What’s an independent woman to do when the ex-boss stalking her turns out to be a homicidal werewolf?

Head to the Isles of Scilly of course.

The Islands have a starring role in a spicy paranormal romance.

New novel Beyond the Beast tells the story of Taite Gibson, an independent investigator with the Pima County Attorney’s office in Tucson, Arizona.

When she finds herself with a maniacal stalker on her trail - a stalker who is also a werewolf - she flees to Scilly to seek the help of renowned horror novelist and werewolf expert Ryder Merrick.

What she doesn’t know, and discovers only after she’s fallen in love with him, is that Ryder is also a werewolf.

It’s a recipe for some hot action.

ScillyNews caught up with the book’s author, acclaimed erotic novelist Sherrill Quinn.

‘It’s sort of a Wuthering Heights meets The Wolfman, but with a happy ending,? she says.

‘The main plot is the heroine being stalked by a werewolf, but there is a sub-plot involving drug smuggling, using the area’s history as a smugglers’ haven. There is action, adventure, suspense and, of course, romance.?

The novel, which is awaiting publication, started out as a short story called Past Land’s End which took place on a fictional island off Cornwall.

‘I have always been fascinated with the legends of werewolves and making the hero one just seemed natural,? she says.

‘As the story evolved, Ryder Merrick became a loner who has isolated himself on an island because he’s afraid of what he could do.

‘The fictional island wasn’t working for me, so I jumped on the Internet and began to do some research, and came across the Isles of Scilly. Perfect!?

Sherrill, who grew up in Ohio but now lives in Arizona, spent 20 years in human resources before starting a second career in erotic romance in early 2005.

Her first book was published in February 2006 and she had a further 11 under her belt by the end of the year.

Although she has never been to the Islands and did all her research on the web, the 44-year-old says she would love to visit in the future.

Check out her website at http://www.sherrillquinn.com