#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 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

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Gail Pallotta & Stopped Cold!

Good Morning!

Here we are on what's supposed to be a "fall" morning and about the only thing that's falling in SWLA are the leaves. The temperature is staying steady with highs in the 90's. I've always said I'm a summer person but I'm ready for cooler temperatures!

Today's guest is not new to our blog. Gail has been in our spotlight, twice. She's shared treasures, thoughts and words with us, but today we're getting a peek into her latest release, Stopped Cold.

Things aren't what they seem in peaceful Mistville, North Carolina.
Margaret McWhorter enjoys a laid-back Freshman year in high school swimming and hanging out with friends—until the day her brother, Sean, suffers a stroke from taking steroids. Now he's lying unconscious in a hospital.

Anger sets a fire for retribution inside her, and Margaret vows to make the criminals pay. Even the cop on the case can't stop her from investigating. Looking for justice, she convinces two friends, Jimmy and Emily to join her in a quest that takes them through a twisted, drug-filled sub-culture they discover deep in the woods behind the school. Time and again they walk a treacherous path, and come face-to-face with danger.

All the while Margaret really wants to cure Sean, heal the hate inside, and open her heart to love.

Excerpt: A Chapel. Something urged me to go inside. Maybe it was because I had nowhere else to turn. Maybe it was because Reverend Hopewell’s visit made me believe God would do something about Sean’s condition if I kept asking him to.

A cinder of hope sparked inside me as I walked in the tiny, narrow sanctuary with mahogany paneling and one pew. If only God would make Sean well and lead me to the drug dealers. Did God do that sort of thing? Maybe I didn’t know enough about God to be in here. He wouldn’t approve of all the hate I had for the drug dealers. Jesus preached a Gospel of love. My heart beat so fast.

How could I explain my deep despair to God? Did He care about Sean and me? Through the blur of my tears I peered at the stained glass cross embedded in dark paneling behind the altar, the soft lighting washing over it. I didn’t need to tell God how sad I was. He already knew. Of course, He cared. He sent His only son to die for Sean’s sins and mine.

But did I know the right thing to say to God, especially in my angry state? Reverend Hopewell’s prayers sounded so eloquent when he said them for the youth group. If I ever wanted a prayer to be good enough for God to answer, it was now. The words “Ask and it will be given to you--” popped in my head. I knew they came from the book of Matthew, so I looked it up on my iPhone--Chapter seven, verse seven. I stared at the words for several minutes then turned it off and bowed my head.

‘Dear Lord, Please have mercy on Sean and healhim, if it is your will, and dear Lord, I hope it is. Mom,Dad, and I need him. I’m sorry I haven’t been a better sister, and I’m sorry about the hate I feel toward the drug dealers. Maybe you can help me get over it...if I could just find them. I love Sean so much. If he gets well, I’ll talk to him about the gifts you gave him and tell him what a great brother he is. Please let Dad see that Sean doesn’t need to be a quarterback. I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.’

I stood and took one last look at the cross. My heart beat steady now. There was peace, hope, and answers in this room.

I walked outside with renewed strength, the crisp fall air fanning my cheeks on the way to the bus stop.

Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s 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 six 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. Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.gailpallotta.com/mainphp.html and visit her website at https://www.gailpallotta.com

Visit her online at the following places:

Blog at https://gailpallotta.blogspot.com

Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore

twitter at  https://twitter.com/Hopefulwords    (Gail Pallotta @Hopefulwords)

Thanks so much Gail, for sharing our spotlight once again!

Hope you enjoyed today's post friends and that you'll check back weekly for Wednesday Words with Friends and another Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time take care and God bless.

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends a Story & Recipe from Gail Pallotta!

Good Morning!

Gail Pallotta is no stranger to our blog but always a welcomed guest. She has shared treasures and thoughts with us and been in our spotlight twice. So, without further ado, I'm turning the blog over to her.....

I recall my mother’s kitchen brimming with Southern cooking. My father thought I should learn the art, so I could practice then for when I got married. Never mind, I was ten years old when he suggested my internship. Nonetheless, it has served those at my kitchen table well.

