There are heroes . . . and then there are heroes . . . .
I’ll admit it. I fall in love with all of my heroes. How could I not? They are all men who I’ve custom made to my own specs, right? And even when they get a bit unruly and do things I didn’t actually intend for them to do, I still love them.
When I was writing HAUNTING WARRIOR, the second book in my HAUNTING series, I didn’t just fall in love with Rory MacGrath—I plunged, a million miles an hour. And I hit hard. What makes Rory so special is the fact that he begins so completely broken. He’s disconnected from his past, his family and even his heritage. He’s convinced himself that he doesn’t mind being alone and that he doesn’t long to be loved. Of course I knew better. I felt his pain. I could see into his heart.
Rory has been punishing himself for crimes he thinks he committed, for circumstances he had no control over, and for a loss that was punishing enough. Tough on the outside, lost on the inside, Rory needed a woman who would help him see his own strengths—a woman who would challenge him to rise above the past that has crippled him emotionally and step back into the circle of the living. She couldn’t be just any woman and she certainly wasn’t easy to find. In fact, Rory had to travel through time to reach her.
Thrust back in time to ancient Ireland, Rory opens his eyes in the body of another man who is about to marry the very woman Rory has been dreaming about for weeks. Suddenly, Rory is fighting for his life—and the life of his new bride. Their enemies are everywhere and the odds of surviving dwindle with each passing moment. But now that Rory has met the woman of his dreams, now that he has touched, tasted, and made love to that woman, he realizes that he doesn’t want to be alone anymore. He will fight to protect her. He will fight to free them both from the fate the future feels determined to deliver. He will be the warrior she needs him to be and he will win for love . . . or he will die trying.
So yeah, I fell in love with Rory MacGrath. He’ll be coming to your bookstores in May and I hope you will too.
I’d love to hear from you and I’m giving away an autographed copy of one my novels (writing as Erin Grady) Echoes or Whispers to one lucky winner who leaves a comment. Let me know . . . what makes you fall in love with a hero?
HAUNTING WARRIOR, May 2010
HAUNTING BEAUTY, August 2009
Thanks for stopping by. For more information about me and my books, visit www.erinquinn.info
Erin Quinn
Julie, thanks for stopping by! Hi right back to you. 🙂
Hi Erin!
Though it’s too late for your contest, I wanted to say hello. I didn’t realize your were here, til I saw someone mentioned your name on the Romance Junkies loop.
And the winner is…..
Eva Lege, (comment #44) you win! Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. You get a copy of either Echoes or Whispers (my other books, writing as Erin Grady). Let me know which one you want by emailing me at write2erinquinn (@) aol.com with your mailing information!
AND because I had so much fun with you and you all had such great comments, I’m going to give away a second book just for fun. So….
Crystal B, (comment #1) you win too. Email me too with your choice of Echoes or Whispers and I’ll get it out to you!
Thanks to everyone who participated. You all made me feel so welcome.
Happy Reading!
Erin
love those reformed bad boys. and if they are sexy and smart that helps too.
I think I have to agree with each and every comment made here today. I like the hero/heroine who have flaws, issues, whatever, but are not so deeply involved in themselves that they can’t see the forest for the trees. Make sense or clear as mud? Sometimes the ‘tortured hero’ bit is taken to such an extreme that I just want to throw the book and holler ‘get over yourself already!’
What made me fell in love for the heroes are the one who is alpha, rough and torture bad boy but yet soft inside. The one who is not all that he seem to be when everyone think wrong of him. And very strong, funny and smart too 🙂 Your haunting series books sound intriguing! I need to go grab the first copy before reading WARRIOR come out tehehe.
Oh wow this cover is amazing….Love it!!!
The tough yet sensitive bad boy who is not afraid to say what he feels. Also willing to protect his mate at all costs.
A rough exterior but a tender interior. The bad boy who down deep really isn’t a bad boy. Have to say how much I love the covers!!!!
