Irene Hannon
https://www.irenehannon.com/
Out of Time – Releasing Oct 7
T4JYM: Can you tell us about your latest book and what readers can expect from it?
IH: My latest book (October 7) is Out of Time. It’s the third book in my Undaunted Courage series, which features three close-knit foster siblings from difficult backgrounds who were all adopted by the same couple. While this book is part of a series, all of my books can be read as standalone. Each story begins and ends in its own book. Out of Time features the youngest sibling, Cara Tucker, who’s a historical anthropologist. She has taken a sabbatical from teaching to do some research on an isolated estate inhabited by an older woman. When unsettling things begin to occur, Sherif Brad Adams enters the picture to help sort out the situation. But the danger accelerates as they grapple with a century-old mystery, a hidden treasure, a dying language, and suspicious deaths.
T4JYM: What is next for you? Are you working on something new? Anything different?
IH: My next book will be Harbor Pointe, Book 12 in my long-running Hope Harbor series set in a charming town on the Oregon coast. These books are contemporary romance/women’s fiction titles. Very different than my suspense work! While they do have plenty of drama, it’s not of the life-and-death variety. Harbor Pointe will release in April 2026.
T4JYM: Where do you get ideas for your books?
IH: Everywhere. Truly, authors are always tuned into what’s around them and taking mental notes. Sometimes the simplest things can spark an idea that leads to what-offing. And a story is born.
T4JYM: Will you describe your writing process, from the spark of an idea through writing it, editing, and finally to publishing?
IH: I’m a full-time writer, so every work day (and often parts of weekends) are spent in front of my laptop. Once I get an idea for a book, I do a tons of research, which generates more ideas and more threads to weave into my plot. I don’t start writing until I know my main characters well and have a vague outline of a plot. Once I have that, I then think very hard about the right place to start the story. It has to be a moment when everything changes for one or both of the characters. Then I write, write, write, editing and polishing the previous day’s work before I begin new writing each day. Because I write under contract with my publisher, I have daily and weekly page goals to meet. If Friday rolls around and I haven’t met my goal, I work on the weekend. And I deal with most of my promotion and publicity requests (like this interview) on weekends.
T4JYM: You have an impressive assortment of books published. Which books are your favorites and why?
IH: That’s like asking a mother to pick her favorite child! However…a few of my 70 books do stand out for various reasons. Against All Odds, my first published suspense novel, was also my first book to hit the bestseller list, so it’s special to me. Deceived also holds a special place in my heart. I won my third RITA Award from Romance Writers of America for that book, which put me into the RWA Hall of Fame. And I treasure my whole Hope Harbor series because my little Oregon seaside town has captured the hearts of readers around the world and given me my most iconic character.
T4JYM: Besides writing books, tell our readers a little about you and the things that keep you busy.
IH: We recently moved, so right now I’m busy trying to settle into our new home. It’s the first move my husband and I have ever made, and it’s eaten up an enormous amount of my time. But I do love to garden and cook and sing, so when I have a spare moment you’ll find me doing one of those. My husband and I also enjoy traveling and hiking.
T4JYM: Who has been your biggest advocate and supporter in your journey to success?
IH: Initially it was my parents. They always believed in me, and always gave me unconditional support. That’s a treasure beyond price. They’re both gone now, but their legacy lives on in my heart. I know they’re still cheering me on from heaven. And from day 1, my husband has also been a huge advocate and supporter. He is truly my real-life hero.
T4JYM: What advice would you give to someone interested in publishing their work?
IH: Learn the basics and the business of writing. Take classes and seminars. Read broadly in the genre you want to write in. Write, write, write. Persevere through rejection. And don’t quit your day job—at least not until you’ve established yourself as a writer and are in a position to produce new books on a regular basis.
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