FORBIDDEN SONG is the fifth book in Brooklyn Ann's Hearts of
Metal series about heavy metal musicians.
This book, and series, in general, doesn't focus on rock
star excess. FORBIDDEN SONG is a character-driven romance
focusing on the two main characters and their journey of
self-discovery. This story is told from alternating
perspectives, and I like both of the two main characters.
Even though a book is told from more than one character's
point of view, one character will often resonate with me
more than any other. In FORBIDDEN SONG, the character I find
most compelling is the male protagonist, and lead singer of
the band Bleeding Vengeance, Cliff Tracey. Since the events
of the previous book, Cliff is experiencing a slightly
uncomfortable, yet highly instructive, level of
self-awareness. He realizes that he's not entirely happy
with the direction his life headed, or with the way others
see him. In the middle of this self-discovery, making some
changes, Christine Mayne pops into his life.
To get to go on tour with the band Bleeding Vengeance, and
further her work on her Ph.D., Christine tells some little
white lies and omits a few crucial things. While it's
completely understandable why she does what she does, you
know that it's just a matter of time before everything
blows up in her face. What Christine never expects, is an
attraction to a rock star. Equally, lead singer Cliff Tracey
is just as surprised by his pull toward Christine. With
Christine, Cliff lets down his guard a bit, and the sexual
tension between them builds until they can't keep their
hands off each other. Brooklyn Ann does a terrific job of
capturing the newness and magic of a fresh romance.
Although I connect more with Cliff, I like Christine as
well. Christine is an intelligent and strong female
character, but she's also desperate to get out from under
her brother's watchful eye. Her brother Quinn has good
intentions when it comes to his sister, but Christine
doesn't want to live her life as a victim and have any past
trauma determine how she lives her life. Christine and Quinn
are good examples of the realistically flawed characters
that Brooklyn Ann writes so well. Quinn was the dashing
heartthrob hero of KISSING VICIOUS, but in this book, his
protective streak regarding his sister makes him almost
unbearable and incredibly unreasonable. Christine is a
highly educated woman, but her desire to escape her
brother's scrutiny has her acting like the rebellious
teenager that she's obviously not.
FORBIDDEN SONG is a mix of sexy and sweet with complex
characters who demand respect. I like how Brooklyn Ann
writes the fallout from Christine's revealed secert, and
the way the characters don't act the way you'd expect them
to. I love the female friendships in FORBIDDEN SONG and the
way women support other women. I look forward to Brooklyn
Ann's next book -- whether it's about dark and dreamy
vampires or hard-rocking musicians.
Womanizing rock star, Cliff Tracey represents everything that has been forbidden to Christine Mayne, which only makes him a greater temptation, especially since she discovers he’s so much more than he pretends to be. BREAKING FREE After having one of the worst experiences a young teenager could endure at the hands of cruel musicians, Christine Mayne's rock star brother Quinn tried to lock her away from the world. She had to fight to live her life, go to college, get her master's and enter her PhD program. Now, she's determined to complete her research on group dynamics by touring with Bleeding Vengeance, even it means deceiving her brother and lying to the band's fabulous lead singer, Cliff Tracey. Cliff Tracey hates being manipulated, lied to and deceived. He'd know, having gone through a string of exes who had done just that. When he thinks he's found a kindred spirit, and a beautiful babe to boot, imagine his surprise - and disappointment - when he learns she played him so she can tour with his band to complete her PhD. When he finds out why, he knows he's in double trouble because Quinn Mayne will kill anyone who touches his sister, and Cliff Tracey has all sorts of plans for Christine Mayne that involves more than either of them ever expected.