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QUESTIONS FROM READERS

Karen Robards answers readers' questions about getting into the minds of her fictional characters, possible sequels to past books, and her interest and background in the legal profession.

Karlie from Landisville, PA: Do you have a law and/or criminology background?

Karen Robards: When I was growing up, I wanted to be a lawyer. I was actually in law school when I wrote and sold my first book. It was a wonderful surprise --- and I discovered what I was really supposed to be, which is a writer. I’ve been writing books ever since, but I still haven’t given up my interest in the legal field entirely. I just write about it now, which is probably a lot more fun.

Mellena from Dover, AK: Do you create a "relationship" with your characters so that you can get to know them better?

Karen Robards:What I try to do is get inside my characters’ skin. I become them, to the best of my ability. I try to think as they would, feel as they would, see and hear and touch what they would. This can be inconvenient at times when I have to attend a school event or something for my children and I’m in a “character fog,” but that’s the way writing works for me and I’m sticking with it.

Rita from Wichita Falls, TX: Are you currently working on another book? When will it be out?

Karen Robards:Right now I’m just beginning work on PURSUIT, a new romantic thriller that will be out in February or March.

Suzanne from Coulterville, IL: How did you portray Kate's anxiety so perfectly? I could understand her fear for the welfare of her son, because I'm a mom myself. Have you ever been in the kind of dilemma she was in, or know someone who has?

Karen Robards:As most moms do, I put my children’s welfare before anything else. Therefore, I was able to feel Kate’s fear and despair when she realized that her past put Ben in danger. As for the rest, it was pure imagination.

Margaret from Sterling Heights, MI: Would you ever consider writing a sequel to Clara and Jack's story in NIGHT MAGIC?

Karen Robards:I love Clara and Jack (and Puff!), and NIGHT MAGIC (which, by the way, I called SOME KIND OF HERO) holds a special place in my heart. I would consider a sequel in a heartbeat, but I don’t know that it will ever happen. There are always new books to write, new characters to create, new adventures to explore. Still...

Emily from Nashville, TN: Have you considered a mystery involving Churchill Downs?

Karen Robards:Churchill Downs is a wonderful, iconic place with which, as native of Louisville, I am very familiar. At some point I will probably use it in a book. If you’re interested in historic Kentucky racetracks, Keeneland in Lexington was the setting for my romantic suspense HUNTER’S MOON. A Simpsonville, Kentucky, horse farm was the setting for my thriller PARADISE COUNTY, and Churchill Downs was at least mentioned in both books.

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