Black Halo / Rock Hard by Madelynne Ellis-A Series Review

Black Halo / Rock Hard by Madelynne Ellis-A Series Review

Black Halo

Author Madelynne Ellis has penned a series of books focusing on the goth rock band Black Halo. The two companion series run parallel to one another and include Black Halo and Rock Hard. These are their stories.

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COME UNDONE
(Rock Hard #1)
by Madelynne Ellis

Come UndoneABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date: August 29, 2013

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On stage he’s dynamite. Off stage he rocks her world.

When red-hot, Goth-metal band, Black Halo, split live on stage, fate throws Daniella Fosbrook into the path of sexy vocalist Xane Geist. Initially, Xane’s only looking for a ride home, but Dani tempts him in a way a thousand other women haven’t. Determined to explore their heady chemistry and avoid hashing things out with the band, Xane whisks Dani off to Monaco for a steamy weekend.

There, Dani tries her best to hang onto her heart and some clothing, while Xane soon loses both. However, Xane isn’t being entirely honest about the reason for the band’s demise. When the truth comes out, can Dani accept the facts, or will everything come undone.

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REVIEW: COME UNDONE is the first installment in Madelynne Ellis’s adult, contemporary ROCK HARD erotic romance series focusing on Xane Geist, front man and lead singer of the goth rock band Black Halo and Daniella Fosbrook- a reluctant groupie whose life is about to change when she meets Xane Geist- a larger than life persona whom Dani had come to depend upon in her darkest hours. ROCK HARD is the companion series to BLACK HALO featuring Black Halo’s lead guitarist Ash Gore. COME UNDONE is a story of insta-love, heartbreak and loss.

Told from two distinct third party points of view, the focus of the storyline is the break up of the band Black Halo. As the founder and front man for the band Xane feels he has been betrayed by the two people he loves most in the world. Enter Daniella Fosbrook, a fan and the woman who would show Xane that there is more to life than heartbreak and betrayal. Xane’s life has centered on the rise and success of Black Halo and his friendship with the band will be irrevocably strained when secrets and hidden feelings are revealed.

The relationship between Xane and Daniella begins as one of convenience. Xane needs to run; to get away from everything that has to do with Black Halo, and Dani is in the right place at the right time. While Xane strives for normalcy, Dani struggles with dark demons from the past and the unwelcome memories of abandonment and abuse.

Xane is a man who likes to tempt fate; nothing is off limits and he is willing to throw caution to the wind, any and every time sex is involved. He uses sex as a means to escape –an addiction- and Xane likes to escape at every opportunity, no matter where or how. Dani is the quiet, less experienced female whose earlier years have resulted in too many emotional and physical scars. Their time together will reveal a world that is all too familiar and one that Dani has a difficult time accepting. Abandoned by her father, and raised in a religious commune by her mother, Dani’s introduction into Xane’s world is both an escape and a fall into the abyss.

The backstory of what led to the disintegration of the band is slow to reveal as the majority of the storyline concentrates on Dani and Xane’s building relationship. There is a slight twist to the premise; one that reveals the bonds between friendship and love, and a twist that will affect Dani’s perception of Xane and the band.

The supporting and secondary characters include the members of the band-Ash Gore, Jan ‘Spook’ Mortensen, Elspeth Shriik, drummer Steve Matlock, and Paul ‘Rock Giant’ Reed. The world building concentrates on Xane’s troubled family, his relationship with the band, and the fall out of betrayal, stalker paparazzi and rabid fans.

Madelynne Ellis pulls the reader into the world of goth rock, addiction, sex and betrayal. There are moments of passion laced with need, want and seduction. The storyline does not end on a happily ever after but a bit of a cliffhanger that will expose an even uglier side of fame and fortune.

READING ORDER:

Come Undone (Rock Hard #1)
All Night Long (Black Halo #1)
Remastered (Black Halo #1.5 )
Come Together (Rock Hard #2)
All Fired Up (Black Halo #2)

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ALL NIGHT LONG
(Black Halo #1)
by Madelynne Ellis

All Night LongABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 24, 2014

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One night of rampant passion with a rock star, that’s all it’s supposed to be. Ginny Walters isn’t looking for love, only some sexy fun with an amazingly hot guy, that is, until she hooks up with Black Halo’s lead guitarist, Ash Gore, on the night the band implodes. When vocalist Xane walks off stage bringing the gig to a premature end, Ash and the guys find themselves unable to reach their hotel due to the presence of an irate mob. Luckily, Ginny offers them the use of her room for the night.

