Today we’re welcoming Robin Caroll, who writes romantic suspense, to celebrate the release of her novel, Deliver Us from Evil. Robin has graciously offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky reader, so as usual, leave your comments below with an email address!

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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 years, her three beautiful daughters, and their four 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 Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice, Bookseller’s Best, 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!

DELIVER US FROM EVIL released from B&H Publishing February 2010. It’s the story of a beautiful yet tough woman working in a beautiful yet tough setting, Brannon Callahan is a search and rescue helicopter pilot for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Strong faith and a decorated history of service have kept her one step ahead of on-the-job dangers, but there’s no precedent for what’s about to happen. After a blizzard takes down a small plane carrying U.S. Marshal Roark Holland (already haunted by a recent tragedy), Brannon must save him in more ways than one and safeguard the donor heart he’s transporting to a government witness on the edge of death. Otherwise the largest child trafficking ring in history—with shocking links from Thailand to Tennessee—will slip further away into darkness along the Appalachian Trail.

Wow, that sounds awesome! I can only imagine how challenging and intense a book that was to work on. What was the hardest part to write?

I watched a television special on child trafficking with my husband. As a mother of three daughters, I couldn’t stop the ache in my heart long after the show was over. I couldn’t get the image of these poor girls’ faces out of my mind. The horrors these children endure in their own poverty-stricken country is horrible enough, but to be brought to America and be further exploited and abused is appalling. When my outrage settled deep inside me, I knew I had to write a story about this most serious issue.

That’s definitely a tough, important issue. I can see where it ignited your passion. What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?

I love to read romantic suspense, suspense, thrillers, mysteries….action/adventure. I found that preference to read in these genres is what sparks my passion to write romantic suspense.

What lessons have you learned through the publication process that you wouldn’t have guessed as a pre-published writer?

How HARD it is. LOL Seriously. I think most people are surprised when they actually start writing with a goal of publication. It’s much, much harder than I’d ever dreamed. But it’s more rewarding as well.

Don’t I know it! Thank heavens for wonderful support groups and loving families. Are there any people who you rely on when writing?

My husband is my sounding board for most of my stories. He’ll help brainstorm and plot and work in twists. The next group of people I truly rely on are my crit partners—Dineen Miller and Ronie Kendig. Both are amazing and love me enough to tell me when the story isn’t working for them. And I have three “readers” who read my manuscript just as readers (they aren’t writers)—Tracey, Lisa, and Krystina. They don’t miss much! LOL And there are a lot of author friends who are great supporters—Cheryl Wyatt, Camy Tang, Cara Putman, Sara Mills, and my mentor, Colleen Coble.

That’s an impressive list of supporters! Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?

My family. When I’m at my computer so much of the day, I make it a point to have family time. I love to scrapbook, which is time consuming, but my children love to make their albums when I’m doing so. I love to read and cook, so I try to balance out those things that make me happy.

Do you remember where you were when you got your first or most important call about a book contract?

I remember all calls! LOL The one that sticks out most in mind is the official contract offer for a 3-book contract, beginning with DELIVER US FROM EVIL. My agent at the time had been in communication with Karen Ball at B&H. They met at conference and the official offer came. Of course, my agent hunted me down and I accepted. But what was so cool was Karen Ball announcing I was joining the B&H family from the podium at the ACFW conference.

Oh yeah, that would be exciting! So what are you writing right now?

I just turned in the final book in this trilogy, tentatively titled IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL and releasing next February. Right now, I’m taking a couple of weeks off until I have to begin the revision process.

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