I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on blog tour for THE ARCHITECT OF
SONG by A.G. Howard! I freaking LOVED this new book of hers! It’s a New Adult Fantasy
Historical Gothic Romance with an awesome mystery and swoons!! I have A.G.’s
playlist to share with you today! And make sure to enter the awesome giveaway it’s
international!
Haven't heard of THE ARCHITECT OF SONG? Check it out!
Title: THE ARCHITECT OF SONG
Author: A.G. Howard
Pub. Date: August 15, 2016
Publisher: A.G. Howard
Pages: 425
Formats: Paperback, eBook
A lady imprisoned by deafness, an architect imprisoned by his past, and a ghost imprisoned within the petals of a flower - intertwine in this love story that transcends life and death.
For most of her life, nineteen-year-old Juliet Emerline has subsisted – isolated by deafness – making hats in the solitude of her home. Now, she’s at risk to lose her sanctuary to Lord Nicolas Thornton, a twenty-seven-year-old mysterious and eccentric architect with designs on her humble estate. When she secretly witnesses him raging beside a grave, Juliet investigates, finding the name “Hawk” on the headstone and an unusual flower at the base. The moment Juliet touches the petals, a young English nobleman appears in ghostly form, singing a song only her deaf ears can hear. The ghost remembers nothing of his identity or death, other than the one name that haunts his afterlife: Thornton.
To avenge her ghostly companion and save her estate, Juliet pushes aside her fear of society and travels to Lord Thornton’s secluded holiday resort, posing as a hat maker in one of his boutiques. There, she finds herself questioning who to trust: the architect of flesh and bones who can relate to her through romantic gestures, heartfelt notes, and sensual touches … or the specter who serenades her with beautiful songs and ardent words, touching her mind and soul like no other man ever can. As sinister truths behind Lord Thornton’s interest in her estate and his tie to Hawk come to light, Juliet is lured into a web of secrets. But it’s too late for escape, and the tragic love taking seed in her heart will alter her silent world forever.
International and NYT bestselling author, A.G. Howard, brings her darkly magical and visual/visceral storytelling to Victorian England. The Architect of Song is the first installment in her lush and romantic Haunted Hearts Legacy series, a four book gothic saga following the generations of one family as - haunted by both literal and figurative ghosts - they search for self-acceptance, love, and happiness.
New Adult: Recommended for ages 17+.
Check out the book
trailer!
Now on to the playlist!
Today, it’s
all about the music.
(picture attribution: ABSfreepic.com)
While writing
The Architect of Song, there were moments where I had to isolate myself
and sit in quiet places to really get in Juliet’s mindset and experience the
roar of silence that envelops her at every moment. I even borrowed my husband’s
noise-cancelling headphones a few times. And wow, did I miss the gift of sound I
take for granted each day!
This tactic also
gave me an even deeper appreciation for music and its mood enhancing qualities.
Were my muse not such a slave to songs, I might’ve attempted to write this
entire book entrenched in silence, just for the authenticity of the experience.
But music helps my mind work, and kindles the emotional sparks I put on the
page. It’s a tool I utilize with each book I write.
If you’re
familiar with my website, you’ve no doubt found the playlists for the Splintered
Series. If not, here’s a link. Today, I’ll be revealing five titles from The
Architect of Song’s official playlist, along with which scenes or character(s)
they’re tied to and why. In keeping with the melancholy and gothic old world
tone, this playlist consists mainly of somber piano accompaniments, romantic ballads,
lullabies, instrumentals, and vocals with poignant lyrics and gentle melodies. To
see all 43 of the songs, follow this link.
My Mother by Javier Navarrete: This instrumental piece helped
me set a creepily elegant tone for some of the darker scenes toward the end.
This Voice by Ane Brun: Ane’s gritty and earthy vocals juxtaposed with the upbeat melody perfectly represent Juliet’s unease yet elation to have discovered a way to hear a voice again—a wondrous secret she can’t share with anyone.
The Storm by Justin Dye: The lyrics of this song are
somewhat of a mystery. I can’t find them written out anywhere online. But the
grinding, tortured vocals reference an emotional turmoil and loneliness so
bleak it hammers the singer’s bones like thunder. This fits Viscount Thornton’s
state of mind throughout most of the book, as he’s bearing so many past
mistakes and secrets he can’t give himself fully to Juliet without her
constantly suspecting every motive. He’s the epitome of storm-tossed.
Need the Sun to Break by James Bay: This title belongs to Hawk, our
ghost. Oftentimes throughout the book, he has to sit and wait for Juliet to
wake. He no longer requires eating or sleeping, so the nights are very long for
him. He often spends them looking out the window, praying for the dawn to come,
so he can be with Juliet again—his one tie to the living world.
Everyone’s Memory is Snow by Phildel: Another instrumental with dreamy, melancholy
piano-work reminiscent of snow or petals falling, that inspired me as I wrote many
of the bittersweet and heartbreaking moments of the book.
Hope you enjoyed the insider’s look at each of these songs. Don’t forget to check out the rest of the playlist at this link!
Today’s spotlight prize is this 5X7 musical
print, with a sentiment from Mozart that perfectly encapsulates Juliet’s
journey to finding the music within her silence:
Enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to
win!
About A.G. Howard
A.G. Howard was inspired to write SPLINTERED while working at a school
library. She always wondered what would've happened had the subtle creepiness
of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland taken center stage, and she hopes her
darker and funkier tribute to Carroll will inspire readers to seek out the
stories that won her heart as a child.
When she's not writing, A.G.'s pastimes are reading, rollerblading, gardening, and family vacations which often include impromptu side trips to 18th century graveyards or condemned schoolhouses to appease her overactive muse.
When she's not writing, A.G.'s pastimes are reading, rollerblading, gardening, and family vacations which often include impromptu side trips to 18th century graveyards or condemned schoolhouses to appease her overactive muse.
Giveaway Details:
All tour prizes (INTL):
2 - signed The Architect of Song paperbacks
3 - The Architect of Song e-books
1 - heart locket necklace
1 - Architect of Song poster
1 - faux leather journal
1 - 5X7 musical print
3 - The Architect of Song swag packs
1 – LitCube surprise box
13 separate winners
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
7/25/2016- Dark Faerie Tales- Guest Post-Hybrid Author
7/25/2016- a GREAT read- Review
7/26/2016- Lisa Loves Literature- Review
7/26/2016- Bookfever- Review
7/27/2016- Fiktshun- Character Interview
7/28/2016- The Reading Café- Review
7/28/2016- Adventures of a Book Junkie- Review
7/29/2016- Please Feed the bookworm- Review
7/29/2016- 21st Century Once Upon
A Times- Review
Week Two:
8/1/2016- Once Upon a Twilight - Exclusive Excerpt
8/1/2016- Ramblings of a Daydreamer- Review
8/2/2016- My Friends Are Fiction- Guest Post- Fashion
8/2/2016- Sarcasm & Lemons- Review
8/3/2016- Cornerfolds- Review
8/3/2016- BookHounds
YA- Review
8/4/2016- Bookiemoji- Exclusive
Excerpt
8/4/2016- Owl Always Be Reading- Review
8/5/2016- Mundie Moms- Review
8/5/2016- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post- Playlist
8/5/2016- The Cover Contessa- Review
