Paula Paul is the multiple award-winning author of thirty-three novels including her bestselling Alexandra Gladstone mystery series. For her literary prowess, Paula has received numerous international literary awards including a Book Excellence Award, Next Generation Indie Book Award, Willa Cather Award, Texas Institute of Letters Award, New Mexico/Arizona Award, Colorado Independent Publishers Award, and National Press Women’s Award.
A native of West Texas, Paula earned a B.A. in journalism and worked as a reporter for newspapers in both Texas and New Mexico. She is also the recipient of a number of state and national awards for journalism.
Paula lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with two fine dogs of mixed ancestry.. This one-on-one interview shares Paula’s background and experience writing The Last of the Baileys.
Tell us about The Last of the Baileys.
Trudy Bailey Walters, who is close to 70, only wants to be left alone after her husband dies and leaves her almost penniless. She buys the Bailey family’s old boarding house in Anton, Texas,
for back taxes, and discovers that Adam Bailey, who claims to be a descendant of slaves of the Bailey family, is living on the property. Together, they find an undocumented immigrant woman living in Trudy’s basement, and Adam convinces a reluctant Trudy to help him look for the woman’s daughter. The adventure lands Trudy in jail and inspires a rebellious teenager, now living with Trudy, to attempt to rob a bank, and the teenager’s mother to become involved with a local sheriff in a way she never intended. With plenty of unexpected twists and turns, The Last of the Baileys is a heart-warming, humorous novel that features an eclectic cast of characters and centers on important themes of family, friendship, and unexpected bonds forged through adversity. Loosely based on my own family of Baileys, it was written in a relatable manner, so it can be appreciated by readers from all different ages and backgrounds.
What inspired you to write The Last of the Baileys?
While the characters are mostly fictitious, the old Bailey family boarding house was a real part of my upbringing. My great grandparents were the original owners and I often visited there as a child, intrigued by the old house and my mother’s family, the Baileys, who occupied it over the decades.
As the house became more and more dilapidated and the colorful family members died, I decided to bring them back to life with a fictionalized version of the place and its occupants.
Of course, I had to embellish and invent parts of the story, and I hope my relatives will understand that embellishment and invention is a part of our heritage. There is still plenty left to tell, and I fully expect to do that.
How did you feel when you found out you received a Book Excellence Award?
As an author, my goal is to write extraordinary stories that touch the heart and challenge the mind, so it is a true honor to be recognized for my dedication to my craft and to have been named a Winner!
How did your background and experience influence your writing?
According to my mother, I’ve loved books since before I could talk, so it was only natural for me to want to create my own stories. Growing up on a ranch in Texas that was 30 miles from town, we were very isolated which led me to become a voracious reader and further fuelled my passion for books. The president of the university I attended agreed! When I got my degree, he told me that he expected me to become a writer because people who grow up in isolated places as I did usually become writers!
What is one message you would like readers to remember?
Firstly, I want readers to be entertained by my stories.
Secondly, I want readers to remember that life can be filled with ups and downs; with moments that are both interesting and challenging; with people who may look, act, think and speak differently than we do. Through the book and the unique cast of characters, I hope that readers learn tolerance and compassion, for themselves and others. If we can celebrate our similarities and our differences, our world will be forever changed for the better.
Purchasing the Book
The Last of the Baileys has received positive reviews from well-known literary organizations, authors, and reviewers around the world. Reader’s Favorite writes, “The story handles a divisive and timely topic…with sensitivity and compassion…a fun, enjoyable, and rewarding read.”
With The Last of the Baileys, Paula brings a renewed sense of urgency to stories about family relationships and what it means to truly look out for one another. The definition of a page turner, The Last of the Baileys might just become your favorite novel of the year. The book is available for sale on Amazon, Kobo, Nook and other online bookstores. Readers are encouraged to purchase their copy today: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Baileys-Paula-Paul-ebook/dp/B0BRNQ69RZ/
To connect with Paula and receive updates on new book releases, visit: https://paulapaul.net. You can also find her on social media on Facebook and Twitter.
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