Review: Play Dirty (Brooklyn Dawn #1) by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott

Run, he whispered in my ear. While you still can.

I walked into a club called Ruin and found it—and him—when he bent me over the piano he was playing.

I did as he said, but not until after he’d decimated me in the filthiest way possible.

I loved every second.

That one, and the ones that came years later. When he sang with me against his will, although the words burned and the scar tissue left him raw.

Nash has secrets, deadly ones, and he won’t let me in. He just gives me dirty little tastes of him that make me desperate for more.

To the world, I’m on top. The lead singer of a famous rock band.

With Nash, I don’t mind getting on my knees.

But someone is watching us. And our stalker isn’t content to stay on the sidelines any longer.

The curtain is about to rise. Win, lose...or die.

Author’s note: Play Dirty is a standalone enemies to lovers rock star romance. It ends in a happily ever after.


Play Dirty is book 1 in the Brooklyn Dawn rockstar series. You may see some cameos in this series from our other rockstar series set in the Oblivion world.

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What I thought about Play Dirty

 

I was excited to see this title appear on my kindle as this writing duo of Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott know how to deliver a rock star romance that has just the right amount of everything -- heat, plot and a nice helping of rockstar antics. This is a new series about Brooklyn Dawn, a band readers may recognize as they have been introduced in the Oblivion series.  

The book opens with Brooklyn Dawn's front-woman, Lindsay York looking for some fun and finding it at a bar called Ruin.  Alexander Nash.  Their encounter is explosive.  The beginning pulled me right into the story.

 

Nash is a character that we've seen before from this writing duo -- a reclusive Irish producer that every artist wants to work with. He's not exactly an "open" sort of guy.  It takes some effort for Lindsey and Nash to sort out their feelings for each other and they get some help from Logan King in Winchester Falls. It turns out that Nash and Lindsey don't just burn up the sheets, so to speak, they can also compose and perform together in an amazing way. When another artist turns up singing their songs, Lindsey questions everything about Nash, providing a dose of conflict in this otherwise predictable story. 

 

There's a third POV in this story as well, that being Kyle, Nash's best friend.  There are few surprises regarding this character and his motives toward Lindsey and Nash, and it takes a long time for all his plans to fall in place. I almost wish there was more from Nash's point of view so I could have some sort of feeling about him, but this book was overly long as it was. 

Overall, I liked Lindsey and Nash's story.  They were really good together and I absolutely loved Lindsey. The story sings when Lindsey and Nash are on page  together and Lindsey's best friend Jamie also lifted this story up. I did find Play Dirty to be long and at times too detailed and repetitious, and that's why it's not 5 star for me.  

An ARC was provided for review.

 

 

About the Authors

Cari Quinn Bio
USA Today bestselling author Cari Quinn grew up wanting to be a singer more than anything else. When she realized she probably wouldn’t be hired as the opening act for the Foo Fighters, she stopped singing and started writing. Now she happily writes about rock stars, MMA fighters, suited heroes, bodyguards and everything in between. And she blasts her music as loud as the neighbors can stand, because hey, she’ll always be a rock star in her own head.


Taryn Elliott Bio

USA Today Bestselling author Taryn Elliott is a music freak who loves everything about telling stories. She has way too many ideas rattling around in her head, but music almost always ends up in the story somehow. She’s extremely lucky to have a job that allows her to slip into the shoes of musicians, actors, business women, tycoons, bodyguards, chefs, bakers, carpenters, inventors, bartenders, wine makers, artists, and so many more characters to come. Talk about living the dream!

 

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Review: Rock Redemption (Rock Revenge Trilogy #3) by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott

I lost everything.

Stripped of all I'd found, now even my name is a scar.

A reminder of how far I've fallen and what was ripped away.

By my own devices, if not my own hand.

My music is all I have left, and the memories of the only woman I ever truly loved.

Zoe, who owns my heart.

I'll do anything to earn her forgiveness. Even lay myself bare.

And I want my brother back.

Finally, I have a family, if they'll have me. A real life beyond the trappings of fame.

I'll do whatever it takes. Even start all over again.

Author's Note: Find redemption with Ian Kagan, our new rockstar anti-hero in the conclusion of our super hot, romantic suspense trilogy, Rock Revenge. The trilogy occurs in the Oblivion world though it can be read on its own. Rock Redemption is a full-length novel with a HEA.

