#SaturdaySpotlight is on Monique DeVere & Guarded by the Sheriff!

Good Morning from Santee, South Carolina!

We started our drive up on Tuesday and arrived Thursday afternoon to spend a long weekend with my Sweetheart's bonus children and grandchildren. Today we're watching his youngest granddaughter graduate high school. Although we don't visit these loved ones often, it is always a pleasure when we do.

Speaking of pleasures, it is my extreme pleasure to have Monique DeVere back on our blog, this time with her debut Love Inspired Romantic Suspense novel, Guarded by the Sheriff. Welcome back, Monique, please share with us the story behind this book and give us a sneak peek into it!

It's wonderful to be back, Pam, THANKS!

2024 and 2025 were huge years for me. I live my life by faith, so even during the hardest moments, I believed there was a reason for everything that was happening.

First, I was made redundant from my office manager job about two months before we discovered that my dad—who lived 165 miles away—was seriously ill. Because of the distance, he’d been able to hide just how sick he was during our regular phone calls. By the time we discovered the truth, he was already very unwell. It took another four months to finally convince him to come live with us. 

Looking back now, I truly believe my Heavenly Father had been preparing me for that season of my life.

Dad passed away in February 2025, and I took it very hard.

The following month, my critique partner sent me a link to the Harlequin Love Inspired Great Author Search 2025. While Dad had been living with us, every morning I’d sit in his room with my coffee and tell him the plans for the day. He always asked if I’d managed to get any writing done, and I had to admit I hadn’t. Caring for him had become my full-time focus between his needs and the constant stream of medical staff coming through the house.

So, when my critique partner mentioned the contest, I decided to enter it for Dad.

The problem was, I only had two weeks before the closing date. I’d spent years writing romantic comedy and category contemporary romance. I’d targeted several Harlequin lines over the years but never Love Inspired Suspense because everyone said it was one of the hardest lines to break into.

I came up with an idea titled Deadly Mother’s Day. I wrote the premise, first chapter, and synopsis, and submitted it just a few days before the deadline.

Honestly, I expected a rejection. After all, that had pretty much been my experience for the past thirty-odd years.

So, imagine my utter shock when Harlequin requested the full manuscript!

It honestly took me a while to process the fact that Harlequin…HARLEQUIN!...wanted to read my story. I wrote the full manuscript in two months and submitted it. One week later, my editor emailed asking when a good time for her to call me would be. It was a Friday, and she wanted to call on Monday if I was available.

If I was available? Of course I was available!

I ran around the house to find my husband and daughter to tell them that I thought I might finally be getting “The Call.” The call I’d dreamed about for years! I won’t lie; I hyperventilated.

And on that Monday, my editor offered me a contract.

Now I get to see my book in print with my name on the cover. Harlequin didn’t feel the original title suited the line, so they asked me to send more ideas. Thankfully, they liked Guarded by the Sheriff. I am so thrilled the book will be published in eBook, mass market paperback, large-print and…get this…audiobook! I’m so excited to hear these characters brought to life by a human narrator!

This has been an amazing journey, all thanks to Jesus, my Lord and Savior!

And that’s why this book will always be so special to me. No matter how many books I write for Harlequin in the future, this one will always hold a special place in my heart because I know Abba Father guided me every step of the way.

Now my dream of writing for Harlequin has finally come true—and with a line that is perfect for me. I get to share my faith through my stories while writing the kind of suspense I love. Looking back now, I can see God’s hand in every part of the journey.

Who knew life could come together so perfectly when you put your faith in Jesus?

A child in need of protection…

and a lawman keeping watch.

It’s a shock to Sheriff Ethan Callahan to see his ex-fiancée, Sienna Blake, again—especially with a child in tow…and a gunman on her heels. 

Witnessing a shooting has made Sienna a criminal’s next target. And when Ethan realizes that he’s the father of her son, he is determined to keep them both safe…no matter the cost. With trust hanging in the balance and their enemy closing in, Ethan and Sienna must stand together to survive. 

Except the hit man knows their every move…and trusting the wrong person could get them killed.

*Excerpt: “Sienna, don’t come any closer. It’s a bomb.”

She gasped, confusion knitting her expression. “A what?”

He knew she’d heard him, so he didn’t repeat himself. “Take Nathan and get as far away from the truck as you can.”

Without delay, she scooped Nathan into her arms and ran for the side of the house.

Ethan moved with them, positioning himself between them and the truck.

They had just reached the corner of the house when an explosion ripped through the truck behind them. They hit the ground hard, Ethan shielding Sienna and Nathan with his body.

Sienna screamed his name.

Nathan’s petrified sobs tore at his heart.

“Are you hurt?” Ethan asked.

Sierra shook her head, still wide-eyed. “We’re…” She ran a hand over Nathan, relief whooshing her breath from her lungs. “We’re okay.”

He got up, helping Sienna to her feet with Nathan clutched in her arms. “Take him inside. I’ll call this in.”

She nodded. Without hesitation, she turned and hurried with Nathan into the house.

Ethan reached for his phone, his gaze drifting back to the inferno blazing on the drive.

Something told him this was only the beginning…

Guarded by the Sheriff releases June 30th but is available for pre-order now at Amazon, Harlequin, B&N, Kobo, GooglePlay and Apple Books.

About Monique

Monique DeVere writes heart-pounding romantic suspense and funny, feel-good romances with heart, hope, and a dash of sass. Her stories are filled with faith, emotional depth, and unforgettable characters. Originally from Barbados, she lives in the UK with her real-life hero, their four children, five grandchildren, and an adorable Yorkshire Terrier. When she isn’t writing, Monique enjoys family time, shell collecting, boating, being near the sea, and learning something new.

Monique loves to hear from her readers. You can email her at monique@moniquedevere.com

Get a free suspense novella when you subscribe to her romantic suspense newsletter: https://shorturl.at/ZaUjC

Get a free story when you subscribe to her romance newsletter: https://shorturl.at/57c2Z

Monique’s Social Links: Harlequin, Website, X, Bsky, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Linkedin, TikTok, Goodreads, Amazon Store.

* * * * *

Oh, My Goodness, Monique! So very sorry to hear about your dad but SO Happy this book was accepted. Maybe he had a hand in that. 😉

Either way, we wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with this - and many more - Love Inspired books!

Hope you enjoyed Monique's visit as much as I did. I've read Guarded by the Sheriff and as soon as I'm able, I will be leaving a review. Check out some of Monique's other books in her previous Spotlight appearances HERE. I hope you take her story as incentive to never give up on your dreams because with faith and perserverance they just might come true in God's time.

