Meet RITA finalist Irene Hannon and her novel Deceived.

Describe the call:

It actually turned out to be kind of hilarious. I knew the calls were going out that morning, so I was sticking close to my phone, fingers crossed. We don’t have caller ID, so when the phone rang, I grabbed it—and about went through the roof when it was RWA. I mostly listened, doing a lot of “wows” and “I can’t believe its.” My husband passed by my office in the middle of all this, and I frantically waved him in and jotted down the news. He peered at the paper, gave me a blank look, and shrugged. I couldn’t believe he wasn’t more excited! When I got off the phone, I found out why. He didn’t have his contacts in and had no idea what I’d written. He couldn’t even see my face that clearly. Based on my end of the conversation, he thought I was talking to our accountant about what we owed in taxes for the year. Needless to say, he was thrilled to discover I had much happier news!

After finding out you were a finalist, who did you call first and tell?

Since my husband was standing right there during the call, he was first to know. Then I emailed my editor and other key people at my publishing house with the news.

What other cool things have happened now that you’re a RITA finalist? 

Getting the RITA finalist pin in the mail was thrilling, along with the invitation for the finalists reception in New York. I’ve also had fun sharing the news on social media. Other than that, though, it’s been life as usual. Daily page counts don’t go away! 

Short bio:

In addition to writing more than forty-five contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels, I have a BA in psychology and an MA in journalism. For many years I juggled two careers, but I finally gave up my executive corporate communications position with a Fortune 500 company to write full-time. I’m happy to say I have no regrets! Leaving behind the rush-hour commute, corporate politics, and a relentless BlackBerry that never slept was no sacrifice. In my spare time, I enjoy performing in community theater productions, and I’m a soloist at my church. I also love dessert—but usually satisfy my after-dinner sweet tooth with a Fannie May truffle petite!

How many books have you written?

Deceived, my RITA finalist, was number 46. My 48^th book, Hope Harbor—a contemporary romance/women’s fiction novel—was just published.

What other kudos have you earned?

Two RITA awards, 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. I’m also a two-time Christy award finalist.

One piece of advice you have for other authors...

Never stop learning and never give up. Okay, that’s two pieces!

Tell us a little about this book?

Deceived is Book 3 in my Men of Valor series, which features three ex-law enforcement operatives (and former college roommates) who establish a private investigation firm. However, even though it’s part of a series, it can be read as a standalone novel, as can all my series books. I don’t like books that leave me hanging at the end, so I don’t write them. All my plot points are neatly tied up by “The End.”

Genre: Inspirational fiction, romantic suspense

Publisher: Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

Plot: For three years, Kate Marshall has been mourning the loss of her husband and four-year-old son in a boating accident. But when she spots a familiar-looking child on a mall escalator, she’s convinced it’s her son. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan for help. As the former Secret Service agent digs into the case, the boating “accident” begins to look increasingly suspicious. But if Kate’s son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden—and may go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret. 

Anything else you’d like to share?  

I’m thrilled to be a RITA finalist! The RITA is the Oscar of romance fiction, and the competition is fierce, the judging intense. Making it to the finals is a huge accomplishment, and I’m honored to be in the company of so many fine authors. That is a win in itself! Also, please visit me on Facebook. I love to chat with readers!

Wow, What you can Learn when Researching a Book!

Hi Everyone, Sandra Orchard here.
[Click CTRL and shift and + keys for easier reading.]

While writing my newest book, Blind Trust, book 2 in my Port Aster Secrets mystery series, I researched everything from how to track a cell phone to how to make money--the old-fashioned way...by counterfeiting it. ~wink~

So...I thought I'd share a few fun factoids that I discovered.

For example, did you know how easy it is for anyone to track you with your GPS-enabled cell phone?

Give a person a few minutes alone with your phone to install a handy-dandy app and they've got you on their radar, even if the phone is turned off. It can be turned into a listening device too! Most people suspect as much, given movies these days. But, hey, verifying it was another reason for me to be glad I don't own one.

Yup, you read that right. I don't own one, smart phone or otherwise. Because wow, I wouldn't want any of these bad guys I write about to be able to track me down before my hero takes them out!

And...if the guys are really resourceful, not having a GPS in your phone won't stop them.

I also have an elderly neighbor in the story whose son is trying to get her to sign a power of attorney.

 Wow, let me tell you, talking to a lawyer about things like this is enough to make you paranoid! If all your property is held jointly with your spouse or whoever, you'd better trust them, because they can up and disappear with the whole shebang--legally!

And even if you trust them, the bad guys could still coerce them to do it with that gun to their head. Well, okay, maybe the gun at the head would be a tip off to the bank manager. ~wink~

At the other end of the spectrum, my detective also needed to interrogate a young suspect, so I had a little chat with a real-life detective. Wow, that was an eye-opener.

There's a long list of rights a young offender needs to waive before an officer can ask him anything without a parent or lawyer present. In fact, the detective urged me to have my fictional detective offer to bring in a pastor or an uncle, when the kid declined to consult his parents, because they really don't want to later be accused of coercing him to waive his rights without understanding them.

Lastly, did you know that in the U.S. most new photocopiers and printers are designed to lock up if you try to copy currency? Yup, even had a blog reader confirm it's true--happened to her. ~grin~

Luckily, my story takes place in Niagara, Canada, where...a few years ago, a young man duped his classmates with photocopies of the then-new five dollar bills. It was partly the newness that made his classmates easy targets.Of course, our newest bills (which came out after I wrote the story) are plastic, so it's no longer easy to pull off that stunt.

If I've whet your appetite to check out Blind Trust, pop over to Trish Perry's blog this week to enter a giveaway. And...

For those with Ereaders, the first book in the series, Deadly Devotion is only $2.99 this week at most Ebook retailers (I highly recommend starting with book one, since although each book is a standalone mystery, the romance and an underlying suspense plot arcs the series). Blind Trust will also have a special price in E format for the first month of release at most retailers. (Find links to the most common ones here.)

Here's the book's back cover blurb:

Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money, and she can’t believe that it came from her sweet neighbor. Or that it lands her in the middle of another one of Detective Tom Parker’s investigations. Determined to prove her neighbor’s innocence, Kate stumbles into a pit of intrigue that is far deeper than a two-bit counterfeit operation–and strikes too close to home for comfort. As family secrets come to light, her world–and her budding romance with Tom–begin to crumble. To Kate, it’s clear that she won’t be safe until she uncovers all of Port Aster’s secrets. But is it too late for her and Tom?

BookList raves:
“Orchard infuses romance with suspense and keeps the excitement coming page after page.  Readers will love the ever-deepening mystery as Kate extends her investigation and finds herself and her long-dead father tangled up in an international corporate conspiracy.”

Your Turn: What's the most interesting factoid you've picked up in your reading or research for a book?

Sandra Orchard is an award-winning author of inspirational romantic suspense with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense imprint, and Revell Publishing. A mother of three grown children, she lives in Niagara, Canada with her real-life-hero husband and now writes full time…when not doting on her young grandchildren.  You can learn more about Sandra’s books and bonus features at www.SandraOrchard.com or connect at www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard

Money image courtesy of the Bank of Canada website.
Justice image courtesy of nirots / FreeDigitalPhotos.net