Friday, September 30, 2011

Interview with Erin Quinn

I’d like to welcome our guest today, our very own Erin Quinn. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.


I understand you have a new release out called Haunting Embrace. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Thank you for having me! I love being a guest on our site. Okay, here’s the blurb for Haunting Embrace, Book 4—and final story—in my Mists of Ireland series.


“A SERIES THAT TAKES MY BREATH AWAY.”— Fresh Fiction

ENDLESS LOVE
Within Meaghan Ballagh surges the blood of an ancient sorceress whose long ago love for the druid Áedán ended in treachery—a fate that ensnares Meaghan herself when she is thrust into the past. She can feel the desire between the sorceress and the handsome druid rise inside her. To ensure her survival, she must piece together the history of the woman who haunts her and the man who needs her.

ETERNAL BETRAYAL
Áedán recognizes Meaghan. He always will. For the spirit of his one true love—and immortal enemy—is in her. A woman for whom Áedán once risked everything he ever had only to be repaid with betrayal and eternal damnation. This time, he’s not going to let Meaghan escape—because together they have the power to change their destiny.

As the passion between them grows, so do their fears of arousing an ancient, haunted, and forbidden love, and for changing a past that could irrevocably destroy the future.

What made you decide to write in this genre?


I love paranormal—always have, always will. When I was a young adult there weren’t the many choices of paranormal that there are now, so I had to look to Horror to fill that need. Now the choices are endless. I love the idea that normal, everyday people might have extraordinary powers and I’m fascinated by the idea that maybe time isn’t linear, maybe it’s fluid and changes to the past are simply things that were meant to be…..

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?


It came to me naturally from the story arc of the series. While each book in the Mists of Ireland series are stand alone titles, they are part of an over-arching story that is reflected in each one.

What are your favorite paranormal research books or sites, and why?


I love the quirky “Encyclopedia’s of” books. Currently reading Encyclopedia of Demons and Demonology, the Encyclopedia of Angels and the Encyclopedia of Spirits and Creatures. They give a quick, brief overview to help me find out what I want to research without slogging through tome’s of information.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?


For Haunting Embrace, it was my hero, Áedán. Áedán has an interesting role in my series and, in fact, for most of it he is considered the villain. Watching him transform into a man who hates the world and himself into someone who can love again… That’s what makes me want to be a writer. :)


Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?


For me the character emerges as I write him/her. They are products of their actions and words. I have a general sense of person when I start and I usually have an idea of where they come from, but sometimes it’s the words they speak that bring them to life for me.

How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?


I use a little of all. A lot of my world is in my head, though. I see it like I’m watching a movie and I’m able to rewind and zoom when necessary.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?


Oh too many to list. I’m in awe of many writers.


What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?


Ha. Writing them. Seriously, I’m not convinced that any promotion is effective. Unless it comes from top down (meaning the publisher is pushing the book) it’s all just a shot in the dark. Who knows if it’s hitting anyone?


However, I am running a fun contest right now that is connected to promotion called Spread the Word http://www.erinquinnbooks.com/Spread_the_Word.htm (be sure to click on the image to enlarge and see all the cool prizes)

What do we have to look forward next?


Haunting Embrace brings my Mists of Ireland series to a close and now I’m working on something new. Not ready to talk about—in fact, haven’t even proposed it to my publisher. But I’m very excited about it.


Thanks, Erin!


To celebrate her book release, Haunting Embrace is offering a free book of an autographed copy of Haunting Desire, book 3 in the Mists of Ireland series to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)


She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...


Bio.
Erin Quinn is an award winning author. Her books have been called “riveting,” “brilliantly plotted” and “beautifully written” and have won, placed or showed in the Booksellers Best, WILLA Award for Historical fiction, the Orange Rose, Golden Quill, Best Books, and Award of Excellence. Book four in her Mists of Ireland series, HAUNTING EMBRACE, will be in bookstores October 2011.


Check out author’s website at www.erinquinnbooks.com


Buy: Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-a-Million Indie Bound

23 comments:

girlygirlhoosier52 said...

What has been the best change in your life since you've become a successful published author?

Anonymous said...

Good morning Erin. Thanks for joining us so early today. I'll have your chocolate and latte ready in a moment. As soon as I wrestle away the wrapper from the kittens.

I love the cover-- wouldn't you love to have been at that photo shoot --but I'm sad that this is the end of this series. What is the hardest part about saying goodbye to it?

Enjoy your day.

Rebekah E. said...

Thanks for coming today. Sounds like a great series.

Rayka Mennen said...

Hi Erin
What an interesting twist to take a character who has been a villain through the series and give me an HEA too. Excited to start reading this book

Author Kathryne Kennedy said...

I've had the pleasure to read this book and I have to say it's fabulous! Full of action and adventure and dark sexy romance. The kind of book you gobble up in one sitting. :} Thanks so much for sharing all the background on it, Erin!

Donna Marie Del Grosso said...

Hi Erin!
I can't wait to see how you tie all the characters in the book together- how the series will end. I'm sad this is the end of the series too! But I also am excited to see what you're cooking up next! =)

Erin Quinn said...

