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Hiding secret messages in music

Do you know how to read music? If so, take a look at this and tell me if you notice anything unusual about it.

This is known as the BACH motif, which is an example of musical cryptography, a coded system used to create musical note sequences for names or other messages in musical compositions.

I have been intrigued by the idea of using musical scores and passages to encrypt messages for some time and thought it was a great concept for my Code Breakers Regency romantic suspense series. It provided inspiration for my current project, book 4 in the Code Breakers series, CANTATA OF LOVE.

Part of my fascination with this method of ciphering stems from my love of music. I’ve studied both voice and piano–mainly jazz– and I appreciate the mathematical complexity of music. Coding a message into a song’s musical score or the song lyrics requires a great deal of creativity and presented a tremendous challenge as I plotted the story. While researching period opera singers, such as Mrs. Elizabeth Billington, I discovered that operas were written for singers to show off their voices and allowed for improvisation. That would certainly have made it easy for musicians and performers to send coded messages to specific individuals!

Early examples of musical cryptography include Baroque composers who wove their names or the names of significant individuals into musical selections. The application found popularity with those engaging in espionage, due to the difficulty in breaking musical codes. Other examples of musical coding can be found in the songs of American slaves. Negro spirituals provided a means of communication for those who wanted to escape slavery; references to “going home” or “bound for Canaan” didn’t signify death and heaven but heading north to Canada and freedom.

In 2013, International Science Times featured a story that suggested a musical score written by composer Gottfried Federlein contained annotations that secretly documented the location of buried Nazi treasure.

One online website reports a number of “creepy spy radio transmissions” that feature suspected musical clues and/or codes broadcast over shortwave radios. This practice began around the time of WWI and continues today.

A special thank you to my friend and music composer Greg Bartholomew, who shared his expertise with me on this topic. Here is one of his compositions, Baby Blue Roses. When Daisies Pied is an example of a piece of music ladies would have sung during the Regency period.

Are there any songs you believe contain a hidden message?

A Cantata of Love, Book 4 in The Code Breakers Regency Romantic Suspense series, releases June 28^th. You can pre-order on iBooks.

Napoleonic France is no place for an Englishman, especially Michael Harcourt, the Earl of Kendal, who is on a clandestine assignment for the Crown. Already injured and facing imminent discovery by Napoleon and Fouche’s men, Michael finds his escape made even more perilous when he is charged with the safety of a young boy who must be spirited out of Paris.

Desperate to escape the terrible fate that awaits her if she remains in France, Lady Gabrielle De Valmont must disguise herself as a boy and rely on the cunning of a virtual stranger—an Englishman, no less—to smuggle her out of the country. When the Earl’s injury becomes severely infected, rendering him gravely ill, Gabrielle realizes it is now up to her to save them both.

#iBooksGalore June Giveaway

I’m giving away copies of my books to iBook readers throughout the month of June as part of the #iBooksGalore giveaway. This is a great way to stock up on summer reads if you use an iPod, iPad, iPhone or Mac.

Winners will randomly be announced on Facebook and contacted by email. Winners may select any title from my Grayce Walters series or the Codebreakers Regency romantic suspense series and will receive a code to download the ebook from iBooks.

Search #iBooksGalore on Twitter and Facebook to find other authors participating in this month-long giveaway!

Enter as often as you wish. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#amreading #amlistening

Celebrating Inspirational Women

My reader giveaway this month, a luxurious Caudalie Favorites Collection, was inspired by May holidays ~ Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and my birthday. To participate, I invited readers to nominate a special woman in their lives. I was so touched and inspired by these nominations that I felt each woman deserved acknowledgement. Although there were only two giveaway winners, the people touched by these incredible women are winners every day!

Regan W. and Carol C. nominated for their special friendships. (Nominated by Juanita D.)

Mom, for all she does. (Nominated by L.L.)

My nominee is Christina M. She is a historical romance author and a mother who works also. She is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet and a super duper auntie. (Nominated by Debbie H.)

