Hunted by Karen Robards

By Christina Ironstone

I got to connect with Karen Robards to discuss her upcoming Christmas Thriller, THE HUNTED. A few quick facts about Robards: Karen Robards resides in Louisville, Kentucky in a big old fashioned home. She has three sets of three. Kids, Cats and Dogs!

For being a regular on the NEW YORK TIMES, PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY and USA TODAY bestseller lists, she’s wonderfully down to earth. Robards was truly touched by my complimenting her books. Her books are known for being exciting, steamy, and real page turners! She’ll have you staying up hours past your bed time just to find out what happens next.

Below you’ll find my interview with her to talk about a variety of topics ranging from her newest book to one of her secret talents.

Tell me about the Hunted.

HUNTED is a fast-paced romantic thriller that RT BOOK REVIEWS described as having “plenty of action, danger, and sexy sizzle” in a 4 1/2 star review. At a glittering Christmas party in New Orleans, model homicide detective gone rogue Reed Ware takes the city’s movers and shakers hostage. When hostage negotiator Caroline Wallace is called in to talk Ware into standing down, the situation is complicated by the fact that she once had an enormous crush on Ware – and her father, the superintendent of police, is among the hostages. The negotiations go spectacularly wrong, and Ware goes on the run with Caroline as his hostage. But as Caroline starts to piece together the truth behind Ware’s actions, she discovers that the more she learns, the more danger she’s in – and not necessarily from Ware.

How did you come up with the idea for the HUNTED?

I always have ideas. I was particularly fascinated by the idea of a hostage negotiator being taken hostage, and then discovering that she just might be on the wrong side of justice.

Generally, when you sit down to write a book, what are the first and most vital steps?

Turning on the computer. No, seriously, getting the first line right is most important.It sets up the initial conflict, tone, and point of view. The rest of the book evolves from that.

You mentioned on your website that you love to read (and write {obviously}). What are your criteria when it comes to reading a book?

I read a lot. I always have. I enjoy all genres, and I read a great deal of non-fiction, too.I will put a book down if it doesn’t hold my interest, and what is most important to me as a reader is compelling characters. If a writer can make me care about the characters, I’m hooked.

You certainly have a knack for writing complex, dark, and compelling characters. Where do your characters come from? Are they purely works of fiction or elements of real people?

My characters are strictly works of fiction. What I try to do is get inside their heads and ask myself, if I were that person in that situation, what would I do?

Looking back on your career, in what ways do you think you have grown as a writer?

I’ve learned over the years to tell the story I want to tell, the way I want to tell it. Everybody always has an opinion, but what I have to offer as a writer is my own unique vision. I’ve grown enough as a writer to honor the characters and story the way they exist in my head.

What is the most important take away from the HUNTED? (What feeling or message do you want to leave for the reader?)

The message I most want readers to take away from HUNTED is that families matter.

Do you have an advice for aspiring authors?

The best piece of advice I can give aspiring writers is keep at it: don’t let yourself be intimidated. Write the story you want to write the way you want to write it. Be creatively free, and see where it takes you.

Could you share one neat fact about yourself that readers don’t know?

I like to draw and paint. I frequently will sketch my characters. It helps me visualize them.

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Karen Robards was a delight to interview and I look forward to reading the HUNTED (and I hope you all will too!) The HUNTED hits shelves December 10^th 2013.  If you would like to meet her she will be at the RT Booklovers Convention in New Orleans on May 13-18, 2014.

To learn more about Karen, please visit her website.