I am entirely delighted to welcome popular sci-fi romance author Melody Johnson to the blog with her latest new book in the Love Beyond series. Enjoy her thought-provoking guest post on the Music of Storytelling and playlist*, check out the other books in this exciting series, and enter to win an Amazon gift card below! Melody, thank you for stopping by, and best of luck with your release!
The Music of Storytelling
Music is the universal language. As a former flutist (I played for twelve years, from fourth grade to senior year of college!) I can especially appreciate music without words or in other languages. Being an avid dancer at the club with my girls, I also love a great pop song with a heavy beat and angsty lyrics. And the 90s emo girl in me still turns up the volume for Avril Lavigne and Evanescence.
To say the least, I have a broad range of favorite songs.
During my commute to and from work, I listen to a lot of music. Finding new to me artists and creating playlists to help pass the time is essential. When I make a playlist specific to the book I’m writing, it helps me better understand the characters, their personalities, and the general “vibe” I’m trying to create with my story.
As you listen to my playlist for Sight Beyond the Sun, you’ll hear songs representing my heroine, Kinsley, and her fierce determination and confidence. You’ll hear about my hero, Raveno, and his struggle with morality, his pursuit of justice, and his longing for a better life for himself and his people. You’ll hear them as a couple, resisting the strength of their feelings, their distrust (in themselves and each other), and eventual slide into passion. You’ll also hear a few notes from side characters, like my hero’s ex-wife, Cresha, and the paralyzing sting of her regret.
But most of all, I hope you enjoy what you hear!!
Sight Beyond the Sun: Soundtrack
No Giving Up
Crossfade
Bad Blood
Taylor Swift
Can’t Be Tamed
Miley Cyrus
Confident
Demi Lovato
All I Want
A Day to Remember
Those Who Slay Together, Stay Together
Chiodos
Headstrong
Trapt
Whisper
Evanescence
My Head & My Heart
Ava Max
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8mBplMtwJ8
Assassin
John Mayer
Cut
Plumb
Consequences
Camilla Cabello
Fire Breather
Laurel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MATKtjyJ50
Teardrops
Bring Me the Horizon
Shivers
Ed Sheeran
Breathe Again
Pop Evil
Sight Beyond the Sun
Love Beyond Book 2
by Melody Johnson
Genre: SciFi Romance
Separating truth from lies is impossible in the game of spies…especially the lies you tell yourself.
A prison break.
Adrenaline junkie and explosives specialist Kinsley “Switch” Morales had a chip on her shoulder long before being caught in what she suspects is some sort of intergalactic human-trafficking ring. Aliens not only exist, their reptilian bodies are stronger, their honed reflexes faster, and their shiny scales nearly impenetrable. But nothing will curb Kinsley’s resolve to commandeer their spaceship and return home to Earth—even if that means crawling behind enemy lines and cozying up to their uncompromising captain.
An undercover mission.
When Raveno Hoviir catches Kinsley outside her cell, wreaking havoc in his control room, he sees more than just her strength, resolve, and courage. He sees a golden opportunity to finally root out the traitor under his command and prove his brother’s loyalty before the coming revolution. After so many years undercover, Raveno is finally one mission away from saving his planet from its tyrannical ruler. He’s sacrificed everything to protect his people—his love life, his anonymity, his left leg—but in his efforts to right his father’s wrongs, has he inadvertently become the very monster he plans to overthrow?
An unlikely alliance.
As Kinsley and Raveno each attempt to exploit the other, they find more than just leverage for their separate missions. Inexplicably, they find common ground in their mutual devotion to family and service. Kinsley knows all too well the grief and guilt of making the wrong decision in the field, but will Raveno keep his word to send her home if she flips loyalties? Is Raveno’s softening heart compromising his judgment, or is Kinsley’s intelligence accurate? Separating truth from lies is impossible in the game of spies. Seeing beyond their surface differences and trusting in love again may be the only way to save both their people—and each other
Beyond the Next Star
Love Beyond Book 1
An intolerable order. A desperate charade. A deadly secret…
Before Commander Torek Renaar can return to active duty, he’s ordered to purchase an animal companion to help relieve his PTSD symptoms. But having been a caretaker for and lost a loved one, keeping even one little human alive is a challenge he feels doomed to fail. It doesn’t help that his animal companion is the newest, most exotic breed on the market, demanding constant attention, daily grooming, and delicate handling. If she doesn’t die first in his incompetent care, she’ll be the death of him.
After witnessing the murder of her domestication specialist, Delaney McCormick allows her new owner to treat her like the pet he believes her to be. If anyone suspects she’s more intelligent than a golden retriever, her murder would be next. She endures the humiliation of being washed, the tediousness of being trained to “sit” and “come”, and the intrigue of hearing private conversations. But in Torek’s care, she finds something unexpected on this Antarctic planet, something she never had in all her years on Earth while house-hopping between foster families: a home.
As companionship grows to love, must Delaney continue the charade, acting like an animal and hiding from the murderer waiting for her misstep? Or can she trust Torek with her secrets, even if the truth threatens everything he holds dear—and both their lives?
**Also available in Audiobook !**
Audible * Amazon Audiobook * iTunes
Amazon * B&N * Bookbub * Goodreads
Melody Johnson is the award-winning author of the “out of this world” Love Beyond series and the gritty, paranormal romance Night Blood series published by Kensington Publishing/ Lyrical Press. She graduated magna cum laude from Lycoming College with her B.A. in creative writing and psychology.
Earning the 2021 Maggie Award of Excellence, Beyond the Next Star (Love Beyond, book 1) is an exciting branch from Melody’s paranormal romance roots, keeping the dark grit from her Night Blood Series and taking it to new worlds. Her first published novel, The City Beneath (Night Blood, book 1), was a finalist in the “Cleveland Rocks” and “Fool For Love” contests.
When she isn’t writing, Melody enjoys swimming, hiking, reading, and exploring her new home in southeast Georgia. Stay in touch with Melody on social media or her website: authormelodyjohnson.com
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon giftcard – 1 winner,
Free ebook – 10 winners!
*All music videos are only links to the original work on YouTube, and all copyrights and ownership belong solely to the artists. No profit was gained from posting the links to the songs.