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Must-read romances: 'Deep,' 'Roxy,' 'Falling Deep'


Deep by Kylie Scott

Fans of Kylie Scott's Stage Dive rock band romance series will know Ben Nicholson, the band's sexy, enigmatic bass guitarist. Ben is a committed bachelor, and the thought of settling down with one woman seemingly gives him the hives. I've always liked Ben and have been curious about what makes him tick. He's the stoic member of the band and, while integral to Stage Dive's success, has seemed to spend less time in the public eye.

Liz Rollins is an eccentric college psychology student who is part of the Stage Dive family by association. Liz is the sister of Anne, who is hilarious and manic drummer Mal's significant other. Liz has had a major crush on Ben since their first introduction, and he has noticed her, too. However, Mal made it clear that Ben is to keep his hands off Anne's sister. Regardless, Liz takes the first step and begins a fun and friendly text exchange with Ben. Texting does not a baby make, ergo a steamy encounter leads to an unplanned pregnancy and a well of angst and conflict.

You can read an awesome scene from Deep on HEA in which Liz makes her big "guess what I'm preggers" announcement.

It's true Liz narrates Deep and Ben does confide in her. However, I really liked that Scott gives us insight into his character through a variety of sources. Sam, the band's ever-present head of security and one of my favorite characters of the series, helps us and Liz to better understand Ben and where he fits in the band's dynamic. And, there is Ben's sister Martha. Yes, the rampallian shrew herself, who caused no end of trouble in Lick (book one), is back in all her wicked glory. It would be interesting to see what transpires behind the scenes between Ben and his sister, but Martha is a secondary character we love to hate and if Kylie Scott writes her story, redemption is going to be VERY hard-won.

Deep (the fourth and final book of the series) has all the wonderful ingredients that we expect from a Stage Dive novel. Ben and Liz's relationship is complex, sensual and angsty, and the storyline involves all the characters we have come to know and love in this series. The band's family is expanding, and Scott has a couple of surprises in store ending the series on a high note. I really like Kylie Scott's voice. Her stories have their fair share of emotion and conflict, but humor abounds. You never know what is going to come out of Mal's mouth next. Lick, Play, Lead and Deep are addicting, so if you are not familiar with the series and decide to give the books a try, set aside some extra reading time, because once you start a Stage Dive novel, you won't be able to put it down.

The novels can be read as stand-alones, but it is advised that the books be read in order for a more enjoyable and satisfying reading experience.

Roxy by Stevie J. Cole

Roxy is also a rock star romance with an unplanned-pregnancy theme and the third book in Stevie J. Cole's Pandemic Sorrow series as well as the companion novel to Jag (series book one). The timeline of Roxy overlaps Jag and extends beyond its conclusion, and if you are familiar with the series, you will know that Jag Steele is the lead singer of the Pandemic Sorrow hard-rock band and Roxy Slade is his love interest. Roxy met Jag when she took her sister Layla to a concert and autograph signing. The lead singer's sexual magnetism is a potent force that entices Roxy, but she is aware of his well-publicized drug addiction and debauched womanizing, which makes him off-limits.

Roxy has had a difficult life marred by trauma and abuse. As she tells us at the beginning of her story, she lost her beloved brother to a drug overdose after an extended period of abstinence. Needless to say, she's extremely conflicted about becoming involved with Jag, but when he begins to see her exclusively and sweetly courts her, she finds herself being drawn into his life.

Jag parked the car, got out, and opened my door.

I looked around and smiled. "The beach? Well, isn't this a normal place to bring a girl?"

He shrugged and took my hand into his, softly stroking the inside of my palm with his thumb. "I like normal every once and a while."

I'm completely invested in this series and consider the Pandemic Sorrow novels to be a diamond-in-the-rough find, but the stories aren't for everyone. Cole's novels are gritty, dark and intense, and you have to be ready for graphic eroticism and vulgarity. Her characters are eccentric and emotionally scarred and draw you into their difficult and complicated lives. This author doesn't hold back in revealing the trauma and destruction caused by drug addiction. Roxy sees herself as damaged and often speaks directly to readers, seeking validation for her decisions regarding her involvement with Jag, particularly when she becomes inexorably bound to the hardcore rocker because of their unplanned pregnancy. If you read Jag, you will know that he is an extremely troubled man whose life is ruled by a drug and alcohol addiction. Roxy reveals the sensitive, intelligent man who exists beneath Jag's public persona, and his devotion to her and their baby is heartwarming, making you long to see their relationship endure.

My one quibble with this story is that Roxy tells us how damaged she is innumerable times, and while it was easy to understand her vulnerability and fears, I felt the repetition was unnecessary. That said, Roxy is a very special love story and, like Jag and Rush, is poignant and memorable. I love how Cole brightens the narrative with hilarious one-liners … and there's glitter! ;)

Stevie J. Cole gives us food for thought with some intriguing surprises about the future of Pandemic Sorrow that will make you yearn to find out where she will take her motley crew next. I really like Stone, who is Jag's brother and the Pandemic Sorrow guitarist, and I'm hoping she writes his story.

Jag is the foundation book for this series so if you are interested in trying these stories, it is strongly suggested that you read Jag, Rush and Roxy in series order. If you'd like to read more about the Pandemic Sorrow series, check out what I had to say on HEA about Jag and Rush.

Falling Deep by Diana Gardin

Reed Hopewell is a talented singer/songwriter and guitarist whose music is well received when he plays at various nighttime club gigs. Music is where his heart is, but a guy's gotta eat, so by day he is the marketing man for Hopewell Enterprises, the family company. Nelson Island is home to the Hopewells, who are well-off and respected in the picturesque small town.

Hope Dawson loves her work as the assistant director of a Boys and Girls Centre, but her home situation is a nightmare. Her poor excuse for a mother is an abusive mommy dearest, and Hope is forced to work for her stepfather's shady escort service to protect her teenage sister. Hope refuses to engage in any sexual activity when she works as an escort. She dates the rich men who pay to have female eye candy on their arm. She is out on one of the arranged dates when she meets Reed at a club where he is performing.

An electric sexual chemistry crackles to life between Reed and Hope, and his virility and strength juxtaposed with her vulnerability and sweet nature is the perfect recipe for a sizzling romance. And, this hero is all about the romance — the way he woos his heroine will seduce you into cheering for the guy to win the girl. The author's prose is somewhat cumbersome and flowery during love scenes, but you can look forward to vivid descriptions of the settings, and the characters are well drawn.

There is an interesting backstory involving Reed's mother and fidelity to his father causing Reed to have trust and relationship commitment issues. Readers will be on tenterhooks wondering how the author will resolve significant conflict and mend the heartbreak caused when Reed discovers that Hope works as a paid escort. You will want to skip to the ending to find out this couple's fate, but don't! Diana Gardin delivers a suspenseful and heartwarming conclusion.

Falling Deep is the third book in Gardin's Nelson Island series and can be described as a small-town romance, but it's worth noting that Reed's aspiration to become a successful musician is addressed in a subplot and complements the overall storyline. Falling Deep can be read as a stand-alone, but there are intriguing secondary characters and story arcs that will encourage reader interest in the previous and future Nelson Island stories.

Lea Franczak cannot remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hand. She's read and enjoyed multiple genres but is especially partial to contemporary and erotic romance, dark gritty romantic suspense, paranormal romance and has recently become a New Adult junkie. Lea has been blogging and reviewing since 2008 and is also HEA's Tweeter Extraordinaire. Follow HEA on Twitter (@HEAusatoday).