I’ve always loved music and it’s inspired me in so many ways throughout my life. I’ve often heard songs that cause me to think about a character or scene in one of my books. Sometimes I’ll hear music that inspires a scene I’m writing at that moment.

Music and emotion go hand in hand, in my opinion. And music can enhance a scene in a movie to the point that a soundtrack becomes popular or a particular song in a movie becomes iconic, like Celine Dion’s song My Heart Will Go on from the movie Titanic, or Shallow from the 2018 version of A Star is Born. I love the entire soundtrack for The Greatest Showman. Music can be the heart of a scene or it might be the accent that facilitates an emotion within a scene.

There are several songs that I thought about or listened to while writing Vengeance Road. From that playlist in my head, I chose five songs I wanted to share with you.
These song may not have the same meaning or impact for someone else that they have for me. And that’s okay. Music can be very personal for a lot of reasons. I do hope you’ll enjoy checking out the music.

Some of the songs are explicit. If you read the Torpedo Ink series then this isn’t going to shock you. But, if you’ve not tried the series or not ready any motorcycle club books know that the language can be rough. It’s a rough world and I try to make my characters and club as real as I can.

I’ve linked to YouTube videos of the songs. Some of them have the lyrics, some do not. But, this was the easiest way I could think of the share the music.

Come Back Home by Callum Scott - COME BACK HOME



Steele sacrificed what he wanted most, Breezy, the woman he fell in love with. Letting her go was for her own safety, but to force her to leave he had to be cruel. In his mind he always meant to find her again and bring her back home to him.

From the lyrics-

I'm burning like a fire, will someone help my pain?
I'm drowning above the water, oh, help me breathe again
And I, I can't let you go, so when you're ready, come back home
Full lyrics here-
LYRICS

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The Scientist - Coldplay -

The Scientists - with lyrics



There’s power in regret even when we know that what we did was the right thing. Steele and Breezy’s love story is full of regret and longing. Breezy was an unexpected gift that Steele wanted to keep for himself. But, when he knew the danger level was about to explode he was determined to keep her safe at any cost. Even though sending her away was one of the hardest things he had ever done.

From the lyrics-

Nobody said it was easy
It's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this hard
Oh take me back to the start
Full lyrics here-
LYRICS

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Riot – Camino -
RIOT

Torpedo Ink is more than just a motorcycle club. More than just highly trained assassins. They’re a family forged from survival and horror. Attacking one means taking on the entire club. These aren’t people you mess with and walk away from. They aren’t going to fight fair. They aren’t going to forgive. They are a riot of violence and they defend their home.

From the lyrics. -

I'll start a riot in the middle of the night
I will defend my
Home
And start a riot in the middle of the night
Full lyrics here-
LYRICS

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Wrong side of Heaven – Five Finger Death Punch -
WRONG SIDE OF HEAVEN




Redemption is a big part of the Torpedo Ink series. From being abused as children, to being trained as assassins to escaping to the United States in order to stop a human trafficking ring and eventually create their own way of life and find a home. But, surviving such a horrific beginning isn’t something that leaves you just because you escaped it. The members of Torpedo Ink know they’re dangerous. They know the chances of having a normal life just aren’t there for them. But, they also know they won’t tolerate seeing that kind of abuse anywhere else. They’ve found focus and reason and they will use their considerable skills to save others.
Life tattooed hell onto their souls and they’ve taken turned it into a tool to stop evil. They now walk a fine line toward redemption.

From the lyrics-

Arms wide open
I stand alone
I'm no hero and I'm not made of stone
Right or wrong
I can hardly tell
I'm on the wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell

Full lyrics here-
LYRICS


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Bad Company – Five Finger Death Punch -

BAD COMPANY



This song was originally done by the band Bad Company but I chose the Five Finger Death Punch version because it’s edgier.

Thought Torpedo Ink now has found a home in Caspar and are trying to make lives for themselves it doesn’t mean they’re apologetic for who they are. They were formed into dangerous assassins and have taken those skills and re-shaped their lives and their purpose. Knowing you’re dangerous and that you’ve done horrible things in order to survive doesn’t mean you have to apologize for who you are. And you can be proud of the bad company that you keep.

From the lyrics-

Bad company
I can't deny
Bad, bad company
Till the day I die
Until the day I die

Link to full lyrics-
LYRICS

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Nobody Praying for Me – Seether -
NOBODY PRAYING FOR ME




There are levels of loneliness in the world that I’m sure we’ve all experienced to some degree in some way or another. Each member of Torpedo Ink must struggle with their own inner demons and their own brand of loneliness. There’s also a type of loneliness that lives within a group. Sadly, the world is capable of turning its back on entire groups of people. Torpedo Ink, as a club, suffers from its own brand of loneliness. It’s the knowledge that they’ll never truly fit into society. Knowing they will be judged by outsiders who know nothing about their life struggle. It’s the knowledge that acceptance and love may only happen within their own small circle.

But, for some, this kind of loneliness galvanizes them into a unit so strong that nothing can rip it apart. It’s like saying, “Even if no one else accepts and loves you, I will, because I know your story. Because I am part of you. And everything I am will protect you and care for you. So, fuck them.” That kind of strength can help fill the void. And it can make you very, very dangerous.

From the lyrics-

I'm a whisper lost upon wind
I'm the ember that'll burn you down
I'm the water that'll drown you
I'm a star that's just a black hole now
I'm a terrifying danger
Full lyrics here-
LYRICS

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Behind Blue Eyes - Limp Bizkit -
BEHIND BLUE EYES (with lyrics)



For me this is Steele. His amazing blue eyes see beyond and behind what’s right in front of him. He knows himself. He knows what he wants.

From the lyrics-

But my dreams they aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free

Full lyrics here-
LYRICS


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Those are a few of the songs I’ve listened to that make me think of Vengeance Road in some way. I would love to hear your suggestions for music that you feel represents Torpedo Ink or a character from Torpedo Ink. If you leave a link, I’ll go listen to your music suggestions