CALIA. QUINN

Hey there! *waves awkwardly while probably spilling coffee* I'm Calia Quinn, and I write the kind of dark romance that keeps you up way too late and makes you question your life choices... in the best possible way.

Would you believe I started my writing journey as a painfully shy librarian who spent more time reorganizing the romance section than actually helping patrons? (Sorry to anyone who visited the Cedar Rapids Public Library circa 2019!) But those quiet hours surrounded by books sparked something in me that I couldn't ignore. I'd spend my lunch breaks scribbling story ideas on the backs of overdue notices, dreaming up characters who were everything I wasn't – bold, daring, maybe a little dangerous.

When I finally worked up the courage to write my first novel, 'Closer to You,' I poured all those years of behind-the-scenes observations into creating Dove's world. There's something magical about small towns like Hollow Hills, where everyone knows everyone's business... except for those deliciously dark secrets lurking just beneath the surface. I mean, who doesn't love a mysterious twelve-night party at a legendary manor? (Spoiler alert: it's not exactly your average garden party with cucumber sandwiches.)

I write for readers who love their romance with a heavy dose of psychological tension. You know those moments when you're screaming "DON'T GO IN THERE!" at a horror movie? That's the feeling I'm going for, except you'll definitely want my characters to go there. My stories live in that gray area between light and shadow, where good people make questionable choices and bad people might just steal your heart.

These days, when I'm not torturing my characters (lovingly, I promise!), you can find me wandering through old bookstores in search of vintage gothic romances, attempting to train my rescue cat Princess Morticia to stop stealing my plotting sticky notes, or baking unnecessarily complicated desserts at 2 AM because that's when all my best plot twists come to me. Fun fact: The infamous party scene in 'Closer to You' was outlined entirely on the back of a failed tiramisu recipe.

I believe the best stories are the ones that make us uncomfortable in all the right ways. You know that feeling when you're reading something and you have to stop to stare into space for a few minutes because WHAT JUST HAPPENED? That's my sweet spot. I want my books to be the literary equivalent of that first sip of too-hot coffee – you know it might burn, but you can't help going back for more.

To my readers (yes, all forty of you who've rated 'Closer to You' – you're the real MVPs!), thank you for joining me on this journey. I promise there's so much more darkness to come. I'm currently working on my next book, which may or may not involve a cursed music box, a possibly haunted greenhouse, and a love interest who definitely shouldn't be trusted. (My mom's already worried about this one, if that tells you anything.)

If you pick up one of my books, expect: - Small towns with big secrets - Slow-burn tension that'll make you want to throw your e-reader (please don't) - Characters who are beautifully, tragically flawed - Gothic vibes with a modern twist - Endings that'll haunt you (in a good way!) - And maybe, just maybe, a happily ever after... but you'll have to work for it

Come hang out with me on Instagram (@CaliaQuinnWrites) where I post way too many pictures of my cat, share snippets of works in progress, and occasionally poll my followers about which character should suffer next. I also have a newsletter where I ramble about everything from Victorian murder mysteries to my latest baking disasters, with some exclusive content thrown in for good measure.

Remember: Life's too short for boring books. Let's get weird together. 🖤