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I Love the 80s

When I look back at pictures of my parents in their youth, I can't help but ask, "What were they thinking?" Bell bottoms? Plaid? Bouffant hairdos? My parents went through middle/high school in the 60s. Two decades later, it was my turn to embrace the current fads, and boy did I think I was trendy with my leg warmers, my Swatch watch, my high bangs, and my earcuffs. The photo on the left is me in 1985. I'm sporting capris with scrunchy socks and a cutoff shirt. And the perm. Oh, my, my, the perm! Lol! It's all rather embarrasing now, but I do have fond memories of 80s pop culture, particularly the music and movies from that time period. Music has a way of conjuring up memories. When I hear an old song, I often recall where I was, what I was doing, or how I was feeling when I heard it in the past. For example, when I hear Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", I see a vivid picture of me sitting in my old kitchen listening to Casey Kasem's American Top 40 on the radio (I lived in Germany at the time, and we only had one American radio station, so it was always a treat to listen to his show on Sundays). Cyndi Lauper was so outrageous and, well, unusual at the time; I loved her! Michael Jackson, Sting, Duran Duran, Madonna, Huey Lewis & the News, and Bruce Springsteen were some of my other favorites. And the movies! The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Ghostbusters, Overboard, and Beetlejuice are among my top picks. My absolute favorite 80s movie was Splash, in which Alan (Tom Hanks) meets and falls in love with a mermaid named Madison (Daryll Hannah).

Splash (1984) Movie Trailer

Are you an 80s film buff? Here's a bit of fun—see how many of the following film titles you can name from their graphic images. There's one for each letter of the alphabet: 1980s Film Alphabet. Oddly enough, my son, who graduated from high school in 2005, is also a big fan of 80s movies and music. I suppose it's because he grew up watching/listening to me enjoying my favorites. So it felt natural for me to have Lucas, the main character in Play Me, I'm Yours be a fan of 80s pop culture.

Some of the 80s tunes referenced in the novel include "She Bop", "Hungry Like the Wolf", and "Dance Me to the End of Love". What are some of your favorite tunes from the 80s? Let me know in the comments below!

Play Me, I'm Yours by Madison Parker Published by Harmony Ink Press Fairy Tate. Twinklefingers. Lucy Liu. Will the taunting ever end? Lucas Tate suffers ridicule because of his appearance and sensitive nature. When he’s not teased, he’s ignored, and he doesn’t know which is worse. His one comfort in life is his music; he feels unloved by everyone. What he wants more than anything is to find a friend. Much to his dismay, both his mom and a schoolmate are determined to find him a boyfriend, despite the fact Lucas hasn’t come out to them. His mom chooses a football player who redefines the term “heartthrob,” while Trish pushes him toward the only openly gay boy at Providence High. But Lucas is harboring a crush on another boy, one who writes such romantic poetry to his girlfriend that hearing it melts Lucas into a puddle of goo. All three prospects seem so far out of his league. Lucas is sure he doesn’t stand a chance with any of them—until sharing his gift for music brings him the courage to let people into his heart. Click here to read the first chapter.

Visit Madison Parker's Website at www.madisonparklove.com for bonus materials including character sketches, piano covers, music videos, and lyrics for songs referenced in the novel.

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To celebrate the release of Play Me, I'm Yours, Madison Parker is hosting a giveaway. Enter to win your choice of a free copy of Play Me, I'm Yours or a $10 gift certificate from Rainbow eBooks by leaving a comment below along with your email address. For multiple chances to win, comment at each stop along the tour. Click here for the complete tour schedule. Winners will be chosen randomly on April 23.