Hi Danny,
Welcome to Escape With Dollycas.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am Danny Pelfrey. I am married to Wanda who is my co-author and partner in every aspect of life. We have two grown daughters and five grandchildren. I am a graduate of Point University and hold a Master of Ministry from Kentucky Christian University. I served as a pastor in several states over a period of more than forty years. Both Wanda and I started writing non-fiction early in our adult lives. We are now back home in Adairsville, Georgia living in our little Cape Cod cottage where I spend much of my time writing inspirational mysteries, set in our home town.
What are three things people don’t know about you?
(1) I am a fan of old western movies. (2) I am a baseball fanatic (3) I was for a time pastor to a young Todd Beamer, 9-11 United Flight 93 hero. Wow!!
What is the first book you remember reading?
The first chapter book I remember reading, though I am sure there were others I do not remember, was THE BOBBSY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY. I must have been in the third grade at the time.
What are you reading now?
Presently, I am reading MOJAVE CROSSING
What made you decide you want to write?
I have had a fascination with books for most of my life. I had no access to TV through much of my high school years. I used books to fill the entertainment void, and it was not unusual for me to read as many as three books a week before sports started occupying so much of my time. Wanda and I began dating in our senior year of high school and attended the same college. We were married after two years of college. From the time I first knew her, she wanted to be a writer. That dream became a reality for her shortly after graduation when she started writing curriculum for various publishing houses and went on to books etc. It was her love of the craft that got my attention and drew me in. First, it was articles for national publications, then a devotional type book, a newspaper column, A book of local history. Once I started writing mystery, I was hooked, and I don’t think there is any turning back.
Do you have a special place you like to write?
I am glad you asked that question because I love my “study” where I do almost all my writing. My computer sits on an antique library table along with my printer on one side and an Antique Underwood typewriter on the other. There are books everywhere you look, including two-hundred-year-old leather-bound volumes. There is a stained-glass window which came from a historical church that has been installed over the desk, and a one-hundred-year-old plus pulpit from the same church. On the wall in front of me when I sit down at the computer are framed images of books I have written, along with newspaper articles and other items having to do with my writing. Such an environment feeds my creativity.
Where do the ideas for your books come from?
The Davis Morgan Mystery Stories, though fiction, are triggered by actual historical events from our little town. Someone once told me that fiction is the result of asking the question, “What if.” That is the question I have asked about those historical events that led to the stories. My youngest sister simply says I have a wild imagination.
What books have most inspired you?
There have been several non-fiction books that have greatly inspired me with the Bible, of course, taking first place, but for our purpose here, I’m going to stick with fiction. Two books that come to my mind that greatly inspired me have a simpler theme. They are Harper Lee’s TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD
Is there anything about writing you find most challenging?
Being a non-fiction writer who has just in the last few years come to fiction, one of the challenges for me has been natural dialogue. I think I’ve finally gotten over the hump, but in the beginning, my dialogue which usually makes up more than fifty per cent of the book was often rather stilted. I am fortunate to have a co-author who is more knowledgeable about the English language than I am, who does a great job of polishing what I write.
What do you think makes a good story?
A short answer is… interesting characters, fascinating setting (my wife is a perpetual reader of mysteries, and I have noticed setting is one of the most important considerations for her), movement, and enough twists and surprises to keep it interesting.
Which, of all your characters, do you think is the most like you?
I have a lot in common with Davis Morgan, but he is more the person I would like to be than the person I am.
Why did you pick your particular genre?
Our genre is usually tagged as cozy inspirational mystery. We sometimes call it “mysteries with a message.” I picked it because as a retired pastor, I felt obligated, perhaps called, to have an inspirational edge to my writing. I know I must be careful to keep that aspect of the story subtle and never resort to an in your face approach. Mystery was chosen because I enjoy reading it. I never really considered anything else when I decided I wanted to write fiction.
What makes your books different from others out there in this genre?
