Behind The Story - The Hunted Girls by Jenna Kernan

Why did you choose Ocala?
One of my favorite trips in Florida is on a houseboat on the St. John's river. My most recent excursion took me from Deland, upriver and over Lake George to Silver Glens Springs. At the time, I didn't even have the concept for my Agent Nadine Finch series. But when I needed a wild location, this area came instantly to mind.

What character was most difficult to capture?
FBI Special Agent Jack Skogen was challenging because I needed him and Homicide Detective Clint Demko to be at odds but still make Jack a relatively likable character. The two men clash over how to run the investigation and also over Nadine. I found capturing Jack, as a second Alpha male pitted against Clint, to be difficult. I hope he comes across as empathetic, despite his autocratic nature.

What would you like your readers to take away from The Hunted Girls?
I’d love to leave them with a few unanswered questions about Nadine's brother, Arlo, and about her lineage. Nadine's hunt for her father has been a very lively thread throughout this series.

I also hope that, although I've highlighted the menace of Florida’s forests, I haven’t discouraged anyone from visiting Central Florida's state parks. As you can see from the photos, they are places of immense beauty.