Today, I am welcoming author Laura Kaye to Book Savvy Babe. Laura is on tour promoting her new release, In the Service of the King. This is a vampire romance novella, and a hot, good read! (Read my review) With that, I am turning the blog over to Laura, who is sharing her Musical Inspiration with us today! Be sure to stay tuned after the post for a GIVEAWAY!
The Musical Inspiration for In the Service of the King
I’m very excited to be here at Book Savvy Babe celebrating the release of my dark paranormal romance, In the Service of the King, the first in my new Vampire Warrior Kings series with Harlequin Nocturne. Set in Northern Ireland, the story features a vampire king and his human offering at the feeding ceremony the king loathes but requires to maintain his immortality and humaneness.
Music has always been one of the biggest inspirations behind my writing. For every story, I’ve compiled a playlist of songs that have helped inspire the atmosphere, dialog, and characters.
In the Service of the King came out so fast, though, I didn’t have time to pull a playlist together. The idea for the story came to me while driving home one night from an urgent care center. I felt like crap and had horrible bronchitis, and by the time I got home it was midnight and everyone was asleep. But driving always relaxes my mind and lets the creative juices flow—and it was true that night. By the time I got home, the story was so alive in my head, I started writing, churning out the first twenty pages by the time I went to bed at 3:30.
So, long after the fact, I finally got around to putting together a playlist, because I like to share the “musical feel” I perceive behind a story. Here it is:
So, what do you think? Any particular likes on the list? Any new-to-you songs?
Thanks for reading, and listening!
Laura Kaye
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About In the Service of the King
Book 1 in the Vampire Warrior Kings Series
Harlequin Nocturne Cravings
Kael, Warrior King of the Vampires, loathes the Night of the Proffering. He needs the blood of either his mate or a human virgin to maintain his strength, but hasn’t enjoyed the ritual since he lost his mate centuries ago. Kael doesn’t want a new companion, yet his resolve is tested when he lays eyes on his new offering, Shayla McKinnon. He is drawn to Shayla’s beauty and poise…and the submission she offers. She is eager to give him anything he wishes, including her innocence, to please him. Will Kael give in to their overwhelming desire–even if it means risking Shayla’s life?
About Laura Kaye
Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of a half-dozen books. Hearts in Darkness is a finalist for the EPIC eBook Award for Best Novella, Forever Freed won the NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best Paranormal of 2011, and North of Need, the first book in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, was named GraveTells’ Best Book of 2011 and won their 5-STAR Gold Heart Award, and won Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
To celebrate her new release, Laura is giving away one e-copy of In the Service of the King at each stop on her New Release Tour, 1/30 – 2/15! In addition, all commenters from across the tour will be entered to win a prize bag filled with swag and various vampire items, perfect for the vampire lover! (contest at Book Savvy Babe open through the Feb. 15 at midnight)
RULES: Must leave e-mail address & if from U.S. in comment. Ebook prizes open to international; prize bag to U.S. only.
Note: Please leave your actual email in the comment/ text section. You can break it up to prevent spammers, ex: booksavvybabe AT gmail DOT com So, what do you all think of Laura’s playlist? I love the playlist, especially Paramore’s “You are the Only Exception.” What about you? Comment away! Thank you so much Laura for stopping by today!
February 8, 2012 at 7:34 am
Can not wait to read your book. Thank u
February 8, 2012 at 7:51 am
I’m listening to The Fray as I type this! (Love them). How cool to have an inspiration while driving then crank out 20 pages of it that night despite being sick! Very impressive.
February 8, 2012 at 7:54 am
Loving the playlist.. and looking forward to reading the book. Always love finding new books!!
CassMartino AT gmail DOT com
February 8, 2012 at 7:57 am
Yay! Thanks to Leslie and Jennifer for kicking off the comments! Thanks guys!
February 8, 2012 at 8:20 am
I love that playlist! Thank you so much for sharing. The blurb of your new book sounds so very intriguing. I love paranormal romance. I have added your book to my TBR list and can’t wait to read it.
Thanks Book Saavy for hosting! I love your blog!
Happy Reading and Writing,
Laurielu
Bona Fide Reflections
February 8, 2012 at 8:26 am
Great music choices. Love the playlist. My favorite is Only Time by Enya. I can listen to that song over and over. I can’t wait to read In The Service Of The King to see what happens between Kael and Shayla. Thanks for the blog tour. It’s been a lot of fun.
Joanne B (US)
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
February 8, 2012 at 8:36 am
I like Enya; the songs are so lyrical & haunting but I’m afraid that’s the only song on the list that I recognize. *oops* I don’t listen to music much, usually only when I’m driving – to keep me awake!
Can’t wait to read the book! I’m sure it’ll make the top of all lists/awards too.
thumbelinda03(at)yahoo(dot)com
(International)
February 8, 2012 at 8:42 am
@Cassandra – yay! Nice to meet you!
@Laurielu – thanks for adding me to your list!
@Joanne – there was a time I was totally addicted to Enya, and I still love her music
@Linda – no worries, Linda!
And thanks for such positive prognostication! LOL
Thanks for all the comments everyone!
February 8, 2012 at 8:52 am
I totally went through an Enya phase too…. she has a very calming style
February 8, 2012 at 9:19 am
Laura,
Congratulations on your new release! I love your voice and stalk you everywhere now (in cyberspace only)!!! =D
Seriously though, your playlist rocks. Paramore and Fray are two of my favorite bands. Sara McLachlan has an incredibly soulful voice, and now I’m wondering if I’m going to feel some of that emotion from your vampire king?!
