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 Eden Maguire

We asked Eden Maguire, author of the Beautiful Dead series, to take 5 minutes out of writing her new series Dark Angel and answer some questions

• There's a lot of paranormal fiction out there at the moment. What inspired you to write this series and what do you think it is that makes it stand out from the masses? 

Inspiration for the Beautiful Dead series - yes, it's a popular genre, but I hardly ever read competing paranormal titles. In fact, I've only ever read one - Wuthering Heights, written by Emily Bronte almost 200 years ago, where the ghost of Cathy comes back to haunt and torment Heathcliff. (BWB note: Bella and Edward eat your heart out!)

I wrote Beautiful Dead simply because I'm fascinated by the idea that people who have died in mysterious circumstances might be able to return to the world to seek out justice. It's pure fantasy of course - or at least I think it is. I don't actually believe in seances and getting in touch with dead people.

Beautiful Dead stands out from other current paranormal romance because of the time limit I incorporated into each plot. The Beautiful Dead have only twelve months back here on earth - the 'far side' as they call it. It's a ticking clock. If our human heroine, Darina, can't solve the mystery of their deaths in twelve months, they're torn away from this earth and condemned to an eternity in limbo.

• If you had to pick 5 songs as a playlist for the Beautiful Dead series, what would they be and why?

Laura Marking - 'I Speak Because I Can'

Noah and the Whale - Everything on their 'First Days of Spring' album

Adele - 'Rumour Has It' and 'Set Fire to the Rain'

Leonard Cohen - 'Tower of Song'

• According to your bio, you've been travelling around the world to loads of different locations. Which part of the world was it that inspired you to write this series?

I travel to find ideal locations. It can be as close at hand as the wild Yorkshire Moors, or as far as Colorado and the Rockies - which is where I set this last series of books. There's a deserted barn and tiny, falling-down farmhouse which is only accessible on horseback. The second I set eyes on this place, standing on the banks of a winding creek, surrounded by forests and mountains, I knew it was a perfect setting for a book.

• Which do you prefer, Vampire Diaries or Twilight and why?

As I said, I never read paranormal romance, so I can't choose between Vampire Diaries and Twilight. The reason is, I'm scared of being too much influenced and turning my own books into copycats of the others.

If you have any questions you'd like answering about Eden's books, head on over to our facebook page. The top 5 questions for Eden will WIN a full set of Beautiful Dead books. Competition closes 4pm Wednesday 29th June 2011.

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