Jamie Wesley | Setting the Mood with the Perfect Song
I listen to music all the time when Iโm writing, during my commute, and when Iโm
working. I always have my ear half-cocked for songs that fit whatever book Iโm
working on. Thatโs how I make a playlist for each book. Listening to the
playlist helps me to get into the right mindset for the characters and the book.
Iโm a huge Maroon 5 fan. I have been long before Adam Levine became a judge on
The Voice.
When their last CD came out, they announced on Twitter that their next single
was going to be Sugar. I was not happy. Donโt get me wrong. I liked
Sugar, but there was another song I liked better and thought would make
a better single. I voiced this opinion on Twitter.
Strangely enough, the band didnโt listen to me and released Sugar
anyway, which led me to hearing it on the radio every three minutes. At some
point, probably during the millionth listening of the song, it dawned on me that
it fit my book, SLAMDUNKED
BY LOVE, to a T, and I was no longer upset the band hadnโt chosen my
preference as their next single.
Watch a lyric video here.
I love that Adams sings about how he hates being away from the one he loves,
something my hero, Brady, can relate to as heโs on the road all the time during
the NBA season. Another line I love is โI donโt wanna play no games,โ another
line that could have come straight from Brady.
Another song that fits Slamdunked By Love perfectly is Usherโs U Got It Bad. Both Brady
and the heroine, Caitlin, can relate to Usher here. They definitely find
themselves thinking about each other when they should be concentrating on other
things. I love that Usher sings about making phone calls because, again, Brady
is on the road a lot, so part of his relationship with Caitlin is conducted over
phone calls.
One last song because I canโt resist โ Aloe Blaccโs The Man. Itโs pretty
self-explanatory. Brady has no confidence issues when it comes to his basketball
skills. Lol.
I loved putting together this playlist. I get so excited when I run across
another song that has to be added to the playlist. LOL. It
makes me feel like Iโm on the right track with the book.
For those who are curious, below is the full playlist for SLAMDUNKED BY LOVE. Click
here to listen to it.
Sugar โ Maroon 5
The Man โ Aloe Blacc
They Donโt Know โ Jon B
Canโt Get Enough โ Tamia
Pretty Brown Eyes โ Mint Condition
Private Property โ Beyond the Light Soundtrack
Not a Bad Thing โ Justin Timberlake
If You Donโt Know Me by now โ Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
U Got it Bad โ Usher
Cupid โ 112
Iโm Your Baby Tonight โ Whitney
Extraordinary Love โ Beyond the Lights Soundtrack
GIVEAWAY
For a chance to win an e-copy of SLAMDUNKED BY LOVE, what
song makes you think of a special/crazy/weird time in your life every time you
hear it?
Jamie Wesley has been reading romance novels since she was about 12 when her
mother left a romance novel, which a friend had given her, on the nightstand.
Jamie read it instead, and the rest is history.
She loves sports and
spends an inordinate amount of time rooting for her hometown Dallasโs pro sports
teams and her alma maters, Northwestern and the University of Texas at
Austin.
She also adores Walt Disney World, shopping, and pop culture. Want
to know if your favorite TV show is going to be canceled or what the newest
Disney attraction is? Ask Jamie. She'll probably know the answer.
Caitlin Monroe is ready to confront her past. Years ago, her
father ditched her mother for the NBA, leaving her pregnant
and alone. Now heโs a big-shot coach, and Caitlinโs ready to
take the so-called โ family manโ down. But on her way to the
team gala, her car dies, and itโs her fatherโs sexy new star
player who comes to her rescue.
Brady Hudson wants nothing more than to
put his past behind
him and concentrate on winning the championship for his new
team. But when he finds himself the recipient of unwanted
attentionโattention that could destroy his careerโhe
introduces the beautiful woman he saved on the side of the
road as his "girlfriend."
Brady needs to focus on his job. And Caitlin
isnโt about to
date an athlete whose career is riding on her fatherโthough
he is a convenient way to get the dirt she needs. But
sometimes love has other ideas, and itโs not long before
their pretend relationship becomes a liability neither can
resist...
I would have to say Alicia Keys Teenage Love Affair - always brings me back to my high school memories! (Lily Shah 11:36am December 16, 2015)
Hi Marissa,
Missing You is a great choice! I think everyone can relate to that. (Jamie Wesley 12:59pm December 16, 2015)
I love Teenage Love Affair! I totally understand where you're coming from. It's such a sweet song! (Jamie Wesley 1:03pm December 16, 2015)
"I Want to Kiss You All Over"....the best lover I ever had used that technique and I still miss it...love that song...also Springsteen's "Baby I'm On Fire"...same reason...that lover set me afire :) (Kathleen Bylsma 7:06pm December 16, 2015)
"If I Die Before I wake, Feed Jake"...a moving song about humanity....Springsteen's "Philadelphia"....same reason... (Kathleen Bylsma 5:10pm December 17, 2015)
I think it would have to be "Gangnam Style." Its such a weird reason that you'd end up regreting asking why XD (H J 11:19pm December 17, 2015)
I love the song: Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley. My husband and I are married almost 30 years and each on our 2nd time around being married. We have been through alot but Love will always keep us together and it makes our bond stronger too. Your book sounds fantastic and I would love to win it and read it during the Holidays. Happy New Year everyone. Thanks, Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez CECE (Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 12:16pm December 18, 2015)
"I Believe In Miracles" Hot Chocolate...it was a miracle we found each other....42+ yrs until his untimely demise.... (Kathleen Bylsma 1:39pm December 18, 2015)
Picked up one of your books and It was great .Want to be added to your mailing list (Teresa Williams 2:36pm December 18, 2015)
"Hold On" Passenger...I listened to that every day as I commuted to the hospital and back, unless I spent the night. (Kathleen Bylsma 12:50pm December 19, 2015)
Many Rod Stewart songs. Thank you for the chance. (Sharon Sommer 9:20pm December 19, 2015)
Like your play list (Valerie Miller 9:03am December 20, 2015)
I too am a fan of - If you don't know me by now. (B Tritt 2:09pm December 20, 2015)
I have too many favorite songs to name (Jeri Dickinson 7:20pm December 20, 2015)
Being the holiday season, there is a silly song about all the relatives and the things they need to run out and get at the stores, like the Kwicky Mart. It always makes me think of my brothers and giggling. (Laura Gullickson 7:48pm December 20, 2015)
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to wish everyone a merry Christmas! Thanks for entering the contest. I loved reading your answers. I love all the love and joy expressed. Fresh Fiction will be announcing a winner soon! (Jamie Wesley 9:11pm December 24, 2015)
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