What’s next for Sinners? Sed Lionheart’s story, Rock Hard, will be released in April 2011. You learn in Backstage Pass that Sed was once engaged to Jessica Chase, a law student who broke off their engagement for reasons unknown. At least, that’s Sed story. Jessica’s side of the story is a little different.I recently got my ARC cover and this is the blurb from the back cover.
An ultimatum can break your heart....
Every night lead singer, Sed Lionheart, whips thousands of women into a frenzy with his voice alone. But the stage is the only place Sed feels any passion since he lost Jessica...
If you’re not willing to break all the rules...
It shattered her heart, but law student Jessica broke off her engagement to Sed, determined to be successful on her own terms. But no other man can ever hold a candle to Sed...
Then a chance meeting and tortuously close quarters lead to uncontrollable flares of passion and rediscovery of their unique penchant for public encounters. Now, in addition to the risk of mutual heartbreak every time they get together, they’re in danger of truly scandalous public exposure...
Here’s a tiny tease of the first page of Rock Hard. Note: This first chapter takes place two years before Backstage Pass. Beware of Sed’s ego at first. It doesn’t stick around for long.
From Chapter 1 of Rock Hard
Jessica was the happiest woman on the planet. Life could not have been more perfect. She snuck up behind Sed, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed his ear. “Hey, baby, guess what?”
“What?” he said absently.
She peeked around his shoulder to find him scowling at a stack of invoices.
“I got in!”
His scowl deepened in confusion. “You got in? Got in what?”
She pulled the acceptance letter from her back pocket and snapped it open in front of him. This would wipe the scowl from his gorgeous face.
While he read, she gazed at her recently acquired engagement ring. After all her hard work in school, her dreams were finally becoming a reality. Having a hunky, rising-star, rock vocalist as her fiancé was the frosting on her Pop Tart.
“Law school?” His deep voice rumbled through his back against her chest.
“Yeah. Isn’t it great? I’m so excited. We have to go out and celebrate.” She kissed his temple and squeezed him. “I’ll go put on a skirt. We’ll go sightseeing. I want you to make love to me on a crowded street. Maybe Rodeo Drive. Or Hollywood Boulevard. What do you think?”
“I can’t afford to put you through law school, Jess. I can’t even afford to fix the transmission in the fuckin’ tour bus.” He tossed her acceptance letter on his stack of invoices.
“Don’t worry.” She pulled out a second letter. Her financial aid award letter. “Scholarships, grants, waivers. I only have to come up with three thousand dollars a semester.”
Sed shoved his chair away from the table and went to open the banged-up refrigerator. Finding it empty, he closed it again. “I don’t have three thousand dollars, Jessica.”
He didn’t get it. This was her dream. He was encouraged to pursue his. Why wasn’t she? Even though Sed’s band, Sinners, would probably never make it as big their front man envisioned, she believed in him. Was it so much to ask that he believed in her, too?
“I don’t expect you to pay for it, Sed. I’ll find a way. I just want you to be happy for me. Congratulate me. Something. This is the most important thing that’s ever happened to me.”
He leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. For a second, she was struck by how attractive he was. Those broad shoulders, bulging muscles, narrow hips. Black hair, blue eyes. A face that belonged in movies. And then, he opened his mouth.
© Olivia Cunning, Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2010
And Sed says something that sends Jessica packing.
The third book in the series features bassist, Jace Seymour. The fourth book is about drummer, Eric Sticks. The last book centers around rhythm guitarist, Trey Mills. To learn more about the entire series, visit my website: http://www.oliviacunning.com/ .
I’ll warn you, Sinners are strangely addictive. You can’t pick just one, so don’t put yourself through that tough decision. Love them all. They’re a close knit group. They’ll understand.
Has anyone ever given you an ultimatum? How did you respond?
You know, your questions really made me think. The funny thing is that I don't recall anyone giving me an ultimatum since before high school. And the last one was my parents and how late I was allowed to stay out in connection to how high my grade point average was expected to remain. It seemed like fair negotiation at the time and in the end, I won the right to stay out all night so long as they knew my location.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the excerpt. Sed appears so clueless to the depths he is digging himself.
shame on you for cutting off that excerpt when you did!!! I want to know what he said!!
ReplyDeleteGuess I'll have to buy the book. ;)
Lil- Your parents seem fair to me. Sed's ultimatum is not fair at all. And he's frequently clueless. I love him anyway.
ReplyDeleteJudi- Mwahahahahahahhaaaaa!
Oh, Sed, Sed, Sed. Can't wait to hear his ultimatum! And folks know better than to give me an ultimatium--it's a sure fire way of getting me to do the exact opposite.
ReplyDeleteKat- I have the feeling you'll be saying that to Sed often. LOL!
ReplyDeleteYou are evil !!! LOL We have to wait till April to find out what he said ????? Very cruel Olivia, very cruel.....
ReplyDeleteWhy do I have a feeling that Sed's ultimatum was similar to my ex-fiance's. A guy, thinking more about himself then anyone else.
ReplyDeleteI'm single cause my guy didn't learn better. Hope Sed learns easier!
I've never responded well to ultimatums. If it's something I believe in, then I'm going to do it, with or without the person issuing it. Ultimatums tend to make me evaluate and then dig my heels. Nope, I'm not an easy person at that point.
ReplyDeleteSheesh, Spring is too far away, dammit. I can't wait to review this book.
Anon- I'm practicing my evilness for Halloween. ;-)
ReplyDeleteJenn- I don't know if it's easy for Sed, but he's willing to change. Now he has to convince Jessica that he's really changed. I truly believe that being single is preferable to being miserable.
Sia- Strong people tend to respond that way to ultimatums. Also Jess has one heck of a temper. I think you'll like her. ;-)
Ahhhhhh! Like I mentioned, not a fan of Sed but this sounds like it's going to be really really hot. And of course I'm sure everyone else is curious to know what goes on in Sed's mind.
ReplyDeleteDoes it alternate between Sed and Jessica? I'm so excited! :D
Oh and, usually when people put me in situations that are unreasonable, I usually choose to walk away. Life's too short to play games!
ReplyDeleteHi, Marie! Yep, all my books alternate between hero and heroine. And I do think you'll like Sed once you see inside his heart. In fact, I think you'll love him. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell done, Ms. Cunning! I had five minutes to pick up something to read at the local Borders today, as I went to sit in the pick-up line at my daughter's school...found book 1, and ended up reading (and reading!) until I finished the book around 11:00 p.m. (Even missed "Dancing With the Stars:). Great read...and a delightful new voice in erotic fiction...Cyndy Monarez
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