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/
This does look amazing I hope toread it.
Thanks so much, Debra. Really glad you think so.
I’m so eager to read How To Heal A Life. I loved How To Save A Life and I can’t wait to see what happens with Seth and Vargas. I’ve heard other authors say how much music means to them during the writing of their stories. Great songs on the playlist.
It’s always a pleasure when Sloan stops by. Thank you for helping us celebrate our 5th anniversary!
Me too. I can’t wait. How to Save a Life was so good. I think I’ll re-read it before I go into How to Heal a Life, it will give me some nice night time reading 🙂
It’s great to have a soundtrack for a book or a series so it’s good to see what people like for writing or for reading.
Thanks again for having me on the blog, Kazza. It always means a lot to me that you and Cindi ask me to be a part of your special celebration. Congratulations again on five years! Thank you both for all your hard work.
Thank you, Cindi. So pleased to help you celebrate your anniversary. Congratulations! And thanks so much for the kind words about How to Save a Life. I hope you enjoy the new one as well.
Happy Anniversary, OTDU, and thanks for the playlist, Sloan. I agree that music enhances emotion. I haven’t read this series yet, but it sounds like a great one to start.
Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out the playlist, Purple Reader. So glad you think the series sounds good.
Congrats on your upcoming release! It sounds like a fantastic story. I’ve placed it on my wishlist =)
Thank you, H.B. I hope you enjoy How to Heal a Life if you get a chance to read it.
More is the best mmm menage I’ve ever read and I loved Matthew so much but I haven’t read How to Save a Life. I know it’s got Walter from More in it so I have to catch up because How to Heal a Life sounds awesome. 🙂
Thanks for the soundtrack. I’d sure listen to that when reading esp with Jason Mraz, James Arthur and Sam Smith singing. *Sigh. <3 <3
Thank you, Dee. That’s so lovely to hear about MORE. I’m honored. Can’t wait to share more with those boys. Glad you think the new book sounds good too. I hope you enjoy Walter’s story if you get time to read that one.
I love Sloan Parker’s books. I’ve been looking forward to Seth and Vargas’ story!
Thanks so much, Jennifer. That’s very kind of you to say. I hope you enjoy Seth and Vargas’s story.
I’m really looking forward to reading this new book! Congratulations! And Happy 5th Anniversary to TDU!
Thanks, Heather. Really appreciate you checking out the post, and I sure hope you enjoy How to Heal a Life if you get a chance to read it.
I am sooooo looking forward to Seth and Vargas’ story! I’m rereading How to Save a Life now, so that I’ll be ready – can’t wait!!!
Aw, that’s so nice to hear, Jen. Thank you for sharing! I hope you’re enjoying your re-read and I hope you like the new book too.
That is an excellent soundtrack. I’m in LOVE with that Sam Smith song. Also, I haven’t read How to Save a Life yet and I have no idea how that happened. So I’d love to win a copy. 🙂 Thank you so much!
Hi Krista. I love that song too. Thanks for checking out the playlist and taking the time to comment. Hope you like How to Save a Life if you get a chance to read it.
I really enjoyed the playlist & look forward to reading How To Heal A Life. 🙂
Thank you so much, Barbra. Really hope you enjoy the new book.
I have been looking forward to this book coming out for ages! Cannot cant to read it and now I have a perfect playlist for background music. Thank you Sloan Parker for your artistry.
Aw, you’re very welcome, Christie. Thank you for taking the time to share. It makes me feel so good to hear that readers are looking forward to this one.
The series looks wonderful. I love playlist and I love that authors take the time to put one together and share it with readers. Congrats on your upcoming release =)
Thank you, HB. Really happy to hear you think the series sounds good. I so loved writing this one.
Some of my very favorite songs are part of this play list. A few new ones to me too, so bonus! I’m really glad I came across this post and very much looking forward to starting this series. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Peaches. Thanks for stopping by to check out the post and giveaway.
Thanks for the post and sharing your play list. How to Heal a Life sounds amazing.
Thanks so much, Jen. Thrilled you think the new book sounds good.
Congrats on your new release, Sloan. Thanks for sharing the awesome playlist, too. It really adds to the story as you’re reading it and thinking of those songs. Looking forward to How to Heal a Life. 🙂
Thank you, Lisa! If you get a chance to read How to Heal a Life, I sure hope you enjoy the story.
This giveaway is over. Thank you to Sloan Parker for joining us for our 5th blog anniversary. Thanks to everyone who took part and congratulations to Peaches for winning an e-copy of How to Save a Life and a $25.00 gift card.