Tarot Playlist: The Songs that Bring Down the Magician

This is the second half of the playlist for Tarot: The Magician. Here, Kassandra finds herself trapped inside the tarot cards. She journeys card to card on her way to the Magician card, the home of Luke Rykell.

The Hanged Man

Gabriel has been hanging around (literally) for nearly 600 years. Boy, does he have a story to tell. He’s also been tormented for centuries by his guilt of the death of his secret love. For this, I imagine “Julia” by The Beatles. The song commemorates the death of John Lennon’s mother in a car accident. His sadness and love is evident in the song.

Force

Kassandra enters the Force card and must face her pain of cutting head on. Her fears take the form of a lion, so I had to use “Roar” by Katy Perry.

The Wheel of Fortune

Kassandra finds Auntie Jo here, only to be forced to leave her behind. This scene takes place in a faux New Orleans, which always reminds me of Paris. I imagine Rufus Wainwright’s “Complainte de la Butte” playing.

The Fool

Kassandra lands herself dead center in the worst card in the deck: The Fool. Here she risks slipping into nostalgia. “Fool for Love” by Sandy Rogers fits this well.

The Magician

Before Bradley wrote the theme song for the novel, I had envisioned Portishead’s Glory Box as the song for this card (and the book trailer).

I hope these songs have inspired you as much as they did me.

Tim Kane

Tarot Playlist: Songs to Divine By

I have to say, I’ve never been one for the reading playlist or casting my characters as actors. For me, this is a sidetrack away from the actual writing. But then I started doing it, and I’m hooked. Listed here is the soundtrack to Tarot: The Magician. (Actually it’s only the first half because I can’t say no to a song).

These aren’t songs I write to. I just can’t manage to do that. Things need to be silent. Instead, if I were to lay a soundtrack down through my book, this is what it would be.

Theme Song

This is, of course, the song written by Bradley.

Discovering the Cards

Kassandra discovers the cards in the first chapter, but their full abilities don’t reveal themselves until later in the book. The cards sort of lurk, casting off bits of strangeness here and there until emerging to save Kassandra from ridicule. For this feeling, I imagine “Blue Bell Knoll” but the Cocteau Twins.

Bathroom Scene

This is where Kassandra cuts herself for the first time (at least the first time in the book). Being a big Johnny Cash fan, I had to use “Hurt”.

Luke Rykell Arrives

Of course, everything looks up for Kassandra after Luke arrives. He offers false hope. She hasn’t realized yet his ulterior motives. For this scene, only the Chairman of the Board will do: Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.”

Dreams of the Garage

During this time, Kassandra dreams of her old garage in Seattle. There she meets her Dad. Later, we learn this is actually the Death card from the Tarot deck. For this scene I’d choose “O Death” from O Brother Where Art Thou.

Confrontation with Luke

The final confrontation with Luke has Kassandra running home and barricading herself in the house. Luke simply strolls up the sidewalk. This song always fills my head for this scene. It’s “Ball and a Biscuit” by the White Stripes.

After this point, Kassandra becomes trapped inside the Tarot cards. To hear those songs, check out the next post.

Tim Kane

Pinterest Lives Again

I had (notice past tense) an extensive list of photos tagged and cataloged on Pinterest. But then life came crashing in and I stopped posting. My email changed and voila, I was no longer able to access my Pinterest account. Oh, it’s still there, just languishing and underfed.

To rectify this, I created a brand new Pinterest account and starting following myself (that would be my old account). Therefore I can repin all my old photos (the 1000s) onto my new site. Tedious? Yes. But something I can do while in line at the grocery store.

Here are some sample pins, currently centered around my debut novel, Tarot: The Magician.

Wordle Tarot

All of the first chapter of Tarot: The Magician

I love the mystery of this photo. It's called "Discovered" by David Dallilet. This reminds me of the Black Plague suits doctors would wear.

I love the mystery of this photo. It’s called “Discovered” by David Dallilet. This reminds me of the Black Plague suits doctors would wear.

