You start out your bio page by talking about a unique feature you have, what is it and does anyone else in your family have it?
My bio page starts out with a quote from Frances Thompson to offer an explanation as to why I think I’m ‘wired’ differently. A song can become an entire scene. A doe with her fawn can inspire an entire chapter. When a member of my ‘personal human circle’ dies, a poem detailing their life’s story demands to be written. Unfortunately, I now have a large treasured anthology. My beloved father was wired the same way and perhaps I inherited his love of words. His poem is now included within that anthology, a collection both painful and cathartic.
What are your favorite animal, food, movie, TV show, actor, singer, and author?
I adore horses with their soft bewhiskered lips. They can console like no other animal. There are horses in all my stories because they add so much to life.
Favorite food? With their short season, soft-shelled crabs are a treat. I used to catch them as a child on the New Jersey shore. I’m very particular about the size, shape and condition so the merchants call me the ‘crabby crab lady.’
Favorite movie? Far and away it’s Gone With The Wind. It’s set in my favorite time period. The scene where Rhett leaves Scarlett on the road to Tara as they fled the Yankees is heart pounding. When he reaches for her and leans for that kiss, no words will do. Now that’s a kiss!
TV show? I love watching reruns of Judging Amy. Perhaps their weirdly dysfunctional family that somehow works beautifully is easy to relate to. That being said leads into my favorite actor, Tyne Daley who plays Maxine Gray. I can relate to her because I think there are days I am the ‘Maxine’ in my family.
Who do I listen to? That answer would have to be John Denver. Being a country girl myself, I can feel his ‘soaring’ as the music swells. Listening on horseback? Awesome!!
What are your pet peeves?
I really only have two pet peeves—I despise tardiness and disrespect. I would rather be an hour early than 10 minutes late. I value my time and respect others’ time. I often wish the ‘others’ would feel the same.
Who is your hero?
That’s an easy one—my parents. I was lucky enough to have had the best parents the Lord could provide. They managed to find the delicate balance between love and discipline and selflessly gave of themselves without end.
Give us one thing on your bucket list.
Somehow, sometime, I would love to build a log cabin in the mountains with a veranda where I could sip my hot beverage and watch my horses graze in the meadow. Then I would mount up, ride for hours and let the ideas flow for my next book.
What would readers find surprising about you?
I think my readers would be surprised to know that I’m really quite shy. It’s only in the world of my stories that I’m omnipotent.
If you could go to heaven, who would you visit?
Obviously I would immediately hug and kiss family members. Then I would love to interview Abraham Lincoln. As president during my favorite time period, it would be such a privilege to ‘get inside his head’ and know the real Lincoln, not just the opinionated versions of history.
Any bad habits?
To be honest, I probably have a bit of OCD. I drive myself obsessively, giving three hundred percent and expecting the same of others with a tendency to micro-manage the world around me. All of that leads into your next question of what would be the one thing I would change about me if I could—wish I could worry less and relax more. Now you know why I need that cabin in the mountains.
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you?
When I was a new bride, my husband and I took a trip to Florida. I believe it was Busch Gardens on a beautiful sunny day. At the time there was an animal exhibit of several huge tiger lions. I raised my 35mm camera to take pictures. As I tried to focus the lens it was raining. I remember wondering how it was raining on a lovely sunny day. My husband was laughing hysterically. As I lowered my camera, I realized that the huge cat had spun around, raised his tail and shot a stream of urine at me with a direct hit. It really was funny but yuck, yuck, yuck—find me a bathroom quick!
I love the picture of you sitting on a horse on your website bio page, and it’s noted that you have three horses. What are there names?
Their names are Cinnabun (a thoroughbred who’s the color of a luscious cinnamon roll), Denee, a liver chestnut quarter/thoroughbred cross, and Ginger (the color of a Butterscotch Krimpet from Tastycakes). Unfortunately, during the writing of this interview, I lost Ginger, my friend and companion of twenty-seven years. She died in my arms. I’m devastated but I’m sure her memory will find its way into one of my next novels. When my readers see her name, I hope it will make them smile, as it would be a lovely tribute to a splendid equine.