Ginny does her best to be a good hostess. However, it’s not long before she discovers a side to womanizing, bad boy, Ash that she never imagined. Beneath his hard rock image, is a man so hung up on the possibility of being hurt by love that he’s unwilling to risk becoming emotionally involved. How can she convince him that the bond between them is worth exploring, given that she’s not sure dating a rock star is terribly bright idea?

Ash can’t seem to get Ginny out of his head. She’s totally unlike the groupies he normally beds; women who love to fan his ego, but ultimately leave him dismally unsatisfied. Ginny sees through all his bullshit and the media hype to the scarred man beneath. Given that instinctive understanding, does he really want to say goodbye forever coming daybreak?

Maybe it’s time they both gave love another chance

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REVIEW: ALL NIGHT LONG is the first installment in Madelynne Ellis’s new adult, contemporary BLACK HALO erotic romance series focusing on the goth rock group Black Halo. This is lead guitarist Ash Gore and rock groupie Ginny Walters storyline-a one night stand that turns into something more. The Black Halo series is the companion to Madelynne’s ROCK HARD series focusing on front man Xane Geist and Dani Fosbrook: ALL NIGHT LONG runs parallel to COME UNDONE (Rock Hard #1). Are you confused?—so was I but the author let me know the correct reading order.

Told from third person point of view, the storyline focuses on less than twenty four hours in the life of Black Halo members Ash Gore, Jan ‘Spook’ Mortensen and ‘Rock Giant’ Reed. When front man Xane Geist walks off stage during a concert, purporting the end to the band, the remaining members are caught off guard with no place to run-enter Ginny Walters- a rock groupie who is determined to have a one night stand with Ash Gore but finds herself in the enviable position of roommates with the band. With paparazzi and fans stalking the band wherever they go, Ginny offers her less than five star hotel room as refuge. What ensues is a night of passion and wild sex between Ginny and Ash (with a little addition of Rock Giant and Spook), but one that reveals more about the band than Ginny had known.

The colorful and quirky supporting and secondary characters include fellow bandmates: rhythm guitarist Spook Mortensen; bassist (Paul) Rock Giant Reed and keyboardist Elspeth Shriik. Xane Geist, the band’s leading vocalist and front man, is MIA and his story is told in the companion series Rock Hard along with Ginny’s BFF Daniella Fosbrook.

The world building takes the reader behind the scenes and into the bedrooms and private lives of a rock band on the verge of imploding. Ash’s sexual exploits are explored revealing a painful past rife with betrayal and heartbreak; Ash doesn’t do relationships but something about Ginny could very well change his mind. Ginny is a woman who knows what she wants,; she is unapologetic with her sexual needs; and she wants something more than a one –night stand.

Madelynne Ellis invites the reader into the erotic world of rock bands, groupies and fishnet stockings. At present there are two interconnected series-Rock Hard and Black Halo-both focusing on different members of the band. ALL NIGHT LONG is a story of insta-lust, immediate attraction, sexual exploration and personal possessiveness between two people who should have been nothing more than passing ships in the night.

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COME TOGETHER
(Rock Hard #2)
by Madelynne Ellis

Come TogetherABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 30, 2014

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Daniella Fosbrook can’t believe she’s bagged a smoking hot rock star, now all she has to do is hold onto him.

Internationally famous, goth rockers, Black Halo have reunited and are about to hit the road on a six month requiem tour, following the shocking death of their drummer. Dani Fosbrook has never experienced life on the move, now she’s squashed onto a tour bus with five horny rock stars and her lover’s ex, and there’s no room for mistakes.

If death threats from jealous fans and warding off unwanted press attention isn’t difficult enough to handle, Dani has to battle her own personal insecurities. Xane says he’s committed, but with so much on offer to tempt him, can she trust he won’t stray?

When misunderstandings and sabotage put both the tour and everything Dani and Xane have built together under threat, can they and the band come together to make it work, or will everything fall apart?

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REVIEW: COME TOGETHER is the second installment in Madelynne Ellis’s contemporary, new adult ROCK HARD erotic romance series focusing on the goth rock group Black Halo. COME TOGETHER is the continuing story of front man and lead singer for Black Halo- Xane Geist and Dani Fosbrook. The Rock Hard series is the companion to Madelynne Ellie’s Black Halo series; COME TOGETHER runs parallel to ALL FIRED UP (Black Halo #2).

Because there are two companion series that play off one another, I would highly suggest reading in order as information revealed in the previous storylines are important for cohesion and enjoyment.

NOTE: There are scenes of M/F, M/M and M/M/F. COME TOGETHER is intended for mature readers over 18 years of age.