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What I thought about Rock Redemption

 In this conclusion of the Rock Revenge Trilogy, Margo, Simon and Zoe must deal with the consequences of Ian's role in the plot to extort money from his brother.  The beginning of this book is fast-paced, tension-filled and had me furiously turning the page until I found out what would happen to Margo and Simon.  

I absolutely loved this part of the book, especially Donovan, Lila and Nick.  I can never get enough of these characters, and I adored the scenes of friendship and love between Nick and Simon. Their relationship had some ups and downs through the series, so it was great to see Nick's heartfelt support to both Simon and Margo.  

The rest of the book deals with Ian and how he deals with the aftermath of everything.  I don't want to spoil this, so I'm being a bit vague.  Ian has a lot to work through and he does so with the help of his new friend Flynn, and I really want to know more about him and I think there's a nice setup for future books, at least I hope so!

For the most part, I liked Ian's journey of self discovery, although sometimes he did seem a little too sensitive, but I suppose that's his artist soul shining through.  He is also very tenacious, which was a nice touch when it came to Zoe.

HEA's all around, and great journey getting there.  My only wish was that there was more Margo and Simon in the second half, but that's just me.  

So overall, another satisfying and entertaining trilogy from these two authors.  If you enjoy rock star romances, you MUST read this series and their precursor, Lost in Oblivion. You won't be sorry.

An ARC was provided for review.  

Rock Redemption is book 3 in the Rock Revenge rockstar romantic suspense trilogy. 

Series Reading Order

Rock Revenge Trilogy
Rock Revenge
Rock Reclaimed
Rock Redemption




And be sure to read the series that started it all!  Lost in Oblivion!

Lost in Oblivion
Seduced (prequel)
Rocked
Rock, Rattle and Roll
Twisted
Untwisted
Destroyed
Consumed
Committed
Shattered
Fused
Owned

Review: Rock Reclaimed (Rock Revenge Trilogy #2) by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott

I’m the black sheep son.

The one no one ever knew about.

The one your mum wouldn’t want you to bring home.

I have the Kagan face and the Kagan voice and let’s be real—the legendary Kagan d!ck.

And now I was a rockstar too, on my way up. Soaring so high no one could rip me back down to earth.

Finally, I had it all…and then there was Zoe. Sweet, trusting Zoe, who was so much stronger than she looked.

The only woman who could bring me to my knees.

I would do anything to protect her. To keep her mine. And to protect my new family, the one I was sure I never wanted.

They didn’t understand how far I’d go to get the pot of gold. And then it was too late. There was no turning back.

No keeping them safe.

I’d made promises to the devil, and the devil always got his due.

One way or another.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Fall in love with Ian Kagan, our new rockstar anti-hero in the continuation of our super hot, romantic suspense trilogy, Rock Revenge. The trilogy occurs in the Oblivion world though it can be read on its own. Rock Reclaimed 2 is a full-length novel with a cliffhanger. The story concludes with a HEA in Rock Redemption 3.

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What I thought about Rock Reclaimed

Having obtained a potential contract and interest from Ripper Records, Ian Kagan is in the States, playing gigs and falling in love with Zoe Manning, an artist, photographer and relative of Lila Crandall.  Did I mention that Ian is also involved with some shady characters and the target seems to be Simon?  

Most of the book is devoted to Zoe and Ian falling for each other.  Ian is a bit of a sympathetic character.  Although he's done some bad stuff, he's also likable and I got the sense he has turned the corner with finding love and a new family in Simon.  But he's also made commitments with the bad guys too, so that's not good.

Zoe is much like Ian.  There were times I didn't like her and then I did.  She seems very young and at times immature for someone as worldly as Ian, but there's a lot about contrasts in this book and their relationship fits. It takes Zoe a little time to give in to Ian's seduction, but I did like the fact that when she did, she was all in.  It didn't feel like insta-love here, but I did like where their relationship was at the end of the book before things took a bad turn.

There's a nice mix of Oblivion characters in this book which made me want more, and Donovan comes out from behind his phone and makes some personal appearances which I loved.  

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It works very hard for Ian's story to have a different voice and I appreciated that.  It left me wanting to know what will happen to Ian, Zoe, Simon and Margo.

