Fresh Fiction Blog | Erin Quinn | Who in the world is Áedán Brady?

He's the gorgeous man on the cover of HAUNTING EMBRACE. He's also the evil druid Brandubh (pronounced Brawn-doov) who's been trapped inside the Book of Fennore for eons. On the surface, he's far from hero material. But deep down? A man just waiting to become a one.

I won't lie; it was a challenge getting him there. Áedán fought me tooth and nail, insisting he was too dark, too far from humanity to save. I disagreed. I saw a man who'd been betrayed, used and abused but who'd never given up.

I fell in love with Áedán while I was writing HAUNTING DESIRE, Book #3 in the Mists of Ireland series. I admit, I fall in love with all of my heroes. How could I not? I create them. But as they each emerge with their own special qualities and quirks, I begin to see what really makes them the men of legends. Áedán tries to pretend he has no emotions, but deep down he feels as strongly as any other man and he wants...oh how he wants a life again. His rough exterior may fool some, but not those who know him.

Or people like me who've already fallen in love with him.

I knew that what Áedán needed was the right woman–(really, isn't it what every hero needs?). In Áedán's case, she'd been there waiting for him all along. Within Meaghan Ballagh runs the blood of an ancient sorceress–the very same sorceress who loved Áedán millennia ago and then betrayed him. Although Meaghan doesn't recognize the soul lurking inside her, Áedán senses her presence and fears her...almost as much as he desires her. Meaghan makes his blood run hot and she triggers every emotion he thought never to feel again.

Meaghan doesn't remember the history Áedán claims lies between them but she knows she must convince Áedán that she's more than just the reincarnated lover he's vowed for centuries to punish. She is a modern woman with a mind of her own and she sees beneath his skin, into his heart. Her touch reminds Áedán of his lost humanity and brings him to the brink of accepting who he is and who he wants to be.

But more is at work than the passion that burns between them. Áedán and Meaghan have time-traveled to the past, to the era of Meaghan's grandmother, and now menace looms in the future. Even though Áedán escaped the Book of Fennore, he knows he's not free of it forever. A great and terrible power still lurks within it–a power that needs a vessel. It wants to imprison Áedán again and it doesn't care who it hurts to get him.

One of my favorite scenes in HAUNTING EMBRACE comes when Áedán finally surrenders to the passion he feels for Meaghan and acknowledges who she is and what she means to him....

Meaghan's eyes widened as Áedán 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, backing 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. It uprooted his convictions, his resentments, his foundation. For a thousand years, he'd loved Elan, despite her betrayal, despite her condemnation. For a thousand years, he'd hated her, bitterly tarnished every memory, purposefully corroded every recollection until what he felt was a mordant collage of distorted untruths.
Meaghan made a soft sound that was so heartbreakingly familiar, so longed for, so desired that it made his knees buckle. She kissed him back with desperation, begging him with her lips to make Mickey and all the terror he represented go away. Áedán tried, even though he feared it might be futile.
He realized then that she might have once been the woman of his past, the woman who had destroyed him, but she was something else now. She was more . . . and less. Better . . . and worse. Different. Excitingly fresh, startlingly distinctive. She might flash glimpses of Elan's eyes, but her scent, her lips . . . her kiss. Everything about Meaghan was unique.

The Mists of Ireland

HAUNTING BEAUTY
Book 1

HAUNTING WARRIOR
Book 2

HAUNTING DESIRE
Book 3

HAUNTING EMBRACE
Book 4

I hope you'll embrace Áedán and Meaghan and enjoy the thrill of traveling through time with them. I'm giving away a copy of HAUNTING WARRIOR to one lucky commenter so talk to me. Tell me what you love about dark, tortured heroes or modern day heroines who take a tumble through time.

HAUNTING EMBRACE, Book 4 in the Mists of Ireland series–On sale now!

Watch the trailer: http://youtu.be/P0SilhfbJmk

Erin Quinn

www.erinquinnbooks.com

Follow Erin on Facebook * Twitter * Blogger

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Books-a-Million * Indie Bound

Comments

I read the first three tomes in this series via public library copies, LOVED them, and desire to own them.....one will do! We all time-travel in our dreams where our desires frequently enjoy more dramatic opportunity for fulfillment and the objects of our desire frequently reveal themselves more complicated and romantic than the counterpart population of our day lives. A heroine or hero is a heroine or hero in any point or transition of time. The struggle to commence and maintain relationships is ageless, timeless. Evolving character nuances and scenery enhance the landscape of an attractive story. Your novels have it all! Thank you for great entertainment!
(Carla Schuller 12:36pm October 22, 2011)

I love a heroine who has to tiptoe her way through another time period without too many blunders.
(Mary Preston 4:04am October 22, 2011)

Áedán sounds yummy!

