Guest Post (and a Giveaway!): Irene Hannon & Starfish Pier

Please join me in welcoming Irene Hannon (keep it together, Carrie – don’t fangirl too much & scare her) to the blog to chat about why she loves Hope Harbor, the setting of her popular series by the same name & the latest book, Starfish Pier!

STARFISH PIER
SERIES: Hope Harbor #6
GENRE: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
PUBLISHER: Revell
RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2020
PAGES: 352

Opposites may attract–but can two very different people find lasting love?

A year ago, ex-Delta Force operator Steven Roark left the rigors of combat behind to run fishing charters in Hope Harbor, decompress, and talk some sense into his kid brother. Business is good–but making peace with his past is more challenging than he expected.

First-grade teacher Holly Miller leads a low-profile existence–until she’s recruited to advocate for a cause that’s dear to her heart. When she solicits Steven’s assistance, sparks fly–especially after they find themselves on opposite sides of an issue that disrupts their placid seaside community.

As these two seemingly incompatible souls wrestle with their differences, might they discover more common ground than they expect–and a future filled with promise?

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

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Six Reasons I Love Hope Harbor

By Irene Hannon, author of Starfish Pier

While the setting for my newest book, Starfish Pier, is fictional, after writing six Hope Harbor books this charming town is as real to me as any place on a map. (Note that each book can be read as a standalone.) Readers have told me they feel the same about this special spot where hearts heal…and love blooms. As one said, “If it was real, I’d move there.”

Here are some of the reasons Hope Harbor has claimed a permanent spot in my heart.

1. The people. This is a close-knit community where residents care about each other. From the Helping Hands organization sponsored by the two local churches to the save-the-lighthouse campaign the town rallied behind, it’s an all-for-one, one-for-all kind of place anyone would love to call home.

2. The setting. From everything I’d read as I developed this series, the Oregon coast—with its rugged headlands, vast beaches, and towering spruce forests—seemed like the perfect spot for my little fictional town. My research trip confirmed that. Here’s a shot from my visit. Look at that amazing beach!

3. Charley’s tacos. The most beloved character from all of the 55+ books I’ve written is Charley Lopez, the taco-making artist and town sage. His stand on the wharf is a gathering place for people seeking nourishment for body and soul. Charley’s wise commentary and caring heart are legendary—and if he knows a little more about everyone than seems plausible? Just part of his mystique!

(side note from Carrie: I *heart* Charley! ♥ And so does my mom who just recently read book 1 in this series!)

4. A lighthouse. Who doesn’t love lighthouses? Often set in a dramatic, windswept location high above the crashing waves, they’re a trusted source of guidance in the midst of darkness, a light in the storm to steer lost souls safely home, a beacon of hope. Pelican Point light, which sits on a headland just north of Hope Harbor, even stars in one of the books in the series!

5. Tide pools. During my research trip for the series, I traveled the Oregon coast from top to bottom. One of my favorite stops was the tide pools, which are filled with colorful sea life—especially starfish. I knew they’d play a role in one of my books. In Starfish Pier, Steven takes Holly out to the tide pools at the edge of town. As they explore them, they also learn a great deal about each other. And as Steven tells Holly when the tide begins to come in and the pools disappear: “The treasure beneath the surface was worth the trip.” ♥

6. Floyd and Gladys. There’s seagull romance in Hope Harbor! On my research trip, I learned that seagulls mate for life—and grieve after the death of a partner. In the first book (Hope Harbor), Floyd had already lost his mate. But by the end of the story, he—like the hero and heroine—finds someone new to love. So even the birds have happy endings in Hope Harbor! Floyd and Gladys endeared themselves to readers and are now in every book. They’ve also earned a place on each cover!

(side note from Carrie: I also *heart* Floyd & Gladys, which is saying a lot if you follow me and know about my bird phobia lol!)

I could list many more reasons why I love this special town—but we’re out of space! So I invite you to visit Hope Harbor in Starfish Pier and experience the magic for yourself.

And if you’re in the mood for fish tacos afterward, I’ll totally understand! 🙂

Irene Hannon is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than fifty contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. She is also a three-time winner of the RITA award—the “Oscar” of romance fiction—from Romance Writers of America and is a member of that organization’s elite Hall of Fame.

Her many other awards include National Readers’ Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers’ Choice, Booksellers’ Best, Carol, and Reviewers’ Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement award for her entire body of work.

Millions of her books have been sold worldwide, and her novels have been translated into multiple languages.

To learn more about Irene and her books, visit https://www.irenehannon.com/. She is active on Twitter and Instagram, but most enjoys interacting with readers on Facebook.

Revell is offering one of my readers a print copy of Starfish Pier! (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

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What about you? What interests you most about Starfish Pier by Irene Hannon? If you’ve read some books in this series, why do YOU love Hope Harbor?