By Zander Hatch
My debut novel, Rose Island, follows former Marine Jake Harper and his team of clandestine operators sent on a rescue mission to a mysterious island where they must battle mercenaries and survive an approaching hurricane. I love movies and when I write I imagine what it would look like on the big screen, and what it would sound like. The right song in the right scene can really set the mood, whether it be a love scene or a shootout scene. Films like The Guardians of the Galaxy series and Baby Driver do a fantastic job at this in my opinion. So, when I write I try to find songs that fit the mood I’m looking to achieve and sometimes will even write the songs into my books.
#1: “Burning Love” by Elvis Presley
For anyone who has seen Predator, I classify this as a ‘helicopter song’ that would go well with the good guys aboard a helicopter enroute to their objective.
#2 “Rock You Like A Hurricane” by Scorpions
My book and this song both talk about hurricanes, not to give away any spoilers but this song is weaved into my book during a pretty cool action scene.
#3 “Under Pressure” by Queen
An absolutely iconic song and the title an understatement of the dire situations my characters find themselves in.
#4 “You Might Think” by The Cars
The title refers to my book’s protagonist, Jake Harper, and his laidback attitude while completing daring stunts to get the mission accomplished.
#5 “Fuel” by Metallica
I take the lyrics “gimmie fuel, gimmie fire” and the upbeat nature of the song as a sign to go fast, and I like to go fast in my books.
#6 “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
The title of this song could be the slogan of my main characters when the cards are stacked against them, and all seems lost.
#7 “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” by Johnny Cash
A perfect message to any antagonists who find themselves in the crosshairs of my protagonist.
#8 “Rock and Roll” by Led Zeppelin
Another get up and go fast song, this would be perfect for a car chase sequence.
#9 “Out Of Time” by The Rollings Stones
I imagine this song playing during a slow-motion shootout prior to some sort of tragic setback for the protagonist.
#10 “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” by Toby Keith
As a former Marine who writes about many characters who served in the military over the last 25 years, there is no way they wouldn’t have listened to this song.
Zander Hatch is a ten year Marine Corps infantry veteran, blending his extensive military experience with a talent for storytelling to create thrilling, authentic narrative. Drawing from global deployments, Hatch’s writing in Rose Island offers an immersive experience in tactical expertise and unyielding suspense. Dive into his books for a gripping journey through the realms of action and adventure.
Uncover the Secrets. Survive the Island.
In the high-octane realm of military thrillers,Rose Island stands out with its masterful blend of espionage and covert warfare. Set against the backdrop of a forgotten Cold War bastion that harbors earth-shattering secrets, former Marine turned clandestine operator Jake Harper is drawn back into action when a top-secret rescue mission calls him to an island erased from every map—a place steeped in mystery and guarded by deadly forces.
Charged with leading a special operations team amidst the threat of a looming hurricane, Harper and his team, with their unwavering courage and resilience, must navigate the treacherous mysteries of Rose Island. As they unearth hidden bunkers and tangled alliances, each revelation plunges them deeper into a whirlpool of political intrigue and betrayal. The island, a forgotten relic of Cold War experiments, holds secrets that some will kill to protect.
Their mission escalates in complexity when they cross paths with a renegade unit of mercenaries with connections to enigmatic international powers. These well-trained, heavily armed adversaries are resolute in their intent to exploit the island’s secrets for their own sinister ends.
With time running out, their mission evolves from a covert infiltration to a desperate fight for survival. Harper’s resolve is tested as past emotional entanglements with a team member add layers of complexity to his leadership. As the storm bears down, they face the natural elements and a formidable enemy in a climactic showdown that promises to blend their fates with the island’s dark history.
Dive into Rose Island, where survival clashes with the ghosts of history, crafting a narrative so tense and gripping that it will leave readers breathless until the last page is turned.
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