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.**
Book 4.5
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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.**
Book 4.5
Buy Links
Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon Au ~ Amazon Ca
“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.
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a really excellent read – especially if you are a fan of the series. There is plenty of explanation for new readers, and a helpful reminder to those who have read these in the past.
Martha has a past which no one could envy, yet she is feeling so shaken by a mugging in New York that she asks to stay with her brother, Ben, aware that she will have to see the band again, even her ex. That will require some stamina and humble pie, but possibly even more of a challenge will be Sam, the security guy that she really has feelings for still now. Sam was a witness to all the crazy and finds it difficult to reconcile the old Martha with the new. The push and pull between them is sexy, inevitable, and makes for a great novella.
I love that we catch up with all the band members and their loves and lives, as well as finally seeing Sam and Martha work out how to control the chemistry and the passion into the possibility of a life together.
Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
I love the Stage Dive series. I was excited when I saw there was going to be a 1001 Dark Nights novella. I don't feel like you have to be a long-time reader of the series to enjoy this one but if you are, Strong is definitely a bonus book.
Martha is Ben's sister and unfortunately David's ex. Sam Knowles is the head of Stage Dive's security and has been interested in Martha for quite some time. When she comes back to stay with Ben after a terrifying mugging, Sam's interest intensifies. He knows what he wants and makes his move.
Strong is a super quick read but has the amazing back and forth we've come to love out of the band. Sam and Martha have extreme chemistry and explosive passion!
I can't wait to see what's next for this crew!
Kris – ☆☆☆☆
Martha is Ben's sister and the lead guitarist's ex. She has been in New York working as a Professional Personal Executive to the rich and famous. After a scary mugging, she returns home and is staying with her brother, Ben, and his wife, taking the job as an in-house nanny to her nephew. Trying to regroup, Martha comes back home a little older and a little wiser but needing family around to ground her. Being back in touch with all the bandmates also puts Martha back in touch with Sam, the looming and built bodyguard to Stage Dive and the stuff made of fantasies.
Sam has been waiting for Martha to get over her break up and get her life together. He knows what he wants and he's going after it. Trying not to spook Martha too much because she's been burned and holds her heart close, he's trying to take charge by letting her believe she is. These two start out with a bang in the hot tub (ha! literally) and then go on to have some push and pull and a lot of flirtation. Again, as seems the case lately, I found too much filler and then it's all rushed at the end. I didn't expect that much filler with a novella of this small size. It could have packed more bang per page? It had good humor and funny commentary from the Stage Dive boys and MAY be setting up a new act that Martha starts to manage? I love the Stage Dive guys though, so having a minute in their world again made me happy.
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 from her website.
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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Strong (Stage Dive #4.5) by Kylie Scott to read and review for this tour.
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