Monday, September 27, 2010

Interview with Christian Romance Author Gail Pallotta

As a granddaughter of a minister and niece of several English teachers, Gail inherited the interest of storytelling. After being nudged by friends to do more with her writing, she published her first Christian novel. After its release in 2004, the American Christian Writers Association named her Regional Writer of the Year. Gail has been happily marred for thirty-eight years and lives in Georgia.

An unlikely romance begins in the spring when the sunshine sparkles on the sand in Destin, Florida, and the moonlight dances across a tranquil, emerald sea.”

Hello Gail. This is such a pleasure to interview a Christian writer. Please tell us about your new book, Love Turns the Tide.

First, I'd like to say "thank you" for having me on your great blog. In Love Turns the Tide Cammie O'Shea faces a traumatic split-up with her fiancé and has to leave her family and friends to take a new job in Destin, Florida. Heartbroken and alone, she needs God more now than she ever has. But for some reason she can't explain, she feels more estranged from him. A feature writer, she dreads meeting her new boss, the editor of The Sun Dial, a new newspaper. But her real source of angst turns out to be Vic Deleona, the influential real estate tycoon she must write about to generate interest in the paper. While she refuses to open herself to another painful relationship, he attempts to court her. Trying to get over her heartache, she continues to read her Bible and say prayers. One day she reads Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." Afterward she ponders how living in Destin possibly could be good for her. Then break-ins occur at her and her friend's condos, making her doubt the wisdom of living in Destin even more. But, Vic comes to their rescue. He even launches his own investigation into the crimes. Just when Cammie starts to see a different side of him, she gets an offer to return home to her old job. Will Vic solve the crimes and win Cammie's heart, or will she leave Destin? Read more about the book on my Web site at http://www.gailpallotta.com.

Your book sounds mysterious. Where did you get your inspiration for your novel?

My inspiration came from people who have found the right person even after being hurt deeply. I'm fortunate enough to have people open up to me. I doubt that I solve many problems. Instead, I found that people often work things out for themselves when they talk about them. But I do draw from real life experiences. No one character in Love Turns the Tide is a particular person, but the things that happen to the characters as well as the things that bring them pain, joy, happiness, etc., are gleaned from bits and pieces of others and myself. In one scene in Love Turns the Tide, Cammie has been talking to Angie about her broken engagement. Angie chuckles and says, "People are always telling me someone will come along one of these days and sweep me off my feet..."

Cammie answers, "I've heard that too, but it's going to take an awfully big broom." That line came from a conversation I was part of many years ago.

Here's an experience I haven't used yet. Once my daughter and I were in a check-out line. The lady in front of me started telling me about an item she wished she had purchased, but hadn't. I just listened, but the more she talked about it the more she wanted it. Finally, she looked at me and said, "Watch my basket and my purse, I'll be right back." Just in case anyone's wondering, I stood and watched, as she'd asked.

That’s hilarious. It proves that we must listen more. You never know what you can slip into a character’s conversation. A reviewer wrote, "This is an excellent story with three main characters that grow on you right from the beginning… There is just enough suspense to the story to keep the reader turning the pages.” Tell us your thoughts about this review.

I remember that review well. It's one of my favorites because the reviewer brought out important aspects of the book. I wanted to keep the reader guessing as to who committed the vandalism, and she said, "Just when the reader thinks they know who it is their mind changes a little." Also, I wanted to write a book that showed how Christianity helps people, and she said, "I feel the bible verses were written into the story line very well reflecting on her..." (Cammie's) "...thoughts about judging, faith and her prayers, without making the book preachy." The reviewer also appreciated the fun parts I'd added, such as the ducks on the lake near Cammie's condo. As for the genre, it's a love story with romance and mystery. The mystery, suspense and Cammie's faith journey are woven into the romantic plot.

I love mystery romance. What does your family think about your writing?