There is a cliffie in this book.  I can only hope that the authors don't go "there" again!!! *bites nails while waiting for Rock Redemption. 

An ARC was provided for review.

More about the Rock Revenge Trilogy & Other books set in the Oblivion World

ARC Review: Raw Rythm (Found in Oblivion #6) by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott

Saving her was his addiction.

When Warning Sign drummer Malachi Shawcross first saved Elle Crandall, he put her in a box in his head—do not touch. Not that she remembered him anyway. Then he joined her band, and he got to spend every night behind the kit watching her shred on her guitar.

Hating himself for wanting her.

But that was before the night the band he’d never wanted to join became his family. The night he had to make a choice to save someone, and someone else was lost.

Of course he saved Elle. He’d do it every damn time.

Though she’s filled with guilt, Elle survived—with scars. With her reason to stay clean gone, even temporarily, she’s tempted to be bad.

Oh so bad.

Until Mal’s unexpected help as she recovers turns into something else entirely. She never expected him to offer her another kind of addiction, one just as dark and dangerous as the chemicals she craves.

Him.

But with the band under siege from a threat from the past, Mal is no longer fighting to keep from falling for the one woman he shouldn’t.

He’s fighting to keep her alive.

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 What I thought about Raw Rhythm

In this much anticipated sixth book in the Found in Oblivion series, the band members of Warning Sign and their significant others are dealing with the aftermath of the concert disaster that took the life of one of their own.  

The story begins with Mal saving Elle from serious injury.  There's obviously a connection there and his feelings for her spill out into the open, but unfortunately, Elle is semi-conscious. After all, Mal has usually been a bit nasty to everyone in the band and projects the image that he doesn't want to be part of Warning Sign.  That couldn't be farther from the truth -- which is that he's seriously in love with Elle.

Elle is dealing with a bucket-load of survivor guilt and she's in a bad way.  It's easy for her to self-medicate with street drugs and when she travels down that path, it's Mal who saves her again.  They end up spending time together that shows Elle a totally different side of the man behind the drums.

I've been waiting for Mal's story since the beginning of the series, and Raw Rhythm did not disappoint!  Yes, Mal is a bit of a "junkyard dog"  (one of my favorite quotes from the title), but we finally get to see his heart and the depth of his feelings for Elle. It's really quite beautiful in a rough-around-the-edges sort of way, which complements Elle very nicely.   Not only do they connect physically (wow!) but also are great together outside the bedroom (or shower).
I loved these two together.

There are some tough moments for them to get through, like a memorial service and their bandmates and relatives finding out they are together.  And it turns out there's a killer on the loose who's targeted their own. The concert disaster was no accident and when all is revealed, everything comes full-circle.

I adore the escape I find in this series by these authors. The characters are always interesting, and the romance is always scorching hot with just the right amount of drama.  

So another winner for me in this series!  Can't wait for more!

An ARC was provided for review.  

About the Authors

USA Today bestselling author Cari Quinn likes music and men, so she figured why not write about both? When she's not writing, she's screaming at men's college basketball games on TV, playing her music too loud or causing trouble. Sometimes simultaneously.

USA Today bestselling author Taryn Elliott is obsessed with rock stars, men, and her unending playlists--maximizing these things seemed like a very good idea. When she's not writing, she's losing hours to hot men on TV, and/or a graphic design project. Multitasking is her middle name.

They decided to combine forces and found that hey...this writing deal is even more awesome when you collaborate with your best friend.

And so Lost in Oblivion was born.
Website | Facebook | Taryn’s Twitter

Cari’s Twitter | Taryn GR | Cari GR

Review: Perfect Pitch by (Found in Oblivion #5) by Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliot

A lead singer, a professor, and another lead singer walk into a bedroom...

Molly McIntire loves her career as the lead singer of the band Warning Sign. Who she does not love?

The cocky, seductive lead singer of The Grunge, rockstar Luc Moreau, who through a series of misfortunate events ends up singing with her.

In her band. On her stage. Together.

It's like getting naked, with a microphone between them. So is there any surprise they’re tempted to hate screw each other afterward?

But someone sees them with their tempers running hot. And open-minded Professor Ethan Haywood wants them both, in every dirty, decadent way. For a night or so much more.

Except he’s not the only one who’s watching them—and the band. Their every move is being monitored, and when the lights go out, not everyone will still be standing.

