1. What was the first book you remember reading? Can you describe the cover of the book and did you like the cover?

The first book in the Trixie Belden series by Golden Books, The Secret of the Mansion. The cover had a creepy mansion on the cover with a man’s silhouette in the dark.

2. Have you ever purchased a book because of the cover alone? If yes, which one and why?

Oh, several. Too many to name. If a cover grabs my attention, I’ll pick the book up. If the back cover blurb sounds interesting, I’ll get the book.

3. When did you first know you were destined to be a writer?

I’ve always written, as far back as I can remember in 3rd grade. I’ve always enjoyed telling stories. At first, they were to entertain myself, then friends and family.

4. Who gave you your first break in publishing?

That’s a hard one, because so many helped me on my path…Colleen Coble, my mentor. ACFW for teaching me so much and giving me contacts. Agents, friends, family for support. My first editor, however, was Krista Stroever with Steeple Hill.

5. What was your first published book and what did the cover look like? Did you love it or hate it and why?

My first book, Bayou Justice, was published October 2007. I’m blessed because I’ve loved every single cover I’ve had. With each book, I think the art departments captured the feel and tone of the story for the cover.

6. Do you believe a cover can increase or decrease the sales of a book? Have any covers affected the sales of your books?

Oh, I firmly believe the cover has a lot to do with book sales. As I stated above, several of my book purchases were based initially on the cover. I have to assume there are many others out there like me.

7. What has been your favorite book cover from all of your releases and why?

So far, Deliver Us From Evil, from B&H Publishing Group. Something about the eyes just seem to grab you until you have to pick it up. It’s about 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.

8. What trends do you see in book covers currently and in the future?

Right now, one of the things I’m seeing as a “trend” in covers, especially in the genre of romantic suspense is the models on the covers. Some full, some partial, some silhouetted.

9. What has been your least favorite cover from all of your releases and why?

Hmmm…I’ve loved all my covers. I don’t think I have a least favorite.

10. Do you have a current or upcoming release to share with Cover Cafe?

My current release is Fear No Evil from B&H Publishing Group. 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, LA to become a police officer.

Recent college graduate and eager social worker Jade Laurent has also moved there to right the wrongs of an abusive past. 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 that is making its evil way down south.

Update: Carol's next release, In the Shadow of Evil is scheduled for March, 2011.

Robin Carroll's website

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