Yes. One of my critique partners and her son, who also writes with her sometimes, suggested the five of us write a series of retold fairy tales and self-publish them. I chose to retell Jack and the Beanstalk because I thought it could lend itself to a bit of mystery and suspense with a touch of romance, and I’m a fan of that genre.

We had so much fun writing and critiquing the novellas over the span of a year.

Mountain of Love and Danger is fifth in the Fairwilde Fairy Tale Reflection series. The others are At the Edge of a Dark Forest by Connie Almony; Red and the Wolf by June Foster; Mirror on the Fall by Mildred and Jonathan Colvin and Swept Away by Vanessa Riley.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote? Why?
The hero, Jack, interested me most because he was suddenly jarred from his carefree life. Then he had to reach inside and call on his faith to find strength and courage he didn’t know he had.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I believe I’m guilty of several, but I’ll choose one that applies to writing. When my daughter was a baby, I sent out my resume looking for freelance work. One day an editor called and asked me to bring in some samples to show him. I had plenty of those, but nothing to put them in. I pondered the problem as I lined up a babysitter. Then my gaze fell upon the small picnic basket someone had sent us for Christmas. I emptied it and shoved my articles into it.

When I arrived at the editor’s office, I put it on my lap. He peered over his desk and asked, “Are we going to have a picnic?”

I told him the situation and he chuckled.

I ended up writing many articles for him.

What do you like most about the area where you live and/or grew up?
I grew up at the foothills of the beautiful Western North Carolina Mountains, but what I like most is a toss up. The scenery is awe-inspiring and peaceful. The small-town people I was fortunate enough to grow up with are the salt-of-the earth kind. We were a close-knit group who genuinely cared about each other and still do.

What's your favorite meal with family and friends? (and feel free to share a recipe with us!)
Christmas Eve dinner is my favorite meal with family and friends.
I’ll share an easy sweet potato casserole.
4 medium sweet potatoes
3 tabl. margarine
2 tabl. brown sugar
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1/4 cup cooking sherry

1/3 cup flour
2 tabl. melted margarine
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Cook sweet potatoes, peel and mash. Add margarine and brown sugar mixing well. Add marmalade and sherry and mix thoroughly. Place in baking dish.
Mix topping until crumbly. Then spread it on top of the sweet potato mix and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes Share a verse or Scripture passage with us that is special to you. (and why it's special)
My favorite Bible verses are Matthew 22: 37 - 40, because Jesus tells us God’s greatest commandments in a few words. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Please tell us if you have another book in the works.
I recently signed a contract with Prism Book Group for a contemporary romance, Barely above Water. In it 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. She turns to a renowned alternative doctor in Destin, Florida, and 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 must overcome his fear of losing a loved one then regain Suzie’s trust. She relies on her Christian faith as she faces the uncertainty of the disease, financial burdens without permanent employment, and heartbreak.

Buy her book here:

Connect with her here:
Web site Interesting idea to re-tell fairy tales in this format. I look forward to reading Mountain of Love and Danger. :)

November 30, 2014 at 9:05 AM That sweet potato casserole sounds delish! would enjoy reading this book :)
d_stevens310 AT live DOT coM

November 30, 2014 at 12:12 PM joye said...

This book sounds lie the ind I enjoy reading. I am always looking for new authors to read.

November 30, 2014 at 12:18 PM Gail Pallotta said...

Hi Caryl,

Thanks for coming by to read the interview. It was lots of fun writing a book based on Jack and the Beanstalk.

November 30, 2014 at 3:22 PM Hi Deanna,

Thanks for stopping by. The recipe is the easiest of my sweet potato casseroles, and my family likes it best, so that works out well!

November 30, 2014 at 3:23 PM Hi Joye,

I appreciate your stopping by and reading about Mountain of Love and Danger.
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