Robyn Carr is an American contemporary and historical romance writer. She has also penned a few suspense novels, short stories, articles and non-fiction books. She has earned number-one spot on New York Times bestselling author.
Robyn never intentionally wanted to pursue a career in writing. She wished to become a nurse therefore she attended a nursing college. During Vietnam War, she married her high school friend, Jim, four weeks prior to his attending Air Force Officer’s Training School. As she had to follow her husband from base to base she could not work as a nurse. She was prescribed bed-rest by the doctors during her pregnancy. So to kill time she would vigorously read novels brought by her neighbors. Sometimes she would devour more than one book a day even in her labor pain. Since she was reading books by Rosemary Hawley Jarmen and Anya Seton she developed a taste for historical romance novels.
Soon Robyn decided to pursue fiction writing. Her keen interest in romance genre inspired her to write in the same genre. However, there were no official training courses available for romance writing. She attended writers’ conference in 1976, where a novelist criticized her work. The third manuscript that was brashly criticized, by a strange twist of fate was published two years later in hardcover, titled Chelynne. The second manuscript was also published the following years but the first one never saw the light of the day according to its author’s wish.
Majority of Robyn Carr’s fiction works portray strong-willed female protagonist regardless of the time the novels are set in. The first fifteen years of her writing career she invested in historical romance. Later she diversified her writings into contemporary fiction. She tried to shift her interest from romance to thriller but after first attempt she gave up as it turned out to be a creepy exercise. She also penned some non-fiction works, articles and short stories, though they failed to gain as much popularity as her novels.
Robyn’s fiction work addresses the serious issues faced nowadays by women in particular. She intended her books to be lighthearted but not so much that they become a joke. Her instant success in romance was also because of the fact that her novels were published when small-town romance was trending among readers. Her Virgin River series gained popularity overnight for its picturesque and adventurous setting and its balanced blend of women’s fiction and romance. The first book, Virgin River, illustrates the story of widowed Mel Munroe, who makes a drastic change in her life moving from Los Angeles to a dinky little town. During her stay as a midwife, unexpected events occur, which renews her hope for a second chance in love.
Another series, Thunder Point, belongs to the same genre as Virgin River. It also deals with the subject matter of sensitive issues faced by women while keeping the readers entertained. Some of such predicaments addressed in Robyn’s novels include health risks, domestic violence and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or anything that costs a woman’s happiness or put her in a comprising position.
Although Robyn wrote prolifically, it took thirty years for her work to appear on The New York Times bestseller List. The 16th installment, Bring Me Home for Christmas, in Virgin River series topped the bestseller list. Robyn Carr’s other successful works include By Right of Arms (1986), Informed Risk (1989) and Grace Valley series (2001) among others.
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