Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Guest Author: Erin Quinn - Haunting Beauty

Today, we've got Erin Quinn on the blog! Haunting Beauty just sounds like such a fascinating book that I asked Erin to tell us a bit more about it.

Please welcome Erin to the blog everyone!
____________________

Nalini, thank you so much for inviting me to post on your blog! I’m a big fan and this is such an honor!

Ha
unting Beauty is the first in the Haunting Series and just released on August 4th. I’ve been thrilled with the response so far and started getting reader letters almost immediately. Since I love talking to readers, it’s all been very exciting.

Haunting Beauty is a book I simply had to write. I can remember when I started and the vivid image in my mind that later became the first chapter. I could see Sean Ballagh, Haunting Beauty’s hero, standing on the cliffs, looking out over the cold Irish sea and I knew, I kn
ew, I had to tell his story. Even so, I was surprised at where Sean took me. Turns out, he shared my personal fascination with time and the idea that the past is not set in stone. Mistakes can be un-made, heartache can be transformed into triumph . . . but at what cost? If the past is an elaborate puzzle with interchangeable pieces, when one is altered, how do the others still fit? And how could you be sure that what changed didn’t make everything worse?

When Sean is sent by his grandmother to find Danni Smith and bring her home to the family she’s thought lost forever, he begins his search, but it’s not until he meets Danni that he comes to understand why he’s there.

He and Danni have a past and future that has become a tangled knot—a tether that binds them together while keeping them apart. They need one another whether they like it or not and Sean . . . he’s there for Danni, only for Danni.

Life has been hard on Danni, but she’s not the kind of woman who rolls over and takes it. She’s forged ahead and, with her little dog, Bean, has found contentment, if not happiness. She’s resigned herself to never knowing who she is, why she was abandoned as a child, or if she has family out there, somewhere. But when Sean appears at her door offering everything she ever wished for—the answers to the questions of her past and the ticket to find her family—Danni must follow him to Ireland, a land steeped with mystery and lore.

Sean delivers the goods—he reunites her with her people—but how could Danni have guessed that she would be meeting herself as a child? Reliving those fateful hours before her whole world was shattered? Learning the secrets that determined her fate? Who is this Sean Ballagh with his beautiful eyes and heartbreaking smile? And what does he want from Danni? He is more than a messenger, but even Sean doesn’t know the truth about himself.

What I loved about writing this story was the idea that Joe Nobody or Jane Unknown, people that look and act like everyone else, might actually have some hidden ability, some power that makes them extraordinary. I continue with this idea in book two of the Haunting series, Haunting Warrior, which releases in May 2010.

I’d love to know what you think . . . what is your favorite type of paranormal? Do you like reading about ordinary people doing extraordinary things or do you like your paranormal world more alien, filled with creatures or space travelers? What do you hope to find when you open the cover of that book?

24 comments :

Erin Quinn said...

Thanks, Nalini for having me today!

firefenix said...

Hi Erin, Hi Nalini,

thanks for talking about this fascinating story. I will be reading this book very soon!
The idea that ordinary people actually hide a special ability or gift is very appealing to me. Paranormal is simply fantastic! I like the Angels (Nalini :-)), vampires, Breeds, Shapeshifters...More the supernatural kind of things.

Tiona said...

Hey, Nalini! Hi, Erin! I was just reading the spread they put out for your book in Romantic Times Mag and loved it. The cover is so beautiful and intriguing! Love it! The story sounds fascinating, as well.
What I look for in a character is someone outstanding, but still very human, as well, still grounded in humanity, whether they are Psy, Changeling, vampires or Angels, they're still someone we can relate to deep down.
keep up the good work, ladies!

I ♥ Book Gossip said...

Hi Erin and Nalini!

I love paranormals where a normal Jane meets a guy that is very out of the ordinary. Maybe a angel or a vampire, or a shapeshifter?

cindyc725 at gmail dot com

Jory Strong said...

I've got Haunting Beauty loaded on the Kindle and am really looking forward to reading it.

When it comes to paranormal stories, I enjoy and read a wide range of them, including ordinary people doing extraordinary things. But my current preference is for darker, different and unique story worlds filled with supernatural beings (or aliens in the case of a couple of recent reads).

Erin Quinn said...

Karima & I heart book gossip, I like all of those elements as well and I wouldn't be surprised if you see on or the other in something I write in the future. For now, I was completely taken in and challenged with the power of the mind. :)

Princess Bumblebee--that is what I am hoping I've done with Haunting Beauty...made it very human even though the paranormal is so extraordinary.

Jory, you're in my TBR stack as well! I have Spidertouched but want to read Ghostland first. Can't wait!

Blodeuedd said...

Hi Erin,
It does sound like a nice book. And that cover is just lovely.

As for the question, well it depends. I like a normal world with just a hint of magic, I like worlds that I really different with a lot of creatures. As long as the story is good, then all is good in my book

Pam P said...

Hi Erin, I'm really looking forward to reading this book, and series. I like all kinds of paranormals and sci-fi, and a fan of time travel and reincarnation stories especially, so this book defintely appeals to me.

