Because: Book One In the Time Song's Series

Can music save you when your world comes crashing down around you? Talented teen musician Rigby Raines is an extremely shy introvert who loves the Beatles and Beethoven. She wants only one thing in life: to follow in her mother’s footsteps as drum major of her high school marching band. Still reeling from the unexpected loss of her mom to cancer last year, she is torn between her anxiety and stage fright and the desire to honor her mom. Bullied for years by Taura Jacobs, self-proclaimed band queen and trumpet section leader, an unexpected discovery allows Rigby to face the past and experience a musical adventure of a lifetime. Does Rigby have what it takes to conquer her fears, stand up for herself, and win the drum major tryouts? *** Early reader reviews: “Very addictive! Amazing story line! As a music lover, I loved the constant intertwining story with music!” “It kept me reading constantly. I didn't really put it down unless I really had to.” “I enjoy how well you meld history with fiction. It seems very well blended in a way that is very believable.” “Absolutely loved the intertwining of music, action, and emotion. Amazingly well written...This is legitimately my new favorite book, I absolutely loved it! Can't wait to read the next two!” “It was amazing, truly breathtaking! As a marching band nerd myself, I feel that this book really speaks for all of us band geeks and it really draws you in on a musical journey. The book is captivating and it leaves you feeling hungry for more just wanting to know what happened. This book is truly a work of art and I truly enjoyed it.” “This book was a very good read, and I couldn't put it down. It is good for a young adult audience, and I know my friends would also love it. Definitely a book I would read more than once.” This debut novel from R.K. Slade delivers a captivating young adult music fiction story filled with band nerd humor, marching band camp experiences, and the possibility of young band geek love, all wrapped into an epic teen fiction adventure that will keep music lovers and teen, young adult and new adult readers on the edge of their seats!

R.K. Slade writes marching band and music oriented fiction for young adults (and young at heart adults, too!).

Combining eight years of marching band and band experience with a love for the history of music, R.K. finds great joy in bringing new characters to life through the writing process.

As the owner and curator of the Marching Band Is Awesome communities on Facebook and Instagram, R.K. is connected with lovers of the marching arts, music education, drum corps, and just about every form of traditional form of music connected to the school music experience.

Having studied Music Theory and Composition in college, R.K. brings a unique perspective and insight into characters, with an expressive knack for describing today's high school experience and yesterday's music history.

His first full-length novel titled "Because" is slated for an Spring 2016 release. It is Book One in the Time's Song Series (a trilogy). You can find free "beta" chapters on the Wattpad app (where over twenty chapters have been released under the name "Just Rigby - A Marching Band Story").