Many think of fatback, frying, thick batter, butter and cream when they hear Southern cooking, but nowadays many Southern cooks use olive or grapeseed oil in lieu of unhealthy choices. To my surprise, as a young adult I learned my mother and I hadn’t been frying during my youth. We were sautéing. She didn’t own a deep fat fryer, but placed a thin film of oil in a frying pan, an equally thin batter on chicken, cubed steaks, etc., and cooked them on low heat.

 She taught me a tasty dish begins with a good food choice, fresh veggies and tender meat. We squeezed squash to see if it might be too soft and okra to see if it was too hard. Potatoes and onions were scrutinized for bad spots. When preparing meat, we cut out the gristle and excess fat.

All of her Southern recipes were handed down by mouth from her mother, who learned them from her mother, so on and so forth. Here’s one of my favorites. With football season getting underway, it’s a good dish for hungry fans.

Mother’s Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients: Elbow macaroni noodles, cheese, milk, eggs, salt and pepper to taste, margarine or butter (optional)

Greased casserole dish. (I use olive oil)

The amount of noodles determines the number of servings. To serve four, prepare enough noodles for four.

Drain noodles. Fill a one-cup measuring cup with the cooked noodles and pour them one at a time into the greased casserole dish.

Measure exactly as many cups of grated cheese as there are noodles. (For example four cups of noodles and four cups of cheese packed tight) Cheeses can be all one kind or mixed—2 cups of cheddar, 1 cup of Monteray Jack, 1 cup of Colby. Use what you like. If there are extra noodles, save them for another dish. The amount of cheese must equal the amount of noodles.

Beat an egg. Stir into noodles and cheese. (Egg Beaters can be used)

Pour milk into the casserole dish until it’s almost even with the mixture of cheese, noodles and eggs. (Low-fat is fine.)

Salt and pepper to taste.

Completely cover the top of the macaroni and cheese with more grated cheese. Dot with margarine or butter if desired.

Bake on 350 degrees about forty-five minutes or until the entire casserole is firm.

What’s one of your favorite dishes? 

MMMMM, Gail that sound delicious! Thanks for sharing.

Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s a wife, mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A former Grace Awards Finalist for an earlier edition of Stopped Cold and a Reader’s Favorite 2017 Book Award winner, she’s published six 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. Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.gailpallotta.com/mainphp.html and visit her website at https://www.gailpallotta.com and Blog at https://gailpallotta.blogspot.com. You can also visit/connect with her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore and Twitter https://twitter.com/Hopefulwords? (Gail Pallotta @Hopefulwords)

Also check out Gail's brand new YA release, Stopped Cold on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo & Pelican Book Group 

The high school in Stopped Cold has a twitter page! https://twitter.com/MeriwetherCS

Meriwether Christian  @MeriwetherCS. The heroine, Margaret, would love to have you follow Meriwether High.

Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll check back weekly for more Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight's.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Gail Pallotta & Hair Calamities & Hot Cash!

Good Morning!

I pray your New Year has started off blessed.

Today's guest has shared treasures and thoughts with us, now Gail gives us a sneak peek into her newest release, Hair Calamities and Hot Cash!

Welcome Gail...take it away....

“A comedic romp from small town to big city in search of missing money, hair catastrophes, and love. A truly fun read”—Cynthia Hickey, author of the Shady Acres Mystery series.

What happens when a New York stockbroker crashes his car into Eve Castleberry’s North Carolina beauty shop...on the same day the young widow’s defective hair products are causing wild hairdos? Soon Eve finds herself helping the handsome stranger hunt the thieves who stole his client’s cash...and hot on the trail of two of the F.B.I.’s most-wanted criminals! Romance blossoms amid danger, suspense and Eve’s hair-brained plan to get back the money.

Excerpt

The bright May sun beaming through the window of my beauty shop created a stripe across the black shampoo bowl. Every day the ache in my heart reminded me that Eve’s Clips was my life now. I leaned Joyce Westmoreland’s head back and scrubbed her blonde locks. Then I reached for the conditioner on the metal shelf behind the shampoo bowl. The bottle was empty, and it was the last one I had. That ne’er-do-well Durbin Brown hadn’t delivered my products.

