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Like lightning, only better

Two nights ago, a 3 am alarm went off in my head. I didn't set my alarm, so it was a shocker when it started screaming like a siren. I was tired and had to work in a few hours, so I wasn't too thrilled to be awake, but then one of those amazing things happened. My brain, which has been sadly dysfunctional of late, started working.

I've been struggling with this new story idea for weeks now. I've titled it, re-titled it, written chapters one, two and three, deleted chapters one, two and three, retitled the book again, rewrote the chapters and still...nothing. None of that blossoming feeling of rightness. None of that excitement to get back to it. Just an idea--a pretty good idea--and a bunch of crappy pages that don't come close to defining it.

And then, the alarm.

Suddenly this new idea just filled my head from corner to corner. (Yes, sometimes my head is very fat and very square.) And just like that, I have a living, breathing, exciting concept that is so anxious to get out it's beating against the tin pan I call a brain and demanding attention. In four days it's gone from shadows to living color to page one.

Woo hoo! I love it when that happens!

PS: Don't forget my Win 1 For the Pets contest. It only has a few more days....

Exciting week for Haunting Beauty!

I've been recieving some exiting reviews of late. Check them out:

From CK2S Kwips and Kritiques—5 out of 5—Recommended Read: “HAUNTING BEAUTY is far above your typical run-of-the mill paranormal romances. I savored every page and still wanted to reread it when I reached the end. I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for HAUNTING WARRIOR!”

From: Fresh Fiction: "Quinn has written a terrific debut novel in HAUNTING BEAUTY. It's difficult for a novel to stand out from the rest [ . . . ] but Quinn has risen to the challenge with HAUNTING BEAUTY, a story that boasts both a complex plot and a new spin on the paranormal elements. I look forward to reading the sequel HAUNTING WARRIOR as soon as possible.”

From: Good, Bad, and Unread--Grade A+: "I love it when an author gives me something so different than what I’ve ever read before, and Ms. Quinn definitely does that. This is one of the best books that I have read lately. I’m looking forward to the next book, which features Danni’s twin, and I know time is going crawl before I have it my hands."

From: R&B Reading and Blogging: 4 1/2 stars "Erin Quinn has the ability to draw her audience with her through the normal and the paranormal fluidly. Her ability to slip through time and space in her writing captured me and catapulted me into a place I’d never been. Be assured it is provocative and seductive, a very satisfying read. It also appears to be the beginning of an exciting series. I really enjoyed reading this book."

From: Romance Book Wyrm: 5 stars: "Complex and fascinating to say the least!5 stars! Loved this book!"

Wanna see more? http://www.erinquinn.info/Reviews.htm

Welcome Allyson James (aka Jennifer Ashley)

I'm excited and honored to have bestselling author Jennifer Ashley (and all her numerous personalities) to Quinn's Essentials! For those of you who don't know, Jennifer is a powerhouse writer and this month alone she has THREE, count them THREE, releases.

Erin: So Jennifer, as you know, I like to jump right into my interviews because, well, inquiring minds do want to know and with this busy month you've got ahead, we want to know NOW.

Tell, us, please: What is your guilty pleasure?

Jennifer: Sitting around watching DVDs of British mysteries (Last Detective, Cracker, Rosemary and Thyme, Lewis, Poirot, Miss Marple... ) If it's a cozy with a British accent, I'm there! I know English actors far better than I know American ones. One of the most recent shows, Wallander, with Kenneth Branaugh, was extremely well done. Want more...


Erin: I should have guessed at that one, but instead i was thinking reading, bathtub, champagne, chocolate.... oh wait, that's me. :)

Okay, another hard hitting question coming.... What is the best bumper sticker or t-shirt slogan you've ever seen?
Jennifer: Can't remember exact wording but: "A woman who wants to be equal to a man has no ambition." (hee hee hee)

Erin: *smirk* Like that one. When I asked you that question, I had a favorite of mine in mind which I was going to add as part of our witty repartee. Unfortunately, I have the short term memory of a gnat and I can't remember what the damned thing said. So I'll just quickly segue into my next question.

You have three releases in September! How do you keep all the books you write straight?

