Interview with Robyn Carr

Sometimes the best medicine for nursing a broken heart is starting over in a new town. With a clean slate and no constant reminders of what could have been, it’s a drastic yet practical way to move forward. Having the courage to move on by making a lifestyle change is a positive step towards healing. That is… unless your cheating husband decides to follow you and beg for forgiveness.

This month’s Jen’s Jewels Robyn Carr tackles this very issue in The Virgin River Series’ latest release HIDDEN SUMMIT. It’s the story of a scorned wife Leslie Petruso who jumps at the chance for a new beginning but finds it’s not exactly what she had in mind. With a mysterious new man in her life and an ex-hubby who just won’t take no for an answer, Leslie’s simple plan for a fresh start has just become a whole lot more complicated!

As part of this interview, Robyn has donated five copies for you, my favorite readers, to try to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. In order to enter, you must include your complete mailing address along with the correct answer. Good luck! And, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your 2012 reading adventure.

Jen: A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, your latest release HIDDEN SUMMIT is sure to find its way to the top of the lists as well. So that my readers may catch a glimpse into the life of the woman behind the words, please share with us your educational and professional background.

Robyn: After high school I spent two years in nursing school (RN program) and only worked for a few months before marrying my Air Force husband and beginning life as a military spouse. I was writing full time a few years later and have been for 35 years.

Jen: Please describe for us your "Aha!" moment when you decided to take the plunge and pursue a career as a writer.

Robyn: I’d describe it more as an Ah Ha moment — as a young wife and mother who had been reading lots of romances, at the time historical, I had this notion that I could write one if I tried. I’m not sure that was a sensible idea — it was much harder than I thought it would be. But — I was hooked on the process. It was fun! It didn’t take me long to see that for me, writing was something I was going to for a long time, whether I sold a book or not. It was my third completed effort that sold, but over the next 35 years there were many ups and downs, including a period of 8 years that I couldn’t sell a word (after already having been published in hardcover for a dozen years and winning a Rita.)

Jen: In terms of nuts and bolts, approximately how long does it take for you to write a novel? And, do you plot first, or simply just allow the novel to take on a life of its own?

Robyn: I’m must faster now — the children grew up, found their own partners and real estate and life got lots simpler. While I was raising a family a book a year was about all I could manage, but now? I think I can manage a book ever few months. And I never plot first. I do have a basic idea, fundamental characters, but the rest evolves. I’m sure it’s not practical, but it’s what works for me. I’ve tried plotting everything out first and I still end up watching the story slowly unfold, very few of those plot points I so painstakingly developed make it into the book.

Jen: Your new release HIDDEN SUMMIT, a continuation of the Virgin River series, is a suspenseful love story set in a picturesque small town. How did you arrive at the premise?

Robyn: Actually, I think it was my agent’s idea. And although it sounds suspenseful, it’s more about the love story and the community of Virgin River. I’m better with relationships than I am with thrillers or mysteries.

Jen: Leslie Petruso has had her fair share of heartache. Newly divorced from her cheating hubby, she has decided to put the bad memories aside and start anew in Hidden Summit. How do the scars from her divorce affect the way in which she views herself?

Robyn: Without realizing it, or at least openly acknowledging it, Leslie has had a real confidence problem, perhaps a self-esteem problem. It takes striking out on her own, away from the familiar town, family and friends, and searching for her independent spirit to help her heal and become stronger.

Jen: As the District Attorney’s only eyewitness to a brutal murder, Connor Danson is forced to go into hiding in the government’s witness protection program. Temporarily relocated to Virgin River, he is miles away from his beloved sister and nephews. How do his surrounding and unsuspecting townsfolk help to calm his nerves?

Robyn: The sense of community and unfailing support help Conner see some important truths about his life, especially about the life he left behind. He was a slave to his work, for one thing. And he hadn’t put enough energy toward the primary relationships in his life. Virgin River not only gives him a safe haven, he finds both love and comfort.

Jen: When Connor sets eyes upon Leslie, his wish to fly below the radar becomes jeopardized. Why is he willing to risk his anonymity for this woman?

Robyn: I’m not telling. LOL.

Jen: Due to their parents’ death, Connor’s relationship with his sister Katie is a vital part of his emotional well-being. How does their separation affect his ability to fully allow Leslie into his life?

Robyn: Conner is, above all else, devoted to his widowed sister and her children. He’s a responsible family man and they come first.

Jen: Leslie’s ex-husband Greg is suffering from a severe case of "buyer’s remorse". With his second marriage already teetering close to edge of failure, he pops back into her life hoping for reconciliation. How does Greg’s presence help Leslie take a step towards her future?

Robyn: It’s taken some distance, not to mention a passion for a powerful man, to finally see that Greg just didn’t deserve her.

Jen: How does Leslie’s relationship with her parents change during this very difficult time?

Robyn: I think Leslie learns that her mother and father aren’t just a couple of comics but are wiser than she gave them credit for.

Jen: Let’s switch gears now and talk about your promotional plans. Please take us on a tour of your website highlighting points of interest.

Robyn: I think readers will enjoy the Virgin River pages — there are character sketches for each book plus maps of the town; there’s an online chat site called Jack’s Bar where readers talk about books — and not just Virgin River, but what they’re reading. And the Virgin River titles are listed and numbered in order under "books." Every title has a cover, back cover copy, and an excerpt. There’s a place to sign up for my newsletter (under author) and monthly contests for prizes and autographed books.

Jen: Do you participate in Author Phone Chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one?

Robyn: Contact Nancy Berland — [email protected]

Jen: Are you currently at work on your next novel? If so, what may you share with us?

Robyn: I’m currently writing the 20th Virgin River novel — My Kind Of Christmas, about Patrick Riordan, the youngest of the Riordan brothers. Patrick is taking his R&R in Virgin River after suffering the tragic loss of his best friend. Like a typical Riordan, nothing helps ease the ache like the love of a good woman. The problem is this time the woman is only visiting, is much too young, too vulnerable and worst of all, Jack Sheridan’s niece.

Now Jack likes the Riordans, even if they are a little rugged and scrappy (not unlike Jack himself) but when it comes to his niece, he’d rather have a more mild mannered guy. The trouble is his niece, Angie, leans more toward a guy who will blow her socks off!

Jen: Thank you so much for kicking off 2012 by stopping by to chat with my readers. I highly recommend HIDDEN SUMMIT to all of my readers. I look forward to the next book in the Virgin River series. Best of luck in 2012!

Robyn: I think Virgin River fans are going to enjoy all 4 new Virgin River books in 2012. It’s going to be a very satisfying year at the river!

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Robyn. Just a little side note, I had never read any of the books in this series before this interview and I had no trouble following along. I highly recommend The Virgin River Series. Please stop by your favorite bookstore, library branch, or on-line retailer and pick up a copy of HIDDEN SUMMIT today.

Better yet, how would you like to win one instead? Better yet, how would you like to win one instead? Okay, be one of five readers to answer the following trivia question correctly and you could win. Good luck! Good luck!

What is the name of Leslie’s ex-husband in HIDDEN SUMMIT?

Next month, I will be bringing to you my interview with Catherine McKenzie, author the fabulous release SPIN. You won’t want to miss it.

Happy New Year!

Jen