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The Devil’s Tattoo Blog Tour & Review

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Synopsis

The Highway to Hell or the Stairway to Heaven?

Zoe Granger picked up her first guitar the day her heart was smashed into a billion pieces. It was a way to keep her mind off her inevitable downward spiral, but music soon became her escape. She’s been burned too many times to tell and is just happy to coast through life, never putting herself out there. That’s until her best friend Dee suggests they start a band and suddenly she finds herself not just a part of it, but fronting the whole outfit.

They call themselves The Devil’s Tattoo and when they release their debut EP, it rockets to the top of the charts and it’s like an overnight fairytale. Contracts, photo shoots, royalties and interviews are heaped onto the shy Zoe and it’s like she’s finally found her place. Then comes the phone call that changes everything. They’ve been asked to co-headline a tour with one of the hottest bands of the moment, The Stabs and Zoe will never be the same again.

Will Strickland is one-fourth of the hottest indie rock band to ever grace the airwaves. He’s the bass player in The Stabs, hot as hell and could have his pick of any girl who flings herself at him. But he’s only got eyes for Zoe and she has no idea why he’d bother. She’s got one hell of a trust issue and an attitude to boot and Will seems to be the one who wants to tame her, but is he game enough?

The Devil’s Tattoo and The Stabs go on the road and it’s either going to be a highway to hell or a stairway to heaven. Only time will tell who will come out on top and Zoe’s determined to do it without getting her heart-broken… again.

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Review

I love rock star romances, but seriously, who doesn’t?

This book has a bad ass rock chick and a super hot celebrity rockstar…what’s not to love?
Zoe Granger has been playing guitar for three years, but never publicly. When Dee, Zoe’s best friend decides they should start a rock group she begins to slowly come out of her shell. They never imagine the fame and attention they’d gain. She plays as though she’s been playing for a lifetime and while she doesn’t recognize the extent of her talent…or beauty, Will Strickland certainly does. Will is one-fourth of The Stabs, a big name Aussie group that’s been around the block a few times.  Will notices Zoe at one of his shows, but having the reputation of a man whore her defenses go up. 
Will can’t shake the feeling that Zoe is someone he wants to know better, but he has no idea how to gain access to her. From their first encounter, there is a spark, something neither of them can deny…it’s “undeniable,” but who will make the first move and will their pasts come back to haunt them?

I really enjoyed this read it was slow building, but enjoyable. Zoe and Will each have had some painful history when it comes to their past relationships. It definitely explained a lot about their bizarre behavior and reluctance.  They both have been hurt before, and it has made them fearful of ever giving their heart to someone again. That is until they get to know one another better, each of them possessing the ability to be the others downfall or redemption.

It was fun watching their rise to stardom and the blooming, awkward at times romance. This is a great read for those who enjoy a good rock star story with a bad ass chick and a bit of an edge. This had a bit of Aussie lingo, but I loved it. I was grinning like an idiot at most of Will and Zoe’s encounters. I did get frustrated by how dense these two seemed at times. Zoe seemed so broken to me but by the end of this book my level of respect for her went up a notch!

I really enjoyed watching these two come out of their shells and open up to one another. The dynamic between characters in each band and the romantic aspect of this book are all really well written. It’s fun and makes you feel like you’re reading about people you actually know. They seemed more real than rock stars yet the musician angle was dope and the connection these characters built through music was incredible. I love Dee and his encouragement. He loves Zoe deeply and it’s his love that pushes her to join a band and realize her potential. I really enjoyed this book and I wish there was more I could say to explain why, but since I want you all to go and read it I’ll stop here.

Now,

Step 1. Buy it

Step 2. Read it

Step 3. Love ♥ it 

Happy Reading ♥

*This book was provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.*

 

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About the Author 

Nicole R. Taylor is an Australian born paranormal, fantasy and contemporary fiction author. She is a graduate of the University of Ballarat Professional Writing and Editing programme and is a former music memorabilia sales person and grocery merchandiser.

She currently lives in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia with a two year old rescue cat named, Burger. She enjoys reading, writing (of course!), traveling and a little too much chocolate. One day she hopes to sky dive, but has to work up the courage first.

