As a reader OBSESSED with rock star romances, and the exhilarating and sexually-charged world surrounding these larger than life characters, I'm thrilled to introduce you to another addition to the genre. For those who've read the previous Shaft on Tour series of books you already know what a wild, outspoken, and sexy group of people make up this unconventional family of musicians. With Punishing Me by Cat Mason, the series comes to a close with lots of steam and a bit of angst. Keep reading to get a tempting glimpse of this sixth installment in the series, along with my impressions of it, and then add it to your bookshelf!
Being the new bassist for Shaft is a dream come true for Ireland Tyler. Sold out stadiums and screaming fans are just bonuses to being able to play music she loves. The only downside is it brings her face to face with a blast from her past and her only regret: Dominick Bradford.
The second in command of security for the band may go by Mack now, but all Ireland sees is the boy who used her and left her broken hearted when they were just seventeen years old. Could this be her chance at revenge after all these years, or will it cause old feelings to rise to the surface and cost more than she is prepared to give?
Mack has been the number two and the butt of most jokes for as long as he can remember. When he is suddenly thrust into the top dog position he is determined to prove he has what it takes to run the security team during the last leg of the tour.
The only thing he didn’t count on was Ireland Tyler.
The wild and crazy bassist is far from the sweet and naïve girl he met all those years ago and it has him wondering how well he really knew her at all. Will Mack be able to resist her and do his job, or will he be consumed by the flames and be the one left wanting more this time?
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
As a reader who's obsessed with rock star romances for the glitzy worlds depicted and the erotically-charged interactions that pull you in and intoxicate you like a drug, I'm always thrilled to find a new addition to the genre on the shelf. Through five previous installments Ms. Mason has crafted a series of larger than life characters brought together with the chaotic rock star world as a backdrop that has flirted with readers and kept them coming back for more. With this sixth release the curtain is coming down by bringing two bruised souls back together from a young love that ended with harsh words. Unexpectedly reunited as adults, the pain of the past still lingers, as do their feelings of love, that give them the chance at HEA once again if they're just willing to let go of the past once and for all.
Ireland grew up in with parents who were more dedicated to their clinical trials than they were to her. She was left with nannies at first and later on she was left to her own devices, an adult in a child's body. She was a good and quiet girl though doing everything she could to gain their love. From good grades to volunteerism she tried to be the daughter they wanted, but nothing she did got their attention. It was a lonely existence with the only bright spot coming from the bad boy who made her feel like the only person in the world. She felt valued in his eyes and in turn she saw a young man of worth behind his bad boy persona. Weeks of happiness got crushed in a moment of harsh words and hardened her heart from that moment on. As an adult she's a wild child, flitting from one meaningless sexual encounter to the next in an attempt to keep her heart safe. With everyone around her exuding happiness, loneliness is her constant companion with sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll the balm to her soul. With the realization that running from her past is no longer working though, she dives right in to become a part of her new rock 'n roll family which puts her in close quarters with the man who left her bruised long ago and who has her emotions in chaos once again. It's an emotional tug of war, teeming with sexual tension, as each tries to gain control over their emotions when their closeness becomes too much of a temptation. It's a battle with lots of ups and downs and misunderstandings. A battle made harder because of Ireland's duality. When in the spotlight Ireland is an outspoken and hard partying musician, but behind the scenes she sheds a tear or two over what might have been and for what she desperately wants, which ultimately had me aching right along with her as her and Mack always felt a bit out of sync. From start to finish Ireland's an appealing heroine with her tough girl exterior and uncensored commentary. She appears tough but she's fragile due to her parent's indifference in childhood and their desire to use her fame now. You can't help but feel sympathetic as she appears to have it all and yet feels unworthy in their eyes.
Feelings of unworthiness is what binds her and Mack. As a troubled young man he felt he was never going to amount to anything. The only time he felt important was when he was with Ireland, who made him feel like a better man, like a king. Fear of the future though had him making a decision that haunted them both for years to come. Fate brought them back together but in many ways he still feels lacking and unworthy of her. From being the butt of many jokes amongst the band members to being second-in-command in security, he feels frustrated and wondering what he has to offer Ireland which leads to more hurtful words that continues to keep them from their HEA. Seeing her flirty nature and in-your-face sexuality amps up his jealousy though, and in one defining moment, he stakes his claim with the realization of the power of love and that love makes him a better man. Mack is a bit arrogant with a commanding presence who doesn't always say or do the right thing. He owns up to his mistakes though and in sweet and sexy ways tries to make amends with Ireland every chance he gets. He's a strong-willed man who exudes badassery, but shows a softer side when playing with tiny diva in training, Jazzie. Their scenes are charming as she has everyone wrapped around her finger and he's not ashamed to admit it. He and Ireland have a crackling connection, antagonistic one moment and full of sexual intensity the next as seen through their unexpected encounters where each vies for control. Through it all I adored Mack and his talent for dirty talk balanced with sweetness and was happy he finally realized his true worth.