If you have not read the previous storylines in both series, there may be some spoilers -so be forewarned.

COME TOGETHER is the continuing story of Xane and Dani-six weeks after the events of Come Undone where Xane receives some heartbreaking news that all but destroys what remains of the band. A previous betrayal sent Xane on the run but with it comes the knowledge that life is fleeting and no one is safe when rabid fans attack. Black Halo is in need of a new drummer, and lead guitarist Ash Gore offers up Iain Willows-a man who has been bad mouthing Xane throughout his career. As the band comes to terms with the loss of their previous drummer, tensions are high when Iain proves to be less than competent with the drums.

The relationship between Xane and Dani continues to be sexually adventurous and uninhibited. Xane is a sex addict whose need for Dani begins to interfere with his work and the band. The storyline begins with a prologue that reveals a dark moment in time that Xane has kept secret but the past will soon catch up and will force Xane to make choices he doesn’t want to make. Dani’s fragile self esteem will take a major blow when she catches Xane in the arms of someone else. The sex scenes are graphic, sensually erotic and continuous. There is no doubt that Dani and Xane love one another but Xane will begin to question if Dani is enough.

The engaging and colorful supporting characters include all of the Black Halo band members whose lives begin to spiral out of control with the loss of a friend and lover. As the band sets out on their latest tour, Dani will be targeted and the band will fall victim to malicious gossip, rumors and innuendo. We will be introduced to the road crew and new roadie Luthor-whose past will come full circle and send Dani on the run.

The world building continues to follow Black Halo on tour; behind the scenes, in the bedroom, tour bus and on the road. The anxiety and stress of loss and betrayal begin to eat away at the band’s tentative rebuilding but in the end, they will come together when the band falls victim to deception, deceit and attack.

If you are a fan of sexy, angst ridden rock stars then Madelynne Ellis’s BLACK HALO and ROCK HARD series are for you. What we see on the surface and on stage is not necessarily what we would see behind the scenes and on the road. There are moments of heartbreak, betrayal, romance and love. Dani and Xane’s relationship will step up to the next level ensuring that Xane’s needs and desires are kept under control.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

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ALL FIRED UP
(Black Halo #2)
by Madelynne Ellis

All Fired UpABOUT THE BOOK: December 18, 2014

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All Fired Up is the follow-up to New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Madelynne Ellis’ scorching rock star romance novel, All Night Long.

Ginny Walters always knew her weakness for bad boys would get her into trouble. Her one night stand with Black Halo’s lead guitarist, Ash Gore, was only supposed to be a fun, not the prelude to the sort of relationship that’d scorch holes in her heart as well as her bed sheets. She’d be the happiest woman in the world if Ash wasn’t so determined to keep their connection off radar.

Ash Gore knows girlfriends are bad news for bands, which is why he’s resolved to keep his attachment to Ginny a secret. He and the guys have enough on their stages as they try to piece themselves back together after the band’s split. But when new drummer, Iain Willows, starts taking an active interest in Ginny, tensions quickly mount. Soon, Ash is not only at risk of losing Ginny, but everything he holds dearest–including life itself.

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NOTE: If you have not read the series, please be aware there may be some spoilers.

REVIEW: ALL FIRED UP is the second installment in Madelynne Ellis’s contemporary, new adult BLACK HALO erotic romance series focusing on Black Halo’s lead guitar Ash Gore and Ginny Walters. The BLACK HALO series is the companion to Madelynne’s ROCK HARD series. ALL FIRED UP runs parallel to COME TOGETHER (Rock Hard #2) –confused?-So was I but technically ALL FIRED UP is the fourth full line novel focusing on the members of the goth rock band BLACK HALO

ALL FIRED UP is the continuing story of Black Halo’s lead guitar player Ash Gore and the woman with whom he has fallen in love-Ginny Walters. Ginny is a rock groupie who targeted Ash for a night of wanton sex only to discover that the man she admired from afar was much more different than the public persona everyone saw on stage.

The storyline follows Ash and Ginny’s building relationship as well as Black Halo’s search for a new drummer-enter Iain Willows-a former band mate of Ash’s and a man whose need for revenge has seethed and grown for a number of years.

The sex scenes are erotic; oft times spontaneous; and always hot and steamy. Ash is the epitome of a rock star with women at every stop but something about Ginny will call to his heart.

The world building continues to focus on the band, their tour and behind the scenes where threats against their lives and their loves become all too personal. All of the band members play a secondary and supporting role.

ALL FIRED UP does not end on a happily ever after, but a happily ever after for now. Ash and Ginny’s continuing story will focus on recovery, forgiveness and moving forward. An attack against the band will have everyone reconsidering their choice of mates and friends.

