Best-selling Christian suspense author Irene Hannon will enthrall readers with the first installment in her new Code of Honor series, Dangerous Illusions (Revell). This mind-bending story will have readers doubling back to retrace their steps—and figure out what they missed! In this Q&A, the author shares how she came up with the plot, how she chose the novel’s setting, and what she hopes readers will learn from the book…
Can you please tell us about your new series?
The Code of Honor series features three childhood friends whose bond has been strengthened by time—and danger. As children, they vowed to help make the world a better place when they grew up, and each chose a career that does just that. Colin, the hero of Dangerous Illusions, is a police detective. Kristin, the heroine of book 2, runs a fair-trade shop. And the hero of book 3, Rick, joined the military but now runs a camp for foster kids. This is a group of honorable high-achievers, and I love the dynamic among the three friends.
How did you come up with the plot for Dangerous Illusions?
I wanted to start this series off with a story that had a very unusual plot twist, and I think the idea I came up with will truly give readers a “wow” moment when they realize what’s going on. I can’t say more than that without giving the surprise away!
Which character is your favorite and why?
That’s like asking a mother to pick her favorite child! Every character in this book—bad and good—has a unique story, and all of them fascinate me.
How did you choose the setting for your novel?
Since this is a book with a strong psychological suspense element versus an action/adventure novel in which the setting plays a critical role, it could have taken place almost anywhere. The book did, however, require huge amounts of research—so I chose a setting I know well, which shaved some research hours off the writing process.
What was the most interesting thing you learned while doing research for your book?
I learn a tremendous amount with every book I write. But if I shared the most interesting things I learned while working on this one, I’d give away some significant plot surprises!
What lesson(s) do you hope readers will take away from reading Dangerous Illusions?
That even in the toughest times, God is at work in our lives. I want readers to finish the book uplifted, filled with hope, and more cognizant of the tremendous power of love to transform lives.