This painting, called "All Seeing" reminds me of Guiermo Del Toro's work. Although the painting is by Sarah Jones.

This painting, called “All Seeing” reminds me of Guiermo Del Toro’s work. Although the painting is by Sarah Jones.

Yes. I also adore books. In 2005, Swiss artist Jan Reymond began constructing elaborate installations each year, made of the old, unsold books as a last hurrah for the soon-to-be discarded objects.

Yes. I also adore books. In 2005, Swiss artist Jan Reymond began constructing elaborate installations each year, made of the old, unsold books as a last hurrah for the soon-to-be discarded objects.

Tim Kane

Tarot Blog Tour Giveaway

TAROT word blog tour

When Kassandra Troy discovers an ancient tarot deck, her life takes a thrilling and frightening turn. She triggers The Magician card, and releases the mysterious and captivating Luke Rykell. He lifts Kassandra out of despair, dispelling the devastation she feels after her father’s death. But Luke has a dark secret. He wants the magical deck for himself. The only way Kassandra can save herself is to journey into the Tarot cards. But once inside, can she ever escape?

Irresistibly compelling and heart-wrenching, Tarot: The Magician is a superb fantasy tale that will haunt you long after you’ve read the last page.

Download the ebook from Midnight Frost Books as well as Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords. Not sure? Read a free sample here. Or click on the fancy schmancy button below.

Snail Sample Button

Tarot Book Trailer

I worked for over two months drawing and coloring the panels you see in this trailer. I wanted it to be as special as the book. However, I was daunted by the music. I’m no musician. However, if it were silent, or had canned music, that would undermine all the hard work I put into the animation. Bradley Coy came to my rescue. For the full story on how the theme for the book trailer was created, read A Theme Song for an ebook.

Book Reviews

Don’t trust me. Here are readers who have read and commented on the book.

“I especially enjoyed Kassandra’s journey through the cards as she tries to solve the problems she’s faced with and find her way out. And the ending gives me hope for a sequel (or a series?)” by Tara at Dividing by Zero

Giveaway Details

By helping me promote Tarot: The Magician, you some gifts. This time around, I’m giving away the Steampunk Tarot by Barbara Moore and Aly Fell. It looks wickedly cool. I’m quite temped to order a second for myself.

steampunk-standout

 

You’ll also get some cash to spend. I’ll email you an Amazon gift card so you can buy your own swag.

15-gift-card-amazon

Click this LINK or anywhere on the image below to take you to enter the giveaway. You can also enter via Facebook. Hurry, this event ends Friday, June 20th!

Blog Tour PROMO

Tarot Blog Tour

TAROT word blog tour

Yes! I’m happy to announce my first blog tour. Please visit the following bloggers and comment on the tour as it progresses.

Blog Schedule:

Monday, June 9th: Chelsea’s Reading Adventures, Owltastic Promotions

Tuesday, June 10th: Tara Len Walker, Paranormal eBooks, Dividing by Zero

Wednesday, June 11th: The eBook Promotions

Thursday, June 12th: New Age Mama, A Book Addict’s Delight

Friday, June 13th: Tamaria Soana, Reading, Writing and Roses

Monday, June 16th: fuonlyknew, Harlie’s Books

Tuesday, June 17th: Clutter Your Kindle

Wednesday, June 18th: Book Talk Reviews

Book Review:

The first book review for the blog tour is in. Tara, from Dividing by Zero, reviewed Tarot: The Magician.

The story itself is well-written and engaging. Each chapter begins with a quote from a Romantic poet (Keats, Byron, Wordsworth, etc.), as Kassandra is a poetry lover. As a fan of the Romantics myself, I liked this added insight into the character and her interests (and her emotional state). This book is a page-turner; it’s fast-paced and the author keeps the action moving. I especially enjoyed Kassandra’s journey through the cards as she tries to solve the problems she’s faced with and find her way out. And the ending gives me hope for a sequel (or a series?).  

Read More at Dividing by Zero

Giveaway:

I’ll be posting soon for the giveaway contest related to the blog tour. Stay tuned.

Tim Kane