It’s a while since I did a Musical Monday post but I simply couldn’t resist this week.
This week I want to talk about the Princess Diaries. I had no idea the Princess Diaries movie was 20 this week until the weekend and let me just say I LOVED that movie. I’m not sure if I thought it was older or younger. In fact, I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen it and I’ve also lost track of how many Meg Cabot books I’ve read.
I’m pretty sure I’ve read all her adult books – I love them – and she was definitely an inspiration for me when I started writing. She writes sweet, sometimes sexy books about fun female characters who are usually a little bit awkward and out of their depth. The kind of books I enjoy reading. Her male leads are usually pretty tolerant guys, which these ladies need. I’ve fashioned a few or my heroes on similar types of men. I especially loved the Heather Wells series and the Queen of Babble. Last week I read No Offense her latest release, after not having read any of her books for a while and it was a delightful escape.
Ask any writer and I’m sure most of them will tell you they have a bit of a fantasy of having their books made into movies. Lots of us even cast our books. I know back when I published Mr Right and Other Mongrels I dreamed of Hugh Jackman and Rose Byrne heading the cast.
It’s hard to imagine anyone dreaming up a more perfect movie casting than The Princess Diaries – come on Julie Andrews as a Queen, Anne Hathaway was brilliant and Hector Elizondo was amazing!
The Princess Diaries works because it’s the ultimate Cinderella Story, but as much as anything, it’s about the character of Mia growing into herself as anything else.
This is the perfect mother-daughter movie or sleep over movie or just a movie to cheer you up, and we all need that from time to time.
I’ve played this song a lot over the years. Probably way more than my husband and daughter have appreciated, but I love it and I do believe miracles happen, sometimes… if you believe.
It’s a while since I did a Musical Monday post – sorry if you’ve missed them. I’ve been on a crazy writing jag and honestly I haven’t even listened to much music lately. I tend to listen to music in my car, but due to isolation and weeks of writing at home, I haven’t been in the car much so music hasn’t been on my mind much.
Last week, however, we drove our daughter back to university in Canberra. We’re very lucky Australia is (while not perfect by any strecth) doing better with COVID than a lot of places and the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) where her university is hasn’t had any cases for a while. Anyway, the point is we took a road trip and after 3 months of having her home our girl is back at college.
A few songs were played…in fact she put together a playlist entitled something like
“Songs to play in the car so mum doesn’t cry.”
Let me tell you that was so sweet of her because she is an absolute sweetheart – but people I cried several times. I could cry for Australia I’m so good at it, especially if I’m feeling sentimental!
Instead of that playlist – because I’m feeling nostalgic – I thought I’d share some songs that remind me of my daughter.
This song – I christened The Serial Killer song back when it came out – because who else collects hearts in a jar? We always have a laugh when we hear it in the car.
I love this song and I love a musical. I’m constantly disappointed people don’t break into song as they walk down the street – this is probably actually lucky for me – I can’t sing. Anyway, if there’s a musical I can go see then I’m in. I love Wicked and my girl and I have seen it together. (I have seen it without her as well because even though it’s hard to remember I did have a life before her – as she grows up and moves away I need to remind myself of that right? ).
I think everyone changes us – particularly our families.
Finally, this is a sweet song that gets me every time – about the dreams we have for our kids – by Kasey Chambers and Keith Urban. (My husband and I try to get tickets to see a concert at Taronga Zoo every summer and we were lucky enough to see Kasey Chambers there a couple of years back and it was fabulous)
Anyway this song sums up a lot about my journey as a parent as the mother of a miracle! (That line “even doctors can’t explain – that’s me and it reminds me to be grateful every time I hear it.)
Happy Musical Monday (I’ll be off having a litttle cry now).
I’m the queen of the earworm. I was just singing one of my regulars and my husband said “you haven’t had that one in a while”. Some people have recurring dreams (Me as well) and I have recurring earworms.
Here’s the song in question – I’m pretty sure he wanted to leave me the week I watched the movie Dumplin’ on Netflix. I’m not known for singing the whole song of even getting the words right. Let’s be honest – I annoy myself. Anyway, you’re welcome my friends.
I don’t know that I would describe myself as an optimist but I sure do try and get up in the morning and find the joy in my day. Right now I’m feeling good about my book like. I’m part of a box set – Romancing the Holidays – that comes out Nov 1 but you can pre-order it now and it’s doing pretty well. I also have a new cinnamon bay novella out for Christmas – A Christmas Arrangement – and it’s also on pre-order so I’m on track for my 2019 goal of releasing 12 books this year.
