Catherine Stovall is a great author and friend, so keep track of her on the haunted blog tour. Things go wrong, almost to the point where it seems sinister. So if you dare, read on and enter to win a copy of Reborn. You won't regret it. Leave a comment stating how music inspires you for another chance to win.
Music is My Muse
By
Catherine Stovall
Other than Hatter, the voice of insanity inside my head,
music is my muse. I couldn’t carry a tune in a five gallon bucket, the list of
my musical instrument capabilities consists of dashboard drummer, and I would
fail miserably if I was asked to keep time to anything. Now that I have made it
clear that I am by no means a music expert, I can share with you the music that
has guided me through the creation of the Requiem of Humanity Series. Here is a
sneak peek into some of the songs that helped build scenes in both Stolen and
Reborn.
In the opening pages of Stolen, you will find Jenda in the
midst of a struggle with the mysterious and frightening vampire Matteo. As I
wrote this particular piece, the forlorn sound of Falls Apart by Hurt played on my iPod. Something about the raw
emotion of the song speaks to me about the battle waging.
Excerpt: The intruder stood inches from her, his black eyes
boring into her as if the entire world depended on this very moment in time. He
stood almost a full foot taller than Jenda. His broad shoulders tapered down to
a trim waist. He appeared to be well muscled but not overly large. He was
almost handsome except that his presence sent tremors of pure undiluted terror
screaming to every brain cell and nerve ending inside her. All of her senses
told her to wake up, to run, and to escape as quickly as she could.
Link to Falls Apart by Hurt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLXbEx1Jlcs
Another great moment in Stolen features Jenda’s change from
frightened human girl to vampire fledgling. As every ounce of torture and fear
compounds around her, Jenda is brought to the finality of her life. For me this
moment was sad. To see Jenda robbed of her humanity tore at my heart and no
other song could express that sadness better than Hurt by Johnny Cash.
Excerpt: “Oh my God! No, no, no!” Was all Jenda could think.
This wasn’t death. This was being changed. Belle was making her a vampire, a
monster, an inhuman soulless being. She could feel the pin prick of Belle’s
teeth now, could feel the pulling on her veins from the same spot. They were
sharing blood! Jenda tried desperately to regain control of her body. She
fought through the fog so hard that it did start to clear. Trying to ignore the
painful burning, Jenda struggled to find the surface.
Link to Hurt by Johnny
Cash: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aF9AJm0RFc
One of my favorite parts of Stolen is when Soborgne loses
her mind and starts hunting the streets for blood. She finds her victim, a
depraved and morally corrupt monster, lingering near an alley. The pure evil
that pumps through Sobo as she stalks her prey surprised even me. The upbeat,
dark tempo of This is the New S**t by
Marilyn Manson captures the heat of the moment perfectly.
Excerpt: At first, he was confused and then recognition
dawned on him. He began to cry, to blubber like a baby. Soborgne dropped him to
the ground in front of her and in a cold and passionless voice, she continued.
“Beg. Beg as you made them beg. Scream for your mother and your father. Better
yet, scream for your god. Bargain for your life. Promise anything so I will
spare your pathetic existence.”
Link to This is the New S**t by Marilyn Manson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kQMDSw3Aqo
Reborn took on a personality all its own and along with it,
came several new playlists. One of the most powerful scenes for me was Jenda’s
first feed from a living human. It was a moment of self-discovery and of
understanding for her. The melancholy and melodic song Blood by The Pierces swayed me through this section so well.
Excerpt: Jenda’s mind raced, her body felt as if her nerve
endings were coming to life for the first time. The blood poured into her and
she wandered how it could ever be wrong to do this act. Only moments before she
was afraid and now, she was in pure ecstasy. As her mind locked in on the
rhythm of Dominique’s heart, the images came.
Link to Blood by
the Pierces: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBg9wpLqboA
Soborgne may be reckless but without her, the Requiem of
Humanity Series would be just the good guys against the bad. I always have had
a soft spot for the grey area. Letting herself slide into the dark side,
Soborgne learns how the other half live as she finds her prey within a
chemically enhanced club, deep within the 8th District of Budapest
to the sound of Blood by In This
Moment.
Excerpt: She could taste a hint of the cheap whiskey in his
blood but it only gave it a heady spice. She did not fear the alcohol. She did
not fear anything. The darkness came into her with his blood. It danced and
dipped through her mind. It told her to follow the heartbeat down into the
abyss. It guided her to the boys’ death. It told her she was doing what she
meant to do. Its reasoning was winning her over.
Link to Blood by
in this Moment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZF5m-vmDzM
I try to avoid the love stuff as much as possible but
without it, The Requiem of Humanity just wouldn’t be complete. Matteo and Jenda
are overcoming many obstacles to love each other and one moment brings them
together so completely, the reader will believe nothing would ever come between
them. As they declare their intentions and bare their hearts, I could hear the
song Stolen by Dashboard Confessional
in my mind.
Excerpt: They stared lovingly into each other’s eyes for a
moment before he kissed her. Soon she was lost in the kisses and vows of love
so thoroughly, nothing, not even Soborgne mattered. Somewhere off in the
distance she thought she heard someone weeping and a strange image of an angel
flashed through her mind. Jenda didn’t care.
Link to Stolen by Dashboard Confessional: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j82FBbgpUy4
I hope you have enjoyed this musical journey. In closing, I would just
like to say thank you to the music makers of this world. You inspire, uplift,
and give the gift of joy to so many.
Bio:
Catherine Stovall is the author of The Requiem of Humanity
Series and the short story Fearful Day. Catherine received her Associates of
Science from Colorado Technical University. After working in the Criminal
Justice field for several years, she has decided to dedicate her life to her
true passion, creating captivating works of fiction. She lives in Southeast
Missouri with her husband, three children, and pets.
Stalk Me:
Website: www.catherinestovall.webs.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/catherinestovall/
Twitter: @CathStovall
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Where to Buy:
Stolen and Reborn at the Untreed Reads Store: http://store.untreedreads.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_202
Stolen, Reborn, and Fearful Day on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Catherine-Stovall/e/B005LET560/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
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