Author: Kylie ScottSeries: Stage Dive #4.5, 1001 Dark Nights #88
Audience: +18
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
Release Date: September 25th 2018
My Rating: 4 Cups
Source: InkSlinger PR
Blurb (from Goodreads):
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kylie Scott comes a new story in her Stage Dive series…*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.
When the girl of your dreams is kind of a nightmare.
As head of security to Stage Dive, one of the biggest rock bands in the world, Sam Knowles has plenty of experience dealing with trouble. But spoilt brat Martha Nicholson just might be the worst thing he’s ever encountered. The beautiful troublemaker claims to have reformed, but Sam knows better than to think with what’s in his pants. Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to make his heart fall into line.
Martha’s had her sights on the seriously built bodyguard for years. Quiet and conservative, he’s not even remotely her type. So why the hell can’t she get him out of her mind? There’s more to her than the Louboutin wearing party-girl of previous years, however. Maybe it’s time to let him in on that fact and deal with this thing between them.
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only.
When I found out that there was going to be a new story in the Stage Dive series I was over the moon with excitement. I loved this series and seeing all the familiar faces again was so much fun.
Strong tells the story of Martha, Ben's sister, who was basically a bitch for the past four books. She was the bad guy of the previous books, and after she left I kept wondering what happened to her. I love me some redemption stories, and this is one of the most entertaining one that I've read so far.
I can't say I magically fell in love with Martha while reading this book. She's still the prickly woman I remember from before, the stubborn, slightly uncomfortable to be around person, but I feel like the time she spent away from the band helped her a lot. There was also an incident that happened that left her jumpy and when she finally comes around and confesses to what happened, I kind of got a better understanding of her. The post-David, post-band Martha is slightly different than the Martha I remember, and this new version of her I might start to like. Seeing her with her nephew certainly helped me like her a little bit more.
Sam was a really great guy. I'll admit that since it's been years since I read the series, I don't really remember him from before, which is a shame because he's a fantastic hero. He's the perfect guy for Martha. He's patient, he's persistent, and he loves a little danger in his life. I like how he brought the vulnerable side of Martha to the surface, and I certainly enjoyed seeing them verbally sparring. I also loved him when he told Martha he was going to give her self defense classes.
I really enjoyed this story and it made me remember a lot about this series. I loved the updates in all of the band members' and their partners lives, and I'm thinking a reread is in order. All in all, a great story from Kylie Scott, and I cannot help but hope that there will be more books that connect to this series.
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“Ooh, busted,” said Lizzy. “The bodyguard caught you looking.”
“Shut it.” I inched my chin up a bit, trying not to frown because frowning gave you lines. “Sam and I have known each other for years and nothing has ever happened. You’re completely wrong about this.”
“Am I?”
“Yes, there’s nothing between us.”
“So that’s why you were staring at him?”
I chose not to answer that. “And you know he prefers to be called executive protection officer instead of bodyguard.”
At this, Lizzy burst out giggling, a malicious glee in her eyes. No wonder I liked my sister-in-law these days.
Ben shot us both an irritated glance. We both ignored it.
Of course, I’d known Sam would probably be here. Rock stars going out in public could be a delicate thing. People had a tendency to get overexcited. And while one person wanting an autograph wasn’t a problem, twenty or thirty of them suddenly swarming definitely could be. Having once been part of the entourage, I’d seen it happen to Ben and his fellow Stage Dive band members enough times to be wary. And you couldn’t get by with ordinary security. Rock stars needed protection from their over-zealous fans, but on the other hand they didn’t want the fans roughed up or hurt in any way. It required a delicate balance: control, experience, and a whole gamut of scary physical skills. Hence Sam.
Still, Portland seemed generally less crazy than the good old days back in LA. All of the guys seemed calmer and more settled away from the constant craziness of the party scene. Not to mention the effect of all of the wives/partners and various offspring. The biggest rock band in the world had officially been domesticated.
It was kind of cute. Or sad. I don’t know.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to stir you,” she lied. “What do you think of your brother’s new musical bromance?”
On the small stage set up in the corner of the room, a young man wailed his heart out while playing an acoustic guitar. Much angst about a girl who only called him after midnight. Trust a rockster to turn a simple booty call into a heartbreaking ballad. The song was damn good though. He had talent. If only I hadn’t had my fill of the type when I was younger. The kid looked to be in his early to mid-twenties. Lanky with lots of tattoos. Your typical rock ’n roll Prince Charming. Gag. These days my type ran more toward…actually, what I needed or wanted in a male was a total mystery.
And my gaze did not stray back to Sam. That did not happen.
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