Meanwhile, just like everyone I have things going on in my real life that give me pause. That of course influences my “musical stylings”. Who are we kidding I have no musical style. I like what I like and that’s that.
I’m known for my ability to cry in any situation and I just had a cry to this song. I don’t know if music helps or hinders my ability to cope some days but music definitely touches us in ways nothing else does. I just heard this one and had a good cry.
Still I’d rather have a happy ear worm than a sad one. I haven’t got the time or the enrgy to be crying all the time. Cryings is nothing if not exhausting so I’ll leave you with my happy earworm that stays with me if I hear it on the radio. Fun fact I’m not a big Justin Beiber fan but I love everything he does with Ed Sheeran.
Every book in the series is named after a song title. Why did you choose this song for your book?
I actually started out by googling songs that were about mistaken identity, and I Thought It Was You by Herbie Hancock came up. I’d never heard it before, but instantly loved it. It seemed like it would suit a cheesy cruise, but it is also a very cool song for its time. I’ve heard people say Daft Punk must have used him for inspiration.
What song(s) are you currently listening to/loving and why?
I hardly get a chance to listen to my own music lately, because my boys hog Spotify at home and in the car. Thankfully, I don’t mind their taste. My eldest finds a lot of great experimental dance music (because he wants to be a DJ when he’s older) and my youngest loves rock and acoustic stuff (because he wants to be a rock star when he’s older!). One of my favourite songs at the moment is The Comedown by Ocean Alley. We all just saw them at Bluesfest in Byron Bay this year, and I love that a part of that song reminds me of the soundtrack in Labyrinth (my favourite movie as a kid).
Do you have a go to karaoke song?
Haha – yes! I lived in Japan for a year and went out to karaoke all the time with the English teachers I worked with. I always choose Just Lose It by Eminem. I’m not good at it, but it’s fun to pretend I can rap. For something a little more melodic, I sometimes choose All That She Wants by Ace of Base, or I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor.
If you had to choose your theme song what would it be?
Emotional Rescue by The Rolling Stones. I don’t know about the lyrics, but it is a very cool song to strut around to!
Circle in the Sand is out now – now – download your copy today and don’t forget to read the whole Oceanic Dreams series!
1. Every book in the series is named after a song title. Why did you choose this song for your book?
My book didn’t have a title. I hadn’t even considered one yet. One day while making dinner I had my Google Mini playing me an 80s playlist. “Circle in the Sand” by Belinda Carlisle came on. I had her cassette tape (yes, cassette tape) and loved that song. It just felt like the perfect title for my Oceanic Dreams book.
2. What song(s) are you currently listening to/loving and why?
I am always listening to James Arthur. I love his song “Say You Won’t Let Go” and his newest, “Falling Like the Stars” is like a follow up to it. I am also obsessed with “Dynasty” by MIIA and most songs by NF. I don’t usually listen to Ariana Grande but I really like her new one “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored.”
3. Do you have a go to karaoke song?
Um, no. I don’t do karaoke. Well, I shouldn’t say that. I would do karaoke in my parent’s basement with only a few people around. They have a big karaoke collection. I don’t have a specific song I sing, though.
4. If you had to choose your theme song what would it be?’
Right now I would have to say “High Hopes” by Panic! At the Disco. I honestly have heard the song so much that I tend to change the channel now when it comes on. But I love the message and it’s very relatable.
In the second of our Musical Monday posts with authors of the Oceanic Dreams series let’s chat with Holly Kerr, author of I Saw Him Standing There. Every book in the series is named after a song title. Why did you choose this song for your book?
I picked I Saw Him Standing There by Tiffany. Yes, I know it was originally a Beatles song, but Tiffany was talking about a boy and I’m an 80s girl at heart! I actually had a different song title that I was going to use but there’s a bit in my book about Siggy watching Will standing in the lounge that I like and one day the Tiffany song came up on my playlist and it just fit.
What song(s) are you currently listening to/loving and why?
I’m currently loving the new Shawn Mendes song, If I Can’t Have You and the Ed Sheeran/Justin Bieber I Don’t Care. But I keep going back to the soundtrack of The Greatest Showman – just love it!
Do you have a go to karaoke song?
I haven’t done karaoke in a long time, but I think I’d go with ABBA or maybe Dolly Parton. I’ve been listening to a lot of Dolly lately and I think I could pull off Here You Come Again.