Madelynne Ellis invites the reader into an engaging, thought provoking and revealing storyline about life on the road for a successful goth rock band. No one is safe when revenge and betrayal are foremost on the mind of a former friend and one time band mate.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviews by Sandy

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Two Wrongs, One Right (Come Undone #3) by Katee Robert-a review

TWO WRONGS, ONE RIGHT (Come Undone #3) by Katee Robert-a review

Two Wrongs, One Right

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release August 12, 2013

Eight years ago, former Army sergeant Nathan Schultz let the love of his life disappear without a fight. After watching everyone around him find happiness while he slipped further away, he’s finally ready to fight for Chelsea Callaghan—and he’s not afraid to play dirty.

Chelsea has always followed her conservative family’s rules—with one heartbreaking exception. When she receives an invitation to an old high school friend’s wedding, she knows who’s to blame. Though she goes solely to give Nathan a piece of her mind, he blackmails her into staying the entire week. With him.

There’s no way she’ll bow to Nathan’s will without making him pay. Unfortunately, revenge is a dish best served fully clothed, and they can’t be in the same room without losing theirs. As insatiable, anger-fueled lust shifts into something more, they begin to lose sight of why they can’t be together. But with so many unforgivable wrongs between them, can Nathan and Chelsea ever make things right?

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REVIEW: TWO WRONGS, ONE RIGHT is the third storyline in Katee Robert’s contemporary romance series focusing on the lives and loves of a group of twenty something friends. This is Nathan and Chelsea’s storyline. We were first introduced to Nathan and his brother Gabe in Gabe’s book -Wrong Bed, Right Guy – and this particular storyline comes full circle as the family and friends gather for Gabe and Elle’s wedding celebration. Although this is the third book in the series, Two Wrongs, One Right can be read as a stand alone without too much difficulty.

As the family and friends gather for the wedding celebration, Nathan has invited an old flame to his brother’s wedding with an ulterior motive in the plans. Chelsea and Nathan go back eight years and in those ensuing eight years, neither one has forgotten the other. But Chelsea believes Nathan ran those eight years ago and she hasn’t been able to forgive him since.

Nathan is a man whose family life has not always been happy. Following the death of his beloved mother, Nathan was unable to control his grief or anger and decided that the army would be his best recourse to dampen the pain and push aside the memories. But Nathan forgot that there was one person he would be leaving behind and when Chelsea begged him to stay, Nathan walked without looking back.

Two Wrongs, One Right is a story of second chances as Nathan tries to mend the broken fences and bridges that lead back to the only woman he has ever loved. Along the way, Chelsea has discovered that she is an independent woman, in her own right, and Nathan’s presence will affect more than just her personal life but her family’s as well. But Chelsea is defenseless against Nathan’s charms and what took her eight years to forget comes back to her in a matter of a few heartbeats and breaths.

The storyline is fast-paced and predictable with a HEA. The re-building of the relationship will see a few stumbles when Chelsea misreads Nathan’s attempts at making things right. The characters are all relatable in a contemporary romantic storyline where most of the secondary characters could be anyone or someone from our own lives-that is, of course, if we all knew artists, photographers, night club owners and wedding planners.

The relationship between Nathan and Chelsea is palpable: hot, sensual and passionate. You know that there is some major history between the pair, and Nathan makes no apologies for his attempt at trying to win back Chelsea at all costs.

If you like a sweet, contemporary romance storyline with a HEA, Two Wrongs, One Right is the perfect read for a lazy afternoon. And, although I did mention that this particular book can be read as a stand-alone, I would suggest starting at the beginning to get a feel for the build up of the storyline and just where our hero has been.

READING ORDER
1. Wrong Bed, Right Guy
2. Chasing Mr. Right
3. Two Wrongs, One Right

Copy supplied by the Entangled Brazen

Reviewed by Sandy

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Chasing Mrs. Right (Come Undone #2) by Katee Robert-a review

CHASING MRS. RIGHT (Come Undone #2) by Katee Robert-a review

Chasing Mrs. Right

Barnes and Noble / Amazon /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 25, 2013

It was only supposed to last one night…

Ian had no idea the sexy woman he took to his bed was his little sister’s best friend–or that she’d refuse to give him more than one night.

