A soundtrack with that, madame?

A couple of weeks ago I was introduced to the concept of soundtracking for books. I thought it was a weird idea and at first was pretty dismissive. I mean, I've heard of authors compiling their own inspirational soundtracks for books as they write them, but not for reading?

The sales guy was undeterred and sat me down and gently persuaded me to at least try reading one of the sample books with music/effects etc attached.

Imagine you're watching a film and the kids go down to the haunted basement but there's no music to raise your heartbeat and tell you how stupid this idea is...or the crashing waves during an intense love scene...or the uplifting 'All You Need Is Love' tune from Love Actually during the last scene at the airport- that always, always brings me to tears.

Well, this company (www.booktrack.com) is introducing the world to the concept of enhancing the reading experience by adding a soundtrack as you read. What's more, authors can upload some or all of their books and add their own soundtrack (or pay to have someone else do it).

Game for anything I had a go myself adding music, sound effects and ambience to part of a chapter in my upcoming Love Cats Novella 'Baby, It's Hot Outside'... (I went a bit over the top, playing with it just to see what you could actually achieve) and I've got it here for you to have a read and listen to see what you think about reading along to a soundtrack...

Oh, and it's an exclusive sneak preview to the novella- out on December 1st in the lovecats boxset. (Note: the cover I used for this is from their gallery and not the 'real' cover for the book!)

Why not have a look and a listen...you'll need to switch your volume up a bit ;-)

Baby It's Hot Outside

What do you think? Does a soundtrack enhance your reading experience or take away from it? 

Coming soon....

We have some very exciting news here on Lovecats Downunder!

A bunch of us have got together to bring you some new and never-before released novellas just in time for Christmas- and we wanted you to be the first to hear about them!

We've covered many of our favourite tropes and have wonderful hot and steamy settings across Australia and New Zealand. Because no-one does a hot and sexy Christmas box set better than us downunder!

Here are a few teasers...

Michelle Douglas
Christmas Wishes, New Year Kisses
When Josh Halliday drags his best friend and business partner Erin Timms to a tropical beach in Far North Queensland for some much needed R & R, he finds things heating up in a totally unexpected way. Fantasizing about his best friend is one thing. Falling in love with her is quite another.

Louisa George
Baby, It's Hot Outside
Daniel Wade is allergic to festive fuss, so being best man at a Christmas wedding is proving to be a double whammy of a challenge- especially as it means his estranged wife will be back on Waiheke Island for the celebrations.
Emma Neale is returning to Waiheke- and her husband- after 2 years and a lot of heart searching. She has divorce papers in her luggage and a job in Brisbane waiting for her. But seeing Danny again and sharing a kiss under the mistletoe has her questioning her decisions. Is it time to let him go, or is he the christmas gift she's been waiting for?


Helen Lacey
Her Christmas Cowboy
When her 18 year old sister rocks up on her doorstep with a baby on her hip four days out from Christmas, Sydney lawyer Elyse Prescott is forced to take her back home - to the tiny town of Denary, Queensland. But going back to Denary means facing every reason why she left - including Brett McCrane. Ten years ago the sexy cowboy had broken her heart and she'd never quite forgiven him. Now, with her wayward sister, her forgetful father, an adorable baby and a farm on the brink of foreclosure, all she wants to do is hightail it back to the city. Only...it's Christmas...and her family need her. And since Brett's eyes are still as blue and the chemistry between them is as combustable as ever, Elyse has to make a choice - to go back to the city and her old life...or take a chance on love...

Stefanie London
Sleigh Bells In The Sand
After spending a year chasing information about the mother who abandoned her, Neve Ritter has done the unthinkable. Instead of going home for Christmas, she’s agreed to house sit a beach cottage in Sorrento. But her idea of a reflective holiday is rudely interrupted when she realizes she not alone in the house. 
Damien Alessio is a passionate class action lawyer, best known for taking on greedy corporate giants. Only Damian is burned out and an embarrassing mistake has caused him the biggest loss of his career. When a severe hail storm strands them together, leaving them without power or phones, they find comfort - and a little Christmas magic - in each other's arms.

Make sure you pop back regularly and we'll give you more teasers from our other box set authors, Rachel Bailey, Jennifer St George and Kandy Shepherd

Release date is 1st December- so set the date in your diary! We will post more information as we get it.