Songs in the Key of Forbidden Love by Ellis Carrington

 

 

Today Ellis Carrington tells the story behind this wonderful story!

Authors get asked often about the inspiration for their stories. For me, as I would guess for a lot of writers, it’s a combination of real-life inspiration and a very rampant imagination. And then, there’s the music: Music has always been my first love. As I think it does for a lot of people, it evokes powerful emotions, and really gets my creativity churning. I can easily get completely lost in a song, or on a dance floor.

I was inspired to write my novella, Amor Prohibido, when Amber Allure posted an open call for novellas with a theme of “Postcards from Paradise.” I thought immediately of Puerto Morelos, Mexico, and right away, I envisioned Pakal. This gorgeous, sun-bronzed man, strolling casually across the town street. A man with the look of a handsome beach bum, with a job that seemed kind of mundane, who would turn out to be somewhat special and powerful—an immortal spirit guide. I thought about the local Mayan ruins, and sort of knew his story right off the bat. But I didn’t have a clear picture of Pakal’s love interest, at first.

And then one day I heard The Bravery’s “Believe” on the radio. That, combined with a recent conversation about the way folks seem to misperceive abuse in same-sex relationships (a subject I’ve got some personal experience with) came together to give me a very clear picture of Jacob, a man who had surfaced from a low and painful place in his life, only to find that he wasn’t quite sure where to proceed…or whether he really wanted to proceed at all. And just like that, thanks to that song, I knew not just Jacob’s story, but how the two would fall in love, and how they would make each other stronger.

And the journey that Jacob and Pakal wound up making together wasn’t an easy one to write, but in the end it was pretty thrilling, and the soundtrack was a lot of fun to listen to as I wrote their story. I’ve shared an excerpt, as well as my playlist, to help put everyone in the mood. I hope you enjoy:

Songs in the key of Jacob (and Amor Prohibido): The Bravery—“Believe,” Better than Ezra—“At the Stars,” Red Hot Chili Peppers—“Otherside,” The Airborne Toxic Event—“Half of Something Else,” Mother Love Bone—“Gentle Groove,” Matt Nathanson—“Faster”

Amor Prohibido:
Jacob Freehan has no job, no man, and no motivation. In pain both from ending a long-term abusive relationship and a severe back injury, he escapes to the sunny seaside town of Puerto Morelos for a little yoga, a little R&R, and possibly a place to quietly end his own life.
Pakal is a centuries-old immortal Mayan spirit guide who has been charged with getting Jacob on the path toward healing. Romantic involvement with a spirit charge is strictly forbidden, and it has never been a problem…until now. Pakal sees something special in Jacob, but failure to keep a rapidly growing attraction at bay could result in Jacob losing his life and Pakal being condemned to the Underworld forever…

Buy it here: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/AmorProhibido.html
Excerpt:

“Uh, yeah. Hi. Pakal, right?” As if he didn’t remember. Just like he remembered the hills and valleys of the large man’s muscular arms, the golden glow of the sun as it shimmered on his chest. The strong grip with which the man had shaken Jacob’s hand. He had, in fact, remembered it the night before in his dreams, and again that morning in the shower.
Pakal nodded and grasped Jacob’s injured leg without any pause to request permission. “Let me look at this,” he murmured.
Ah, damn. Pakal’s hands were warm, firm, and alarmingly reassuring as they massaged the muscles around Jacob’s aching knee. And then…there was that strange pulse again, strongest at the points where Pakal’s hand touched Jacob’s skin.
Though it had been a little startling at first, the sensation wasn’t at all unpleasant. It reminded Jacob of walking into a large dance club and feeling his body throb along with the bass line of his favorite music. He had an inexplicable urge to place a hand over Pakal’s bare chest, to see if it was the larger man’s heartbeat that Jacob’s body was vibing with.
Buy it here: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/AmorProhibido.html

One Response to “Songs in the Key of Forbidden Love by Ellis Carrington”

1. Clare London says:

   April 19, 2012 at 2:06 AM

   I’ve had this in my TBR pile for waaaay too long, it’s on its way up to the top of the reading list 🙂 I loved hearing about your inspiration.

   Reply