I created Emma's Playlist while I was writing this story, listening to these songs as I worked. Each song fits perfectly with the themes of the story, and you'll notice that a song is mentioned here and there throughout. Each track highlights an aspect of the narrative. If The Good Witch and Practical Magic hooked up, their baby would be THE WHIMSICAL GIFTS OF EMMA, slow-burn romance, filled with faith and divine magic.
Music has always been part of my writing process. Some songs remind me of specific scenes, others evoke my characters and their emotions, and a few mirror moments from my own life that found their way into the story. Here are five songs that inspired THE WHIMSICAL GIFTS OF EMMA, each connected to a chapter that holds its heart.
"Wannabe" by Spice Girls - Chapter: 5
Wannabe is the song I sing with my own daughter, and I had to include it during one of the sister moments. Emma is dancing, singing, and blasting music until Liz steals the hairbrush microphone and takes over. If you search my social media, you can find my daughter and me lip-syncing to this song. That joy is precisely what I captured in this scene.
"He Wasn't Man Enough" by Toni Braxton - Chapter: 4
This song fits Emma's breakup moment. She has remained cautious because others have tried to exploit her gifts. This track expresses her journey of finally choosing herself and letting go of the moocher. She is confident and liberated; she will not allow anyone to use her or love her for her gifts rather than for who she is.
"Believe For It" by CeCe Winans - Chapter: 27
This chapter holds a turning point for Emma. Her faith is tested, strengthened, and shifted. "Believe For It" mirrors that emotional moment. You have to trust in timing, God, and the signs that appear when you need them most. This song reflects Emma and the twist in this chapter.
"This Kiss" by Faith Hill - Chapter: 28
Emma and Ryan share their first kiss in a moment that feels soft, cinematic, and earned. Their romance builds slowly, and when it finally happens, it reminds me of the iconic kiss from Practical Magic. On my social media, I compare that movie moment to how I imagine their kiss in the book would be.
"Ordinary" by Alex Warren - Chapter: Epilogue
This song represents the emotional core of their relationship. It is quiet, steady, and real. Two people find something extraordinary in each other. When you reach this chapter, this is the song that lingers.
Bonus Treat: Emma's Pink Margarita
After everything Emma goes through, she deserves a drink. In the back of the book, you will find Emma's pink margarita recipe, a little treat I created for her and for every reader who follows her journey. It is fun, pretty, and very Emma.
The Gift #1
What if a single moment could rewrite your fate?
Emma Duque only wanted to surprise her parents with a quick visit to Long Island. Instead, a violent shove on the train platform leaves her dazed, concussed—and with troubling gaps in her memory.
Disoriented and uncertain why she was at Penn Station in the first place, Emma bumps into Ryan, a stranger who offers her shelter. She’s about to refuse—until a single white feather drifts from nowhere onto his shoulder, and a whisper in her mind insists she say yes.
What begins as an act of kindness soon pulls Emma into a journey of change, unlocking surprising gifts and an enchanting power that seems to ripple through everyone she meets. But as her whimsical magic awakens, her path to discovery is filled with questions. Who is this Emma and what is next?
Fans of Practical Magic meets The Good Witch will be captivated by this spellbinding blend of slow-burn romance, secrets, and urban fantasy wonder.
The Whimsical Gifts of Emma marks the arrival of a strong debut author with a rich, enchanting voice.
Fantasy Magical Realism | Romance Contemporary [ Oliver-Heber Books, On Sale: November 18, 2025, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9798900430393 / ]
Anita Fonteboa combines intuition and inspiration in her writing, often featuring unexpected plot twists. Her fiction blends fantasy, magic, and romance, bringing moments of joy and laughter to readers.
When she is not writing, she is sipping a cafecito, watching Hallmark movies, or traveling to places that spark her next big idea.
Follow her on social media or visit her website, Amazon, BookBub, Goodreads, LinkedIn, and Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
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