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Interview Author Denise Robbins + Giveaway
Filed in Denise Robbins , Giveaways , Interview , The Obsessed Lover Posted on November 5, 2010 @ 6:00 am
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Today we are very happy to welcome author, Denise Robbins to Book Lovers Inc! Denise’s new book Never Tempt Danger was released last month and we’re stop #3 on her blog tour. Denise and I sat down to talk about the authors that have had the most influence on her writing and sometimes her life. Thank you, Denise for being here today and sharing with our readers!
Okay, BLI readers let’s give big round of applause for Denise Robbins!!!
The Obsessed Lover: What books did you read as a child?
Denise: Of course I read books like Sammy the Seal and Danny the Dinosaur. By the way, those are still my two of my favorite children’s books. In early elementary school I remember reading Misty of Chincoteague. At the time I loved horses…still do.
My parents will probably laugh when I tell you this, but I used to read more than books. Whenever we got into the car to go on a trip I would read every sign I saw. . .aloud.
I suppose that was the better than being the kid who sat in the back seat that and asked, “Are we there yet?” or “How much longer?”
The Obsessed Lover: Okay, hang on I just have to say two things, #1 – I love Danny the Dinosaur and #2 I pretty much learned to read by sounding-out & reading street signs, out-loud whenever we went anywhere!
Okay, now back to your regularly scheduled interview…When you were a teenager what did you read?
Denise: Wow, Heather that’s just too funny! Here I was feeling unique in my silliness. As for your question…By the time I hit my teens I was more into sports than books, but what I did read were a lot of the same books my father read so he was more of an influence on me than an author or story. At that time my dad read more non-fiction than fiction.
As I moved into my twenties I read true crime stories.
The Obsessed Lover: I bet those made you sleep with the light on. Who did you read?
Denise: I read every book by Ann Rule. She is an amazing writer who makes you feel as if she is sitting across a table from you and telling you the most horrific stories about a serial killer. And she does it without sharing too much of the gory details, but enough to scare the pants off you, or take a second look at your next door neighbor. At the same time I was introduced to John Douglas true crime novels. John Douglas is the original FBI profiler. Now his stories will make you sleep with the light on.
It wasn’t until I ran out of true crime novels that I started on fiction again and moved into mysteries. This was like hitting the jackpot. So many good book, so many great authors.
The Obsessed Lover: Why mysteries?
Denise: Mysteries took the best part of a true crime novel, the mystery or puzzle of who is the killer and gave me the ability to fall in love with characters. OH! And I fell hard. I read every mystery I could get my hands on by Jonathon Kellerman, Faye Kellerman, John Sandford, Michael Palmer, Michael Connelly, Patricia Cornwell, Sue Grafton, and Tess Gerritsen, Janet Evanovich, and David Baldacci. The list goes on and on and once I found an author I loved I devoured every book I could find by that author.
Eventually, those authors couldn’t write fast enough for me. The Obsessed Lover: Don’t you just hate it when that happens?!
Denise: Happens all the time. Drives me nuts. But having four books behind me and the fifth one dogging me, I can relate to those authors.
The Obsessed Lover: So what did you do?
Denise: This brings us to today and to those authors that influenced me beyond all others. Having run out of mysteries to read, I was browsing in a bookstore one day and ran across a book title Open Season by Linda Howard. My mind leapt right to open season killing. . .on people. Yes, that is how my mind works. Just by the blurb on the jacket cover I bought the book, read it, and fell in love with romantic suspense.
I couldn’t imagine it, romance and mystery all wrapped up in one book.
I had never even heard of romantic suspense until that book. Once again I found an author I fell head-over-heels for and had to find every book ever written by her. In between Linda Howard novels I found other romantic suspense authors like Carla Neggers, Iris Johansen, Heather Graham, Julie Garwood, Elizabeth Lowell, and more.
As I look back on it now I realize that the majority of my favorite mystery/thriller authors have a little romance in their novels too. Makes sense. Life is full of romance and adventure.
The Obsessed Lover: That is so true. But you said that these authors influenced you beyond all others, why?
Denise: I explain it this way, Linda Howard’s writing introduced me to romantic suspense that led me to also reading romance. One of my first romance books was Born in Fire by Nora Roberts. In the story the heroine is a glass artist who makes beautiful sculptures or works of art by blowing glass. That book and Nora’s writing made me need to learn more about glass blowing, so much so that I took a glass blowing class. Several of them now.
Romance novels cover so many areas of interest that I would probably never even know about if not for that author. Those novels make me interested in learning more.
The Obsessed Lover: You know, you’re right.
Denise: It was Linda Howard who made me finally want to truly write a novel. I had loved reading and writing since I was a kid and even considered going into sports writing when I was in high school. But, it was Linda Howard’s All the Queen’s Men that made me want to put fingers to keyboard and write my own stories to share with the world.
I was reading that novel when I was struck with the urge, the idea, the NEED to write, to put down on paper all those words running around in my head, create characters you love and love to hate, throw in a mystery with some hot romance and voila! You’ve got a terrific read that will take you away from your life and into someone else’s world.