Hi, just wondering if anyone had been chosen to win from among the posters? I thought I saw someone that a winner would be chosen from among the people who commented on this blog?? Maybe I was half asleep and misunderstood. LOL
Susan, Ellie and Eva–I couldn’t agree more. Love those gritty, sexy men, right? 🙂
Cierra and Sherry–you are so nice! Thank you!
I want to remind you all to enter my contest on my website at http://www.erinquinn.info so you will be added to my mail list if you want to know about new releases and contests!
Take care and thanks for stopping by!
Erin
Can’t wait 2 read more about this hero. Nice cover.Lege70542
I love your Erin Grady books!
I like a character who has sexappeal! If the author describes the hero well enough you really can fall in love with them. The way they walk, talk , look; everything about them can make one fall in love with them.
Erin,
This Desert Rose member loves your writing. Flaws in a hero draw me into him. I love the idea of a man who loves so deeply. He doesn’t need to be the hunk of the world, just something in his eyes and smile that one can drown in. Looking forward to reading Haunted Warrior.
Cierra James
Congratulations on this great release. Your books are memorable and special. Your heroes are wonderful role models. Strength, grit and a charm all rolled into a man that keeps me interested.
I am a softie when it comes to strong men and heroes. What else can I say..my head is turned very easy. ha ha susan L.
OMG, what great comments you all have! I think my subconscious must have been guiding me with that last question—I’m working on the third book in the series and after Rory, it’s been hard “getting into” a new man. 🙂
Breiab Says: I like heroes who aren’t perfect, the ones who have flaws just like me.
Erin: I sooo agree. I don’t mind when they screw up, just as long as they figure out they’re wrong and fix it.
Lindy says: It’s funny — when I’m asked to list a favorite hero, it’s usually the one in the book I’m currently reading (unless he’s a dud) because I tend to get somewhat emotionally involved in whatever I’m reading.
Erin: That is sooo true! And if I CAN’T fall in love with him, I don’t finish reading the book.
Virginia C Says: They may be bad boys, but they still remember that their mama raised them to respect women.
Erin: Absolutely!!! That goes without saying in my book. (literally and figuratively)
Lexee Says: I like them alpha male usually, bad boys too, but they have to treat their women right.
Erin: Sigh. Yep, that’s my number too.
Laura K Says: Don’t we all want our men to bare themselves so we can share their burdens like we want them to do for us?
Erin: Check. We do so love when they bare themselves.
Kammie Says: I like those not so perfect heroes who are a bit tough on the outside, and warm on the inside.
Maithe Says: I think the man has to be a “real man”, but yet be sensitive to the woman when called for. In other words, a tough guy that has a soft side. The hero needs to also have a sense of humor–and be sexy!! Hey, it doesn’t hurt. *L*
Erin: Oh yeah.
christy m Says: Wow what a cover . This sounds like an awesome book .
Amy S. Says: I can see why you fell in love with Rory. He sounds like a awesome hero. I love the cover!
Erin: I know, right? I almost passed out (in a good way) when they showed me the cover. HOLY COW. I asked my husband if we could do iron-on pillow cases with Rory on them. He wasn’t so thrilled with the idea. Killjoy.
Little Lamb Lost Says: Other than physical attractiveness, I fall for intelligence, capability, integrity and sense of humor.
Erin: Agreed. No matter how wowza he is, if there’s no brain, there’s no attraction. And I don’t mean he has to be a rocket scientist, but he has to be sharp enough to get both himself and the heroine out of the dangerous situations I’m sure to put them in.
Gigi Says: I love a hero that is a protector. You just know that he will move heaven and earth to protect those that he loves.
Erin: sigh. Absolutely!
Pamk258 Says: Now if he has a since of humor, a loving personality and nice rear I am good to go lol.
Mariska Says: i fall for a hero that smart, has a very good sense of humor, have a kind heart !
Erin: Well if the front is anything to go by, I’m pretty certain that rear is a work of art. 🙂 And yes, yes, yes to the sense of humor!
