Guest Post: Laura DeLuca author of "Destiny" & "Destiny Unveiled"

The Destiny Soundtrack

When I was writing Destiny and Destiny Unveiled, I was working at an insurance company with my good friend and unofficial editor, Erin Coffey.  Erin and I used to proof read a chapter together each day after hours. After spending a day dealing with a bunch of angry and obnoxious clients (some of which became characters in Destiny), making fun of my typographical errors was therapeutic for us. I still laugh at her side comments on my original manuscripts. Things like, “Um, are you sure you want Darron toying his hoagie? That sounds a little dirty.” LOL

As we were reading, another thing that we did was create a soundtrack for the Destiny series, in the hopes that the books might someday be made into a movie. There were a few songs I already had in mind, but Erin was an essential part of picking out the full soundtrack.  So I had to give her some credit, especially since we spent literally hours proof reading together.  Now, this soundtrack is probably going to show our age. Erin and I, in addition to being co-workers for years, are also proud alumni of the Wildwood Catholic graduating class of 1994. Most of the songs we picked are ones that were popular in our high school and college years.  So without further ado, here is the soundtrack for the Destiny Series. 

Disc  One - Destiny

Do You Believe In Magic - The Lovin' Spoonful   - Yes, this song is almost too cliché, but it just fits so well because the very first question posed to my heroine is whether or not she believes in magick. I can see the opening credits rolling as this song plays, leading up to Gabby and her friends at their lockers.

So She Dances – Josh Groban – It may be true that Josh Groban is the only man alive I would actually consider having an affair with, but that’s not the only reason he’s on my soundtrack. This song would work wonderfully in Chapter 6 when Darron meets Gabriella’s mother for the first time.

I Can’t Get Next to You – Annie Lennox  This song was destined to be in the coffee house scene in Chapter 12, a scene where Gabrielle and Darron get into a heated argument.  It has a nice beatnik beat that would fit a coffee house theme, and the lyrics are perfect for this pair of star crossed witches.

“I can turn the grey sky blue

And I can make it rain whenever I want it to

And I can build a castle from a single grain of sand

And I can make a ship sail on dry land

But my life is incomplete and I'm so blue

'Cause I can't get next to you”

My Destiny – Kathleen McPee   This is my favorite song in the whole soundtrack. It would play in the background during the dance scene. I can see the circles of light swirling as Gabby and Darron gaze into each other’s eyes   Just listen to the video below, and if you read the book, you’ll know why I love it so much. It’s more than just a track on the soundtrack. It’s the official Destiny theme song.

Lullaby - Josh Groban   Yes, Josh is back again. I admit it. I’m a Gronbanite. But can you think of a better man to sing at a funeral? Yes, someone is going to die, but you’ll need to read the book to see who doesn’t make it to the sequel.

Underneath My Clothes – Shakira   I think the title of this song speaks for itself. I picked this ballad for a love scene because I like that it’s told from the point of view of the woman getting all that she knows she deserves.

Oh, Ho Ho, Its Magic – Pilot   This is the closing song for book number one. But don’t think that just because it’s a little upbeat, that everything turns out okay. Obviously, there are still going to be issues to resolve or we wouldn’t have…

Disc Two -  Destiny Unveiled

Graduation (Friends Forever) – Vitamin C  Okay, so I told you I’m a dork from the nineties. But you have to admit, this is the perfect opening song for a high school graduation scene. Although Erin did threaten to kick my butt if I ever played this tune anywhere near her.

Miami – Will Smith   I am nothing if not diverse, so we have to throw a little Will Smith into the mix. When the gang’s plane arrives in Miami, I can imagine this song playing as scenes from all the Miami hot spots flash by.

Magic – Colby Caillat  This would be the beach scene, and these lyrics totally sum up Gabriella’s feeling for Darron. 

“You've got magic inside your finger tips

Its leaking out all over my skin

Every time that I get close to you

your makin’ me weak with the way you

look through those eyes”

Brain Stew – Green Day  There is one scene in Destiny Unveiled where Darron really loses control, and this song comes as close as possible to describing his emotions at that time. Of course since this is a YA book, we would have to bleep out a few curse words... 

I Feel the Magic – Belinda Carisle – This one Erin hand picked out for me, mostly because she got really sick of me singing Yo Ho, Ho Its Magic all day.   I had never heard it before, but I knew it was perfect. It really helps tie things up in the final chapters.

It’s the End of the World – R.E.M. – This would be the closing credits, and I definitely think it hints that there is more to come…and guess what they’re will be….

Destiny’s Path (tentative title), the third book is the Destiny series is well underway, and will be dedicated to Erin to thank her for all her hard work.  Time for us to start planning the next soundtrack! In the meantime, I still have these soundtracks in my car. Yes, I actually made CDS and listened to them every single day at work the whole time I was writing the books, much to Erin’s displeasure. I know. I’m such a dork… In closing, I just want to thank my friend Erin Coffey one more time, for her help in the soundtrack selections, for her unwavering support, and of course, for not killing me the 66th time I belted out “Miami” while she was trying to work.  I’m really not very good at rapping…Love you Erin!!

