Connect with Robin on the web:Website Facebook Twitter
Over to Robin now...
Who is Robin Gianna?
I’m an eternal optimist, even when I shouldn’t be! I like to cook, garden, and explore nature—combining any of these pastimes with my children makes it extra fun! I’m particularly skilled at ignoring clutter in my house and shoving perilously placed items back into over-full closets.
What inspired you to be a writer?
I’ve always loved reading and the written word, and studied journalism in college. For some inexplicable reason, though, it never occurred to me to write fiction until I had a strange experience! I’d read a book on a beach vacation, and after I’d finished it the characters kept talking in my head and continuing the story! After weeks of this, I figured I needed to either see a psychologist or write my own book. Writing seemed like a more fun choice, so I began to study the fiction craft.
How did you choose your genre?
I’ve always loved romance of all sub-genres, and still remember some of the Harlequin stories I read as a teen. While I enjoy historical romance, I know there’s so much to learn to make them accurate, and I had enough to learn about writing fiction! I tried writing romantic suspense, but had a little trouble with the suspense part :-) So contemporary romance seems to be the best choice for me.
What made you tell this story and why did you write this book?
I wrote this book because Harlequin M&B Medical Romance had a ‘fast track’ submission event where writers could submit one chapter and a synopsis, and receive feedback in a month. My husband and critique partner are both doctors, and I have numerous friends and relatives in medicine so I figured I could do that!
I immediately knew I wanted to set my first medical romance in a mission hospital in Benin, West Africa. My husband had worked there when he was still in medical school and had amazing stories and photos, some interesting and some heartbreaking. So that the story wouldn’t be too ‘out there,’ I chose the secret baby romance trope that many readers, including myself, enjoy. I felt if I could tell a story that was meaningful to me, hopefully it would be meaningful to readers, too.
How did you come up with the title?
Titles are not my strength, I have to say! My original title was Doctor On A Mission, thinking it had a double-meaning—the hero works in a mission hospital and is determined to get the heroine to marry him! The editors came up with the title Changed By His Son’s Smile, which I think is lovely and tells more about the core story than mine did.
A family he didn't know he wanted…
When ex-flame Dr. Danielle Sheridan arrives at Chase Bowen's African clinic he's captivated by her… and her little son! Three years ago Chase turned down Dani's surprise marriage proposal—their life was just too dangerous for a family—but he didn't know she was pregnant! Losing Dani once was hard enough. Losing her twice is not an option. Especially when he's already fallen for his adorable son, Drew. Now Chase is determined to make Dani his again—starting with an undeniable acceptance of her three-year-old proposal!
Hi Robin, congrats on being the first spotlight of 2014 :) Thanks for sharing about your book, it wounds fab! Love the name "Chase". Happy New Year and best wishes for Changed by His Son's Smile :))
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThe first spotlight of 2014! That is special, isn't it? And you're the first to comment! :-) Thanks so much - Happy New Year to you, too!
DeleteHi Robin
ReplyDeleteI do love medicals and I love the sound of this one congrats on the release
Have fun
Helen
Thank you, Helen! If you read it I'd love to hear from you!
DeleteI like the new title, though the old one wasn't bad either. :) The cover is so cute! This book is new to me, so thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Sam! I like the new title, too. In fact, to be honest, it's kind of nice to not have to knock myself out coming up with one for each book, now, since I know the editors will!
DeleteHi Nas and Robin .. welcome to the Romance Book Haven - seems you have exactly the right tale to tell ... I agree with Sam the cover does appeal ..
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you both and good luck with your writing projects and your families for 2014 - cheers Hilary
Thanks so much, Hilary! I appreciate your cheers!
ReplyDeleteLove the sound of this one! Good luck with it! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jemi! I hope readers enjoy it!
DeleteSounds like a great read. I'm going to look for it in stores around Columbus.
ReplyDeleteSadly, Jodi, the books are not distributed in print in the U.S. I sure wish they were! But you can get a print copy from Harlequin, and ebooks are available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The links are on my website RobinGianna.com and on my Facebook page. Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteSounds like you had a lot to bring to this story with your husband working in a hospital in Benin. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteHis experience was wonderful for enriching the story, Margaret. I also did a lot of additional research (for example, he didn't know that Voodoo originated in Benin). Thanks so much!
DeleteAw! This book sound adorable. And I'm a total fan of any woman brave enough to admit she shoves clutter back into the closet and ignores it. =) TBR list...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Crystal! I do think we women are hard on ourselves and very self-critical and while I still think I should be working on those closets (like when something falls out on my head) I've decided to embrace my strengths and ignore my weaknesses :-) If you read the book, I'd love to hear from you!
DeleteIt's wonderful to meet Robin! Thank you, Nas, for the introduction.:)
ReplyDeleteHappy new Year!
Lovely to meet you, too Karen! Happy New Year!
DeleteIt is such a lovely title--and great premise. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! If you read it, let me know what you think, please!
DeleteJust finished it and I really liked it! Well done! And thank you for stopping by Romance Book Haven!
ReplyDeleteOh, goodness, Desere, did you really? I think you're my very first reader, which makes me excited and nervous at the same time! Thank you so much!
DeleteYou're so welcome!
DeleteI love that Robin remembers some Harlequin from her teen reads. I well remember working my way through boxes of Mills and Boon's that my auntie gave me when she finished with them. They inspired me to travel as i loved the settings. I was a bit too young to get the sex, hahaha.
ReplyDeleteDenise, I don't think the ones I read back then were as steamy as some now :-) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteSounds like a great story, and I totally want your superpower of ignoring clutter.
ReplyDeleteIt's a skill I've perfected over the years, but I bet you can get the superpower if you try! ;-)
DeleteThat's a sweet cover and it looks like a great read. I'm pleased to meet the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Medeia!
DeleteCongrats, Robin! Sounds like a lovely read! And writing a novel is much cheaper than therapy. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
So true, Cherie! Though sometimes I'm convinced I still need therapy for other things ;-) Happy New Year to you, too, and thanks for stopping by!
DeleteJournalism and fiction writing are definitely different animals!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Nas!
Most definitely, Suze! Thanks for stopping in!
DeleteSounds like a good book! I like that you're an eternal optimist. That's the best way to be!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sherry! Sometimes the optimism does get me in trouble, but I agree that it's always better to look on the bright side. Keeps life happier!
DeleteWhat a fun interview. It was great to learn where Robin got her ideas from and how she came to start writing. I bet it made her a little nervous to keep hearing those characters talking in her head. :) Fascinating to hear how the title came to be, too. Thanks for sharing. Wishing Robin the best of luck!
ReplyDelete~Jess
Thank you so much, Jess! I appreciate your stopping by!
DeleteI really enjoyed this interview. (I am pretty good at ignoring clutter, too!)
ReplyDeleteAnd the book sounds like a must read. Thanks, Nas, for spotlighting Robin and her work =)
Thanks so much, Ruth! It's been really fun hanging out here with Nas and you all!
DeleteChanged By His Son’s Smile sounds like a wonderful story, Robin.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennifer! If you decide to read it, I'd love to hear what you think!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Ruth Shciffmann! You are the winner of this contest! Please contact Robin via her website or social media!
ReplyDelete