A breeze hit me in the face as the door swung open, the pink flowered curtain flapping. “Hello, where have you been? You were supposed to come on Monday.” I held out the container. “I’m out.” My insides boiled at such bad service, not to mention that my creepy new salesman reminded me of Ichabod Crane.

He plopped down several cardboard boxes, ripped the top off one and handed me Strawberry Fields Conditioner.

“Thank you.”

Durbin pulled a small pad out of his pants pocket, flipped it open, and tapped his foot. “I’m writing a bill for you.”

The building shook. Metal crunched. Bricks fell amid loud scraping.

My nerves vibrated. Durbin’s mouth twitched. Joyce bounded out of her chair, her blue eyes wide.

“Quick, under the vanity,” I yelled out.

Joyce shot to it like a bullet, but Durbin froze. I grabbed his spindly arm and pulled him behind me, the heels on his black boots scraping across the gray laminate floor. “Get under here.” I couldn’t help but use a harsh tone. He hunkered down, and I scooted beside Joyce. He nuzzled into my shoulder and shivered like a wet puppy. My head spun as the walls shook, shards of glass fell, and sheetrock dust trickled into the air.

Hair Calamities and Hot Cash can be purchased at Amazon (Kindle), B&N (nook), Kobo and Pelican/Prism Book Group

Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s 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 five 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.

Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.gailpallotta.com/mainphp.html 

Visit her online at the following places:

Website at https://gailpallotta.com

Blog at https://gailpallotta.blogspot.com

Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore

twitter at https://twitter.com/Hopefulwords?lang=en (Gail Pallotta @Hopefulwords)

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gail-pallotta-b368b220/

Amazon page. https://www.amazon.com/Gail-Pallotta/e/B00IN9A640

Wow, Gail, sounds like a great book! Certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with it.

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight friends and that you'll check back regularly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and of course more Saturday Spotlights.

Until next time take care and God Bless.
PamT

#ThursdayThoughts with Gail Pallotta

Good Morning!

It is always a pleasure to have returning guests to visit with us and today's guest is no exception. Gail has shared Treasures with us and been in our Spotlight so please welcome her as she shares some thoughts with us.....

At Christmastime we think of gifts, especially the ones we buy and give to each other, but some of the greatest gifts we receive are free. I believe prayer is one of these.

Over the years I’ve heard different ministers suggest the way to pray, most of them following the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6: 9 - 13. Nearly all of the pastors include praising God for all the blessings He’s given us, asking Him to forgive our sins and to provide for our needs while they emphasize it’s important to ask for God’s will to be done.

A few well-known prayers, other than the Lord’s prayer, include one by Moses from Exodus 33:13. “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.” (NIV).

Most of us have heard the following from Numbers 6: 24  -26, many times.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (NIV)

Another is Jabez’s prayer from 1 Chronicles 4: 10, used in the book, The Prayer of Jabez.

“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” (NIV)

God placed mankind in the Garden of Eden and planned to have a relationship with us, but the plan was broken by sin. Still He’s left the door open for us to have conversations with Him through prayer. Testimonies abound of people who have been healed, protected or helped through prayers. It allows us to speak individually and in groups to God, to thank Him for His blessings, ask Him to fill our needs and forgive us. It’s one of the most powerful gifts we possess.

Do you know of anyone who’s received a Christmas miracle through prayer, or of someone who’s been helped or comforted with prayer at any time? If so, please share.

Bio: Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s 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 five 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.

Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.gailpallotta.com/mainphp.html 

Visit her online at the following places:

Website at https://gailpallotta.com

Blog at https://gailpallotta.blogspot.com

Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore

twitter at https://twitter.com/Hopefulwords?lang=en (Gail Pallotta @Hopefulwords)

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gail-pallotta-b368b220/

Amazon page. https://www.amazon.com/Gail-Pallotta/e/B00IN9A640

Gail's latest book, Hair Calamities and Hot Cash can be purchased at Amazon (Kindle), B&N (nook), Kobo and Pelican/Prism Book Group

What lovely thoughts, Gail, Thank You for sharing!

