Quick contest reminder, you can still enter my contest from Saturday.
I have one of my favorite people here with us today! Karen Booth writes fantastic steamy books with a certain love of rock stars. She has a little to share about a new addition to her bookshelf.
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People often ask why I have a fixation on rock stars. People. Please. I wouldn’t call it a fixation. Just because I blog about rock stars and have centered several books around them doesn’t mean I have a problem. I am capable of writing about other people. I just happen to have a certain fondness for musicians.
I have always loved music with great enthusiasm. I own thousands of CDs, weeks, possibly months, worth of music. My love of music at one point landed me in the music business, working at two different indie record labels with a stint as a booking agent sandwiched in between. I have spent an unimaginable number of nights in rock clubs, sucking down beer and enjoying every second of it. I have also, sadly, spent unimaginable amounts of time listening to bad music, performed by people who don’t have “it”.
So, let’s talk about the myth of the “rock star”. I’ve met my fair share, from the medium famous to the super famous (some only famous in their own mind), and there is one universal truth among them—they were born that way. There’s nothing to be learned. They did not suddenly get good at walking on to stage every night and commanding attention. They were born with it and they live it 24-7, 365 days a year, not even five minutes off just to take a breather.
One of my best rock star friends (a real rock star, on the cover of countless magazines, movie star ex-wife) is always “on”. There is no off-stage version of him. The world is his venue and he squeezes everything he can out of it—singing non-stop, dancing around, cracking jokes and mixing drinks. You want to know how so many rock stars stay skinny? It’s not drugs (well, in some instances it is, but not always). It’s being “on” all the time, no exceptions. It’s exhausting.
Even one of my not-so-famous rock star friends is just so rock ‘n’ roll that he can’t help it. Doesn’t matter that he’s had a music career that never went anywhere. He will still show up at your house in his hot-shit car, unannounced, wearing black tuxedo pants, a mostly unbuttoned shirt and bare feet, toting a bottle of champagne. (Yes, that really happened.)
So, that’s what intrigues me about rock stars. To me, they are living, breathing, mythical creatures. They aren’t like the rest of us. I don’t need a vampire or werewolf—give me a real live rock star because as far as I’m concerned they are just as hard to come by. And that’s why I create them.
My latest erotic romance for Ellora’s Cave features a very hot rock star named Peter Barrett. Peter is not the stereotype, he’s not the bad boy, although he certainly has had his share of women and is somewhat cavalier about it. On the inside, he’s a bit damaged by his past, and vulnerable.
The object of Peter’s affection is Katie, a photographer specializing in music. She has been around lots of rock stars and isn’t particularly fazed or impressed by the notion. They don’t like this and Peter really likes Katie. Rock stars also don’t like being deprived of what they want, mostly because their charisma allows them to eventually worm things out of anyone. Even when she eventually gives in, it’s on a very limited basis and Peter has to go on the offensive to try and get everything he wants from her.
I want to hear if you’ve ever met a rock star (impressive or not) or known someone who was an undiscovered rock star in hiding. One lucky person will win a copy of Love My Way!
Love My Way
Purchase at Ellora’s Cave | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
After her fiancé penned a “Dear Katie” letter, Kate Stillman vowed she’d never give a man more than one night. Free from emotional entanglements, she’s had some hot one-night stands, her heart has stayed off-limits and her photography career has skyrocketed. It’s the perfect plan until a Miami getaway brings her face-to-face with Peter Barrett.
Hunky rocker Peter has been pursuing Katie from afar ever since she photographed his band. In the flesh, it’s clear it was more than flirtation. Katie gives in to their sizzling chemistry, thinking Peter will appreciate her one-night rule. Instead, he balks and extends an invitation for a second night of pure abandon, an offer too tempting to refuse.
When they part, Katie realizes her rule protected her heart only too well. Time away from Peter leaves her wanting him more. Every steamy late-night phone call makes her wonder if she can love again. But when Peter returns and her trust is tested, Katie must overcome her past to learn that love her way was never the way at all.
