This tour is dedicated in the loving memory of Sandrine Gasq-Dion who was taken much too soon. Enticing Journey Book Promotions has had the pleasure of working with Sandrine over the last few years on many of her releases and we have enjoyed every single one. The book community lost a great author. To all her family and friends who had the pleasure of knowing and loving Sandrine we send love and healing thoughts. Sandrine your words touched so many. You will always be missed and never forgotten by our tiny book community.
Title: Stryke First
Series: Rock Series #5
Author: Sandrine Gasq-Dion
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: October 15, 2017
Rebel Stryker has had to fight to survive from the moment he was born to a heroin-addicted mother. Raised by his grandparents, his only mission in life was to succeed where his mother had failed. Now, he and his childhood best friends tour the world as a famous heavy metal band. Like any rags-to-riches young man, Rebel definitely enjoys the perks of being in the limelight. But now something has changed. Rebel never wanted to fall in love, shying away from relationships and relishing his 'no worries' rock-star persona. But there's something about the band's new manager that catches Rebel's eye. Despite fighting it with everything he has, Rebel finds himself succumbing to man's quiet ways. It doesn't hurt that the guy loves Rebel's grandpa — the one relationship that means the world to him. Staying true to his name, Rebel fights against the tide of attraction drawing him in. But it's only a matter of time before love finally strikes. Stan Jackson is hiding a secret. A Very Big Secret. One he prays will never come to light, especially since life is pretty good now. He finally has a good job, and he considers the people around him friends -- even if they don't see him the same way. All he's ever wanted in life is to blend in, not make waves, and move on through. Now, as the manager of the internationally famous Skull Blasters rock band, he is put squarely into bassist Rebel Stryker's orbit. He spends a lot of time with Rebel's grandfather, which is not only fun, but rewarding. Another big benefit is that Stan gets to see Rebel all the time. When his past catches up to him, Stan learns that he isn't just the Skull Blasters' manager. He's a part of their family.
3.5 Stars!
It’s funny how sometimes an author makes you fall in love with characters, a story or a series even when you might otherwise not appreciate the book. That’s how I’ve felt about most of Sandrine Gasq-Dion’s books that I have read. Generally, I am able to overlook the OTT storylines or plots, the sometimes cheesy dialogue or the unrealistic predicaments the characters find themselves in. Unfortunately, in this case, that didn’t happen. Stryke First turned out not to be my cup of tea.
I found Grandpa to be absolutely hilarious and he completely stole the show. I laughed more than once out loud as I read his epically funny statements and the scenarios he got himself into. I was easily able to see a clear picture of him and his antics in my head and I absolutely loved it. I’d pay money to be his caretaker for a day.
As for Stan/Jax, I found I liked his character but truthfully I didn’t love him. I had a mental picture of him but it just did not fit with how he was described and portrayed in the story. He was the kind of character that I felt like I should connect with but I just couldn’t. Since I haven’t read any of the books in this series I’m not sure if it caused a disconnect. I didn’t have the entire backstory and I wasn’t completely invested in the characters and that could be part of the problem.
Maybe I need to go back and read the previous books. Get to know Rebel more and discover everything I need to know about the series. I might then fall in love with it. Perhaps this just isn’t the series for me, either way, I’m giving it 3.5 Stars! It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t great.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.***
Best selling author, Sandrine (Sandy) was born in Inglewood, California. Raised by "Old School" French parents, she later moved to Tucson, AZ. It was there that writing became a hobby. Always told she had a great imagination, Sandy wrote short stories for her friends in High School. In college, she took more writing classes while working on her Criminal Justice degree, but it wasn't until a soap opera caught her eye that she got involved in male on male romances. On the advice of a friend, Sandy dipped her toes into the world of M/M Romance. Sandy takes the writing seriously and has had countless conversations with gay men as well as hours of research.She's been involved with the military in one way or another for over twenty years, and has a great deal of respect for our men in uniform. She's traveled the world, but has finally returned to Arizona.
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