Unknown said...

welll, that book sounds fascinating! unfortunately I am a bit short of money but when did that ever stop me? must add it to my tbr file...

firefenix said...

Dear Nalini, Erin, Jory
I am grateful for you guys. Grateful that you decided to write your dreams / stories and share them with us. You are a great inspiration to me and probably to many others. Keep writing please.
The power of the mind: going back and changing the past or perhaps creating a totally new future regardless of how painful the past was... Yes, who wouldn't want to posses such a power :-)?

Erin Quinn said...

Blodeuedd--I'm a reader like you. I love it all in the books I read and I read everything from Regency to Fantasy. :)

PamP: My second novel, ECHOES (written as Erin Grady) has a reincarnation story in it. That was so much fun to write!

Julia: I know what you mean...food...books...food...books...BOOKS. My mom and I were comparing the piles of books we have TBR and confessing (shame faced) how even though we have so many, niether of us can stop buying them. It's a sickness. :)

Erin Quinn said...

Karima--thank you! I love writing and don't think I could live without it. But finding readers is what makes it so rewarding.

Someone asked me just the other day if there was anything I would do differently if I had the chance. I still can't give an answer I"m sure of....

Casee said...

Hi Erin! I've read all your Erin Grady books and loved them.

I have Haunting Beauty, but I haven't started it yet. Is it a romance or more the story of Danni finding her way in life?

I have always been a fan of paranormal. Lately, I like anything that's fresh and new.

Erin Quinn said...

Hi Casee! Thank you so much! Haunting Beauty is definitely a romance. Sean is my favorite hero to date and I confess I was more than a bit jealous of Danni who gets to sleep with him. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Erin,

nice to meet you on Nalini`s blog.

I`ve the same taste as Karima and Princess Bumblebee when it comes to paranormal stories. Although... I love books, so I would never say no to a good story (whether it`s e.g. paranormal, historical or sci-fi).

Danni`s story sounds interesting and the book cover has an romantic dreamy touch. ... - It seems I´ve to find out for myself, if the cover fit`s her story (damn curiosity):-).

~Eva

P.S.: Your Buttercup is sweet!

Una said...

Hi Erin and welcome! Your story sounds intriguing and I cannot wait to read it! I find that part of what paranormal genre draws me is that any average person can knowingly or unknowingly have this special ability. And yet, even those that are "special" are just like us average people with the same desires, hopes, dreams and trials and tribulations. That's what makes it outstanding fantasy and my great escape. In many ways, I just love reading and any degree of paranormal just fascinates me!

Thank you Nalini for 'introducing' us to Erin!

Erin Quinn said...

Eva--yes, that darned curiosity drives me to the bookstore all the time, ha ha. I believe Haunting Beauty is a haunting love story (with a HEA, though. I HATE those disappointing "almost had love but then someone had to die for no good reason that I can see" books)

Una: I hope I've managed to capture that human element of struggle in the midst of all that is happening in Danni's and Sean's lives because I love that too.

Christina said...

Thank you, Nalini and Erin!

I don't really have a set genre of paranormal that I like. As long as it makes any kind of logical sense, I can go with it. Nalini created a wonderful working world of humans and, well, other-human-type-of-beings. Kresley Cole works with Valkyries (on their own, demi-goddesses), Vamps, ghouls (a real smorgasbord of other-than-human beings) that occur in a very human world. Both women create a world that exists with its own rules, its own diverse populations, that all make sense ^_^

I saw your cover, Erin, and have your book on my TBR list at the library!

Christina said...

I just watched the book trailer on your website, Erin, and the music was hauntingly beautiful!

NiNi said...

Hi Erin!
I really enjoy reading stories where I can relate to the character....and then to find out they have some hidden ability that's the fun part!!!!

Your book sounds REALLY interesting...I'm definitley gonna have to check it out!! :-) I'm a sucker for paranormal romances and HEA!!!

NiNi said...

P.S. LOVE the cover!!!! I love the colors and...well I like all of it....it's a story of it's own!!

Erin Quinn said...

Christina: I can only agree--Nalini has created some amazing "others" and I'm a Kresley Cole fan as well. I think that's what makes paranormal so much fun--the possibilities are endless.

Perla: You are so right. It's all about the people. :)

I love the cover too. When I first saw it, I almost pass out I was so happy. :)

ibeeeg said...

Hi Erin!
Enjoyed this post!
I just finished reading Haunting Beauty and loved it! It was a different read for me in the sense of ghosts and what not but it was so very satisfying. I really liked the characters of Danni and Sean...I could go on. Yep, the story was fascinating, haunting, beautiful...it kept me on the edge of my sit wondering what will happen.

As far as the paranormal question: I like a wide mix but do not like when demons are the primary subject. I tend though to go, more often, for fantasy mixed with real world and real people far more. I do not know, if the story is real good then I am there.

I look forward to reading more books from you Erin as Quinn and as Grady. **smile**

Erin Quinn said...

Ibeeeg, you just made my whole day! I'm so pleased! I think you're really going to like Haunting Warrior, because it steps a little more into that realm of paranormal--not fantasy, but toeing the line. :)

Thanks for posting!