Readers will find their heartstrings pulled in every direction with this intense and erotically-charged romance. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Driving Reigns by Bella Jeanisse, along with my impressions of this book as well as the other installments in this series, then add this fourth installment in the Velocity series to your bookshelf.
Leo Danger has never conformed to the norm and never plans to start.
Velocity’s drummer feels the pressure to settle down. But first, Leo needs to deal with a painful past and his undisclosed bisexuality. His vulnerability and mixed emotions are hidden behind a crude exterior. He’s allowed a rare few to see his true self. Then along comes Gabriela St Clair, who brings balance to Leo’s world.
Meanwhile, Victor Valentino hides his escalating feelings to protect Leo. His rock star lover treats him well, but no one outside their intimate circle knows the true nature of their fiery relationship. Now, Victor needs more. However, he refuses to risk ruining Leo’s career. When he meets Gabriela, he fears the worst.
Leo says he's only having fun, but does Victor want to share his man and give up the chance of love? Can Leo let go of the past for a happy future? Will Leo let himself fall for one of his lovers? Or will he accept that monogamy isn’t for everyone?
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
From the moment I started reading this book I knew it was going to be an intense read...and boy, was it! Though each member of Velocity had emotional baggage to work through it was Leo who had the most issues in his past. It was a past that was hard to discover, a past that broke my heart for that little boy long ago, and it explained so much about his fears of intimacy as an adult. To the outside world Leo’s a brash drummer, quick to say the most over-the-top things. He enjoys the erotic side of life and has no shame when it comes to showing off his body or trying to get a reaction out of his bandmates. Behind the rockstar facade though is a man struggling with his sexuality, wanting love and acceptance, but not wanting to commit to any one person. The closest he’s come to commitment is the pit bull that loves him unconditionally as well as his friend Vic, who’s happy to indulge every one of his erotic needs. In scenes that are sizzling these two show their subtle bond, a bond that’s meant to help Leo heal, while leaving Vic wanting more. For Vic, he just wants to be part of Leo’s world, out in the open with no secrets. Theirs isn’t an easy journey to HEA though once Leo meets Gabriella. From there on it’s a complex romance where each piece fit perfectly with no definitive meaning of what a couple is. In scorching m/m, m/f, and triad scenes the feelings just felt oh so right as three emotionally bruised people found unconditional love and support. Love is love in this intense final installment in the Velocity series that was very worth the wait!
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 VELOCITY SERIES.....
ROCKIN’ RHYTHM (Book #1)
Ash Taylor lives life without making deep connections with anything other than his brothers and his bass. His past has jaded him to love and makes him fear getting too close. Then Michelle walks into his life. Every night, she invades his dreams and stars in his fantasies. She makes him question himself and his ways. However, he is sure she could never date someone like him. So much so, that he convinces himself that she is married.
Michelle Reynolds has been jilted so badly, that she doesn’t want to date again. Her friend Beth tries to encourage her, but all of her relationships end badly or don’t last. She is sick of disappointment. When Ash comes into her life, she feels an immediate spark. He makes her feel special without effort. His big heart and deep voice mesmerize her. As soon as she finds out he is a rock star, her hopes are crushed. In her eyes, it could never work because musicians are not faithful, and she is not good enough for him.
Can these two polar opposites find a way to make a relationship work? Will all that dating a rock star entails break them or bring them closer? Find out in the first Rock Star Romance of the Velocity series.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Much about this book felt a bit rough around the edges. From the choppy dialogue to the main couple who awkwardly danced around each other as both had issues with self-esteem and often saw themselves as unworthy of the other. Until recently, Ash Taylor was happy living the life of a rockstar and flitting from one vice to another. Seeing others find happiness and meaning has him wanting that for himself and drawn to the prim and proper Melissa. Wooing her won’t be easy though as she’s carrying her own emotional baggage that has her wondering why someone as glamorous as Ash would want someone as average as her. Feelings of inferiority permeated their rocky road to opposites attracting and while it frustrated me a time or two I was still rooting for them every step of the way as they’re both kind-hearted people trying to help others as best they can. Along with a hard-fought journey to HEA, readers are introduced to the larger-than-life rockstars who make up the band Velocity. Each has plenty of baggage of their own, just hinted at in this first installment, but with each glimpse I was tempted and longing to know more about each one. The bandmates are playful with each other, a bit crass at times with locker room banter, along with a bit of sensuality overhanging each of their interactions as the rockstar lifestyle was vividly depicted warts and all.
My rating for this is an B-
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
SHREDDING DREAMS (Book #2)
Lead guitarist, Ian Tate, loves his wife with all his heart. It kills him that she is not ready to end their separation. After two years, he is willing to do whatever it takes. The problem is, he doesn’t understand what went wrong. Since she won’t tell him what he did to destroy their bond, he stays close to figure it out.