Until later, happy reading!

PamT

*Excerpt is copyrighted material used with permission from Harlequin.

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Carol J Post & Witness Safeguard Mission

Good Morning and Welcome from Bandera, TX!

Yep, I drove up to my soul's happy place / home away from home on Wednesday and let me tell you it is SO nice to be here. I've talked many times about the peace and serenity I feel in this place. If you ever need a quaint place to get away, you should visit. Anyway...

Today's guest is not brand new to us as she was our featured author for the month of April, but please give Carol a great big SWLA/SETX... H-E-L-L-O!

So, Carol, I know we're featuring Witness Safeguard Mission, book 4 in your Canine Defense Series. Share your heart for this book/series with us...

Thank you, Pam, for featuring me on your Saturday Spotlight. I’m so happy to be here. My stories feature characters who are pretty broken in some way. In Witness Safeguard Mission, Nicole is struggling with guilt over the fact that she never had the opportunity to reconcile with her impossible-to-please father, and Braydon has never been able to let himself off the hook for what he feels was his part in a buddy’s death. 

This theme is close to my heart, because I’ve heard so many people say that they have no problem forgiving others but can’t forgive themselves. At one point, Braydon tells Nicole, “Guilt will eat a hole right through your soul if you let it,” but then later has to admit that he is horrible at taking his own advice. When Nicole tells him that once he accepts God’s forgiveness, it might be easier to forgive himself, he questions whether some things are unforgivable. The answer, of course, is no. We can’t out-sin God’s grace. And if He has forgiven us, who are we to hold onto that guilt? That’s like saying Christ’s blood isn’t enough.

Blurb: A family in a killer’s crosshairs.

A K-9 determined to defend.

When Nicole Woodard and her young sister witness their father’s murder by an unknown assailant, Nicole knows they’re next on the killer’s hit list. Now they must rely on Officer Braydon Feldman and his K-9 partner, Caesar, for protection. The killer will stop at nothing to silence the sisters and keep the crime hidden. But what could their father have been involved in that got him killed? With attacks coming from all sides and dangerous family secrets being exposed, can Braydon and Nicole stay alive long enough to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again?

Excerpt:

Maddy began to sing softly, some silly, happy children’s song about a fat cat. Nicole envied that childish lightheartedness, the being blissfully unaware of adult-size problems. Their parents had probably sugarcoated the details about their mom’s cancer, keeping the worst of it from seven-year-old Maddy.

Nicole smiled down at her little sister. She wouldn’t do anything to destroy that innocence.

From somewhere ahead, a male voice drifted to them on the gentle breeze. It didn’t belong to her father, and it was too deep to be her uncle’s. Nicole stiffened, a wave of uneasiness sweeping through her. She drew to a sudden stop and shushed her little sister. The fat cat song died mid-phrase.

The bass voice came again, followed by her father’s. 

Her breath released in a rush, and she glanced at Maddy. “Come on, Dad’s back.”

They’d just started to move when her dad spoke again. This time his voice was raised, anger lacing his tone. She stood stock-still, every sense on high alert. Something was wrong. Her father was always in control. Even during the frequent scoldings she’d received when she’d failed to live up to his expectations, he’d never raised his voice. Someone had ticked him off.

The man he was with spoke again, his voice low and controlled. Her father’s response was immediate. “I won’t be any part of this!”

Suddenly someone was crashing through the woods toward them. Nicole slipped behind a tree and ducked into the undergrowth there, pulling Maddy down with her and praying they weren’t sharing their hiding place with anything that slithered.

“What’s going on?” Maddy’s voice was thin, filled with fear.

Nicole put a finger over her sister’s lips and leaned close. “Let’s play a game and see how quiet we can be.”

Maddy nodded, brown eyes wide.

Moments later, someone fell to the ground a short distance away. There were some rustles and grunts and then the thud of fists against flesh. Someone was being beaten up. If Nicole had to guess, it was her father.

She pressed a hand over her sister’s mouth and held a finger in front of her own lips. Once sure her sister would remain quiet, she lifted her head to peer through the top of the undergrowth.

A man was squatting with his back to her, her father lying on the ground in front of him. As she watched, he pulled something from his pocket and pressed a button. A blade extended from the end, glistening in a beam of sunlight that pierced the canopy overhead.

A soft gasp slipped between her lips. The man was going to hurt her father. She had to do something. She rose from her crouch as the stranger lifted his arm.

“I’ll make sure you keep your mouth shut.” His tone held a cold steeliness. The arm holding the knife swung in a downward arc, and her father released an agonized scream. Nicole pressed a hand over her mouth to keep her own from escaping.

She should have thought of her sister. Maddy screamed, loud and long, as the man plunged the knife into their father’s torso three more times.

Nicole grabbed her sister’s arm and broke into a full run. Her heart twisted as she left her father lying on the ground, bleeding. But trying to help him would get both her and Maddy killed. Soon heavy footsteps pounded behind them.

“Faster.” She hissed the word, even though her sister’s little legs were moving as fast as they could. Tears streamed down the child’s face, and her breath came in sobbing gasps. They would never be able to outrun the man pursuing them. God, help us!

Nicole glanced around them. The downed tree she’d coaxed Maddy from earlier lay ahead and to the left. Barely slowing her pace, she leaned toward her sister.

“There’s our secret fort. Get in as far as you can and don’t make a sound.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes. Go, and don’t come out till I say so.”

She slowed just enough to watch Maddy weave her way between the roots and then shot away at a full run, taking a sharp right. Her path was leading the man away from Maddy, but she needed more of a plan than that.

OH My Goodness, reading this excerpt brought back the entire book! Excellent. Now please tell us about yourself, how we can reach you and where we can find Witness Safeguard Misssion.

Sure. Here ya go...

Carol J. Post writes fun and fast-paced Christian romance and Christian romantic suspense stories. She is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author whose books have won several awards and been nominated for two RITA® awards and an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. She is also a popular speaker, presenting workshops on a variety of craft topics. 

Carol especially enjoys research trips, which usually involve camping, with some hiking, kayaking and bonfires thrown in when possible. She also loves playing the piano and writing songs with her musical husband. Her two grown daughters and grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all that nurturing into taking care of three sassy cats—Ziggy, Zorro and Ziva—who also love camping and are known to occasionally take over her blog with their “It’s Zaturday!” posts.

Find out more and connect with Carol via her Website, Facebook, Instagram or X. Be sure and sign up to receive her newsletter!

Witness Safeguard Mission can be found at Amazon, B&N, Christian Book Distributors, and Harlequin.

