Friday, October 18, 2013

Book Review of Wicked Beat by Olivia Cunning


From the moment he lays eyes on Sinners’ new front of house soundboard operator, drummer Eric Sticks knows he has to make Rebekah his. Unfortunately, she’s too busy trying to seduce guitarist Trey Mills to pay him much attention. Rebekah never planned to fall for the tall, goofy drummer with the weird sense of humor and a heart the size of the galaxy. But Eric makes her laugh and his constant attention makes her feel sexy and irresistible–exactly what she needs after the things her last lover said to her. A woman who gives as much as she takes, Rebekah makes Eric feel like a total stud–exactly what he needs after surviving a decade of watching the incredibly talented members of Sinners from the wings.

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Olivia Cunning's Sinners On Tour series comes to an end (for the most part) with a story featuring my favorite member of the band, the playfully charming and outspoken Eric.  From the moment he sees the band's new soundboard manager with her blue striped hair that matches his he knows he's in love and sets forth to win her over in his own goofy way.  As the sister to the band's former soundboard manager Rebekah feels she has something to prove but it's a rocky road to success when issues of jealousy and an attraction to both Trey and the surprising Eric get in the way.  It's a long drawn out melodrama between two hurt souls who feel less than worthy who bond and find their way to a HEA.

From the very first book in this series I found myself drawn to the lovable goofball Eric, the drummer with a talent for creating music that he doesn't get near enough credit for.  He's known for his comedic nature and tendency to watch while his band mates get busy between the sheets.  He's not quite as sexy as the other Sinners but I found him charming nonetheless.  Eric was a foster kid who never felt a part of any family.  It wasn't until he discovered music that he felt a part of something and would do anything for the band mates who have become his family.  He's exceptionally kind-hearted which has gotten him used repeatedly, especially by ex-band mate Jon, whose drug abuse has been a part of the series since the very beginning.  Meeting Rebekah is like meeting his soul mate which brings forth feelings of jealousy where he now doesn't want to share her with anyone.  She's the only woman who really gets him and his warped sense of humor and he unleashes a sexual onslaught to win her over.  He also lavishes her with gifts as is his tendency when his heart becomes involved.  He's all-consuming in his attentions which made me adore him all the more and why I wish Rebekah had been just a bit more worthy of him, especially early on.

Rebekah is a woman trying to succeed in a man's world and trying to live up to her brother's talent.  After flitting through many different careers this one seems to be a perfect fit as she's a big fan of the Sinners and of Trey especially.  She's extremely obsessed with him and would love to take him up on the sensuality he exudes, leaving Eric out in the cold.  It's only through Trey's pushing her towards Eric that she finally discovers how wonderful he is.  His caring and comforting nature is just what she needs as she's still recovering from cancer and coping with her inability to have children because of it.  After her ex-fiancee left her feeling unsexy and disgusting after her cancer treatments, it's Eric who takes away all those negative feelings through numerous sexual encounters that almost overpower the story.  Just when she and Eric appear to be going towards their HEA her ex comes back and her wishy-washy heart puts their HEA in jeopardy.  Also causing a rift in their relationship is her mother whose craziness slowly shines through in nasty words and deeds directed at Eric.  Her mother's issues are obvious but ignored by everyone until she acts up in public which results in a hasty cure for her and a quick acceptance of what Rebekah really wants.  This part of the story had a soap opera feel to it with silly misunderstandings, a man trying to hide the truth about himself, and an overbearing mother spewing fire and brimstone.  Early on in their relationship I was truly angered by Rebekah's apparent using of Eric while still drooling over Trey.  While being with Eric she would still act hurt when Trey ignored her and ate up any attention he gave her.  Eric deserved better than that as he treated her like she was the only woman in the world. As if that weren't bad enough, she also expressed feelings towards her ex who made her feel deformed and unwomanly at her most vulnerable time.  These acts left me disappointed in her and even though she made many romantic gestures towards Eric at the end, she's still not my favorite heroine in the series.

This is a highly sexed-up story with lots of sexual interludes that overwhelmed the story and made it feel repetitive.  The scenes were super hot and varied but I got a bit bored after reading so many of them.  I enjoyed seeing the rest of the band and how their lives have changed since meeting their own soul mates and found their playful and brotherly interactions heartwarming.  The scenes involving music were vividly depicted and made you feel like you were a part of the concert.  On a whole this story was a satisfying installment to this well-written and steamy series and I'm sad to see it end.  Eric was a wonderful hero, well worth the wait, and is the main reason this story succeeds.

My rating for this is a B.

*I bought this book with my own money for my personal bookshelf.

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