Rustic Melody by Nic Starr Blog Tour, Guest Post, Excerpt & Giveaway!

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Hi guys, we have Nic Starr visiting today to show off her upcoming release Rustic Melody, we have a great guest post off Nic where she chats about where she got the inspiration for Rustic Melody, we have a brilliant excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~

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Rustic Melody

(Rustic 01)
by

Nic Starr

Adam Chambers has never seen eye-to-eye with his father and is reluctant to take over the family’s property-development company.  To clear his head and work out what he wants to do with the rest of his life, Adam leaves his responsibilities in the city and heads out to see the country.

He isn’t much closer to deciding what to do with his life when he arrives at one of Australia’s largest events, the Tamworth Country Music Festival, and meets Joey Callaway.

Since Joey’s father’s tragic death left Joey the family’s debt-ridden pub, Joey has struggled, desperate to turn the business around and give his mum the life she deserves. A break away from the pressures of running the pub is just what he needs, and a hook-up with Adam is the perfect way to forget about his troubles.

The one-night stand might just be an opening act. If Adam and Joey can follow the music in their hearts, perhaps they can heal each other and create a melody that will last a lifetime.

Release date: 26th January 2016

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Rustic Melody – The Inspiration

A number of people have asked me where the inspiration for Rustic Melody came from, and the answer surprises them. The cover of the book provided the starting point of the story.

One day I was happily checking out Facebook – all right, so I was procrastinating J – when I came across a link for pre-made book covers. One immediately stood out and captured my attention. The cover was GORGEOUS. I adored the model and his smile. I loved the colours. I even loved the title. I purchased the cover on the spot with no idea what I was going to do with it, just happy that the wonderful cover artist (Kellie Dennis of Book Cover By Design) said it would be waiting for me when I was ready.

So I had the sample cover, which I printed and put on my noticeboard where I could stare at it all day.

It didn’t take long for the ideas to flow. The man on the cover had a country vibe about him with his checked shirt and guitar, and I wanted to write a story set in Australia. I put two and two together, and just knew the story would start with my main characters meeting at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. The festival takes place in country New South Wales each January, and is the biggest event of its type in Australia. Click here if you want to find out more about it.

So the idea evolved into the story of Adam, a man from the city, and Joey, a young guy from the country, who hook up at the festival.

Here’s a little excerpt from when they first meet up.

~~~

“Have you been to the music festival before?”

 “No, I haven’t, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew it would be popular but didn’t think it would be this big.” Adam looked around the room and indicated the crowd.

“So you’re not a local?”

Adam smiled. “Definitely not a local. You’re looking at a city boy, through and through.”

“But a city boy who likes country music, I assume?”

Adam chuckled. “Um, well….”

“You don’t like country music? What the hell are you doing here, then?” Joey said in surprise.

“I guess I didn’t have anywhere better to be,” Adam said, and Joey wondered at the sudden sadness in his voice. But then Adam brightened and that dimple appeared again. “Plus I love music. So I thought, why not check out this extravaganza? I just wasn’t prepared for all the people.”

“It is pretty big, isn’t it? Fifty thousand visitors over the week. It’s one of the top ten music events in the world.”

“Shit, really? I had no idea it was that popular.”

Joey laughed. “It’s not just for us locals, you know. We get people coming from all over the country and even overseas for this.”

“Well, I’m definitely looking forward to checking out some of the performances. What about you? What brings you here? Are you local?”

“Sort of,” Joey answered. “I’m from Armidale, so a bit over one hundred kilometres to the north. I suppose you could say I’m local.”

“So you’re a true-blue country boy,” Adam said as his gaze swept over Joey.

Joey felt the flush start at his neck under the scrutiny. It was like Adam was looking right into him and somehow sizing him up. Joey made an effort not to squirm in his seat.

“Um, yeah,” Joey stuttered. “Born and bred.”

~~~

I do hope you enjoy the story.

Happy reading,

~Nic

Series Notes

Rustic Melody – Book #1 – Release date 26th January 2016

Rustic Memory – Book #2 – Release date 26th February 2016

Rustic Moment – Book #3 – Expected release date 25th March 2016

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Excerpt

Adam pulled up suddenly. “I’m down there.” He pointed down a dark street lined with cars.

Disappointment filled Joey as they stood awkwardly on the corner.