WONDERFUL! 

Thanks for visiting with us today, Carol. We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings on ALL of your books!

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight friends and that you'll check back weekly for another edition of Saturday Spotlight. You can read my review of Witness Safeguard Mission HERE.

Until next week, Read Happy!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Linda J. White & All My Bones Shook

Good Morning and Welcome!

Before I announce our guest today, I'd like to take a moment and THANK Each and Every One of YOU who visit regularly - Your love and support of me and my guests is appreciated more than words can express. TRULY! Thank YOU!! 💓💓

Now, please allow me the pleasure of introducing you to another brand-new-to-me-and-our-blog author, Linda J. White who is sharing her book, All My Bones Shook with us today. Take it away, Linda...

Thank You, Pam, it is SUCH a pleasure to visit your blog today. All My Bones Shook is the 8th in my K-9 Search and Rescue series and releases May 1st but is available for pre-order NOW. 

She might survive the river. First, she must survive them.

K-9 search and rescue handler and PI Jessica Cooper puts the dangerous days behind her, rebuilding her life on her Virginia farm with her FBI-agent husband Scott, their toddler son, and her beloved German shepherd, Luke. Then a lawyer asks for help with a custody case, and everything begins to unravel.

The job looks simple: Follow the ex-wife. Document neglect. Protect the children. But the ex-wife is not just unstable, she’s entangled with a trafficking ring in Northern Virginia. When Jess’s client, is found shot dead, what Jess knows makes her the most inconvenient loose end of all.

In broad daylight the gang rips Jess from her world. Soon she finds herself locked in a room with two terrified little girls who will be sold before sunrise if Jess cannot find a way out. She has no weapon, no phone, and no guarantee Scott will find her in time.

What she does have is a faith forged in fire—and family and friends who will never give up.

On a dark night on the Potomac River shore, hands bound, guns at her back, Jess will find out if the God she trusts in the daylight will be faithful in deep water.

All My Bones Shook, is a story of what it means to belong to God when the river is rising and the only way out is through. It’s the eighth book in my popular (and bestselling) K-9 search and rescue series. Like the other books, it can be read alone, but readers who begin at book one, All That I Dread, will find a richly layered world populated by characters who grow, grieve, fall apart, and find their way back to something true. 

Wonderful, Linda! Now Please tell us a little more about yourself and why you wrote this book...

I am the author of multiple award-winning mystery/suspense books including HOLT Medallion winners Seeds of Evidence and A Great and Terrible Darkness, and Selah finalist The Fear That Chases Me. 

Mylate husband was a video producer/director at the FBI Academy. I live in Yorktown, Virginia and my tagline/brand is "White-Knuckle Fiction."

Folks can connect with me through my website, Facebook, Instagram and X. 

When I started writing this K-9 series I thought I was writing one book about a subject I love—dogs. But no, the characters stuck with me and the storylines kept popping up in my head. Near the end of writing each time, I would pray, asking God to show me if he wanted me to keep going. So far, the doors keep opening and the stories keep coming. In All My Bones Shook, I wanted to explore faith in the “thin places,” when your life is on the line and heaven seems particularly near. Jessica Cooper is brought to the end of herself. Now the question is, will her faith hold fast?

Wow, I Love your tagline! Isn't it amazing how that happens? I remember my Tempered series was supposed to be 2 books and is now 6 with a companion novella LOL! 

THANKS for sharing your book with us today.

I hope you enjoyed Linda's visit as much as I did, Friends and that you'll check back every week for another episode of Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, Read Happy!

PamT

PS: I mentioned last week that I went to Daytona Beach, FL for NDA National Dance competition and that I would post results on my travel blog, Bathroom-Blues - and I did! Check it out 😊

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Gail Pallotta & Dangerous Shadows!

Good Morning and Welcome to the final edition of Saturday Spotlight for January 2026!

Can you believe this month is over already? I, for one am GLAD - it hasn't been one of the better months for me and I'm ready to move out of this crazy, chaotic energy. Enough about me. I'm gonna let Gail take over and share her latest book with us. Take it away, Gail...

Thanks, Pam!

Dangerous Shadows, Discipleship Series Book 3, brings together the characters from Hidden Danger and Dangerous Detour, Books one and two. They’re all stand-alone books, but it’s three times the fun to read all of them. 

I wanted to weave the importance of Jesus’ messages of discipleship and forgiveness into these stories. He waits with open arms to forgive everyone who reaches out to Him, barring none. We know it’s important to spread the Good Word, because the Bible tells us in several places. For one, in Mark 16: 15, Jesus tells the apostles to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” 

In addition to a faith element, all three of the books contain mystery and suspense, two of my favorite genres. 

Blurb: Shaken from an assault in the library parking lot at Hilltop College in Western North Carolina, crime reporter Emily Hanover contacts her ex-fiancé, private investigator Nick Lancaster. When the college hires Nick to recover quartz and ancient maps stolen from the library, Nick insists there’s a connection between the theft and Emily’s attack. As Nick and Emily face danger from an elusive stalker, their romance rekindles. Nick’s sidekick, Hucklesford, spots two suspects, so he and Nick go undercover. While Nick’s surveillance points to illegal gambling and murder, Hucklesford’s investigation leads him to the college cross-country team. Can Nick and Hucklesford, along with Emily, connect the stalker, theft, college student, and gambler’s murder to solve this baffling mystery? Will Nick and Emily find true love? 

Excerpt: Emily Hanover walked to her sporty car in the parking lot at Hilltop College. Trees with bare limbs and evergreens in the forest beside the school spoke of winter still hanging on.

Heel clicks resounded behind her.

She peeked over her shoulder—no one, just a view of the large brick library.

Footsteps snapped in sync with hers.

She picked up her pace.

Silence fell.

She glanced back. A shadow. Checking her watch, she breathed easier. Was it the shadow of the bear? Even though she’d never seen it, she’d heard a bear’s shadow appeared in the North Carolina Mountains between five-thirty and six-fifteen in the afternoon in February and March.

The shadow of the bear didn’t follow people, but seemed to spring forward going from one hill to another. Silly her. Shadows didn’t make noise.

A man ducked behind an evergreen.

She pressed her key fob, her heart pounding as she charged toward her car. Panting, she scooted in the driver’s seat. Her finger shook as she punched the starter button. She mashed the pedal to the floor, and the engine roared. Letting up on the gas, she drove the speed limit while checking the rearview mirror. Cars, trucks, and SUVs followed her.

