Meet Author Evelyn Palfrey

I love romantic tales, but many times it’s hard to find characters who have a little, shall we say, maturity, to them. I happened onto one of Evelyn Palfrey’s books back in the 90’s and was pleasantly surprised by her “marvelously mature” characters. I’ve been hooked ever since. She’s more than a fantastic author, she’s a great person, and I’m honored to have her as a guest today. Soooo, let’s get to the part you’ve been waiting for. Please meet author Evelyn Palfrey.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a proud granny of two of the smartest, most beautiful grandchildren on the planet—like everybody else’s. I am an attorney. I practiced family and probate law for a number of years, and now am in criminal law. I’ve been writing ‘marvelously mature’ romances since 1995. I have an old motorhome and travel as often as I can. I love gardening and am in the process of turning my entire lot into an ‘urban farm.’ Last fall, I planted cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower in my front flower beds. The neighbors didn’t complain. I think there was a little poaching going on 🙂  I am active in local politics, especially voter registration drives.

What genre(s) do you like to read?
Well of course, romance is my favorite genre. But I also love sci-fi, especially time travel.

What is your favorite novel and why?
Kindred by Octavia Butler. I love time-travel stories. This one involves us and our history. Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver is a close second. I listen to both of those books once a year.

What was the last novel you read that you enjoyed and why?
Until You Hear From Me by Pearl Cleage. I LOVE her writing style. The story is contemporary, set in the immediate afterglow of the election of President Obama. It honors our history and our present.

When did you begin writing?
I started writing ‘marvelously mature’ romances on October 15, 1995 @ 10:00 pm. I’ve always been a wordsmith and a writer. I’m a kick-ass Scrabble player, and have worked crossword puzzles since I was a child. I’m a lawyer, but now I get to also write without colons and semi-colons=:)

What genre(s) do you write?
I write romantic suspense for the ‘marvelously mature.’

Where do your concepts for your novels come from?
From real life. From family law and criminal law, I hear so many stories. Everything In Its Place was sparked by a newspaper article about a woman who was a grandmother at 37, raising grandchildren, and about to become a great-grandmother. At 37!

How long does it typically take you to write a book?
Depends on when you start counting. Each book has been different. I wrote my first novel, start to finish, in 90 days. I was obsessed 🙂  The latest took five years. The others took about six months—from the time I decided to finish them. I write in consonance with my spirit. My day job provides all the pressure I’m willing to allow into my life. I write for my own pleasure, and am truly gratified when others find pleasure in the writing.

Tell us about your latest book?
Going Home is the story of a woman who is raising her granddaughter, and who takes a homeless man, a Katrina survivor, into her home. Thalia Allen’s plan for a fun-filled retirement is blown to bits when she has to assume custody of her teenage granddaughter. Joe Lambert is a Katrina evacuee, living in the Austin Convention Center shelter. All he wants is to go home. When Thalia invites him to move into her home, everybody who knows her thinks she’s lost her mind. Sometimes she thinks so, too

Where can readers purchase your latest book? Amazon

What other titles have you written?
Three Perfect Men, The Price of Passion and Dangerous Dilemmas were a trilogy about 3 women who were roommates in college—25 years later. Everything In Its Place was my first granny romance.

If you could change one thing about your writing career thus far, what would it be?
Not one thing. This has been an amazing journey!

What do you find to be the best and worst part of being a writer?
The best part has been meeting and forming friendships with so many fabulous readers and authors. There has been no worst part yet.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Read. Write. Support other authors. Read. Write. Understand that the world of writers is very small, so be careful what you say. Read. Write. Attend classes and conferences to learn the craft and the business of writing. Read. Write. Write. Write. Did I say Write?

What do you have on the burner for the next year?
I’m always writing on 3 or 4 stories, as my time and interest allow. I plan to publish The Silver Cruise this year, and a novella—both ‘marvelously mature’ romances. One of these days, I’d like to try my hand at sci-fi.

How can readers reach you?
http://www.evelynpalfrey.com/. I have a facebook page, but I’m still learning that 🙂

Thank YOU, Deatri, for all that you do to help and to promote authors. I have really enjoyed your interviews! I also want to thank you for your work with Romance Slam Jam. I am SO looking forward to it in Baltimore this year!

You are too kind, Evelyn. I enjoy writing and reading great books by authors like yourself. If I can help my fellow read-a-holics out there, I’m all good. Thank you for hanging with us. Feel free to come back any time! See you in Baltimore!