The playlist I needed to finish my last book.

When I was writing Surfacing, I had to create a playlist to help drown out everything else so I could finish the damn book. And this week, on Wednesday Randomness, we just happen to be talking about playlists, so I'm going to share this one!

It's called: Music to Finish this Fucking Book

Why, yes...I might have been a bit stressed when I named it. Why do you ask?

Let It Go - Idina Menzel. (Don't judge me!)
Counting Stars - OneRepublic (I dunno - it just worked for this book.)
One - U2
Halleluiah - Rufus Wainwright (Yeah...this is a repeat offender on my playlists.)
Collide - Howie Day
In the Sun - Joseph Arthur (Another repeat offender)
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol (What? It fit the book.)
Someone Like You - Adele
Wonderwall - Ryan Adams (live cover)
Turning Tables - Adele
Samson - Regina Spektor
One Safe Place - Marc Cohen
Set Fire to the Rain - Adele
It Doesn't Matter - Alison Krauss
Goodnight Elisabeth - Counting Crows
Mysterious Ways - U2

Also used to write this book was my entire collection of Clocks and Clouds - and a huge thanks to Jess Jarman for introducing me to them. 

I'm writing this post early because when it goes live, I'll be in the U.P. on my annual family vacation. So, instead of linking directly to everyone else's posts, I'm linking to their blogs. I bet a lot of them will have playlists, but if not, I'm sure there will be something awesome to read. :)

Jess
Leigh
Jenny
Gwen
Kris
Kellie
Tess

An Excerpt from Sufacing

It occurs to me that I'm a dork and I haven't shared an excerpt of Surfacing, yet! Surfacing is part of the awesome anthology, If Ever I Would Leave You, that I did with Jessica Jarman and Jenny Trout. 

Here's the blurb: 

A year after Tabby Nolan’s sister vanished from the Lake Michigan shore with her boyfriend, Liam, Tabby visits the spot where the two were last seen– and finds herself pulled into the crumbling world of Avalon.

Since his disappearance, Liam has been trapped in the mythical land, with no link to the world he knew. Now, their shared memories of Tabby’s missing sister are all they can cling to as Avalon dies around them.

But Tabby doesn’t want to be a replacement for her sister, and her growing attachment to Liam feels like a betrayal. As Avalon fades around them, Liam and Tabby must rely on each other– or be lost with the ancient kingdom forever.

And here's the excerpt:

“It’s been a year.”

I shielded my eyes with my hand and squinted up at Jake. The last of the evening sun burned like a blinding halo behind his dark head.

“Not quite,” I responded.

He frowned and squatted down on the dock next to where I sat in the small sailboat, the water rocking it like a cradle. “Tabitha…” he began.

Jake was the only person who called me that. To everyone else, I was Tabby. And to my sister, Samara, I’d been Tabby Cat. Was, I corrected myself, tightening my fingers around the edge of the boat. I still was Tabby Cat to her, because there was no proof she was dead. No matter what my parents or Jake or anyone else said, there was a chance that she and her boyfriend, Liam, were still alive. I swallowed hard against the panic rising in my throat.

“You just got here, and it’s getting late.” Jake held out his hand to me. “At least, wait until tomorrow, and I’ll go out with you.”

I glanced away from his hand over the glistening expanse of the blue-green water of Lake Michigan, watching the sun sink lower on the horizon. In the distance, the shapes of both Manitou islands were dark shadows on the surface of the lake, looking more like holes in the water than land. Squinting against the setting sun, I thought I saw a third dark shape out there, but I blinked and it was gone.

Forcing my attention from the water, I reached for Jake’s hand. His fingers closed warmly around mine as he tugged me to a standing position. The wake from a passing speedboat rocked the small craft as he was pulling me onto the dock, and I fell hard against his chest. His hands settled at my hips to steady me. Looking up, I met his dark gaze, and we jumped apart.

He quickly looked away, and embarrassed heat swept through my body, centering in my face. I knew he’d likely been thinking about the same thing I had been—the last time his hands had been on my hips. We’d drunk ourselves stupid with beer and grief the night the Coast Guard had changed the status of Samara and Liam’s rescue operation to recovery. One thing had led to another in our desperation to feel something other than fear and loss. I’d known it had been a mistake as soon as it was over. And I guess, so did he. We’d never talked about it. We just pretended it had never happened.

I swallowed hard and pushed past Jake, heading toward the small resort cabin where I’d be staying for the next week. The same one my family had been renting when Samara had vanished. We’d been coming to the Whispering Dunes resort for the last ten or eleven years and had known Jake and Liam for almost as long. Liam’s mom owned the resort, and Jake, Liam’s cousin, lived there with them. 

I trudged up the dune, hot sand slipping between my feet and flip-flops, ignoring Jake’s long shadow next to mine as he followed me. The tiny cottage came into view, and for a moment, my breath caught in my throat. Some part of me still expected to see Samara there, rocking on the porch swing and reading one of her damn books. I pushed the ill-timed memory aside. I didn’t want to start bawling in front of Jake. Not again, anyway.

