I LOVE rock star romances. I can't get
enough of them, in books or movies. Nalini Singh's Rock Kiss series is one of
my favorites and "Beyond the Lights" was a good movie in the genre.
Of course I cried over "The Bodyguard" with Whitney Houston and Kevin
Costner but didn't love the ending. I always need that HEA to happen. I even
enjoyed George Strait's venture into the genre with "Pure Country,"
taking the backroads to Las Vegas. I also devour backstage documentaries
like the one on the making of the Backstreet Boys (hey, no judging!) and the
two on Katy Perry’s tours…
But I never thought I could write a rock
star romance because everything I write turns to science fiction. Contemporary
romance is just not me. I’m the co-organizer of the Pets In Space anthology,
about heroes, heroines, scifi romance tales and heroic pets, and when it came
time to write this year’s novella, I had just read an article about cruise
ships on Earth running special cruises where a rock band or singer would do a
gig for their fans, on the ship during the cruise. I thought the concept
translated perfectly to my interstellar cruise liner the Nebula Zephyr.
And so my story Star Cruise: Songbird
came to life! Here’s the blurb:
Grant Barton, a Security Officer on the Nebula Zephyr, is less
than thrilled with his current assignment to guard an Interstellar singing
sensation while she’s on board the ship. It doesn’t help that he and his
military war bird Valkyr are dealing with their recent separation from the
Sectors Special Forces and uncertainty over their future, with their own planet
in ruins.
Karissa Dawnstar is on top of the charts and seemingly has it all
– talent, fame, fortune and devoted fans, but behind her brave smile and upbeat
lyrics she hides an aching heart. When a publicity stunt goes wrong, Karissa
finds herself in the arms of the security officer assigned to protect her – and
discovers a mutual attraction she can’t ignore.
Trouble continues to plague the pair, driving a wedge between them
and leaving Grant certain that Karissa is in more danger than she realizes,
from overzealous fans and her own management. Grant is determined to protect
Karissa whether she wants his help or not. Can he discover the truth behind what’s
going on before he loses Karissa or is there someone else plotting to keep them
apart – permanently?
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The excerpt:
When the singer emerged from the room
where she’d been getting ready, he was astounded. She looked as if she’d
stepped straight from a trideo, her sexy costume elaborate and glittering in
the lights, her multicolored hair caught up in coils by all manner of
elaborate, bejeweled accessories. Even he could tell her shoes were works of
art, with heels designed to resemble stacked planets, standing six inches high.
She smiled, obviously enjoying his reaction. “Well?”
Pirouetting on those absurd heels, she
laughed and held out her hand. “Escort me,” she said like a queen.
He did so, surrounded by her team,
including the backup singers and the six dancers, all of whom joined Karissa
when she reached the backstage area. Gently she let go of Grant’s arm and
stepped away, gathering her team around her for a pep talk. He stayed alert,
watching everyone else in the area, ready to challenge anyone acting
suspicious.
The show was already going on at full
volume. Karissa’s was the final set of the evening and when she ran onstage,
her dancers bouncing and doing acrobatics around her, the roar was astounding.
Grant stood in the wings, as close to the stage as he could, and watched the
performance. Karissa strutted, she danced, she teased, she brought a child on
stage for a brief chat, she sang full throated. The crowd loved it all. He had
a hard time keeping his eye on the audience, watching for problems, because she
was so riveting.
“First time at a show?” asked an older
woman standing next to him. “This is nothing compared to what she’ll do at the
big concert on Calillia next week. There’ll be multiple costume changes and
aerial components. And maybe some new songs, although she’s been quiet about
that. She doesn’t want Ted getting the rights to any more of her stuff if she
can help it. Things are really sour between them now.” She laughed
self-consciously and held out her hand. “I’m
Desdusan, by the way, her chief makeup artist. Chief busybody too. I try
to look out for her as much as I can. Been with Karissa for nine years, ever
since she hit the bigtime with ‘Twisted Comets’. She’ll probably sing that for
the encore.”
“I hate to admit it but I’ve never heard
her music before—it’s all new to me,” he said as they shook.
The woman did a double take. “Really?
You’re probably the only person in the Sectors who hasn’t heard at least one
Karissa song.”
“I have now,” he pointed out, annoyed to
feel so defensive.
As expected, Karissa left the stage
briefly at the end of her set and returned to deafening applause to sing the
encore. Then she waved to the crowd and danced off. Grant followed her as
Desdusan gave her a bottle of water and the two women headed for the dressing
room. “Did you like it?” Karissa asked him over her shoulder.
“Full of energy and feeling,” he said.
“Clearly I missed a lot while I was on active duty.”
She seemed pleased with his answer.
“Give me a few minutes to freshen my makeup and then we’ll be off to the
official afterparty.”
The gala was held in one of the Zephyr’s
big ballrooms and attendance was restricted to high rollers who could afford
the steep ticket price for mingling with the members of the various bands.
Karissa’s group was in the far corner, with an extra cordon of security staff
in dress uniforms, who verified the eager passengers had paid the extra rider
to spend time in her orbit. Grant’s job was to stay close to her but
unobtrusively, which he did.
Blurb
for Embrace the Romance: Pets In Space 2:
The pets
are back! Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2, featuring twelve of today’s
leading Science Fiction Romance authors brings you a dozen original stories
written just for you! Join in the fun, from the Dragon Lords of Valdier to a
trip aboard award-winning author, Veronica Scott’s Nebula Zephyr to journeying
back to Luda where Grim is King, for stories that will take you out of this
world! Join New York Times, USA TODAY, and Award-winning authors S.E. Smith,
M.K. Eidem, Susan Grant, Michelle Howard, Cara Bristol, Veronica Scott, Pauline
Baird Jones, Laurie A. Green, Sabine Priestley, Jessica E. Subject, Carol Van
Natta, and Alexis Glynn Latner as they share stories and help out
Hero-Dogs.org, a charity that supports our veterans!
10% of the first month’s profits go to
Hero-Dogs.org. Hero Dogs raises and
trains service dogs and places them free of charge with US Veterans to improve
quality of life and restore independence.
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What’s
your favorite rock star romance?
