The End of a Series

During my ten years of writing, I have written over 70 books, but there is something very special about publishing the final book in a series.

On Friday, September 10th, I published Bradley. It was the sixth and final book in the Loving a Young Series. A series that helps six siblings find their forever loves.

I can’t quite remember how I got the idea for the series, but once I started writing Wesley, Book 1, the rest of the series just flew right onto the pages. Some stories can be difficult to write, but all six of these books practically wrote themselves.

It’s important when I write the final book to make sure that I give updates on the rest of the couples so that readers can see how happy they are all doing, and what their lives are like now. Writing a series that deals with siblings, made this particular last book easier in that regard.

Since they are all related, they are constantly being seen from one book to the next, so tying up the loss ends for this series was easy. I know some of my readers were sad that the series was over, but happily, it’s not the end of the Young’s, because you will see them again when the spin-off series, Loving a Winston, starts publishing next year.

If you love to binge read an entires series, now you can with the Loving A Young series on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

10 Best Slow Dance Songs by @JoanReeves #mgtab

I love music and have very eclectic taste. Depending on my mood, I may listen to anything from a Chopin polonaise to “Killing Strangers” by Marilyn Manson to “Moonlight Serenade” by Glenn Miller to “99 Problems” by Hugo.

My current favorite songs are several tracks from “Lucifer” like “Being Evil Has a Price” by Heavy Young Heathens. In other words, I’m one of those people that probably screws up Pandora‘s “recommended for you” algorithm because I listen to so many different genres and artists.

Most of my books have characters listening to music too. I always make a playlist for a book. I used to include the list in the back matter of my books. I think I’ll start doing that again but make a menu tab on my blog, SlingWords, so readers can find the music that inspired certain scenes if they’re interested.

Dance to the Music

I guess it’s only natural that I also love to dance. My husband and I are always the first to take the floor at any event where there’s dancing. No, we’re not trained professionals. We both just love to dance.

In several of my books, like Second Chance Bride, the hero and heroine dance together. What better way is there for them to be in each other’s arms?

When I write scenes like that, I choose the music carefully. In Second Chance Bride, they’re at a small town Texas festival—we have a lot of them in our small towns—and there’s always dancing in the street.

In this particular scene, they dance to “Crazy” by Patsy Cline, an old country classic that most small town bands play. That song fit everything about the scene from the small Texas town setting to the emotion between the characters. I thought I’d share some of the other songs I’d considered. They’re not in any order like good to best, and this is just half of the other songs on my list that “speak” to slow dance romance for that book.

10 Best Slow Dance Playlist

  1. So Into You by Atlanta Rhythm Section
  2. Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel (totally different from the Bruno Mars song)
  3. Amazed by Lonestar
  4. I Could Fall in Love by Selena
  5. I Want to Know What Love Is by Foreigner
  6. Need You Now by Lady Antebellum
  7. Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley (this is still on a global list of most popular wedding first dance songs).
  8. I Can’t Tell You Why by The Eagles
  9. Unbreak My Heart by Toni Braxton
  10. Don’t Wake Me Up by Lianne La Havas

In Second Chance Bride when Constance and Alex (Alejandro) finally overcome all their problems, there is a wedding. I won’t tell you the song that plays as Constance walks to meet Alex to say their vows nor will I tell you the song playing when they kiss at the end of the ceremony. Each song means something to them and to their journey from the beginning of the book to the end.

I get teary-eyed just thinking about it. *LOL* I’m not crazy for feeling that way. Most authors are like me—their characters are “real” people to them.

Second Chance Bride is an Amazon Exclusive. Here’s what a review said:

This is such a lush book. The pacing is smooth, and the plot is engrossing. The reason behind Constance’s move to Lantana Lane is mysterious at first, so I was stunned when I learned what it is. It’s a great plot twist.

Alex/Alejandro is a dear man. The way he encourages and supports Constance is utterly sweet. The best part, though, is how Constance’s past is redeemed. It’s absolutely beautiful. ~ Amazon Review

What Are Your Slow Dance Faves?

Have you slow-danced with your beloved to any of these songs? Chances are, you have your own list. What songs speak to the romantic within you?

Post Script

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