Music as Muse

Elaine at ChoirFirst, the winners from last Monday’s blog: EVERYBODY who left a comment (see the names below)! I’m in a mellow mood, probably because it’s Sunday, I got to sing in the choir, and afterward I drove home in beautiful weather to the sounds of Mozart. Music brings out the best in me. Music has even served as my Muse on more than one occasion. The Sweetest Hallelujah is one of the most significant examples. Remember Joe’s harmonica, the Saint’s trumpet, Tiny Jim’s juke joint, Betty Jewel’s jazz singing and the lyrics of Li’l Rosie throughout the book? I wrote those lyrics. I even composed the music to Ain’t No Use Cryin’.

And then there’s Elvis. What fun I’ve had selecting just the right song from his list of hits to add to my Elaine's pianosleuthing basset hound’s commentary throughout the Southern Cousins Mystery series. Sometimes when I’m writing, I take a music break, hop up from my desk and race off to the piano – an antique baby grand which was originally owned by a jazz musician – and belt out the blues or a few Broadway show tunes or even a jazzy gospel song.

My latest Southern Cousins Mystery, Elvis and the Buried Brides, is available now exclusively in Risky Brides, a multi-author collection. What fun to let Elvis romp through this bestsellers’ box set, rubbing elbows with Donna Fletcher’s sexy Celtic hero and great characters created by Vicki Hinze, Kathy Carmichael, Rita Herron, Kimberly Llewellyn, Tara Randel, Piper Bayard and Jay Holmes.  Grab Risky Brides while you can. It’s a limited-time collection. When it’s gone, it’s gone.

Here are two links to the book:

barneslogoamazon

Thanks for stopping by to chat.  I’m giving away a signed copy of Elvis and the Tropical Double Trouble to one lucky person who leaves a comment. Winner will be announced here next Monday, along with instructions to claim your prize. You’ll have two weeks to claim it.

Now, last week’s winners of Risky Brides, please hit the contact button on this site and give me (1) the email address you use in purchasing eBooks, and (2) the type of e-reader you have, and (3) your full name.  That would be Bonnie, Kathryn, Lilian, Jo, Lynne and N. Saenz.  Pat Rizzio, you win Elvis and the Blue Christmas Corpse! I’ll need your mailing address.

Happy Monday, everybody.  Don’t forget to comment. And do come back again!

17 Responses to Music as Muse

  1. Elaine Hussey says:

    If you won a digital copy of Risky Brides from last week’s blog, do contact me to claim your prize. If you’ve sent a message via the contact link on this site and haven’t heard form me, that means I didn’t get it. Alternatively, you can click the FB link on the front page of this site and send a private message. I’ll need to know (1)if you have a Kindle or Nook, (2)the email address you use to order ebooks, (3)your full name. Thanks!

  2. Lee Einhaus says:

    I love how much you love music!!! Hugs!

    • Elaine Hussey says:

      Thanks, Lee. When I come to Jackson, it’s always such fun to sit around the baby grand at Table 100 and listen to Tommy play!

  3. Elaine Hussey says:

    When you contact me to claim your prize (1) click Contact in the blue bar at the top of this page, (2)scroll all the way down to “Contact Elaine” and the set of blank boxes, (3)fill in the blanks and hit send. OR, if you prefer, click on the Facebook icon on the first page of this site and send me a private FB message. Thanks!

  4. Kathy says:

    Peggy, I loved this blog post and the image of you getting up from your keyboard and heading to your piano to belt out tunes. So fun!

    • Elaine Hussey says:

      Thanks, Kathy! I was born loving music. Even when I write, I hear the rhythm of words; it’s almost like a symphony.

  5. Pat Rizzio says:

    Thanks, Peggy for selecting me as the winner of the signed copy of Elvis and the Blue Christmas Corpse. I sent you my address under your Contact information. Let me know if you did not receive it. Enjoy your books!

    • elaine hussey says:

      It hasn’t come through yet, Pat. Posted 4 pm Central Time.Alternatively, you can leave a private message on my Facebook page. Link is on the front page of this site.

      • elaine hussey says:

        Pat, I tested the contact page on this site. It’s working now. Just click the contact link, scroll down on that page and fill in the boxes to send a message.

        • Pat Rizzio says:

          Sent my address via message on facebook page and through contacts on this site. Let me know if you do not get it. Thanks!

    • Thanks for stopping by, Patricia. I can always count on you. BTW, did you receive your signed copy of The Language of Silence yet? I can’t remember whether I sent it and can’t find where I put the notes from that contest. I don’t know if I need a vacation or a keeper. LOL!

  6. Oh, Elizabeth, I LOVE the image of you on your back porch, music crashing all around you while you read and giggle! Thanks.

  7. SaraMarie says:

    Definitely feel music enhances the experience. Pandora is my favorite online resource as I can find the music to fit what I’m reading.

    • SaraMarie, I am fond of selecting exactly the right music to inspire me as I write. Some novels call for Native American flutes, some for opera, and some have to have blues!

      Thanks for stopping by.

  8. Elizabeth Hespell says:

    One of my favorite things to do is listen to music while reading on my back porch. Sometimes it really makes the scenes more vivid. I find myself giggling out loud when a song matches the intensity of the words. I can’t help, but think of certain charcters when I hear certain songs. Thanks!

Leave a Reply to Elaine Hussey Cancel reply