The first in her new paranormal fantasy series, The Witch Hunter Saga is available in e-edition and print from March 20th 2013 

 

Book Trailer:

 

Grand Prize Giveaway:
(Open Internationally) 

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1 x Swag Pack – inc. The Devil’s Tattoo band t-shirt (choice of size/either vest, men’s tee or women’s fitted tee), tote bag, badge, signed postcards and sticker
2 x Signed Postcard Pack and The Devil’s Tattoo Band Sticker
5 x Ebook Copies of The Devil’s Tattoo (mobi or epub)

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Tattoo Thief (Tattoo Thief #1) Blog Tour & Review

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  Tattoo Thief Synopsis

22-year-old Beryl doesn’t know why Gavin Slater trashed his penthouse, abandoned his dog and fled the country. But as his house sitter, she must pick up the pieces for the front man of the white-hot rock band Tattoo Thief.

When ultra-responsible Beryl confronts the reckless rock star, she wants to know more than just what to do with his mess. Why is he running? What’s he searching for? And is he responsible for the death of his muse?

New York newbie Beryl must find her footing in Gavin’s crazy world of the ultra-wealthy to discover her own direction and what can bring him back.

Steamy, sassy and tender, Tattoo Thief is a story of breaking from a comfort zone to find a second chance.

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My Review

Tattoo Thief is an interesting read. Books like this remind me why I love doing this. I’ve read a handful of books within the last few months that have done an excellent job walking the reader through a phenomenal courtship. The author executes this perfectly in Tattoo Thief. The best parts of this book are watching these characters grow, individually and together. The romance isn’t built over night and the build up is remarkable and all via email which I seriously loved. I know it is unconventional, but enjoyable.

This story is about two people who are lost. Two people who are searching for the right path to follow.

Beryl is from a small town in Oregon afraid she’ll be stuck in a dead end job resenting everything and everyone in her life if she doesn’t find a way out. She doesn’t know what to do until an opportunity to leave Oregon and head to NYC presents itself. While Beryl is excited she’s afraid she made the wrong decision and talks herself in and out of accepting the offer before she finally settles on leaving. When she arrives in NY things spiral out of control and her plan falls apart leaving her to fend for herself. Just as she begins to lose hope another opportunity presents itself, throwing her into a world she’s never imagined, one that brings her closer to Tattoo Thief’s frontman Gavin Slater. 

Gavin is out of the country running from his own demons. Beryl is an ear to listen, but she doesn’t make it easy for him. She challenges him and they grow closer, but their communication is limited to email. Their correspondence bonds them in a way they could never have imagined and Beryl slowly finds herself caring for Gavin as more than a friend. Can two people who are so different and so far apart actually find a common ground? Can this ever be more than email tag?

I found this book incredibly interesting. Being a native New Yorker I really enjoyed reading how a transplant took in the city. Beryl’s experiences and her transition from rural life to a bustling metropolis is interesting. I never really think about how a newbie’s experience may differ from someone who is a native. I never realized how many things we take for granted or simply never considered how different the experience of an outsider could be. I didn’t like some of the comments made about New York, but that’s just my own NYC pride haha. It definitely put things in perspective. I enjoyed seeing Beryl grow and thrive. The relationship she built with Gavin through email is impressive and though I wished there was more face time I think it was cleverly executed. It goes to show how much trust you can build with someone through correspondence alone. They go back and forth a lot and its comfortable. The fact that they are essentially strangers seems to give them both free reign to openly disclose things most people wouldn’t off the bat. I think that aspect in particular is something that people may or may not understand, but I felt it allowed them to speak candidly. Each felt free of judgment though after time they cared more and more about the others opinion. The heaviness of Gavin’s departure sits with you and while Beryl remains honest with him, she remains supportive. She isn’t afraid to point out his flaws or bring him back to reality when his ego gets in the way. This is a fun and refreshing read. I enjoyed it and hopefully you will too. I’d recommend this to my New Adult/Rock Star loving fans.

There were a number of things I really enjoyed about Beryl’s actions throughout the book but one event in particular stuck out and I think it deserves mention. Beryl handled herself with exceptionally well and I really enjoyed how she handles Peter – when you get there you’ll understand! 

*This book was provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.*

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heidi_500 About the Author

Heidi Joy lives in Happy Valley off Sunnyside Road. She swears she did not make that up.

Heidi’s obsessed with storytelling. Her career includes marketing, journalism, and a delicious few years as a food columnist. Media passes took her backstage with several rock bands, where she learned that sometimes a wardrobe malfunction is exactly what the rock star intends.

