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Synopsis

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kylie Scott comes a new story in her Stage Dive series…

When the girl of your dreams is kind of a nightmare.

As head of security to Stage Dive, one of the biggest rock bands in the world, Sam Knowles has plenty of experience dealing with trouble. But spoilt brat Martha Nicholson just might be the worst thing he’s ever encountered. The beautiful troublemaker claims to have reformed, but Sam knows better than to think with what’s in his pants. Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to make his heart fall into line.

Martha’s had her sights on the seriously built bodyguard for years. Quiet and conservative, he’s not even remotely her type. So why the hell can’t she get him out of her mind? There’s more to her than the Louboutin wearing party-girl of previous years, however. Maybe it’s time to let him in on that fact and deal with this thing between them.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

 

 

 

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Review

3.5 badass and the bitch stars

I will take any chance I get to revisit with the boys of rock band Stage Dive, which is why I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this novella. Though it can be read as a standalone, it will definitely mean more to fans of the Stage Dive series as we get to go back into their world for a different kind of romance.

This is the story of Martha and Sam. Martha is the sister of Ben, from Deep, ex-PA for the band, and the ex-girlfriend of lead guitarist, David. Sam, an ex-SEAL, works security for Stage Dive, and has been around since the beginning of the series, existing in the background, and I liked that he is finally getting his story told.

Martha has been living in New York and has moved to Portland feeling broken and a bit lost. She’s always been a bit of a bad girl, she’s closed-off, brash and bitchy, she’s made mistakes in the past, and she’s not proud of them, but she’s grown and changed. And though she’s a hardass who is alone, and that’s the way she likes it, her sister-in-law Lizzy is going back to school so she’s going to help look after her two year old nephew. It’s far out of her comfort zone, but she needed to come home, reluctantly needing her family around her and to get a fresh start, even though it means being around the Stage Dive boys again, which is bound to be all kinds of awkward. But as a bonus, it means she’ll get to see Sam again, and she’s been attracted to the big badass for years.

It’s clear that the “Executive Protection Officer” has feelings for Martha as well. He may be stoic and laid-back, but he’s also vigilant, and he recognises that all is not well with Martha so he’s there by her side from the very beginning, putting himself right up in her face, whether she wants him there or not.

“You never did like being out of control of a situation.”
“Stop acting as if you know what’s going on in my head all the time. You don’t!”
He chuckled, the sound and the vibration of his strong chest against my side much too pleasant. “Considering I’ve been waiting for you for almost a decade, I think I’ve got a pretty good understanding of what goes in that gorgeous head of yours.”
“Almost a decade?”

Sam is so straightforward and no-nonsense, and I love that! He’s wanted Martha for years, but he’s been biding his time waiting until she was ready. And even though she’s not the most likable of people, she appeals to him like no other and he knows exactly how to manage her and her prickliness.

“Why do I always feel like a child throwing a tantrum around you?”
“I definitely don’t think of you as a child.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that. Your huge hard-on is sticking into my hip.”
“Like I said, I’ve been waiting a long time. Just ignore it. God knows, I’m trying to,” he
said. “As for the other, you do enjoy a good tantrum from time to time. But I rather enjoy your sharp edges. Keeps me on my toes.”

He’s full of alpha declarations about them and their future, whereas she wants sex only and to keep her emotional distance. Sam doesn’t care about that, finally taking the chance he’s always wants and disregarding her reluctance about it all. The woman never even stood a chance.

“I’m using you for sex and that’s all that’s happening between us right now.”
His brows rose. “You’re using me for sex?”
“Yes.”
“Huh.”
“Is that all you have to say?” I asked.
“Well…always happy to be of service. Whenever you’re ready.”
Nails digging into the back of his neck just a little, I cocked my head. “Is that a dare I’m hearing, Sam?”
“Martha, my love.” His smile, it was pure predator. “You bet it is.”

