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Welcome Christian Author Karen Robbins Hi, Karen.
Is there a story behind In A Pickle?
Absolutely and I smile fondly every time I tell it. My mother loved to bake and do home canning. She also had a great sense of humor and used it often as she laughed at some of the things she did herself. Mom was forever getting words mixed up or saying them with the accent on the wrong syllable. She would ask for marjoram to season something but instead of saying “marjoram,” she would say, “marijuana.” A novelist thrives on the what-ifs of life. What if, I wondered, someone thought they were putting marjoram in their pickle recipe and it was actually marijuana? From there the story just grew. By the way, the opening story where Annie thinks there’s someone in her basement is a slight embellishment on something that actually happened to my mother. I loved her dearly. She would have enjoyed my Annie Pickels character.
Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote? Why?
While I didn’t set out to make her complex, Annie ended up having a lot more layers than I had originally envisioned. The friendship with her neighbor, Elma, develops deeper as the story goes on there is one place where they have a falling out that had me in tears every time I had to edit it. And I knew what would happen!
What distracts you from writing the easiest?
Grandkids and traveling. There always has to be time for grandkids. They are the heartbeat of a grandparent and writing takes a back seat when they are around. My husband and I travel a great deal and even though I take along my laptop, finding time to write is difficult when you are tired from touring or the schedule is full of new places to explore and experience.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
When the kids were younger—much younger, I was a clown in a Vacation Bible School parade we had in the neighborhood around our church. I used white clown makeup, drew in the signature eye accents, and made my nose red. We had a huge crazy polka dot tie that I donned over a large white shirt and baggy pants. I was truly out of my comfort zone but when it was done, I found I’d really had a lot of fun.
What is your strangest habit?
Did you mean habit or addiction? In addition to being addicted to travel, I’m also addicted to Angry Birds. ‘Nuff said.
Where is your favorite place to travel/vacation in?
We have been to all seven continents and almost circumnavigated the globe. When people hear that, they always want to know our most favorite place. I have to disappoint them. There is not just one. God has created an amazing world and each is unique. As much as I hated the inconveniences we experienced in China, it was still an amazing place to visit. We have been to Australia four or five times, so perhaps that is a favorite country. Antarctica was truly spectacular. Paris and Rome, romantic. Norway’s fjords. . .well, I could just go on. Check out my blog and see what I wrote about the places we’ve been.
Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
Our travels have given me a lot of material to use as illustrations for speaking topics. God tends to give me moments here and there where He brings Biblical truths to mind while we are out traveling. For example, a young tree in the Red Center, the desert of Australia, has to send down a long tap root to find water before it can survive and grow. That revelation led me to write and talk about how we need to find the Living Water Jesus offers to us for our survival and growth.
Where do you escape for some quiet time to reflect, pray, read, etc?
My quiet time for prayer and reflection often takes place at my kitchen table in the morning but my favorite thing to do is to prayer walk in my neighborhood. Not only is it time to pray for my family and friends but I can also pray for neighbors as I pass each home. I don’t always know what the needs are exactly but God does. That’s what counts. Where does your sense of humor come from?
I’m pretty sure I inherited some from my mother but then I also married into it. My husband has a great sense of humor and it rubs off on me. Most of all I think it’s a gift from God. He knew I would need it. Having five kids pretty much insures that to keep your sanity, you’d better use that gift of humor.
When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
There is not a definite date for the next book. I am almost finished with the sequel to my first cozy mystery, Murder Among The Orchids. The second in the Casey Stengel Mystery Series is titled, Death Among The Deckchairs.  The sequel to In A Pickle is still in the infant stages and loosely plotted out. All I can tell you is that it will involve a trip to London for Annie and Elma and a new pickling recipe that sounds a lot like Piccadilly Circus. Hmmmm. It’s best to hook up with me on Facebook and/or Twitter for the latest news. cjajsmommy said...

Dill pickles are one of my 3-year-old grandson's favorite foods. Recently his daddy said something about being "in a pickle." My grandson must have thought about that all day because that night in the bathtub he said, "Daddy, how did you get inside the pickle?" I love that kid (one of ten grandchildren) because he is the one that says the cutest things. I'm sure this book will be a delightful read. djragno [at] hotmail [dot] com

August 26, 2012 at 7:44 AM 
Havent heard that one in awhile. I'm in a pickle to so I hope I win . Sounds like a great read.
My son used to run to the wooden barell that used to have the pickles in ( many years ago ) in the grocery store. Hes have one half eaten till we left the store. A memory I wont forget .
amhengst at verizon dot net

August 26, 2012 at 1:03 PM 
She does seems to have a great sense of humor. I'd love to win/read this book.


August 26, 2012 at 4:24 PM 
cjajsmommy, I get a lot of good humorous and often thoughtful material from my grandkids too. Love seeing the world from their perspective.

Ann, I used to make my kids put their hands in their pockets any time we went in the store just to be sure there would not be any half-eaten anythings I had to account for.

Linda, Thanks for your observation. Pleased as a pickle you think so.

August 26, 2012 at 5:13 PM 
thanks for chance to win


August 26, 2012 at 5:46 PM Rev. Kim Justice said...

Would love to add this to my good Christian books.

Rev. Kim J
Breath Of Live

August 26, 2012 at 7:44 PM lgm52 said...

Books with a sense of humor in the plot are like a breath of fresh air! Would love to read this one!

August 26, 2012 at 11:13 PM 
I would love to win Karen's book.
Maxie ( email@example.com )

August 27, 2012 at 12:29 AM 
Hmmm... this sounds different. Add me please. I like humor! Kathleen

August 27, 2012 at 2:19 AM Teela said...

Dill pickles...yummy, and here in TN we have fried Dill pickles and I could eat a bucket load of them. Would love to read & review your book. email@example.com http://coffee24tea.blogspot.com

August 27, 2012 at 11:44 AM HomePlace Gatherings said...

Doreen Brannan
priviesandprims at yahoo dot com

August 30, 2012 at 11:10 AM