It has been quite a while since Insomnia Book Club has done an Author Interview. However, I am very pleased to say that Joni Hahn will be doing today’s interview.
Joni Hahn is the author of The D.I.R.E Agency series. Paranormal? Check. Military? Check. Sci-fi for sci-fi and non sci-fi lovers alike? Check. Suspense? Check. Romance? Check. Something completely different from a lot of other books? Check. That combination might sound like too much for a series or that it just wouldn’t work at all. Somehow Mrs. Hahn just makes it work, and flawlessly at that. I highly recommend The D.I.R.E Agency book series. It can be purchased from Amazon here and from Barnes and Noble here. For those of you who are still unsure of whether this might be a series for you now is the best time to check out the first e-book of the series because it is still currently free on Amazon and Barnes and Noble’s website.
Now, it is my great honor to introduce Joni Hahn to all of you.
IBC (Insomnia Book Club): This is such an honor to be able to interview you, Mrs. Hahn! I can barely contain the excitement [laughs]. As cliche as it may sound, was there anything that inspired you to write The D.I.R.E Agency series? Hahn: Thank you for the invitation, Amaya! I’m excited to do this. :) And speaking from personal experience, a good book is the ONLY thing that keeps me awake. I am a napaholic. :)
I’ve always been fascinated by the courage and bravery of special forces soldiers. How they can risk their lives on a daily basis, many times for people/causes they aren’t involved in or know nothing about. In my eyes, they are true heroes. I was a HUGE fan of Suzanne Brockmann’s Navy SEALS series and I’m an avid fan of all of the Marvel/DC superhero movies. So voila, the D.I.R.E. Agency was created.
IBC: If you could choose just two favorite characters, one male and one female, from The D.I.R.E Agency series, who would they be and why? Hahn: Ahh! Don’t ask me that! I love them all!
Okay, if you’re going to twist my arm, the male would have to be Tristan. I’m a sucker for the tortured, loner character. Physically and mentally, he’s the strongest super agent out there yet, emotionally he’s lost. Until he meets Rachel. And then, he’s torn because he doesn’t want to ruin the only other emotional tie he has – Aidan.
Female, I guess I’d have to choose Cassandra. She’s also a tortured soul, trying to be someone her father respects but, always failing. Aidan accepts her for who she is, and is willing to take on her father for her. He’s her made-to-order hero.
BUT, I will say that right now, I’m having a blast writing Jaydan and Hope’s story. It’s very complex, and their banter is cracking me up. I’m such a wise ass. ;)
IBC: Are there any authors or anyone in particular that has inspired you in your writing journey? Hahn: Regarding the craft, I think Karen Marie Moning is a master at characterization. I fall in love with every one of her heroes. She’s amazing.
As I said above, I’m a huge fan of Suz Brockmann’s Navy SEALS series. These guys aren’t necessarily super hot but they are most definitely alpha. :) I enjoy the action and excitement – and seeing an alpha brought to his knees by a woman. Very cool. :)
It was Liliana Hart’s journey to publication that inspired me to write this series. The idea had been sitting in the back of my head for a long time but I had never done anything with it. Once I heard her speak, I went home and immediately started working on Book 1. I wrote the first three books in six and a half months.
IBC: What do you enjoy out of life outside of bringing life to pages with your carefully spun words? Hahn: Besides reading, you mean? :) I’m a huge movie buff. LOVE going to dinner and a movie with my husband and grown kids. My preferred concession snacks? An Icee and Milk Duds. :) Right now, I’m really bummed I won’t make it to see Expendables 3 this weekend. :/
I love going to concerts, although now that I’ve got a publishing career going on outside of my day job, I don’t get as much time to do that as I used to. I’m a fan of Jason Aldean, Gary Allen, Theory of a Deadman and Daughtry, to name a few. I went to a Billy Currington concert a few weeks ago that was just awesome. I go total fangirl at concerts. I can’t imagine life without music. I always have it on.
I also used to love zumba classes but they aren’t happening like they used to anymore. I’ve been at this publication thing a short time and I’m still trying to figure out how to manage my time so I can get back to all of this.
