Shira Anthony's Blog - Posts Tagged "classical"

Taking a break from finishing my review of the Prelude galley to post a bit about the music in the novel. And boy is there a lot of music in this novel! More than any of the other Blue Notes Series books, by a long shot.

Prelude is probably the most music-centric book of the entire Blue Notes Series, and that's due in no small part to the character of Alex Bishop, the crossover violinist who jars conductor David Somers out of his complacement and lonely life. Alex is just as much at home playing the Dvorak Violin Concerto as he is improvising on the Rolling Stones or offering up his own take on classic jazz. Interested in taking Prelude for a listen? Click here for links to YouTube vids of the music (scroll down to the "Extras" tab).

There's a lot of music in Prelude that's entirely in my (and David Somers's) imagination. And that's the real focus of the novel: David's deep emotional connection to music. When David feels something, his feelings are often accompanied by music (his own). David associates people with particular melodies. And when David meets Alex, the melody that he hears rocks his world.

Stay tuned for more excerpts from the book and for insights into David's unique musical connection. I'll also have more giveaways to celebrate the May 6th release! -Shira

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Summary: World-renowned conductor David Somers never wanted the investment firm he inherited from his domineering grandfather. He only wanted to be a composer. But no matter how he struggles, David can’t translate the music in his head into notes on paper.

When a guest violinist at the Chicago Symphony falls ill, David meets Alex Bishop, a last-minute substitute. Alex’s fame and outrageous tattoos fail to move David. Then Alex puts bow to string, and David hears the brilliance of Alex’s soul.

David has sworn off relationships, believing he will eventually drive away those he loves, or that he’ll lose them as he lost his wife and parents. But Alex is outgoing, relaxed, and congenial—everything David is not—and soon makes dents in the armor around David’s heart. David begins to dream of Alex, wonderful dreams full of music. Becoming a composer suddenly feels attainable.

David’s fragile ego, worn away by years of his grandfather’s disdain, makes losing control difficult. When David’s structured world comes crashing down, his fledgling relationship with Alex is the first casualty. Still, David hears Alex’s music, haunting and beautiful. David wants to love Alex, but first he must find the strength to acknowledge himself.

Now available for pre-order at Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3798&cPath=54_673

It's the weekend, and it looks like a beautiful one in North Carolina, too! Tomorrow's Mother's Day and my husband and kids are going to get herbs and flowers for my planters (quickly becoming an annual tradition at my house!) and officially welcome in spring and summer!

Quickie post just to remind you all of two things... First, I'm chatting today, Saturday 5/11/13 on the Dreamspinner Press Facebook page. I'll be sharing excerpts from the recently released Prelude and my WIP, Encore , as well. I'll also be running some fun contests and talking about sexy mermen shifters (yes, Stealing the Wind , the first book in my mermen/shifter series will be released in August or September!). Here's the link to the invitation: sign up and you'll receive a reminder before the chat! Or just show up at the chat.

Second reminder: Don't forget to comment on any of this week's posts to be entered into the drawings for a Blue Notes Series t-shirt of your choice (any cover including Prelude, subject to availability of sizes); a Prelude mouse pad; or an ebook copy of your choice of any of my Dreamspinner Press back catalog books (so anything BUT Prelude). Contest ends tonight at midnight (Saturday, May 11th), winners to be announced tomorrow! –Shira

PS: Prelude is now available at Dreamspinner Press and lots of other booksellers in both ebook and paperback (just got my author copies of the paperback and damn but that Catt Ford cover is gorgeous!). Want to read an excerpt from Prelude? Click on this link and scroll down to the excerpt tab. You can also read a different excerpt on Dreamspinner Press (same deal, scroll down and click the "excerpt" link.

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Summary: World-renowned conductor David Somers never wanted the investment firm he inherited from his domineering grandfather. He only wanted to be a composer. But no matter how he struggles, David can’t translate the music in his head into notes on paper.

When a guest violinist at the Chicago Symphony falls ill, David meets Alex Bishop, a last-minute substitute. Alex’s fame and outrageous tattoos fail to move David. Then Alex puts bow to string, and David hears the brilliance of Alex’s soul.

David has sworn off relationships, believing he will eventually drive away those he loves, or that he'll lose them as he lost his wife and parents. But Alex is outgoing, relaxed, and congenial—everything David is not—and soon makes dents in the armor around David's heart. David begins to dream of Alex, wonderful dreams full of music. Becoming a composer suddenly feels attainable.