Reading this book was like coming home and seeing all the band members was like a reunion as each vied for attention. They're a rowdy bunch with interactions full of F-bombs and naughty talk that you can't help but laugh at. Hunter especially kept me entertained and is a character you'll not soon forget in this unconventional group of friends that make a tight-knit and supportive family! I normally don't care for children in my romances but Jazzie is a mini-adult with language and sayings that belie her age and lead to many laugh out loud moments. Ms. Mason crafted a story with a fast pace that nicely balanced the romance of Mack and Ireland with the ever-evolving lives of the band members that fully immersed me in their HEAs from the first page to the last. Though this book stands nicely on its own, this is an entertaining cast of characters whose stories you won't want to miss. So do yourself a favor and buy a ticket to watch the exhilarating show they put on throughout each book in this series!
Ireland grew up in with parents who were more dedicated to their clinical trials than they were to her. She was left with nannies at first and later on she was left to her own devices, an adult in a child's body. She was a good and quiet girl though doing everything she could to gain their love. From good grades to volunteerism she tried to be the daughter they wanted, but nothing she did got their attention. It was a lonely existence with the only bright spot coming from the bad boy who made her feel like the only person in the world. She felt valued in his eyes and in turn she saw a young man of worth behind his bad boy persona. Weeks of happiness got crushed in a moment of harsh words and hardened her heart from that moment on. As an adult she's a wild child, flitting from one meaningless sexual encounter to the next in an attempt to keep her heart safe. With everyone around her exuding happiness, loneliness is her constant companion with sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll the balm to her soul. With the realization that running from her past is no longer working though, she dives right in to become a part of her new rock 'n roll family which puts her in close quarters with the man who left her bruised long ago and who has her emotions in chaos once again. It's an emotional tug of war, teeming with sexual tension, as each tries to gain control over their emotions when their closeness becomes too much of a temptation. It's a battle with lots of ups and downs and misunderstandings. A battle made harder because of Ireland's duality. When in the spotlight Ireland is an outspoken and hard partying musician, but behind the scenes she sheds a tear or two over what might have been and for what she desperately wants, which ultimately had me aching right along with her as her and Mack always felt a bit out of sync. From start to finish Ireland's an appealing heroine with her tough girl exterior and uncensored commentary. She appears tough but she's fragile due to her parent's indifference in childhood and their desire to use her fame now. You can't help but feel sympathetic as she appears to have it all and yet feels unworthy in their eyes.
Feelings of unworthiness is what binds her and Mack. As a troubled young man he felt he was never going to amount to anything. The only time he felt important was when he was with Ireland, who made him feel like a better man, like a king. Fear of the future though had him making a decision that haunted them both for years to come. Fate brought them back together but in many ways he still feels lacking and unworthy of her. From being the butt of many jokes amongst the band members to being second-in-command in security, he feels frustrated and wondering what he has to offer Ireland which leads to more hurtful words that continues to keep them from their HEA. Seeing her flirty nature and in-your-face sexuality amps up his jealousy though, and in one defining moment, he stakes his claim with the realization of the power of love and that love makes him a better man. Mack is a bit arrogant with a commanding presence who doesn't always say or do the right thing. He owns up to his mistakes though and in sweet and sexy ways tries to make amends with Ireland every chance he gets. He's a strong-willed man who exudes badassery, but shows a softer side when playing with tiny diva in training, Jazzie. Their scenes are charming as she has everyone wrapped around her finger and he's not ashamed to admit it. He and Ireland have a crackling connection, antagonistic one moment and full of sexual intensity the next as seen through their unexpected encounters where each vies for control. Through it all I adored Mack and his talent for dirty talk balanced with sweetness and was happy he finally realized his true worth.
Reading this book was like coming home and seeing all the band members was like a reunion as each vied for attention. They're a rowdy bunch with interactions full of F-bombs and naughty talk that you can't help but laugh at. Hunter especially kept me entertained and is a character you'll not soon forget in this unconventional group of friends that make a tight-knit and supportive family! I normally don't care for children in my romances but Jazzie is a mini-adult with language and sayings that belie her age and lead to many laugh out loud moments. Ms. Mason crafted a story with a fast pace that nicely balanced the romance of Mack and Ireland with the ever-evolving lives of the band members that fully immersed me in their HEAs from the first page to the last. Though this book stands nicely on its own, this is an entertaining cast of characters whose stories you won't want to miss. So do yourself a favor and buy a ticket to watch the exhilarating show they put on throughout each book in this series!
My rating for this is an A.
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SHAFT ON TOUR SERIES....
ESCAPING ME (Book #1)
FACING ME (Book #2)
CHASING ME (Book #3)
SHAFTING THE HALLS (Book #4)
FIGHTING ME (Book #5)
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AUTHOR INFO:
Cat Mason is a thirty year old, married mother of three. When she isn't writing; she is spending time with her kiddos or reading. She was born and raised outside of St. Louis, Missouri, just over the Mississippi River in Granite City, Illinois. Cat writes romance of all kinds with twists of humor.
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