Review - Rock the Heart by Michelle A. Valentine



 

Rock the Heart by Michelle A. Valentine

 

Series:  Black Falcon #1

Publisher:  Self Published

Published:  November 13, 2012

Pages:  326, Kindle Edition

Edition Reviewed:  ebook

Source:  Borrowed

 

Summary:

For the last four years, good girl Lane has regretted breaking up with Noel Falcon. She thought she was sensible when she told him his dreams of being a rock star would get him nowhere, but now that he's a rock god and her career is stagnant, she realizes just how wrong she was. When Noel hires the marketing company where Lane is an intern, she’s forced to see him again. If she wants to land her dream job as executive within the company, she has to win him over and secure his account. Too bad Noel is still pissed at her for breaking his heart.

When Lane’s company flies her to a Black Falcon concert to gain Noel’s attention, emotions run high the moment she sees him and realizes she’s far from over him. But Noel’s countless trysts with groupies and his cocky attitude make Lane believe he isn’t the same guy she once loved—now he seems to only want her body. Then after Lane discloses she needs him to procure a job, Noel proves he’s a changed man by forcing her to go on the road with him in order to get it.

After Lane reluctantly takes Noel up on his offer, she becomes willing to do whatever it takes to keep him satisfied, even if it means succumbing to his seductive ways. Lane soon finds deception is a dangerous game and she’s not the only one playing.

 

Review: 

 

Let's put a disclaimer out there that I read this book immediately after finishing The Mighty Storm by Samantha Towle.  Note to self:  DO NOT read 2 rockstar/rock band novels right after the other. While I did enjoy this book, I think that fact alone caused me to not appreciate this novel in its entirety. Quite honestly, both those books are running together while I'm writing this review. I do remember that I liked Noel better than Jake (TMS) but heroine wise I liked Lane better than Tru(TMS). I really enjoyed the antics of Noel's bandmates, especially Riff. Although I think that was a pretty dumb name to give such a hot sounding rocker, I can't tell you how excited I am that the
next book in the series is about Riff. Excuse me, I have to go swoon.

3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review - In The Band by Jean Haus

 

In The Band by Jean Haus

 

Series: Luminescent Juliet #1

Publisher: CreateSpace

Published: October 19, 2012

Pages: 301, Kindle Edition

Edition Reviewed: ebook

Source:  Borrowed

 

Summary:

 

When family problems push Riley Middleton into giving up a percussion scholarship in another state and attending college from home, her friends push her to try out for a local rock band. Of course, Riley makes the band. She rules at the drums.

Riley soon finds out rock bands have a different dynamic than marching bands, especially when each of her male band mates has a major ego and is a major player. Two of them relentlessly flirt with her. The other—a dark, sexy rock god she can’t help being attracted to— is a total jerk and pushes her to quit. She becomes determined to ignore his rudeness and his hotness. Even if she was interested in jerks, a hook up would probably get her booted out of the ego-ridden band, and playing keeps her sane. Behind the drums, the world and its troubles evaporate.

If she wants to stay in the band, Riley needs to ignore the growing sparks between her and her band enemy. But as she gets to know the man behind the stage persona, ignoring him proves to be more difficult than flowing through a time sig shift.

 

Review *always spoiler free unless noted*:

 

There were 2 reasons I wanted to read this book:  1. Bad Boys galore and 2. Rock band!  I thought the characters were pretty well rounded, although there was room for more development, and I pretty much liked all the characters, even the minor ones.  The plot is pretty formulatic, but I like these plots.  They are my comfort zone.  They were a couple of issues I had with it, however minor.  The first being the main love interest's name.  Romeo.  Romeo?  Romeo?!?  *insert eyeroll here*  The second?  Romeo does that stereotypical 180 from sarcastic, asshat bad rocker boy to complete sappy loverboy.  I like my boys to keep their angst AND be sweet and romantic.  There was another issue (keep in ming I read this 6+ months ago) that I had but was completely personal and not the book or author's fault, but has since been remedied.  This being that I wasn't swooning for Romeo.  Oh no, my heart belongs to Justin.  What can I say?  I melt into a puddle at the thought of jerk-off lead singers.  I REALLY wanted a book about Justin.  And as of a couple of days ago, I got my wish!  Ms. Haus is releasing a companion novel,  Ink My Heart, about Justin *falls to the floor typical Southern belle-style*.  No release date yet, but you bet your ass I'll be all over it!

 

4/5 Stars

 

-Victoria Victorious

Review- Broken Fairytales by Monica Alexander

 

Broken Fairytales by Monica Alexander

 

Series: Broken Fairytales #1

Publisher: Self-Published

Published: June 16, 2012

Pages: 271, Kindle edition

Edition Reviewed: ebook

Source: Borrowed

 

Summary:

 

Emily Cole thought her life was just about as close to a fairytale as it could get. She was on track to graduate from college with honors, had a job lined up in her field, and was about to get engaged to the perfect guy. Then one day she woke up and something just felt . . . off. All of sudden, she started questioning the life she’d worked so hard to achieve, wondering if she’d been aiming for the wrong goals all along because they were safe and easy.

Just when she feels like her life is starting to spiral out of control, her parents announce that they’ve arranged for an extended family vacation, and Emily finds herself set to leave everything behind for eight weeks at the beach. She soon realizes a little time away from her life might be just what she needs, especially time away from her seemingly perfect boyfriend, who for some reason doesn’t seem all that perfect anymore. What Emily doesn’t realize is that the summer holds more surprises than she ever expected, especially one named Zack, a seemingly bad boy, who’s like no one she’s ever met, who she can’t stop thinking about.

As their worlds start to collide, Emily realizes that as different as they may seem on the outside, she and Zack actually have more in common than she ever thought. But being with Zack means taking a risk with an unknown outcome, something Emily hasn’t ever done before. So she has to ask herself, is taking a chance with Zack worth the risk, or is it better to play it safe like she’s always done?

Review *always spoiler free unless noted*:

 

This book is a gem in a sea of indie authors.  Being as I'm not an author (nor have any desire to be), I imagine it is very hard to create characters that are well developed and likeable.  Monica Alexander does it well!  And speaking of characters, I loved Zack.  He was quite swoon worthy in my humble opinion.  He wasn't my favorite, though.  But Emily's brother Chase?  Oh, Chase...let me give you my address.  Come and visit :)  Is it too much to ask that Ms. Alexander writes a spinoff series about him?  Here me, Monica?!?  I need more Chase in my life!  And a forewarning, be prepared to purchase the next book in the series, Buried Castles, ASAP!  That ending!  Not particularly a cliffhanger, but GEEZ!  Did it have to end like that?  How has this series not been picked up by a major publisher (or even a minor publisher)?  This is honestly one of the best self published novels I have encountered.  Applause, Ms. Alexander, applause.

 

The 3rd book in the series, Shattered Crowns, will be published on July 16, 2013.

 

4.5/5 Stars

 

 

 



-Victoria Victorious