Hope you enjoyed today's post friends and that you'll check back regularly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time take care and God bless.
PamT

#TuesdayTreasures with Gail Pallotta

Good Morning and Welcome!

Gail is not new to our blog, she shared the spotlight back in May so please welcome her back as she shares something she treasures with us......

I treasure many things, but I chose love. We hear and see so much about hate in the media. However, if I shut it off and open my eyes God’s love is all around me. I see it in smiles and acts of kindness. It fills the fellowship hall and sanctuary of my church. It’s preached in the sermons and shines in the members. It’s shared with family, friends and even strangers.

My family recently turned a stressful situation into a fun time. I chattered with my daughter, who visited from out of town, then glanced at my email. The final PDF copy of Hair Calamities and Hot Cash stared at me. My heart fell. How could I do the things I’d planned for her visit and proof the book? Finally, I mentioned the task, and my husband printed a copy. We divided up the pages of the book, each of us proofing a third as we sat around the kitchen table until the wee hours of the morning, laughing and sharing passages.

In addition to family, God’s given us the care and love of friends. Whether it’s getting together for fun or meeting in a time of crisis or frustration, friends make life better. Even some strangers have a way of showing love. I’ve noticed when I power walk at the mall, most folks smile, and many who are doing the same thing I am, wave and say, “Good morning,” “I like your shirt,” or offer some other greeting that seems to say, “We’re all in this together.”

A friend of mine stood in a fast-food restaurant one day waiting to order. An elderly couple in front of him counted their pennies, but didn’t have enough to buy two meals. They decided to split one, but my friend laid money on the counter and said, “Why don’t both of you get what you want.”

With so much love around me, I hope, like my friend, I’ll pass it on.

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 five 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. Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.gailpallotta.com/mainphp.html. Visit her website at https://www.gailpallotta.com; Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore.

A comedic romp from small town to big city in search of missing money, hair catastrophes, and love. A truly fun read”—Cynthia Hickey, author of the Shady Acres Mystery series.

What happens when a New York stockbroker crashes his car into Eve Castleberry’s North Carolina beauty shop...on the same day the young widow’s defective hair products are causing wild hairdos? Soon Eve finds herself helping the handsome stranger hunt the thieves who stole his client’s cash...and hot on the trail of two of the F.B.I.’s most-wanted criminals! Romance blossoms amid danger, suspense and Eve’s hair-brained plan to get back the money.

Purchase Hair Calamities and Hot Cash at Amazon (Kindle) and B&N 

Wow Gail, what a sweet thing for your family to do! It's always wonderful when we get unexpected help. Thanks for sharing!

Hope you enjoyed the post friends and that you'll check back for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time....Good luck and God's blessings.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Gail Pallotta & Barely Above Water!

Good Morning Friends!

It's been years and years since Gail Pallotta visited us (sounds familiar LOL!) and this time she is here with her brand new novel, Barely Above Water so please give her a huge welcome!

When Suzie grew ill her boyfriend accused her of being on drugs and dumped her. Between his rejection of her and the illness wreaking havoc on her life, she’s lost self-confidence. In this scene she realizes her new boss, Matt, has an interest in her.

An illness comes out of nowhere and strikes Suzie Morris. Her boyfriend dumps her. She has no living family, and her physician can’t diagnose the malady. Suzie relies on her Christian faith as she faces the uncertainty of the disease, and turns to a renowned alternative doctor in Destin, Florida. She takes a job coaching a county-sponsored summer swim team. She’s determined to turn the fun, sometimes comical, rag-tag bunch into winners. Her handsome boss renews her belief in love, but learns of her mysterious affliction and abruptly cuts romantic ties. Later he has regrets, but can he overcome his fear of losing a loved one and regain Suzie’s trust?