I nominate my friend, Alice R. While I was off building my career she was raising children and grandchildren. I am so envious. Her  house is always full of love and laughter. So much love. (Nominated by Connie R.)

I would like to nominate Joy I., my best friend and sister. (Nominated by Jackie W.)

I would nominate Robin A. She was my AVID teacher all 4 years in high school. We still keep in touch. She has a huge heart that isn’t afraid to tell you like it is. She would encourage you to reach for the stars, hold you when you were feeling down, but would knock you down a peg when your head got to big. She always stood up for us and did whatever she could that was in her power to help us get a leg up but also teach us how to find a way to do it on our own. I didn’t have my mother around to help me with some of those things so she helped fill a part of that void, and I will always be grateful to her for that. (Nominated by Martina A.)

My elderly Mother has been an influence in my life in ways I could never have imagined.  She  is always there to lend a helping hand even though her age doesn’t permit her to be physically active. I owe her for most everything and would like to reward her for it.  Her name is Dorothy. (Nominated by Joy I.)

I would love to nominate my oldest sister Debbie. She was my rock when my daughter got ill and passed and she still is keeping me on an even keel. She is always helping others and doing things for her children and grandchildren. I know my niece  (her daughter) doesn’t truly appreciate her yet. I think that she just takes it for granted that mom will be there to help. I think that as my niece gets older she will look back and realize she should have shown her mom more appreciation for all the things she does.  I let her know all the time how special she is and how much she has done and still tries to do for me. She is truly and exceptional woman working a full time job, helping me through my hard times while her children were still teenagers and now always helping her daughter and doing things for all 3 of her grandchildren. (Nominated by Darlene H.)

My mom, Emily, because she is always doing for others and often neglects herself. (Nominated by Lori H.)

I would like to nominate my beautiful friend, Donna F. I met Donna many, many years ago, when our eldest sons were at school together. We were both pregnant, both having girls, our daughters are still very close to this day, and we lived a short distance apart. When we met my husband was in the RAAF and would spend months at a time away from home, leaving me with two young children and one on the way. I don’t drive, never have, so Donna took it upon herself to make me feel welcome in a new town. She would invite me for coffee/tea, take me shopping and so on… she kept a good eye on me to make sure I was always okay. Through the years she has been a solid rock when times have been rough. Always there with the offer of help and kind and supportive words, no matter what was going on in her own life. I could write pages and pages of all the things she has done for me, but this competition will, no doubt, keep you very busy reading about everyone’s special someone so I will keep it brief. Donna is a beautiful, kind and giving person who deserves to have something lovely happen to her, just because. She is always there for others and gives generously and selflessly. I love her very much and see her as more as a sister than a friend. (Nominated by Leah H.)

I would like to submit my mom, Nanda S. Many people say that they have the best mom in the world, but I can honestly say that after everything she has sacrificed for me and my two younger siblings, she is the best mom out there! My mom came to the United States from India in 1982. Just like anyone else who comes to this country, my mom came in pursuit of the American Dream. She immigrated to the United States because of her dreams of being a successful accountant and becoming a somebody after living her childhood in poverty. However, since she had me in 1986, my younger sister in 1990, and then my younger brother in 1994, she really had to put her dreams on hold and worry about raising us since my dad was the primary breadwinner in our home. In other words, my mom truly made her dreams a second priority and her children’s dreams a first priority.  (Nominated by Sonal S.)

I would nominate my Mom! She has been my rock and my best-friend all my life. We’ve been through some tough times. My Mom has always stayed strong and positive and has help me to keep moving forward and not to give up! (Nominated by Jane N.)

My sister Beverly K., is my best friend, my care giver (I have multiple sclerosis), my kick in the butt when I need it, and so much more. She is the BEST. (Nominated by Debra L.)

My sister is a marvel. Always the first to help out if needed. (Nominated by Mary P.)

#SpringFlingAudio Giveaway

April is blooming with all kinds of giveaways from authors, including the $3,000 Big Romance Author Spring Giveaway I am participating in. The goal is to connect readers with new authors, and I’m pleased that a few people have taken time to send me a friendly email or comment on my social media.

