5 Rocking Romantic Novels

Reckless (M)
by S.C. Stephens

"When the band hits it big, Kiera and Kellan must ask themselves if their love for each other can withstand the constant pressures of superstardom. The friendships they've formed, the new family they've found and the history they've forged will all play a part in helping them navigate the turbulent waters of the band's exploding popularity. A greedy executive hell-bent on success, a declining pop star looking for an edge and a media circus that twists lies into truths are just some of the obstacles the lovers will have to overcome if they are going to remain together. Fame comes with a price. But will it cost Kiera and Kellan everything?" - Publisher


Rock Chicks (M)
by Ronni Cooper

"The groupie: Coco LaBiba has the beauty, she has the money, but she just needs sex, music and fame to get high. She won't give up her wild ways for anyone - except the one guy she can never have. The wife: Marny Rammer - pretty, shy, devoted wife of the band's lead singer. But there's a price to pay when superstardom comes knocking on your husband's door, and for Marny it comes in a dangerous pile of fine white powder... The manager: Lori Wyatt is the girl from the sticks turned kick-ass band manager who can play any man at their own game - business, or pleasure - and who will do anything she can to sky-rocket her boys to the top. Anything. Three strong women. Three best friends. The Rock Chicks have joined the party and it's become the sexiest ticket in town." - Back cover.

The Devil's Metal (M)
by Karina Halle

"It's the summer of 1974 and 21-year old Dawn Emerson has only three things she wants to do: compete one last time in the Ellensburg Rodeo, win back her ex-boyfriend Ryan, and become the best damn music journalist at Central Washington University. But all her plans are left in the dust when she's contacted by Creem magazine to go on the road with one of her favorite groups, the up-and-coming metal band, Hybrid. At first the assignment reads like a dream come true. Not only will Dawn land some much-needed credibility as a female music journalist, but she'll finally get to experience life from the other side of the stage, and maybe crack the drunken, enigmatic code that is guitarist Sage Knightly. Instead, Dawn finds herself on an aging tour bus filled with ego-maniacs, band politics and a whole lot of sex, drugs and rock n' roll. When monsters start showing up in dressing rooms and some of Sage's groupies become increasingly strange and dangerous, Dawn discovers the band is not only going places - they're going straight to Hell. And Dawn has a backstage pass..." - Back cover.

How the Mistakes Were Made : a novel  (M)
by Tyler McMahon

"Rock musician Laura Loss is roundly reviled by her former fans, who blame her for the implosion of her phenomenally successful band. She sets out to write her own version of what went down, recalling her initial taste of fame as the teen bassist for her brother Anthony's hardcore punk group in the 1980s. That experience, which ended badly, made her wary, but two young Montana musicians, huge fans of Lisa's first band, persuade her to join them. And it's true that she's never seen a guitar player with as much fire as Sean, whose synesthesia, a mixing of the senses that allows him to see the music, gives the band its distinctive sound. But her ill-fated romance with needy, alcoholic Sean and subsequent attraction to the group's third member lead to its downfall. McMahon vividly renders the anarchic, make-it-up-as-you-go spirit of '80s punk, the way the '90s grunge era was already being infiltrated by corporate interests, and the dilemmas of a feisty female musician in a male-dominated industry. Entertaining reading for music fans." - Booklist

Double Time (M)
by Olivia Cunning

"Cunning's third Sinners on Tour erotic menage romance about heavy metal musicians (after Rock Hard) turns to bisexual guitarist Trey Mills. Sinners frontman Brian and his wife, Myrna (who paired up in Backstage Pass), just had their first child, making Trey realize he has to put out the decade-long torch he's held for Brian. Then vivacious, talented female rocker Reagan Elliot enters Trey's life as the new rhythm guitarist for Trey's brother's band. As the attraction heats up between them, Trey is also drawn to Ethan, Reagan's roommate and ex-boyfriend, who finds Trey just as hot. The three struggle with their feelings, Trey debates coming out to Reagan, and Brian's family obligations threaten to tear the band apart. Snappy dialogue, dizzying romance, scorching hot sex, and realistic observations about life on tour make this a winner, though some readers may balk at the conflation of bisexuality with needing both male and female partners to be "fulfilled."" - Publisher Weekly