Good thing this soldier likes a challenge…

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REVIEW: CHASING MRS. RIGHT is the second storyline in Katee Robert’s Come Undone contemporary romance series. This particular story focuses on former military soldier Ian Walser and party planner Roxanne who accidently meet at Ian’s welcome home party thrown by Ian’s sister Elle, whom we first met in Wrong Bed, Right Guy. The problem-Ian and Roxanne-do not know each other’s identity and pursue a hot and torrid one-night stand that will either see the couple heading into a relationship or into a downward spiral of lies and betrayal. When Elle finally realizes with whom she spent the night, she knows she has made a huge error in judgment. But when her best friend Elle begs Roxanne to help Ian through his emotional turmoil, Roxanne knows that she will probably lose her heart to the emotionally fragile man.

Chasing Mrs. Right takes the reader on a journey of healing and discovery. Returning from a tour of Afghanistan, Ian is having difficulty re-entering into society-nightmares, flashbacks, feelings of dread and an overwhelming need to run are only the tip of the ice-berg with the things that Ian must deal. But enter-Roxanne-the feisty party planner and his sister’s BFF who pulls no punches as she defends and protects the wounded warrior until he is able to confront his demons full on.

The reader is pulled in as Ian must deal with an overbearing and confrontational mother; a future brother-in-law he believes is connected to the mob; a sister whom he loves and wants to protect; and the woman with whom he is falling in love, but a woman who believes love belongs in fairy tales and romance novels. And one wrong move or word could send Ian spiraling out of control. Roxanne is the other half to his soul, but the reality of his situation forces Ian to push everyone away when he needs them the most.

CHASING MRS. RIGHT is an emotional look at the struggles of one man re-entering society after experiencing the horrors of war and the death of his friends. Katee Robert writes with passion, romance, sorrow and pain and, in the end we witness how the love of a woman helps Ian begin a journey of healing on his long road to emotional and personal recovery. The storyline has moments of humor, sorrow and romance, as well as both physical and sexual intimacy between our two leading characters.

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Wrong Bed, Right Guy by Katee Robert-a review

WRONG BED, RIGHT GUY (Come Undone #1) by Katee Robert

Wrong Bed, Right Guy is the July 2012 release in Katee Robert’s erotic romance series Come Undone.

Working along side Nathan Schultz, Elle Walser spent most of her time fantasizing about seducing the man who occupied most of her dreams. When her brother Ian had suggested she apply for the position of coordinator at Nathan’s art gallery, she had no idea what to expect. But finding herself in Nathan’s bed with a tattooed and naked stranger, her dreams of seduction failed. Humiliated, it took everything she had to apologize and head for the hills.

Thinking he had almost had sex with his brother’s girlfriend, Gabe Schultz wanted an explanation. Returning from LA, Gabe knew something was eating his brother, but Elle Walser was on his mind. And checking on his nightclubs was as good an excuse as any to visit his younger brother. It had been 6 months since he was last in town and he needed to get back to work. But the loneliness that Gabe felt only increased when he realized that something or someone was missing from his life.

Elle’s humiliation increased when she realized that the man in Nathan’s bed was his brother Gabe. Angry at herself, Elle chose to blame Gabe for their misadventures the night before, but accepting an invitation to dinner brought everything into focus. She was angry, embarrassed and wanted Gabe. But her reaction to the man pushed at her good girl persona, and she continued to play the heartless bitch to Gabe’s sexy male. She acted like he was trash and she was too good for the likes of a tattooed man.

Elle was starting to realize the mistake she had made blaming Gabe for the things that went wrong. His kindness and quick actions showed he cared, and even at her worst, Gabe was willing to put up with her attitude. But finding herself in Gabe’s arms the next morning, Elle had an abrupt change of mind, and her feelings for Gabe were starting to show.

Things back in LA weren’t going well. Hiring a new manager when the old one was caught skimming off the top, Gabe was tired of dealing long distance with the threats that were thrown at his staff. And getting to know Elle was taking up his time, especially when she finally took an interest in his work. But when Elle finds Gabe in the arms of another woman, memories and flashbacks threaten to destroy her. Reliving the embarrassing way her ex treated her, pushed Elle over the edge and onto the street. But things are not always as they appear which made Elle stop and think about what she really wanted-and it was Gabe.

WRONG BED, RIGHT GUY is an erotic romance novel with a HEA. The story of two people looking for someone special in their lives, and finding love where neither expected. The relationship starts out at rock bottom and at times gets progressively worse. And the sexual energy between the couple is electric and at one point it is the only thing the two have in common. But like many relationships, the path is bumpy with ups and downs, and in the end, the reality of what they have together far outweighs what they have alone. There are  a couple of amusing moments especially when Gabe tries to appease Elle with a bouquet of flowers.  An interesting look at two people seemingly so mismatched that you wonder how they could ever stay together.

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

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