Jennifer: I don't. I figure the booksellers keep straight what's coming out when and have the books available (the awful thing is, they don't always!). I just write and turn in the manuscripts. I like each book for a different reason, and when I'm focused on a ms., none of the others exist. So I don't bother to try to keep them straight. It makes my head hurt. :-)

Erin: Well it makes my head hurt just thinking of how many words you must write a day. I've said it before but must say it again--you are amazing. I can't even IMAGINE publishing as many great books in as a short amount of time as you have.

Tell me something about each of the releases and what you loved about writing them.

Jennifer:

1. Mortal Seductions, by Allyson James (Berkley Heat): What I loved: Sexy shapeshifting guys! Demetri is a son of Apollo and a goddess, and he can become a tiger. Leon is a Cajun shapeshifter who can shift into any animal he's touched. Valerie gets to have them both (lucky lady). Valerie was a lot of fun to write; she frequently becomes her own evil twin!

2. Tales of the Shareem: Calder, by Allyson James (Ellora's Cave). What I loved: Shareem are men genetically created in a factory to be the ultimate pleasure slave. What's not to love? :-) Calder is a special guy, though. Tortured and scarred, he's sought after by women for his unique skills. Until he finds a lady who loves him for *him* of course.

3. "The Scotsman and the Vamp," by Jennifer Ashley in The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance, Vol. II. What I loved: This was a bit of fun for me--the Vamp is Claire, a female vampire who decided to run off to 1920s Hollywood rather than wait around for her "true mate." She becomes a silent film star instead! But her Scotsman, her mate, comes right after her. It's a funny story with cocktails, jazz, and HEA. Ok, you asked me to keep them straight, and now my head hurts. :-)

Erin: Holy Cow! Well they all sound wonderful to say the least. (Thinking, you've probably finished writing 2 books in the time it's taken me to put this interview on my blog).

Okay, last question: Will there be another book to follow up The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie? (You know I'm such a fan!)

Jennifer: Of course! I'm writing Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage right now, and it will be available from Berkley Sensation next summer. (The other two brothers will follow soon after that. Plus a shapeshifter series and a contemp. romance fantasy series.)

Thank you so much for stopping by, Jennifer. I know everyone is excited to read your latest and no one is complaining if you can write them fast--except my husband and kids, that is, who never see me without my nose in a book. *grin*

If you want to learn more about Jennifer Ashley/Allyson James, go to: http://jennifersromances.com/!

Jennifer is giving away a copy of Mortal Temptations (the first book in the series) and I'm giving away books and a gift card so go to: http://www.erinquinn.info/Contest.htm to enter!

And the fun continues....Welcome Cassie Ryan!

For the final week of my celebration month, I am spotlighting the one and only Cassie Ryan. Cassie is both colleague and friend and it's my pleasure to have her here talking about life, time and Miss America. Well...maybe not exactly, but close enough. You know how my interviews go. You may learn something fun and you may not. :)

So diving right into the exciting interview....

Erin: Welcome, Cassie and congratulations on the release of the final book in the Trio of Seduction series! I know you have fans who were anxiously awaiting the conclusion (and will now be morose over knowing there isn't another one coming!)...no pun intended of course.

Okay, to launch into the questions. If you were in the "Miss America" talent competition, what would your talent be?

div>Cassie: Hmm, I think I’d have to do instrumental – something on clarinet or saxophone. I’d suck as a cheerleader, baton twirler, singer, dancer or etc...lol.


Erin: Well I probably wouldn't make it to the talent part. They'd boo me off after the swimsuit show. Lucky for me I'm smart and have a great personality, right? ha ha.


Okay, next question: If you had one extra hour of free time a day, how would you use it?



Cassie: A nice hot bath and a good book :)


Erin: There is a reason why we are friends, m'dear. That is my answer exactly. My kids say that I don't bathe, I marinate. I see nothing wrong with that.


Based on something you've already done, how might you make it into the Guinness Book of World Records?


Cassie: Uhhh....number of times I’ve re-read my favorite books, number of times I’ve told my son to pick up his socks off the floor, number of times I can curse at my characters within one scene when they aren’t listening? LOL! Don’t really think I’ve done anything that’ll get me close to record breaking yet :) But who knows, there’s always tomorrow.


