Under the liberating guise of his alter ego ‘Riff Rotten’, Rick Rottenberg has circled the globe playing sold-out shows and sampling the universal delights that fame and fortune allow a rock star of his caliber. But he can no longer ignore the panic attacks plaguing him with increasing regularity. Not knowing where else to turn, Rick finds himself turning a doorknob – entering not only into the spiritual world of yoga, but into a retro world of rock music he had long abandoned as well. Revolve Records reminds him of why he picked up a guitar in the first place, and he hopes that Evolve Yoga – and its sexy owner – will help him forget everything else.
Swearing off musicians has been Sidra Sullivan’s mantra ever since a charismatic singer with a bad case of LSD (Lead Singer Disease) blocked her chakras and closed off her heart. The last thing she wants is another huge ego in tight pants hanging around, consuming her time and attention. But when Rick makes an offer to save her family’s historic Lower East Side building in exchange for her help, she begrudgingly makes an exception.
As she works him up to more challenging poses, he begins to wear down her walls of protection, challenging her to see him in a different light. She, in turn, teaches the steeled, seasoned rock warrior to soften his stance and find strength from within. But when a rock and roll power play threatens to disrupt the delicate balance that has grown between them, Sidra must decide whether to follow her head and fight, or to open her heart and fly.
MY THOUGHTS
Rick (aka Riff Rotten) is in the midst of recording a new album with his band and while his bandmate and best friend is planning his wedding, Rick is trying to get over that he has just buried the love of his life. Even though, it has been years since her passing from cancer, he can’t forget about Simone and now he thinks he is having a heart attack. It turns out that rock stars can get panic attacks and once under control, they are now taking over his life. Not one to sit by, he decides to take action and finds yoga.
We touched on Rick and his war with Adrian in Louder Than Love and Adrian’s romance with Kat. Those two are both present with a few other characters from that book. You don’t need to read that one first to enjoy this one. When Rick’s panic attacks start to overtake his life and he takes up yoga at his son’s insistence, he has a cute meet with Sidra, an instructor. And the age difference is believable as well as the spark between the two. Of course, the new couple has issues, but they overcome the obstacles that are mostly themselves.
Dear Dog, this sounds like it could be a self-help novel for musicians, but, nope, far from that, it is a romance that will leave you with that good feeling of happily ever after. Topper has quickly become my favorite in the rock star romance department and it is all because she can summon up a rock star on paper that comes across with the true charisma they all have. That X factor is present in all of her books. This one is definitely swoon worthy.
INCLUDES A PREVIEW OF THE FIRST LOVE & STEEL NOVEL: LOUDER THAN LOVE
Praise for the Love & Steel novels
“Pitch perfect escapism!”–Barbara Claypole White, author of The Perfect Son
“I was absolutely blown away.”–The Book Pushers
“A beautiful and engaging story that will melt your heart.”–Open Book
Society
“Cozy, witty, modern and yet poetic…Breathtaking in its imagery.”–Maryse’s Book Blog
“Erm, luv . . . do you realize there’s a shoe nailed to your wall?”
The gentle kisses between her breasts had felt like a dream, but the vibration of Rick’s voice and his breath on her skin both warmed and awakened her.
“Yes, it’s my flip-flop.” The gorgeous guy who had shared her bed for the second night in a row was now working his way down her body. Sunlight streamed through the windows, bronzing his strong shoulders. She captured one of his curls between her fingers as it tickled its way across her tummy and lazily twirled it. “You’re only noticing it now?”
“My mind is usually elsewhere when I’m in your bedroom, luv. As is my mouth.”
Sidra groaned, twisting his hair in her fist. “Talk about driving your point home,” she panted as his tongue darted against her tightest, most tender spot. “Oh, my . . .” His arms gripped her thighs as he lifted her.
“I could drink from you all day, Goddess.”
Those dark eyes flicked a glance at her so intense, she nearly came on the next long lap of his tongue. But he wasn’t nearly through with her. He kissed her very tip, making her tremble and buck up against him.
He licked slow circles around her glossy core, stroking out each whimper and sigh as his personal prize. Heat spiraled in her belly, and her breasts ached. She ran her hands over them, marveling at their heaviness, before plunging her fingers into his hair. He groaned, pulling her against his mouth and sucking her sweetly.
“Make love to me.” She had never wanted anything like she wanted him inside of her now. Her whole being begged for him. “Rick . . .” She summoned, and he responded, climbing her gently, sliding kisses across her hips, her nipples, her throat, covering her with his lean, hard frame.
Softer Than Steel Playlist:
“Gimme Sympathy” – Metric
“Shipping Up to Boston” – Dropkick Murphys
“Fool in the Rain” – Led Zeppelin
“Downward Facing Dog” – moe.
“The Weight of Words” – The Town Pants
“Dil Nachde” – Delhi 2 Dublin
“I Wanna Be Sedated” – The Ramones
“Hungry Like the Wolf” – Duran Duran
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” – Green Day
“Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” – Jeff Buckley
“Brother Down” – Sam Roberts Band
“Spinning” – Zero 7
“Bohemian Rhapsody” – Montserrat Caballé and Bruce Dickinson
http://open.spotify.com/user/12154328/playlist/1BfaBx9BU1Dkf5sHURoItY
Jessica Topper is an ex-librarian turned rock n’ roll number cruncher. She can trace her love for the written word back to age three, when she memorized Maurice Sendak’s “Chicken Soup with Rice” in its entirety.
After her daughter was born, Jessica left the Manhattan library world and began working for her husband’s music management company. He offered her a part-time bookkeeping job so she could “stay home for the baby’s first year” and pursue her dream of writing.
The baby is now thirteen, and Jessica has been working her full-time, sold-her-soul-for-rock-n-roll job as Office Manager for veteran jam band moe. ever since. She may have traded in books for bookkeeping, but the written word is never far from her mind, or her heart.
Jessica lives in upstate New York with her husband, daughter and one ancient cat. You can visit her at www.jessicatopper.com.
WANT TO WIN A COPY?
Just leave a comment with your favorite rock star’s name!
US only – I will pick a winner on October 8.
This is for an e-book from Amazon.
I am really not into rock right now I am more country so it would be Luke Bryan. But I love me some Jon Bon Jovi!!
My favorite rockstar is currently Halestorm.
More country here but I do enjoy the rolling stones every so often.
Ozzie Osbourne or Rob Zombie, I guess.
Joe Elliott of Def Leppard and Sammy Hagar.
My favorite rock star is Elton John
Tyler Joseph
Alexi Laiho.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Bryan Adams
Right now I am loving Twenty-One Pilots.
Bon Jovi
I’ve been a fan of Jon Bon Jovi for years!
Marilyn Manson and Glenn Danzig..I can’t pick one favorite.
Mick Jagger is my favorite. Thanks for the chance.
Meatloaf!