You’ll most often find Heidi Joy with her husband and two small kids cooking, fishing, exploring the Northwest, and building epic forts in their living room.

She loves to hear from readers via messages 

Blog  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads

 

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Painted Boots by Mechelle Morrison Tour

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 Synopsis

When her father drags her to a new life in Wyoming, Aspen Brand doesn’t expect to fall for a cowboy named Kyle Thacker—but she does. At seventeen, Aspen and Kyle share unexpected ground: guitar, running, physics. And guilt. Aspen blames herself for her mother’s car accident, while Kyle can’t find a way past his brother’s suicide.
On their first date they open up to each other, forging an unbreakable bond between them. But Kyle has spent two years living with a vicious secret—one his ex-girlfriend will do anything to protect—and sharing his truth with Aspen makes her a target. Now if Kyle is to be her love story, Aspen must first win the fight of her life. 

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Giveaway

Up for grabs:
2 Signed Copies of Painted Boots
3 ebook copies of Painted Boots

 

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My Review

Painted Boots is a sweet book with some painstakingly frightening moments.

Aspen Brand’s father uproots their life and heads to Wyoming to start fresh after the loss of his wife, Maddy, Aspen’s mother. While Aspen is grieving her father also struggles with the loss of his beloved wife. He’s lost without her and navigating his role as a parent isn’t easy. He loves Aspen fiercely but it seems his wife was their anchor. She was the glue that held them together.  Although this book has a beautiful romance. I loved the dynamic between the parents and the children. I would’ve liked to know more about the parents pasts and their own stories…perhaps in another book (hint hint Mechelle lol)

Aspen’s first day at her new school starts off on the wrong foot. She encounters a group of girls and acknowledges them kindly only to be met with sneers and rude comments. She notices Kyle Thacker immediately, she’s drawn to him and she wants to know more about him, but Em Harrelson, his ex girlfriend wants no part of it. She’s determined to keep Kyle at any cost and if she has anything to say about it Aspen won’t be on his radar. Em’s efforts borderline obsessive and downright terrifying at times. Kyle wants nothing to do with her but she won’t leave him alone. Kyle has a secret one he’s afraid to share with anyone, until Aspen. She has breathed life into his world again. He opens himself up to her and opens his heart but after sharing this secret he fears for her own safety. 

This book covers a really serious topic but one that generally doesn’t get presented in such a harsh, violent manner — bullying. Em Harrelson is probably the meanest of the mean girls. She’s downright mental but Kyle and Aspen cling to one another as they open up and share their secrets hoping that Em will allow them a happy ever after. Aspen and Kyle’s story is inspiring and truly beautiful. I loved the honesty between these two. Their relationship, though they are young is a relationship many people search a lifetime for. It is a sweet story but their are some alarmingly violent moments that shake you to your core. I felt for Aspen and Kyle but I also felt for their parents. The parents who were so very supportive and loving throughout everything both their families had endured. This was a good read especially if you’re a fan of cowboys. 

I’d recommend this book for those interested in mature Young Adult books. 

*This book was an ARC provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.*

Buy Painted Boots for Kindle  |  Nook  |  Kobo  | Paperback

 

M MorrisonAbout the Author

Mechelle Morrison loves language–she’s always wished she could speak and write them all. She lives for chocolate, lazy summer days, spontaneously funny things . . . and family. She’s sort of scared of dogs.

When she’s not reading or writing or wandering the world, she can be found in her backyard in Utah with her husband, their daughter and the bevy of quail that live behind their garage.

If she didn’t write she’d make stop-motion animation shorts. So she does that anyway. 

Website  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads 

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Bad Boy Rock Star Cover Reveal

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Bad Boy Rock Star by Candy J. Starr, designed by Go On Write
Slated for release November 2013

Synopsis:

Hannah Sorrento is a princess, the toughest obstacle she’s ever had to face is finding shoes to match her outfit. Then her father disappears and she’s been left with nothing more than the money in her purse and a contract for the management of hot, indie rock band, Storm.She thinks she can use them to get some fast money but the lead singer, Jack Colt, has his own ideas and, from their first meeting, sparks fly.
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About the Author

Candy J. Starr used to be a band manager until she realised that the band she managed was so lacking in charisma that they actually sucked the charisma out of any room they played. “Screw you,” she said, leaving them to wallow in obscurity – totally forgetting that they owed her big bucks for video equipment hire.Candy has filmed and interviewed some big names in the rock business, and a lot of small ones. She’s seen the dirty little secrets that go on in the back rooms of band venues. She’s seen the ugly side of rock and the very pretty one.But, of course, everything she writes is fiction.

