Divided Road THE ROAD TO ROCKTOBERFEST 2024
mm romance
self
10/29/24
Kindle
219
Amazon
Amazon Link: amazon
The chance of a lifetime or their final performance?
Owen Stanton has been a member of the Kiwi band Flightless since high school. So far, he’s managed to walk the fine line between playing fiddle for the band and pursuing his classical violin career.
An opportunity arises to audition for a prestigious string quartet, and Owen takes his family’s advice to go for it. After all, it’s not like he’s going to make the cut, right? And if he does, the decision won’t have to be made until after the band’s highly anticipated performance at a popular New Zealand music festival.
Jared Murphy joins Flightless when their keyboard player faces a family crisis and needs to take a break. Soon he and Owen are writing music together and creating something beautiful between them. It’s a shame it won’t last. After all, Jared’s only standing in.
When the once in a lifetime invitation comes for the band to play at Rocktoberfest, decisions need to be made, even if taking the right path may end up in divided roads.
Review By MARYANN KAFKA
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
Amazon Link: amazon
From New Zealand came the Flightless musical band that plays 80s/90s vibe with some heavy metal tossed in. They have been together for ten years and had always been a filler group. They work all the gigs they can and have hopes to make it big one day. Clay is the lead singer, Kaci plays drums, Phil plays guitar and Tyler bass, they are a couple. Lincoln plays keyboard and Owen Stanton, plays the fiddle/violin. He also writes songs and sings, just a little.
Owen has really been pushing himself, he has a full schedule. He also plays in an orchestra and manages part-time at the Arpeggio music shop. He has to find a way to juggle all his responsibilities. As much as he likes playing with Flightless, he equally likes playing classical music with the orchestra. His mother certainly thinks he should leave the band and audition for Oriolidae an orchestra with high prestige.
After one of the Flightless performances at a local pub. Rachel Irving, the Flightless manager, introduces the group to Duncan Fray, the owner of Fray Vineyards and Fray Days. He offers them a spot in next years festival and is ready to agree to a contract. It all leaves Owen with a schedule to work through and he also needs to take care of his companion, Bach the cat.
Things become more complicated when Lincoln comes to see Owen. Lincoln’s mom Beth has cancer. She will need surgery and chemo and Lincoln needs to be there for his mother. He’s very upset and trying to hold it together. Beth had been a major support for the group since they first started in high school and they practiced in her garage. Lincoln being worried about leaving Flightless without a keyboardist has a good friend, Jared Murphy. He recommends Jared for taking his spot on keyboard. Of course, the decision would be up to the entire band. Jared’s sister Brigit is also willing to help Beth and Lincoln. Jared and Brigit share in ownership of The Strawberry Scone. Besides his degree, Jared took courses to help in the business.
Going for this interview with Flightless is nerve-wracking for Jared and he can only hope after ten years all had been forgotten by Owen. But embarrassing as it is Owen does remember the younger Jared aka “Beer Guy.”
As things start to really look up for Flightless, Jared and Owen find themselves becoming more involved. But there are so many hard decisions for both of them to make for the future. Will Flightless make it successfully through Rocktoberfest 2024?Will Jared and Owen be able to make it through and have their lives planned out for the future?
Anne Barwell takes readers on “The Road to “Rocktoberfest 2024” with “Divided Road”. Barwell is a long time author and has written so many fantastics novels, but this is her debut novel for the world of “Rocktoberfest 2024.” The story is a really sweet romance, with a little drama, humor and friendships. There’s more than one romance blooming throughout the story. It’s all about two young men, Owen and Jared that are very talented. They meet once again and a friendship develops which leads to more. Owen and Jared will find that growing up is a road of tough decisions. Owen will have to take a stand and do what will benefit him. He may have to disappoint those he loves. Jared will have hopes that maybe he would become more to Flightless. They work on finding a way to use their musical talents to make a team. No matter their decisions it will effect their futures. It also reflects the difference in family dynamics. There are times when mothers need to let their children make their own decisions. There are also reveals from Owen’s mother and grandmother. Besides Owen and Jared there is a host of characters that brighten story. Of course the members of Flightless: Rachel and Kaci, Phil and Tyler, and Clay. Lincoln, Brigit, Howard and last but not least, watch out for the cats: Bach, Dolce and Kije.
I highly recommend, “Divided Road” for a wonderful addition to “The Road to Rocktoberfest 2024”. Beside this being a very well written story, Anne Barwell has the musical touch when it comes to writing beautiful lyrics.