Excerpt: 

Suzie’s heart soared like a rocket as she hung up her cell phone and laid it on the white pine table turned desk. Matt missed me! She fingered a loose thread on the navy and gray checked cushion on the straight-back chair. Carson had told her it embarrassed him to be out with her every time her hands shook at a dinner table in a restaurant. He’d screamed, “No guy will ever want to go out with you.” She shivered, but then a smile bubbled inside. Matt did. 

He never seemed disturbed by her symptoms. It was as though he didn’t see her hands shaking, that she looked pale, or she’d lost weight. Well he hadn’t known her when she was twenty-five pounds heavier. She may have been a little overweight then.

Someday would she be healthy and have a new relationship with a nice guy, maybe Matt? God was greater than this disease. With His help and Dr. Granger’s treatments, she’d be well soon, and Matt would never know she’d had this dreadful illness.

Barely Above Water can be found at: Pelican Prism Books, Amazon and B&N

Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s 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 five books, poems, short stories and two-hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums.

Sign up for Gail’s newsletter at http://www.gailpallotta.com/mainphp.html

Visit her online at the following places:

web site at http://www.gailpallotta.com

blog at http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com

Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore

twitter at https://twitter.com/Hopefulwords?lang=en

Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll check back each week for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

PS: In case you haven't heard, I'm joining 5 other authors on Monday (May 7th) for a Themed Christian Fiction Lovers Face Book Party! There'll be lots of fun and loads of prizes including a Grand Prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!  I'm ALSO on Kris Bock's blog Monday. Hope to see you there!

COTT Blog Alliance Guest Post by Gail Pallotta

Thank you to our blog alliance partners



Jessica Keller works from an office her husband set up for her in their Chicago home. Using a bright orange laptop she posts five days a week. She blogged big-time in college, garnering a huge following. She says, “It got to the point where people I didn’t know would walk up to me and start talking…about my life because they were addicted to my blog.” 

After graduation she ended that blog and went to work in the records department of law enforcement. She figured her blogging days were over, but she started writing novels. She thought about author blogs she loved and wanted to “create a place like that so…someday when a novel-length piece is published…” she’ll already have a blog.
Her blog reflects her love of baking, her communications and Biblical studies degree and her enthusiasm for books. She’ll read over one hundred this year. On Mondays she muses about life in general. Tasty Tuesdays give cooking advice and recipes. On Writing Wednesdays she shares her writing struggles and advice or hosts experts. Thick-of-it-Thursdays feature a spiritual message, and Fridays for Readers introduces new writers. At least once a month there’s a cookie give away. Yum.

During the past nine years she’s written articles, short stories and a novella and recently made the finals in three contests. When she isn’t writing she runs in 5K’s and mentors college-aged women. When asked for a random fact about herself she said, “I have two cats named for super heroes, Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent.”
Visit Jessica's blog here.

Carol Moncado blogs about life and writing from a big cushy chair in a basement in the Ozarks. She says the area “is slowly becoming my office/library.” She’s written on and off ever since she was a kid, seriously for the last two years. She blogs everyday attracting readers, other writers and friends who want to know a little more about her, her writing and the authors she likes. She says, “I try to have humor – and we all know laughter is the best medicine!I love to get comments.”

As for her writing, she’s currently blogging her way through NaNoWriMo. When she isn’t blogging or working on her own writing projects, she takes care of four children, reads and watches television. Her all time favorite show – NCIS.

When asked to share a random fact about herself she said, “When we moved into our first house, we moved on Friday the 13th to a house on Elm Street. We found and put an offer on our second [current] house on 06/06/06.”  Visit Carol’s blog here.


Marianne Evans started her blog, A Minute with Marianne, a little over two years ago. She says, “I loved the idea of chronicling my thoughts and expanding my writing platform…Call it ‘keeping up with the times.’” An added bonus. “It’s a blast…”

She posts almost once a week. A Minute with Marianne introduces readers to writers and books they may not otherwise hear about. Marianne says, “There are so many wonderful inspirational, Christian themed books out there. I love shining a light on them and getting the word out on new and exciting authors.” Her blog also covers writing inspirations, motivational tidbits, reviews and publishing news.