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The Devil’s Tattoo Cover Reveal

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The Devil’s Tattoo

(18+ due to adult themes, sex scenes and coarse language)
Release date: September 1, 2013
Cover Design by: Paper and Sage Designs

Synopsis

Zoe Granger picked up her first guitar the day her heart was smashed into a billion pieces. It was a way to keep her mind off her inevitable downward spiral, but music soon became her escape. She’s been burned too many times to tell and is just happy to coast through life, never putting herself out there. That’s until her best friend Dee suggests they start a band and suddenly she finds herself not just a part of it, but fronting the whole outfit.

They call themselves The Devil’s Tattoo and when they release their debut EP, it rockets to the top of the charts and it’s like an overnight fairytale. Contracts, photo shoots, royalties and interviews are heaped onto the shy Zoe and it’s like she’s finally found her place. Then comes the phone call that changes everything. They’ve been asked to co-headline a tour with one of the hottest bands of the moment, The Stabs and Zoe will never be the same again.

Will Strickland is one fourth of the hottest indie rock band to ever grace the airwaves. He’s the bass player in The Stabs, hot as hell and could have his pick of any girl that flings herself at him. But he’s only got eyes for Zoe and she has no idea why he’d bother. She’s got one hell of a trust issue and an attitude to boot and Will seems to be the one who wants to tame her, but is he game enough?

The Devil’s Tattoo and The Stabs go on the road and it’s either going to be a highway to hell or a stairway to heaven. Only time will tell who will come out on top and Zoe’s determined to do it without getting her heart broken… again.

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Excerpt

Dee pulled out another notebook from his bag and tossed it to me. “Write the lyrics.”
I look at the empty notebook and Dee’s tattered one that’s full of ideas and marks and don’t know where to start. I try not to think about it too much as I grab a pen and write out the music best I can. It’s already there, I just have to translate it into something coherent. But, when it comes to the words, I see what Dee’s written and it could be a song for me. No wonder he wants me to change it. He wants the song to be from me, instead. My side of the story.
The couch dipped next to me and Dee stuck his head over my shoulder to see what I’m writing. I pressed the notebook into my chest and he tried to snatch it away.
“Hey,” I cried. “I like you and all Dee, but stop trying to feel me up.”
His lips curved into a sly smile and he knew that I was onto him and for once I don’t argue.
“What are we gunna call ourselves?” Frank asked. Before Chris could open his mouth he added, “No ideas accepted form Chris.”
“Why not?” he grumbled.
“We’re not into Morrissey,” Dee laughed.
“I think Empty Hands is a good name for an indie band,” I said kindly.
“Thanks, Zoe,” Chris smiled and tapped his bottle against mine.
“We’re not a pansy mopey indie band,” Frank said and beat on his chest. “I want to beat the shit outta those skins, for one. I’m too manly to get in touch with my feminine side.”
Dee’s watching me with a frown and I realize I’ve been running a finger along the scar on my arm.
“Tattoo,” he said, his eyes meeting mine.
“What?” I jumped and tucked my hands under my legs.
“Tattoo,” he said again and I could almost see the light bulb over his head. “The Devil’s Tattoo.”
As soon as he says it, I knew he wanted to name the band after me. I can’t help but wonder who the devil is meant to be. The devil scarred my arm and I covered it with a tattoo.
“Dee,” I began to scold him.
“Bloody LOVE IT,” Frank shouted, on his feet.
“It’s not like that, Zoe,” Dee whispered in my ear. “You’re my phoenix from the ashes. You’re my version of the devil, babe.”
It sounded like he was declaring his love for me and in a way he was, but not like that. Dee’s my brother. Dee’s my family.
I smiled at him. “The Devil’s Tattoo.”
“All in favor?” Dee asked, but it’s already been decided.
“Hell yeah!” everyone shouted, and it’s done.

