Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Who Loves 80's Rock? by Jannine Gallant

Why did I write three books for the Class of '85 series, you ask? The series title hooked me. Okay, so I didn't graduate from high school in 1985, but I graduated from college in 1984. Those four years hold some wonderful memories. Times spent with good friends - carefree and happy, before the grown-up worries of a mortgage and how to pay for my kids' braces intruded.

June 18th through the 22nd, five books from this terrific series are free, including the first one I wrote, Lonely Road To You. To celebrate, I'm taking a trip back to the past and reliving those years. Today, let's talk music!

What music memories are conjured up when you think of the early 80's. For me, it's skipping through the halls of my dorm, singing Foreigner's Urgent and the Cars' Shake It Up really loud as a stress release before finals. I went to a couple of Pat Benatar concerts, and Hit Me With Your Best Shot was my favorite on Karaoke night. We listened to a lot of pop-rock back then. (Was it as crappy as the stuff the kids listen to now?) Do you remember hits by Yes, Quarterflash, and REO Speedwagon? If you're my age, I bet you do. And my all-time favorite song from that era, Stevie Nicks' Leather and Lace.

My hero in Lonely Road To You is an ex rock star looking for some forgiveness at his high school reunion for a youth spent with a love 'em and leave 'em attitude. Instead, he finds a love he never expected.

As I mentioned, five books from the series are free. Just click on the titles to be taken directly to the Amazon download link!

Lonely Road To You by Jannine Gallant
To Be, Or Not by Margo Hoornstra
Promises, Promises by Silver James
Embraceable You by Kat Henry Doran
Something More by Keena Kincaid

For more 80's nostalgia, follow me on my mini blog tour where I'll be talking about 80's fashion (shudder), the TV shows and movies that held us enthralled, and how life back then was different for kids than it is today. Find me at these places:

Vintage Vonnie June 19th
Keri Neal June 20th
JM Stewart June 21st
Kathy Wheeler June 22nd

So, what were some of your favorite songs from the early 80's? Let's immerse ourselves in nostalgia!

For information on my other books, including two more in the Class of '85 series, check out my website.

22 comments:

Leah St. James said...

Jannine - I'm a couple years ahead of you. By the time the mid-'80s hit, I had my first child. Unfortunately the rest of the decade is a blur...right up until about five years ago. :-) (I don't remember even hearing Leather and Lace!) But "before the blur," Pat Benatar was one of my favorites. (If you ever get a chance, check out the Crossroads episode with her and Martina McBride.) I just finished Lonely Road to You. Loved the story!

Margo Hoornstra said...

Jannine - first, thanks for doing this for all of us 85ers. I'm a few years ahead. Hmmmm. In another Class book, Glad Tidings, I alluded to the song This Guy's In Love With You by Herb Alpert. Bet you don't remember that one!

Alicia Dean said...

Love this post! I graduated high school in 1980, so this is exactly my era/music. I loved Foreigner, Boston, Bad Company, My Love is Alive by Gary Wright. Ah, you're bringing back memories. Thanks for the freebies. I already had yours, but I got the rest of them. :-)

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

My daughter graduated in '85 and my oldest son in '87. So, yes, I recall all those songs. Our house vibrated with them, which was ok. At least I knew where my kids were and what they were up to...even if I was going deaf in the process. LOL Great post, Jannine.

Diane Burton said...

In the 80s we lived in a small town in Missouri that had 2 radio stations. If it wasn't the farm report, it was country music. So Kenny Rogers' songs were played a lot. Once in a while, a pop song came through like Christopher Cross' Sailing.

Jannine Gallant said...

Leah, yep, Pat Benatar was a favorite. I loved those girl bands. Let's face it - girls rock! LOL So glad you enjoyed Lonely Road.

Jannine Gallant said...

Margo, uh-hum, my dad liked Herb Albert. Wasn't it Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass, or something like that? Let's hope we all get lots of downloads.

Alison Henderson said...

I LOVE 80's rock! I wasn't in school in the '80's, but I was married in '83 and childless until '86. My husband and I still have fond memories of the early days of MTV and can belt out those songs at the drop of a hat.

Jannine Gallant said...

Alicia, I graduated high school in 1980, too! My Love Is Alive - oh God, I just had a flash back!

Jannine Gallant said...

Vonnie, isn't it funny how we detest our children's music? I just roll my eyes at the crap my kids listen to. It must mean we're old!

Jannine Gallant said...

Go, Alison. I sing with all the songs on the oldies station. My girls are not impressed. And isn't it sad that those are now oldies?

Margo Hoornstra said...

SERIOUSLY? Your DAD liked Herb Alpert? And, yes, dear, it was and the Tijuana Brass. I'm of Vonnie's ilk. Mine graduated in '87, '90 and '00.

Christine DePetrillo said...

I just purchased a version of the Scene It game based on all 80s stuff, so that should tell you how much I heart the 80s. Going to see Bon Jovi in concert this summer too, so you know I love the big hair rockers! Will definitely have to download your book, Jannine. Sounds like it's right up my alley.

JenaGalifany said...

80s rock got me started writing. My ShadowsForge series follows an 80s rock band on tour. All of the groups mentioned were and are in my CD case but my number one is Def Leppard. Fortunately my son (who was born in '83) loves Def Leppard too. I send Nick to their concerts when they are in CA. I get the tour shirts! Thanks for the memories and the downloads.

Jannine Gallant said...

Margo, I could swear they had Herb Albert albums. My mom may still have them in her pile of vinyl. LOL

Jannine Gallant said...

Chris, I'm sooo happy to hear the 80's didn't die with us. I know you're a youngster, so I'm feeling way better about myself!

Jannine Gallant said...

Jena, that's right - you did a whole series on this topic! I have to admit I wasn't a Def Leppard fan. Loved The Who and Led Zeppelin, but now we're talking 70's. The true age of rock.

Ursula said...

I can't seem to leave the 80's. I currently got nostalgic for gothic music (The Cure, Gene Loves Jezebel, The Cult and Bauhaus). When I was in high school, I listened to a lot of New Wave Music and I loved the hair.

Jannine Gallant said...

Ursula, thanks for stopping by. I do remember The Cure. They had their own unique style.

Jannine Gallant said...

Diane, somehow your comment ended up in spam. I rescued it. LOL Our local small town radio station played a lot of country, too. I made sure I didn't listen to it! In college, I was near bigger cities so had the benefit of more stations.

Calisa Rhose said...

I've got my copies and I'll try to make some of your blog tour stops, Jannine. Congrats~

Jannine Gallant said...

Thanks, Calisa. Tomorrow I'm visiting Vonnie and talking 80's TV.