Girlygirhoosier52--LOL, I'm still waiting for those great changes. :) I will tell you my favorite part, though. Hearing from readers. Love it when they write or come say hi at signings.

Kim, bless you. Please make that latte a 2 shot. :) Hell yes I would have loved to be at the photo shoot. (And the one for Warrior, Desire and mass market version of Beauty, lol). I think I would be more broken up about the series ending if I didn't know in my heart that there are at least two more characters who have stories dying to be told. The story arc I started with Haunting Beauty will end with Embrace but the world and people... not so much.

Hi Rebekah--thanks so much for stopping by! Waving hi right back!

Rayka--glad you're intrigued by that twist. I've known that Aedan would be the hero of the final book since Warrior, but I didn't know what a challenge it would be to get there, lol. Silly me.

Kathryne, you can't know how much praise from you means to me. I'm such a fan of your books that I feel like I've really done something special when I write one you love. :)

Erin Quinn said...

Hi Donna, I hope you'll be pleased with how I wrap it all up. It's always scary to end a series and hope the readers that have followed it from start to finish will be satisfied.

Chrisbails said...

Good Morning Erin,
I am a big fan of your your writing and books. I can't wait for this book to come out.
My question for you is: In your spare time do you get to read ever, and who or what books are your favorites?
Also if you could write any other genre what would you write?
Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
christinebails@yahoo.com

Niki I said...

Morning Erin, I just started reading the series and I'm hooked. Can't wait to read all of the books. I found out about the series in thr RT Book Review magazine.

CrystalGB said...

Hi Erin. Great interview. Your book sounds good. I love the cover.

Raonaid Luckwell said...

Each cover has a haunting, magical quality to it. It's the first thing that snagged my attention.

I seen on Writerspace chat that you listen to soundtracks like Braveheart, etc. Have you ever heard Clannad? Enya?

Coinleach Glas an fhomhair is a favorite. By Chance it was. An Gadhar Ban, Gaoth Barra na dTonn, and Chuaigh me 'na Rosan are favorites of mine.

Katie Dalton said...

Ireland hunks? Count me in! Great interview :)

k28dalton (at) yahoo (dot) com

Di said...

I read Haunting Beauty early this year. I'm so glad this series hasn't been strung out for to long. Some authors series only come out in one or two books a year. Was getting all four out difficult?

Na said...

Hi Erin! I just saw the list of dates for your new tour. I'm excited for you! I hope you reach many readers and people get the chance to visit your magical world. If they are like me they won't want to leave it! Congratulations on your new release.

Erin Quinn said...

Chris--I love to read and read all the time. When I get done with the day job, there's not enough brain left for writing, but I still love escaping into fiction. I have too many favorites to even begin to list. If I were going to write another genre, I think it might be Regency romance. Love to read it but don't have the knowledge to do it justice so I keep it as my guilty pleasure. :)

Niki, I'm so glad you found me and started the series! I hope you'll stay hooked!

Crystal--I have been blessed by the cover gods with this series. I love all the covers (Have you seen Rory on Haunting Warrior?)

Raonaid, I love, love, LOVE the Braveheart soundtrack. Have you watched my trailers? I think they each have unique and haunting music with them. Thanks so much for all of your recommendations. Making note so I can listen to them!

Katie--love those alpha males, lol.

Di--it's actually taken me several years to get the series out. Haunting Beauty originally came out in 2009. I'm not a fast writer so I struggle to get the books out faster. Last year I wrote 2 in one year and it was quite a challenge! But you've come to the series at the perfect time!

Na, You are so sweet! Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so lucky to have readers like you!

Anonymous said...

Hi Erin, great interview i love your book covers !!!

Lori Vial said...

Hi Erin! Great interview. I've really enjoyed this sereis,sad to see it end but I have all the books so can re visit! Looking forward to Aedans story and definitely will keep an eye out for your next books.

Erin Quinn said...

Thanks for stopping by Lori and Regina! Regina, I'm in love with the covers too!

Lori, I hope you'll be pleased with how I tie it all up. :)

catslady said...

What a great cover and title too! I also started out reading horror because there was no such thing as paranormal but now that I've found it, I am loving it. And all the mixed genres too. I have not read your series but it sounds wonderful. Are the books stand alone or do they need to be read in order? thanks

Erin Quinn said...

Hi Catslady, the books were written to stand alone, but the series does have a story arc that might be clearer if read in order.

I have readers who've read it both ways and enjoyed the series equally out of order as in order. :)

Hope you'll give them a try!

LilMissMolly said...

Hi Erin!

Just showing you the love you deserve. I love the Mists of Ireland series. You write with such a sophistication that you don't see in other authors. It's like you write for use "educated" ladies. :) Please keep 'em coming!

BTW - I already own Haunting Desire, so no need to enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

Erin Quinn said...

Hi Molly, so funny you should say that because after the Mists of Ireland books finish launching and doing a redesign on my website and my new tag line: Romance for the Thinking Girl! (Or The Thinking Girl's Romance--which do you like better)