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Teasers 

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About the Author
Nicole R. Taylor is a paranormal, urban fantasy and contemporary fiction author from Ballarat, in Victoria, Australia. Nicole is a graduate of the University of Ballarat Professional Writing and Editing program and is a former music memorabilia sales person and grocery merchandiser. Previously, she has written for Fasterlouder.com.au and various small street press music and entertainment publications as a gig and album reviewer before publishing her first Urban Fantasy novel in early 2013. When she isn’t writing, Nicole likes to spend time curled up with a good book and her 3-year-old rescue cat, Burger. She gets itchy feet more often than not and has lived in three countries and travelled to three times as many.
Her new paranormal fantasy series, The Witch Hunter Saga is available in print and eBook (from March 2013). 
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Tone Deaf Cover Reveal

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Synopsis:

 His world is music…

…Her world is silent.

Ali Blinde was a prodigy destined to become one of the greatest musicians of the 21st century.

Until the brain tumor struck.

Now seventeen, Ali lives in a soundless world where she gets by with ASL and lip-reading. So when she meets Jace Beckett, she thinks he’s her worst nightmare come true. Jace is the lead singer in the wildly-popular band, Tone Deaf, and he’s exactly the kind of success-story Ali hates and resents.

Nineteen-year-old Jace has it all: fame, money, and any girl he wants. Every night on tour brings a new performance and a new girl, which is just what he needs to avoid the pain of relationships.

But when Jace learns Ali is being abused, he reluctantly proposes a solution: Run away with him and his band as they tour the country. With freedom in sight, Ali takes the offer. Immediately, she’s swept into a world filled with wild punk music, wilder musicians, and maybe—just maybe—love.

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 Olivia

Author Bio:

Olivia Rivers is the author of six novels, ranging in genres from Epic Fantasy to Contemporary Romance. Along with being a writer, she’s a freelance digital artist, a literary agent assistant, and a high school student.  She’s a nerd at heart, and is a hopeless fan-girl for Doctor Who and Arrested Development. Olivia lives in California with a dog who thinks he’s a cat, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and a kitten who is just generally confused.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon

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Sweet Thing Release Event & Giveaway

Sweet Thing Cover

Book Description:

Mia Kelly is a twenty-five-year-old walking Gap ad who thinks she has life figured out when her father’s sudden death uproots her from slow-paced Ann Arbor to New York City’s bustling East Village. There she discovers her father’s spirit for life and the legacy he left behind with the help of an old café, a few eccentric friends, and one charming musician.

Will Ryan is good-looking, poetic, spontaneous, and on the brink of fame when he meets Mia, his new landlord, muse, and personal heartbreaker.

A story of self-discovery and friendship, Sweet Thing shines light on the power of loving and letting go.

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Sweet Thing will be on sale for $2.99 from July 24th to August 2nd

 Purchase for Kindle  | Nook  | Kobo  | iBooks  |  Paperback

Renee Carlino

About the Author

Renee’s first friends were the imaginary kind and even though her characters haven’t gone away, thankfully the delusions have. She admits she’s a wildly hopeless romantic and she blames 80’s movies staring Molly Ringwald for that. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she’s not at the beach with her boys or working on the next book, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate.

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads

Giveaway 

Enter for your chance to win one (1) of five (5) signed paperback copies of Sweet Thing


EXCERPT 4: from Fledglings

“I made it to my gate on time; there was no sign of Lauren. I breathed a sigh of relief and then I directed a brief request to the universe asking that it seat a tired  antisocial traveler in the seat next to me. I boarded and found my seat quickly. I threw my bag in the overhead bin, sat down, and began my preflight ritual: super fuzzy socks on, ear buds in, Damien Rice on the iPod, travel pillow around the neck. I was ready. The window seat remained empty as the last few passengers came on board. I had a ridiculous grin on my face, prematurely thanking the universe for leaving the seat empty until I glanced up and saw this guy headed toward me. I have to admit, he was gorgeous, but as soon as I saw the guitar case, my stomach turned sour. 

Oh no, please world, do not let this egoist, wannabe, probably smelly musician sit next to me.

As he approached he blurted out a breathy shout. “Hey!” Pausing, he looked right into my eyes—my soul—and said, “Do you want the window seat? It’s all yours if you do.”

“Huh? Uh, no thanks.” What the hell is this guy doing?

