Q: Where did you get the idea for The Eternal Ones? Have you always been interested in reincarnation?

A: I’ve been fascinated by reincarnation for decades. I won’t go so far as to call myself a believer, but I do think it would explain quite a few of life’s little mysteries—déjà vu, child prodigies, unusual phobias, and love at first sight to name just a few.

Haven’t you ever found yourself longing for a place you’ve never been—or drawn to people you’ve only just met? I’m pretty sure most of us have. Maybe there’s a “logical” explanation, but if so, no one’s uncovered it yet.

Q: Haven travels to many amazing places, but at heart she’s a girl from Snope City, Tennessee. Why did you decide to set part of The Eternal Ones there? What about Haven’s Southern background makes her unique?

A: I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina, just a stone’s throw from fictional Snope City, Tennessee. (I borrowed the geography of my hometown for this book, but little else. Unlike Haven, I had a fabulous childhood.) I’ve been in New York for many years now, but I remain a proud Southerner, and I’ve been hankering to set a book in the South.

I chose to make Haven Southern for one simple reason. Southern girls are tough. Even the ones with perfect nails and pretty hair. Maybe it’s the lasting influence of Scarlett O’Hara—or something they put in all that iced tea—but a Southern girl will keep fighting long after everyone else has given up and gone home. I’d like to think Haven Moore has that kind of moxie.

Q: Do you believe in love at first sight?

A: Not only do I believe in it, I’ve experienced it. Although I’m not sure about the “sight” part. For me, it was a certain accent that did the trick.

Q: You’re also the author of the acclaimed Kiki Strike series. What can fans of Kiki look forward to in The Eternal Ones?

A: The Eternal Ones is a romance, but it’s every bit as strange as the Kiki Strike books. I doubt teen and adult Kiki fans would want standard fare. And I don’t think they’d expect it from me. I’m the kind of lady who likes my romance mixed with snake handlers and sinister secret societies. The Eternal Ones is a pretty twisted tale, and I think older Kiki readers will love it.

Q: You live in Brooklyn. Does The Eternal Ones feature any of your favorite NYC haunts?

A: New York is a character in all of my novels. As far as I’m concerned, my city is the most magical place on earth. I love all the spots here that make you feel like you’re stepping back in time. Washington Square Park and the Washington Mews. The colossal apartment buildings that surround Central Park. They’ve all captured my imagination at one time or another. I’ve been getting to know Brooklyn since I moved here about a year ago. Much of the borough looks exactly as it did in the 19th century. So expect it to pop up in one of my books very soon.

Q: Who are your influences as a writer?

A: The list of authors who’ve inspired me is too long to include. But my two biggest influences have always been my parents. They’re responsible for most of my bizarre interests and crazy ideas. My mother knows the best ghost stories and will talk about reincarnation for hours. My father is an endless source of weird historical facts. So I guess you could say that my strange books are the products of both nature and nurture.

Q: What do you like about writing for teens?

A: I love that teens (and tweens in the case of Kiki Strike) aren’t afraid to show their enthusiasm. If they love a book, they really REALLY love it. And they’ll hunt you down and tell you so. (Which is great to hear when you need a little encouragement.)

Q: What would you ultimately like people to take away from their experience of reading The Eternal Ones?

A: I’m not sure there’s a moral to the story. Hopefully it will inspire a few readers to approach life with open eyes and open minds. But more than anything, I just want everyone to have a darn good time.

Praise

“Miller delivers a smart and sinister tale of romance and destiny that…elevates the supernatural romance well beyond typical fare.”

--Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Miller is adept at humorous description. Her keen eye for detail and Haven’s bold maneuvers keep the tale humming along.”

--Kirkus

“If you are looking for a novel filled with mystery, suspense, intrigue, and romance, look no further.”

--VOYA

“Deeply and irresistibly romantic with twists and turns that will keep you guessing. A hauntingly beautiful novel.”

--Melissa de la Cruz, author of Blue Bloods