Dangerous Shadows can be found at Amazon for Kindle (FREE in KU!), in Paperback and Audio (FREE with your Audible Trial Membership)!

Check out the entire series HERE. 

Gail Pallotta’s a wife, Mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A 2013 Grace Awards finalist, she’s a Reader’s Favorite 2017 Book Award winner and a TopShelf 2020 Book Awards Finalist. She’s published nine books, short stories and several hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums. She loves to connect with readers. 

Sign up for Gail’s Newsletter and connect with her through her Website, on Facebook, LinkedIn, BookBub, Goodreads and Pinterest.

Check out Gail's previous visits to our blog HERE and HERE.

THANKS Gail!

Hope you enjoyed our spotlight today and that you'll check back weekly for more great authors and their books.

Until next time, read happy!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Virginia Vaughn & Protecting the Texas Witness!

Good Morning Friends,

Fall is in the air here in SW Louisiana with mornings in the 60's and afternoons in the low to mid 80's. Even the humidity is lower than normal which is always wonderful! Sure makes those football games a bit nicer. 😄

A lot is happening here on our blog and in our collaboration with Keuka Roots. Check out the details HERE. 

Enough small talk, let's get to our guest!

Virginia Vaughn is brand new to our blog, so let's give her a great, Big, SWLouisiana W-E-L-C-O-M-E

Thanks for joining us today, Virginia, please tell us about your latest release, Protecting the Texas Witness.

Great to be here, Pam. Thanks for inviting me!

Here's the Blurb: 

He has a witness to defend…

and their future hangs in the balance.

Deputy Drake Shaw rescues single mom Isabelle Morris from an assailant's attack, only to be mistaken for her late husband. After exposing the corruption at her health-care company, Isabelle fears danger has followed her and her daughter all the way to their remote cabin. Now Drake must keep them safe long enough for Isabelle to testify against her former boss. But when her child is taken, the stakes are raised. Can they survive to unravel the truth about the present…and the past?

And an Excerpt: 

Isabelle saw a light in the murky water, then a figure below. 

It was a man and he was intentionally pulling her under. 

He reached for her arm and yanked her lower, then grabbed her head and pushed her down, too strong for her to fight against, but that didn’t stop her from trying. She kicked and flailed at the figure. Finally, she managed to push to the surface, gasping for air the moment she broke through the waterline. 

“Help me,” she cried as the strong hands pulled her under once more. 

Then there was splashing in the water and moments later the man released her. She surfaced again and struggled to catch her breath and tread water, coughing and gasping as she did so until another pair of strong hands grabbed her and she flinched. 

“It’ okay. I’ve got you.” The voice was husky and weighted with worry, but she knew it instantly. 

Drake. 

At that moment, it didn’t matter whether or not he was her deceased husband. All that mattered was that he was there for her. 

Oh My.... Intriguing! Tell us why you wrote this story or what makes it special and the please tell us more about you and where we can find you and Protecting the Texas Witness...

I was so happy when it was time to write this story because it focuses on two tropes I love—amnesia

and back from the dead. Creating a story to explain how a man could be missing for ten years without anyone realizing it was a stretch but I think we pulled it off. I also love these characters to much. Isabelle reminded me a lot of myself—strong because, as a single mom, she had to be and also a bit of a control freak. Yet it was that strength and determination that made her fight to learn the truth about Deputy Drake Shaw. 

In the end, I hope the reader asks the question, not is he or isn’t he her husband, but will she or won’t she become his wife? 

You can find Protecting the Texas Witness at Amazon and on Kindle, B&N, directly through Harelequin or wherever Love Inspired titles can be purchased. 

As for me, I am a Publishers Weekly Bestselling author of over thirty inspirational romantic suspense novels. Blessed to come from a large, southern family, my fondest memories include listening to stories recounted by my family and friends around the large dinner table. I've been a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. One day I decided to start writing them LOL! A former investigator for the State of Mississippi, I utilize my criminal justice background with my love of writing to transform words into powerful stories of romance and danger. If you love fast-paced, exciting romantic suspense stories, subscribe to my monthly newsletter at https://bit.ly/3NYqzTl to keep up to date on current and upcoming releases, promos and my perfectly "normal" obsession with all things books.😊

You can find and connect with me through my Website, on Facebook, Amazon and Instagram.

Thank You, SO Much, Virgina for sharing with us today. We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings on your new release, your life and writing.

💖Pam 😊

Hope you enjoyed Virginia's visit as much as I did Friends, and that you'll check back weekly for another edition of Saturday Spotlight. Be sure to check out our Featured Author/Artist, Keuka Roots' Autum Reads and the featured books in our sidebar.

Until next time, take care, God Bless and Happy Reading!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on DiAnn Mills & Canyon of Deceit!

Good Morning,

Can you believe September is half over already?!

I can't. Been crazy, busy this month as usual LOL!

Today's guest has been here numerous times but it always my pleasure to welcome my friend, DiAnn Mills to share her latest book with us. Welcome back, DiAnn, tell us what makes Canyon of Deceit so special...

Thanks for having me back, Pam!

Story ideas have a way of wiggling into my heart and taking root. Canyon of Deceit hit the curiosity bullseye, especially the concept of living off-grid. Imagine totally roughing it—no food, water, electricity, cell phone connection, yet plenty of snakes! 

Here’s the scoop on my new release:

A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel.

When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.

Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.

Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives.

My adventuresome spirit propelled me to hike those mountains and find out all I could about where my hero and heroine attempted to rescue precious Alina. Dear reader, I love to visit the setting of my stories. I want to experience the area in every way possible. So my husband and I drove from our home in Houston into southeast New Mexico—because a person can’t drive to there except from New Mexico.

My husband and I drove into Guadalupe Mountains National Park’s Dog Canyon. The rocky cliffs, barren countryside, and desolate mountain beauty captivated me. In route, horses and cattle ran free-range, so we had to stop a few times before reaching our destination. Park rangers offered tremendous help with their knowledge of the area. Some of the information I’d never have known without their insight.

Arriving at the trailhead of Dog Canyon stole my breath, from the wildlife to the desert growth, I snapped pics like a crazy woman. My sanity in pursuing research might be in question, but that’s the life of a writer. Some of those pics are on a Pinterest board devoted to Canyon of Deceit.

Writing romantic suspense challenges me to reflect on the daily changes in our world. I always learn about careers, settings, behavior, the power of motivation, and so much more. Are you tempted to learn more about this story? Check out the book info page and a special tab for book clubs. 

Let me hear from you! You, dear reader, are why I write suspense, romance, and adventure.