She keeps her blog casual with highlights on having fun, getting to know people and sharing a passion for great writing. When Marianne isn’t blogging, she writes.  She’s A Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence winner for Hearts Crossing. She was a 2011 finalist for Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year for Hearts Surrender. Marianne says she made the jump from secular romance to Christian Inspirational romance/fiction when “the call on her heart matched the ideas in her head.” Visit her blog here.

COTT Blog Alliance - Guest Post by Gail Pallotta

* Guest post by Gail Pallotta

MEET OUR PARTNERS

After an early morning workout Joanne Troppello sits at her computer near two big windows. Working from an office in her home in the northeast, she “loves getting plenty of sunshine.” She munches on her breakfast as she starts one of five weekly blogs. Her focus is “to connect authors and readers.”
This prolific writer also schedules giveaways and one-time events.  Past specialties include two internet festivities, The Royal Wedding and Summer Blog parties. On the books—a Christmas Blog Party. Get ready for the fun.
Joanne likes to spotlight newer, unknown authors in addition to networking with all authors.  Writers’ opportunities include Monday interviews and mid-week guest blogs. Two Fridays out of the month she does book reviews. The other two she interviews guests in her Reader’s Corner. One of her favorite things is hearing from readers. She says, “They are who we write for, and we want to write stories that appeal to them with characters that stay with them for a long time.” Joanne says her readers “really like commenting on blog postings and hearing back from authors.”
An author of two books, All Romance ebooks best seller Mr. Shipley’s Governess and Shadowed Remembrances, Joanne writes in the mystery and inspirational genres. When she isn’t at her computer, she loves spending time with her husband and family.
To discover lots of fun activities for writers and readers visit Joanne at http://joannetroppello.weebly.com/

                                             ***********************

Artist, writer and blogger Carrie Lewis paints portraits for her day job and in her leisure time. Her favorite subject is horses. Easels, paintings and portraits-in-progress abound throughout her Kansas home, including some in her office.
She’s written for as long as she can remember, finishing her first complete manuscript in eighth grade. She says, “I’ve been dividing my time between the studio and the writing desk, and God has seen fit to keep me at home.”
Saving Grace, Carrie’s WIP, “…is a cross between speculative fiction, suspense and Old Testament prophecy.” As far as the WIP and what Carrie normally writes, she says, “It’s so far outside the box....I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get back into that box.”
An active blogger, Carrie posts three times a week. Her topics include writing tips, reports on stories she’s working on, the way we write, and the things we write about. She recently started putting up a weekly writing prompt. It’s “been fun and uses images, colors, sounds, all sorts of things.” For her readers she hopes to share what she’s had to “learn the hard way so that those who follow might not have to learn the same way.” She wants to “encourage writers to heed the promptings of the Holy Spirit when deciding what to write, especially if the story they have to tell is outside what most of us think of as popular fiction.”
When we stop by Carrie’s blog, I imagine we’ll see some of her horse paintings as well as her writings! What a treat. Visit her at http://writing-well.carrie-lewis.com/

* A COTT Blog Alliance Correspondent, Gail Pallotta recently published her first romance, Love Turns the Tide. When she isn't writing she likes reading, swimming, and getting together with friends and family. Gail wants to write books of faith that show God's love.

***********************

           Get ready ...

COTT Victory for Joanne Sher

Guest post by Michelle Massaro

The winner of this week's COTT battle is....

  

Joanne Sher!

Joanne joins the notable COTT Conquerors family as a pre-published author. Her writing passion is Biblical and historical fiction—paving rough roads with God’s presence. Joanne says her dream is to be able to submit to Clash of The Titles as a published author. We are confident that day will come.

Find her at http://www.joannesher.com/

Her winning excerpt came from her manuscript entitled Handmaiden to a Princess:
“Don't you have to leave now?” Mama took a sip of water and looked out at the sun. Rivka's eyes followed her mother's. The colors of the sunrise were already beginning to fade into the blue of the Israeli sky.