I look forward to reading In The Service of the King.
ReneeRearden(at)yahoo(dot)com
February 8, 2012 at 9:23 am
I also love Paramores The Only Exception, and it seems to fit the book great. Laura I have enjoied your playlists for your books, I often assiciate music with books so it is fun to see you do too!
eyesofblueice (at) gmail (dot) com
February 8, 2012 at 9:27 am
Thanks for sharing the “musical feel” behind your story! It’s always interesting to know what the author was listening to (if anything) when writing. Love Paramore’s “You are the Only Exception”!!! Great choices!
yadkny AT hotmail DOT com
February 8, 2012 at 9:33 am
I like all the songs listed. Paramore and Sarah are my favorites. They seems like they fit in perfectly.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
February 8, 2012 at 9:40 am
Thanks, Lexi and Yadira, that song really gets to me, too!
February 8, 2012 at 9:58 am
Ooo great songs! I always wonder how authors can write with lyrics going on in the background. I can’t do a review unless there is some sort of instrumental or silence. The music will get me in the mood but I have to turn it off when the writing starts!
Also, I’ve been looking for a music player to imbed in my wordpress posts, so this was not only entertaining, but educational! Thanks BBB! <3 *Grin*
*jets off to add Maroon 5 songs to the Book Boyfriend post*
davincikittie (at) gravetells (dot) com
February 8, 2012 at 1:01 pm
@Renee – don’t know how I missed your post earlier! Thanks for stalking! LOL I dare say yes, yes you’ll feel the passion you hear in Sarah’s voice. Hope you agree!
@DVK – Playlist.com is very easy to use. Hope it works for you. The only limitation I’ve found is that not every song I’ve ever wanted to include in a playlist has been uploaded, so occasionally I find myself having to make do without a song I’d like to have. But it’s not usually too many.
Thanks for the comments, guys!
February 8, 2012 at 1:06 pm
I am with DaVinciKittie, I can’t see how authors can listen to music with lyrics when writing. I can’t read or type anything like that with music playing if it has words, too distracting to me.
I can’t wait to read this book! I love the idea of the Profferered, a great, unique concept. Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy of this book!!!
June
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
February 8, 2012 at 1:11 pm
I really really want to read this book! I’ve heard so many good things about it. As for me, I can’t write while listening to anything. too distracting too
yohinachan2000 at gmail dot com
February 8, 2012 at 3:30 pm
I love Enya but I really enjoyed The Only Exception by Paramore! Cool music list. No surprise, Laura, that you pumped out the book so quickly. Great authors can do that!
books4me67 at ymail dot com
February 8, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Great playlist! I love Enya and that is my all time favorite Sarah McLachlan song.
mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com
US
February 8, 2012 at 7:10 pm
I recognized three of the four and I must say that Enya is great for the Irish feel. Love me some Billy Joel! I would like read the story now to see how these match up in my mind.
Enjoyed the playlist!
sophiarose1816@gmail.com
US Resident
February 8, 2012 at 7:27 pm
Sarah MacLachlan is one of my fave artists. In The Service of the King sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway.
asiancocoa94 at aol dot com
February 8, 2012 at 7:39 pm
This one is on my wish list so fingers crossed!
I loved the play list, especially Paramore. I usually like to have music in the background when I’m writing or doing other things, especially cleaning. LoL
readingbetweenthewines10@gmail.com
US
February 8, 2012 at 7:40 pm
I enjoyed the playlist. Thank you for sharing. I’m trying to follow the tour, In Service of the King is definitely a have to read book.
February 9, 2012 at 8:14 pm
I forgot to add my email
I’m in the US
luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com
February 8, 2012 at 9:11 pm
Great playlist! I liked the songs.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
USA
February 9, 2012 at 4:11 am
Great playlist. I love the Fray and Paramore. Thanks for the giveaway.
autumnflower6(at)aol(dot)com
US Resident.
February 9, 2012 at 6:18 am
GREAT playlist, Laura! I LOVE Sarah McLachlan. Sorry to hear you were sick (at least physically, lol!) when you first started pounding out this story…guess a little ‘fever’ didn’t hurt the creative process any, huh?
barbbattaglia @ yahoo.com
February 9, 2012 at 6:27 am
Really enjoying reading our comments, guys, and glad you’re finding songs you like on the list. I don’t usually listen to music while writing, but definitely while driving, etc., and it often helps me work out scenes, realize new things about characters, and so forth. There are certain songs that come to embody a story for me, and from this playlist, it’s The Fray’s Say When.
Good luck, everyone!
February 9, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Yeah, I’m sitting here, tapping my foot and nodding my head. I like the list!
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
February 11, 2012 at 9:58 am
I love playlist when I am reading a book and I usually come up with a few myself. I love the Fray. Perfect song!
The book sounds great! I just got North of Need. This is next on my MUST read list!
Mary
mary_reiss @ hotmail.com
February 14, 2012 at 9:39 am
I’m a fan of many of the songs or bands on that playlist. Often when I read to a book I like to connect songs to it
February 15, 2012 at 10:17 am
Woot! Glad you guys enjoyed the playlist! I’ve enjoyed all your comments!