 “I’m a terrible flier,” he said, hesitating. “Please, I need to be in the aisle, I’m sorry, do you mind? I’m Will, by the way…”

Moving to the window seat, I mumbled, “Yeah, fine, you can sit there. I’m Mia.” I stuck my hand up in a motionless wave, intentionally avoiding a handshake.

Don’t get me wrong, I love music; I live for it. I’m classically trained on the piano and I can hold my own on almost any instrument. Naturally, growing up in Ann Arbor, every kid played the freakin’ cello, but I had a knack for music in general, much of which I owed to my father. During the summers in New York, he exposed me to world music, rock and roll, blues, jazz, you name it, then I would go home and work on Rachmaninoff’s Opus 23 all winter long. Playing the piano the way I was taught, combined with the loose methods my father encouraged during those summers, always created this blend of discipline and revolution in my style. I tried to embrace the blend, but sometimes it felt like a conflict.

I believe my mother was drawn to my father’s love of music, his free spirit and beatnik ways, although she would never admit that. She refers to what she had with him as one wild week for a very naïve nineteen-year-old. It was the summer of 1982 and she had been in Cape Cod on a family vacation when she and a couple of friends decided to take a day trip to New York. One day turned into five, and my mother returned to Cape Cod knocked up. My father owned it from the beginning, but my grandparents wouldn’t allow their teenage daughter to move to New York, unmarried and pregnant. As I got older I wondered why my father hadn’t followed my mother to Ann Arbor. I knew he wanted to take responsibility for me and I knew he cared for mother, but I don’t think he was ever a one-woman kind of man. His lifestyle was so far removed from anything that resembled domesticity.

After I was born we lived with my grandparents while my mother attended the University of Michigan, eventually acquiring a law degree. That’s where she met David, and they’ve been inseparable ever since, even practicing law at the same firm. I think my stepdad provided my mother with the sense of stability that my father couldn’t… or wouldn’t. I admired David for that. He treated me like his own and even though sometimes I disagreed with him, especially as a teenager, I always felt loved by him.

In the beginning my father would come visit me for long weekends here and there until I was old enough to travel to New York for the summers. He and David had an enormous amount of respect for each other, even though they couldn’t have been more different. What they had in common was an unconditional love for my mother and me. After my father became aware of the fact that I called David “Dad,” he simply said, “He is your dad, luv, just like me, but to keep it straight why don’t you call me Pops?” And so I did.

My mother’s group of androgynous, pseudointellectual friends would have referred to me as the ultimate indiscretion if it weren’t for the fact that I was gifted musically, Valedictorian at my high school, and now an Ivy League graduate. Choosing a business major over the arts at Brown was a surprise to everyone, but I yearned for a more organic experience when it came to music. I didn’t want to spend one more minute trudging through a Bach piece while being hypnotized by the metronome. I wanted a degree I could use and I wanted music to be my hobby. I’m still wondering how I’m going to use that degree…

I had shut the window screen, my eyes and brain off to the world, when I was jolted by the weight of my own bag being tossed onto the seat next to me. My eyes darted open and up to Will, who was forcefully rearranging everything in the overhead bin.

“Sorry, baby, I’ve got to make room for her,” he said, grabbing his guitar and hoisting it up.

I rolled my eyes at the thought of him personifying his guitar. He grabbed my bag, shoved it in the bin, and collapsed into his seat. I shot him a slightly annoyed look. “Why didn’t you request an aisle seat?” I asked.

“Well, you see, sweetheart, I like to be right behind the emergency exit. I’ll hop over this seat, jump out the door, and be down that super slide in a split second,” he said with an arrogant smile.

“Then why not request the exit aisle?”

“I am not the person for that job, trust me.”

“Damn, chivalry is dead. It doesn’t matter anyway; our lives are in the hands of these hopefully sober pilots and this nine-hundred-thousand-pound hunk of metal, so…”

“Can we stop talking about this? I don’t think you understand.” He pulled a rosary out of his pocket and proceeded to put it around his neck.

“Something tells me you have no idea what that’s for,” I said, giggling. “Are you Catholic?” He was desperately trying to peel a tiny price tag label off one of the beads. “Oh my god, you bought that in the airport gift store, huh?”

Putting his finger to his mouth, he said, “Shhh! Woman, please!” He looked around as if he would be found out. “Of course I’m Catholic.”