As for time traveling heroine, I've often wondered if modern
people can truly blend in with people of the past. There
are so many chores and jobs we just don't do anymore, let
alone trying to survive without tampons and contact lenses.
(S Tieh 4:17am October 22, 2011)

What a journey for Aedan.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 6:48am October 22, 2011)

Dark tortured heroes I think of Beauty and the Beast - the heroine's kindness, caring and compassion can turn the man's life around. It allows him to finally feel comfort and love and accept that he deserves it!
As for going back in time, it would take a lot of adjustments. However, due to all the knowledge you have from the future, I think you would be able to find ways to adapt that would make your life more comfortable. Ireland always carries an air of mystique. I'd love to share your love of Ireland. Thanks for the chance to win Haunting Warrior!
(Laurie Gommermann 7:06am October 22, 2011)

dark tourtured heroes add a layer of complexity rather than a boring perfect person. there is usually some growth in the character
(Pam Howell 7:47am October 22, 2011)

Tumbling through time would be difficult in either direction, either forwards
or backwards. So much changes- technology and culture, clothing,
hairstyles, even language. It would definitely be fascinating to do though!
I love an emotionally torn hero- it adds so much more depth to a story,
especially if he's a bad boy with a good heart. Thanks for the chance to
win! :)
(Debbie Burdeen 7:47am October 22, 2011)

I love the dark troubled hero who finally finds love and redemption. Time-travell is great fun to read and see how todays values are so different to before.
Your new book sounds wonderful!
(Barbara Hanson 8:52am October 22, 2011)

Dark tortured heroes intrigue me due to the challenge of it
all. Much like a virgin hanging onto their virginity when she
truly knows in her heart that resistance is futile...is the
man that that is desperately trying not to fall...delicious!
(Patti DelValle 8:54am October 22, 2011)

Love to win a copy of the book 'Haunting Warrior' by Erin Quinn...sounds very mysterious and [email protected]
(Lnda McFarland 9:02am October 22, 2011)

I like when the dark tortured hero meets someone who makes him realize that he has to decide to let go of his anger and hatred.
(Maureen Emmons 9:30am October 22, 2011)

Love when the "gorgeous hero" struggles just like the rest of us!! I look forward to reading all about him!
(Diane Brixius 9:52am October 22, 2011)

I think romance readers have a built-in empathy for the tortured hero and a
slight bit of skepticism for the reluctant heroine. Some times we forget to accept
the human element in any story. Perhaps through time-travel we relearn that
every person is human and every one has dreams.
(Sandra Spilecki 10:32am October 22, 2011)

Love women who can bring a worthy man back from the brink...love the guys, too!
(Deanna Stillings 11:23am October 22, 2011)

I am so pleased to finally see "Haunting Embrace" coming
out, and I feel like a little piece of it belongs to me. I
enjoy reading about tortured heroes because it rounds them,
gives you a better understanding of their motivations and a
larger reason to cheer them on and delight in their
salvation and happiness in the end.
(Caroline Abreu 11:23am October 22, 2011)

I think perhaps the joy of reading about a dark, tortured hero is seeing him healed by love.
(G. Bisbjerg 12:07pm October 22, 2011)

I enjoy watching the dark, tortured hero travel through time to a new place where he can put his past behind him and find a reason to live again with a new love.
(Jennifer Kaleta 12:54pm October 22, 2011)

Thanks everyone for stopping in! Love reading all your
comments and thoughts on dark heroes and time travel!
(Erin Quinn 1:01pm October 22, 2011)

I love seeing the dark tortured hero find peace comet o terms with his past and find a love he truely deserves
(Wanda Flanagan 1:11pm October 22, 2011)

I really like this post Erin. I found Aedan to be a complex hero from when I first came across him and can't wait for his story. I prefer the dark, tortured them because I like to see them reformed and became better man. It's makes their journey more worthwhile.
(Na S 1:21pm October 22, 2011)

I love the idea of time travel. With my ancestors from Ireland this seems like the perfect book for me.
(Kathleen Bianchi 1:23pm October 22, 2011)

