I love country music. Love the sounds, the stars and the lyrics. In the car I can resist turning up the volume and belting out the words at the top of my lungs. (One of the things that I love about it is that I can actually understand the lyrics and I’m not totally embarrassed to sing them in front of my kids.) It’s a newfound love for me – growing up in New York City, you don’t hear much country. But since I move to Maryland, the northern tip of the South eight years ago, I’ve become a big fan. (I’ve also gotten into NASCAR, but that’s another story. Literally –I wrote about NASCAR in my debut release Revving Her Up :)).

Why do I love country music so much? It’s about real life. Situations that we all face. Problems and triumphs everyone can relate to. So many times I’ve found myself nodding while listening to a song on the radio. I know what that feels like. That’s happened to me. I enjoy listening other kinds of music – alternative rock is my fave for dancing around the living room – but no styles speaks to my life the way country does. And I can’t count the times that I have listened to a country song and thought I could write a story about that.

And I have! My latest release Nashville Trio, A Music City Ménage follows the passions of Ashley Ford, Rob Porter, and Ty Monroe through the highs and lows of love and passion in Music City, USA. Nashville Trio combines both friends-to-lovers and second-chance storylines into a romantic and sexy m/m/f novel, which I had a blast writing.

Nashville Trio was inspired by my overall love of country music, as well as some of its greatest recent hits. More than any other story I’ve written to date, Nashville Trio had a very definite soundtrack that kept me pumped from the first page to the last. (And if Rob Porter reminds anyone of a certain New Zealand/Australian country crooner and part-time American Idol host, that’s not a coincidence). Here’s a list of some of the songs and stars that helped me bring Nashville Trio to life:

• Country Girl (Shake It For Me) – Luke Bryan
• Famous in a Small Town – Miranda Lambert
• A Modern Day Prodigal Son – Brantley Gilbert
• Boondocks – Little Big Town
• The Good Stuff – Kenny Chesney
• You Gonna Fly – Keith Urban
• I Hold On – Dierks Bentley
• Whatever It IS – Zac Brown Band
• Stuck Like Glue – Sugarland
• Come Back Song – Darius Rucker
• Redneck Woman – Gretchen Wilson

Country music fans will recognize those names and probably most of the songs too. If you’re not familiar with country music, but want to learn, this is a great list to start with.

Here’s more about the novel inspired by those songs, Nashville Trio, A Music City Ménage, available now at most online e-book sellers:

Music City, USA.

After years of hard work country music duo Sweet Talk is on the verge of success. Singer Ashley Ford swore off the romantic entanglements that cost her mother her musical career, but her playing has fallen flat. She needs a spark.

Where inspirations strikes

Co-singer Rob usually find his pleasure with men, but when Ashley runs back to the arms of her ex lover Ty, he realizes that he’s no longer content being only a friend.

A tangled trio

Pride kept Ty from pursing Ashley to Nashville. When Ashley returns to his bed, Ty vows not to give her up again, even if it means sharing her with a man he finds aggravating – and surprisingly attractive.

When secrets and ambition seem poised to destroy her chance to be a star, Ashley must decide if she’s willing to risk it all for a Nashville Trio.

Thank you Delilah for letting me share my crazy country passion and my new release!

Now let’s hear from y’all – love country or hate it? Who are your fave singers? What songs make you crank the volume and sing? Time to confess!

About the Author:

Joy Daniels writes romance that’s Smart, Sexy and Down-to-Earth. She loves erotic romance because it allows her to expose her characters completely – strengths, flaws and scars. She’s originally from New York City, (and still a loyal Yankees fan!), but since moving south, she’s developed passions for NASCAR and country music. Both feature in her recent stories. In addition to writing (and reading!) she enjoys yoga, belly dancing, and growing veggies in the Washington, D.C. area with her scientist husband and two curious kids. She loves to hear from readers so drop her a note at authorjoydaniels@gmail.com, stop bywww.authorjoydaniels, or find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/joy.daniels.author.