David’s fragile ego, worn away by years of his grandfather’s disdain, makes losing control difficult. When David’s structured world comes crashing down, his fledgling relationship with Alex is the first casualty. Still, David hears Alex’s music, haunting and beautiful. David wants to love Alex, but first he must find the strength to acknowledge himself.

NOTE: Each Blue Notes novel is a standalone story and books in the series can be read in any order.

Want to buy the Blue Notes Series books? You can find them all here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=54_673

You know the expression, "It's a good thing?" No, I'm not particularly a Martha Stewart fan, but lately that's been my motto because my life seems about as full and busy as humanly possible! I love to joke around that authors don't exactly live the glamorous lives you might imagine. Most of my weekends are taking up by writing and doing the laundry. Sometimes, though, our lives really are a blast (and VERY hectic!). What I am up to this week? I'm about to burst because of all the cool (and I mean COOL) writer stuff I have on my agenda! (NO laundry in sight!)

First up, Bent-Con 2013 in Burbank, California! Bent is often called a "gay Comicon." It's my first, so I'll have to tell you if it lives up to its name. Dreamspinner Press and Harmony Ink Press (DSP's YA imprint) will have tables at the con. Some of the writers I know are attending: Lou Sylvre, Grace Duncan, E.M. Lynley, Rhys Ford, and Nessa Warin. We'll be staffing the tables, so stop by, check out the pretty books (because they really are GORGEOUS in paperback!), and pick up some swag. I've still go a few of my treble clef Blue Notes Series pens I'll be handing out. We love to meet and talk to readers, so even if you're not looking to pick up discounted paperbacks, just stop by and say "hey!"

Next up is Encore release day this Monday, November 11th! I'm SO excited for you all to get to know Roger Nelson and John Fuchs! Encore , the fifth Blue Notes novel, is chronologically the first. It begins in the 1970s, when Roger Nelson and John Fuchs meet in high school, and ends in the present day. The story of modern day star-crossed lovers, Encore is both a coming of age and, later, an adult romance.

Last, but not least, I'm putting the finishing touches on the manuscript for the second Mermen of Ea Series book, Into the Wind , which I'll be shipping off to the publisher by December 1st. If they chose to contract it, look for publication sometime around May of 2014.

With the release of Encore, I'll be starting a 6+ week blog tour to celebrate that release and the release of Symphony in Blue (Blue Notes holiday novella) that includes a grand prize drawing for a Kindle loaded with some of my books. Contest ends at midnight, New Year's Eve. You can enter more than once, and you can get more than one entry for tweeting and posting about the contest, too. I'll post a Rafflecopter link here so you can begin to rack up entries this Monday. Prizes include:


Grand Prize: A Kindle loaded with the first 4 Blue Notes Series books and some of my other back titles
1st Place: A sterling silver music themed necklace
2nd Place: Winner’s choice of one of my back titles in paperback (i.e., not including the 2 new releases)
3rd Place: Blue Notes t-shirt, cover of the winner’s choice


Note: Prizes are for U.S. winners, but I will provide alternate prizes to overseas winners!

Here's a list of the currently planned stops on the tour and the dates of each stop:

November 11th (release day – Encore): Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words (Melanie Marshall)

November 12th: Live Your Life, Buy the Book

November 14th: Michael Rupured’s Blog

November 15th: Joyfully Jay (Blue Notes Cover Art – Interviews with the Artists)

November 18th: Elin Gregory’s blog

November 22nd: Aisling Mancy’s blog

November 26th: Andrew Q. Gordon’s blog

December 6th: Oscar’s Bruised Petals (Sandra Gardia’s blog)

December 10th: Brilliant Disguise (Tali Spencer’s blog)

December 16th: Rebecca Cohen’s blog

December 20th: Purple Rose Teahouse (Charlie Cochet’s blog)

December 23rd: Mrs. Condits and Friends

December 27th: Helen Pattskyn’s blog

Enjoy the rest of your week, and stay tuned for Encore on Monday, right here! Want to read an excerpt from Encore? Click here. You can pre-order Encore at Dreamspinner Press by clicking here. Be well! -Shira

Encore release day! I'm over at Melanie Marshall's "Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words" blog today to start off the Encore and Symphony in Blue Blog Tour! Symphony in Blue (December 25th release date) is my 10th Dreamspinner Press release, so I'm celebrating the release of both books with a great blog tour contest!
The Blue Notes Series contest ends on New Year's Eve. You can enter each day, and you can earn more entries for commenting, tweeting, and Facebooking. Special extra entries if you purchase books, too. Here are the prizes:


