Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Sneak Peek Time

I finally got Advance Review Copies of Unmasqued and it's only right that I share the wealth...so here goes.

As most of you know, Unmasqued is my very erotic version of the Phantom of the Opera, as inspired by the Webber musical/movie version (not to mention Gerard Butler as Erik, the Phantom). I was always very disappointed that Christine left Erik and went off with Raoul, and so I decided to write the story as to why she did so....and with all the hot and heavy details about what went on behind the scenes that Webber (and Leroux) didn't show us.

Make a relevant comment on this post--ie, answer one or both of the questions below--and you're entered in the drawing. I'll pick a winner on Thursday morning, so you have almost two whole days!

Question: What is your favorite song from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Phantom of the Opera musical?

or

Question: How did you think the Phantom of the Opera should have ended?

35 comments:

Diana Peterfreund said...

*pounce*

ME! ME! ME! Pick me!

I like "Angel of Music." I get it stuck in my head sometimes.

Diana Peterfreund said...

PS: Is it okay if I don't tell anyone else about the giveaway so that I'm more likely to win? ;-)

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

I'm trying to think of where I first heard of your book, Colette. Was it online, or somewhere like Publishers Weekly? (and are you flattered that if you haven't been mentioned in PW, I'm confusing you with having gotten press there?)

I have to confess that I only saw Phantom once, in Toronto, on a weekend getaway with the man who's now The Tour Manager. Nice trip, but disappointing show. I wanted ROMANCE. I think I wanted the alternate ending, as you did, too; that would have made more sense.

I dunno. I just never connected to Phantom the way others did. That said, though, I'm eager to read your book 'cause it might give me insights I'm lacking.

Or new ideas for fun with The Tour Manager. *grin*

principessa said...

I love Phantom of the Opera and when I was living in Toronto the performance was amazing and beautiful in the Pantages Theatre. The song I love the most is Music of the Night.

May said...

I have the same question as Diana. *ggg*

Um. Hmmm... I've not actually read The Phantom of the Opera or watched it. It's actually showing at the Esplanade, but I've exams next month, and can't make it.

Anonymous said...

I love "All I Ask Of You". I hate the ending. I wanted Christine to stay with the Phantom too. He loved her so much and she used him then deserted him.

Unknown said...

I know I can't win being a crumpet but I too wanted Christine to stay with the Phantom, I loved his dark angst-just like all my heroes!

I saw Phantom of the Opera in London about ten years ago and enjoyed it immensely, although I'm a complete sucker for musicals!

ren said...

while the ending one wants is always satisfying, sometimes one knows that there is so much more going on.

so while i agree that i would have liked to see christine with the phantom in a spooky little phantom world, i like that your book explains why that didn't happen.

Maureen said...

Some years ago I went with my daughter's fifth grade class to see Phantom of the Opera in New York. My favorite song is, I believe "Music of the Night". I definitely wanted her to pick the Phantom and what a great idea for a book.

anne said...

When I had the opportunity to see Phantom of the Opera I went with my family. It was the most memorable performance ever. I love the song All I ask of You.

tetewa said...

I took my mom to see it this last January, it was her Christmas present from me. It was my second time seeing it and her first, she had never even seen the movie. She absolutely loved it. I also wish Christine would have ended up with the phantom at the end. My favorite son is The Point of No Return. I'm looking forward to your take on the story!

Rhonda Helms said...

I saw Phantom here in Cleveland, and I bawled...it was AWESOME! I love your book idea!!

My fav song: All I Ask of You. It always gets stuck in my head. :D

And a part of me always wished she'd stayed with the phantom...

Cory said...

I love "All I Ask Of You". I love the music, and I've always felt the need to know more than we were given.

Wendy Roberts said...

Angel of Music is my fav. Thanks for getting it stuck in my head LOL!

Kerry said...

I'm going to be contrary and disagree with the previous posters.

Favourite song - I'm actually going to pick Masquerade because I love all the layering of the singing and it has my favourite three bars of music in the entire show.

Ending - for a stage show, I thought the ending was perfect. Tragic, heart-breaking and beautiful because of it. In terms of romance, yes I totally understand what you're all saying, but as a visual spectacle and a way to leave you caught by the power of it all, I think the ending works really really well.

ellie said...

The Phantom of the Opera has to be my all time favorite performance. The majesty and the performers were wonderful. I love Music of the Night and all the music was unforgetttable.

Marg said...

Music of the Night for me as well! I love the way it builds up and builds up - and the shades of nuance throughout it as well!

