It is so nice to have award-winning author and blogger Gail Pollatta with us to share about her exciting new Christian Romantic Fiction book, Hidden Danger, Book 1 of the Discipleship Series.
Bio: 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. She is a 2013 Grace Awards finalist, a Reader’s Favorite 2017 Book Award winner, and a TopShelf 2020 Book Awards Finalist. Gail has published seven books, poems, short stories and several hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums.
Please tell us about your current release.
In this Christian romantic suspense, Emily Hanover is left standing at the altar in Blue Mountain, North Carolina. She goes to Sky High Campground to put her life back together. Because it’s February and few people come here this time of year, she is alone on the premises. When noises in the middle of the night frighten her, she gathers her courage and peeks outside. A man carrying a body over his shoulder emerges from the dark shadows onto her front yard. Horrified, she collapses onto the floor.
The next morning, she visits ex-military officer turned security guard, Nick Lancaster. He listens intently to Emily, but dismisses her claim of foul play as a hunter carrying a deer. Finally, after he sees a freshly dug hole in Emily’s yard and finds two more in the woods, he agrees—there’s suspicious activity. Then he and Emily embark on a mission exposing murder and a far-reaching sinister plot, neither suspecting danger can bring romance.
What inspired you to write this book?
I enjoy reading mystery and romantic suspense and wanted to write a book in that genre with a Christian message.
Excerpt from the book:
Emily Hanover jumped and sat straight up in the bed.
She hadn’t been dreaming. There it was again, a scraping noise and banging outside the cabin. With a shaky hand she reached for her cell phone and the after-hours number for Larry, the security guard who checked her in at Sky High Campground. She stopped in mid-air. Thinking only of getting her life back together, she’d forgotten to charge her phone.
The clanging grew louder, more intense. You are our only visitor. Larry had told her. “Few people come to the North Carolina Mountains in January and February, so the managers take off. Another guard, Nick Lancaster who’s on break from college, will be in the office tomorrow.”
With a tremor running through her fingers, Emily plugged the phone into the charger. She flinched each time someone hit stone. With what? A shovel. Yes. It banged into a boulder and resounded in the wind howling around the corner of the house.
What’s next for your book or future plans you’d like to share?
I’m working on Book 2 in the Discipleship Series, Dangerous Detour. In this story four people are caught in a winter storm. Two have lost their way; one has lost his purpose and one has lost his soul.
What got you interested in writing things for others to read?
Writing has always been a part of me. As a kid I wrote stories, but thought of the activity as a hobby. Then I took a professional writing course in college and knew I wanted to work as a writer. The course also sparked my desire to write fiction.
What’s one challenge you had to overcome (or still work through) to write?
The biggest challenges connected with writing for me are handling all of the computer work and marketing.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like?
I try to write and take care of duties related to writing two to three hours in the afternoons and then about an hour or so after dinner.
As a child, did you think you’d be writer? Or what did you want to be when you grew up?
This question made me smile. As a youngster, I wanted to be a detective. I suppose I got my desire in my imagination.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I’m excited to say my publisher will make Kindle copies of Hidden Danger free from October 28 – November 1 (Pacific Time). Snag one at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDYC11RM If the book was your cup of tea and you can take a second to let people know with a ranking or a review, that would be great!
What’s something fun you like to do outside of writing?
I like to spend time with my family and friends. For exercise I enjoy swimming and for vacations, give me a beach. I’m especially fond of walking on them at sunset.
Are you part of a writer’s group and if so, how has it helped?
Yes, I belong to American Christian Fiction Writers. Through the group I’ve found critique partners, attended workshops with best-selling authors, and picked up tips and techniques in some of their classes as well.
How can readers connect with you?
Website: https://www.gailpallotta.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gail.pallotta