Oh my goodness! What a wonderful adventure you had, DiAnn. I love traveling too and Dog Canyon sounds like an interesting place to visit. Can you give us a little more info on the book?

Sure, here's the blurb...

 A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy.

When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing―and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.

Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.

Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot―no matter the risk to their own lives.

You can Read an Excerpt on HERE.

THANKS, DiAnn! Now give us the scoop on you ...

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who invites her readers to step into stories where suspense meets adventure and romance warms the heart. Known for crafting unforgettable characters tangled in unpredictable plots, DiAnn believes every breath we take unfolds a story waiting to be told—so why not make it thrilling?

Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.

DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers, DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.

A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.

Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions: Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn, or her website: diannmills.com.

Canyon of Deceit is available through your favorite bookstore or online retailer as well as Amazon in Paperback, for Kindle and in Audio. In fact it's FREE on Audible with a membership trial!

Thank You, DiAnn. We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with your new release.

Hope you enjoyed DiAnn's spotlight friends and that you'll check back weekly for more great authors and their books as well as Featured Authors/Artists and Featured Books in the sidebar.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Jodie Bailey & Tracing Killer Evidence

Good Morning and Welcome to the last Saturday Spotlight of August, 2025!

Can you believe we're heading into the last few months of the year already? 

Me either, but let me tell you it's been an amazing ride so far. 😊

When I started putting this week's guest information up, I wondered... 

"I've known Jodie for years! Why hasn't she been here before?! 

"Je ne sais pas," as the French would say. "I don't know," in English, but I'm sure glad she's here now.

Welcome, Jodie! Please tell us a little about yourself...

Thanks, Pam, I often wondered myself why I never got around to visiting your blog. Thank YOU for having me now!

I am a New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly Best-selling author who writes “soul-stirring suspense” filled with love, faith and intrigue. My novel, Crossfire, was an RT Reviewers' Choice Award winner that was commended for addressing "the stigma associated with mental health services and the military." 

Besides (and above) all that, I am -first and foremost- a mom and Army wife who believes dark chocolate cures all ills. I live in North Carolina with my husband and a lab-husky mix. 😊

Love it! Now tell us about your book, Tracing Killer Evidence and why you wrote it...

Tracing Killer Evidence was such a blessing to write, because it was part of a continuity with other Love Inspired authors. It's always fun to work together, to get to know one another's characters, and to work them into my own story. It's a challenge to look back at prior books in the series and forward to the books after mine in order to wave in the right threads and make sure that we don't wind up with inconsistencies or plot holes. (And yay for the editors at LIS, who are rock stars at keeping everything together and making sure it all flows!) 

This book is about forgiveness, which is something I think we all struggle with. I wanted to look at how God calls us to forgive and to show it at work in a very broken relationship. I always learn so much when I'm writing a "God story," and He is definitely still working on me on that one!

Isn't HE always working on all of us on that?! LOL! Can you give us a sneak peek into the book and where we can find it?

Sure... Here is the blurb...

A string of unsolved kidnappings…A K-9 team out for justice…

Forensic artist Isabella Whitmore narrowly escapes an abduction attempt in the Dakota Badlands, only to find herself targeted by a mysterious assailant. With the help of FBI special agent Liam Barringer and his K-9, Guthrie, Isabella must uncover the identity of her would-be murderer. Is the culprit the elusive kidnapper turned serial killer who’s targeting Isabella because she matches his victim profile? Or has her secret past finally caught up with her? As the attacks escalate, Isabella and Liam must find the truth and stop the danger before it’s too late.

And an excerpt...

A dark sedan had slammed on its brakes in front of them. It had no license plate and no bumper stickers or identifying marks. Other than the make and model, there was nothing distinct about it.

The car didn’t move as Liam backed farther away then slammed on the brakes again a safe distance up the highway.

Isabella slammed against the headrest. She swallowed hard and gulped air, begging God for mercy for her swirling stomach and her spinning head. Begging Him for safety from this relentless assault.

After long moments where the only sound in the vehicle was the three of them breathing, the sedan suddenly gunned the engine and roared away with tires spinning. When it had gone about a tenth of a mile, the headlights and taillights vanished.

“He shut them off.” Liam smacked the steering wheel, then eased the SUV to the side of the road.

“You’re not going to follow him?” Her motion sickness forgotten in her ire, Isabella disentangled her hand from Guthrie’s collar as she threw her right hand toward the fleeing vehicle. “He’s going to get away. We can catch him. We can—”

“And do what?” Liam snapped. “I have no backup. Say he slams on the brakes and opens fire. Say he has an accomplice and lures us into a trap before help gets here. As much as I want to put an end to this, I’m not going to charge into the unknown when I have you in the vehicle with me. You’ve been through enough, and we’ve had too many close calls. This guy is escalating, and I don’t like it. Clearly, he’s fixated on you, and this is more dangerous than we thought.”

Everything in her deflated as a chill wrapped around her. Her body, her mind, her heart…they all went numb.

Liam called Cheyenne and repeated their location and everything that had happened.

Ahead of them, in the opposite lane, several emergency vehicles appeared, lights flashing in the distance, racing closer.

She no longer cared. She no longer felt anything. All she wanted to do was sleep.

The same overwhelming emptiness had engulfed her on the night before her planned wedding, when she’d closed the door behind her father and brother and sank against it, sliding to the floor. That night, they’d demanded she convert her “FBI fiance’” into a patsy for their criminal organization. Refusal meant death for Liam. They couldn’t risk her being married to a federal agent if he wasn’t working for them as well. 

So to protect Liam, she’d left him behind. Where she should have been overwhelmed by anger and grief at her family’s vile demand, she’d felt nothing. The gulf that had opened in her heart was too expansive, and it seemed to swallow her whole.

It was the same now.

It had taken years for her to heal the last time, and part of her still felt like it lived in that abyss. The last thing she’d ever wanted was to feel so dead again, but she was overwhelmed and broken.

She’d lost herself, and the idea that this emptiness could be permanent terrified her more than any killer ever could.

You can find Tracing Killer Evidence at Amazon , at Harlequin.com, and of course your local book retailer that carries Love Inspired titles.

Wonderful, Jodie! Thank you for joining us today. We certainly wish you the BEST of luck and God's blessings for continued success with your writing and life in general. 

Hope you enjoyed Jodie's spotlight friends and that you'll come by weekly to find more great authors and their books. Check out her other titles HERE and find out more about her by visiting her Website.

Until next time, take care and keep reading.

PamT

PS: One of Jodie's backlisted titles is a Keuka Roots' Autumn Reads book! 