If you had to choose your theme song what would it be?
Dancing by Myself. Because that’s what I do! Give me an empty kitchen and some loud tunes, plus a glass of wine and I’ll all set!
This stowaway sets sail for love! Small-time con artist Siggy needs to get out of town fast. When she’s offered tickets on the legendary Oceanic Aphrodite, Siggy jumps at the chance to get away. A week on a luxury cruise ship, with a suitcase full of clothes and all expenses paid? Yes, please! The only catch is that she has to pretend to be someone else.
No problem. Siggy has no intention of getting close enough anyone to discover her secrets.
But this is the Oceanic Aphrodite and love is in the air. When Siggy sees assistant cruise director Will taking tickets, Cupid’s arrow hits the target. Luckily, Will’s too busy smiling at her to check out her fake passport because he’ll toss Siggy off the ship if he finds out about the scam.
Onboard, dolphins and cameras and runaway ferrets bring Siggy and Will together. The more time they spend together, the more Siggy wants to tell him the truth.
Cupid’s arrow has struck deep but can Siggy stop running? This novella-length romantic comedy is the first book in the Oceanic Dreams series
Books in series: I Saw Him Standing There by Holly Kerr Time of My Life by Laura Heffernan Circle in the Sand by Tracy Krimmer I Thought it Was You by Kirsty McManus I Will Follow Him by Holly Tierney-Bedord Take a Chance on Me by Delancey Stewart Shut Up and Dance With Me by Monique McDonell The Best of You by Sophie-Leigh Robbins
Every Book in the new Oceanic Dreams series I’m a part of is named after a song – let’s get to know Holly Tierney Bedford author of I Will Follow Him, Book 5 in the Series.
Every book in the series is named after a song title. Why did you choose this song for your book?
I Will Follow Him perfectly describes what’s happening in my book. I almost went with Private Eyes by Hall & Oates but changed my mind at the last minute.
What song(s) are you currently listening to/loving and why?
Quite a few! Sometimes I get in a rut where I literally listen to one song, over and over again, for days or weeks. Lately, though, I’m listening to a variety. Here are some of them:
Riptide by Vance Joy (what a great video!)
Motion Sickness by Phoebe Bridgers
Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Wish I Knew You by the Revivalists
Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People
lots of different songs by the Lumineers
lots of old songs by Stevie Nicks (I never get tired of her)
Do you have a go to karaoke song?
I’ve only sung karaoke a time or two as part of a group. I’m really better off being a spectator.
If you had to choose your theme song what would it be?
That changes on an hourly basis, but right now I’ll go with Live in the Moment by Portugal. The Man
I Will Follow Him there is available on pre-order be sure to get your copy here
It’s release week for Laura Heffernan’s Book Time of My Life, Book 2 in the Oceanic Dreams Series so the authors are running this giveaway. Be sure to enter
Musical Monday with Australian author Joanne Dannon
Thanks to Monique for inviting me to her Musical Monday blog.
I love music and dancing but my favourite music is jazz and swing. I’ve always had a thing for songs by Gershwin and Berlin. It must be the romantic in me.
As an author, I’ve always written the books I want to read, rather than “writing to market”. I don’t write a book and use a trope simply because it’s popular and everyone else is doing it.
I love the “opposites attract” tropes for my books, because it happens with love. When you fall for the person you don’t expect to. Often we have preconceived notions of who we want to be with, and sometimes the person that makes us believe in love is the person we least expect it to be.
At the time of writing Kissing under the Spotlight, Michael Bublé was in Melbourne and I went to his concert (of course!!) and it made me think…what would happen if I met him? I’d probably dissolve in to a pool of giggles and act like a complete tosser around him because I’m a huge fan.
I used that as the basis for my book. What would my heroine do if she came face to face with the world famous singer she has a major crush on? And ta-da, I wrote the book which has a fairy-tale ending.
And because all awesome women need a fab BFF, I gave my heroine a friend. But at the end of the book, I couldn’t let my characters go…so I wrote another book, and then more after.
I have book one of my Kissing Down Under series for free, and I hope you download and enjoy this romance between a superstar and an ordinary gal (like you and me).
If you like handsome crooners, then Kissing under the Spotlight is for you. Here’s an excerpt –
“Yes. We agreed our kiss was a mistake—”
He snorted. “I never said it was a mistake.”
