Interview with Erin Quinn and Book Giveaway

I am pleased to welcome Erin Quinn to Book of Secrets today!  She is the author of the Mists of Ireland series, and the final book, HAUNTING EMBRACE, has just been released.  Welcome, Erin! 

Please tell us a little about your latest release, HAUNTING EMBRACE.

“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.

For readers who are not familiar with your books, please share some background information on your Mists of Ireland series.

The Mists of Ireland series takes readers to Ireland to meet the families MacGrath and Ballagh. For centuries these two families have been entwined in love, jealousy and the mysticism surrounding an ancient tome called the Book of Fennore. Surrounded by lore and superstition, this ancient Book wreaks havoc on humanity—but when it falls into the hands of the MacGraths and Ballaghs, it ignites powers within them that make them its most formidable enemy. Reviewers and readers alike have called the Mists of Ireland series “filled with fascinating characters, wonderful detail, and the beautiful scenery of Ireland” and “An enthralling read. Quinn’s mélange of paranormal, time travel and romance is outstanding!” 

Who was your favorite character to write and why?

I would have to say the most interesting character is Áedán -- a man who begins my series as not quite human and not very nice. In fact, Áedán has been trapped in the Book of Fennore--cursed to spend eternity there for millennia. But then he meets Meaghan Ballagh who somehow saves him from the hell he'd thought never to escape. I loved turning my villian into a hero and writing all the complex emotions that would follow a man who'd done so much wrong for so long and now wanted to change.

How many books do you have planned for the series?

HAUNTING EMBRACE brings the Mists of Ireland series to a close. There are four books in all: HAUNTING BEAUTY (Book 1), HAUNTING WARRIOR (Book 2), HAUNTING DESIRE (Book 3), and HAUNTING EMBRACE (Book 4).

Thought he books are all linked by a story line, they can be read out of order as each was written to stand alone.

What makes your books stand out from others in the same genre?

Time and again reviewers comment that my books are not like any other. I think what makes this true is my own love of diverse fiction. I remember when I was younger reading Stephen King and loving it--but wishing there had been a romance in it. And then I'd read a romance and wish there'd been some thrills and chills. With my books, I try to blend those two passions--compelling, sometimes spine tingling stories with a rich romance.

Where can readers find you on the web?

You can find me everywhere!

Website: www.erinquinnbooks.com (be sure to check out my spread the word contest when you there--click on the image to enlarge so you can see the cool prizes ) http://www.erinquinnbooks.com/Spread_the_Word.htm

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ErinQuinnAuthur (yes, Author is misspelled, yes there was vodka involved, no, according to FB, I can never, ever get it fixed)

Twitter: @ErinQuinnAuthor

Blog: http://quinnessentials.blogspot.com/2011/09/haunting-embrace-by-erin-quinn-book.html (where you can also see the Haunting Embrace Trailer)

Can you leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from your book?

He found his fingers tunneling beneath her hair to cup her head in his palms. It seemed they moved without his thought or will. He tilted her face back so he could look at her. Her skin glowed like ivory, her eyes dark and drowned with emotion, her mouth soft and full. She’d bitten her lips in her anxiety, and now they were red, a vibrant splash of color in the gray world.

Her eyes widened as he lowered his mouth to hers, but she didn’t turn away, nor did she push him away. He felt the pending rush of fate slam into him as his lips touched hers. Thoughts of the stolen moments on the cliffs that afternoon had all but consumed him. He’d craved the sensation of her arms clinging tight, the softness of her breasts crushed against the wall of his chest, her hips pressed to his...

Now he felt like an anchored ship whipped by a storm that refused to let it idle securely at bay. He ripped free in a powerful surge, back¬ing her to the wall, needing that solid surface to keep from hurling himself out to sea.

The eye of the storm was within him, the fury of it all around.

Giveaway Details: 

Erin is giving away an autographed copy of HAUNTING DESIRE -- Book 3 in the Mists of Ireland series.  (Open to US addresses.)  To enter, please leave a question or comment for Erin along with your e-mail address.  Contest open until 10/22/2011.  Good luck!