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Heidi Glick and Gazing into Darkness!

Well, August is winding down quickly. School has started. Football season is underway and Fall is on it's way. You may have seen Heidi Glick's new book featured in our sidebar, but today we're going to get a sneak peek into the book itself and why Heidi wrote it.

Welcome Heidi! Give us the scoop...

Thanks for having me, Pam. Gazing into Darkness is the first book in a three-book romantic suspense series, Queen City Heroes, set in Cincinnati, Ohio. For several years, I worked for a government contractor onsite at the Cincinnati EPA. Later, I learned about EPA CID agents and decided to write a story about them. The book released on August 12, 2025, from Scrivenings Press and will be available on Amazon and through Kindle Unlimited.

Sounds amazing, Heidi! Isn't it wonderful where our ideas come from? Give us more please...

It sure is! Here you go...

Blurb: Instead of moving closer to his girlfriend, Chance McPherson gets dumped and relocated to Cincinnati—farther from his dreams and closer to his shameful past. Stacey Sanderson is excited to finally secure a role in law enforcement, like the rest of her family, especially as an EPA CID agent, where she can protect God’s creation.

On the job, Stacey’s perfectionism and faith rub Chance the wrong way, while his antics and wisecracks irritate Stacey. When federal employees who worked an old case with Stacey start dying, Chance becomes concerned, and not just because Stacey is his partner. Stacey senses a closeness between them but has vowed not to get involved with men in law enforcement and especially not someone who doesn’t share her faith.

The anniversary of the case is creeping closer. Time is running out. Can Chance and Stacey stop the person who is out to kill her before it’s too late?

Excerpt: A bullet zinged through the front office window but didn’t hit anyone.

“We got to hold them off longer.” Stacey was perched halfway out the window. “I can’t leave you behind. I’ll stay.”

“Could be shooters outside. Just get them to safety. Go for help. We need to contact local law enforcement.”

“Chance ...” Her eyes met his. Long, intense glances passed between them. His pulse raced, and not just from the intense situation.

“Go!” He pushed her out the window, then sighed.

* * * 

Oh my, what an hook! Now give us the scoop on Heidi and where we can find Gazing into Darkness 😊

Thanks LOL! Here is my bio and where readers can connect with me...

Heidi Glick writes romantic suspense and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers. She has an eye for detail and includes law enforcement particulars in her stories, grounding the reader in scenes. She’s attended Writers’ Police Academy and the Hancock County (Ohio) Sheriff Citizen’s Academy to ensure accuracy of story details. Though she grew up in Southern California, Heidi now considers rural Northwest Ohio her home. Readers can learn more about Heidi on her Website and connect with her on Facebook, TwitterX and Sluths and Suspects blog.

Gazing into Darkenss can be found at Amazon and directly through the publisher, Scrivenings Press.

Thank You, SO Much, Heidi!

Wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings with your new book.

Hope you enjoyed Heidi's visit friends and that you'll stop by each week for Saturday Spotlight and check out our Featured Author, Featured Books in the Sidebar and previously featured Authors, Artist and books on our Archived page.

Until next time take care and give yourself permission to escape into the world of make believe by opening that book you've put off reading, or writing!

Speaking of Writing - A Novel Lunch ™ Beginning Writer's Workshop will kick off again on September 9th! Get the details HERE.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Dianne Miley & Sunflowers for Sarita

She's back and it is with great pleasure I bring to you Dianne Miley's book, Sunflowers for Sarita! Welcome, Dianne, tell us what prompted this novel...

Thanks for having me back, Pam! At the beginning of the Crystal Falls Series, Sarita testified against her then-boyfriend for her attempted murder. He went to prison and vowed revenge. I had to share the story of what would happen when he was released. Sunflowers for Sarita is Christian romantic suspense with plenty of frightening, nail-biting scenarios along with reconciliation and redemption. I love a good redemption story, and Sarita deserved one! I had to write it for her. 

Of course you did! Give us more please...

Sure, here you go...

Blurb: WHEN HER HOMICIDAL EX threatens revenge, Sarita Santos becomes desperate to protect her young daughter. She accepts refuge at wealthy client Max Carter’s beach house. With the madman on their trail, Max risks his life to save her child. Can love blossom in the midst of catastrophe? And can love survive if hope is lost?

Excerpt: Chapter 1 - Broken Sunflowers

Hot August sunlight streamed through the display window of Willow Pond Interiors, but Sarita Santos stood frozen in the midday heat, chills running through her as the voice of the smalltown Ohio police chief reverberated from her cell phone.

"Ramone got parole. He was released this morning."

Icy fear prickled her scalp, surging through her with a sudden trickle of sweat down her back, all the way to the tips of her frigid toes.

"His attorney appealed to get him out early. I don't know how or why, but he won." Chief Hunter heaved a sigh. "We'll do all we can to protect you, Sarita. Stay away from Riverside and his old haunts."

Shivering, she dabbed perspiration from her brow. Her stomach pitched with the rush of heat and cold, nausea churning as if she’d just contracted the flu.

Ramone Valdez had murdered her best friend. When Sarita refused to abort his child, he tried to kill her too. Then she testified against him, and he swore revenge. After he went to prison, she'd moved to nearby Crystal Falls, cut all connections to her sordid past, and started a new life. But Riverside was only twenty-five miles away.

He'd track her down. 

"Don't go near anyone connected to him," the chief warned.

Sarita sucked in a jagged breath. "What if he finds my mother? She watches Gracia." Scenes of horror flashed through her mind: Ramone busting through the door, yanking Gracia from her mother's arms, torturing her screaming child.

"Don't panic. Where does your mom live?"

"Here in Crystal Falls. In the apartment above the music shop." Her voice shook as bile burned her throat.

"Stay here in town. Your phone's unlisted, right? And your mother's?"

"Yes." Her voice cracked. "We only use cell phones."

"Good. Lie low for a while. Watch for anything suspicious and let us know. I'll ask the department in Riverside to keep an eye out for him. We'll do the same here."

"Thank you."

"I'll be checking in with you. Keep your daughter close and be safe."

Trembling, Sarita fumbled the phone into the pocket of her dress. Only then did she feel the bristles across the palm of her other hand. The woody stem of a sunflower crushed in her fist. Its fresh green scent filled her nostrils and oily sap covered her hand.

She dropped the broken flower as if it were razor wire.

Would Ramone hunt her down? Had prison deterred his promise of revenge, or hardened his heart even more?

She swallowed the acid taste and wiped her hand on a dust cloth. With a desperate prayer on her lips, she dialed her mother's number.

