Irene Radford is a prolific American author, born in Oregon and still residing there. She is a member of a vanishing breed, a native Oregonian who continues to live in the state. Radford has a deep connection to the past, which is evident in her writing, particularly in her historical fantasy series, Merlin’s Descendants. This connection stems from her childhood as a service brat, which saw her move around the country, and her fascination with historical research. She earned a B.A. in history from Lewis and Clark College, where she met her husband, Tim.
Radford's love for writing began at a young age, and she has been using a pencil to create stories ever since she figured out what it was for. She is particularly drawn to fantasy, a genre that allows her to combine her love for Medieval history with her fascination for the paranormal. Radford's bibliography is extensive, and she has written under various pseudonyms, including C.F. Bentley, Phyllis Irene Radford, Julia Verne St. John, Rachel Atwood, Phyllis Ames, P. Irene Radford, and P.R. Frost.
Radford's writing is informed by her diverse experiences and interests. She is a long-time member of an international guild of lacemakers, and her love for this craft is evident in her work, particularly in The Loneliest Magician, The Dragon Nimbus #3. Radford has also published magazine articles about the history and technique of lacemaking and has self-published two lacemaker's fairy tales with lace patterns. In addition to her love for lacemaking, Radford has taken up fencing as research for her books, including Guardian of the Freedom, Merlin’s Descendants #5. She has also been active in ballet du lac, teaching ballet to youngsters in her local community school program.
Radford's home in Welches, Oregon, is shared with her husband and a variety of wildlife, including deer, bears, coyotes, hawks, owls, and woodpeckers. She is a museum-trained historian and has spent many hours prowling pioneer cemeteries, deepening her connections to the past. Radford's interests and reading range from ancient history, spiritual meditations, space stations, and everything in between. She is currently working on a new series, The Pixie Chronicles, with the first book, Thistle Down, released in June 2011. Radford also writes urban fantasy under the pen names Phyllis Ames and P.R. Frost and space opera as C.F. Bentley. She will be taking up steampunk under a new pseudonym in July 2016. Radford's newsletter, available on her website, is the best way to keep up with her latest releases and personal appearances.