Gail will give away an e-book of Barely Above Water and 8 oz. of Fairy Moss mint and rose herb flavored tea from Camellia Estate Teas. If you want to enter, please leave a comment. I will pick at random a winner May 1st.
Blurb for Barely Above Water by Gail Pallotta:
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?
Heroine Interview
- Suzie Morris, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
It’s unfortunate, but the most interesting thing about me is a mysterious, undiagnosed malady. I recently moved to Destin, Florida, to see an alternative doctor who says he can help.
- What do you do for fun?
Since I grew ill and relocated, the fun things I’ve done have been bargain shopping for a new outfit, taking an evening swim, walking on the beach and attending an outdoor concert with my handsome boss, Matt Combs.
- What do you put off doing because you dread it?
I’m pretty easy going, but I coach a summer league swim team that has no adult coordinators. I dread taking over those responsibilities.
- What are you afraid of most in life?
Hands down, this horrible disease wreaking havoc on my body. I’m limited with foods I can eat. Out of nowhere I’m often struck with a headache, shaking inside, or my hands trembling. It’s impossible to sleep more than a few hours at night without a symptom of this affliction waking me. One morning I staggered when I got out of bed. Another day my face was as red as a tomato. I never know what will happen next.
- What do you want out of life?
To cure this disease and return to life as I once knew it.
- What is the most important thing to you?
My faith, without it I couldn’t have found the strength to move, find a job and get to work every day.
- Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
Before I grew ill and my serious boyfriend dumped me, I was a romantic. I read romance novels and wedding books.
- If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
I’d cure this disease. If it turned out to be incurable, I’d find a way to control it more easily.
- Do you have a pet?
I love animals, but I don’t have a pet.
- If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I’m not certain when, where or how I contracted this disease, but if I could return to a time and place and avoid it, I’d go there.
Hero Interview
- Matt Combs, tell me the most interesting thing about you?
I suppose to most people the most interesting thing about me is my position as head of the Okaloosa County Parks and Recreation Department. Things were running smoothly until the coordinator for our summer league swim program had to take a leave suddenly because of family illness.
- What do you do for fun?
I get together with some other guys and play football. Love that sport.
- What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Most recently, I tried to no avail to put off babysitting for the kids on the Okaloosa County summer league swim team. The parks and rec department sponsors the brand new team for children of those who work in our service industry. We were fortunate to find Suzie Morris to coach it, but we failed to realize the children practiced in groups and didn’t schedule activities for the swimmers not in the water. That’s how I ended up with the task.
- What are you afraid of most in life?
That I’ll let my guard down, get involved with another woman and have a bad relationship like I did in high school.
- What do you want out of life?
Wanted, is the better word. I wanted to play professional football, but I suffered an injury in high school and ended up in the business world.
- What is the most important thing to you?
Performing well at my job. It’s not my chosen career, but I’m the type of guy who likes to excel at whatever I do.
- Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type book?
Yes, I have a collection of books about football, the all-time great coaches and players.
- If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
That’s easy. I wouldn’t have this bum knee.
- Do you have a pet?
I like dogs, but no, I don’t have one.
- If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I’d return to the football game where I messed up my knee. As the quarterback, I held onto the ball so long a linebacker sacked me and twisted my leg. I’d go back and throw away that pigskin in a hurry.