I think the main thing that makes our books different than others in this genre is the setting. Using our home town as the setting adds landmark and history details not always found in cozy mysteries. One new fan told me, “Your books remind me of the Mitford books.” Then she paused and said, “No, I like them better than the Mitford books.” That, of course, made my day. She was telling me, “it’s the setting that sets your books apart from others.”
What’s next on the horizon for you?
We are busy at work on the first book in a new series that will also be set in Adairsville. The protagonists in this series will be a brother/sister team by the name of Kirby and Riley. Somewhere down the line I hope to write that serious piece of literature that has been on my mind for a while.
Danny, thank you so much for visiting today!
About the Book
Like A Tree (A Davis Morgan Mystery)
Inspirational Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
CrossLink Publishing (March 26, 2019)
Paperback: 175 pages
ISBN-10: 1633571556
ISBN-13: 978-1633571556
The movie industry spreading across Georgia has finally made its way to the little foothill village of Adairsville. Bookseller and police chaplain, Davis Morgan along with a young female clerk discover the body of a member of the movie company on a historic site at the foot of a large oak tree. Davis, despite his promise to his wife, cannot resist investigating the mystery. He and his young pal, policeman Charley Nelson, quietly dig into the case even though it is officially under the jurisdiction of the county sheriff. There is no shortage of suspects: the mysterious red headed man, sister of the victim, the fiancée and others. During the investigation an already troubled Charley is framed for a drug crime, and Davis receives word that an old enemy is on his way to Georgia after escaping from prison to make good on a threat against him. Late one afternoon it all comes to an astonishing conclusion beneath the same sprawling oak where it started.
Praise forLike A Tree(A Davis Morgan Mystery)
by Danny Pelfrey & Wanda Pelfrey
I think what I appreciate most about this novel is that the co-authors don’t sugarcoat life. They acknowledge that bad situations and events do happen, and sometimes these happen to good people too.
~Mallory Heart’s Cozies
More About the Authors
Danny & Wanda Pelfrey are a husband/wife team who in the past wrote helpful non-fiction books and material. Recently they have turned to producing “mysteries with a message.” Their stories are usually set in a small southern town in Georgia called Adairsville. Danny grew up in a poverty situation where he was often without access to TV for entertainment so he found books. It was not unusual for him, in his high school years, to read three or four books a week. So his love affair with books developed early. Danny received a degree from Point University and a Master of Ministry from Kentucky Christian University. He spent many years serving pastorates with churches in several states. Danny is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Wanda started her writing career writing curriculum for various publishers. Among books she has authored is the popular, MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR CHILD’S TEACHABLE MOMENTS. She spent twenty-four years as a primary teacher in a Montessori school. She enjoys quilting and has never lost her love for reading. The Pelfreys have two daughters and five grandchildren. LIKE A TREE is the fourth Davis Morgan Mystery on which they have collaborated.
Author Links – Website Facebook Twitter – @dwpelfrey
Links for purchase: Amazon, CrossLink Publishing, Banes & Noble
Also by These Authors
TOUR PARTICIPANTS – Please Visit All Stops 🙂
March 26 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST
March 27 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW
March 28 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT
March 28 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
March 29 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT
March 30 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 31 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
April 1 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST
April 2 – My Journey Back-The Journey Back – REVIEW
April 3 – Lori’s Reading Corner – SPOTLIGHT
April 4 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
April 5 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
April 5 – Here’s How It Happened – REVIEW
April 6 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
April 7 – I’m Into Books – GUEST POST
April 8 – Celticlady’s Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST
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The reviews are good. It’s on my list.
Sounds like a good read.
I really enjoy cozies. Thanks for this opportunity.
Thank you for the interview with Danny Pelfrey. I love to learn more about authors whose book I would love to read. “Like A Tree” is on my TBR list and I’d love the opportunity to read it.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Congrats on the new release! Great interview. Thanks for sharing.