Two people whose connection once seemed unbreakable found fame the thing to break them apart, but also the thing to reunite them in this second chance romance. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Rock Legend by Tara Leigh, along with my impressions of it, then add it to your bookshelf. In honor of this second installment in the Nothing But Trouble series make sure to fill out the form below for US readers to have the chance to win a signed print copy of this book too!
I’m no Prince Charming.
Most people know me as the drummer for Nothing but Trouble. Depending who you ask, I’m also a playboy, a loner, the life of the party, a screw-up, or according to my fans, “The Sexiest Rock Star on the Planet.” Apparently, I’m a legend.
Am I surprised? Hell, no. It’s a reputation I’ve earned behind my drum kit and behind closed doors. No one thought foster kid Landon Cox would become famous. Infamous, maybe. Notorious, probably. But successful? Never. No one except Piper Hastings. But I had to make a choice: my woman or my career. I picked fame and fortune . . . and spent every damn day since pretending I don’t regret it.
Now fate’s dropped Piper back into my life. I want to believe it’s a second chance for me—for us. But while I can give her a few great nights, I can’t give Piper a future.
Because there’s a difference between a legend and a fairy tale...
Only one of them ends happily ever after.
EXCERPT:
Watching Landon Cox on stage from forty feet away had been bad enough. But here, now, close enough to touch, I was jolted by the power of his presence.
Still shirtless and sweating after an intense performance, my eyes danced over the rippling muscles rising from beneath the inked skin of Landon’s naked torso, his broad shoulders tapering to slim hips, perfect V cuts forming an arrow pointing south.
Vitality seeping from every pore.
My gaze was drawn inexorably upward. Blond hair a damp mess, the faintest trace of stubble darkening a jawline that could have been cut from marble. A face so symmetrical, so severely beautiful, it would take even the most talented sculptor a lifetime to get right.
Landon Cox was a fantasy in the flesh.
I’d imagined this very moment dozens—no, hundreds—of times. But now that the moment was here, Landon and I, alone in a room again after all these years, I had nothing.
I’d imagined this very moment dozens—no, hundreds—of times. But now that the moment was here, Landon and I, alone in a room again after all these years, I had nothing.
In a blink, Landon’s expression wavered. His winged brows, three shades darker than the hair sweeping across his forehead, pulled together. Eyes like hot coals burning into me.
As if the sight of me caused him pain.
I tore my gaze away from his face, but it only landed on the swaths of ink covering his chest and extending over his arms. My mouth watered at the sight. I wanted to trace every tattoo with my tongue, every slash and swirl and stripe. After six years, how would Landon taste?
Like regret, I realized with a sickening thud. Because regret was all that remained of what we’d once shared.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
As a fan of rock star romances I would consider Ms. Leigh one of the best in her crafting of the Nothing But Trouble series as it packs an emotional punch through its engaging characters and raw and gritty depiction of fame. With each installment we become more invested in the lives of these flawed musicians and root for them every step of the way. In this newest installment two people get a second chance to find the HEA that alluded them six years ago, while dealing with new pain over an injury that could end everything for the hero.
Landon Cox grew up in the foster care system, the son of addicted parents, always keeping his heart hidden as he never thought he’d be worthy of a family. Finding a family of his own changes his life irrevocably though, opening his heart to love but breaking it too after a horrible tragedy sent him running from the pain. He luckily stumbled across his bandmates and they became their own kind of family, one that embraced their individual pain while creating new problems associated with fame and fortune. At a crossroads, Landon found the sweet and picture perfect Piper and for two months his life was happy and fulfilling until devotion to his band had him leaving her behind. He never forgot her though. Each one-night stand was an attempt to excise her from his soul, but he could never replace her. An unexpected reunion has him doing all he can to claim her, revisiting his past and sharing his pain, in an attempt to be worthy of her. Just when they seem on the path to HEA, his anger and self-judgment lead to tragedy and could very well end the career that has defined him and given him self-worth. Landon’s the quintessential rock star in both looks and attitude. He’s a bit cocky, a bit arrogant, but also sexy and charming. It’s a delicious mask hiding the raw pain of a past that won’t ever let go of him as he continues to carry guilt over something not his fault. He desperately wanted to get Piper back in his life and the moments of joy and contentment seen when they were together were immensely satisfying. It was a difficult recovery for him, both physically and emotionally, but one that pulled me in wholeheartedly. It had me cheering him on as he was a man deserving of love and happiness after all the pain he dealt with throughout his life.
Piper Hastings’s childhood was also rough as the lies surrounding her birth had her father treating her and her mother with indifference. It was abuse through subtle hatred and left both women with self-esteem issues that affect them still. Growing up Piper tried in vain to earn her father’s love by being the perfect daughter, the top of her class and beloved by all. Living up to that perfect mold was difficult though and had her always doubting her appeal. Finding Landon she thought she finally found HEA. He loved her unconditionally, loved her perfectly coiffed but messy even more in a romance that was sweet and sensual. Leaving her without a word broke her heart and once again left her self-esteem in shambles with her turning towards a man clearly not in love with her. She now just wants to live a safe life, one where she keeps her heart hidden. Being around Landon again makes it difficult to keep her heart indifferent as he slowly works his way back into her heart and soul as their romance goes down a rocky road to HEA. Piper’s an immensely appealing heroine, hard working, and caring despite all the bruises inflicted on her heart. It’s clear she longs to be with him but her past has taught her to be cautious, and despite their erotically-charged encounters, there’s a sense of her holding back at times. Being with him has her no longer chasing after someone else’s idea of perfection, she now defines herself in her own terms and I applauded her finally becoming empowered.