Grand Prize: A Kindle loaded with the first 4 Blue Notes Series books and some of my other back titles (and a few other Dreamspinner Press authors' books)




 


1st Place: A sterling silver music themed necklace


2nd Place: Winner’s choice of one of my back titles in paperback (i.e., not including the 2 new releases)
3rd Place: Blue Notes t-shirt, cover of the winner’s choice

You can enter the contest here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Encore , the fifth Blue Notes novel, is chronologically the first. It begins in the 1970s, when Roger Nelson and John Fuchs meet in high school, and ends in the present day. The story of modern day star-crossed lovers, Encore is both a coming of age and, later, an adult romance. I hope you enjoy the story. -Shira

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Blurb: A Blue Notes Novel

Cool kid violinist Roger Nelson doesn’t give a damn about anything. Wannabe conductor John Fuchs is awkward, effeminate, and just figuring out he’s gay. Despite their differences, they become friends—then lovers—and after college, they try to make it work. But it’s the 1970s, and Roger can’t bring himself to admit he’s gay. Worse, after his brother is killed in Vietnam, Roger tries to live up to his memory and be the perfect son. Then after suffering one tragedy too many, he makes the biggest mistake of his life: Roger pushes John away.

Through the years, they dance around the truth and in and out of each other’s lives, never quite able to let go. Twenty years later, Roger still carries the pain of losing his dream of a brilliant career with him, while John is a superstar conductor with a wild reputation. John’s off-stage antics get him plenty of attention, good and bad, though deep down, he wants only Roger. Finally determined to hold on to what really matters, Roger asks John for another chance, and when John panics and runs, Roger has to convince him to listen to his heart.

NOTE: Encore is chronologically the first book in the Blue Notes Series and a great place to start if you've never read the other books. All Blue Notes novels are standalone books that can be read in any order.

You can purchase Encore at Dreamspinner Press by clicking here.

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Dissonance

Reblogged from Book Suburbia.

Thanks, Sophie, for hosting the Dissonance cover reveal! There’s nothing quite as fun as showing off a brand-spanking-new book cover. Even better when it does a perfect job of capturing the feeling of the story. Dissonance, the latest installment in the Blue Notes Series from Dreamspinner Press, may be one of the angstiest of all the Blue Notes books. It’s a story of betrayal, heartbreak, and rising above your past to find hope in the future.

British noble Cam Sherrington puts on a good show, pretending he isn’t still grieving the end of his relationship with opera singer Aiden Lind. Of course, Cam has nothing to complain about, since he singlehandedly destroyed that relationship by cheating on Aiden again and again. Nobody likes a cheater, especially the cheater himself. Cam doesn’t know why he cheats, but he knows he’s a worthless piece of garbage. And it’s not as though anyone disagrees with him, either, if his mother and uncle are any indication.

Then Aiden calls to let him know he’s marrying his partner, attorney Sam Ryan. On Cam’s thirtieth birthday. And that’s just the beginning…. Before Cam can figure out what hit him, the rest of his life is in a shambles. Then the dreams start. Dark, frightening dreams. But if they’re only dreams, why do they seem so real?

Trumpet player Galen Rusk plays for tips in the 42nd Street Station in Manhattan, and he’s noticed Cam. When Cam stops to listen to Galen’s music, Galen takes a chance and tries to talk to him. But Galen’s music remains the only connection between them until Cam ends up sleeping on a cold subway bench. Then it’s Galen’s turn to pay forward the shoulder someone gave him ten years before.

Dissonance deals with some dark themes, but the message of the story is an upbeat one about learning to love yourself and finding your inner strength. By the end of writing the story, Cam totally won me over. I hope he’ll win you over too!

You can pre-order Dissonance on the Dreamspinner Press website now. And while you’re at it, be sure to enter the pre-release contest I’m running. You could win a cool Blue Notes Series swag bag filled with paperback books of the first 5 novels in the series (or ebook copies if you live outside the US). Here’s the link to the Rafflecopter giveaway: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/Y2YwYmE5NDkzMTY4MjgyZWNiMzcwNjVhODk2ZTBjOjQ=/

I’ll leave you with the blurb and an excerpt from Dissonance. I hope you enjoy it! –Shira

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Blurb: British lord Cameron Sherrington has hit rock bottom. The love of his life, opera sensation Aiden Lind, is marrying another man, and Cam knows it’s his own fault for pushing Aiden away. Then someone tries to set him up and take away his family business. Facing arrest by US authorities on charges of money laundering and with no money to return to London, Cam decides to run. But with no money and no place to stay, it’s not exactly the Hollywood thriller he’d imagined.

