Solvang
Felicia Michaels is a former screenwriter who lives in Solvang, California. With her writing career on pause, she spends her days managing the lives of her two kids and three dogs…and her husband, Pablo. He runs a local bed and breakfast, The Elskede, that has been in his family for three generations.
When his chef goes missing just before a wedding at The Elskede, Pablo is worried about his friend and what the disappearance will mean for his bed and breakfast.
Felicia insists she can find him. If she can find everything that goes missing in their house, she should be able to find a missing chef.
The online series, including four previously unavailable mysteries, is now available to own.
Music inspires me. I know I say that a lot, but it’s the truth. And when I started creating my inspiration playlist for Solvang, I just kept adding more songs every time I created a new character. The staff at the Elskede. The staff at Den Kage (the bakery). The staff at Flødeis (the ice cream shop). So by the time I was done, I had close to 60 songs to inspire me along the way.
I also listened to Taylor Swift’s 1989 album on repeat.
These are the songs that inspired me while writing Solvang:
Lone Ranger - by Rachel Platten
I kind of thought of this song as an “opening credits” kind of song. So since I ended up with three inspiration playlists, it was the first song on all of them.
That’s So Me and You - by Thompson Square
Much like the previous song was an “opening credits” kind of song, I used this as “closing credits.”
Style - by Taylor Swift
Felicia’s theme song. When I heard this song, I immediately thought of Felicia.
Your Man - by Josh Turner
Pablo’s theme song. I wanted a song for Pablo that conveyed how much he’s still in love with Felicia after all this time.
What They Say - by Zara Larsson
Felicia & Pablo’s son Rafe’s theme song. I picked this song for him because I had Zara Larsson listed as his favorite artist.
How Far I’ll Go - by Auli'i Cravalho
Felicia & Pablo’s daughter Etta’s theme song. I picked this song because Moana was her favorite movie at the time.
Little Secret - by Nikki Yanofsky
Avianna Warner’s theme song. She’s keeping a secret when we meet her. She owns the bakery Den Kage.
Heartbeat - by Carrie Underwood
Victor Overbye’s theme song. I had Carrie Underwood listed as his favorite artist and this song was one of my favorite songs by her at the time.
My Love Is Like A Star - by Demi Lovato
Tania Castillo’s theme song. I had Demi Lovato listed as her favorite artist. I think this song is an underrated gem on her Unbroken album.
The Heart Wants What It Wants - by Selena Gomez
Isabel Orozco’s theme song. I picked this song for her to represent her unrequited crush.
One World - by Sanne Salomonsen
Bo Pedersen’s theme song. I looked for songs by Danish artists and found this for him.
Scarecrows - by Luke Bryan
Jorge Orozco’s theme song. Like several other songs on the playlists, I listened to a number of songs by Luke Bryan because I had him listed as Jorge’s favorite artist. I find a lot of great songs that way.
Maps - by Maroon 5
Gus Hobbs’ theme song. I picked this song for him because of the line “I’m following the map that leads to you.” He always finds who he’s looking for.
Bad Reputation - by Kelly Clarkson
Pearl Tarkey’s theme song. I picked this song because of the title. She has a bad reputation.
Imagine - by Pentatonix
Aliana Cooper’s theme song. I picked this song because of her young idealism. In the gagengirl universe, she goes on to great things. And in a future story, you might get to learn what those things are.
Never Let Go - by Josh Groban & Deep Forest
Chef’s theme song. His problems in the first mystery are in part because of his inability to let go of the tragic loss of his parents.
Tornado - by Little Big Town
Paul Michaels’ theme song. If you read By the Bay, which is the story he was initially created for, you know this song is perfect. But it also represents the mess he usually left in his wake when he previously visited his sister Felicia and her family.
Better Than Revenge - by Taylor Swift
Ashton Swift’s theme song. Ashton was initially only going to be in one mystery, but she ended up playing a role in later ones. Her favorite artist is Taylor Swift because they share a last name. I just picked a fun song to be her theme song.
Be Careful - by Peter Cincotti
Kirk Graham’s theme song. I picked this song for Felicia’s FBI agent ex-boyfriend.
Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing - by Tori Kelly
Cyrus Brink’s theme song. I picked this song for the sheriff’s deputy. And when he ended up appearing again in later mysteries, it proved to be the perfect song for him.
Lego House - by Ed Sheeran
Colleen Simpson’s theme song. She is the owner of the ice cream shop Flødeis.
I Run To You - by Lady Antebellum
Diesel Albrecht’s theme song. He works the overnight shift at the Elskede’s reception desk, Tuesday thru Saturday nights. Diesel is married to Addie Parisi.
Locked Out of Heaven - by Bruno Mars
Tyler Sun’s theme song. He works the breakfast and lunch shifts at the the Elskede’s restaurant. Tyler is married to Violet Sun.
