Nasty Boy!

Remember that Janet Jackson hit?

"Oh, you nasty boys." Yeah, that one. I watched the video one lazy afternoon on YouTube and remembered how much I liked that song. Always makes me want to boogey. Then I stumbled upon James Taylor's song, "Mean Old Man" and it gave me a chuckle. Suddenly a plot for a new book bloomed in my mind. It happens like that sometimes. One thing leads go another thing and -- BAM! I'm at the computer, pounding keys, and grinning like a mad scientist as I create new characters and plotlines.

A few months later I have a new book out. "Nailing Mr. Nasty" is the second book in my contemporary romance line -- Campy Romances. "Bedding Mr. Birdsong" was the first one. I had such fun writing "Birdsong" that I wanted to pen another contemporary love story. Those two songs helped me follow through. If you watch those videos and read the lyrics of the songs, you'll see how they tie in with the plot of "Nasty."

Music has become a big thing with books, if you haven't noticed. Romance authors will include song lists for readers to check out and listen to while they read. Sort of like a soundtrack to a movie going on in their heads. Those authors probably played those songs as inspiration while they wrote particular scenes. I know that hearing certain songs can get me in the mood -- whichever mood I'm trying to achieve for the scene I'm writing. When I'm going for something bittersweet or heart wrenching, I listen to the Bergmans' "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" That always gets to me and makes me cry. When I'm needing something sweet and happy, I listen to "Two for the Road." It takes me back to the film it was written for starring Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn. Sweeping romance? Aaah. I listen to Johnny Mathis or Barbara Streisand. In particular, I love "Summer Me, Winter Me" and "I Was Born in Love with You."

Releasing a new book is always exciting. Mr. Nasty is exciting and fun. I got a kick writing about a snarking, growling, frowning boss man who is tamed by his new temporary assistant. Well, if not tamed, tempered. Samantha Striker has a "thing" for Jack Nast. He's the type of man who has always turned her on big time. Unfortunately, Jack doesn't think that screwing the help is a good idea. Sam, however, thinks it's a swell idea! The push and pull between these two was great fun to write. Also, I was able to slip in a subplot about substance abuse and how it can slowly and insidiously wreck a family. 

If you're wondering . . . yes, I'm outlining Book 3 in Campy Romances. Did a song inspire it? Partly, yes, it did. "Heaven." All good boys go to heaven, but bad boys bring heaven to you.

Uh-huh. See how my mind works? Love those bad, nasty boys!

In the meantime, check out some of the songs mentioned here and see if you don't find them enchanting and mood producing.

Happy Reading AND Listening.