Rivka nodded. “Good bye, Mama. Off to the gardens.” She half-jogged toward the next part of her morning ritual.

Rivka’s sandals flip-flopped on the dirt, her steps brisk and light. The scents of the lilies of the valley and hyacinths slowed her pace the closer she got. The grass before her, still touched with the last of the morning’s dew, slapped against the sides of her sandals. She stopped, closed her eyes, and took in a long, slow breath.

Aroma fit for royalty.

read the full excerpt, and that of her most worthy competitor, Mary Hall, here. 

Some reader comments:
I felt that excerpt 'A' was really good in that the little girl was so a part of the description.
I want to go walk in the garden!
I felt the soil in my hands, and smelled the fragrance of flowers in the air. Lovely!
I could see and smell the flowers

About her win, Joanne said:
WOW - I'm SO excited! What an honor. And what a FUN clash it's been.

Like the other members of the COTT family of authors, Joanne and Mary both praised each other's work and exuded a Christ-like spirit throughout the competition.
 
Get to know Joanne through her interview with her COTT hostess, Gail Pallotta here.

Congratulations, Joanne! We can't wait to see you in print!

Join us at COTT for our next Clash. Vote for your favorite and be entered to win a free book. Have a book or theme suggestion? Send it in! Have you written the next blockbuster hit? Send us your 500 best words. We want to hear from you!

bio: Michelle Massaro is Assistant Editor for the literary website Clash of the Titles. She has written for The Write Conversation, Pentalk, COF Ministries, and Romantic Times. She and her husband of 16 years live in sunny So Cal with their four children. Above all, she is a follower of Christ Jesus, unashamed to stand upon the Word of God from beginning to end. Connect with her on her blog, twitter @MLMassaro, and Facebook.

So Many Places to Go.....

Good Morning Friends!

Time for another COTT blog alliance guest post so without much further ado....Please welcome Gail Pallotta!

 

How relaxing to sit on a beach and watch the waves roll onto shore. No, maybe to plop down in a rocking chair and overlook distant mountains.

 How about a day shopping in Paris? Oh yeah, that’d be nice. It might be fun to browse at an open market on a Caribbean Island or go to a Luau in Hawaii. What about walking where our ancestors walked? Find out more about ourselves. Or better yet, walk where Jesus walked. 

Even the most seasoned traveler can find new places to go. Thanks to all the writers who transport us to sites we’ve never seen or show us something different at the ones we have. We hear so much about a book’s plot and characters and rightly so, but the characters need to live in interesting surroundings.

 If a writer’s plotting a scuba diving expedition, the diver needs to see clear water, coral reefs and exotic fish and know all about boats and dive equipment. If a character is in the kitchen cooking grits while looking out a window at blue tinted mountains, that person’s in the south in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A character walking on a crowded street surrounded by high rise buildings with Times Square in the distance is in New York City. The setting also can make characters seem real when they smell newly mowed grass, watch a sunset, listen to the wind howl or feel the onset of a sudden shower.

It’s fun to sit back in a favorite easy chair or curl up on the sofa with a cup of coffee or tea with visions of new places to go and read until the heart’s content. If the character in the novel sees something the reader’s never seen, that’s traveling by book.

Do you have a favorite setting for a novel? The Civil War? The beach? Paris? Do share!

Gail’s husband, Rick, says she’s the only person he knows who can go in the grocery for a loaf of bread and come out with someone’s life story. That’s probably because she inherited her mother’s love of people and enjoys talking to them. Working as an editor and freelance writer, Gail published a couple hundred articles. While some of them are in anthologies, two ended up in museums. In 2004, the American Christian Writers Association named Gail a regional writer of the year. She recently published her first romance, Love Turns the Tide. When she isn’t writing she likes reading, swimming, and getting together with friends and family. Gail wants to write books of faith that show God’s love. She and Rick live in Georgia.

Contact Gail at pallotta[at]gailpallotta[dot]com. Visit her Web site at http://www.gailpallotta.com or her blog at http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com