AS DUST DANCES (Play On #2) by Samantha Young-Review & Excerpt Tour
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 7, 2018
Once upon a time Skylar Finch was the lead singer of a hugely successful American pop-rock band. But fame made her miserable. When years of living a lie suddenly ended in tragedy, Skylar fell off the map.
Eighteen months later she’s sleeping in a tent in a cemetery in Glasgow, making just enough money to eat by busking on the streets. She manages to avoid recognition, but not the attention of one of Glasgow’s ambitious A&R executives.
Killian O’Dea works at Skyscraper Records, Scotland’s most successful record label. Raised by his uncle and owner of the label, Killian’s upbringing would have been devoid of affection entirely if it wasn’t for his loving sister. Killian is unflinchingly determined to bring the label more success than ever, and the young homeless woman who busks on Buchanan Street is going to help him do that. Her music speaks to him in a way he refuses to over-analyze. All he knows is that if it can touch his dark soul, it’ll set everyone else’s alight.
Skylar makes it clear that she doesn’t want to sign with him. But when she experiences the dangerous reality of a woman sleeping rough, Skylar has no one else but Killian to turn to. An undeniable connection forms between them. But Skylar doesn’t want the career Killian is trying to forge for her, and when her past comes back to haunt her Killian will be faced with a decision that could ruin him. He must either free Skylar from his selfish machinations and destroy everything he’s ever worked for, or lose a woman who has come to mean more to him than he ever thought possible…
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REVIEW: AS DUST DANCES is the second instalment in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult PLAY ON erotic, romance series. This is twenty-four year old, American singer Skylar Finch, and thirty year old, Scottish record producer Killian O’Dea’s story line AS DUST DANCES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.
NOTE: Due to some of the story line content, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from first person point of view (Skylar Finch) AS DUST DANCES follows the tumultuous journey of singing superstar Skylar Finch. Eighteen months earlier Skylar Finch fell off the face of the earth in the aftermath of a tragedy that all but destroyed her life. Fast forward to present day wherein our heroine has been living and busking on the streets of Glasgow, Scotland until the day a record producer recognizes Skylar for the talent she was. Enter record producer Killian O’Dea, and the man with whom Skylar would fall in love. What ensues is the slow building relationship between Skylar and Killian, and the potential fall-out as fame and the glare of the paparazzi begin to overwhelm our heroine, once again.
Killian O’Dea recognized Skylar the moment he heard her voice on the street but Skylar had been reported missing for close to two years, and her backstory and history were tragic and sad. Killian knew the woman hiding beneath the worn clothing and dirty hair was a flower waiting to bloom when cared for and loved. Skylar no longer needs the spotlight of fame and notoriety but her love the music is what propels her forward. Broken by tragedy, and the glare of the spotlight, strong-willed but stubborn Skylar ran from her past only to find herself battling her will to survive.
The relationship between Skylar and Killian begins as a business arrangement when Killian must come to terms of what happened and why. Skylar is but a shadow of her former self, having lived on the streets for several months, a life that proved harder as the weeks went by. As Skylar’s emotional and physical health began to improve so did her feelings for her ‘would-be’ rescuer, and happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Killian’s half-sister Autumn O’Dea, a woman who struggles to find her path in life; their uncle and record company owner James Byrne; Killian’s assistant Eva; as well as the members of Skylar’s former band-lead guitar Micah, drummer Brandon and bassist Austin. Autumn’s story line is next in HOLD ON.
AS DUST DANCES is an emotional story of betrayal and loss; heartbreak and pain; falling in love and letting go of the past. The premise is sensational and inspiring; the characters are colorful and creative; the romance is inspiring and captivating. AS DUST DANCES follows one woman’s fall into obscurity, and one man’s struggle to bring her back to life.
Copy supplied for review
Reviewed by Sandy
Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he genuinely didn’t want anything sexual from me.
I stared at him unabashedly, wanting answers.
He remained steadfast, ignoring me, until the waitress he’d called out to returned with a plastic carrier bag. “Will this do?”
“Aye.” He took it from her. “Thanks.” When I returned to the main restaurant, I put the folded-up wet clothes beside me on the bench, my underwear tucked out of sight.
I couldn’t meet the stranger’s eyes as I reached for the Diet Coke I’d asked for, savoring the taste. On tour, I’d needed lots of energy so I’d eaten well and drank plenty of water. Soda was a treat at the best of times. But I hadn’t had a Diet Coke in months, and it tasted great.
“Excuse me,” my companion’s voice jolted my gaze upward and I saw him wave down a passing waitress. “Do you have a bag?”
“A bag?”
“Carrier bag, paper bag. A bag.”
“Um … let me check.”
He held it out, staring at me with those eyes that would’ve been much more suited to a Lothario, to someone who knew how to be charming. “For your clothes.”
Oh.
It was a kind gesture, also at odds with his demeanor, and my suspicion increased. I took the bag, however, sliding my wet clothes into it and out of sight. Exasperated, I said, “What the hell do you want?”
“Food first.”
“So I’ll be well fed, satisfied, and more amenable to whatever the hell it is you want from me?”
He looked at me now, really looked at me, and the corner of his mouth curled up ever so slightly. “Exactly.”
“A good villain doesn’t admit to his plan, you know.”
“I’m not a villain.”
“What are you?”
“Fo—”
“Food first. Yeah, yeah.”
And so we sat in silence until the food arrived, and the smell of my sea bass made my stomach grumble loudly. Years ago, it would’ve embarrassed me. Now I couldn’t give a shit. All I cared about was that fish.
I dug in, closing my eyes in joy as I ate.
When I opened them to scoop up buttery mashed potatoes, I felt his gaze on me.
The furrowed brow, the glimmer of concern in his eyes, made me stiffen. But just like that, his expression cleared, blank, and he went back to eating his burger as if I didn’t exist.
I savored every morsel of that meal, including the Chocolate Fudge Fixation I ordered for dessert.
My belly felt full and satisfied, and exhaustion began to force my eyelids to droop.
And I knew it was time to pay the piper. “So …” I pushed away my empty dessert plate and slumped back against the booth, my expression baleful. “What the hell do you want from me?”
His answer was to reach into his wallet, pull out a business card, and hand it over.
I stared down at it, disbelief flooding me.
Samantha Young is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows. Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us was published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook & hardback June 2017. Play On is an adult contemporary romance and the first in a brand new series set in Scotland. Villain is a companion novella to the New York Times bestselling romance HERO.
Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for Hero. On Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015.
Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.
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Wonderful review,Sandy. The story line of this ok looks awesome. You have peaked my interest in reading this book.
wonderful review sandy. i love the sound of this story. i can’t wait to read it.
Fantastic review, great excerpt, thanks Sandy
Another great review,thanks Sandy !
Thanks for the amazing review and excerpt. Looks like an emotional read.
Such an excellent review, thanks
Great review, Sandy. Looks like a wonderful story.
Very nice review, looks great, thanks Sandy
Great review. Love the excerpt, can’t wait.
Terrific review, Sandy. I love the looks of this story.