When Cam hears Galen Rusk play in a lonely subway station, he’s intrigued. But his assumptions about Galen are all wrong, and their unusual relationship isn’t exactly what Cam bargained for. Add to that the nightmares that dog him nightly, and Cam’s world is shaken to its core. Cam figures he had it coming to him, that it’s all penance due on a life lived without honesty. He just never figured he might not be able to survive it.

Buy Blue Notes Series books on Dreamspinner Press, Amazon,Barnes & Noble, and AllRomanceEbooks

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EXCERPT:

Cam cursed his love for Aiden as he wobbled down the concrete steps to the 42nd Street subway station. Riley had looked at him as if he were mad when he’d told her he was headed home. “Did I do something wrong?” she asked with the same pouty expression she wore on the rare occasion when her father refused to buy her something.

“Nothing,” he said as he’d reached for the doorknob. “I’m done. That’s all.” “At least let me call my driver to take—”

He’d refused. Seriously, did she think he wasn’t capable of taking a fucking subway after a few drinks at a party? It wasn’t even midnight.

He rubbed an eye with the heel of his hand. The damn telephone conversation replayed in his mind and grated on his nerves like Muzak at a cheap restaurant. He’d tried not to sound eager. Tried to sound nonchalant. He’d gotten good at that over the years. And then the brutal words had come. They’d seared his heart and left him dizzy. “Listen, Cam…. I need to tell you something. I don’t want you to hear it from the press…. Sam asked me to marry him, and I said yes.”

He needed to walk. He needed to clear his head. He needed to shout to the heavens and hit something.

Why in hell had he bothered to look at the phone? Easy: he’d prayed it was Aiden calling to tell him he wanted him back.

You’re a fucking loser, Cameron! Nobody wants you!

A memory stirred. Someone holding him. Ruffling his hair. Someone other than his father. Someone had wanted him. Cared for him.

Where the hell had that come from? He brushed it off and descended the steps to the Lexington Avenue train.

It was bad enough that Aiden thought he’d tried to sabotage his career. He did everything to make sure Aiden didn’t think he wasn’t interested anymore. He’d gone to the after-party following Aiden’s Met debut—of course he’d gone, his company had helped bankroll the production of Don Giovanni—and Aiden had been MIA. So he’d decided Aiden didn’t need to know he’d been there at all.

And then the phone call. Aiden hadn’t beaten around the proverbial bush. He’d said it. Honestly. Simply. Just the way Cam would have expected Aiden to say it. And suddenly Cam didn’t care if he fucked that hot little Broadway-bound arse. He no longer cared about the party or its hallowed attendees. He no longer cared about anything except the gaping, jagged hole the conversation had left in his heart. And now, fucking New York pigeons were setting up camp in the hole. Shitting in it.

He walked from the Lexington Avenue train toward to the S train platform. The achingly mournful sound of a trumpet echoed off the dirty tile walls. He hadn’t really noticed them before. The intricate mosaic artwork had probably taken weeks to complete. Decades before, it had probably been stunning, but now it was covered in a film of grayish-black soot and some of the tiles were missing.

How fitting. He looked around for the source of the music, noting the powerful smell of urine. Away from the turnstiles, a mound of blankets and a refuse-filled shopping cart occupied the far corner of the station. He guessed there was a human being under there, although he was hardly going to look. Beyond the automatic ticketing machines, he could just make out the form of a man holding a trumpet. The same man he’d seen playing at lunch. Maybe he lived in the subway. Cam had heard stories of actors and musicians unable to get work in New York living on the street.

"Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone….”

Cam walked across the empty space between the train platforms, his feet making soft tapping sounds against the concrete. He paused for a moment to watch the trumpet player standing with his back to the wall. He stared into whatever space musicians liked to stare into—that ethereal place they went when they were so focused on the music that the world around them disappeared. A dusty blond curl fell from the shaggy mop of hair onto the trumpeter’s face as he finished another phrase. “… and she’s always gone too long any time she goes away.”

Cam drew a long breath. It was perfect. The angst of it all. The music. The echo of his steps. The blast of cool air as he neared the train tunnels. Fucking perfect.

The musician noticed him standing there. The man’s eyes were a beautiful hazel, almost green. Why hadn’t he noticed before?

What do you care? The man’s an unemployed musician.