They love that I write. But it's a demanding job and a huge time commitment. I think every writer who also has a family has to work at finding a balance. Since I treasure being with my husband and my daughter, I try not to infringe on our time together, but neglect other things. For instance, my house isn't as clean as it should be, nor is it re-decorated to keep up with the latest trends. Our closets are bulging and our shelves overflowing. Even though I come from a family of good cooks, I don't plan our meals. My husband enjoys running errands, so I let him stop by the grocery instead of making a list and going to get the ingredients for our favorite dishes. Every once in a while I break down and grocery shop. I always find something that looks good and think, Gee, we could have been eating this if I wasn't so busy. But, many of my recipes call for ingredients, such as cream and butter that aren't good for us, and we probably eat too much anyway. LOL

Your lifestyle sounds like a normal author to me!!! Please tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

I grew up in a small town at the foothills of the North Carolina mountains. While attending college I met a friend who owned an airplane. One summer when we were on break, he flew over my hometown and announced on the loud speaker that he wanted me to meet him at the airport and fly to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for the day. No sooner did we answer our phone at home than it rang again. It seemed everyone in town called to make sure I'd heard that someone in an airplane was looking for me. And of course, they all wanted to know if I was going. My father did take me to the airport, I met the friend, and we flew to the beach for the day.

That is great! I love it. I can just imagine the phone ringing over and over again, wondering if you heard the announcement and if you were going. What a great story!

19 comments:

apple blossom said...

Thanks for the interview .

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Gail Pallotta said...

Hi Apple Blossom,
Thanks so much for stopping by. From you signature I'd say you must make homemade bread. Yum.

Miss Mae said...

Gail, that's so cool about flying with your friend to the beach! Though..uh...the thoughts of flying sinks my stomach! LOL

Loved learning these new things about you, Gail, and wishing you much success with LTTT!

Elizabeth Morgan said...

Sounds Like such a fun book!
4everareader@comcast.net

Gail Pallotta said...

Hi Miss Mae,
Yes, it was a fun day flying to Myrtle Beach! Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Elizabeth,
I appreciate your stopping by and making a comment.

BookHounds said...

Hi Linda! Hi Gail!

I just posted this on win a book and my blog!

http://winabook.westofmars.com/2010/09/27/love-turns-the-tide-by-gail-pallotta-2/

I really need an e reader so I can enter these contests.

Gail Pallotta said...

Hi Mary,
I appreciate your posting this on Win A Book and your blog. Love Turns the Tide is on a PDF file, so it can be downloaded to a computer or laptop and read there. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Dirty Talk Ideas said...

I love reading this article as it gives inspiration. Very much thanks for the great read.

Gail Pallotta said...

Hi Dirty Talk Ideas,
I'm so glad the article gave you inspiration, and I appreciate your stopping by.

Mozi Esme said...

We posted about this at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/09/love-turns-tide.html

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Loved the shopping cart episode! :)

Gail Pallotta said...

Hi Mozi,
Thank you so much for posting this at Winning Readings. I've glad you enjoyed the shopping cart story!

Linda Spring-Andrews said...

Encouraging others to believe, is a wonderful gift, and that is exactly what authors, like you, do through their writing/books. Thanks for the gift. Also, I love the airplane story! Can only imagine the expression on your father's face and the twinkle in your mother's eye each time the phone rang!

Merry said...

Love Turns the Tide sounds romantic and suspenseful with encouraging faith elements. Please include me in the drawing. Thanks!
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Gail Pallotta said...

Hi Linda,
Thanks so much for the encouraging words. The airplane calling me in such a small place did create a flurry of excitement. lol

Hi Merry,
Thanks so much for stopping by to read about Love Turns the Tide.

Glenda A Bixler Reviews said...

Gail, I'm so glad to hear from busy women that housekeeping is what is left undone...it really doesn't hurt too much does it...

Would love a copy to
IPBookReviewer@aol.com

Gail Pallotta said...

Hi Glenda,
That's right. It doesn't hurt at all, and it stays right there until I can get to it.

Gail Pallotta said...

Hello all,
Linda asked me to pick a winner for a download of Love Turns the Tide. It wasn't easy to do, so I had my husband help. He picked...drumroll...Mozi Esme! Congratulations!!!

Unknown said...

I was rushing to make a comment, I thought the contest went through to the end of the day. But, Mozi Esme is a very lucky person to win this delightful book. I'm enjoyed Gail's interview very much and glad to know about her new book; great title also. Congratulations, Gail and to Mozi. Sorry to miss out on your giveaway, perhaps I'll catch you again on another giveaway.

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Anonymous said...

Sad I missed this one! Guess I will have to check it out at the library or find it another way!