Suddenly it’s not just about falling into bed for Molly, Luc, and Ethan, but falling in love when everything they know and love is in danger.

Author’s note: This book contains mènage scenes, and while the men are always focused on the woman, they also focus on each other. With and without their clothes on.

Author’s note part deux: While the romantic relationship ends in a full HEA, there are ongoing events that will not be fully explained or resolved until the next book, Raw Rhythm.

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What I thought about Perfect Pitch

When the lead singer for Warning Sign Molly McIntire overhears a conversation she wasn't supposed to, she lets anger guide her decision to take on Lila, aka Dragon Lady.  Yeah, you might be thinking that doesn't end well, but when the dust settles, Molly ends up in a once-and-done that turns into a relationship.

One door may have just closed for Luc Moreau, but Molly's tantrum at Ripper Records opens another door for him. They have smokin hot chemistry when they sing together, and that even translates beyond the stage into the bedroom. 

Ethan Haywood has been interested in Molly for some time, and when they reconnect at a wedding, he knows it's not a one time thing for him. Luc and Molly's chemistry together doesn't detract from his feelings for Molly and he senses that Luc wants something more than Molly. Their one-night threesome turns into a whole lot more when their off the charts sex ingnites some real emotions.

As usual, Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliot have entertained me with a rocker story that has plenty of heat and emotions. Luc, Ethan and Molly really know how to get it on (I think I lost count of O's at one point) but for me the best part of their relationship was their individual realizations that they needed each other. Loved that part of the story.

Secondary to the love story is a suspense plot that is really looking like ... well, don't want to spoil, but it takes the ending of this book into a dark place, setting up for Mal's book, Raw Rhythm.  Can't wait to see who is behind it all!

So, overall, an entertaining, steamy rock and roll love story!  If you like rockstar romance, you should definitely be reading this series!

An ARC was provided for review.

About the Authors

USA Today bestselling author Cari Quinn likes music and men, so she figured why not write about both? When she's not writing, she's screaming at men's college basketball games on TV, playing her music too loud or causing trouble. Sometimes simultaneously.

USA Today bestselling author Taryn Elliott is obsessed with rock stars, men, and her unending playlists--maximizing these things seemed like a very good idea. When she's not writing, she's losing hours to hot men on TV, and/or a graphic design project. Multitasking is her middle name.

They decided to combine forces and found that hey...this writing deal is even more awesome when you collaborate with your best friend.

And so Lost in Oblivion was born.
Website | Facebook | Taryn’s Twitter

Cari’s Twitter | Taryn GR | Cari GR

Review: Lost Lyric (Found in Oblivion #4) by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliot

He’s her good boy gone bad…

Rockstar Ryan Waters has always been the responsible one in his band, Warning Sign. The guy who kept an eye on business while chasing his musical dreams with his best friends. And his closest friend lately just happens to be their tour bus driver, Denver Casey.

Denver Casey is on the run from her past, and she’s careful to stay within her boundaries. Until Ryan becomes her partner in crime and one by one, those boundaries start to crumble. He’s the exact opposite from the guy she’s tried so desperately to leave behind.

Then Ryan turns up missing. And her terror that he’s hurt—or worse—leads to something dark and intoxicating. They both love adrenaline, except this time, the addiction is each other.

Falling for her best friend means putting everything on the line, win or lose. But if her hidden past comes back to haunt them, she might also end up risking her life.

And Ryan’s.

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What I thought about Lost Lyric

After 15 books in the related rock and roll romance series from these authors, I've wondered when things might get too familiar, but they've kept my interest throughout and Lost Lyric really distinguished itself. There are so many things I loved about it. The writing seems effortless and it flowed just right for me.  

Just like a good sports romance needs to have actual sports scenes for me to feel like I'm in that world, a rock romance needs rock music to go with it. Lost Lyric just really wowed me with this, from the banter on the bus to the excitement of the performance. And the icing on this musical cake were the many mentions of musicians and music that were some of my personal favorites from the 70's, 80's and 90's.

So let's get to the romance. Ryan has some extra curricular activities that have his best friend and bus driver, the gorgeous Denver Casey, a bit concerned and when she has to rescue him from an alley one night. In the process, they both decide to take their friendship to a new level. After a few starts and stops, they finally decide to give a relationship a try.  Ryan knows just what Denver needs in the bedroom, and they are scorching hot together. But Denver has a past that she doesn't share with Ryan until it's almost too late.  This brings a nice bit of suspense to the story and also brings in one of the characters I'm dying to know more about. Well, make that two characters I want to know more about, because if we don't get a book about Mal soon, I'm gonna cry.