Erin: I think I could qualify with the picking up socks off the floor times 2. (two daughters). It's enough to make a person nuts. The cursing my characters--it's more likely they are cursing me. Interesting and totally unrelated world record I recently learned about? Sabering Champagne Bottles. Seriously, there's a record. 21 bottles in 1 minute. I met the guy who broke it (You can watch the video here)

Okay, enough of that. Now for what we REALLY want to know: Tell us about your latest release and why YOU think we’ll love it.



Cassie: Trio of Seduction is the third book in my Seduction Trilogy and released at the end of July.

The moment she lays eyes on him, Dr. Kiera Matthews is mesmerized by the rugged, sexually charged man who is at once her saviour from danger and a sworn enemy of her mother's people. Yet, as he stands before her, pulsing with physical energy, Kiera feels an irresistible longing stirring deep within her. And when he speaks, his voice alone sends waves of desire through her body...a body that will soon discover its own sensual force. For Kiera is destined to reunite their estranged races - by joining herself with this man whose mission it has been to find her...As the 10th Prince of Klatch, an otherwordly clan whose sexual energy is their life force, Ryan has been searching for his future mate - the Healer who will help him restore his dying world. Now he has found her in the form of a fair-haired hellion born of an enemy society. But he has no doubt Kiera is his destiny. As a being who requires sex to survive, Ryan's fantasies were always filled with darkly beautiful women. But now it is this strong-willed blonde whom he craves and is determined to show her the most potent pleasure...

Trio brings back all the characters from Ceremony & Vision including the wonderfully evil bad guys—Queen Sela, her consort & Marco—as well as the Klatch, Tador and all the fun things like ponga and balda :) There’s more kick-butt action, hot, smoking-hot sex, a touching romance, snarky humor and a fast-paced story that all leads up to the final battle of good vs. evil.

Join me to find out what happens!

Erin: It sounds wonderful, Cassie. I big bang to end the series! Readers, leave a comment and stop by my website to enter a contest to win one of the Seduction books and other prizes!

For more information about Cassie Ryan, visit http://www.cassieryan.com/

Check back next week when my spotlight author will be Jennifer Ashley!

Welcome Sylvia Day

I am so excited to have Sylvia Day (aka SJ Day, aka Livia Dare) on as my spotlight author this week. If you read my blog at all, you know that I am one busy woman. But Sylvia makes me feel like a slacker. She has released a dynamite new series this year and two single titles (and I'm sure there is a novella or two in there as well). she is simply amazing! Not only that, but Sylvia is one of the nicest people I've ever met. She has helped me in so many ways that I can't begin to list them.

In short, love this lady!!!

So, to dive right into my deep and mind boggling questions....

Erin: What is your favorite part of the writing?


Sylvia: Submitting new proposals. There are so many possibilities inherent in the process--from the creation of the new world, to building a relationship with the editor, to entertaining a whole new audience. I'm a sucker for wide open spaces.


Erin: That is so funny. I think that is my least favorite. I live in paralyzing fear that I will run out of ideas and so when I sit down to think of something new, I am always terrified.


Next question... From your books, which hero would you be most likely to fall in love with and why?


Sylvia: It's a tie between Cain (from the Marked series) and Wulfric (from IN THE FLESH). Both men are honorable, but there's a distinct bad boy side to them. They'll go to any lengths to accomplish their goals and they're totally committed when it comes to love. I love confident, alpha males who aren't afraid to cross boundaries to claim what they want. Yummy...


Erin: I'm sorry, Sylvia, but Cain has already promised himself to me. :-) I haven't met Wulfric yet, but if he's in competition with Cain, then I'm already in love with him. You write TO DIE FOR heroes.


Next....Have you been told, you look like someone famous?


Sylvia: Yes, actually. Phoebe Cates. I don't see it, but I've heard that a few times.

Erin: I wouldn't have thought of it on my own, but ya know, I see it. I hear all the time that I look like somebody's sister, cousin, neighbor, distant uncle's wife. I used to get that I looked like Bernadette Peters, but no one probably remembers her anymore and I never thought I did.

This is fun. So, tell me.... Is there a story behind your name? What is it?