The speech continued, with rapid vagueness. “Well, whatever. You’re Alex Jackson and I’m Violet McKenzie. You’re a somebody and I’m a nobody. You’ve got gazillions of women falling over themselves to be with you.” She paused. “Which I get, who wouldn’t? Plus you’re a great kisser. But we come from different worlds and we should keep it that way.”
His brow arched. “You think I’m a great kisser?”
Her eyes widened to the size of a small planet. “Um.” She cleared her throat a couple of times. “Well, yes.”
Kissing under the Spotlight is free for a limited time, and the second book in the series, Kissing like she means it, is on sale at $0.99 (instead of $3.99).
Note – these books are not sweet and have a 3/5 heat rating.
About Joanne Dannon
Best selling, award-winning Australian author, Joanne Dannon, writes to give her readers the experience she loves to savor–indulging in a sigh-worthy-happily-ever-after, being swept away from the everyday by diving into a delicious romance novel.
Joanne is a happily married mother of two heroes-in-training who loves spending time with friends and family. She can be found on Facebook and her website www.joannedannon.com chatting about reading, writing, cooking, vintage-inspired dresses and all things romantic.
My name is Cheryl Wright, and I write mostly contemporary and historical western romance, but also write contemporary small-town romance.
My books sometimes feature singers in them, and the reason for that is easy – as a teenager, I was a singer.
It all started when I was about eight years old. I used to sing around the house all the time, and one day, while visiting my grandmother, she mentioned to my mother that I should be on Brian and the Juniors – a popular television show in Australia at the time.
It featured young children, and Brian was the host.
My mother organised for me to audition. And I was accepted but we were told all potential Juniors had to do lessons first.
For months we trudged down to the studio using two different trams, as well as a long walk. I felt as though nothing was happening except my parents were paying for lessons for no reason.
We stopped going there and instead looked for a local singing teacher. She was brilliant.
After several lessons, she arranged for me to appear on the radio – a boon at the time (1960’s) – and was asked back several times. I also appeared on talent shows on the television.
But best of all, my wonderful teacher was able to get me into stage shows as well as bistros where live entertainment was featured.
I had a spot most Saturday nights for some years, mixed in with stage show work.
I was even partnered up with a young man for awhile, but that didn’t go anywhere because he wasn’t particularly interested in being part of a duo.
In addition to all this, I did quite a bit of charity work, entertaining at centres for people with disabilities once a month. I was told it was the highlight of the month for many of them.
I took dancing lessons for a while – because my teacher wanted me to learn how to move better on the stage. It definitely helped.
I loved the life, loved the people.
It was such a buzz, and something I’ve never forgotten, even after all these years. (I’m now 62.)
I learned to play piano, as well as guitar. The piano lessons sadly died away, but I still play guitar.
All of this was great fodder for my books, and when I began a new contemporary western romance series, The Callahan Brothers, I needed a cover story for my heroine who was running for her life.
Being a singer was perfect. She could move from town to town without arousing suspicion. I totally understood all the things that went on in that world, so was able to portray them in a very realistic way.
You can read Missy’s story in The Cowboy’s Sweetheart.
Missy O’Reilly isn’t the trusting type. After being almost killed, she’s been on the run for several months. Moving from town to town was the only thing she could do to keep safe.
She has the evidence, and her stalker wants to destroy it along with her…
Rory Callahan is fascinated by the newcomer to River Valley, Montana. The moment he clapped eyes on her he was smitten. Little did he know she was hiding a deep dark secret. One that might get her killed. Or if he hung around long enough, he might also be in the firing line.
Convinced he’s met his soul-mate, will Rory be able to convince her to stay? And exactly what is the mysterious secret she’s been hiding?
I also featured a singer in one of my romantic suspense novellas, Deadly Debt.
Felicity Montgomery couldn’t be happier. Her music career is starting to take off and because of her new way-too-sexy manager, her love life is too. But she’s being watched. Every second of every day.
Derek St James knows Felicity is meant for the stage. She has the kind of charisma that captures people’s attention, and his heart. But a man he can’t control is after Felicity and will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
Felicity’s stalker sees her every move. He’s listening to every word. He is obsessed to the point of breaking into her apartment – even when she’s there. Felicity must find a way to get out from under the evil force that threatens to ruin everything before it’s too late.
This book lends itself to far more behind the scenes situations. The sorts of things that really happen in the music industry, but most people know nothing about.
