The Palms follows a man recently out of prison who settles in a rundown trailer park where he meets a woman and her 7-year-old daughter and becomes their protector. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The inspiration for the story was my grandfather. He was a bit of a scoundrel as a younger man. He spent time in prison and was an alcoholic. Yet, by the time I was born, he’d cleaned up his act and was an amazingly caring and helpful man. Growing up, I heard conflicting stories that I didn’t really understand. My mother and her siblings would often talk about all the bad things he did while they were children, but I never was witness to those things. This was partially my attempt at understanding how someone can do something horrible yet be redeemed. 

Ronnie did time for committing murder and had planned to live out his life quietly, that is, until Mary is kidnapped and put in danger. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

I thought, “What’s the worst thing a human can do?” My answer was committing murder. So, I considered what someone can do to be redeemed for taking a life. I decided that the answer was saving a life. So, overall this is a redemptive story for both Ronnie and Clara. 

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

The themes are addiction, sobriety, and redemption. 

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

The next book is called – Leaders to Eden Temple, and I’m not exactly sure when it will be out. I’m still working on the first draft. 

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