C. Kelly Robinson

C. Kelly Robinson
THE PERFECT BLEND

Interviewed by: Lauretta Pierce
November 7, 2007


Q.    How did you come about the idea to write the novel THE PERFECT BLEND?

A.    The story really grew out of my second novel, NO MORE MR. NICE GUY, which told the story of how Mitchell first won Nikki's heart despite getting another woman pregnant at the same time. That led me to thinking about how they could build a life together with Gina, the other woman, and Mitchell's son still in the picture.



Q.    How did you come about the situation surrounding LaRae and her son?

A.    That really grew organically as I wrote about O.J.'s pursuit of LaRae and the secrecy with which she surrounded herself. I think it helps explain why she was so reluctant to let a man into her heart.



Q.    How did you come about the idea surrounding Keesa and the gang?

A.    That came out of knowing early on that O.J. would have to raise Cherrelle, his daughter, on his own. At first I was going to have Keesa leave her with O.J. so that she could pursue her own dreams, but I decided that Keesa was too good of a mother to go out like that. That meant that her departure had to be involuntary, unfortunately.



Q.    How did you come about the hotel situation with Mitchell and Gina?

A.    Gina was determined to win Mitchell back, not necessarily out of love so much as out of spite given her history with Nikki. The hotel clash she had with her boyfriend, Dale, gave her a perfect opportunity to lure Mitchell into her grasp.



Q.    How did you come about Dale’s character?

A.    Dale was just a good example of a brother doing his best to rebuild his life, after a string of challenges and adversities that are totally different from Mitchell and O.J.'s "trials" as Black men.



Q.    How did you come about the idea of Nikki’s plot to have a baby?

A.    Oh, that was always going to be a major driver of the plot, the idea that Nikki felt she was incomplete with respect to competing for Mitchell, as long as Gina was mother to his only child. That also gave a strong source of tension to Mitchell and Nikki's marriage, despite the fact they're relatively mature for their ages.



Q.    In what order do you recommend readers to read your books?

A.    I'm happy whatever order you read them in - just read 'em!



Q.    Are you currently working on another novel?

A.    My first Christian novel, THE THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE, will be on shelves in March, under the pen name "Xavier Knight." Look for a lot of the same ingredients of my past books, just with lead characters who are trying (not always successfully) to live for Christ.



Q.    Who designed your fantastic website?

A.    The great Pam Walker-Williams of Pageturner. She's been my webmaster since the days BETWEEN BROTHERS was first released.



Q.    What message would you like readers to receive from reading The Perfect Blend?

A.    Hopefully they'll be encouraged that it is possible to blend families without creating unnecessary drama and pain. Even if a blended family isn't an issue for you as the reader, there's a lot to spur thoughts about building successful marriages and preparing yourself to be an effective parent.