Blog-Versary Author Post & Giveaway: The Music of a Love Story, Sloan Parker

The Music of a Love Story by Sloan Parker

A big thank-you to Kazza and Cindi for having me on the blog to help celebrate On Top Down Under’s fifth anniversary. Congratulations on another year with the blog! Thank you for all the time and energy and love that you both put into the site.

Today I thought I’d give everyone a “musical” sneak peek at my upcoming release How to Heal a Life.

I love listening to music. I love songs about love and passion and the journeys people take in life. I love the way music enhances emotion, whether that’s in movies, TV, real life, or when I’m working on a novel.

I’ve gotten in the habit of putting together a playlist for each of my stories. When I’m working on the book, I’ll often hear a song that has me thinking about my characters, their interactions and conversations, or even their love scenes. Those are the songs that get added to the playlist. I’ll find myself going back to that list and listening to the songs over and over again throughout the course of the project.

I don’t write with music on, but I do love the way music highlights the emotion and drama of the story I’m telling. Sometimes when I’m driving in the car, I’ll hear a song that takes me right back to the story and helps me to daydream about the character’s lives, to play around with their scenes and dialogue, or to just get excited about writing more of their story.

Listening to the songs on my playlist allows me to feel connected to the characters and their journey in a deeper way.

I also love sharing the playlists with my readers. Below are the top songs for my upcoming release HOW TO HEAL A LIFE and the official blurb for the story.

How to Heal a Life – Coming October 24th

Seth Fisher has been to hell and back, but he has no intention of letting the torment of his past destroy his future. He thinks he’s doing good. He’s working again, talking, laughing, living. But everyone else still sees him as broken.

Except for one man. Raymond Vargas.

If only Seth could leave his apartment alone without a panic attack, then he could prove to everyone he’s going to be okay. And he could tell the one man who has never let him down that he wants him.

Raymond Vargas has spent the past two years trying to make up for what happened to six young men who were tortured at the hands of a member of his club. He’d do anything to keep them safe, to help them heal and move on, to help them forget they ever set foot inside the Haven.

If only he hadn’t fallen in love with one of them.

If only Seth wasn’t still in danger.

Playlist for the Book

These are the top songs that really hit home for me when I think about the initial doubt and fear and the incredible chemistry and love both Vargas and Seth feel.

Fight Song by Rachel Platten – This is definitely Seth’s song.
Something Beautiful by Tori Kelly –The words of this one could be from Vargas to Seth.
Rise Up by Andra Day
Who You Love by John Mayer (ft. Katy Perry) – Definitely the part about the dreams!
Collide by Howie Day
Stay With Me by Sam Smith – Even the line “this ain’t love” is fitting because poor Seth doesn’t want to get his hopes up in the beginning.
I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz
Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur – All of the lyrics aren’t a perfect fit, but the ones that are sure make me think of their love.
Can’t Help Falling in Love by Haley Reinhart
Make You Feel My Love (Glee Version)

Hope you enjoyed getting a look at some of the songs that move me when I think of Seth and Vargas’s love story and each of their journeys in How to Heal a Life.

Giveaway

For the giveaway, Sloan Parker is offering one winner a $25 e-gift card to Amazon and an ebook copy of How to Save a Life (The Haven Book 1). The winner will be drawn after midnight, Oct 22nd US EST and will be contacted within 24 hours – please contact us within 48 hours or another winner will be picked (check your spam folder.) Thank you for taking part and good luck!

About Sloan Parker

Award-winning author Sloan Parker writes passionate, dramatic stories about two men (or more) falling in love. She enjoys writing in the fictional world because in fiction you can be anything, do anything—even fall in love for the first time over and over again. Sloan lives in Ohio with her wife and their neurotic cats. Her greatest moments in life are spent with her family, her friends, and her characters. To contact Sloan, find out about her books that are available for purchase, and read free stories, visit: http://www.sloanparker.com/