“Aunt Lila wants you to come over for supper, tonight.”

My stomach dropped. I wasn’t sure I wanted to face Liam’s mom. Were her relationships in self-destruct mode like my parents’? Was her life falling apart around her, too?

“I don’t know,” I murmured. I wasn’t sure I could handle seeing her. Or anyone, really. Out here on the lake, I felt closer to Samara, but I also felt raw—like my soul was sunburned and someone was rubbing sand over it.

Merlin Club : The Fires of Idirsholas or The One Where Eye Makeup Becomes an Indicator of Evil

Okay...before we get into the recap, I have to do a little shameless self-(and also Jess and Jen) promo for our brand new Merlin inspired anthology, If Ever I Would Leave You: Arthurian Stories for a New Generation.

Jess, who's awesome, btw, suggested that we do Arthurian themed stories since we all love this stuff so much, and I'm so freaking glad we did! I just love the finished stories, and I'm so damn excited about antho! Also, Kris Norris made this beautiful cover for us!You can check out the book here and here. And here's a peek at the cover.

Okay - recap time!

The episode opens with an ominous looking castle in the distance against the backdrop of an equally ominous looking sky. This can only mean one thing. Evil is afoot. And evil’s name is Morgause. And Morgause is wearing her Country Music Awards dress to cast a spell to bring some crusty, ancient knights back to life. It works.

The next morning , there’s a peasant in Uther’s court warning Uther about the goings on at the ominous looking castle and Uther’s all bored and dismissive, practically rolling his eyes. But he sends Arthur and the guard out to investigate the ominous looking castle anyway. 

Gaius gives Merlin the details about the Knights of Medhir and Morgana finds a note in her chamber from Morgause telling her to meet Morgause in the woods. That night, Morgana sneaks out of the castle and meets Morgause in the woods. They discuss bringing about Uther’s downfall and Morgana agrees to help. Morgause casts some kind of spell on her. The next morning, Morgana wakes up in her bed looking confused. 

Gwen tends Uther who’s fallen ill, then Gwen goes to Gaius because she’s not feeling well. Meanwhile, Arthur, Merlin and Camelot’s guard finally make it to the ominous looking castle and are predictably attacked.  Also, predictably, Merlin and Arthur are the only ones who make it out alive. They ride back to Camelot to discover that everyone except Morgana has been magically roofied. 

Arthur races off in a panic to look for his dad. Merlin tells Morgana he knows that she’s not affected because she has magic and then lies to Arthur about why she’s not affected. Merlin goes to Gaius chambers and tries different magical spells to wake his ass up – they don’t really work – but they are entertaining in a creepy sort of way. 

Meanwhile, Morgause, looking particularly stunning in her armor, leads the Knights of Medhir on an attack on Camelot while Merlin, Morgana and Arthur frantically play hide the king by dragging him all over the castle. Merlin gets separated from them and heads down to ask the dragon for help. The dragon is pissed that Merlin has promised to release him and hasn’t yet, so he’s not talking. Merlin swears on his mother’s life that he’ll keep his promise. And the dragon tells him that the only way to break the spell, kill the already dead knights and wake Camelot is to kill the spell’s vessel which just happens to be Morgana. 

Merlin and Arthur are both starting to succumb to the spell, and things are looking particularly hopeless, so Merlin grabs a bottle of hemlock from Gaius’ chambers and poisons his water bag with it. Arthur fights his way out of the castle to get a cart that was left in the courtyard when its driver fell asleep, and Merlin convinces Morgana to have some of the water before he finishes it. 

Morgana drinks and immediately feels the effects. Merlin is incredibly traumatized by having to kill his friend and holds her as she’s dying. Morgause busts in and she and Merlin have a pissing contest about whether or not he’ll tell her what poison was used so she can save Morgana. He wins, she calls off the undead knights, he reveals the poison and Morgause magics her and Morgana out of there – to her secret evil lair, I assume. 

The knights all stay dead this time, everyone in Camelot wakes up, and over supper Gaius tells Merlin that he didn’t really have a choice about poisoning Morganna. And that pisses me right off because maybe Morgana wouldn’t be turning to dark magic if someone had been supportive of her – even if they had to hide it from Uther. So you know what? Fuck you, Gaius! Fuck you very much!

Merlin realizes he has a promise to keep and leaves the table to head down to the see the dragon, carrying a wrapped sword. It’s a sword from one of the undead knights. With the knight’s sword and a spell Merlin cuts through the ginormous chain imprisoning the dragon and frees him.

The look on Merlin’s face says it all. This will not end well. 

Also, the previews involve a lot of screaming and Camelot burning. So…you know. 

And now, the questions. 

1.       If I’d written this episode...I would have made the costumers give Morgause a new dress. One that didn't look like she'd stolen it from Miranda Lambert's concert bus.