Nicole said...

Angel of Music, I think. But oh, so many good songs. Now I'm going to have them stuck in my head all night.

This sounds like such a great book, Colette.

Unknown said...

I'm officially not a girl, cause I just don't understand the appeal of POTO (esp when mixed with Andrew Lloyd Weber songs). Not even Gerard Butler's HAWTNESS can induce me to watch it. My brother's girlfriend made him go see the movie 4 times in the theatre. He and I had a long talk about why this might be grounds for breaking up . . . I’m totally up for a sexy book version though. *grin*

Celia May Hart said...

Even though I'm a crumpet.

My favorite song from POTO is "Past the Point of No Return".

Anonymous said...

Ignoramus, here. I've seen the old black and white film, but not the musical, so I don't know what the songs are.

When I saw V for Vendetta I thought that the writers carried out the POTO relationship plot a bit further, adding an enormous Machiavellian mindf**k.

Looking forward to an even further continuation with actual, well, you know...

Anonymous said...

I saw the Phantom of the Opera several years ago when I was in Middle School. I loved it and hated it at the same time. How could Christine not have chosen the phantom??? Much of my youth was spent listening to the CD over and over again, imagining a different ending.

I think my favorite song is "The Phantom of the Opera." That scene is just soooo sexy. That said, I also like "Past the Point of No Return."

Unknown said...

Testing my blogger identity, here. Technology isn't my forte, but I'd like a cool blue name like everybody else!

Wanted to add that the foundations of POTO rely heavily on Beauty and the Beast, only there is no unconditional love, and so no umasking. Just a thought.

Anonymous said...
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potolover said...

I love so many of the songs. Golly, how to pick just one favorite. If I must choose then it is Music of the Night.

The ending? I wish the ending was different. The Phantom so desparately needs
someone to love him. I read an introduction to the Phantoms anthology years ago. It was by Isaac Asimov and he said that Erik needed someone stronger than Christine. He said he needed someone like Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

I wish Christine had been strong enough to stay with Erik but she choose safety. She's very young and that is part of the problem.

Erik needs a woman not a girl.

Unknown said...

All I Ask Of You is my fave and I also wanted Christine to stay with the Phantom.

Anonymous said...

I love "I Gave You My Music", it's just so sad. Wrenches my heart every time.

BTW, is this open to international-ers, too? If not, then don't count my post.

Colette Gale said...

Yes! International commenters are fine, Meardba.

JRMullany said...

How exciting Colleen, to be able to hold it in your hot sticky hands! The book, that is.

And how great to see so many responses--welcome to the Spiced Tea Party, everyone, and I hope you'll come back even when we don't have prizes.

Unknown said...

De-lurking, because I'm excited to hear news about your book! :-)

I guess my favorite song has to be "The Phantom of the Opera." I love the dark, decadent air, the feeling of a whole new world opening up before Christine.

And as for the ending, I'm conflicted. On one hand I wanted her to choose the Phantom, but on the other, I love a good tragic love story!

Anna Black said...

In that I'm a big Gerard Butler fan and loved him in the film version and, also, I have a weakness for dark, tortured heroes, of course I wanted Christine to stay with Erik.

That's in the fantasy world of sensual and passionate dreams.

In the real world of having to exist within society and, at the very least, to try and have a fairly happy life it would make more sense for her to go with Rauol

However, I don't read fiction to live in the real world. *grin*

Evangeline Holland said...

Hmm, for the first question, my favorite song from the movie is "Point of No Return"--love the way Emmy Rossum sings her part. For the second part, I'm happy with it's current version--I've read the book many times and Erik is a total whacko. *G*

Lenora Bell said...

Oh I hope I'm not too late! I would do just about anything to get my hands on your hot phantom.

I've never seen the musical, but I recently watched the film version with Gerard Butler. I was a little unprepared for the cheesy synthesizers, but it was gorgeous to look at.

I'll have to go with Phantom of the Opera as my favorite song. Because once you give in to the power of the synth, there is no turning back. You crave those thudding downward chord progressions with utter abandon.

Stephanie said...

Great Idea!! I loved the stage show! It was beautiful...and I actually liked the ending. "All I Ask Of You" is probably my favorite song.

Kailana said...

It would be fitting to win this book because I get to see Phantom of Opera on broadway in a matter of weeks. (very excited) My favourite song is probably Angel of Music. As to how it should have ended, I still sort of thought she should have picked the other guy. I find Raoul too... annoying.