That trilogy had been carefully planned to cover, in three books, the romance between Dr. June Hudson and undercover DEA agent Jim Post, as well as many friends and town folk. It wasn’t practical, in my mind, to keep adding to the series. But apparently my readers enjoyed following the love and drama in a small town.
The answer came to me a couple of years later – another small town, located not far from Grace Valley – a place where some of my old characters might meet some of the new characters. And Virgin River began to come into focus. This time, though, I didn’t want to follow just one couple’s romance. I’ve learned first hand that readers don’t like being separated from their new friends – they want to revisit them regularly and see how 
they’re doing. That doesn’t mean they want the author to mess with their destinies, put them into the kind of drama that can carry a whole novel; they don’t want their happy endings screwed up, but they want to check in.
This time, with great calculation, I did my ‘world building’ in a town that had endless resources – an entire squad of marines, lots of potential for people coming and going, characters both young and old, and a setting that takes the breath away. While Grace Valley is home spun and sometimes eccentric, I wanted this new small town to hit hard with some very real ‘domestic issues’ – that’s what we call issues that belong to women more than men. The plan from the beginning was to balance romance with those issues, and there is no better anchor for such a plan than a rural nurse practitioner/midwife – she is the person who takes care of the women of the town.
I’m a loser ~ I still haven’t read this, and they’ve been on my wishlist forever! Hopefully I’ll have read all three of the Virgin River books by next month. At least, that’s what I’m aiming for.
Dev, you really should read them. They’re amazing.
Robyn,
Thanks for being here with us today. 🙂
As for the series, is Grace Valley reprinted YET? I can’t wait to read it.
I think one of the things I liked best about Virgin River is that the town is so real. I think you did an amazing job of bringing it – and the people who live there – to life. I’m not kidding when I say I wanted to pack up and move to a Virgin River of my own after reading the series. And if some sexy Marines just so happen to live there…all the better. 🙂
I’ve read all three of the Virgin River books, and loved them. I have every intention of reading Grace Valley as well, but am having issues getting the first book in the series, Deep In The Valley. Everywhere I look it seems it’s out of stock, or not available. If anyone knows where I can get a copy, let me know.
I AM STILL LOOKING FOR DOWN BY THE RIVER!!
sorry for that, but seriously, when are they coming out again? T_T
and I think you really got it Robyn, what the readers wanted and you gave yourself a lot of margin 😀 and it’s true, readers want to check up on their favorite characters and no screwed HEA!! and I think they were a great balance btw those issues and the relationships. I’m definitively looking forward to reading the next few books!
I love the description of the town. I’m sorry to say I haven’t read any of Robyn’s books (hanging head in shame). I’ll have to work on that.
Hi Robyn, I have heard so many wonderful things about your books.
I can’t read to read them.
I want to read the Grace Valley books as well…but I can’t find them anywhere, when can we look forward to picking them up?