I enjoy the journey through time travel with a tortured hero, having empathy for his life's struggles he endures to find out what changes lie ahead for him. Forbidden love and romance in new surroundings and the outcome, makes it a truly engaging read! It would be fascinating if we could tumble through time, going back and forward, to see where we'd rather be in our lives!
(Linda Luinstra 4:07pm October 22, 2011)

i love the dark and tortured heroes because in the end love usually conquers all. They just need someone to so and care and let them know that they can love. They are so set on being alone and gloomy that they just need that one person to bring that out of them.
Love this series and would love to win this book.
(Chris Bails 4:21pm October 22, 2011)

I enjoy books that take place in another time. The book sound great. Thank You
(Amy Milne 4:39pm October 22, 2011)

I really love to read books that have a woman conquering the strong hero. Your covers are just so breathtaking!
(Julie Parrish 4:57pm October 22, 2011)

I was trying to think back to whether or not I've ever read a book where time travel was involved, and this one would be my first. It sounds like it will be a really good read for the upcoming Winter season, and I can't wait to sink my fingers into it!! It's a great cover, too!! Congratulations!!
(Peggy Roberson 5:32pm October 22, 2011)

I like the idea of time travel untill I think about hot water,microwaves,books ect. good luck
(Rhonda Laney 5:51pm October 22, 2011)

What I love about the dark tortured heroes is that they are looking for redemption for their mistakes or sins. They may be strong, protective, and arrogant but they have a soft spot which make them human.
(Kai Wong 6:34pm October 22, 2011)

My copy of Haunted Warrior is either 3rd or 4th in the upcoming read pile. If I won a copy I would pass it on to my niece to get her hooked! Why do I like dark heroes? I think they have so many depths to plumb. Who wants to love a one dimensional guy?
(Jennifer Beyer 7:44pm October 22, 2011)

Dark and Tortured heroes are usually MOODY. I love reading about them ,but I don't think I would want to live with one.
(Deb Pelletier 7:57pm October 22, 2011)

iwould love to read the book and blog on it and then
use the site to bog on it over and over lovethecover
(Desiree Reilly 7:58pm October 22, 2011)

I cannot wait to read this book! Love Love Love time travel!!
Thanks for the opportunity.
(Holly Collins 8:25pm October 22, 2011)

I just picked up HAUNTING BEAUTY. I look forward to reading it and the rest of the books in the series. I love reading about tortured heroes. They're my favorite because they're so broody and desperate for true love.
(Jennifer Langford 8:27pm October 22, 2011)

I have heard SO MUCH about this series! I adore tortured
heroes, they are so interesting and their redemption journey
is rewarding to read. Time travel brings so much confusion to
the traveler. I've often wondered how I would adapt :-).
glittergirt54 at ymail dot com
(Lenna Hendershott 8:38pm October 22, 2011)

I love a hero that fights for what he wants and a heroine that fights for what she wants, then stands beside him to fight together. Can't wait to read this series.
(Brenda Hill 9:04pm October 22, 2011)

This is the first I've heard of this series. It sounds very intrigueing. I'm going to have to look and see if my local library carries it.
(Rachel G 9:25pm October 22, 2011)

Who doesn't love a dark and tortured hero?? I love them because it makes them vulnerable and I love rooting for them as they overcome their own personal obstacles. I recently found myself in love with time travel romances and I love that aspect of the book. Seeing two characters bridge the gap of time to come together *swoon*
(Jolene Allcock 9:33pm October 22, 2011)

I like reading about someone from my time trying to succeed in the past.
(Robin Daily 11:35pm October 22, 2011)

I love the fantasy of it all. To be brought back to another time and place with two worlds colliding. It's amazing how the author can blend both worlds and it's always extremely exciting to find how the characters react.
(Jeanne Sheats 1:25am October 23, 2011)

I love dark, tortured heroes... especially when the right woman comes along into their lives... add in a bit of time travel and I want to see what happens... thanks for sharing with us today!
(Colleen Conklin 1:25pm October 23, 2011)

Thank you all for stopping by! I loved reading your comments
and wish you all best of luck in the contest!
(Erin Quinn 2:19pm October 23, 2011)

I like heroes that are strong and it's fun to watch them go back in time, too.
(Alyson Widen 2:34pm October 23, 2011)

Hi Erin! I got my copy of Haunting Embrace in the mail yesterday. Can't wait to start reading it! Yippe!!!!
(MaryAnne Banks 6:08pm October 23, 2011)

I love your characters. I hope for more.
(Carla Carlson 10:03pm October 24, 2011)

I have the first three of this series on my Keeper shelf. I have Haunting Embrace on my Wish List..Thank you for writing such great stories..
(Leisa Prater 11:58am October 25, 2011)

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