Irene Hannon Interview

Q: How long have you been writing and what other careers or jobs have you had?

A: I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, but my first “official” recognition came at the age of 10, when I was one of the honorees in a complete-the-story contest sponsored by a national children’s magazine. As for other careers, after getting my master’s degree in journalism I went to work at a Fortune 500 company in corporate communications and began writing novels on the side. When it became impossible to juggle both careers, I left the corporate world behind to focus on fiction. I’ve been writing novels full time for more than ten years.

Q: Do you write in only one genre and if so which one and why? If not, which ones and why?

A: I write both romantic suspense and contemporary romance/women’s fiction. My books are really about people, so the genre I choose depends on the story. Sometimes my characters face life-threatening danger; they end up in the suspense books. If the story focuses more on challenges of the heart, I gravitate toward contemporary romance/women’s fiction. I think it helps keep me fresh as a writer to move between the two genres.

Q: How does your faith play into your writing?

A: I write from a Christian worldview, so my stories are told through the lens of faith. In my books, faith is a fairly subtle element that is lived rather than talked about. I tend to do what Francis of Assisi is often misquoted as instructing (though it does capture the gist of what he taught): Always preach the gospel. If necessary, use words.

Q: How do you choose your settings for your books?

A: All but one of my suspense novels have been set in or around St. Louis. I’m very familiar with that locale, which helps alleviate the heavy research component of this genre. Besides, in my suspense books setting is secondary to the story. My current contemporary romance/women’s fiction Hope Harbor series, however, is set in a fictional seaside Oregon town. Beach locations seem to lend themselves well to romance.

Q: Do you base your characters on people you know or are they totally made up?

A: Totally made up—though I do incorporate personality traits of people I’ve met into some of my fictional characters.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release THIN ICE?

A: Here’s the back cover blurb:

After losing her parents and her sister, Christy Reed has been mired in grief. Now, life is finally starting to feel normal again–until an envelope addressed in her sister’s handwriting arrives in the mail. And the note inside claims she is still alive.

FBI Special Agent Lance McGregor, a former Delta Force operator, is assigned to reopen the case . . . but he’s coming up with more questions than answers. Is Christy a pawn in a twisted cat-and-mouse game—or the target of a sinister plot? As Lance digs deeper, one thing becomes clear: someone in the shadows has a deadly agenda.

This is Book 2 in my Men of Valor series, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. The series features three brothers with special forces backgrounds.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

A: I have no idea! Most often, I can’t trace the specific origin of an idea. Usually a news story I read, a situation I observe, or a snippet of conversation I overhear plants the seed of an idea. For this story, I also drew on my experience as a recreational figure skater.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

A: Many themes are explored in the book—the importance of family ties, forgiveness, sacrifice, guilt. I think different themes will resonate with different readers. Most of all, I want readers to finish the story feeling satisfied, uplifted and hopeful.

Q: Tell us what you like about the main characters of this book.

A: Christy, the heroine, is a former Olympic-caliber figure skater and a survivor. I admire her discipline, dedication, determination and strength. Lance, an ex-Delta Force operator, is now an FBI agent. I admire his loyalty and love for his family, his integrity, his commitment to justice—and let’s not forget he’s tall, dark and handsome, too! J

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?

A: Book 3 in the series—Finn’s story—has just been turned in and will release in fall 2016. The title is Tangled Webs. I’m also working on final edits for my next Hope Harbor book, Sea Rose Lane, which will release in June.

Q: If money were no object what vacation would you like to take and why?

A: I’ve been fortunate to travel to many of the places on my bucket list, but a month in a luxurious tropical locale—maybe Tahiti, which I’ve never visited—would be fabulous! And there would be no agendas, no schedules, no commitments and no deadlines!

Q: What is the silliest thing you have ever done?

A: I don’t think I was born with the silly gene. I like fun—but I’ve always thought acting silly is…silly.

Q: What is the hardest thing you have ever done?

A: Auditioning for a musical for the first time. I’d always wanted to do musical theater, and I had a year of voice lessons under my belt before I went to my first audition, but it was still super scary to get up and sing in front of a group of fellow thespians who were all competing for the same part!

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?

A: My website is www.irenehannon.com, and you can find backlist, synopses, excerpts and news there. I’m also very active on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Irene-Hannon-426433004084567/ ), and I dabble on Twitter.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?

A: Within twelve months, I’m marking two career milestones. Last July, I won my third RITA award (the Oscar of romance fiction) from Romance Writers of America. That put me into the RWA Hall of Fame as only the 16^th member in the 35-year-history of the group. Also, Sea Rose Lane, releasing in June, is my 50^th published novel. Neither of those milestones would have been possible without the readers whose support allows me to make a living telling the stories of my heart. Please know that I give thanks for all of you every single day.