store in fridge.

Interview with Dani

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

 I received Murder on the Orient Express when I was eight. I fell in love with stories and, in particular, mysteries. I devoured them. I knew I’d love to tell stories that kept people guessing and in the mystery realm. I wrote through high school and some in college. Then I got married and had kids. I chose to set my writing aside while I was raising my kids. When they got a bit older, I decided to return to my love of writing and I’ve, by God’s grace, been doing it ever since.

How long does it take you to write a book?

I can spend six months working on a book–playing with ideas, daydreaming, jotting down notes and ideas, but the full book doesn’t come together for me until the 6-weeks-to-deadline-panic. For some reason, that’s when it all kicks in gear and in place.

What is your real-life work schedule like when writing?

On a perfect writing day, I’m up at 5 am and start at 5:30 am and write until lunchtime. Then, depending on where I am in the process, I might go back to writing until late afternoon. If I’ve hit my writing goal in the morning then the afternoons are free for other book work, playing with the grandkids after school, and the rest of life 🙂

What are your favorite books to read?

I’m a sucker for mysteries and classical literature. Jane Austen is my favorite author with Agatha Christie coming in a close second. I also love Dee Henderson, DiAnn Mills and Carrie Stuart Parks.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

My first complete book was written about eighteen years ago and I was thirty-five. The first published book I wrote–Submerged–was fifteen years ago and I was thirty-nine when it was released.

How do you create your main characters?

I start with a physical inspiration picture so I can visually “see” them. Then I play. I put together a collage, start a soundtrack, give them a profession and start writing. I’m more a daydreamer than a plotter.

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

For me, it’s the first draft. I tend to spend way too long on it so I’ve learned to fast draft and then build from there. It’s far more productive. And, honestly, it’s that first scene. Once I get it written down, then I’m good to go. Starting is terrifying because I worry I won’t be able to write another story….that it’ll stink. Such a struggle for me.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Play with my grandkids, enjoy their sports games, have coffee dates with my daughters, take road trips with my hubby and enjoy nature–anything with water or hiking and I’m game.

What does your family think of your writing?

They’re my biggest supporters. They read my early manuscript and the final one. My younger daughter brings me Starbucks when I’m on deadline and they pray me through.

Do you base your characters on real people?

No. I use a picture of a celebrity or a model for physical inspiration but I don’t base my characters on real people. Sometimes they have traits that people I know do, but that’s not the norm. My characters reveal themselves on the page.

Have you experienced writer’s block, and how do you handle it?

I’ve found when I get writer’s block, it’s God telling me something isn’t working in the story so I take a step back and don’t think about it for a few days, then it’ll hit me and I’m back at it.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

Good question but a hard one. I think it surprises me each time I finish a new book. That I get to write for a living, get to share my stories with readers and to discover and explore  different character’s lives. They feel real like friends, like they’re real for the duration of the series.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Two Seconds Too Late is my fourteenth novel and I’ve also written three novellas. It’s so hard to pick a favorite, but if hard pressed I’d say Shattered because I adore Landon and Piper and now Two Seconds Too Late because I love Greyson and Riley. Suspense-wise, Still Life is my favorite. 

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

On my website: danipettrey.com

And in my FB reader group: The Suspense Squad

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

I’m working on book three of my Jeopardy Falls series now and I’m excited to tell Deckard and Harper’s story.

Blog Stops

Book Looks by Lisa, April 23

CeCe Reads and Sings, April 23

The Sacred Line, April 24

Southern Gal Loves to Read, April 24

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 24

Where Faith and Books Meet, April 25

Wishful Endings, April 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 27

Inklings and Notions, April 27

Texas Book-aholic, April 28

For Him and My Family, April 28

Maureen’s Musings, April 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 29

Betti Mace, April 30

Bizwings Book Blog, April 30

Leslie’s Library Escape, May 1

Just Your Average reviews, May 1

Blogging With Carol, May 2

Inkwell Inspirations, May 2

Stories By Gina, May 3 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 3

Cover Lover Book Review, May 4

Labor Not in Vain, May 4

Holly’s Book Corner, May 5

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 5

Lights in a Dark World, May 5

Pause for Tales, May 6

Roads to Everywhere, May 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dani is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, a copy of the book in winner’s choice of eBook or paperback, and a $20 Starbucks gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54203