A light chuckle escaped my mouth. “Well, God would know, so wearing that around your neck instead of chanting your Hail Marys is probably pissing the big guy off, and that’s not good for any of us.”

He let out a nervous laugh and then whispered, “Hey, little firecracker, you like taunting me, don’t you?” Waiting for my response, he looked directly into my eyes and smiled cutely.

I suddenly felt bashful and shook my head nervously. “Sorry.”

Still smiling, he squinted slightly and then winked before looking away and pulling a stack of pamphlets out of the seat-back pocket.

While he reviewed the safety information flier, we began taxiing toward the runway. I noticed a few things in that moment. One, Will was universally attractive; even though he dressed a little edgier and had slightly imperfect teeth, he could have easily been a print model. He stood a tad over six feet, was thin with muscular arms, maybe from years of playing guitar. He had brown, disheveled hair and dark eyes, a chiseled jaw, high cheekbones, and great lips. As he read he mouthed the words, the way a child reads silently.

Two, he didn’t smell bad at all—as a matter fact, he smelled heavenly. A mixture of body wash, sandalwood, and just a hint of cigarette smoke, which would normally repulse me, but for some reason it suited him. He wore black pinstriped slacks that hung on his thin hips, a silver-studded belt with a wallet chain, and a red T-shirt that said “Booyah!” above a silk-screened picture of Hilary and Bill Clinton playing Ping-Pong. I didn’t get it.

Three, he was genuinely scared to fly and it was apparent that he would be white- knuckling it the entire way. I made the decision to try to calm his nerves by being friendly and chatting him up.

The pilot came on and announced we were cleared for takeoff. “Jesus Christ! Did he sound drunk to you?” Will blurted.

“Not at all. Relax, buddy, everything will be fine and you should probably tone down the Jesus Christs, at least while you’re still wearing that thing.” I pointed to the rosary around his neck. He looked down at the beads like they were about to perform a circus act.

Nervously he said, “Hey, hey can you open that screen? I need to see us get off the ground.” I obliged as he peered over me and out the window.

“You’re funny, Will. You want to sit in the aisle seat, yet here you are, leaning over me to look out the window.”

Ignoring my comment, he took a deep breath in through his nose, tilted his head to the side, and with a half smile whispered, “You smell good, like rain.” I was totally caught off guard by his proximity; a delicious chill ran through me.

“What kind of guitar do you have?” I asked abruptly, attempting to change the subject.

“Um… an electric guitar?” The answer was like a question. “No, I know that. What kind?”

“Oh, it’s a Fender.” He squinted his eyes and smiled. He seemed somewhat charmed and probably grateful that we were talking about guitars while the plane was barreling full speed down the runway. He gripped the armrest, still not totally at ease.

“Is it a Telecaster, Stratocaster…?”

“As a matter of fact it’s a blond Tele. I also have a Gibson acoustic and a vintage Harmony at home.”

“I love the old Harmony guitars. On my fifth birthday my father gave me his H78. It was the first guitar he bought with his own money. He ordered it from a Sears catalog in 1970.”

His eyes shot open with surprise. “That’s awesome. Your father must be a cool guy.”

“He just passed away a month ago.”

“Shit… I’m so sorry,” he said with genuine sympathy.

“It’s okay, but I’d rather not talk about it right now. Let’s talk about guitars,” I said, realizing it would be for both our benefits.

When we hit cruising altitude, he relaxed a little and began describing the magical pickups on the Harmony and the modifications he’d made to the Telecaster. He clearly knew what he was talking about and I found his enthusiasm sweet.

We continued into an easy conversation about our favorite musicians. We agreed on everything from Led Zeppelin to Bette Midler. We talked about Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Debussy, the Naizi Brothers, and Edith Piaf. It was the most intense and diverse musical conversation I’d ever had. We talked nonstop for the entire length of the flight.

I told him about my musical background and also how I was going to live in my father’s apartment with my yellow lab, Jackson, and run his café, maybe teach piano lessons on the side. He told me how he was working as a bartender in a swanky boutique hotel lounge in SoHo. He said at the moment he was living in a literal storage closet in Chinatown until he could afford an apartment. He was playing guitar in a band that he wasn’t too excited about. Between practice and his job and the few gigs they played a month, he was never home.

I thought about my spare bedroom for a second and then pushed the idea out of mind when I reminded myself that Will was a complete stranger. Even though I found his neuroses more endearing than scary, I figured inviting a struggling musician to live with me was not the best idea.

