Excerpt CRASH INTO ME-
Onstage, the band launched into “Awake,” one of the power ballads that had made them famous. The crowd screamed their approval and so did she. Totally not her typical modus operandi, but she couldn’t help it. Something about listening to Ryder croon the darkly haunting lyrics had her knees trembling and her heart beating much too quickly. If she closed her eyes, she could do what all the other women in the audience were doing and pretend that he was singing straight to her.
So much better than remembering he’d written these heartfelt words for another woman. For Carrie, who had killed herself and broken his heart so many years before. Her own heart ached at the thought. For him. Always for him. At twenty-nine, Ryder had already been through more darkness and despair than any one person should have to handle.
“Awake” finally came to a close, the last note hanging in the air for long, tension-fueled seconds. Then the band fell silent and the audience did the same, as if they were all holding their breaths. Ryder lowered his guitar, shuffled, and stamped his feet once, twice. It was a familiar gesture, one years of experience had taught her was his way of shaking off excess emotion. Again her heart twisted. It devastated her that more than ten years after the fact he was still eaten up by what had happened. Still determined to bury it under a bunch of layers that not only insulated him from his pain but also hid the real Ryder so deep inside the public Ryder that she wondered sometimes if he even existed anymore. Or if the boy who had held her while she cried, who had let her whisper her pre-adolescent fears without ever making fun of her, had disappeared forever.
She searched for him in that one endless moment.
Looked for him in the obsidian eyes that arrowed to the heart of the crowd even as they barricaded his own emotions.
Combed through her own memories and expectations in an effort to see Ryder as he really was instead of how he portrayed himself.
And when his eyes—his crazy, beautiful eyes—met hers, she found him. Seconds passed, long, intense seconds where she lost the ability to hear or breathe or even think. All she could do was look into Ryder’s eyes, at the feral heat boiling up and out of them, and want.
She smiled at him, waved. He snarled back. But it wasn’t a leave-me-alone snarl. No, definitely not. It was his I-want-to-fuck-you-up-against-a-wall snarl—she knew it well, had seen it directed at a lot of women through the years—and her knees gave way when she realized that this time, finally, it was directed at her. It didn’t matter that there was no sign of recognition in his eyes, no knowledge that the woman he was looking at like that was actually her. Jamison. For one moment, he wanted her the way she’d always wanted him.
It was more than enough.
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Crash Into Me by Tracy Wolff
She’s totally off limits, but this rocker wants a taste…
Jamison Matthews has lusted after Ryder Montgomery since she was a preteen. But now that Ryder and her brother’s band, Shaken Dirty, has made it huge, she’s just one of many pining for the brooding lead singer. Too bad Ryder still sees her as a little sister. Not that it matters. Her brother would never allow it, and the last thing Jamison wants is to be another notch on a rock star’s bed post. Even if it’s Ryder’s.
Ryder doesn’t deserve happiness. After his fame destroyed his last girlfriend, he swore he’d never fall in love again. So when Jamison, the girl he’s been in danger of loving for years, joins the band on the road, he’ll do anything to deny the sparks between them—even after one hot night together. But Jamison is determined to show Ryder that he’s worthy of love—her love—and that she’s all grown up…and ready to play.
My Review:
What can I say about this book?Oh, my word, where do I start? I've read a lot of rock 'n' roll-themed books lately because, let's face it, rock gods are in right now. But let me tell you, this one just might be one of my favorites. From the characters to the storyline, this book had it all. I just don't know where to start to describe it!
I suppose I could start with the story itself. It had kind of a slow build to the action (or the part I really wanted to get to - Ryder and Jamison getting together!) and usually, that turns me off. I like to jump right into the action. But in this case, it worked - and it was well worth it. I liked getting to know the characters and what drives them. I read on with great anticipation, wanting to get to the good part. And so, when it finally came, it was immensely satisfying. This story was written with such tenderness and skill - and oh, yes, some heat - that you couldn't help bu to fall in love with it. And there was so much going on with all of the band members! I really hope there are books about them, too, because I fell in love with all of them. But I think one of the most important things about a book is how it wraps up. How the characters - if they get their happy ending - end up together and decide to make a future together. I am happy to say that this story had a very satisfying conclusion that was in no way sappy or melodramatic. It was perfect.
Now, the characters. I loved them! Jamison was a strong woman without being a snob about it; she knew when to back down, when to accept help, and when to stick to her guns and take no prisoners. She had her faults, of course, the major one being that she is a size twelve rather than a size two. This insecurity keeps her from seeing just how beautiful she really is and makes her wonder why Ryder is interested in her when he can have anyone. But it doesn't stop her from going after what she really wants - Ryder - when the opportunity presents itself. Even after they get together, she constantly wonders why he is with her. As a result, Ryder has a lot of convincing to do. And he does it well, let me tell you. Ryder is the epitome of the rock god: soulful singer, sinfully gorgeous, and amazing in bed. He uses all of that to his advantage when he finally decides to go after Jamison, and he uses it well. Not only is he a skillful lover, he is a patient one, always looking out for her and her pleasure before seeking his own. He has quite a few demons from his past that he needs to work through before he can offer his heart to Jamison, but she is more than willing to help him.
Of course, the path to true love is set up with roadblocks, the major one being Jamison's brother Jared, who is also a member of the band. For as close as Jared and Ryder are (they've been friends for over fifteen years), Jared isn't thrilled about the idea of Ryder being with his sister. He knows Ryder well, has been on the road with him for a long time, so he knows better than anyone else what could happen when he takes his sister along with them. And he is adamantly against it and warns Ryder away from his sister. It takes some convincing before he finally settles down and accepts the idea of them being together. Add in the fact that all of the other band members are like older brothers to Jamison (they've been friends with Jared for years) and look out for her as well, and you have kind of a complicated affair. Which makes it all the more satisfying in the end. Loved this book!
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