BOOK CLUB TALK WITH ROBIN CAROLL

ABOUT AUTHOR: Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin Caroll is a southerner through and through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others. Robin’s mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who instilled in Robin the deep love of family and pride of heritage—two aspects Robin weaves into each of her books. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty-plus years, her three beautiful daughters, two precious grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home—in the South, where else? She gives back to the writing community by serving as Conference Director for ACFW. 

Her books have finaled/placed in such contests as RT Reviewer's Choice, Bookseller's Best, Holt Medallion, Carol Awards, and Book of the Year. An avid reader herself, Robin loves hearing from and chatting with other readers. Although her favorite genre to read is mystery/suspense, of course, she’ll read just about any good story. Except historicals!

Book#2 JUSTICE SERIES Sept 2012

What have been the benefits to you in having relationships with reading groups?

 I LOVE connecting with other readers. For me, the biggest benefit is hearing how readers connected with my characters and the story. Sometimes, their perceptions surprise and truly move me.

Where would you like to see your relationship with reading groups grow? How do you think your goals can be met? 

I would like to encourage groups to understand how accessible I want to be to them. I call in to book clubs, will Skype with them, try to visit them when possible. If I can't, I try to send some bookmarks and items beforehand.

Do you have a set size a reading group has to be before you'll talk to them on the phone or in person? What do you feel most comfortable doing?

I don't have a set size because I like to chat with reader’s period. Sometimes because of my location or schedule, visiting in person is impossible, but I've called in, Skyped, even online chatted.

Which type of book club meeting do you prefer? Why? 

The book club I most enjoy meeting are ones who truly enjoy reading inspirational fiction, although, I've had several fun connections from groups where I was their first inspirational selection.

What have you learned about your book and yourself from book club meetings? If so, what?

I've learned to be more relaxed with book club members as a whole. I much prefer the casual setting where we are literally visiting than a "classroom" style bookclub.

Did you learn more about your characters than what you had originally intended? If so what? 

My characters are constantly surprising me. I do very in-depth interviews prior to writing, but even then, I've been surprised.

Have you been surprised by readers’ reactions to one of your books? Characters? If so, which ones?

 I've actually had a reader tell me that one of my characters who became saved despite the past I'd created, helped her accept God's forgiveness. THAT's the best part of writing to me.

Has your book club experience - getting feed back from reading groups - helped you in writing future books? If so, how has it helped you? 

I've had a lot of suggestions of what they'd like to see in a "sequel" come up. LOL

Nora: It was a blast talking to you at Finding Hope Book Club. You spoke to both groups separately – what different conversations we had about your book Deliver Us From Evil. Grin! I know that a few of the Monday night book club had plans for a whole series you could write! Grin!

It was also great fun learning about your and how you know so much about guns and things. Seems a few ladies in my group like to go shooting with their husbands too! As a book club member having the author speak to the group brings richness to the story and a depth to the writing that always pleasantly surprises me! Grin! Thanks for doing what you do!! 

 What would you like to see in reading groups that you haven’t experienced yet?    

One thing I'm working on implementing in the future are video discussions of my books available for download off my website. We're working to get that in place before the end of 2012.

Nora: Oh, Robin let us know when that is available. I’d love for you to post a few of those at The Book Club Network so the books club members and leaders could tape into how much fun you are at book club and how suspenseful and fun your books are.TBCN www.bookfun.org  Grin!

What was your most memorable reading group experience? What made it so fun?

 One group planned a "theme" meeting for the night I was scheduled. They had finger foods and decorations and all sorts of really cool things of Louisiana, where my story was set. We had a blast!

Why write Christian Fiction? What is the draw for you?

ALL the books in this series were suspenseful

 The hope. I want to write stories that fill people with hope again. Hope that comes with eternal salvation that only comes through Jesus Christ.

Nora: I have enjoyed reading your books for many reasons but one of the main reasons is how you naturally weave a spiritual thread into the stories. It’s not preachy but very natural. I Like that so did the ladies in my book club. We also liked your well timed humor in the middle of suspenseful situations.

What do you hope readers take away from your new book?

 

 I hope they realize that everyone is human and sinners, even the ones we hold in higher esteem.

Can you give us a peek at what you are working on now? When will it be out? 

I just turned in the last book in the Justice Seekers series. It's about Maddie Baxter...and Nick Hagar. The second book in the series, TO WRITE A WRONG, releases in September and STRAND OF DECEPTION releases in February 2013.


Robin

Nora: Oh, Robin. I really enjoyed  INJUSTICE FOR ALL.. It’s suspenseful, fun, I care about your charters from the first paragraph and I like your writing style. It’s not like your others but I like it. I can’t wait until the rest of the books come out in this series. They sound just as good as this one.

THANKS ROBIN for stopping by and letting us know about your new series JUSTICE SEEKERS and about your book club experience!! Thanks for writing Christian Fiction have enjoyed your writing journey! Hope you can stop by again soon!!

This is the FIRST book in this series. Wow, what a start!! I highly recommend Injustice for All!  I do like suspense and Robin keeps you on the edge of your seat and up late reading! Grin!

Until later

Nora St.Laurent

The Book Club Network

http://www.bookfun.org/