Robyn Carr shot straight onto our favorite list when we all read her Virgin River series. We seriously cannot get enough of everyone and everything in Virgin River. So it isn’t a surprise that we invited Robyn to come on back to Book Binge to visit with us so that we can pick her brain about all things Virgin River: The past, the present and the future.
Robyn was kind enough to answer every question that we put to her and we couldn’t be more happy to have her back.
Book Binge: Why should our readers read A Virgin River Christmas (besides because Rowena says so)?
Robyn Carr: There are some definite surprises in store for readers – this isn’t your ordinary Christmas story. To start with, the people of Virgin River, given their close ties with the military, have decorated a thirty foot tree in red, white and blue for the center of town; the ornaments are made from military unit patches. It is a tribute to the men and women who stand the watch. And there is a very special one right in the mountains outside Virgin River that the folks in town aren’t aware of – Ian Buchanan, a marine decorated many times, is living a very low profile existence after a rough tour in Iraq ended four years before. The past few Christmases have gone completely unnoticed by Ian, but this one will be entirely different when a very special young woman makes it her single-minded purpose to find Ian and bring him back to the living.
Book Binge: What can readers expect from A Virgin River Christmas?
Robyn Carr: There’s something about the spirit of Christmas that fills the most recalcitrant heart with hope and promise. Ordinary things become magical; everyday lives take on extraordinary purpose. And here is a man who, when faced with the determination of a young woman filled with love and faith, cannot nurse his wounds any longer. It’s a healing time.
Book Binge: Can you tell us who will be getting their own book from our Virgin River friends?
Robyn Carr: Next up in Second Chance Pass (Feb. 2009) you’ll see several love stories extended. First of all, Vanni and Paul have quite a few complications to overcome before they can grasp a second chance at love. Tom and Brenda are still going strong, Joe Benson (the architect from Grants Pass, Oregon) deserves a shot at romance. And a special treat – this book begins what is a 3 book story arc in which retired general Walt Booth experiences his second chance at love.
Next, in Temptation Ridge (March 2009) you’ll be meeting a newcomer. Luke Riordan, a 38 year old retired Army Warrant officer and Blackhawk pilot, the veteran of 4 years, settles into Virgin River where he plans to renovate some old dilapidated cabins along the river. He’s a love-‘em-and-leave-‘em kind of guy – just not into serious relationships. The last thing he expects is to be smitten by young and innocent Shelby MacIntyre, Walt Booth’s 25 year old niece from Bodega Bay. The town goes through a lot of changes in this book, but as the people in Virgin River are known to do, they rise to the occasion and hold each other up.
In Paradise Valley (April 2009) the long awaited story of Rick Sudder as well as Dan Brady, the mysterious marijuana grower. For Rick it’s a difficult homecoming from the Marine Corps and for Dan, it’s a search for a home. Neither could possibly predict they would help each other in the end.
Book Binge: What are you writing right now?
Robyn Carr: Right now I’m working on the 2010 books – the first of which is a story about Noah Kincaid, a Presbyterian minister who has come to Virgin River to open up that old church and hopefully the hearts of a town that has been too long without a ministers. Right after that book, one of Luke Riordan’s younger brothers finds himself hanging around that part of the world more than he planned when he runs into an old girlfriend and realizes just how stupid he’d been to let her go.
Book Binge: Who’s book is coming out next?
Robyn Carr: Next up, in February 2009, Second Chance Pass will belong to Vanni and Paul, whose romance was left hanging at the end of Whispering Rock. Also in that book, more about young Tom and his girlfriend Brenda, and Joe Benson, the architect from Grants Pass will have his opportunity. And then, as a special treat, a story arc that will span the next three books, touches on General Walt Booths second chance at romance.
Book Binge: Of all the books you’ve written, which book is your favorite?
Robyn Carr: One of my all time favorites is The House On Olive Street – it’s a different kind of book, what I call a girlfriend book. It’s about 5 women writers and when one of them dies, the surviving four (and an extended family of characters) move into her house to finish her work in progress, bringing all their individual angst with them. If I had my fantasy writer’s life, I would do a couple of small town romances like the Virgin River books and one girlfriend book every year – it’s a very fun combination.
Book Binge: Of all the heroes you’ve written, who’s your favorite?
Robyn Carr: Jack Sheridan, but I have to admit that by the end of Whispering Rock I was dead in love with Paul Haggerty.
Book Binge: What is your favorite TV Show?
Robyn Carr: Brothers and Sisters, maybe. And I’m loving In Plain Sight and The Cleaner.
Book Binge: What are you reading right now?
Robyn Carr: I’m just finishing up the MacKenzie series by Linda Howard.
Book Binge: What’s your favorite romance sub genre to read? Historical? Contemporary? Paranormal?
Robyn Carr: I’m a new fan of paranormal romance, hooked by the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the Twilight series. I don’t love them all, but while I didn’t think I’d ever read one, I now find myself looking for good ones.
Book Binge: Who are your favorite authors?
Robyn Carr: Susan Elizabeth Phillips, JR Ward, Colleen Gleason, and I just discovered Toni Blake and Susan Andersen.
Book Binge: What are your plans for the future? What are you hoping to write in the near future?
Robyn Carr: I’m pretty much up to my eyeballs in Virgin River, trying to decide whether that series goes on and on (and on and on) or whether it’s time (after the 2010 books) to begin a new series.