Sherry Tate hates that her rocker husband is hurt by their time apart. However, she can’t take him back until he changes. The emotional rift between them continues to grow, but she needs him to see for himself what he has done to her. She just hopes he does it soon.
Will Ian discover why Sherry threw him out? Does Sherry still hold a place in her heart for Ian? Can they start over after all they have put each other through? That and more in the second Rock Star Romance of the Velocity series.
UNIVERSAL BUY LINKS here.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
A married couple finds themselves at a crossroads in this intensely emotional romance full of unexpected twists and turns as secrets start weighing on their commitment to each other. For rockstar Ian Tate he’s at a loss as to where everything went wrong in his marriage but he’s desperate to make things right as the love between him and Sherry is more than apparent. He’s at times clueless and at times intense when it comes to dealing with Sherry as he would do anything to see her safe and healthy. What has Sherry holding back from forgiving him though is his inability to talk about his feelings and his past. It’s a trait that seems to affect all the members of Velocity and it pulled at my heartstrings repeatedly throughout this book. When it comes to Sherry I was left a bit frustrated as Ian was good enough to warm her bed in numerous sizzling encounters, but not yet worthy of being invited back home after two years of being separated. Once she became ill though I put my frustrations aside as it was clear that her sickness brought out all his protective instincts while reminding him of his vows in a big way that endeared both of them to me. Intense emotions on the home front were a nice balance to these rockstar’s raw and erotically-charged life on the road helped immerse me in this epic rollercoaster ride of a marriage hoping to be healed if only they’re willing to open up and put their hearts and souls on the line.
My rating for this is an A-
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
SILVER STRINGS (Book #3)
Love is the last thing on Bryce Cooper’s mind because survival, sobriety and fatherhood are all that truly matter.
Velocity is going on tour for the first time since Bryce's trip to rehab. Clawing his way from the depths of hell is harder than the vocalist and rhythm guitarist expects. Between his bandmates’ paranoia, his ex-wife’s insults and temptation everywhere, he’s almost afraid to trust himself.
It seems like an impossible dream to lead a normal life. Every step forward is met with two steps back. However, he has to find a way. His children are counting on him.
Can Bryce stay on the straight and narrow with only his bandmates’ support? Will anything help him discover himself again? What will he do if his heart leads him down a path to disaster? All will be revealed in the third Rock Star Romance of the Velocity series.
UNIVERSAL BUY LINKS here.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
From the moment I started reading this book I found myself fully immersed in the journey of sobriety for Bryce, a rockstar with a long history of drug addiction. Sober after years of near-death experiences and routinely alienating his children and ex-wife, he’s now ready to return to the touring world with a clean outlook. It’s a gritty world though full of temptations that the author doesn’t shy away from as Bryce’s continuing struggle with sobriety is boldly on display. Aiding him in his sobriety is soon-to-be nurse Wendy who’s an admirable heroine and strong support to a man just trying to do right by his family. He’s a man who wants to do right by his children and be the father he knows he can be. Throughout this book Bryce is trying to make the most of his second chance and I was rooting for him every step of the way in a journey that was at times heartbreaking and at times empowering as his past and its affect on him pulled at my heartstrings. Along with trying to stay clean, Bryce is also dealing with his bandmates, a larger-than-life group who were supportive of him while at times allowing temptations to join them backstage in an environment that was vividly depicted. On a whole this was an epic read that I lost myself in as each intense emotion I felt as my own while cheering on this sweet and sexy rockstar as he attempted to right past wrongs.
My rating for this is an A.
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Bella Jeanisse lives for rock music. Addicted to concerts, Avenged Sevenfold, fictional rockers, and blasting music in the car, she can’t get enough. After her father turned her on to Queen, there was no going back. Of course, it didn’t stop there. Playing guitar became a pastime, which didn’t turn into a career… until she started to pen her fantasies and publish them.
Originally from Brooklyn, New York City, she grew up with access to clubs like L’Amour and CBGBs, hung out in Greenwich Village, as well as had plenty of friends in bands. No wonder rockers stayed on her mind. Bringing her ideas to life was a long time coming.
She is now living near Tampa, FL with 3 kids and 2 grandkids, as a single mom. Her family supports her writing even when it seems to take up more time than they feel is necessary. Can’t stop the muse, ya know!
Besides erotic rock star romances, Bella also writes about wild bikers, hot college men and more.
Awesome post! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing the series!!
ReplyDeleteOMG! Thanks so much for your honest words. You've made my week!
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for stopping by and for crafting such a compelling series of books! They were a powerful collection of stories that I’m sad has come to an end. I’m looking forward to what you have planned next.
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