Carol L. Says: I love the cover. Rory sounds like a hero I’d like to know better. Have to put these two books on my TRL. I enjoyed your post Erin.
Erin: Why thank you. If you read HAUNTING BEAUTY and HAUNTING WARRIOR, drop me an email and let me know what you think. I love talking to readers. Of course if you hate them . . . please forget my name, ha ha.
Sherri M Says: I fall in love with heroes who are tough when they need to be, kind to women and children and animals (compassionate?) , has a sense of humor, protective and honest.
Erin: A man with integrity and humor is the perfect recipe
Mitzi H. Says: What makes me fall in love with the Hero???….Well, if I base it on the series I’m addicted to after 10+ years….
Erin: Okay, Mitzi, you gotta tell us what the series is. I want to be sure I’ve read it. 🙂
Maureen Says: For me, it’s his actions that are important. I like it when a hero tells himself that the heroine is nothing but trouble but then he ends up on her doorstep kicking himself.
Erin: Yep, I love that too! I love when he’s thinking “I’m not going over there.” And then in the next page he’s on her doorstep.
Tracey D Says: he does not allow his physical flaws hold him back. I read one book where the hero was blind but that never stopped him from protecting and lovin’ his woman!
Erin: I think I read that one too—Black Dagger Brotherhood?
Linda Style Says: I can’t wait to read Haunting Warrior!! I love wounded warriors who can rise to the challenge!! Great cover, too.
Erin: Thank you, Linda! I hope you’ll think the inside is worthy of the cover!
Thanks to everyone who stopped by and commented today! You all made me feel so welcome!
I can’t wait to read Haunting Warrior!! I love wounded warriors who can rise to the challenge!! Great cover, too.
What makes me fall in love with a hero? He puts others before himself without hesitation. Also, he does not allow his physical flaws hold him back. I read one book where the hero was blind but that never stopped him from protecting and lovin’ his woman!
For me, it’s his actions that are important. I like it when a hero tells himself that the heroine is nothing but trouble but then he ends up on her doorstep kicking himself.
What makes me fall in love with the hero? Hmm, that is a tough one. I think the man has to be a “real man”, but yet be sensitive to the woman when called for. In other words, a tough guy that has a soft side. The hero needs to also have a sense of humor–and be sexy!! Hey, it doesn’t hurt. *L*
What makes me fall in love with the Hero???….Well, if I base it on the series I’m addicted to after 10+ years….I’d have to say the Hero is a leader or a (Man’s man) and a ruthless warrior when need be….Yet, he is also a passionate lover and loves to match wits with a strong woman. He is smart and has a great sense of humor. His family and duty always come 1st. And of course….he has a wonderful accent….hehehe.
i fall for a hero that smart, has a very good sense of humor, have a kind heart !
I fall in love with heroes who are tough when they need to be, kind to women and children and animals (compassionate?) , has a sense of humor, protective and honest. I’d love to read Rory’s story!
I love the cover. Rory sounds like a hero I’d like to know better. 🙂 Have to put these two books on my TRL. I enjoyed your post Erin.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
sounds like my kind of hero flawed but determined to do right by his women. Now if he has a since of humour, a loving personality and nice rear I am good to go lol.
I love a hero that is a protector.
You just know that he will move heaven and earth to protect those that he loves.
Haunting Warrior sounds like a great book. I look forward to its release in May.
Gigi
Other than physical attractiveness, I fall for intelligence, capability, integrity and sense of humor.
I can see why you fell in love with Rory. He sounds like a awesome hero. I love the cover!
Wow what a cover . This sounds like an awesome book . no wonder you fall in love with your characters. I am adding this to my reading pile Yum!
I like the details you gave on Rory….makes me want to read more! I like those not so perfect heroes who are a bit tough on the outside, and warm on the inside. They keep you guessing and usually makes for a page turning story.