The Obsessed Lover: You literally started writing right then?
Denise: Yup! I was compelled to put my words on paper and I haven’t stopped since. The fun part is that I get to show or expose the readers to different technologies in all my techno-romantic thriller novels.
The Obsessed Lover: So who do you write like?
Denise: Hmm. I don’t think I write like any one particular author, but I’ve been compared to David Baldacci, Janet Evanovich, Linda Howard, Michael Connelly, Carla Neggers, and Suzanne Brockmann.
Denise: Who do you think I write like?
The Obsessed Lover: Of the authors you’ve listed, I would definitely have to say your writing style reminds me of Linda Howard. Like you I had no idea there was such a thing as Romantic Suspense/Romantic Thrillers/Romantic Mysteries until I read my first Linda Howard book, which was Dream Man. Great book by the way if you somehow missed that one, pick it up sometime. In addition to Linda Howard, your writing also reminds me quite a bit of an author who is not on your list, Fern Michaels. Particularly her series Sisterhood. I could totally see Charley, Gilly, Ruby and Samantha invited to join the Sisterhood.
About the Author:
High-tech becomes high-risk in Denise Robbins’ novels. The New Hampshire based author uses two decades of experience in computers to explore the killer possibilities in technology. Denise integrates her knowledge of computers and technology along with secrets, intrigue, suspense, and even a little romance into all of her techno-romantic thriller novels. Readers and reviewers agree Denise writes stories that will keep you at the edge of your seat and clamoring for more.
From her back deck, she sits outside, listens as the old roller coaster from the local amusement park inches its way up the wooden structure on its clanking chains, and waits to hear the kids scream in terror and delight. The best mental therapy a girl could ask for. The long, cold winter nights in New Hampshire provide the serenity and motivation to write excitement into the night.
In addition to writing, Denise enjoys scuba diving (only in warm water), snowboarding, and playing in her garden.
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~*~*~Giveaway~*~*~
Denise has been kind enough to offer a signed copy of her new book Never Tempt Danger to 1 lucky commenter.
All you have to do is ask Denise a question
or leave a meaningful comment about the interview.
Please leave us a way to contact you, either an email address or Twitter ID.
This giveaway is open internationally. In the US/Canada the winner will receive a paperback copy. All other countries, the winner will receive an e-copy.
Giveaway ends on Saturday, November 20th and we will announce the winner on Sunday.
Good luck!
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Hello Denise,
You have no idea how happy I am to see you list all of my favorite authors as your reading material. I love Ann Rule (The Stanger Beside Me scared me to death) and John Douglas (because of him, I know everything there is to know about murder). I too absolutely LOVE romantic suspense. I discovered that when reading “The Switch” by Sandra Brown. Have you ever read her? Some of her books are better than others. If you decide to check her out, I recommend “Mirror Image”, “The Switch”, “Envy”, ”Hello, Darkness”, “Chill Factor”, “The Witness”, and “White Hot”.
I would love to win a copy of your book. I love discovering new authors to read, especially romantic suspense authors. My e-mail address is ca2ac@yahoo.com
HI Lia Bal –
I love meeting other readers who like the same authors as me and sharing names of authors they may never have tried.
I have read Sandra Brown and enjoy her stories very much. Thanks for stopping by and asking a question.
I really enjoyed this interview. Denise, you are a new author for me. I can’t tell you how weird it is to see someone else’s reading pattern so closely mirror my own. Those same mystery authors you listed led me to romantic suspense and then to romance. I loved Howard’s All the Queen’s Men(almost as much as Cry No More.) With these authors as your writing influences, I definitely need to add you to the top of my TBR list. Thanks so much for visiting.
Hey Denise! Awesome interview. Which part of a book do you enjoy writing the most? Beginning/middle/end? Thanks!
Rachel
Res498(AT)aol.com
Rachel – That is a great question. For me I guess it depends on the book. Sometimes I know what the beginning is and sometimes I know what the ending is, but I never know both.
I love writing the scene that pops into my head and just won't let go until I write it down.
What inspired you to be a writer and what type of books do you like to read and write? Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
Hi Denise,
Since you love reading mysteries, did you ever branch out into the paranormal mystery category (authors such as Charlaine Harris, etc.)?
angeldream3(at)gmail(dot)com
Amy –
I've never read Charlane Harris, but I have read some mystery/suspense books with paranormal elements in them. I enjoy Heather Graham's paranormal series very much.
Hello, there.
What is your opinion on book trailers? Do you think they help in book sales?
I look forward in reading your works.
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0266 at gmail dot com
Hi Tracey –
That is a much debated question. I think book trailers are like book blurbs only in a video format.
If you prefer pictures versus words then a trailer is a good tool. I personally love trailers!
Hi Denise!
This was a great interview! I just wanted to ask you. What would be the best advice that you could give to an aspiring author?
I cannot wait to read your book!!
kristen_babygurl@hotmail.com
Kristen
My Bloody Fairy Tale
My question to Denise: If a movie were to be made about your life, who would you want to play the lead role and why?
Thanks for the giveaway!
BornajhawkATaolDOTcom