Guest Post and Giveaway: Harp's Song (#1) by Cassie Shine

Description:

In just a few months Harp Evans will be officially coming of age and graduating from high school. She will be free from the mother that never wanted her, the house that never felt like home, and the disappointment of the last seventeen years. What she doesn’t know is that her mother has been holding onto a secret that has the potential to derail her dreams and destroy her already faulty sense of self. 

A self-proclaimed recluse, Harp spends most of her time practicing the cello, in the hopes of earning a full scholarship that will grant her freedom, but will also send her away from her best friend Connor Williams, who is becoming more than just a friend. 

As revelations are made, will Harp still feel the same way about leaving everyone that cares about her behind? Or will she continue to pursue the life she’s been dreaming of for as long as she can remember?

GUEST POST

Music plays such an important role in Harp’s Song and is a savior for Harp. I can relate and have always gravitated to music and yes … I was in the band throughout middle school and high school.

Here is my Top Ten Music Playlist for Harp’s Song

1. Bach Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Major

2. Brave by Sara Bareilles

3. This is what it Feels Like Jasmine Thompson 

4. Dvorak Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104

5. Home Gabrielle Aplin

6. Girl with the Red Balloon The Civil Wars

7. Try by Pink 

8. The Secret for cello and piano by Adam Hurst

9. Taylor by Jack Johnson

10. F*ckin Perfect by Pink 

The classical pieces on this list are also some of my favorites. From an early age, I was exposed to classical music and it has a special place in my heart. I am a fan of the classics, gravitating to Baroque music a lot, as well as new pieces-like the one above from Adam Hurst. If you haven’t heard of him, check out his You Tube channel. His melodies are hauntingly beautiful and as a fellow cellist, I thought Harp would identify with those themes as well as the tones and notes he uses to express those feelings. 

Some of my favorite songs on this list are “Try” by Pink and “Brave” by Sara Bareilles. Despite having amazing, catchy beats, these songs are about empowerment and strength. Harp has had a rough life and relationship with her mother. With their history, and her mother’s revelations, Harp looses herself and questions everything-including her existence. These themes are common for children of abuse to suffer and the following songs remind us that life is tough, but that with strength and courage who you are is perfect despite what others might tell you.

MY FAVORITE LYRICS 

My favorite lyrics from “Try”

Ever worry that it might be ruined

And does it make you wanna cry?

When you're out there doing what you're doing

Are you just getting by?

Tell me are you just getting by, by, by?

You gotta get up and try, and try, and try

Gotta get up and try, and try, and try

“Brave” by Sara Bareilles

You can be amazing

You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug

You can be the outcast

Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love

Or you can start speaking up

Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do

When they settle ‘neath your skin

Kept on the inside and no sunlight

Sometimes a shadow wins

But I wonder what would happen if you

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

TOUR SCHEDULE

Goodreads ** Smashwords ** Amazon ** Barnes&Noble

About the author:

Cassie Shine released her debut young adult novel, Harp's Song in November 2013, finally finishing the short story she started in her college creative writing class … many, many moons ago. She has always been an avid reader and lover of music (yes, she was in the high school marching band). While she has a weak spot for all things teeny bopper, especially boy bands, she also loves classical, country, rock and well, pretty much everything. 

After living in St. Louis for more than ten years, she and her husband packed up a U-Haul and headed west. They currently live in Orange County, CA with their furry kids Finnegan and Molly.

Website ** Goodreads ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Google+ ** Instagram

DONATION

Harp's Song explores very important issues and April is the National Sexual Assault Awareness Month as well as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. 

RAINN: RAPE, ABUSE & INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK and CHILDHELP are organizations that do amazing work to help those who need it most. During the month of April, 10% of sales from Harp's Song will be donated to these organizations.

RAINN ** CHILDHELP