Second chance romances make for powerful reads as there’s already a strong foundation for the main couple to build on. Ms. Leigh built a memorable foundation for Piper and Landon, one of joy but also heartbreak, as young love was torn asunder. They’re both older and wiser now and it makes their journey even more of a gut-punch as the past is revealed along with new issues that made them even more vulnerable. Landon’s a delicious hero, sweet and sexy, whose addictions are growing stronger. It had me aching for him as he hit rock bottom before rising back up in a very satisfying conclusion. Piper’s a good support for him, putting aside her own pain when he needs her most. They’re a crackling couple in scenes both scorching and sentimental as they easily picked up where they left off. I enjoyed the glimpses we got of the other members of Nothing But Trouble too. I enjoyed their brotherly banter and their gritty and exhilarating moments on stage that pulled me on stage beside them. As the story progressed, things changed dramatically for both Piper and Landon, forcing them into seeing themselves in a much different light. The epilogue was near perfect and gave me all sorts of warm fuzzies that put an exclamation point to all that came before. This series continues to shine with characters that I truly care about as romance is beautifully balanced with intense emotions that pull at reader’s heartstrings. Though this book can be read on its own, this series is made richer by reading each installment and growing closer to each of these unforgettable bandmates.
My rating for this is an A.
Landon Cox grew up in the foster care system, the son of addicted parents, always keeping his heart hidden as he never thought he’d be worthy of a family. Finding a family of his own changes his life irrevocably though, opening his heart to love but breaking it too after a horrible tragedy sent him running from the pain. He luckily stumbled across his bandmates and they became their own kind of family, one that embraced their individual pain while creating new problems associated with fame and fortune. At a crossroads, Landon found the sweet and picture perfect Piper and for two months his life was happy and fulfilling until devotion to his band had him leaving her behind. He never forgot her though. Each one-night stand was an attempt to excise her from his soul, but he could never replace her. An unexpected reunion has him doing all he can to claim her, revisiting his past and sharing his pain, in an attempt to be worthy of her. Just when they seem on the path to HEA, his anger and self-judgment lead to tragedy and could very well end the career that has defined him and given him self-worth. Landon’s the quintessential rock star in both looks and attitude. He’s a bit cocky, a bit arrogant, but also sexy and charming. It’s a delicious mask hiding the raw pain of a past that won’t ever let go of him as he continues to carry guilt over something not his fault. He desperately wanted to get Piper back in his life and the moments of joy and contentment seen when they were together were immensely satisfying. It was a difficult recovery for him, both physically and emotionally, but one that pulled me in wholeheartedly. It had me cheering him on as he was a man deserving of love and happiness after all the pain he dealt with throughout his life.
Piper Hastings’s childhood was also rough as the lies surrounding her birth had her father treating her and her mother with indifference. It was abuse through subtle hatred and left both women with self-esteem issues that affect them still. Growing up Piper tried in vain to earn her father’s love by being the perfect daughter, the top of her class and beloved by all. Living up to that perfect mold was difficult though and had her always doubting her appeal. Finding Landon she thought she finally found HEA. He loved her unconditionally, loved her perfectly coiffed but messy even more in a romance that was sweet and sensual. Leaving her without a word broke her heart and once again left her self-esteem in shambles with her turning towards a man clearly not in love with her. She now just wants to live a safe life, one where she keeps her heart hidden. Being around Landon again makes it difficult to keep her heart indifferent as he slowly works his way back into her heart and soul as their romance goes down a rocky road to HEA. Piper’s an immensely appealing heroine, hard working, and caring despite all the bruises inflicted on her heart. It’s clear she longs to be with him but her past has taught her to be cautious, and despite their erotically-charged encounters, there’s a sense of her holding back at times. Being with him has her no longer chasing after someone else’s idea of perfection, she now defines herself in her own terms and I applauded her finally becoming empowered.
Second chance romances make for powerful reads as there’s already a strong foundation for the main couple to build on. Ms. Leigh built a memorable foundation for Piper and Landon, one of joy but also heartbreak, as young love was torn asunder. They’re both older and wiser now and it makes their journey even more of a gut-punch as the past is revealed along with new issues that made them even more vulnerable. Landon’s a delicious hero, sweet and sexy, whose addictions are growing stronger. It had me aching for him as he hit rock bottom before rising back up in a very satisfying conclusion. Piper’s a good support for him, putting aside her own pain when he needs her most. They’re a crackling couple in scenes both scorching and sentimental as they easily picked up where they left off. I enjoyed the glimpses we got of the other members of Nothing But Trouble too. I enjoyed their brotherly banter and their gritty and exhilarating moments on stage that pulled me on stage beside them. As the story progressed, things changed dramatically for both Piper and Landon, forcing them into seeing themselves in a much different light. The epilogue was near perfect and gave me all sorts of warm fuzzies that put an exclamation point to all that came before. This series continues to shine with characters that I truly care about as romance is beautifully balanced with intense emotions that pull at reader’s heartstrings. Though this book can be read on its own, this series is made richer by reading each installment and growing closer to each of these unforgettable bandmates.
My rating for this is an A.
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Tara Leigh attended Washington University in St. Louis and Columbia Business School in New York, and worked on Wall Street and Main Street before “retiring” to become a wife and mother. When the people in her head became just as real as the people in her life, she decided to put their stories on paper. Tara currently lives in Fairfield County, Connecticut with her husband, children and fur-baby, Pixie.
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