 2.    The thing I loved/hated most about this episode. Merlin having to poison Morgana actually broke my heart a little. I'm not sure if that goes under loved or hated. I did hate that even though Morgana agreed to help bring down Uther, Morgause cast a spell on her without her consent and she seemed lost and horrified by how everything was going on. That's a shitty thing to do to your sister, Morgause.

3.    Something you’ve never noticed about this episode before. So many things. First off is Morgana's heavy eye makeup halfway through the show signifying her descent into evil.  Second, is the fact that Morgana seemed pretty lost as to what was occurring since Morgause cast the spell on her after magically knocking her ass out. Third is the way Gaius was all, "whatever-she-got-what-she-deserved" - that pisses me off. If he hadn't spent the first few seasons lying to her about her abilities and making her think she was crazy and that no one cared, maybe we wouldn't be here right now. 

Below...lack of evil eyeliner and abundance of evil eyeliner

4.    Favorite Costume. Gotta give it to Morgana's green dress. 

5.    Here is Proof of some random head canon I’ve created. I didn't create this, but I concur with it. Morgana and Morgause are supposed to be half sisters. However, they appear to have a lot more going on.

6.    What Merthur moment did Jess have the naughtiest thoughts about? I'm guessing when Arthur was impressed by Merlin's good ideas. And also when Merlin had to get a little rough with Arthur to keep him awake.

7.   What made Jen lose her shit (in a good or bad way) in a bad way? I shall show you with a picture I've already posted. Because it was that good. 

Jess' take on the episode is here, and Jen's is here.

Cover Reveal and Giveaway for If Ever I Would Leave You!

Today, authors Bronwyn Green, Jessica Jarman, and Jenny Trout unveil the cover of their upcoming anthology:

If Ever I Would Leave You

(July, 2014)

Keep reading for a chance to win an Arthurian-themed DVD prize pack or a $25 Amazon gift card!

Surfacing

Bronwyn Green

A year after Tabby Nolan's sister vanished from the Lake Michigan shore with her boyfriend, Liam, Tabby visits the spot where the two were last seen-- and finds herself pulled into the crumbling world of Avalon.

Since his disappearance, Liam has been trapped in the mythical land, with no link to the world he knew. Now, their shared memories of Tabby's missing sister are all they can cling to as Avalon dies around them.

But Tabby doesn't want to be a replacement for her sister, and her growing attachment to Liam feels like a betrayal. As Avalon fades around them, Liam and Tabby must rely on each other-- or be lost with the ancient kingdom forever.

Albion’s Circle: The Deepest Cut

Jessica Jarman

For nineteen years, Anna has been plagued by dreams of lives lived only in legend. Finally free from the family that believed her hopeless and worthless, she’s ready to start her life over—alone.

When Anna meets an enigmatic stranger claiming to be the legendary wizard Merlin, she is forced to question the very reality she’s struggled to accept. With the mythic figures from her dreams intruding on her waking life, Anna learns that she’s been reborn to fight an ancient evil alongside King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Caught in an ages old conflict, Anna is the key to stopping a dark magic that will destroy the world—and Merlin wants to make sure that this time, Anna isn’t alone.

A Choice Fit For A Queen

Jenny Trout

writing as

Abigail Barnette

For perpetual overachiever Madison Lane, a summer studying Arthurian mythology in the Welsh countryside with professor Thomas Evans is a dream come true, and the adventure of a lifetime.

Of course, the enormous crush Madison developed on the professor after a semester of his lectures at U of M has absolutely nothing to do with her desire to learn more about the enduring legend of Camelot. At least, that’s what she’s telling her parents.

When Madison meets fellow student Rhys Crewe, sparks fly, throwing her plans for wild fling with Professor Evans completely out of whack—as do her unexpectedly complicated feelings for Thomas. With tales of Arthur and Lancelot haunting her every waking moment, Madison has to make the most difficult choice of her life.

Add If Ever I Would Leave You to your GoodReads.com shelf

Jessica Jarman is an author, blogger, and rather obsessive fangirl. Having grown up in Upper Michigan and currently living in Minnesota, she is a Midwestern girl through and through. And wouldn’t have it any other way.

When Jessica isn't working to get words on the page, she passes the time with her amazing husband and four children, attempting to be crafty (and failing miserably), squeeing uncontrollably over her favorite shows or curling up with a good book. 

Bronwyn Green is an author, blogger and compulsive crafter. She lives Michigan with her husband, two sons and three somewhat psychotic cats. When not frantically writing, she can be found helping in her youngest son’s classroom or binge-watching Netflix while working on her latest craft project.

Abigail Barnette (Jenny Trout) is a writer, blogger, and funny person. She has written award winning and bestselling erotic romance as Abigail Barnette. Writing as Jennifer Armintrout, she made the USA Today bestseller list with Blood Ties Book One: The Turning. Her novel American Vampire was named one of the top ten horror novels of 2011 by Booklist Magazine Online. She is a proud Michigander, mother of two, and wife to the only person alive capable of spending extended periods of time with her without wanting to strangle her. Visit her on twitter (@Jenny_Trout) or at her blog, jennytrout.com.

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