The guy looked at him and his eyes widened almost imperceptibly, as they had the last time Cam had seen him. Did he recognize Cam? God knew there were enough articles written about him. Esquire, Elle, Cigars Magazine, blah, blah, blah. Glamour’s “Most Eligible Bachelor” from 2008. As if!

The trumpet player finished the song, then stopped for a moment and rested the trumpet against his hip. His lips were swollen and pink from playing. For a split second, Cam imagined tasting them. Then he noticed the torn jeans and white T-shirt with a faded Señor Frog’s logo and the words “I got wasted in Cancun” written below it.

Oh, for God’s sake, Cameron! He’s a loser with a capital L!

Well, that made two of them, didn’t it? Even if the guy could play pretty damn well—very well, judging by the little Cam had heard—they were both in a stinking, empty subway station on a Friday night at midnight. Poor sod.

“Another request?” A smile danced on the man’s kissable lips.

Cam shrugged. “Whatever you want to play,” he said, not caring how pathetic he sounded.

The trumpeter put his instrument to his lips and began. “Blue moon, you saw me standing alone, without a dream in my heart….”

 

I can't tell you how excited I am to finally be able to share Dissonance with you! Today, August 8, 2014, is release day for the newest addition to the Blue Notes Series from Dreamspinner Press. Like the other novels in the series, Dissonance is a standalone story, although it shares characters from some of the other Blue Notes books (including one of my all-time favorites, conductor David Somers). And, even better, it's 25% off as part of Dreamspinner's end of summer sale. You can pick up a paperback or ebook copy here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5291

Today also is the first day of a month-long blog tour featuring a giveaway with cool prizes (I love finding cool stuff to give away!). Here are the details of the tour:

8/8 -Prism Book Alliance

8/11 - Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

8/12 - Smoocher’s Voice

8/13 - Fallen Angel Reviews

8/14 - The Hat Party

8/15 - Amanda C. Stone

8/18 - Tara Lain

8/19 - The Novel Approach

8/20 - LeAnn’s Book Reviews

8/21 - Kimber Vale

8/22 - Full Moon Dreaming

8/25 - Love Bytes

8/26 - Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves

8/27 - Hearts on Fire

8/28 - Wicked Wolves and Dreaming Dragons

8/29 - Velvet Panic

9/1 - Decadent Delights

9/2 - Rainbow Gold Reviews

9/3 - My Fiction Nook

9/4 - Emotion in Motion

9/5 - MM Good Book Reviews, Book Suburbia

Here's the Rafflecopter giveaway information. Prizes include a really cool unisex NYC subway cuff, books, and gift certificates. So be sure to enter. Here's the Rafflecopter link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cf0ba9495/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stay tuned for excerpts, blog posts, and lots of other Dissonance chatter. Also, don't forget that Blue Notes , the original book in the series, is free on Amazon until the 11th. So pick it up if you haven't already. And if you have the 1st edition, you might want to replace your copy with this, the 2nd edition, which features a bit more of Jason's background, and a brand-spanking new edit!

Happy reading! -Shira

Wow! The last week has been a whirlwind, truly. Blue Notes was free on Amazon for 5 days, during which time it sat at #1 on the gay literature free books list. That totally blew me away. Then Dissonance was released to amazing reviews from Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words (Melanie named it one of her "Best of 2014"!), Rainbow Book Reviews, Smoocher's Voice, and Love Bytes. But there was something even better than all that. Something that made me just want to sing! You. You the readers contacted me.

I have never had so many personal messages, emails, and posts about my books before. I heard from long-time readers and brand new readers about how they--you--loved my books and my characters. Particularly moving for me were the comments from survivors of child abuse who, like me, saw a lot of themselves in the character of Cam in Dissonance (who is based on a compilation of true stories). Those messages of love and support mean the world to me. More than you know!

I would never share a personal email or message without permission, of course. But those messages reminded me that readers can do a great deal to support their favorite authors. So I'm writing this post not just for myself, but for all of the authors you enjoy. I'm writing to ask that if you feel inclined to do so, please share that love with the world! The meme says it all: the care and feeding of authors depends on readers.

Please considering reviewing on Amazon, Goodreads, AllRomanceEbooks, Barnes & Noble, and anywhere else you buy and discuss books. Reviews don't need to be long, they just need to be honest and hearfelt. A few sentences about what a book made you feel may be the inspiration for another reader to read a book you loved. Word of mouth makes all the difference to authors. It helps sell books, and more books sold means more books written. A win-win.

Thanks again, everyone, for your support! And thanks for considering reviewing and sharing the love! -Shira