Over the years I’ve had many book boyfriends – a duke, a highlander, a business
tycoon,
a werewolf, a cowboy, and a vampire or two. I never really saw the appeal of
rocker-
themed romances. Reading the Impalers series, about rock and roll vampires, by
Erin
McCarthy and Kathy Love changed my mind. Since then, I've read many more
rocker-themed
romances that perfectly balance decadence and substance.
So what is the draw of these rocker romances? Obviously, one of the biggest
draws is the
showmanship, charisma, and general sexiness of the rock star hero. Mal Ericson
from PLAY by
Kylie Scott
or Trax from TRUE
NORTH by Liora Blake are prime examples of a seductive, entertaining, and
likable
hero. A rock star has the financial freedom of a billionaire hero with the
unattainability and mystique of a vampire. My favorite rock star heroes are,
like Mal,
charming and sexy or sensitive swoon-worthy artists like Slater and Derek from
Erika
Kelly's
Rock Star
Romance series.
While the rock stars themselves range from sensitive and sweet, to charming bad
boy and
everything in between, the women who fall for them are equally as varied and
interesting
– women who have been in the music business directly or on the periphery,
professional
women, writers, shop clerks, and students. I love women who are independent and
can go
toe-to-toe with a mega rock star and his huge ego. One of my favorites is
Kinley Black
from KISSING
VICIOUS by Brooklyn Ann. Kinley is a strong woman who can take care of
herself and
has the same affinity for the music her rock star hero does.
A common thread in these types of romances is the feeling of family and unity
between
the band members and those closest to them. Sometimes a band has actual family
members,
like the exquisite Ferris brothers in Kylie Scott's Stage
Dive
series. However, whether the connection is biological or not, band members
usually have
intense bonds forged over years of committing to something they all love and
seeing each
other at extreme highs and lows. I was particularly struck by the closeness and
family
environment in PLAY
NICE by L.P. Maxa and ROCK ME TWO TIMES by Dawn Ryder. Both bands in those books
are
fiercely loyal to each other and protective.
The unconventional life of a big name musician takes everyday conflicts and
magnifies
them. Rather than just having to worry about jealous ex-girlfriends, current
girlfriends
have to worry about the lure of groupies, mercenary management, and the demands
that
come with fame separating them from the men they love. ROCK
REDEMPTION by
Nalini Singh and SOFTER THAN STEEL by Jessica Topper exemplify the kind of
conflict
and extreme highs and lows that are byproducts of the music business and
celebrity. Both
books are also amazingly complex stories that speak to the soul with intriguing
characters.
Rock star romances are vastly entertaining and captivating for a whole host of
reasons.
I read these books, not just for the fantasy and eroticism, but for the
fascinating
characters. In the hands of a skilled author, rocker-themed romances not only
provide a
sexy diversion and delicious brain candy, but can also be an exciting journey
with
powerful themes and complex characters.
Check out my reviews for Rock 'n Roll Romances:
- THE
FANGOVER
by Erin McCarthy/Kathy Love
- PLAY by Kylie
Scott
- SOFTER
THAN
STEEL by Jessica Topper
- ROCK
REDEMPTION by Nalini Singh
- ROCK ME
TWO
TIMES by Dawn Ryder
- KISSING
VICIOUS by Brooklyn Ann
- PLAY
NICE by
L.P. Maxa
- TRUE
NORTH by
Liora Blake
2 comments posted.
Gonna have to buckle down and read them...I've been curious, now have to satisfy that curiosity!
(Kathleen Bylsma 11:03pm November 3, 2015)