Robin Caroll is the author of eleven novels. Her books have placed/finaled in such contests as Bookseller's Best, Book of the Year, and Reviewer's Choice Award. When she isn't writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty years, her three beautiful daughters, and their four character-filled pets at home--in the South. An avid reader herself, Robin loves hearing from and chatting with other readers. Today Robin and I sat down to talk about her new book, Deliver Us From Evil, which sounds perfectly delicious!
So of course, Robin, give us the dish on Deliver Us From Evil. What's the book about and why do you love it?
A beautiful yet tough woman working in a beautiful yet tough setting, Brannon Callahan is a search and rescue helicopter pilot for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Strong faith and a decorated history of service have kept her one step ahead of on-the-job dangers, but there's no precedent for what's about to happen. After a blizzard takes down a small plane carrying U.S. Marshal Roark Holland (already haunted by a recent tragedy), Brannon must save him in more ways than one and safeguard the donor heart he's transporting to a government witness on the edge of death. Otherwise the largest child trafficking ring in history--with shocking links from Thailand to Tennessee--will slip further away into darkness along the Appalachian Trail.
I watched a television special on child trafficking with my husband. As a mother of three daughters, I couldn't stop the ache in my heart long after the show was over. I couldn't get the image of these poor girls' faces out of my mind. The horrors these children endure in their own poverty-stricken country is horrible enough, but to be brought to America and be further exploited and abused is appalling. When my outrage settled deep inside me, I knew I had to write a story about this most serious issue.
Is there a theme in your books, a thread that you see coming up in your stories often? For instance, underdog fighting for justice?
Most all of my books have a forgiveness and a quest for justice theme. Not that I write this intentionally, I've noticed it just happens that way. Maybe because I was raised with such a strong sense of right and wrong, and everyday life isn't fair.
Your books are both religious and about the dark side of human nature. How do you find the balance between the Light and the dark?
For me, I like probing into people's psyche...what motivates them...what moves them. I find it especially fun to do that in an antagonist's case. Most true antagonists aren't evil by nature, but have become desperate in their quest. When I'm writing, I'm looking through the lens with a Christian worldview because that's who I am--I look at life with a Christian bent because my faith is vital to me as a person. I want to write books that entertain, do reflect the dark sides of people and circumstances, yet be based in hope and joy that comes from knowing what's waiting for us after death.
Can you tell us the pros and cons of writing your Bayou series, for Love Inspired, versus stand alone books?
Writing fiction of any length is challenging, so writing category length and trade length are challenging in their own way. One of the big differences I noticed was the length of time allowed to write each. I had much less time to write my bayou series books than I did for my trade lengths. Another difference is that with the trade books, because they're bigger books, I could add in layers of subplots which made me happy. Another difference is that with category lengths, there are specific readers to that market and editors know what those readers want, so authors tend to write with those readers in mind. With my trade length books, there isn't a built-in readership like with my bayou series books (no mail-book-club standing readers) so there's more freedom to explore and grow in writing style and voice. I've enjoyed writing both.
Is there a book you're longing to write that you haven't had the opportunity or time to yet? Something completely different from what you're writing now?
Actually there is. While I don't ever see myself venturing out of my genre of choice, there is a book I'd like to write that's in a different subgenre of what I write. Who knows, maybe one day I'll pull out my notes on it and actually write it. I think I need to learn and grow as an author more first.
You had a really cool video made for the new book. Can you tell us about the process of making the video?
I'm so blessed that my publisher had the trailer made for Deliver Us From Evil. The brilliant and talented Greg Pope at B&H Publishing created the trailer. It's amazing. The team took my synopsis and manuscript and worked to incorporate the essence of what the book was about. I didn't have a single change request...it was perfect.
That's so cool that they did that, Robin. And both your publishers have given you gorgeous covers!
I know writers aren't supposed to love any of their "children" more than the others, but some of our characters just grab us by the heart. Is there one character who did this to you?
In Deliver Us From Evil, a secondary character, Lincoln Vailes, really snuck under my skin and into my heart. While I'd borrowed many of my brother's traits in creating Lincoln, the character had such a personality come out while I was writing the book. I'd had no intention of bringing Lincoln to the forefront in the next book and telling his story, but he became so real to me, I didn't really have a choice.
Isn't that the best when that happens? That's true inspiration!
What's your best reader comment? The funniest?
Best reader comment was in a review he posted... "As Christians, we read novels on an additional level, much in the same way we view every aspect of life. We see something much larger, expanding out and beyond our tiny slice of reality. God speaks to us through more than a Sunday sermon or morning devotionals. He speaks through the natural world, through a song, a hurting child.
In this case, he spoke through an author. Aren't we glad she listened and responded with this outstanding work?"
Funniest was when a reader emailed me to say I was going to be the cause of her divorce, and she went on to explain that she began reading my book and everything went downhill: she forgot to pick up her kids from the bus stop and they had to walk home--in the rain; she didn't make dinner; she didn't clean the house; and she forgot to pick her husband up from work. As an author, I was amused, but it was also music to my ears.
Wow, both are wonderful! The biggest compliment to an author is hearing how your books are disrupting their lives because they can't put them down.
Do you have any writing rituals before you begin a book or begin working every day?
I pray. Seriously. Something about asking Him what He wants in the story He gave me takes the pressure off me. At least in my mind. LOL I also don't start writing without having a cappuccino (best gift my husband and kids bought me was a cappuccino maker). I also can't write without reading the last few paragraphs of what I ended with the day before.
You have your true heroes at home, and I can so relate. My hubby bought me a cappuccino machine, too, and I love him for it every morning. So you're all set: God and coffee <GRIN>
What does your writing space look like? Do you have any inspirational sayings tacked to your monitor or wall?
I have a huge whiteboard on an easel beside my desk. That's where I keep track of clues, red herrings, and the story timeline. I have two sayings tacked on my overhead... "No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader." and "I only write when I'm inspired. I just make it a point to be inspired every morning at 9am."
Was there one person who influenced or inspired you most where writing is concerned?
My parents always encouraged me to let my imagination flow. My family is a huge supporter and inspiration. But as far as my specific writing? My mentor, Colleen Coble. She took me under her wing, gave me advice not only on my manuscripts but also on the industry and my journey, and continues to encourage me all the time.
What's the best way for reader's to get in touch with you? Do you Tweet/blog/etc.?
I'm on both Twitter and Facebook, under Robin Caroll. I keep a blog, Robinswritingworld.blogspot.com and I even have--yes, really--a snail mail address: PO Box 242091, Little Rock, AR 72223. I love to hear from readers.
Thank you, Robin, for filling me in on your latest book and your life. Can't wait to read it
For more on Robin and her books, visit her website at: http://www.robincaroll.com
Missing the romance, relationship drama, and action of her favorite television shows, X-Files, Roswell, and Highlander, Jaime Rush created her own mix in the Offspring series, from Avon Books. Jaime Rush is a pseudonym for bestselling Tina Wainscott, author of eighteen novels for St. Martin's Press and Harlequin. Contests, sneak peeks and more at www.jaimerush.com.
