Getting to know Evelyn Cullet

I’d like to welcome mystery author, Evelyn Cullet. I recently read Masterpiece of Murder and I loved it. So much so that I added it to my “Best Of Mystery/Suspense Novels” on Shelfari. (See the link to the left.) 

Now, let’s get to know Evelyn.

Patricia: Evelyn, what are your favorite things to do when you’re not reading or writing?

Evelyn: In the spring, summer and fall I spend most of my time in my organic garden, feeding, watering, planting, pulling weeds, and harvesting veggies to cook for lunch or dinner. In the winter, I work on making cabochons out of stone, to put into jewelry settings. I reason I  say 'work on' is because I'm only an amateur lapidary, and sometimes my cabochons don't turn out exactly the way I want, but it's always a lot of fun to see if I can get one that's close to perfect.  

Patricia: What’s your favorite color? Why?

Evelyn: My favorite color is lemon yellow. I once took a "Color Test" that told me I chose that color because I needed excitement and constant stimulation, that's why I willingly participate in activities that are thrilling and offer adventure. I don't know if that's true, but I recently went digging for diamonds in Arkansas. If that's considered exciting and stimulating, than I guess that's why I must like yellow. Actually,  I like it because it's such a warm color. It makes me feel good, and it complements the color of my hair and my complexion.

Patricia: How would you describe yourself, personality wise?

Evelyn: I'd say I was forty-four percent extrovert and fifty-six percent introvert. I've always been imaginative and creative. I'm good at communicating and I focus on facts and try to see others’ points of view before I make a decision. I'm even-tempered, and I have a great sense of humor which I hope comes through in my writing. Although sometimes readers laugh at things that I don't intend to be funny.   

Patricia: Do you like to travel? If so, what are some of your favorite places to go and/or what was your favorite vacation?

Evelyn: Actually, I don't like to travel. I hate the whole airport experience, and if those airplane seats in coach get any smaller, we'll all be sitting in each other's laps. But I have to admit, my favorite vacation was my trip to the UK with my daughter and son-in-law, who is British. They took me to see all the usual tourist traps in London. But the best part of the London experience was that I got the chance to see one of the very last performances of Agatha Christie's Play, The Mouse Trap. And then we were off  to Nottingham, where we toured Nottingham castle and its beautiful grounds, and had lunch at the oldest Pub in existence, established in 1189 A.D.  And then to Guildford for a street fair, a local beer tasting, and a tour of the ruins of Guildford castle. After we left Guildford, we took a plane to Belfast to visit my son-in-law's parents in Northern Ireland. That's a trip I would like to take again, because there is still so much I want to see.    

Patricia: How would you complete this sentence? If I won a million dollars, I would  ------

Evelyn: move to a mansion, hire a cook, a maid, and a gardener, and spend all my time writing. I'm only joking. Or am I? Actually, That's a difficult question to answer because there are so many things I'd like to do if I only had the money, like support my favorite charities and help my immediate family members. So that's what I'd probably do, and then I'd move to a mansion, hire a cook....

Bio:

Evelyn Cullet has been an aspiring author since high school when she enjoyed writing short stories. She began her first novel while attending college later in life, and while working in the offices of a major soft drink company. After taking early retirement, she finally has the chance to write full time. As a life-long mystery buff, she's a former member of the Agatha Christie Society, and is a current member of Sisters in Crime. When she's not reading mysteries, reviewing them or writing them, she enjoys playing the piano, is an amateur Lapidary, and an organic gardener

Blurb:

Heartbroken American art student Charlotte Ross is so intent on locating her errant fiancé that she submits someone else’s painting as her own in order to gain access to a Master art class being held in the resort city of Bariloche, Argentina—the place her lost love was last seen. When the painting gets her accepted into the class given by a world-famous artist and womanizer, being a novice makes keeping up with the others nearly impossible as she struggles to fake her way though, while trying to win back the man she loves. But her fiancé has his own reasons for being in Bariloche that complicate Charlotte’s life and threaten her very existence as she stumbles into a downward spiral of deceit, art forgery, and murder. When circumstantial evidence begins to mount against her, the local police think she is the killer. Now, using the detecting skills she learned from her mystery writer friend, and with the help of two fellow art students, she must prove her innocence before she's arrested. Not an easy task with a military police officer dogging her every step.

Masterpiece of Murder is available in print and ebook versions from Wings ePress, Amazon.com, and at Barnes and Noble.com for the Nook.