Confession: I went into this book not realising who it was about. It wasn’t until I was reading it and found myself not warming to Martha (despite how much she had supposedly changed from the past) that I went back to Lick to look for some details and then my memory came back and woah. Possibly a risky move by Scott writing a story for the villain from book #1 in the series – especially after she wrote her so well and made her such a nasty bitch. And going back to read over her actions with Dave and Ev just made me hate her all the more, and even though I really enjoyed this novella, Martha never grew on me. But Sam certainly does, and that’s the important thing. And you’ve got to admire a man who can have such strong feelings for such a dislikeable person

The big man tipped his chin, then his hands slowly curled into fists. “Martha, since you don’t seem to have noticed, let me point out something important to you. Even when you’ve done something so breathtakingly stupid that I couldn’t figure out what the fuck you could possibly have been thinking, I have still always been on your side.”

The highlight of this novella for me by far, was catching up with the Stage Dive boys. I love, love, love these guys and the scenes where they’re all hanging out together are just gold – especially with Mal is in fine form as always.

“That was weird.”
David grunted.
“Of course,” said Mal. “It’s always weird when unresolved sexual tension boils over like that. Still, gives me something to report back to Anne tonight. We’ll have a good gossip about y’all then give making a baby another turn or two. Maybe even three if my wife is lucky. And that girl was born lucky.”
Jimmy’s lips flattened. “I think it’s great that you’re planning on starting a family. But I can honestly live without the daily updates regarding your sex life, man.”
“But you don’t have to, Jimbo. That’s the beauty of it, I’m more than happy to share.”

I enjoyed this one. My dislike of Martha definitely impacted on my overall feelings, but Sam was great, the Stage Dive boys were better, and I loved the opportunity to be back in this world – if only for a little while.

3.5 stars (rated up .5 thanks to Mal)

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

Stage Dive

 

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Excerpt

“Ooh, busted,” said Lizzy. “The bodyguard caught you looking.”

“Shut it.” I inched my chin up a bit, trying not to frown because frowning gave you lines. “Sam and I have known each other for years and nothing has ever happened. You’re completely wrong about this.”

“Am I?”

“Yes, there’s nothing between us.”

“So that’s why you were staring at him?”

I chose not to answer that. “And you know he prefers to be called executive protection officer instead of bodyguard.”

At this, Lizzy burst out giggling, a malicious glee in her eyes. No wonder I liked my sister-in-law these days.

Ben shot us both an irritated glance. We both ignored it.

Of course, I’d known Sam would probably be here. Rock stars going out in public could be a delicate thing. People had a tendency to get overexcited. And while one person wanting an autograph wasn’t a problem, twenty or thirty of them suddenly swarming definitely could be. Having once been part of the entourage, I’d seen it happen to Ben and his fellow Stage Dive band members enough times to be wary.  And you couldn’t get by with ordinary security. Rock stars needed protection from their over-zealous fans, but on the other hand they didn’t want the fans roughed up or hurt in any way. It required a delicate balance: control, experience, and a whole gamut of scary physical skills. Hence Sam.

Still, Portland seemed generally less crazy than the good old days back in LA. All of the guys seemed calmer and more settled away from the constant craziness of the party scene. Not to mention the effect of all of the wives/partners and various offspring. The biggest rock band in the world had officially been domesticated.

It was kind of cute. Or sad. I don’t know.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to stir you,” she lied. “What do you think of your brother’s new musical bromance?”

On the small stage set up in the corner of the room, a young man wailed his heart out while playing an acoustic guitar. Much angst about a girl who only called him after midnight. Trust a rockster to turn a simple booty call into a heartbreaking ballad. The song was damn good though. He had talent. If only I hadn’t had my fill of the type when I was younger. The kid looked to be in his early to mid-twenties.  Lanky with lots of tattoos. Your typical rock ’n roll Prince Charming. Gag. These days my type ran more toward…actually, what I needed or wanted in a male was a total mystery.

And my gaze did not stray back to Sam. That did not happen.

 

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About the Author

Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013 & 2014, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet. You can learn more about Kylie on her website.

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