IBC: Have you always wanted to write a novel or did that just happen along later on in life? Hahn: I won several writing awards in middle/high school but never thought about being a writer. When my sister had some poetry published and my brother had a magazine article published after that, it hit me like a ping to the forehead. I went to a community education class on romance writing, given by author Laura Bradley. She introduced me to the Romance Writers of America and the local chapter. The rest is history.
IBC: Do you plan on writing a new book series or stand alone novel in the future? Hahn: Right now, I have two more books planned for this series, although my street team wants me to write more. :) So, I don’t want to say the D.I.R.E. Agency series will stop with book 6 for sure. It all depends on where my characters lead me.
I also have a contemporary romance series set in a small Texas town that I want to publish, but I just haven’t had time to do that. Book 1 is finished, and books 2 & 3 are plotted out. I just need to write them. :)
I also have some ideas for future series but I need to get past these first. I had a teen fan ask me to write YA. That’s a possibility also.
IBC: What did your child self want to be when she grew up? Hahn: A veterinarian. :) If I had the means, I would buy a big farm that would take in stray animals, care for them and adopt them out. I’d have vets and supporting staff on the payroll, and volunteers to help care for them. I’m one of those people that would adopt every stray I saw, if I could. It breaks my heart to see abused or abandoned animals.
IBC: Just one last question. What is some of the best advice that you have ever been given in general? Hahn: Oh wow. I have a bunch. :)
*Believe in yourself, regardless of any setbacks, because they will surely arise. You are capable and you are worth it.
*Be persistent in your dreams. Do not give up! Everyone’s journey is different; don’t compare yours to anyone else’s.
*You only get one chance at a first impression. Make the most of it.
Also, I have always loved these quotes:
"You must be the change you want to see in the world." - Ghandi
“I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much.” — Mother Teresa
“To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone.” — Reba McEntire
THANK YOU so much for having me!! Be on the lookout for Book 5 in the D.I.R.E. Agency Series, Agent S5: Jaydan, I’m hoping to release around the holidays.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm dying for the next book in The D.I.R.E Agency series! Happy reading everyone! Until next time.... - Insomnia Book Club
*This interview can also be read on Insomnia Book Club's blog here.
Joni Hahn is the author of The D.I.R.E Agency series. Paranormal? Check. Military? Check. Sci-fi for sci-fi and non sci-fi lovers alike? Check. Suspense? Check. Romance? Check. Something completely different from a lot of other books? Check. That combination might sound like too much for a series or that it just wouldn’t work at all. Somehow Mrs. Hahn just makes it work, and flawlessly at that. I highly recommend The D.I.R.E Agency book series. It can be purchased from Amazon here and from Barnes and Noble here. For those of you who are still unsure of whether this might be a series for you now is the best time to check out the first e-book of the series because it is still currently free on Amazon and Barnes and Noble’s website.
Now, it is my great honor to introduce Joni Hahn to all of you.
IBC (Insomnia Book Club): This is such an honor to be able to interview you, Mrs. Hahn! I can barely contain the excitement [laughs]. As cliche as it may sound, was there anything that inspired you to write The D.I.R.E Agency series?
Hahn: Thank you for the invitation, Amaya! I’m excited to do this. :) And speaking from personal experience, a good book is the ONLY thing that keeps me awake. I am a napaholic. :)
I’ve always been fascinated by the courage and bravery of special forces soldiers. How they can risk their lives on a daily basis, many times for people/causes they aren’t involved in or know nothing about. In my eyes, they are true heroes. I was a HUGE fan of Suzanne Brockmann’s Navy SEALS series and I’m an avid fan of all of the Marvel/DC superhero movies. So voila, the D.I.R.E. Agency was created.
IBC: If you could choose just two favorite characters, one male and one female, from The D.I.R.E Agency series, who would they be and why?
Hahn: Ahh! Don’t ask me that! I love them all!
Okay, if you’re going to twist my arm, the male would have to be Tristan. I’m a sucker for the tortured, loner character. Physically and mentally, he’s the strongest super agent out there yet, emotionally he’s lost. Until he meets Rachel. And then, he’s torn because he doesn’t want to ruin the only other emotional tie he has – Aidan.
