Guest Blog: Gail Pallotta and Dangerous Shadows *Prize of Dangerous Detour to Chose Commenter **Dangerous Shadows on Sale for .99!

Dear Readers,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It was just three of us this time--travel was too expensive for my daughter this time of year and so close to Christmas--but I was happy to not cook quite as much as usual. I will be sharing some recipes here, though.

Now, to welcome our guest--thank you, Gail, for joining us here on the blog!

Please introduce yourself?

Hi, I’m Gail Pallotta, a Georgia peach. Since Georgia’s nickname is the Peach State, the phrase Georgia peach often appears after the residents’ names in casual conversation. Georgia was dubbed the Peach State because of its history and peach production. In 1571, Franciscan Monks first brought the fruit here, but the peach industry in Georgia actually took off after the Civil War, when Georgia started growing more peaches than cotton.

When I meet people, some notice I have a Southern accent, even though they’re not sure where it originated. Folks have asked if my accent comes from Georgia or Alabama. I suppose it could be a mix, but I believe those from North and South Carolina would claim it too. Luckily, I’m easily understood when I speak.

Tell us about your book?

I’m excited about Dangerous Shadows, Discipleship Book 3. 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?

Buy on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FV919PCK/

Excerpt from Chapter One:

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.

She could determine if anyone stayed on her tail if more vehicles would pass her. No one did though. Finally, she turned off of the main highway and pulled into her driveway in Blue Mountain. The holly bushes burst with red berries as she had hoped when she planted them. The foliage blurred as the scene at the library flashed in her head. She stopped the car, but held onto the steering wheel. Did she have a stalker, or had she imagined one?

Nothing but squirrels playing in the yard disturbed the afternoon. Her cozy cream-colored bungalow invited her to come inside, where she could kick off her shoes and relax. Exhausted, she went straight to the living area and sank into the flowered sofa, inhaling deep breaths and exhaling. Should she call Nick?

She wanted to bring back the love she lost when she cut ties with Nick. He needed to find someone who could walk down the aisle though. Did she dare stir up a past well forgotten? She had no right after she’d returned her engagement ring, but she needed to talk to a private detective, and he was one.

Quirky questions: Since we’re talking about peaches, do you like peaches? If so, how do you like them prepared? If not, what is your favorite fruit? How do you like it served?

I love peaches, but my absolute favorite fruit is pineapple. I eat it on salads, put it on rice, mix it with certain meat dishes and add it to smoothies. I also like bananas with peanut butter.

Social media:

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Thank you, Gail, for sharing! Have a fabulous day everybody!