Spring Fling Audio is another multi-author giveaway I’m part of. All month long, romance authors are giving away audiobooks. Some have daily winners, some have weekly winners and some are doing “flash” giveaways. I’ll be posting a chance to win every Wednesday on my Facebook page. Just look for this graphic:

If you search #SpringFlingAudio on Facebook and Twitter, you can find other authors who are also giving away audiobooks. I can’t even begin to calculate how many chances you have to win! If you haven’t tried out audiobooks yet, they are available on Amazon, iTunes and Audible. You can listen on your computer, tablet, iPod or cell phone, thanks to free apps you can download.

Good luck and happy springtime!

$3,000 Big Romance Author Spring Giveaway

Attention all awesome people! This month is a cool time to be a reader. 101 of your favorite authors contributed to one massive giveaway! Giveaway rules are listed on the rafflecopter. International peeps can play! Got any questions? Feel free to ask. There are 100 ways to enter for a maximum possible 500+ entries per person. The giveaway lasts the entire month of April, so come back every day and hammer away at a few more entries until you’re all done!

ONE PERSON WILL WIN $3,000 USD! That’s the biggest giveaway I’ve seen recently! Tell your buds! Don’t miss out. You’ll kick yourself if you miss this one.

Participating Romance Authors:

101 different authors came together to make this giveaway possible. If you’ve been looking for a new book boyfriend, or you’re literally famished between your fave author’s releases, check out some of my peeps! They write in various hot romance genres including contemporary romance, new adult romance, erotic romance, steamy romance, urban fantasy romance, dystopian romance, historical romance, futuristic/ sci-fi/ fantasy romance, Teen/ YA romance, inspirational romance and time travel romance!

H.M. Ward
Kim Golden
Drew Jordan
Christi Caldwell
Scarlett Metal
Chris Almeida & Cecilia Aubrey
Heidi McLaughlin
Jenny Gardiner
Stacey Joy Netzel
Merry Farmer
Mallory Crowe
Julia Kent
Jean Oram
Vella Day
Meli Raine
Sherri Hayes
Jayne Rylon
Sarah M. Cradit
Erica Ridley
Christine Zolendz
Beverly Preston
Marquita Valentine
Melissa Storm
Dana Marton
Amy Bartol
Michelle Fox
Magan Vernon
Ainsley Booth
Venessa Kimball
Sidney Bristol
K.M. Scott
C.C.Wood
J.M. Miller
Zara Keane
Eliza Knight
L.P. Dover
Sadie Haller
Patricia McLinn
Suzanne Rock
Katherine Lowry Logan
Erin Richards
Tori Scott
Danielle Stewart
P.T. Michelle
Suzan Tisdale
T.M. Franklin
Evelyn Adams
S.E. Hall
Lauren Hawkeye
Josie Bordeaux
Melanie Marchande
Raci Ames
Catherine Gayle
Sam Cheever
J.M Cole
Brooke Blaine
Ella Frank
Allison Bell
Cristin Harber
Jacki Delecki
Tawdra Kandle
Sydney Logan
Laura Kaye
Laura Kamoie
Evie Harper
P.J. Fiala
Taylor Law
Pamela DuMond
D.L. Roan
Jenni Moen
LG Castillo
Rachel Schurig
Nina Levine
Rachel Hanna
Cheryl Bradshaw
Jessica Scott
Beth Yarnall
J.T. Geissinger
Stacey Mosteller
Kylie Gilmore
Maryann Jordan
Cari Quinn
Lauren Royal
Renea Mason
Christine Bell
Felicia Tatum
Fabio Bueno
RaShelle Workman
Nana Malone
Annika Martin
Sophia Knightly
Nikki Lynn Barrett
Marian Tee
Sarah Castille
Allyn Lesley
Ambrielle Kirk
Jami Davenport
Bonnie R. Paulson
Laura Stapleton
Kennedy Layne