Now that our readers know a little bit more about Bobbi Groover, let’s get down to the business of your third novel, The Inn at Little Bend. I congratulate you on receiving 5 cups from reviewer Matilda here at Coffee Time! In addition this book has several rave reviews as well as won contests. How long did it take you from beginning to end before your novel was completely finished, and how did you decide on the topic and title?
Actually, I never decided on the topic of The Inn at Little Bend. I loved the timeframe of my second novel and everyone wanted a sequel. But then life intervened. My father was sick and my loyalty was to him. I shelved the notes and the written chapters and devoted my time to my family for a number of years. When my father died, I felt as if I was floating without a rudder. My son told me to immerse myself in my writing because it had always helped me before. The Inn at Little Bend wrote itself. Once I opened the computer and the characters came alive, I had trouble leaving my studio. It ended up not really being a sequel but several of the key characters of my second novel make cameo appearances in The Inn.
When choosing the title I remembered a tiny town that I had passed through early in my writing career. I was told the town was around a ‘little bend’ in the road. So that is how I placed the Inn where much of the action takes place.
Please tell us a little bit about The Inn at Little Bend.
When young Grayson Ridge escapes her sadistic guardian, she finds freedom just as hostile. She struggles to survive her fated trials and conceal the secrets that plague her. Her exploits collide with the life of Drake Somerset, a scraggly yet oddly dashing drifter besieged by dark shadows. Drake had bolted from tragedy, shuttered his heart and retreated deep within himself. Neither realizes their chance encounter could free them both. While at first using him for her own safety, his dark, mysterious magnetism draws her and binds her to him—in a clearing, in a heartbeat and in love.
Tell us about the CBRM Blue Ribbon Awards and the Published Beacon Contest Historical in which this book was a winner.
The CBRM Blue Ribbon Awards are Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media Awards for published novels. Their review described the story as “…the orphanage and the search for home; the young and moral woman resurrecting the heart and soul of a man who has closed himself off in tormented guilt…” The Inn at Little Bend won the Romance Western-Mystery category.
The Published Beacon Contest is with the First Coast Romance Writers. The Inn at Little Bend won in the Historical category.
What was your hardest challenge writing this book?
The hardest challenge about writing this book was the physical writing itself. On the desk in front of me I keep framed pictures of what I imagine my hero and heroine to look like. When I stepped into the story, the characters literally came alive and kept interacting and conversing while I simply typed what I watched happening. My back was killing me but I couldn’t close the computer and walk away while Drake and Grayson were discovering and yet resisting the chemistry between them. The enchanting scenes they created had to be captured in words before they were lost.
What in your opinion makes good chemistry between your leading characters?
Two words: forbidden attraction. The emotional connection develops slowly. Drake and Grayson originally wanted to be rid of one another, then unknowingly came to depend on one another. Then they wanted what they couldn’t have. Despite the obstacles along their journey, they changed and grew, argued and acquiesced. Their devotion finally freed them both from the shadows that had plagued them.
I see you have a children’s book, Fun in the Yellow Pages. What’s that story about?
Fun in the Yellow Pages is a family vacation adventure filled with humor, horses and the complexities of family relationships. The book was utilized in two school districts in their literary circles.
Season of the Shadow, another award winner, is also an historical romance like The Inn at Little Bend. Do you plan to stick with that genre or is there another you might try in the future?
I love the genre and will stay within it.
Any other works in progress?
For sure. The working title is Into The Grey. You can read a short blurb on my website: Bobbiscorner.com. Again, it isn’t a sequel; the story stands on its own. However, several of the characters from Season and The Inn make appearances and help to move the plot forward. The story is set deeper into the politics and intrigue of the Civil War
Any advice for aspiring authors?
Write what you are passionate about. The excitement will come through in your writing. Write for the sheer joy of it. Writers are artists. We paint not with oils or acrylics. We paint with words but the final work of art is just as colorful and dynamic.
Final words?
Had a great time with this. Thanks for having me!
Trailers:
The Inn At Little Bend: http://youtu.be/pjg4tBA_2n4
Season of the Shadow: http://youtu.be/gweDPIBl7wA
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