“Well…” Fuck! He had no idea what to say. He thought maybe—he wasn’t sure—just maybe Adam might be interested in him as more than a casual new acquaintance. “It was nice meeting you.” He held out his hand. Adam looked at the offered hand for a moment, and then he raised his gaze and met Joey’s. Slowly he reached out and grasped Joey’s hand. Warmth surrounded Joey’s fingers and he was lost in the firm grip.

“I liked meeting you too, Joey,” Adam said in that deep voice of his. “Very much.” He didn’t let go of Joey’s hand, instead keeping their hands clasped as he locked his gaze to Joey’s.

Joey swallowed past the lump in his throat. “Ah….”

Adam smiled and finally let go of Joey’s hand. Joey immediately missed the touch.

“Would you like a lift? I can give you a ride to wherever you’re staying,” Adam offered.

At least one of them could carry on a normal conversation. Joey gave himself a mental kick. “That’s okay. I’m only another block down the road. Whereabouts are you staying?”

“Actually, I’m staying in the car.”

Joey’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?” He knew lots of blokes who’d sleep in their car or throw down a swag, but Adam didn’t seem the type.

“I’ve got a sleeping bag, and it’s so hot, so I’ll be okay to sleep outside.”

Okay, so maybe I shouldn’t be so quick to judge. “So long as you avoid the mosquitoes. It’s stinking hot outside—too hot to zip up inside a sleeping bag—and the mozzies will eat you alive.”

Adam laughed. He obviously wasn’t too worried. “Yeah, probably. If I’d planned things better, I would have booked some accommodation, got a room or a cabin at the caravan park, but this was a last-minute trip and the town has been booked out for months, from what I’ve heard.”

Joey nodded. “I only got the room because Mum’s friends with the pub owner and she’d been planning this getaway for me for a while.”

“I’ve done worse. The only thing I’ll really miss is the air conditioning. Oh, and maybe a comfy mattress. And electricity to charge my mobile.”

“What about a bathroom?”

“Oh shit!” Adam laughed. “That too. Okay, maybe I didn’t fully think this through.”

The urge to offer to share his room with Adam was strong. Joey didn’t like the idea of the man outside in the elements with no comforts while Joey had a perfectly good room and bed. Bed. That was the problem. Could he share his bed? Hell, he wanted to. More than wanted to, but that voice of doubt kept nagging.

Fuck it. What do I have to lose? He would make the offer. Adam could take it for what it was—an offer of a place to stay for the night. If Adam didn’t like the idea of sharing, or sharing with a guy, he’d say no. If he accepted, Joey would just keep to himself. He’d let Adam make any first move, because there was no way Joey was putting himself out there and risking making a fool of himself. Or worse still, having his head beat in.

He glanced up at Adam, even as he had the thought. He couldn’t imagine Adam laying a hand on anyone in anger. Jeez, he wished he had more experience or at least was braver.

Adam tilted his head and studied Joey. “I can hear you thinking from here.”

Joey swallowed and took a deep breath. The words came out in a rush. “I was just thinking that I have a perfectly good room with access to a bathroom, and it has electricity. If you’re willing to share a double, or throw your swag on the floor, you’re welcome to bunk in with me.”

“Why, Joey, that’s very nice of you.” Adam grinned. “I’d be very pleased to take you up on your kind and generous offer.” He tipped his hat and bowed.

Joey blinked at how simple it was. He offered; Adam accepted. He couldn’t get the stupid grin off his face and had to look away so Adam wouldn’t think what a dork he was.

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About Nic

Nic Starr - Rustic Melody‏ - AVI - Red - Single StarNic Starr lives in Australia where she tries to squeeze as much into her busy life as possible. Balancing the demands of a corporate career with raising a family and writing can be challenging but she wouldn’t give it up for the world.

Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before eventually realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told!

When not writing or reading, she loves to spend time with her family-an understanding husband and two beautiful daughters, and is often found indulging in her love of cooking and planning her dream home in the country.

You can find Nic on Facebook, Twitter and her blog. She’d love it if you stopped by to say hi.

Author Links

Website & Blog | Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Facebook Page | Facebook Group | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

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Giveaway!

Win a $20 All Romance eBook Gift Card!

(Just click the link below)

Nic Starr Rafflecopter giveaway!

(Ends 30th January 2016)
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