you want more time?”
Hunter touched the grass one last time. Then he stood. “I’m ready. Let’s go home.”
BEYOND THE STORY
Spirit Playlist
“Some Nights” by fun
Anytime I write a book, there’s a song that kind of kicks it off for me and gets me in the mood for that character. With Spirit, I didn’t have a song that was talking to me. I’d listen to old music, write a chapter, scratch my head and write a little more, but I just wasn’t feeling it. I asked for lots of song suggestions on Twitter, and while there were tons of great suggestions (many of which made it into this playlist), none of them really fit Hunter. Then I heard Some Nights by fun, and I knew I had Hunter’s theme song. Every word fits.
“Home” by Philip Phillips
So this was the first year I didn’t watch American Idol. (Brigid, meet deadline.) I didn’t know about Philip Phillips until everyone else already did. But the instant I heard this song, I knew it would be part of the playlist for Spirit. I had a discussion with Alicia (my amazing editor), during which I was discussing some plot choices, and I said, “This book isn’t about Hunter finding romance. It’s about Hunter finding himself.” Hunter just needed a little guidance to get there, and this song really reminds me of his relationship with Michael.
“50 Ways to Say Goodbye” by Train
This song is catchy and clever and dark and hilarious, and for some reason, it reminds me of Hunter’s relationship with Kate.
“Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” by Pink
Heh. I love this song. Pink is a total badass. Or as Kristin Feliz would say, a BAMF. Totally makes me think of Kate.
“The Fighter” by Gym Class Heroes, featuring Ryan Tedder
This is totally the perfect song for gearing yourself up for something difficult. Fits the book and totally fits my life. Love it.
“Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid
This song has nothing to do with the book. But for some reason, I downloaded it, and I couldn’t stop listening to it while writing Spirit. Look, they’re not all going to be cool songs, okay? (But come on. You want to do the dance now, don’t you? Down down, do your dance . . .)
“Give Your Heart a Break” by Demi Lovato
I just loved this song the first time I heard it. It’s so unusual to hear a song sung by a woman promising not to hurt a guy. It’s a ballad (sort of), and I loved the turnabout. Perfectly fit Hunter and Kate’s story.
“Don’t You Worry Child” by Swedish House Mafia
I didn’t hear this song until Spirit was in edits, but I found myself with a lot of necessary revisions, and this song totally fit the mood. Fast, driving beat, and absolutely perfect lyrics for Hunter.
“Shake It Out” by Florence + the Machine
Usually I listen to songs by Florence + the Machine and I have no idea what they’re about. I just listen and like them. This song is no different, but the song moves me and made me think about Kate differently, letting me soften her edges. So in that way, I’d say this is Kate’s song.
“My Oh My” by Tristan Prettyman
Oh, this song has Kate and Hunter written all over it. Kate knows who she is and what she wants, and then she meets Hunter, and ends up questioning everything she thought she knew. (And Tristan Prettyman has an awesome voice!)
Read on for a bonus novella in the Elemental series, Breathless.
CHAPTER 1
Nick Merrick sat on his bed and ran his thumb along the edge of the sealed envelope.
He didn’t want to open it.
He probably didn’t need to. It was thin, and thin letters from universities typically meant one thing: rejection.
It wasn’t his first-choice school anyway. He’d applied at University of Maryland because they had a solid physics program and it was an in-state school. If they rejected him, he didn’t really care.
Much.
He’d thought applying early at a few local schools would be a safe bet, just to get himself into the rhythm of it, seeing what kind of feedback he’d get.
Apparently it meant he’d get used to rejection right off the bat.
The worst part was the twinge of guilt in his stomach.
Not because he might have to go out of state.
The guilt was because he wanted to. Sort of.
A new town would mean anonymity. No one would know about his powers.
No one would know him as Gabriel Merrick’s twin brother, half of a unit.
A new town meant he could just