Monday, September 24, 2007

Robin Caroll

It is my great pleasure to introduce you to a good friend and president of American Christian Fiction Writers, Robin Miller, who writes under the name Robin Caroll. Her first book is releasing in October. I have already read the book, and it is really wonderful.

This is a picture of Robin (in the black) with her agent Kelly Mortimer. She helped Robin sell a four book series. Way to go, Robin and Kelly!

Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

In this particular book, since it’s set in south Louisiana, a whole lot of me is in each and every character. I was born and raised in Louisiana, have only moved out of state eight years ago. So a lot of the phrases and mannerisms are second nature to me. Now, I wouldn’t dare think of working with alligators like the heroine, but I do love riding airboats. LOL And I gave my heroine a form of one of my daughter’s names, so that character is beyond special to me.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

That’s a hard one as I’m pretty quirky all over. LOL Let’s see, the quirkiest…well, there’s a lot of strange stuff I did in my youth, but they wouldn’t be considered quirky. My husband tells me some of my quirky traits today are that if I think it, I say it and if I feel it, it marches across my face. I don’t know if that’s good or bad.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

In third grade, I wrote a short story that was printed in an elementary collection. From that moment on, that’s what I wanted to do. I took some writing courses through Writers Digest back in the ‘90s, but then had children and followed other avenues. But for as long as I can remember, I’ve kept a private journal as well as a prayer journal.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

What I ENJOY reading? Suspense. Period. But I read my ACFW friends’ books, as long as they aren’t historicals. I read just about all other genres because of my critiquing service—I have to keep up on what the market trends are.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

I have several other single title manuscripts that my agent is currently submitting. For a complete listing and a summary of my books, visit my website. But all of them are Southern mystery/suspenses.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

My family. Having small children AND a teenager at the same time definitely keeps me grounded and focused. And when it’s all too much, God and I have those long one-on-ones. He always humbles me and makes me remember what’s REALLY important.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I use the internet for research, I utilize “The Baby Name Survey Book”, and I draw on my personal experiences.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My children. My marriage. In my generation, the divorce rate is astounding. That my family is still intact, strong and loving, brings a smile to my face every day.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

A cat. They’re so independent and such cool animals. I have 4, and they have such individual personalities. A lot like people…different, yet interesting in their own right.

What is your favorite food?

Oh, easy question. LOL Hibachi steak, fried rice, and stir fried zucchini. LOVE it.

What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

I love this story! It’s about an alligator environmentalist who works in a Louisiana bayou, who just happens to have a grandmother who is a voodoo priestess. The hero is her ex-boyfriend. When his grandfather, an ex-politician and riverboat casino manager is killed and found in the bayou, both h/h are suspects. They must reconcile with one another to prove their own innocence, and stop the real murderer. They discover the truth, and that they’ve never stopped loving one another. I hope everyone enjoys reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Thank you, Robin.

We were just together at the American Christian Fiction Writers national conference in Dallas.

Readers, you'll want to visit her website to find out more about this wonderful author:

http://www.robincaroll.com/

You can read a review of this book by visiting my shoutlife profile and reading the blog. I do book reviews there:

www.shoutlife.com/lenanelsondooley

For a chance to win a copy of this book, leave a comment on the interview. There are three other interviews that you can leave comments on right now for chances to win their books:

Hannah Alexander - Death Benefits
Grace Bridges - Faith Awakened
Maureen Lang - Remember Me


And to be sure you know when you win a book, sign up with Feedblitz in the right hand column under my picture.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great interview! Can't wait to read the book!

Anonymous said...

Great interview! Robin Miller, who writes under the name Robin Caroll. Her first book is releasing in October. Can't wait to read the book.

Cherie J said...

This book sounds wonderful. Enjoyed the interview! Please enter me in the drawing.

Anonymous said...

My word! You've included a little bit of everything in this one! The voodoo priestess sounds quite, um, I don't know the word. LOL I've said this about other books before, but I'm intrigued. I'd like to win this one!

ChristyJan said...

Please enter me for a chance to win a copy of this book ~ it sounds great!

Unknown said...

Lena, my sweet friend, it was a blessing to be able to see you and get a "Lena-hug" from you at conference. Truly warms my spirit everytime I see you! :D

Thanks for this interview. It was so much fun. Y'all, Lena asks the most interesting questions that are so fun to answer.

I hope everyone enjoys reading Bayou Justice as much as I did writing it! :D

Lynette Sowell said...

Oh! I'd love to win this one. But of course I'd be just as happy to go to my friendly neighborhood Wal-Mart and buy it. :) Robin, I'm so excited for you!!! :) Lynette

Unknown said...

Please count me in for the drawing.

SuseADoodle said...

Robin has been an AUTHOR since she was in 3rd grade ... I'm impressed. I'm intrigued by the Voodoo Priestess (though for some reason my brain keeps reading that as Voodoo Princess) being part of the story -- though an authenitc tale of Louisiana would have to acknowledge, and includem voodoo in some way ... sounds like a great read.

Count me in for this drawing, please :-)

SuseADoodle [at] gmail[dot] com

Anonymous said...

Mystery, suspense, count me in

Lisa Jordan said...

Very nice interview, ladies. I'm looking forward to reading this book!

Stormi said...

Oh boy the good ole bayou..the title alone has me wanting to read it..LOL Please enter me in the contest.

tetewa said...

Would love to be included! tWarner419@aol.com

Unknown said...

I'm really excited about this series, and there are more to come....Lena's already scheduled me on her blog when the other books release in the series, so keep visiting Ms. Lena's blog! :D

Janna said...

Okay, this book looks great! I am newly in love with Love Inspired Suspense since I read Murder by Mushroom - please sign me up!

Janna
ryanx6@msn.com

Stacey said...

The book looks intriguing. I love hibachi steak, too. :)

Anonymous said...

Great Interview! Please enter me in the competition to win this book.

Lee Franklin
mystylee at bigpond.com