I love a warrior who can be strong yet vulnerable at the same time. Don’t we all want our men to bare themselves so we can share their burdens like we want them to do for us?
I think I fall in love with a hero for the little things that he does for the heroine, (the big things too). I like them alpha male usually, bad boys too, but they have to treat their women right.
lexeetoste at sbcglobal.net
Hi, Erin! Congratulations on “Haunting Warrior”. Rory sounds devine! My favorite heroes are those who are rough, tough, gruff and have a core of inner kindness. At heart, I am a feminine, romantic woman. I respond to men who are masculine and courtly. They may be bad boys, but they still remember that their mama raised them to respect women. Soon as I find one of those fellas, I’ll let you know : )
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
I agree with the last commenter — I’m especially fond of imperfect heroes. But I melt for the ones who are intense and love the heroine without question.
It’s funny — when I’m asked to list a favorite hero, it’s usually the one in the book I’m currently reading (unless he’s a dud) because I tend to get somewhat emotionally involved in whatever I’m reading.
~Lindy
I like heroes who aren’t perfect, the ones who have flaws just like me. The sexiness doesn’t hurt either.
Oops, hit send too fast. Regarding my comment about it being book 2–it is a stand alone story so you don’t have to read the first book to “get” the second. I just like to know if there are others in a series so thought I’d mention it.
Valerie (from Germany!) I’m with you. I love that “can’t live without her” drive in a hero too. sigh….
Kathleen, Pam and Darkvanlla, mucho thanks. I hope you’ll give Rory’s story a read. (BTW, in case you didn’t get this, it’s book 2 in a series that started with Haunting Beauty which came out in August). 🙂
Amber, you are so nice! Thank you very much! Coming for a fellow author, and a very talented one to boot, that is a great compliement!
Hi Erin! I am a huge fan of your descriptions. I’m REALLY looking forward to Haunting Warrior. 🙂
Oooh this looks like a great book!!! Looking forward to reading it 🙂
I absolutely love the premise of Haunting Warrior. I will be adding it to my TBR pile fer sure.
Love & Hugs,
Pam Keener in PA
Hi Erin,
Looking forward to reading Haunted Warrior!!
I fall in love with the hero who is totally in love with his heroine and wants her with every fibre of his being.
He can be scarred, an alpha jerk, uptight, broody, but the heroine brings out the best in him and he falls for her….hard!!! Sigh!!!!!
Valerie
in Germany
Billie Jo and Wendy–thanks so much. It makes me do happy dances all over the place when I hear that someone loved Haunting Beauty. I really hope you think Rory’s story is even better. 🙂
Deanna, I agree–he always has to be good to a woman (and animals).
A hero is always good to a woman…he can be lost, confused,etc.but he is always kind. Violence toward women is not in his makeup.
Hi Erin
I fell in love with Haunting Beauty and I am really looking forward to Haunting Warrior!! I guess my hero would be generous, humorous, a dark hunk of handsome, a real sense of values.
Congrats on your new upcoming release!!
Wendy
Hi Erin, I love heroes with principles and being good looking helps. You books sounds wonderful
I look forward to reading these books
Hey Erin!!!
Ohhh I can’t wait for Haunting Warrior. Haunting Beauty is a fabulous book.
I love a strong hero with a great sense of humor, but I also like him vulnerable to a degree….sigh
Billie Jo
Hmmmm, a mustached principled hero with a sense of humor. Well Rory has two of the three. 🙂 No mustache this time, although Grant, hero in Echoes, had a mustache.
I fall for a hero who is kind, considerate and has a sense of humor. It also helps if he has a moustache as that is icing on the cake, lol.
Your new release sounds compelling. A hero with principles, conviction and compassion attracts me every time. I am old fashioned and feel that these attributes are important in life.
Erin I am looking forward to reading both of these books. I love anything that has to do with Ireland…
Thanks for being on Romance Junkies today.. Always a pleasure to hear about your books..
Hi Erin. Rory sounds like my kind of hero. Love the cover. 🙂