The Sound of Healing: How Emeli Sandé Inspired My Story"

My Kind of Love is officially available for presale. I originally planned to talk about the significance of color in the story, but instead today I wanted to focus on the music that inspired the novel. So I am sharing a special blog about the name of the book. There are three songs that I often listened to on repeat while writing this novel and they were all by Emeli Sande. They were My Kind of Love, Oxygen, and There Isn’t Much.

This story is the Love of my dreams, My Kind of Love

When I heard My Kind of Love for the first time, it gave me language for the quiet, steadfast care that exists even when words fail. That kind of unwavering presence that says: I see you, and I am not going anywhere. Those themes show up in the way Zeke holds space for Bronsen. In the way Ynobi softens and opens without surrendering herself. In the way love keeps showing up in unexpected, imperfect, and beautiful forms.

Love that teaches me to breathe

When I first heard Emeli's song Oxygen, it felt like someone added a melody to my longing. The lyrics held a deep ache and a quiet hope, the very same balance I wanted to strike in my writing. I listened to it over and over as I wrote scenes between Bronsen, Zeke, and Ynobi. It helped me tap into the kind of intimacy that isn’t just physical, but spiritual. That kind of love that breathes for you when you can’t.

When I was in the early stages of writing I would listen to My Kind of Love on repeat. Then one day I just let the next song play and it was Oxygen. I saw Zeke’s love for both Ynobi and Bronsen when I heard it for the first time. When I think of my characters and their lives outside of the pages, Oxygen is the song that Zeke sings to himself while holding either of his lovers in his arms. In the book, its the song they dance to after the fourth date that Ynobi planned. It’s the song that plays in a very pivotal and dare I say satisfying moment in their relationship. Oxygen is the pulse of Zeke’s love for his partners.

There Isn't Much

Both versions of this song moved me. The slow version became Bronsen’s song. It’s quiet. Steady. A whisper of longing and loyalty. It reminded me of how Bronsen moves through the world; powerful and protective, but deeply emotional. A man who doesn’t always speak his love aloud, but shows it with every action and every meal.

The faster version? That’s Ynobi all the way. Bold. Vibrant. Still aching, but blooming. Her version of the song feels like the sun shining after a storm: Ynobi's alive, even with the scars. The two versions mirror their journeys perfectly. And together, they show that love doesn’t look one way. Sometimes it’s still and sacred. Sometimes it’s upbeat and fearless. And both are beautiful.

Emeli as my Muse

I started writing this book with Emeli Sandé in my headphones and hope in my heart.

Her music reminded me of my own softness. My resilience. My right to take up space in a world that sometimes feels too hard.

So if you ever wonder where the soul in My Kind of Love came from, just listen to Emeli. She sang it first. Her music has been the soundtrack to my lived experiences and now it serves that role for my dream come true. Thank you Emeli for sharing your gift with the world.

To my readers, I hope you journey through this story feeling all the love and intention that was poured into every word.

xo, Skyline