Thursday, March 28, 2013

Today's Special - - Robyn Carr

Robyn Carr is one of my favorite authors.  Her Virgin River books all sit on my keeper shelf and I enjoy revisiting Mel, Jack and the rest of the residents who have become "friends" over the past several years.  

Yesterday, Carr launched her new Thunder Point series with the release of The Wanderer.  I look forward to reading it!  Robyn's schedule won't allow her to join us today but she's shared a prepared Q&A with us and is graciously giving a copy of The Wanderer to one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment.  

For more information about Robyn and her books, visit her website, connect with her on facebook and follow her on twitter.   





Q: Millions of readers visit Virgin River, the setting of your last series, every year. What made you decide to venture away from Virgin River in your new Thunder Point series?

A:  It was time for something fresh and new for a lot of reasons—to keep me fresh and new, for one thing.  But also, twenty books in a series is a lot for new readers to even comprehend, and no matter how many times they’re told they can jump in any time, many will be intimidated by the sheer number.  I call this the Grey’s Anatomy Syndrome—I’ve never seen an episode because when it started, I chose another show to commit to.  I know, I know—I could rent or download the early episodes and watch 147 straight hours of TV to catch up (ugh!), and I’m not likely to do that.  So, we’ll at least take a break, move to a new location with a new cast and new theme.  That doesn’t mean I’ll never go back to Virgin River.

Also—the town is getting large; the population is growing.  My readers love it when I bring characters back together; they want to check on their people and make sure they’re doing all right.  And as the list of characters grows, it becomes more of a challenge to bring them all together.  And if I bring only a few back, my readers want to know where the others are! 

There are certain things my readers love that will always be present, whether I’m writing about a small town, a long-running series or even a standalone women’s fiction—there is always a strong sense of community and commitment; there is always intense friendship.  You can count on me for strong women and heroes dedicated to loving them loyally and keeping them safe—and safe is a relative term.  It can be safe from danger or safe from loneliness or betrayal or fear.  There will always be women’s issues, large or not so large.  There will always be solutions to difficult situations that I hope are entertaining, intelligent and completely feasible, something that I intend to give my readers hope as they face their own problems. 

Q: What was it like to start writing about an entirely new place after being in Virgin River for 20 books? Did it take you longer to write The Wanderer than it usually does to write a new novel since you were creating a whole new setting?

A:  I will admit—it was terrifying!  I was so comfortable in Virgin River; I knew the town and the people so well after 20 books.  The very thought of creating an entirely new community from scratch was very intimidating.  I thought about this place and the original cast for a year before writing the first book.  I was afraid it wouldn’t measure up.  But then I began, and I fell in love all over again and found the process so exciting, so invigorating.  The men stole my heart over and over, the women became dear to me, and the teenagers—I’ve always had a teen or two or three in almost every book—really spoke to me.  I think this town will easily be as beloved as Virgin River and Grace Valley have been. 

Q: What made you choose the Oregon Coast as the setting for your new trilogy? Did you travel to the area to do research before you starting writing The Wanderer? What about the landscape really stood out for you?

A:  At first the location was purely logical.  This is my third series.  The first —Grace Valley, was a valley town in the mountains.  The second was a mountain town—Virgin River.  It only made sense to head for the ocean.  Also, Thunder Point isn’t terribly far from Northern California, with many of the same issues but plenty of new ones.  I understand that part of the world.  And yes, I went there.  I spent a good deal of time with the local Coast Guard, conducted interviews, took pictures.  Mainly, I stood on the high, rocky coast and let it soak into my skin, my head, my heart.  I pictured people there, conducting their day-to-day lives, falling in love, rubbing up against crisis, relying on each other. 

Readers, have you read Robyn's books?  Do you have a favorite?  Are you a fan of small-town contemporary romances?  What qualities draw you to these books?  Robyn is giving a copy of The Wanderer to one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on today's Q&A.  




24 comments:

  1. I have read some of Robyn's books, but how could I choose an absolute favorite? Small town contemporary romances give us a glimpse of what could be I always think.

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  2. I do enjoy small town romances a la Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs and Sheryl Woods. I like the closeness of small towns. Everybody knows everyone in the town. People care and look out for their friends, neighbors and relatives. There is a feeling of belonging, of contributing to the good of the community.

    I have not read any of Robyn's books yet. I do have a couple on my TBR pile but I don't know where to start. I didn't realize that there were 20 books in the Virgin River series.

    I'd like to start at the beginning of her new Thunder Point series with THE WANDERER.

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  3. I love small-town romances. Researching for a post I wrote for Heroes and Heartbreakers a while back, I discovered that I have more than fifty small-town romance series on my keeper shelves, including the Grace Valley and Virgin River books. I never miss a Robyn Carr book, so I've already read The Wanderer and loved Thunder Point and its inhabitants. I can't wait for Gina and Mac's story on June 25.

    I had favorite Robyn Carr books long before Virgin River. I love the Virgin River books, especially the first three--and even persuaded my macho, ex-football player brother to read them--but The House on Olive Street (1999) is also a favorite. I consider the multi-generational saga,Woman's Own (1990) a neglected gem, and, more recently, Walt Arneson, the pony-tailed biker in A Summer in Sonoma has become one of my all-time favorite heroes.

