REVIEW: The Crooner by Rida Allen
Jan 24th, 2009 by Michelle Lauren
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rida Allen, author of YOU HAVE BEEN DISCONNECTED and THE FASHIONABLE PI, has written six books for Draumr Publishing. To find more about the author’s work, visit her here: http://www.ridaallen.com/info.html.
THE CROONER is available from Draumr Publishing late January 2009. Buy your copy here.
BLURB
Courtesy of Draumr Publishing
Life in a rock band can be crazy, outrageous, busy…and lonely. After twelve years in the business, singer Nikolas Vincent knows firsthand that bandmates can become family, but they can’t replace the one true love every person seeks. Nik thinks he might have found that love two years earlier, but the curvaceous woman in question had been the best friend to his then girlfriend. And a smart man knows that coming between two best friends is a big no-no. Now, through the hands of fate, the possible love of Nik’s life is back, and he vows not to let her go again. Will Nik’s love song strike the right chord?
A life-altering event moves Breeanne Tillen to quit her job and pursue a new career. She’s learning quickly that pictures can be worth a thousand words, but she’s not convinced her pictures are worth even a hundred yet. So when a surprise meeting with an old acquaintance–and onetime crush–tumbles Bree into the exciting world of rock ‘n roll, she has no idea how much her life can change. New opportunities push her photography career forward, while an old crush turns into a new love and an old friend turns into a new enemy. Can Bree move beyond her painful past and have that picture-perfect future with the crooner?
EXCERPT
When Nik began singing, Bree melted, her insides turning to mush, her heart constricting with desire. Other parts of her body heated, tingled, and generally alerted her to her current state. There was no getting around it, she was hot for the crooner.
And so am I! The chemistry between Bree and Nik heats up the page and culminates in a scintillating first kiss:
“In all honesty,” Bree began, laying a hand on Nik’s arm, “you were fabulous tonight. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a concert so much.”
He pressed closer, heat and adrenaline radiating off his body.
“I’m glad you could make it.”
“The seats were fabulous,” she babbled on. “I hope we didn’t put anyone out. Front row center had to be hard to come by, especially at the last minute.”
“Nothing is too good for you, Breeanne,” he murmured, stroking a finger down her bare arm.
Shivering, she felt goosebumps pop out all over her body. His voice was low, like when he was singing a particularly sensual song. Oh, who was she kidding? He always sang like that in her opinion. “Well, Velma and I really enjoyed ourselves,” she whispered, trying to talk around the lump in her throat. “So where would you guys like to go for drinks?”
“Bongo’s!” Velma called from her coveted spot surrounded by the band.
Several of the musicians echoed her choice, so Bree and Nik acquiesced.
As they all made their way toward the exit, Nik grabbed Bree’s hand, holding her back for an extra minute.
“Bree, I’m so glad to see you again. I…I really missed you,” he told her. Her heart skipped a beat and she felt suddenly dizzy.
“Nik…”
Stepping in front of her, he put his body in between her and the others. Then, with a deliberate slowness, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers.
This time her heart thundered in her chest, and she kissed him back. It was like a dream come true for Bree, only she wasn’t quite ready to believe it.
WHAT I LOVED
There is so much to choose from! Ms. Allen never disappoints. She has a knack for creating characters that grab your attention and never let go. I love that although Breeanne isn’t a size 0, she is happy, confident and very sexy — something Nik can’t help but appreciate. As for Nik, this Southern crooner is a definite charmer (Think Harry Connick Jr.) who woos Breeanne with his music.
The chemistry between them is palpable from their first meeting in a hotel lobby (when the sound of his smoky crooning draws her like a bee to a flower) to their first kiss.
Not only is the physical attraction between Breeanne and Nik a plus, THE CROONER also delivers on drama in the form of a love triangle, completed by Nik’s jealous and embittered ex, Lana. Although Lana is physically appealing, her personality is not; I love that Nik is man enough to know the difference.
I can’t say enough good things about this book, so I’ll end with this: Add this to your virtual bookshelves pronto! You’re guaranteed to fall in love with these characters the way I have. Brava to Ms. Allen for again delivering a satisfying read that not only tugs at the heartstrings, but provides a genuine romance.