Book Binge: What is the best book you’ve read in 2008?
Robyn Carr: Twisted Creek by Jodi Thomas
Book Binge: Where is your favorite place to write?
Robyn Carr: I have a small office, very cozy, and I spend all day, everyday right in front of the computer.
Book Binge: Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre? If you could, what genre would you want to write for?
Robyn Carr: I’m really right where I should be – women’s issues in romance and women’s fiction.
We here at Book Binge are grateful that you are where you are because we enjoy your books so much that we’re always anxiously waiting for more from you. To see that you love watching Brothers and Sisters brings much delight to me (Rowena) since I absolutely adore the Walker family.
Once again, we’d like to thank Robyn Carr for hanging out with us today. Be sure to leave a comment on any (or all =P) of the Robyn Carr posts today to be entered into a drawing for some free Robyn Carr books.
Robyn, I have loved your VR books, and I am so glad that you are continuing the series. You created some wonderful male and female characters, and you can’t help caring about them and wanting to know more. Jack is my favorite, too!
Thank you so much Rowena (and Happy Birthday BTW 🙂 and Robyn – that was a lovely interview!
Ahhh, I’ve got lots of Virgin River books to look forward too – YAH 🙂
Robyn – if you don’t mind me asking, is it easy to write the close knit, small community feel into your books? It comes across so well!
Ohhh…and, I’ve been wondering…a secondary (female) character who we meet in the beginning of VR (yes I am trying to be cagey so I don’t give anyway anything 🙂 – I believe when Mel firsts meets her she is a bit worse for wear – will we ever see her again please and do you think she will get an HEA?
Orannia — Easy? I think that might be a relative term. Of course I hit snags and difficult parts, and there are days I think I won’t have one more good idea. But all in all, I’m having as much fun as you are. The balance between romance and women’s issues really works for me, and I find the small town setting so ideal, such a fantasy and dream come true. There’s comfort in that kind of familiarity. I think I’ve found my home.
xoxoxoxo
Welcome, Ms Carr!
erm… don’t have much to say–as I have three of your books lost somewhere in the TBR mountain range right now… so I’ll just wish you luck with the new book! 😀
Hmm . . I’m coming forth to comment!!
Thanks for answering my question in the other post. Me thinks I would like to come on a research trip with you! *grin*
Robyn, I love the slide show of the VR area that you have on your website. Seeing those slides helps me picture the scenes in the books. My imagination is only so good, so it helps to have that visual boost!
I bet it was fun to take that girls trip to see that part of the country!
Robyn, your interview was nice. I haven’t read your books before, but I think I’m going to have to start now.
Willa — you would have had to be very strong to withstand that trip — my girls are tough. And we didn’t find Jack. I’m sure he’s there somewhere. 😉
Cheri — Kate and I have been many times before, but this was Shari’s first time, and she did all the photography. Really, it was so amazing watching her soak it in. She’s the best friend and nurse practitioner who helped me with clinical details until she found me a certified nurse midwife. Kate holds the distinction of helping me with the psychological parts — you’ll see her hand in Paradise Valley in April 2009 when the characters encounter a lot of therapy. Kate is a clinical psychologist and has been reading my books in first draft for almost 30 years. Ooops, I promised I was going to stop saying it was that long — you’ll think I’m 80 and I’m not!!
xoxoxo
Robyn
Hi Robyn,
Hope the writing is going well. Terrible I have to chat to you through blogs. 🙂
Ann M.
Thank you so much Robyn for answering my question. And the slide show sounds very interesting 🙂
All the best with the release of A Virgin River Christmas!
I love that in 2009 you Robyn has three books coming out one after the other (yeah I was scoping out her books on Amazon). I love when authors have the chance to publish like that, you can scoff down as many books in the series you can get.
Robyn, sorry to say that I have not read your books yat, but I hope to soon.
Thanks to Robyn and Rowena for the great interview.
Robyn ~ I just finished reading Twisted Creek and loved it!
Too cool!! I love the Virgin River books and am working on the Grace Valley books right now. I just finished the second book yesterday. I love the setting in which they take place and the hear that I see in all the books. Can’t wait to read more.
PS I love Jack Sheridan 🙂
Great interview Robyn. Thanks for letting us know what is coming up for VR. I can’t wait to get started on this series.
I’m always late to the party.
Just wanted to pop in and say I love the Virgin River books and it’s so great to have some more to read.
PS. Jack Sheridan..swoon!
Thanks Robyn for coming by and doing this for us. It’s been great having you here! We love you here at Book Binge.
And thanks to everyone who stopped by to hang out with us. We really appreciate all the support and good luck on the contest!
Great interview. 🙂
I’ve not read any books in this series but they sound wonderful.
I don’t read a lot of contemporaries, but I have had these books on my mental TBR list for a while now! I would love to win a copy to give me a quickstart!
Ooooh, you just discovered Toni Blake and Susan Andersen? You have some awesome reading ahead of you!! Enjoy! Hopefully you have some time for pleasure reading 🙂
I’ve been mulling over what it is I like about the Virgin River series, and I think it is the camaraderie that comes across in the books, not just between the marines but just between all of the characters. And how they all work together to solve a problem…*shrug* – the books just have a lovely feel to them 🙂