Books and Playlists

While you read, do you listen to music? 

I listen to music while I write. I create playlists and radio stations for each novel. I jot down the major songs that really stick with me.

For those readers who enjoy it, I try to share those playlists soon after the book is released. Just another fun way for readers to connect to the characters. By no means is this a way of endorsing a particular music artist or album, but just trying to add to the experience of the story and characters.

As a reader, do you appreciate when authors share their playlists?

A quick search on YouTube for popular book series reveals there are literally hundreds of custom playlists created by readers and fans. Crossfire Series for Sylvia Day, the Twilight series for Stephanie Meyer, and The Iron Fey series from Julie Kagawa all have fan-inspired playlists.

I’ve always enjoyed it when the authors I love create one for their novels. I feel like I connect to their tone/theme better.

It's a lot of work, but so worth it to me.

For Prince of Solana, there were several songs that really struck a chord with me while I wrote.

I incorporated those into my own personal playlist. Feel free to listen and enjoy!

Chapter 1 –  On The Long Way Down by Robert Delong

Chapter 2 – Vide Cor Meum by Patrick Cassidy

Chapter 3 – RedHands by REVO (Walk Off the Earth)

Chapter 4 – Who You Love by Katy Perry & John Mayer

Chapter 6 – Howl by Florence & The Machine

Chapter 7 – My Fault by Imagine Dragons

Chapter 8 – Sweet Disposition by Temper Trap

Chapter 13 – I’m Sending You Away (Oblivion Soundtrack)

Chapter 16 – One Last Night by Vaults

Chapter 19 –Undimmed by Time, Unbound by Death (Oblivion Soundtrack)

Chapter 20 –Demons by Imagine Dragons

Chapter 21 –Insatiable by Darren Hayes

Chapter 22 –When A Heart Breaks by Ben Rector

Chapter 24 – Fearful Odds (Oblivion Soundtrack)

Chapter 25 –New Mexico by Edward Shearmur

Chapter 26 –Iridescent by Linkin Park

Chapter 27 –Raven Rock (Oblivion Soundtrack)

Chapter 28 – Cut by Plumb

Chapter 30 – Sail by AwolNation

Chapter 31 –Secret by Ocean Lab

Chapter 32 –Waking Up (Oblivion Soundtrack)

Chapter 33 – You Can’t Save Her (Oblivion Soundtrack)

Chapter 34 –Heart of Courage by Two Steps From Hell

Chapter 35 – Warriors by Imagine Dragons

Chapter 37 –Gravity by Sara Bareilles

Chapter 38 – Kissing by Bliss

Pumpkin Everything by Kimmie Easley

My name is Kimmie, and I am a self proclaimed Fall junkie. When people pass around the memes making fun of 'Pumpkin Everything', I wholeheartedly believe they are directing it towards me. And I am A-OK with that, because that means I'm one step closer to my favorite time of the year!

Yes, I am perfectly aware there is still a month left before it's actually fall. However, that's one of the Fall junkie symptoms. Do I ask my family if it's ok to burn pumpkin scented candles in late July? No. Do I ask them if it's ok to fill the candy dishes with candy corn? No. Do I care if I embarrass them in the store by squealing the first time I see the colors orange and black lining the aisles? Or when I hear the costumes stores are open? Nope.

They've learned to love me through it, particularly because there is no chance of my being rehabilitated.

The smell of spice, pumpkins, and apples lighten my mood. 

The creativity of costumes and decorations make  me feel young again, even for a short time. 

The family meals warm my heart like no other time of the year. 

And let's not forget about the first time you step outside and feel the crisp morning air. You know Fall is on the way, and from that moment on you drink your coffee on the patio.

As I sit with my A/C on high, and drink cold ice tea instead of coffee while my pumpkin candles burn in the background, I thought I'd share with you some of my musings that make me excited to be a Fall junkie and keep me motivated and on my author game.

A SAUCY HALLOWEEN PLAYLIST

VINTAGE 

  

MOVIES

CREATIVITY

    

YUMMIES

So, yes. As some are dreading the loss of summer and will miss swimsuits and amusement parks, I shall be bouncing around the house in anticipation. Of course, shorts and flip-flops are year round in this house, so some things will always refuse to change with the weather. 

What are you looking forward to as the seasons change?