This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.






Genres: Contemporary Romance, Rock Band Romance
Published by Evil Eye Concepts
Released on September 25, 2018
Format: eARC
Source: Book Tour Provided
The Delight
Returning to Stage Dive is like returning home. Love me some Mal time even if it is in a crowd of the other bandmates. Sam is something to growl at while Martha gives off the bitch attitude with style and flair. It was like being wrapped in Stage Dive music and rocked. Yep, I loved going back in for another story in this world!
The Review
Strolling back in time, I needed a Stage Dive fix. I just didn’t know who was going to give it to me…*snort* give it to me. Yeah, humor on that one. *suggests Mal give it to me, but Anne’s in the way*. Back on track. Martha was a character I knew but didn’t recollect much when I started, so I did go back and look up who she was and how she was involved. It was a small bit of time to get caught up. Wham! I remembered and I don’t really remember liking her. Pulling up my panties, I take on Martha to make sure she is worthy of Sam.
Sam’s the bodyguard/security guy for the band. He watches over them pretty damn good, but he has had his sights set on Martha for a decade. Biding his time, he says, for the perfect moment. Older than her, he has the patience and the attitude to let her be the bitch she portrays to everyone, but also to wait for the woman he knows is inside.
Martha is back in her brother’s house after a mugging makes her realize her life really isn’t the way she wanted or expected. While she lusts after Sam secretly (or not so as you learn), she has no long term plans to pursue it nor what she wants to do with her life now. You come to see her bad ass attitude is just armor for the woman beneath. She doesn’t want the limelight, but wants to put the talent in the limelight.
New and wondrous things are coming for these two and if Martha really thinks she is in control, well, she better back up because Sam has a plan and it doesn’t include letting Martha get away with shit. It’s an interesting mix of personalities and how opposites do attract.
BUY LINKS:
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Excerpt
“Shut it.” I inched my chin up a bit, trying not to frown because frowning gave you lines. “Sam and I have known each other for years and nothing has ever happened. You’re completely wrong about this.”
“Am I?”
“Yes, there’s nothing between us.”
“So that’s why you were staring at him?”
I chose not to answer that. “And you know he prefers to be called executive protection officer instead of bodyguard.”
At this, Lizzy burst out giggling, a malicious glee in her eyes. No wonder I liked my sister-in-law these days.
Ben shot us both an irritated glance. We both ignored it.
Of course, I’d known Sam would probably be here. Rock stars going out in public could be a delicate thing. People had a tendency to get overexcited. And while one person wanting an autograph wasn’t a problem, twenty or thirty of them suddenly swarming definitely could be. Having once been part of the entourage, I’d seen it happen to Ben and his fellow Stage Dive band members enough times to be wary. And you couldn’t get by with ordinary security. Rock stars needed protection from their over-zealous fans, but on the other hand they didn’t want the fans roughed up or hurt in any way. It required a delicate balance: control, experience, and a whole gamut of scary physical skills. Hence Sam.
Still, Portland seemed generally less crazy than the good old days back in LA. All of the guys seemed calmer and more settled away from the constant craziness of the party scene. Not to mention the effect of all of the wives/partners and various offspring. The biggest rock band in the world had officially been domesticated.
It was kind of cute. Or sad. I don’t know.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to stir you,” she lied. “What do you think of your brother’s new musical bromance?”
On the small stage set up in the corner of the room, a young man wailed his heart out while playing an acoustic guitar. Much angst about a girl who only called him after midnight. Trust a rockster to turn a simple booty call into a heartbreaking ballad. The song was damn good though. He had talent. If only I hadn’t had my fill of the type when I was younger. The kid looked to be in his early to mid-twenties. Lanky with lots of tattoos. Your typical rock ’n roll Prince Charming. Gag. These days my type ran more toward…actually, what I needed or wanted in a male was a total mystery.
And my gaze did not stray back to Sam. That did not happen.
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Shari
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I don’t really remember Martha either but it’s been soooo long since I read Stage Dive. I’m just excited to get to hang out with the guys and their girls again. 🙂 Sam and Martha sound like some good fun so I’ll have to dive into their story sooner than later.
Martha is Ben’s sister, but also David’s ex. I still can barely remember her. I still didn’t really like her much, but I loved Sam and his patience waiting for her. Mal still is very much Mal in this story!
Mal is my favorite but I’ve fallen a bit behind in this series.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
There are the four original books, but there was a short story for Mal and Anne in the Cocktails, but you can’t buy it any more. And now this one. I want more Mal and Anne. I so need a Mal fix!
I read arcs of these when they first came out. I have no idea who Martha is and the arcs would have to be downloaded again for me to figure it out. That’s so not happening. Ha! However, I bought this one on Tuesday so I will have to ‘dive’ back in without that info. I love Mal as well
Martha is Ben’s younger sister, but also David’s ex. She didn’t make a good impression from what I remembered. I had to look it all up again because I could’t figure out who she was and why I een cared. Mal is all mine! I love him so much! He steals a few scenes.
The except has me tempted
Sam let’s Martha think she’s in charge, but in reality he’s just patient enough to wait her out. He really is the perfect man for her. She is pretty high strung and bitchy (sorry, but it is so true). While he runs the security and is serious about that, he is patient enough to let her try things her way until she comes around to his way of thinking. He never tries to strong arm her, which I appreciated because too many alpha men don’t know how to take no for an answer and push to hard.
I’ve been hearing good thing about this one.
I love this series, but I have to say this wasn’t really as good as the series. Mal will always be my favorite and in this book he stole the show a few times.
And, another reminder of why I want to try this series that you love. Sam sounds like a deep one.
They are pretty easy reads! Once you get over the fact you only get one side of the story, they are pretty good. Mal is mine and I won’t give him up to anyone by Anne!