Tattered Angel The Road to Rocktoberfest, Book 2
LGBT, Gay Romance, Rock Star, Music
Desolate Press; 1st Edition
October 16, 2020
242
Since the moment he picked up his first guitar, Dez Conway dreamed of being a Rockstar. A multi-talented musician with the ability to play the electric violin, electric cello and even the bass, he’d be an asset to any group of musicians, if only the bands who’d hired him over the years had truly thought that way. Instead, he’s singing for the dishes in an upscale restaurant, bitter, pissed off and unwilling to entertain the offer to replace the front man of the world-famous Deviant Angels because why the hell would they be any different than the guys who’d kicked him to the curb in the past?
Only…they’re not the Deviant Angels, their longtime front man took the name with him when he left, along with their hopes of getting back out on the road again and playing the music they love. Of course, a talented musician like Dez could change all of that for them, if they can convince him that this time, his dreams of rock stardom, and love, can actually come true.
Tattered Angel is the 2nd book in the multi-author Road To Rocktoberfest series. Each book can be read as a standalone.
Available at Amazon.
Reviewed by Linda Tonis
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
Riley McGregor and his bandmates Zakk and Damien were blindsided when their lead singer Wade Andrews announced after their last performance for the world to hear that he is leaving Deviant Angels to go out on his own. Of course there have been plenty of groups that that has happened to and oftentimes the remainder of the band just go their separate ways and then there are those like Riley and his guys who are determined to find a new front man and start over.
The rush is on to find the right person so that they can send an audition CD in for acceptance to Rocktoberfest, the perfect opportunity to showcase their talent only to date every audition has proven worse than the one before. Close to giving up and treating himself to an expensive meal Riley hears a dishwasher singing and immediately recognizes him as Dez Conway the perfect person to join their band only Dez refuses to even contemplate it.
Dez has been burned more than once by bands who wanted him and then dropped him and as much as he loves music and being in a band he is not confident enough to do it all over again. It is his cousin Jordan who sets up the audition convincing Dez that if he doesn’t get over being moody and nasty to everyone around him he will find himself out the door and on his own. With little hope of this audition turning into something more than a temporary job he goes in expecting nothing.
One song was all it took for the guys to beg Dez to join them and they meant permanently not just till Rocktoberfest but for the future. He fits in like he always belonged but it will take some work for them to get him out of his mindset that this is temporary and he will once again find himself being dumped. He even tries to get out of riding on the bus with them and wants to follow the bus on his bike, only said bike is not working thanks to his uncle who will do anything to get Dez back where he belongs.
Wade not only left the band he also took the name Deviant so a new name will have to be one of the things the group has to come up with. Travelling together is fun and Dez has finally accepted that he is wanted. He is also falling for Riley without knowing if Riley is interested or even gay or bi. Most of the story is about the guys getting to know each other and forming friendships while Riley begins to feel jealous of Dez’s friendship and closeness to his best friend Zakk which could lead to trouble.
I found the book to be slow moving and unlike the first book in the series it just did not excite me. The focus was on travelling, eating, playing cards and learning about each other. There was not much in the way of what happens in the world of music. I did love all the characters and their persistence in starting over rather than giving up. This series is by seven different authors and each is a standalone and although I did not love this book I did enjoy it and have no doubt that if rock and roll is your thing that you will love it.