Title: Rocking Hard: Volume 1, edited by Samantha M. Derr
Series: Anthology Volume 1
Authors: Sol Crafter; Diana Sheridan; Talya Andor; Lacie J. Archer; Angel Propps
Editor: Samantha M. Derr
Genre: MM; FF; Contemporary; Romance; Paranormal;
Length: Anthology containing Short Stories (371 pages)
Publisher: Less Than Three Press LLC; (October 2nd, 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate to Sizzling
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Seeker
Purchase Link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/362222
Blurb: CENTRIFICAL by Sol Crafter
Marty Sheer, one of the stars of a B-rated sci-fi show “Centrifical,” receives a phone call letting him know that his old friend Jim Sheppard, who left years ago and has since become
an acclaimed rock star, has bought a new home close by. Renewing their friendships is easy—becoming something more is a challenge that makes fame look easy.
FRINGE BENEFITS by Diana Sheridan
Depressed after the death of his lover, and having lost his job at the same time, Dale distracts himself by going to see one of his favorite rockers. But a simple concert and trip backstage lands him an unexpected job as her new assistant, and brings him into the path of her intriguing, appealing make-up artist and hairdresser, Luis. But if there’s one thing that Dale has learned, it’s that life is never easy and love doesn’t always last.
COURAGE WOLF NEVER SINGS THE GORRAM BLUES by Talya Andor
Bailey Kravitz, lead singer of Courage Wolf, is a high-strung, perfectionist diva of a front man. Gunner Lansing, bassist of Courage Wolf, is a laid-back, hang loose ladies’ man who is only serious about guitars and sex. They say opposites attract, but Bailey’s terminal crush on oblivious Gunner is tearing the band apart. Meanwhile, his longtime friend, quiet but intense
guitarist Tor Macleod, helps him pick up the pieces yet again. Between annihilation of everything, they’ve built or reeling from total rejection, there may be a third option Bailey has been overlooking all this time. Problem is, Bailey’s always been more than a little difficult when he’s out to get his way, and that may ruin his prospects after all.
PUT YOU IN A SONG by Lacie J. Archer
Ten months ago, on a whirlwind New Year’s Eve, Garrett and Rich enjoyed a wild night together. Back in town for the final performance of his band’s tour, Rich can’t wait to see Garrett again, unable to forget him. But a wild night and a lifetime are two different things, and the first real challenge they face may be more than their fragile new relationship can take.
A HAUNTED MELODY by Angel Propps
A decades old tragedy, an old guitar, and a bright new star … A struggling musician on the verge of losing her band, Kara spies a guitar in a pawnshop that she can’t resist. One year later she’s on the verge of fame, and meets a woman who not only can help her get there, but introduces Kara to an intriguing, beautiful woman … But bad history is coming back to haunt, and Kara stands to lose not just fame and love, but her life.
Review: Like a CD or Playlist instead of Chapters Rock Star has Tracks. Edited by Samantha Derr, overall the first volume of short story collections in the Rock Star Anthology is bang on. We, the reader, are treated to contemporary slices of life from the current mega Rock Star, to the musician, to the assistant, to the Legend Taken Too Soon.
♥♥♥♥4 out of 5 Hearts CENTRIFICAL (Sol Crafter) – A wonderfully written story of friendship between long time friends Marty and Jim. The story seemed familiar I must admit. And then I realized why. I have read the and-then-this-happened sequel to this story one time too many times. I must say, I loved Sol Crafter’s prequel.
♥♥♥♥3 1/2 out of 5Hearts for FRINGE BENEFITS (Diana Sheridan) – Music hath charms…. should be one of the tag lines for this short. Dale and Luis, the romantically entwined, are overshadowed by the rocker in this story, Diva Granny Glam. Even though this is Dale’s story of love lost and found, I wanted more Granny Glam!!! Sorry. I’m back. Fringe Benefits is well crafted, though at times moves along at jerks and starts.
♥♥♥3 out of 5Hearts for COURAGE WOLF NEVER SINGS THE GORRAM BLUES (Talya Andor) – Band mates Baily, Gunner, and Tor (Yes… yes – I truly gave ½ a star for being able to keep the characters straight because they seemed to come out of the woodwork after awhile) grapple with indecision and complications while touring. Talya Andor gives us a short with meat but without the sides or even a nice bit of beverage to wash it all down.
♥♥♥3 out of 5 Hearts for PUT YOU IN A SONG (Lacie J. Archer) Rich and Garrett’s complicated relationship needs a bit of rearranging. A sizzling slice of life short from Lace J. Archer crafted with long time friends with Rich as the Rocker and Garrett needing something more.
♥♥♥♥4 out of 5 Hearts for A HAUNTED MELODY (Angel Propps) – How else does one end an Anthology other than with an ending? Angel Propps (if this is a pen name it is well chosen, especially for this tale) gives us a wonderful and believable ghost story. Well done, done well. So well that it crosses cultures. Cudos.