PostsGuest post by Karen Erickson + Giveaway
I am very happy to welcome back to Ex Libris the lovely Karen Erickson, who is celebrating the release of , the second book in her Lone Pine Lake series published in Entangled's Bliss line and the sequel to the heart-warming and wonderful ! In today's post Karen shares with us the musical inspiration/soundtrack for and by leaving a comment you could win yourself a copy of !
Thank you, Stella for having me on the blog today! I always love hanging out here.
When I was writing , my second book in the Lone Pine Lake series, the story just poured right out of me. This doesn’t always happen but when it does, I feel like it’s a gift. And with Cam and Chloe’s story, that gift was fueled by music.
I don’t always listen to music when I write. Sometimes it works, sometimes it becomes distracting…sometimes I use visuals for the characters, sometimes I don’t. Yes, I’m confessing there is no set method to my writing madness. I’m sort of all over the place with every book (I’m sure every editor I have would cringe if they read this – HA).
The music I listened to for was fueled by a playlist that’s actually pretty short. I had it on repeat and let me tell you, every single one of those songs spoke to me. Let me share with you the ones that really hit home the most.
You Could be Happy by Snow Patrol – this song hurts, people. The lyrics are painful. And it makes me think of the black moment between Chloe and Cam…gaaaah. Here’s a lyric sample:
This song is about regret and longing for the one person he let go. Thankfully, Cam smartens up. I mean come on it’s a romance book. I’m not going to end it on a bad note!
I have two songs by the band Stateless on this playlist: Prism#1 and Bloodstream. I discovered Bloodstream a couple of years ago thanks to Pandora. I especially love the chorus:
It fits for both characters. Chloe’s always wanted Cam and Cam’s never wanted Chloe until now so…yeah. Once they start spending so much time together, they can’t get enough of each other. This song (both of the songs by Stateless) conveys that emotion.
Anyone heard of the band Toad the Wet Sprocket? Yeah, bizarre band name, I know. Their music makes me think of being in college (totally showing my age here). One song I always, always loved is called Walk on the Ocean. And even though this book is nowhere near an ocean, I feel like the melancholy words totally fit the book (specifically my grumpy Cameron) well.
You see he hates being back in his hometown. It stifles him. His family makes him crazy though really, they’re so supportive of him and he just can’t see it. He has total middle child syndrome. He’s the moody Jan from the Brady Bunch (if Cam were a real person I think he would take total offense to that description).
Here’re lyrics that I love from Walk on the Ocean and in my head, it refers to how much Cam dislikes where he grew up but doesn’t appreciate the big, bad city either. The song refers to a simpler time and being in a simpler place.
Eventually Cam gets it that his hometown isn’t so bad after all.
There are a few other songs. I’ve shared my Spotify playlist below. I can listen to this short playlist and be instantly transformed back into Chloe and Cameron land. I hope you enjoy them!
I don’t always listen to music when I write. Sometimes it works, sometimes it becomes distracting…sometimes I use visuals for the characters, sometimes I don’t. Yes, I’m confessing there is no set method to my writing madness. I’m sort of all over the place with every book (I’m sure every editor I have would cringe if they read this – HA).
The music I listened to for was fueled by a playlist that’s actually pretty short. I had it on repeat and let me tell you, every single one of those songs spoke to me. Let me share with you the ones that really hit home the most.
You Could be Happy by Snow Patrol – this song hurts, people. The lyrics are painful. And it makes me think of the black moment between Chloe and Cam…gaaaah. Here’s a lyric sample:
You could be happy and I won’t knowBut you weren’t happy the day I watched you go
And all the things that I wished I had not saidAre played in loops till it’s madness in my head
This song is about regret and longing for the one person he let go. Thankfully, Cam smartens up. I mean come on it’s a romance book. I’m not going to end it on a bad note!
I have two songs by the band Stateless on this playlist: Prism#1 and Bloodstream. I discovered Bloodstream a couple of years ago thanks to Pandora. I especially love the chorus:
I think I might have inhaled you
I can feel you behind my eyes
You’ve gotten into my bloodstream
I can feel you flowing in me
It fits for both characters. Chloe’s always wanted Cam and Cam’s never wanted Chloe until now so…yeah. Once they start spending so much time together, they can’t get enough of each other. This song (both of the songs by Stateless) conveys that emotion.
Anyone heard of the band Toad the Wet Sprocket? Yeah, bizarre band name, I know. Their music makes me think of being in college (totally showing my age here). One song I always, always loved is called Walk on the Ocean. And even though this book is nowhere near an ocean, I feel like the melancholy words totally fit the book (specifically my grumpy Cameron) well.
You see he hates being back in his hometown. It stifles him. His family makes him crazy though really, they’re so supportive of him and he just can’t see it. He has total middle child syndrome. He’s the moody Jan from the Brady Bunch (if Cam were a real person I think he would take total offense to that description).
Here’re lyrics that I love from Walk on the Ocean and in my head, it refers to how much Cam dislikes where he grew up but doesn’t appreciate the big, bad city either. The song refers to a simpler time and being in a simpler place.
And somebody told me that this is the place
Where everything’s better, everything’s safe
Eventually Cam gets it that his hometown isn’t so bad after all.
There are a few other songs. I’ve shared my Spotify playlist below. I can listen to this short playlist and be instantly transformed back into Chloe and Cameron land. I hope you enjoy them!
Book #2 in the Lone Pine Lake series
The girl next door never looked so good...
For Cameron McKenzie, Chloe Dawson has always just been his younger sister Jane’s best friend—a pesky annoyance who followed him around and acted like he hung the moon. It isn’t until Jane’s wedding to her firefighter beau Chris that Chloe reappears in his life…and she isn’t pesky or annoying anymore. In fact, the beautiful Chloe tempts him beyond reason. But Cam knows he’s damaged goods—not nearly good enough for Lone Pine Lake’s resident good girl.
Chloe’s always dreamed of a future with the dark, brooding Cam, and after they share an explosive kiss, she wonders if her dream could be coming true. Cam’s never stuck around his hometown for long, though, so she makes him an offer: one sweet summer romance with no strings attached. This good girl’s ready for an adventure…one that just might end up lasting a lifetime.
Bestselling romance author Karen Erickson writes what she loves to read — sexy contemporary romance and sensual historical romance. Digitally published since 2006, she currently writes for Samhain Publishing and Carina Press. A native Californian, she lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children.
Where you can find Karen:
GIVEAWAY: RULES
Karen has generously offered an ebook copy of , the first book from the Lone Pine Lake series to a lucky commenter!
To enter just leave a comment and tell Karen a current favourite song you’re listening to over and over!
Giveaway is open worldwide and ends on 4 May 2013!
Good luck!