"Hello, mama?" she stammered.

"Sarita, what's wrong?"

"Mama, where's Gracia?"

"She's napping." An edge of irritation tainted her mother’s voice as the opening music of her favorite soap opera played in the background.

"Will you check on her, please?”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Quickly, Mama, please. Then lock all the windows and doors – especially the balcony over the back alley.”

“But...?”

“Ramone's been released from prison."

"No - " Maria Santos gasped and the phone clamored as she dropped it. Rushed footsteps scuffled away and a door creaked shut. Muted sounds assured Sarita she was locking the windows. More rushed footsteps, the click of a deadbolt, and heavy breathing coursed through the phone line.

"She's safe." Her mother sounded more rattled than confident.

"Thank you, Mama. Please stay home and keep your eyes open. Don't let Gracia outside. The police will be watching the area."

"Okay." Maria heaved a breath. "Whew. It's hot in here already. Is it really necessary to lock the windows on the second floor?"

"I'm sorry, Mama. We can’t take any chances. I wish you had air conditioning."

"Yeah. It's usually not this hot up here."

Northern Ohio summers rarely required more than an open window and a fan to circulate the breeze. A native Puerto Rican, her mother spent her youth in tropical heat without air conditioning. But she was older now, overweight, and acclimated to the cooler climate.

"We'll have to figure this out. Please just be careful, and I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Okay, honey. Try not to worry."

"I will. Thanks, Mama. Please pray."

Ramone would need more than a day to find her. After four years in the slammer, his first order of business would be booze and sex. He would likely return to Riverside and hole up with one of his drunken floosies.

While Sarita had worked her tail off to support them, he'd cheated plenty. Furious when she got pregnant, he could no longer rely on his star stripper to bring in the cash. He insisted on an abortion. When she refused, he orchestrated an 'accident' by cutting the brake lines on her car.

Injured and close to miscarriage, she got out of the hospital in time to testify against him. In prison by the time Gracia was born, he might not know that his child survived.

Sarita couldn’t stop shaking. Even in smalltown Crystal Falls, her precious daughter could be in danger.

Her stomach roiled. She needed food but the last thing she wanted to do was eat. Sipping her chocolate espresso to settle her stomach, she resolved to keep busy. No customers wandered about for the moment.

As turmoil churned her mind, she struggled with an arrangement of sunflowers in the front window of the store. The warm sun, once welcome, now felt garish as she massaged her forehead to fend off a migraine. Taking deep breaths, she scanned the quaint main street of Willow Pond, checking pillared corners and brick alleys for any sign of Ramone.

A well-dressed man passed the window and caught her eye. After initial surprise, he grinned. Men often gawked at her looks without a care for the person inside. Much less what she was going through this minute.

As he opened the door, Sarita groaned inwardly. Drained and terrified, she just wanted to be left alone. She needed to focus on a way to hide from Ramone without leaving her job and everything she’d worked for.

The handsome man smiled as he approached her. “You look as sunny as those flowers.”

“Thank you.” She felt like a wreck after that phone call. She climbed from the display window, careful not to hike up her slim yellow dress. Ah - he must have meant her yellow dress and dark hair matched the sunflowers.

Wobbly on spiked heels, she righted herself on the slick tile floor.

He stuck out a hand and she braced herself for the onslaught of emotion his touch could bring. Handsome men still held power over her.

Like a gentleman, his firm handshake steadied her without letting on as she regained her balance. Too upset for his touch to cause the anticipated effect, she felt an odd comfort instead. She pulled back with cool grace and mentally shored up the talented interior designer she’d trained to be.

“Welcome to Willow Pond Interiors. I’m Sarita.”

“Nice to meet you, Sarita. I’m Max Carter. I believe we’ve met before. I’m a friend of Chad and Vanessa James. Weren’t you in their wedding?”

His sandy hair and trim frame looked familiar. She met his gaze. With a jolt of surprise, she remembered him. He’d caught her eye at the wedding two summers ago, and Vanessa hinted hard that he was interested. But after all Sarita had been through, she’d sworn off men.

She had her hands full raising a three-year-old and building a career. Now she had Ramone to worry about.

Besides, Max Carter, millionaire tycoon, lived a few notches above anyone who’d be interested in an ex-stripper with a toddler in tow.

“I’m surprised you remember.” Her raw emotions precluded flattery.

“How could I forget?” Heat radiated from him in waves of spicy cologne and overheated male, threatening to melt her resolve like the chocolate stashed in her purse. Lord, give me strength.

“It was a beautiful wedding.” She tried not to stammer, determined to be professional and get to business. “It's nice to see you again. So how can I help you today?”

His expression registered disappointment, but he let the conversation shift.

“Vanessa recommended you to redecorate my great room. I have a large stone fireplace and cathedral ceilings. I’d like to make the big room feel more intimate.” Seeming to regret his word choice, he cleared his throat and fortified his businesslike manner. “Cozy, that is.” Avoiding eye contact, he glanced around the store.

“All right." She ignored the double meaning of his words."We need to find your style. Let me show you around.” Still shaken, she led him toward a grouping of sofas and chairs on teetering heels. She put on her professional face and fought an inclination to touch his arm for support. “Point out anything that strikes you, without concern whether it fits the room. I need to get a feel for your taste.”

That was all she needed a feel for. His kindhearted gaze made her want to lean into him for a hug. How she needed one right now. But her weakness for affectionate comfort had betrayed her time and time again. Irresistible men had gotten her into this mess.

Oh Wow...That excerpt really packs a punch on several levels! You know what's next, LOL...

Ha! Yes I do. here are my bio and links...

Dianne Miley writes to share God’s hope, love, and grace. Her Crystal Falls Series includes: Lilacs for Laura; Roses for Rachel; Violets for Vanessa; and Sunflowers for Sarita. She contributed short stories to three anthologies: A Holy City Christmas; Charleston Light; and When You Pass Through Waters. She also authored a non-fiction book, Time to Enjoy Your Blessings. All books, as well as her blog can be found on www.diannemiley.com.

When she's not writing or reading, Dianne enjoys time with family and friends. She and her husband have two married children and two adorable grandchildren. She also enjoys cooking, gardening, flower arranging, tea parties, the beach, and her wrap-around porch. She founded a nonprofit, Sanctuary of Unborn Life in Charleston, South Carolina to help pregnant women in need. She now lives near Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Find and Follow Dianne at the following SM sites...

