Author Robin Caroll has made a mark in the reading world with her deep South novels of suspense for the inspired heart. Her recent release–DELIVER US FROM EVIL–from B&H Publishing combines all the elements that make Ms. Caroll’s stories fast-paced yet significant.“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.”
I asked Robin some questions about the story and her relationship to it and to writing a novel of such intensity.
1. What surprised you about your personal connection with this story?
I didn’t realize how deeply this issue of child trafficking would affect me. As a mother of 3 daughters, the horrors of this modern day slavery kept bringing scenarios to my mind that involved my own children, making me even more thankful for where we are in the world.
2. Compared to your other novels, what was different in the way you prepared for this one? Did anything change in your writing patterns?
I don’t know about changing so much as growing. With this novel, I was able to weave in so many more layers and subplots. I learned a lot about keeping many more “balls in the air” so to speak.
3. I know prayer plays a large part in your life and your writing. Describe your prayer path during the creation of this book.
It took a LOT of prayer to get me through this book. There were certain scenes that literally had me bawling and curled into the fetal position while writing, and after. It was only because of God’s grace and mercy that I was able to go back into those specific povs again and again.
4. Your characters show definite arcs of spiritual growth. How does your own spiritual arc parallel that of your characters when you write? Which comes first–the chicken or the egg? Do your characters reflect the growth you’ve experienced? Or do you discover things about your self and your faith as they do?
It varies…sometimes, my characters reflect a spiritual growth that I’ve recently gone through. Other times, I’m learning with my characters. For me, I never “plot” a spiritual arc. I normally wait for God to give me the arc He wants portrayed.
5. Do you have a personal connection with the Smoky Mountain National Park? Or was its appeal for the setting a result of your research on the topic of child trafficking?
Shhh…I’ve never been to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I did a LOT of research, spoke with park rangers that worked there, talked with people who lived there, even had someone go outside and record the sounds for me, as well as taking numerous photographs. I chose the setting because I needed an area that would work for my plot as well as be a character as well.
6. Which scenes are easiest for you to write–action, emotion, or romance? Why?
Action, hands down. LOL I’m not real sure why, but it’s always the easiest for me and the scenes that flow the smoothest. I normally have to edit & revise heavily on the emotion and romance, but very little on the action. I think I’m just wired that way. LOL
7. Writing from the viewpoint of the child trafficking victims must have taken an emotional toll. It cost you something to write this book, as it must all the novels you’ve written. What would make that price seem “worth it” to you?
It did, totally. If just one person reads this book and finds themself going to God to unload their heart, it’s so worth it. If just one person reads this book and because of it, researches and becomes involved in helping end the modern day slavery of human trafficking, it’s all worth it.
8. Can you share an especially satisfying response from one of your early readers or endorsers?
I think the one that sticks out in my mind most is one reviewer’s comments that had me in tears. It touched me so deeply that I sent it to my fabulous marketing director, Julie Gwinn. It moved her as well. This part, specifically, had me crying and thanking God that He chose ME to tell this story: “As Christians, we read novels on an additional level, much in the same way we view every aspect of life. We see something much larger, expanding out and beyond our tiny slice of reality. God speaks to us through more than a Sunday sermon or morning devotionals. He speaks through the natural world, through a song, a hurting child. In this case, he spoke through an author. Aren’t we glad she listened and responded with this outstanding work.”–Ron Estrada, read the full review at http://www.ronestradabooks.com/2010/01/deliver-us-from-evil/
9. Will we see more of Brannon’s friend Lincoln in future books?
Ah, but you already know the answer. LOL Yes, the second book in this trilogy, FEAR NO EVIL, is Lincoln’s story (who, btw, is based on the personality and inner strength of my brother, Charles Burroughs–now I’ve embarassed him! LOL) and releases in August. Here’s the blurb: With his father in a nursing home and his mother needing support, former Great Smoky Mountains park ranger Lincoln Vailes moves to the bayou town of Eternal Springs, Louisiana, to become a police officer. Recent college graduate and eager social worker Jade Laurent has also moved there to try and right the wrongs of an abusive past. But someone is running her car off the road and pointing guns in her direction. As Lincoln investigates her case, he uncovers ties to big-city gang warfare up north that appears to be making its evil way down south.
10. Readers will discover at least four or five layers of connection with the title–”Deliver Us From Evil.” How soon into the project did you have this title in mind? Was it developed after the story was well-formed, or did it serve as a lodestar as you wrote?
Funny story here, Cyn….this was NOT the title of the book until after it was completed–revised and edited. The original title was EXPOSURE, and it was so perfect for the story. Exposing crooked people. Exposing child trafficking. Exposing the past of people who need healing. The exposure of the setting that worked against the characters. However, my good friend had a book releasing mere months before mine with the title of Exposure. (waving at Brandilyn) so we had to change my title. I have to say, Karen Ball, Julie Gwinn, and the B&H team is AMAZING. They “got it” of what we needed to portray in the title. I truly believe this is the title God had selected all along, because as you pointed out, the layers that connect with the title.
11. Where can readers find your books and more information about you, including the book trailer?Â
They can find everything on my website at www.robincaroll.com. Thanks, Cynthia. This has been a lot of fun. Thank you for letting me drop by and visit with you.
And thank you, Robin, for taking time to open your heart to your readers and soon-to-be readers!
Awesome interview, ladies! Loved reading every bit of it.
Learned even more about my precious friend and crit partner Robin in what it took for her to write this book. And it’s an excellent book!