Irene Hannon | It’s All about the Characters

Often, when introduced as a writer at a social gathering, the conversation follows a predictable pattern:

“What do you write?”

“Romantic suspense and contemporary romance/women’s fiction.”

“How many books have you written?”

“More than forty-five.”

At this point, most people’s eyes glaze over. A few ask a third—and final— question: “How do you come up with all those ideas?”

If I think their interest is genuine, I explain that I was a psychology major in college and that I’ve never lost my fascination for figuring out what makes people tick. As a result, whether I’m writing a high-stakes, edge-of-the-seat suspense novel or a contemporary romance, my characters inspire and guide my stories. At their core, no matter the genre, all of my novels are about relationships. In every book I write, I go deep into the psyches of both the good guys and the not-so- good guys. I want to understand the forces that shaped them and the choices they make, even when I don’t agree with those choices. And I want to take readers along on that journey.

When people finish one of my books, I hope they come away with fresh insights—and questions. For HOPE HARBOR, my latest novel, those questions might be: Why were my hero and heroine able to face daunting challenges yet stay the course and come out better people? Is it possible to mend old rifts? Are some mistakes too serious to rectify? How can a person juggle conflicting priorities? This story, set in a charming seaside town in Oregon, is about coming home…healing hearts…overcoming obstacles…and finding love. As the name suggests, it is an uplifting, heartwarming tale filled with hope.

In this book, as in all my books, the character journey is what interests me most. I write about people who exhibit courage and honor and principles. People who’ve lost their way. People who’ve make mistakes. People who repent—and people who don’t. Every time I meet a new character and embark on a voyage of discovery with them, I learn something new about relationships—and I hope readers do, too.

And by the way…I don’t just write about two people falling in love, even though my books are classified as romances. I also explore the interactions between parents and children, friends, enemies, siblings, co-workers…you name it. Because the rest of the world doesn’t stop when we fall in love. All of the characters’ relationships, both harmonious and messy, play a role in their love story.

So in my books, I create complex people and put them in situations that test their mettle. Sometimes it’s a suspense novel, sometimes it’s a contemporary romance like HOPE HARBOR. The genre I choose is simply a vehicle for delving into the minds—and hearts—of my characters.

Library Journal once called me “a master at character development,” and it’s an accolade I cherish. Because while I strive to write books that entertain and excite and keep people up late at night waiting to see what happens next, my main goal is to pull readers into the lives of my characters. To make them turn that last page thinking: Those people were real. I felt for them. And I’m sorry to say goodbye.

GIVEAWAY

What characters were you sorry to say goodbye to? Leave a comment below and be entered for a chance to win a copy of Hope Harbor.

About Irene Hannon

Irene Hannon is a bestselling, award-winning author who took the publishing world by storm at the tender age of ten with a sparkling piece of fiction that received national attention.

Okay . . . maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. But she was one of the honorees in a complete-the-story contest conducted by a national children’s magazine. And she likes to think of that as her “official” fiction-writing debut!

Since then, she has written more than forty-five contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. Irene has twice won the RITA award—the “Oscar” of romantic fiction— from Romance Writers of America, and her books have also been honored with a National Readers’ Choice award, three HOLT medallions, a Daphne du Maurier award, a Retailers Choice award, a Booksellers’ Best award, a Carol award, and two Reviewers’ Choice awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. In addition, she is a two-time Christy award finalist.

Irene, who holds a BA in psychology and an MA in journalism, juggled two careers for many years until she gave up her executive corporate communications position with a Fortune 500 company to write full-time. She is happy to say she has no regrets! As she points out, leaving behind the rush-hour commute, corporate politics, and a relentless BlackBerry that never slept was no sacrifice.

A trained vocalist, Irene has sung the leading role in numerous community theater productions and is also a soloist at her church.

When not otherwise occupied, she and her husband enjoy traveling, Saturday mornings at their favorite coffee shop, and spending time with family. They make their home in Missouri.

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About Hope Harbor

Come home to Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life--and love--altered her plans. When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter's. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives--including their own.

Fan favorite Irene Hannon brings a whole new cast of characters to life in a charming Oregon seaside village. Emotional and heartwarming, this story invites readers to come home to Hope Harbor, where love and hope bloom--and hearts heal.