AMAZON

WEBSITE

BLOG

FACEBOOK

GOODREADS

BOOK BUB

Sunflowers for Sarita can be found at Amazon for Kindle (Free in KU!) and in Paperback and don't forget to check out the other books in the Crystal Falls series, Lilacs for Laura, Roses for Rachel and Violets for Vanessa.

See Dianne's past visits to our blog HERE.

Please help support Diane by commenting and sharing this blog post. TIA!

Until next time, take care, God Bless and Happy Reading.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Gail Pallotta & Dangerous Detour

Good Morning and Welcome to another edition of Saturday Spotlight!

Today's guest, Gail Pallotta, has visited many times in the past and now she's here with one of her latest books, Dangerous Detour.

Welcome back, Gail. Please give us a peek into Dangerous Detour.

THANKS, for having me back, Pam. Here you go...

Blurb: Four people face a winter storm in the wilderness. Two have lost their way. One has lost his purpose and one has lost his soul.  

Headed home for Christmas vacation, Ruthie, a quiet professor, crosses paths with Moose, a football coach, on an icy blocked road in Western North Carolina. Amid a winter storm, they unknowingly take shelter in a killer’s hideout. Escaping under fire, they flee into a frozen, snow-covered forest. Trying to find their way out and shake the murderer, they dodge bullets each day until the temperature drops and the world turns quiet. Then, they set up camps to survive in the wilderness. Even though they grow attracted to each other, neither admits it until each of them suffers a frightening injury. Finally, they head to a house Ruthie sees in the distance. Will they meet a new friend, or a foe?

Excerpt: Twilight fell.

The fog grew thicker, and ice pellets hit the windshield.

Ruthie O’Donnell wished she’d waited to leave for home tomorrow, but the weatherman had forecast snow, not ice. 

Her car skidded.  

A drop-off on the right. An embankment on the left. 

Holding the steering wheel so tight her knuckles hurt, Ruthie turned the wheel with the slide. Thud. The airbag deployed. Her horn honked.

The motor ground into the quiet night. After the airbag deflated, with her hand shaking, she turned off the engine, opened the door, and stepped out. The beams from the car’s headlights shone on the hood. 

She’d smashed into a tall oak growing on the side of a cliff. Only the tree kept her from tumbling over the steep precipice. When her knees went weak, she braced herself on the doorframe, slid into the driver’s seat, and collapsed on the airless airbag.

Metal grinding against metal blasted, then the world fell silent. Ruthie stared at the soft snow. She could almost hear the mist. 

Tapping. From far away? Someone coming to help? Or hurt her? Every muscle in her body tightened.

“Ma’am, Ma’am, are you alright?”

A large man holding a flashlight stood by the car. 

She started closing the door, but he pulled it open. She scrunched her shoulders and recoiled.

Placing a muscular arm around her waist, the man gently pulled her out as though she weighed no more than a light grocery bag. After he stood her up on the highway, she stiffened at his size. Towering over her five-feet-four inches, he had broad shoulders, dark hair, and…wait. Did kindness glint in his big brown eyes, or did she imagine it? 

“Ma’am, we need to get your belongings out in case your vehicle goes over. 

Ruthie looked at her car and placed her hand over her mouth. 

“Ma’am, I didn’t mean to upset you more than this disaster already has.” He sighed. “Before I left, I listened to a weather forecast for the Western North Carolina Mountains for snow, possibly heavy at times.”

“I heard snow too.”

“We’re lucky. I skidded into the guardrail sideways and stopped ten feet behind you. We came so close…” The man motioned toward the bluff. “But here we are.” He peeked in the backseat window. “We need to take only the most important things—suitcase, water, food. Any of that buried under all of those books?”

Trying to assess her situation, Ruthie pondered the words before she answered. “I have luggage in the trunk and one to-go box of food.”

“I’ll grab your bag if you’ll bring the leftovers.”

“What about my car?”

“The tree holding it appears pretty sturdy. Strong winds, ice and hail could damage it though. Considering the conditions and the one-hundred-foot drop, I wouldn’t try to move it. If it slides sideways, it could plummet over the edge.” He glanced at her backseat again. “Could you choose a few of those books and leave the rest?”

She held the duffle bag in one hand and the food in the other. “That’s all right. I don’t have to take them.” She valued her books like gold nuggets, but she could only carry so much. When the man had said one-hundred-foot drop, she had put her desire to read in perspective.

“I know how bookworms are about their pastime. Take a few. I’ll add your items to mine and carry them all.”  

Wait a minute. Twilight had turned to night, and here she was, standing on the side of the highway in a storm talking to a strange man as big as Paul Bunyon? “Who are you?” 

# # #

Oh, Boy... Makes me wonder what happens next. But that's the point, right? LOL! Tell us, what made you write Dangerous Detour and how we can find more about you and your books.

I certainly hope so! Here's the story behind the story, my "official" bio and where I can be found ...

People often refer to modern times as the post-Christian era. We’re blessed with wonderful ministers, missionaries and other Christian leaders. Unfortunately, many people never attend a church or any Christian gathering. Yet church goers see others on a daily basis—in a long line in the grocery, at a restaurant, a company or organizational meeting. How can we, Christians who have no formal ministerial training, help spread the Gospel? 

Some clergy say unchurched neighbors who watch Christians get up and go to church every Sunday grow curious about Christianity. A man (I’ll call him Joe) recently wandered in a store looking at the merchandise and humming a hymn. A stranger asked Joe about the song. Joe ended up talking to the man about his faith and his church. Another person was asked how he and his wife had stayed married for so many years. He said, “We go to church together.” 

That’s a loaded statement with so many churches going in different directions. However, the conversation led to a discussion of a Jesus-centered church. The teaching and sermons there apply what Jesus taught about living a godly life rather than re-shaping his Gospel to suit our advantage in worldly situations. It’s often the little opportunities we take advantage of that speaks to a person. All of the above stayed on my mind for a long time. Usually, when something nags me, I write about it. Thus, a Discipleship Series began. Dangerous Detour is book two. Book one is Hidden Danger featured in Pam's sidebar. Both are available at Amazon. 

Award-winning author Gail Pallotta is a wife, mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A former Grace Awards Finalist  and a Reader’s Favorite 2017 Book Award winner, she’s published eight books, poems, short stories and two-hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums. She loves to connect with readers so please visit her website and sign up to receive her newsletter. You can also find/follow her on Facebook, FBAuthor Page, LinkedIn, BookBub, and Pinterest.

THANK You, Gail. We certainly enjoyed your visit and wish you the best of luck and God's blessings in all things.

Hope you enjoyed today's guest, Friends. Please support her by leaving a comment and sharing the post.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT