More Please

One of the great things about being an author is getting to write the kinds of stories you loved to read, and wanted to see more of. It’s an opportunity I’ve been taking advantage of recently, as my most recent books have involved themes and story elements I wanted more of, not just as an Intrigue writer, but an Intrigue reader. 
 
As I mentioned last spring, I love spooky old houses and creepy, atmospheric suspense. As a reader, I could never get enough of those kinds of stories, and there was a time when they'd fallen out of fashion in the line.  I knew I wanted to write one (or more!) of my own, and the lack of them in the early 2000s just fed that desire. The result was my May book, STRANGER IN A SMALL TOWN (still available here on eHarlequin!).
 
I also love international intrigue, stories that involve global elements and danger on a larger scale.  Outside of Dana Marton's spy thrillers, it's not something that's seen in Intrigue as much as it once was, and certainly not as much as I'd love it to be!  That was once of the inspirations of my November 2009 Intrigue, TRUSTING A STRANGER, and its Russian heroine caught between two governments and targeted by a ruthless international tycoon. 
 
One thing I’d love to see is more diversity in the line. I like reading about characters of different ethnic backgrounds and from different cultures, and naturally enjoyed Intrigues by authors like Aimee Thurlo, with her Native American characters; Maggie Ferguson, who brought African-American heroes and heroines to the line; and Tracy Montoya with her characters of Latino descent. I always wanted my own books to reflect the diversity of the real world and involve characters from a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.  Which brings me to my October release, SILENT NIGHT STAKEOUT.  As you can see from the cover, this is my first (but hopefully not last) book with an African-American hero and heroine. I also have one in the works with a Latino couple, as well as a story with Asian-American characters I'd love to tell.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Intrigue readers will be receptive to them. 
 
So let me ask all the readers out there...what about you? What types of stories can you not get enough of, or is there anything you'd like to see more of from Intrigue?

Kerry Connor
www.kerryconnor.com