As the plane started to descend, Will gripped the armrest. “Mia, we’re going down. I need to know everything about you right now! How old are you, what’s your last name, what street do you live on? If we make it out of this, I think we should jam together, you know, musically or whatever.”

He was being adorable. My body tingled with warmth from his gaze. I shifted nervously before answering, “My last name is Kelly, I’ll be at my father’s café most days—Kell’s on Avenue A. Come and have a coffee with me sometime and we’ll talk music. Oh, and I’m twenty-five.”

When we were safely on the ground, he smiled sweetly and said in a low voice, “We both have double first names. I’m Will Ryan, twenty-nine. I live at 22 Mott Street in the storage closet. I work at the Montosh. I’m O negative, you know, the universal one and I play in a band called The Ivans. Oh, and I love coffee. It was nice to meet you, Mia.”

“It was nice to meet you too.”

“We made it,” he said, pointing out the window as we taxied to the gate. “You know they say people who have stared death in the face are bonded for life?”

I laughed. “Your antics are cute, Will.”

“I was going for irresistible,” he said with a brazen smirk. He handed me my bag and let me go in front of him. His warm breath on my neck caused me to shiver and stumble in the aisle. He chuckled. “You’re cute.” When another passenger jetted out of his seat, bumping me, Will blurted out, “Hey! Watch it, buddy!” I turned around to his sexy smile. His lips flattened, he narrowed his eyes and then whispered, “See, baby, chivalry isn’t dead.”

When I stepped out into the crisp March, New York air, I sensed him walking behind me, but I didn’t turn around. I walked straight up to the first available cab, hopped in, shut the door, and shouted, “Manhattan!” As we pulled away from the curb, I glanced over at Will. He was blowing a lungful of smoke into the air with curiosity in his eyes like he was listening to God. His gaze met mine and with a larger-than-life wave, he mouthed the words, “Goodbye, Mia.” I thought I caught “Sweet Thing” just as he left my view.”

AToMRTours_mdm

Lick (Stage Dive #1) Review

LICK

*This book was an ARC provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.

EXCUSE my slang but this book was EVERYTHAAAANG! hehe 😉

I loved it. Actually I loved David, yeah, definitely David. (drools)

This book just did it for me. It had just enough romance, just enough chemistry to steam things up and just enough drama. It  was everything you look for in a good read, sweet, funny and utterly sexy. The story was solid and I found myself laughing and smiling a lot while reading this book. So what’s it about…

Synopsis

Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas’s plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure as hell never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.

One thing is for certain, being married to rock and roll’s favorite son is sure to be a wild ride.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I pretty much devoured the book. I finished it in one sitting. 

What would you do if you partied so hard you couldn’t remember anything about your night? Would you freak out when you notice a hot guy in the room, nursing your hangover? Evelyn Thomas wakes up with one hell of a hangover and one hell of a rock on her finger. Scratch that, a five carat Cartier to be exact! She doesn’t remember anything about her night with David Ferris and doesn’t remotely recognize him for his fame. Without so much as a second thought she freaks out…too shocked to think long enough to ask any of the right questions she suggests an annulment. David is seemingly upset by this, but agrees to have his attorneys contact her and draw up the papers. Although upset, he leaves slamming his way out of her life. A quickie annulment should solve all their problems, she could go back to her life and stick with her carefully mapped out plans. Simple enough right? Wrong! Upon returning home to Portland, OR she is rudely awakened by reality and just how drastically her life will change courtesy of her wild night in Vegas.

Although the ending left me fully satisfied. I do hope there will be more to David and Ev’s story. I really enjoyed this book and would love to read more by this author especially if David is involved! hehe 😉

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This book is slated for release on July 1, 2013.

Pre-order Lick (Stage Dive 1) for Kindle

Here’s an excerpt to hold you over until the release:

 A blackbird had been inked into the side of his neck, the tip of its wing reaching up behind his ear. I still had on my pretty white party dress, compliments of Mom. But he wore just a pair of jeans, some scuffed black boots, and a loose white bandage on his forearm.
     Those jeans … he wore them well. They sat invitingly low on his hips and fit in all the right ways. Even my monster hangover couldn’t detract from the view.
     “Aspirin?” he asked.
     And I was ogling him.”

About the author: 

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