Writing a book is always a journey! Even for authors who have written multiple books, there are still twists and turns in the road.
Today, 6 of our authors with a new release join us on the blog to tell us about the easiest, hardest, or most fun part of writing their new books.
The Playboy Project by Michele Dunaway
The hardest part of writing The Playboy Project was ensuring it was realistic and gave a satisfying end to the Love in the Valley series. I based the relocation of the eagles’ nest on an actual event, and I went to Alton, Illinois, to do research on bald eagles and learn about their nesting and migration patterns. As for ending the series, it’s hard to say goodbye to characters, so I wove in updates on Michael’s older brothers and their lives, and I revisited some reader favorite locations in Beaumont so that the readers feel satisfied that all’s well.
The Soldier’s K-9 Companion by Belle Calhoune
The hardest part of writing The Soldier’s K-9 Companion was creating two main characters who’ve suffered trauma. These issues are very integral to the story, which features a hero working with a service animal and a heroine who runs a K9 farm. Because Love Inspired stories revolve around hope and faith, it was important not to make the story too heavy. There needed to be moments of levity to balance out the darker moments. It was a balancing act from start to finish, but I enjoyed the challenge of creating a compelling storyline with complex characters.
Accidentally Dating the Enemy by Mariah Ankenman
The most fun part about writing Accidentally Dating The Enemy was including all the Dungeons and Dragons jokes. Nora and Zane meet online because of their love of D&D. They even use their character classes in their usernames. As a D&D player myself it was fun to incorporate this hobby into the book. D&D is more than just a game; it’s a way to create entire worlds (much like writing a book). It’s also not a hobby most people would associate with rich ski resort owners so that was super fun to give to Zane in particular.
Crime Scene K-9 by Julie Miller
The hardest part was capturing the heroine’s anxiety disorder in a way that felt authentic without sounding clinical. I did a lot of research to get it right. Interestingly, my copyeditor—who experiences anxiety herself—reached out while reviewing the book. She suggested one small correction but told me I’d nailed the rest. She was thrilled to see someone like her get a happily-ever-after with such a rugged, protective hero. That validation meant the world to me—and reminded me why representation in romance matters so much.
The Warrior’s Forbidden Viking Bride by Sarah Rodi
The hardest – and also the most fun – part of writing The Warrior’s Forbidden Viking Bride was deciding to make my hero a Saxon priest-in-training while the heroine is a pagan Viking shield maiden who takes him captive. I love writing forbidden romance but exploring Ryce’s faith and morality threw up some challenges – as the story, his beliefs and his increasing desire for Alivia progressed on the page, it had to be handled with sensitivity. Ryce faces the ultimate struggle between duty and desire, but is it right to have to choose between love and faith, or can you have both?
The Code for Love by Anne Marsh
The most fun part of writing this book was giving Pandora what I think we all secretly crave—someone who really sees us. Having worked at a hardware start-up in San Francisco, I knew firsthand how it feels to be the invisible person behind the code—surrounded by free chocolate and disco balls, yet somehow still overlooked when it matters. I loved sending my prickly STEMinist heroine on a road trip with Ozzy, who notices her brilliance when everyone else just sees the quiet engineer in the corner. There’s something deeply satisfying about second chances and finding your person who gets you completely.
All of these titles are out today! Check out these books and more on Harlequin.com
