I can honestly say I was blown away by Seduced by Cari Quinn, Taryn Elliott . I was hooked from the very beginning – when I read the authors’ ‘Note to our Readers’.
“This isn’t your typical love story. We wanted you to know that before you even get to page one. So if you’re reading a sample and really want to know just what you’re in for… here it is.
This is a story of love, of music, of friendship, of heartache and of loyalty. Take all the emotional baggage of knowing people since your teen years and add in new friendships, oh and then add in the creative element of music. What you get is passion and disagreements, friendships and jealousy, magic and chaos.”
Well, hell yeah it is! This book sets up the ‘Lost in Oblivion’ series by giving us a look at the dynamics of the main characters. It focuses on the view from Nick and Simon’s viewpoints, although you learn a lot about Jazz, Gray, and Deacon along the way.
Nick Crandall is the one who cares. He cares too much and too fast, but there’s such a huge downside to that – he’s also the one with the most hangups, the most disappointment. He suffers from crippling stage fright. When it hits, he’s like a deer in headlights. Nick finds ways around it, but it messes with his mind and keeps him from losing himself in their music… sometimes.
Nick’s best friend, Simon Kagan is the front man. He’s the looks and the voice – or so he says. Well, that and the girls that drop their panties for him night after night. He’s a classic narcissist but that doesn’t stop him from having a soul. He cares too, about their music and about the band. But give him some alcohol and a couple of babes and he forgets for the night.
Then there’s the peace maker. Deacon “Demon” McCoy. He’s like a hulking boy scout. Not in the way you might think, but because he’s always prepared. He knows when to step in and when to stay out. Playing the middle between Nick and Simon takes a delicate hand. Deak loves Oblivion, but also knows they need something new to get back on track.
Their original drummer was given an option – go to rehab, or go to jail. He chose rehab. But Deacon knows he’ll be using again as soon as they let him go, so he thinks Oblivion also needs to let him go. He’s been jamming with Gray and Jazz at their regular club during the day, and convinces Nick and Simon to let them join the band – temporarily.
“Jazz was beyond talented, but she may as well have a neon sign screaming danger, sharks ahead. Big, fucking hungry sharks that would leave nothing but chum in their wake. Okay, he [Simon] had to stop watching Shark Week on Netflix.”
The magic that happens when their new pixie-like drummer and stoic second guitarist come along is electric. It’s something that hits once in a lifetime. A couple of lucky breaks later, and they’re finding out what it’s like to know success.
It’s not all hearts and flowers. It’s dirty, gritty, sexy, and messy. Jasmine “Jazz” Edwards isn’t innocent – she’s had a difficult life. But Gray keeps her out of trouble. When life kicked her in the teeth, he was there for her – spiriting her away and making a life for them both. Gray’s still not sure about Nick and Simon, but playing with Deacon is amazing, and he knows it.
Relationships are tested, strengthened, formed, and broken – all in the pages of this story. The authors warn us right up front, this is only the beginning. I agree. I’m in line out front of the club and screaming for more. I was surprised to see that we’ll be getting Deacon’s story first, but I can’t wait to read it.
A PREQUEL to the NA rock star series Lost In Oblivion.Warning: get ready for a testosterone overload. The guys are in the driver’s seat in Seduced – and the ride’s gonna rock.Twenty-three year old Nick Crandall has one focus in his life: Oblivion, the band he formed with his best friend Simon Kagan. With gigs coming up and the band members lacking focus after losing their drummer to rehab, they’re out of ideas. Until Oblivion’s bassist, Deacon McCoy, poses a surprising suggestion.
Bring in someone new. Two someones.
One You Tube video gone viral later, Oblivion is poised on the brink of stardom. With their new hot drummer chick — who comes in a package deal with a talented guitarist who happens to be head over pick in unrequited love with her – it seems like everything’s falling into place. Or will the band Nick and Simon have fought to keep together disintegrate before their eyes?
Four guys & one woman + more success than they ever bargained for = trouble, of the sexiest kind.
Get Seduced by this novel-length introduction to the band Oblivion. This preview occurs before the four forthcoming books about each of the band members. Sometimes getting lost means finding yourself…
Reader Advisory: Seduced is an upper-level NA romance appropriate for mature audiences over 18 due to graphic sex and drug references.
Publisher: Rainbow Rage Publishing; 1 edition (July 3, 2013)