Robin Hardy (American writer)

Robin Moore Hardy (born 1955) is the author of more than twenty published books and several unpublished manuscripts. She currently resides in North Texas. Her first novel, Chataine's Guardian, was the runner-up for the Gold Medallion Book Award in 1985.

Early life

Robin Moore was born in Fort Worth, Texas in January 1955. When she was seventeen, a severe sinus infection rendered her profoundly deaf in both ears. After high school, she moved to Waco to attend college at Baylor University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1977. Shortly thereafter she was employed as an editor with Word Publishing. Moore married in 1976, but did not have children until after her mother died from colon cancer in 1978. After the birth of her first child in 1981 Moore became a homemaker, and this gave her the impetus to become a story-teller.

Impact

As apparent from her turbulent publishing history, Robin Hardy has been an author ahead of her time. She writes from a Christian perspective, but her books are often too controversial for Christian audiences due to their realistic and uncomfortably penetrating nature. In spite of this, however, she has acquired a following over the last twenty years, and has set a precedent followed by more well-known authors like Francine Rivers.

Influences

In her early twenties, Robin Hardy discovered literature professor and Christian apologetic C. S. Lewis. She was profoundly affected by his commitment to the story and accessible style, and she determined to apply those principles in her works. Other influences include Saki, Samuel Rutherford, Hannah Whitall Smith and J. B. Phillips.

Reviews and additional information

Online reviews of Robin Hardy's books can be found at the following websites:

• In the Library reviews:
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
• A Romance Review
• Romance Reader's Connection: Ares of Westford review
• Romance Reader's Connection: Nicole of Prie Mer review