Meet Laurie Hanan, Author of the Louise Golden Series
What inspired you to become an author?
I’ve had a fascination with books since before I could read. My mother started me off with Nancy Drew mysteries at age six, and I was hooked. Now I love ongoing series such as Sue Grafton’s alphabet books and Janet Evanovitch’s Stephanie Plum stories. I wait anxiously for the next novel in the series to come out. I figured there’s always room for one more good series—something for people to read while they wait for their favorite author to produce another book—so I decided to write my own series of the type of mystery I enjoy most.
How did you come up with the idea for your Louise Golden Series?
During my career at the Honolulu post office, I observed that mail carriers are able to move about the community almost unnoticed—almost as part of the scenery. This gives them a unique opportunity to observe the people on their route. I thought it would be fun to create a series about a mail carrier who stumbles across mysteries on her route and solves them. While I enjoy reading about characters who solve crimes, I prefer not to be confronted with graphic violence, explicit sex, or excessive profanity—all of which are prevalent in crime novels. I chose to write what I enjoy most, books with a lot of action but where the readers knows nothing too horrible is going to happen to the main character and all will be right by the end of the story.
How many books are available in the series so far?
I have two books available now. In the first book, Almost Paradise, we meet Louise Golden. She has recently moved to Oahu to make a new start after the tragic death of her longtime partner and soul mate. Louise has created a peaceful, low-commitment existence for herself and feels safe in the everyday sameness her job as a mail carrier provides. That is, until she discovers that an elderly lady on her mail route has disappeared, and there is reason to suspect foul play. In the second book, How Far Is Heaven? we catch up with Louise three years later. She is driving back to the station in bad weather, after a long day of delivering mail. Suddenly, Louise’s headlights illuminate a ghostlike figure in the middle of the road. Louise swerves, but it’s too late. The girl is taken to the hospital in a coma. When she regains consciousness, she remembers nothing, not even her own name.
What was your favorite book as a child?
I read so many books as a child, it’s hard to pick a favorite. I enjoyed anything that sparked my imagination, from Charlotte’s Web, to Robinson Crusoe, Pippi Longstocking.
What do you think readers will remember most about your books?
My stories are very character driven. Readers say the characters came to life so vividly that they start looking for Louise on the streets.
Are you currently working on other books?
I am about halfway done writing the third book in the series, entitled Another Day In Paradise. In this book, Louise locates a dog that was stolen from one of her customers, only to discover there is something much more sinister afoot than a simple dognapping ring.
You can find out more about Laurie Hanan and her books by visiting westoftheequator.wordpress.com.
I’ve had a fascination with books since before I could read. My mother started me off with Nancy Drew mysteries at age six, and I was hooked. Now I love ongoing series such as Sue Grafton’s alphabet books and Janet Evanovitch’s Stephanie Plum stories. I wait anxiously for the next novel in the series to come out. I figured there’s always room for one more good series—something for people to read while they wait for their favorite author to produce another book—so I decided to write my own series of the type of mystery I enjoy most.
How did you come up with the idea for your Louise Golden Series?
During my career at the Honolulu post office, I observed that mail carriers are able to move about the community almost unnoticed—almost as part of the scenery. This gives them a unique opportunity to observe the people on their route. I thought it would be fun to create a series about a mail carrier who stumbles across mysteries on her route and solves them. While I enjoy reading about characters who solve crimes, I prefer not to be confronted with graphic violence, explicit sex, or excessive profanity—all of which are prevalent in crime novels. I chose to write what I enjoy most, books with a lot of action but where the readers knows nothing too horrible is going to happen to the main character and all will be right by the end of the story.
How many books are available in the series so far?
I have two books available now. In the first book, Almost Paradise, we meet Louise Golden. She has recently moved to Oahu to make a new start after the tragic death of her longtime partner and soul mate. Louise has created a peaceful, low-commitment existence for herself and feels safe in the everyday sameness her job as a mail carrier provides. That is, until she discovers that an elderly lady on her mail route has disappeared, and there is reason to suspect foul play. In the second book, How Far Is Heaven? we catch up with Louise three years later. She is driving back to the station in bad weather, after a long day of delivering mail. Suddenly, Louise’s headlights illuminate a ghostlike figure in the middle of the road. Louise swerves, but it’s too late. The girl is taken to the hospital in a coma. When she regains consciousness, she remembers nothing, not even her own name.
What was your favorite book as a child?
I read so many books as a child, it’s hard to pick a favorite. I enjoyed anything that sparked my imagination, from Charlotte’s Web, to Robinson Crusoe, Pippi Longstocking.
What do you think readers will remember most about your books?
My stories are very character driven. Readers say the characters came to life so vividly that they start looking for Louise on the streets.
Are you currently working on other books?
I am about halfway done writing the third book in the series, entitled Another Day In Paradise. In this book, Louise locates a dog that was stolen from one of her customers, only to discover there is something much more sinister afoot than a simple dognapping ring.
You can find out more about Laurie Hanan and her books by visiting westoftheequator.wordpress.com.
Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012