Kiss A Girl - by Keith Urban
Oliver Campbell’s theme song. He does pool maintenance at the Elskede on weekdays.
That’s What You Get - by Paramore
Harley Whitlock’s theme song. She is the groundskeeper at the Elskede.
Heart Attack - by Demi Lovato
Addie Parisi’s theme song. She is one of the maintenance women at the Elskede. Addie is married to Diesel Albrecht.
Get It Right - by Lea Michele
Gwen Scheder’s theme song. She is the other maintenance woman at the Elskede.
Don’t Keep Me Waiting - by Britney Spears
Amy Behan’s theme song. She is part of the housekeeping staff. Amy earns a well-deserved raise after Felicia interviews her in the third mystery.
If That’s What It Takes - by Celine Dion
Coralie Jurbert’s theme song. She is part of the housekeeping staff.
Medicine - by Shakira feat. Blake Shelton
Zeke Espinoza’s theme song. He is part of the housekeeping staff. Zeke is married to Kylie Sugihara.
The Reason - by Celine Dion
Violet Sun’s theme song. She works the dinner shift at the Elskede’s restaurant. Violet is married to Tyler Sun.
We Got Something They Don’t - by Shania Twain
Kylie Sugihara’s theme song. She works the evening shift at Elskede’s reception desk, Sunday thru Thursday nights. Kylie is married to Zeke Espinoza.
Crazy for You - by Adele
Lucy Jorgensen’s theme song. Lucy works shifts at the Elskede’s restaurant when Violet and Tyler are off.
Secrets - by OneRepublic
Mason Geraghty’s theme song. Mason is Avianna’s baking assistant at Den Kage.
All About That Bass - by Meghan Trainor
Caitlin Black’s theme song. She is a “counter girl” at Den Kage.
Starving (Acoustic) - by Hailee Steinfeld & Gray feat. Zedd
Brigette Taylor’s theme song. She is a “counter girl” at Den Kage.
Inspired - by Miley Cyrus
Makenna House’s theme song. She is a “counter girl” at Den Kage.
Looking At Stars - by Kelsea Ballerini
Shania White’s theme song. She is a “counter girl” at Den Kage.
My Destiny - by Dove Cameron
Dove Williams’ theme song. She is a “counter girl” at Flødeis.
Time of Our Lives - by Olivia Holt
Ridley Lopez’s theme song. She is a “counter girl” at Flødeis.
I Wish I Was - by Maren Morris
Liv Pearson’s theme song. She is a “counter girl” at Flødeis.
Confetti - by Tori Kelly
Iris McAnally’s theme song. She is a “counter girl” at Flødeis.
Grenade - by Bruno Mars
Andrew Masters’ theme song. He is Isabel’s mystery boyfriend.
Hometown Glory - by Adele
Adele Jenkins’ theme song. She is a sheriff’s deputy.
Find You - by Zedd feat. Matthew Koma & Miriam Bryant
Dan Hopkins’ theme song. He is a sheriff’s deputy. Dan has been around long enough to remember Pablo’s parents.
One Way Ticket - by Carrie Underwood
Kim Sheehan’s theme song. She was best friends with Isabel & Jorge’s mom Marisol.
I Got It Easy - by Michael Bublé
Chris Holt’s theme song. He was friends with Isabel & Jorge’s dad Horacio.
You Don’t Know Me - by Ariana Grande
Marcus Adams’ theme song. Marcus was a prison guard.
Radioactive - by Pentatonix & Lindsey Stirling
Johnny Blessing’s theme song. He is in prison for killing Chef & Aliana’s parents.
The Phoenix - by Fall Out Boy
DJ’s theme song. He is the “criminal mastermind” behind the murder of Chef & Aliana’s parents.
Wanted Dead or Alive - by Bon Jovi
Horacio Orozco’s theme song. Isabel & Jorge’s dad who disappeared years before. Isabel asks Felicia to find out the truth about what happened to him in the last mystery.
Shape of You - by Ed Sheeran
A.J. Pareto’s theme song. He works part-time covering the reception desk at the Elskede.
Someday - by All-4-One
Sunny Park’s theme song. She works part-time covering the reception desk at the Elskede. Sunny used to work with Pablo’s parents and knew Isabel & Jorge’s mom.
I Won’t Give Up - by Christina Grimmie
Kat Gianniotis’s theme song. She works part-time in the housekeeping staff at the Elskede.
They Can’t Take That Away From Me - by Tony Bennett
Cyrus Samir’s theme song. He works part-time in the housekeeping staff at the Elskede.
Home - by Nick Jonas
Austen Wevers’ theme song. He does pool maintenance at the Elskede on weekends.