I get a real buzz from writing stories for readers to enjoy, and love when I can put my own personal experiences into my books.
Thanks for spending some time with me today. I really appreciate it.
Find Cheryl on Social Media
Links:
The Cowboy’s Sweetheart: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07786G9R7/
Deadly Debt: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7QR21B/
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/cherylwright
Cheryl’s Website: http://cheryl-wright.com/
Cheryl’s Blog: http://romance-authors.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cherylwrightauthor/
I tried to think of a song to sum up the year and it’s hard to go beyond Seasons of Love from RENT. (Also when is RENT coming back to the stage in Australia it was awesome?) After all, kind of like me the song measures the year in love and cups of coffee.
This year has been a really mixed one for me in terms of both life and writing. It hasn’t been catastrophic, and I am well aware I lead a very fortunate life, but just like everyone some years are harder than others and this one has been a bit of a slog.
Let’s start with the not so great writing-wise. I had some plans for some collaborative projects that I was excited by this time last year that fell through – one was a multi-author book and the other was a box set that got cancelled. I was excited by the prospect of not working alone so much, because being an indie author can be pretty lonely. In the end those projects falling through taught me a valuable lesson that I’m often better off on my own working at my own pace.
I had a target to release a certain number of books in 2018 and I didn’t reach it. In fact I only released three books in 2018 under my name and two under a pen name. That was disappointing and the result of a tough day job that left me no time for anything creative at the end of the day. To be honest i felt out of sorts and like I was swimming through mud from about February onwards.
So when I think about my writing goals for 2019 I think of this song.
So moving on what went well? No one wants to dwell on the negative.
I released the Something to Sing About, from the Jewel Sisters Series just before New Year last year and yesterday I finished the third book in that series Something to Savor so it will be out in February and the final book Something Worth Saving will be out in March.
I released two books in the new Courtside Romance Series in July and November with two more to come in early 2019.
The highlight of the year was definitely the release of Any Way You Like It, the final Book in the Upper Crust series. I had a great time with the unicorn themed promotions and the book was really well received. Let’s be honest completing an 8 book series is no mean feat. I did a whole playlist for the book which was fun but this Ed Sheeran song most encapsulates Dave and Tasha’s story and the whole experience of writing the book for me.
So 2018 was also a fantastic year for me in terms of new opportunities and professional development
I was chosen to write a book for the No Brides Club Series for Sweet Promise Press which I’m super excited about. It did give me a collaborative experience which I had been looking for. I also joined a group of authors and we established the Coffee Talk on the Boardwalk Facebook group. We’re releasing a series in 2019 and we’ve had a lot of fun with readers naming elements of the town Cinnamon Bay where the stories will be set.
In July I was in Washington DC for my day job and I hopped over to Denver to visit a friend and meet up with fellow authors attending the RWA (Romance Writers of America). I was able to meet up with the awesome authors who were present from the ChickLItChat Facebook Group for dinner and the next night I met with Melissa Storm the Publisher from Sweet Promise Press and some awesome sweet romance authors.
In November I was in LAs Vegas for the 20Booksto50k writers conference and I met lots of amazing and inspiring indie authors there. I made some great connections with people I plan to work with and collaborate with moving forward as well as gaining lots of knowledge on how to better market my books – now I just need to implement it all. Finally in December Laura Chapman, a fellow chicklit author was in town and we spent a glorious day talking all things books.
And I just worked out I read in excess of 200 books in 2018 – okay even I’m blown away by that!
So what lies ahead for 2019?
You may not know this about me but I do love a plan. I don’t always stick to my plan but I do like to start out with one. My plan for 2019 is to release a book a month between now and September. The books include for starters a Valentine Novella, No Time For Temptation for the No Brides Club – out January 25th! The last two Jewel Sisters and Courtside Romance novels will be next and then my Cinnamon Bay novel for the Coffee Talk on the Boardwalk series.
I’m really excited about the year ahead. I’ve quite my day job and will be looking at new things work wise in 2019. Hopefully I’ll have a little more balance and creative energy.
I’m keen to explore dictating my books so that I can walk and write – You can’t write a book a month, work, run a family and exercise any other way – or I can’t anyway.
I’m looking to aim high in 2019. What are your plans? Goals? Aspirations?
We started with a show tune so I figured we’d go out with one. Happy New Year. Thanks for reading and best wishes for a fabulous 2019.
Grab your copy today 
Every book in the series is named after a song title. Why did you choose this song for your book?