Sylvia: My mother wanted to name me Heather Ann. However, when people asked her what name she'd chosen and she'd tell them, they would all have something negative to say. It seems a lot of people knew a Heather or an Ann that they didn't like. So my mom came up with Sylvia June and kept it to herself. No one knew what my name was until I was born. Personally, I'm glad she went with Sylvia. I'm one of those people who loves their name. :)

Erin: I love this question because I think most people do have a story in their name. I was either going to be April or Spring or something like that, and my parents were fighting over it and finally Bing Crosby came on the radio singing When Erin's Eyes Are Smiling. They decided, what the hell, name her Erin. I have still never heard that song, btw.

Last and most important questions....tell us about your fabulous new series and what's coming next....

Sylvia: My latest series in a nutshell: Formerly agnostic Evangeline Hollis is marked with the Mark of Cain and becomes one of thousands of sinners worldwide who act as bounty hunters for God. She’s mentored by Cain, working for Abel, and desired by both men. The Marked series draws heavily from the Old Testament, but is very much an action-oriented, sexy, contemporary fantasy. As for what's coming next, I'm presently working on more historical romances. :)

Sylvia, thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. You can learn more about Sylvia Day and all her books under all her names at www.sylviaday.com.

Readers, be sure to check out my contest for this week. Sylvia is giving away a reader's choice of 3 of her titles and I'm giving away reader's choice of two PLUS a gift card PLUS a HAUNTING BEAUTY coffee mug. Go to www.erinquinn.info for more information.

And check back next week when Cassie Ryan will be up and the week after that....It's Jennifer Ashley!

Welcome Chris Maria Green

I am so honored to have Chris Marie Green as my guest this week. I met Chris at the Romance Writers of America conference in Washington DC and new I had to coax her to come a'visting. :-) Chris is a powerhouse writer with her Vampire Babylon series now on book 5 and her other titles as Crystal Green. Chris is former school teacher turned full-time writer, gets out of the office by taking long trips to places such as Japan, Italy, and New Orleans. When she’s not causing international incidents, she enjoys yoga, reading just about everything, plus movie-going. She also writes under the name Crystal Green.

So as is typical of my interviews, I asked her some head scratching questions.

Erin: Chris, welcome to Quinn's Essentials. To dive right into our interview, tell me, what do you consider your greatest achievement?

Chris: Being published. I still want to laugh in amazement whenever I tell anyone that I’m a writer!

Erin: You know, as I was pulling these questions from the "think tank" I wondered how I would answer that. I think for me it would be staying published. Sometimes staying in this business is as hard as getting into it in the first place.

Next question, Do you have any phobias?

Chris: Hate snakes. Hate. Them. I’m hoping it’s not a Freudian thing.

Erin: You and Indy Jones. I'd say that's fine company to be in. :-) Since I'm usually only a footstep away from certifiable, I would hardly be one to pass Freudian judgment on you, but...

Okay, the questions get a little deeper now. Are you a morning or night person?

Chris: Definitely morning, although sometimes I have to force myself out of bed because, above all, I’m a sleep person. I love my snoozing time!

Erin: A woman after my own heart. I have friends who think sleeping in is getting up at 6am. SIX IN THE MORNING in case a.m. didn't register. I wonder how we ever came to be friends, lol. I love to sleep in and I love to stay up late. Of course the day job keeps me from indulging too much in my nocturnal tendancies.

If you had to describe yourself using three words, it would be…

Chris: Ambitious, mellow, dorky.

Erin: Ha! Love those. I should have followed that one up with how would others describe you. You struck me as ambitious, together and fun.


Okay, now tell us what we all REALLY want to know. Tell us about your new release and why YOU think we'll like it.

Chris: THE PATH OF RAZORS is the fifth book in the Vampire Babylon series. If you like twists in a story, then I think this might be for you: basically, the series is noir-urban fantasy. I try to make my vampires sympathetic yet still mean, take-no-prisoners survivors in the end. The same goes for my hunters sometimes! Hopefully, you’ll get a roller coaster ride out of it. : )

Erin: Chris, thakn you so much for stopping by! Readers, below is the book one trailer to the vampire babylon series. I know this is going to make you want to see more so go to: http://www.vampirebabylon.com/ to see the very latest trailer!