Gabriella is a witch. The problem is, she doesn't remember. She repressed the memories of her powers years ago when her mother was murdered. Now, the warlock who was responsible for her mother's death has set his sights on Gabriella. He is determined to use her fear to turn her to the dark side of magick…even if it kills her. Her mother's spirit is reaching out to warn her, but even that she pushes away. Desperate to save her daughter, the spirit finds a male witch–one that just happens to be in love with Gabriella. Darron is more than willing to help but the two young witches will have way more to battle than just an evil warlock. There are overbearing jocks and petty rich girls who get tempers flaring and often set Gabriella and Darron at odds.

There is more to the story than Gabriella and Darron could even imagine. There are terrible secrets to be revealed, battles to be waged, and lives will be lost. Only after Gabriella and Darron both come to terms with who they really are, and open themselves up to the true meaning of magick, can they have any hope of fulfilling their destiny.

  

Gabriella and Darron thought their magickal battle was over when they defeated the evil warlock, Richard. When her Aunt Donna seeks Gabriella's help in rescuing her catatonic daughter from the Dark Coven, Gabriella discovers that her cousin holds a power within her that would be catastrophic in the hands of the evil witches. Gabriella's coven sets out on a journey that may be their last. Along the way, they meet new allies, face devastating treachery, and battle not only the Dark Coven, but the darkness within themselves. When Gabriella finally comes face to face with the cousin she never knew existed, her true destiny is unveiled, and the fate of the mortal world is in her hands.

Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart.  In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. Visit her on her websites at http://authorlauradeluca.blogspot.com or  http://newagemama.blogspot.com .

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Destiny Excerpt:

Her eyes scanned the room, from the pale blue sofa to the bloody dent in the wall. But she didn’t need her eyes to know Darron was there. Her heart sensed his presence before her eyes saw him lying in a heap on the ground. His body shuddered with occasional spasms, and even though he wasn’t fully conscious, his lips were twisted in a grimace of pain.

Uttering a gasp of surprise, Gabriella flew to his side. She knelt beside him, and choked back a sob as she took his hand in her own. She saw his chest rise and fall and was glad to know was alive, but she felt helpless as she watched his face contort in pain. She noticed something wet and sticky on her fingertips. She gently titled his head and saw a large gash that looked like it needed medical attention.  The skin around the gash was so deeply bruised it looked almost black.

 “Darron, what happened to you?”

He didn’t move or reply. Gabriella moved her hand from the cut on his forehead, and her fingers dripped with blood. She bit her lower lip with fear. She knew enough about head injuries to know that the wound could be serious. She grabbed a few tissues from a box on the coffee table, and tried to apply pressure to the wound, but it was useless. The tissues were soaked through in seconds.

 “Darron?” She squeezed his hand, and fought back tears of fear and frustration.  “Darron, please open your eyes. Please be all right!”

He squirmed and groaned a little in response. Looking at his contorted features, Gabriella felt incompetent and useless. She didn’t know what to do to help him. The cut must need stitches. The blood was gushing through her fingertips, and she was sure his life was slipping away just as quickly.

More than anything, Gabriella wanted to help Darron, to end his suffering. Her thoughts, her desperation, caused something deep inside of her to stir. Something that had long been napping was awoken. The power she had fought so hard to deny was forcing its way to the surface. This time she didn’t struggle against that power. Her instinct to hide from it was finally overcome by the thought of losing someone else she cared about.

Gabriella was pulling strength and warmth from the earth, as though her legs were tree roots taking nourishment from the element. A tingling sensation began in the tips of her toes and spread slowly though her body as she breathed in the essence of the element of air.  Her blood flowed and grew warm, the element of water, bringing the power to the surface. She was overcome by a vigorous strength as she envisioned her spirit encircled by the element of fire. She felt so powerful that she thought she could stop the world from churning if that was what she wished. Gabriella focused the power, remembering for a moment her mother’s lessons. She looked down at her battered friend. She willed him to open his eyes and look at her. She demanded it of him.

Gabriella would have thought it was impossible, but she felt herself grow warmer. Her face dripped with perspiration. The power within her reached a climax. Then finally, when she thought she might burst, she felt the energy release. It seeped through her fingers, and shined with an illumination that only she could see. She heard herself chanting unfamiliar words, and scarcely recognized her own voice.

 “By the power of earth, water, fire and air,

Heal this man who’s in my care.

Goddess, hear your daughter’s plea.

As I will it, so mote it be!”

Gabriella repeated the words three times. Three was the number of power. Then she watched as the wound on Darron’s forehead healed before her eyes, becoming smaller and smaller, until finally it was gone. The blood was still warm and sticky, but beneath the blood, the skin was smooth and unmarred. Even the horrible bruise had vanished. Gabriella stared in open astonishment, marveling at the work she had done.

Destiny Unveiled Excerpt:

After collecting the offering from his followers, the leader returned to the center of the circle and the waiting initiate. With one quick motion, he sliced open his own palm. He held his hand over the cup, letting his blood drip slowly into the chalice, until the wound miraculously healed before Darron's startled eyes. When the chalice was full, he carried it to the eager initiate who took the cup firmly into his hands and tilted it towards his lips.

"As this blood makes you one with our flesh, so your soul follows to become one with the darkness," the English voice intoned.

As the initiate drained the last of the liquid in the chalice, his hood fell away, revealing a blonde ponytail pulled back over a pale white face, made even paler by the outline of bright red blood around his lips. Darron watched in stunned, horrified silence as his own face turned to meet his gaze. Eyes turned as black as coals stared back at Darron with a grim smile of satisfaction.

"Rise Darron," the leader commanded. And as he spoke, he lifted the hood from his head. Rise brother of the Dark Coven."