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  4. It is exciting that Robyn Carr has another series started. I am looking forward to reading it. I did enjoy her Virgin River series and my favorite is still the first book. I enjoy the caring and friendship that you see in these small town series.

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  5. Virgin River - it started the whole thing and glad it did. It is hard to pick but also esp loved Virgin River Christmas - the whole thing with Ian making due in a rustic cabin, warming the tub water and also the book with Preacher. Loved his relationship with the little boy.

    I enjoy the friendship and the way the town always looks out for one another.

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  6. I love Robyn's books and especially the VR series; also thoroughly enjoyed Summer in Sonoma.

    I loved all the VR books but would have to agree VR - the first book is my favorite. I just love Jack and Mel - they keep each other in line so to speak. And small town romances make me feel warm and fuzzy and always make you want to come back.

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  7. Small town romance always involves the entire town and it makes it more interesting. Kind of like the romance is for every one to share...like a family

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  8. Virgin River series. Love it! I do enjoy small town romances a lot.

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  9. I think I read the first book in the series and loved it. I love small town romance and always have. I think its where I am from a small community. Would love to read this new book of hers and I love the cover.

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  10. I love small town romances!! I've not read any of Robyn's books (I know! What am I waiting for?). A couple of my favorite authors of small town romance are Jill Shalvis and Kristan Higgins. Love their books!!

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  11. I have read the first 3 VR books, and I am slowly working my way through the rest of the series. Jack from the first book is one of my all-time favorite heroes.

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  12. Thanks for the fun interview and congrats to Robyn on the new release! I know I'm like the only person who has not read any of Robyn's books yet, but I really want to! I like small town contemporaries b/c it's fun getting to know the towns and the characters.

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  13. I'm thrilled that Robyn Carr has a new series!! I'm ready to get started reading.. It was a great Q&A..Thanks!

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  14. I have read every book in the Virgin River & Grace Valley series & love them! They are on my keeper shelf, too! I love small town romance because everyone knows everyone & they all interact at some point. Usually, the people help each other out. I'm so glad to see this new series!

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  15. I am so excited about the new series Robyn has started. Jack and Mel are my all-time favorites!

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  16. I own every one of the Virgin River books, but sadly I haven't read them yet. LOL It's like you said, Robyn, it's now intimidating to look at starting a 20 book series. But I will read them. I love the town since I've read every excerpt for the books as they came out and feel like I already know many of the characters.

    I've also promised myself that I will NOT wait until I have all the books in this new series before reading them.

    Marcy Shuler
    bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  17. I have one of her books sitting on my shelf already, but haven't read it yet. But i love small town romance, it feels like the whole town is involved and makes the romance much more interesting

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  18. A virgin river christmas is one of my favorites asi loved ian being so nice to the heroine.
    Natalies mama

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  19. Well, I have to say that I have not read one of your books, Robyn. I have a pal who introduced me to Debbie Macomber and Susan Mallory, and she has suggested I read some of your books as well. I believe I will. I grew up in a small town myself, and so am fond of small-town stories where the entire town is like an extended family to the hero or heroine. As a young child you couldn't "get away with anything" without someone calling your parent to inform them of what you had been doing or saying. A child didn't have just one (rare) or two parents (the usual), he/she had a whole town of parents guiding him/her along the roads in their lives. Not only that, all of your relatives lived in the same town too, so holidays were extra special with big get togethers and Christmas caroling and picnics and uncles hiding Easter eggs. It was a special education we got besides what we received in our schools...a human education in relationships. So, yes, I enjoy stories that take place in small towns. They bring back memories of the "good ol' days" and I take comfort in them. jdh2690@gmail.com

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  20. I can understand Robyn's trepidation about starting a new series. It is very much like anyone of us moving to a new town. We are afraid we won't fit in and it takes time to get settled. We eventually love it.

    I have many books from the series and have read several of them. I jumped into the middle of the series which worked OK. I have all of the first dozen or so and probably more. I am going to have a Virgin River Marathon one of these months and start at book 1 and read them straight through. I look forward to this new series. I briefly visited that area about 25 years ago and loved it.

    I grew up in a small town in the Adirondack mountains and that area shares much with Virgin river. The trees aren't as big, but there are many similarities of the communities, the way of life, and the types of people who are drawn there. There is something special about small towns and they often become a "character" in the book.It is one of the things that appeals to me about small town romances.

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  21. I actually just found Robyn's Virgin River books.I've read only two sofar but I'm definitely hooked. I love small town stories because you have that overall Family thing going on. It's just like having an extended family setting. I look forward to reading the whole VR series and then start on the others. Thanks for the chance.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  22. I have not read any of Robyn's books yet. I see that I must start and soon.

    I do like the comfort read a small town book gives me.

    Patty B.
    atbrenn@verizon.net

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  23. I've always waned to read Robyn's books and now that she is starting a new series I can get in on the beginning of a new story. I'm definitely a fan of contemporary romances and ones set in small towns give me that warm 'family' feeling where you always feel at home. Thanks for this great giveaway!!
    nmc69@sbcglobal.net

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  24. I haven't read any of Robyn's books yet, but want to. I love stories that are set in small towns because it leaves me with a warm homey feeling.

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