Female, I guess I’d have to choose Cassandra. She’s also a tortured soul, trying to be someone her father respects but, always failing. Aidan accepts her for who she is, and is willing to take on her father for her. He’s her made-to-order hero.
BUT, I will say that right now, I’m having a blast writing Jaydan and Hope’s story. It’s very complex, and their banter is cracking me up. I’m such a wise ass. ;)
IBC: Are there any authors or anyone in particular that has inspired you in your writing journey?
Hahn: Regarding the craft, I think Karen Marie Moning is a master at characterization. I fall in love with every one of her heroes. She’s amazing.
As I said above, I’m a huge fan of Suz Brockmann’s Navy SEALS series. These guys aren’t necessarily super hot but they are most definitely alpha. :) I enjoy the action and excitement – and seeing an alpha brought to his knees by a woman. Very cool. :)
It was Liliana Hart’s journey to publication that inspired me to write this series. The idea had been sitting in the back of my head for a long time but I had never done anything with it. Once I heard her speak, I went home and immediately started working on Book 1. I wrote the first three books in six and a half months.
IBC: What do you enjoy out of life outside of bringing life to pages with your carefully spun words?
Hahn: Besides reading, you mean? :) I’m a huge movie buff. LOVE going to dinner and a movie with my husband and grown kids. My preferred concession snacks? An Icee and Milk Duds. :) Right now, I’m really bummed I won’t make it to see Expendables 3 this weekend. :/
I love going to concerts, although now that I’ve got a publishing career going on outside of my day job, I don’t get as much time to do that as I used to. I’m a fan of Jason Aldean, Gary Allen, Theory of a Deadman and Daughtry, to name a few. I went to a Billy Currington concert a few weeks ago that was just awesome. I go total fangirl at concerts. I can’t imagine life without music. I always have it on.
I also used to love zumba classes but they aren’t happening like they used to anymore. I’ve been at this publication thing a short time and I’m still trying to figure out how to manage my time so I can get back to all of this.
IBC: Have you always wanted to write a novel or did that just happen along later on in life?
Hahn: I won several writing awards in middle/high school but never thought about being a writer. When my sister had some poetry published and my brother had a magazine article published after that, it hit me like a ping to the forehead. I went to a community education class on romance writing, given by author Laura Bradley. She introduced me to the Romance Writers of America and the local chapter. The rest is history.
IBC: Do you plan on writing a new book series or stand alone novel in the future?
Hahn: Right now, I have two more books planned for this series, although my street team wants me to write more. :) So, I don’t want to say the D.I.R.E. Agency series will stop with book 6 for sure. It all depends on where my characters lead me.
I also have a contemporary romance series set in a small Texas town that I want to publish, but I just haven’t had time to do that. Book 1 is finished, and books 2 & 3 are plotted out. I just need to write them. :)
I also have some ideas for future series but I need to get past these first. I had a teen fan ask me to write YA. That’s a possibility also.
IBC: What did your child self want to be when she grew up?
Hahn: A veterinarian. :) If I had the means, I would buy a big farm that would take in stray animals, care for them and adopt them out. I’d have vets and supporting staff on the payroll, and volunteers to help care for them. I’m one of those people that would adopt every stray I saw, if I could. It breaks my heart to see abused or abandoned animals.
IBC: Just one last question. What is some of the best advice that you have ever been given in general?
Hahn: Oh wow. I have a bunch. :)
*Believe in yourself, regardless of any setbacks, because they will surely arise. You are capable and you are worth it.
*Be persistent in your dreams. Do not give up! Everyone’s journey is different; don’t compare yours to anyone else’s.
*You only get one chance at a first impression. Make the most of it.
Also, I have always loved these quotes:
"You must be the change you want to see in the world." - Ghandi
“I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much.”
— Mother Teresa
“To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone.”
— Reba McEntire
THANK YOU so much for having me!! Be on the lookout for Book 5 in the D.I.R.E. Agency Series, Agent S5: Jaydan, I’m hoping to release around the holidays.
You can find me online:
Website
Street Team
Facebook
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm dying for the next book in The D.I.R.E Agency series! Happy reading everyone! Until next time.... - Insomnia Book Club
*This interview can also be read on Insomnia Book Club's blog here.