I loved everything about Lost Lyric -- the main and secondary characters, the story, the heat level, and most of all for the love of music that just poured out through this book. My favorite in this series (so far) and one of my 2017 favorites.

ARC provided for review.

About the Authors 
USA Today bestselling author Cari Quinn likes music and men, so she figured why not write about both? When she's not writing, she's screaming at men's college basketball games on TV, playing her music too loud or causing trouble. Sometimes simultaneously.

USA Today bestselling author Taryn Elliott is obsessed with rock stars, men, and her unending playlists--maximizing these things seemed like a very good idea. When she's not writing, she's losing hours to hot men on TV, and/or a graphic design project. Multitasking is her middle name.

They decided to combine forces and found that hey...this writing deal is even more awesome when you collaborate with your best friend.

And so Lost in Oblivion was born.

Website | Facebook | Taryn’s Twitter

Cari’s Twitter | Taryn GR | Cari GR

Review:Dirty Duet (Found in Oblivion #3) by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott

He’s the wildest guy in his band, but falling for a virgin groupie-in-disguise might be his craziest move yet.

Keyboardist West Reynolds’s idea of commitment? Going out for breakfast with a woman after a night of bed-breaking action. The only thing he gets serious about is Warning Sign, the band he formed with his two best friends. Then he meets a woman being hauled off by security, and she’s fascinated by him.

To her, he’s a subject to study. Like a bug under a microscope with a big…head.

Lauren Bryant is a student of psychology, and now she’s going in depth on rockstars. Specifically, fans. What makes a woman turn into a lust-driven groupie?

Is it the music?

The fame?

The men?

She isn’t sure, but she never expected to get her own night with a rockstar. One where he’s on top, doing some studying of his own…

She isn’t sure, but she never expected to get her own night with a rockstar. And she just figured out the ultimate way to get inside a subject is to let the subject inside you…

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What I thought about Dirty Duet

Every rockstar romance from this writing duo has been a lot of fun so far, with just the right mix of drama, rock, and romance.  Dirty Duet is no different, and it continues to amaze me how the characters from Cari and Taryn are always unique and interesting.

In Dirty Duet, Lauren is out researching fandom and she's chosen Warning Sign as her research material.  When West Reynolds crowd surfs out to her, and she whips off her shirt, well... game on.

I really liked West. He was sensitive and caring although not too confident when it came to women.  His backstory explains that quite well.  Lauren on the other hand is a brash-mouthed straight-shooter that wants to experience it all.  There's an insta-lust spark between these two that turns into something much more during the time Lauren is on tour with West.

I loved Lauren. She's cute, funny and forward. She says what she means, and she's open to the experiences West brings to her. Some readers may find it hard to believe that she's still a virgin with the mouth she has (TG for Tumblr), but I found it believable that she hadn't had the opportunity to lose her v-card yet. Not everyone cashes that in early!

Anyway, this was another in this series that I enjoyed and there are glimpses of characters from the other rock series from Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliott that always makes it fun to read.

If you are looking for a steamy, sexy falling-on-love story with not a whole lot of drama, Dirty Duet might be for you. 

ARC provided for review. 

About the Authors 

USA Today bestselling author Cari Quinn likes music and men, so she figured why not write about both? When she's not writing, she's screaming at men's college basketball games on TV, playing her music too loud or causing trouble. Sometimes simultaneously.

USA Today bestselling author Taryn Elliott is obsessed with rock stars, men, and her unending playlists--maximizing these things seemed like a very good idea. When she's not writing, she's losing hours to hot men on TV, and/or a graphic design project. Multitasking is her middle name.

They decided to combine forces and found that hey...this writing deal is even more awesome when you collaborate with your best friend.

And so Lost in Oblivion was born.

Website | Facebook | Taryn’s Twitter 

Cari’s Twitter | Taryn GR | Cari GR

 

Review:Triple Trouble (Found in Oblivion #2) by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliot

She wasn't looking to fall in love with one man. Never mind two.

Juliet Reece grew up in the shadow of her seemingly perfect older sister, Margo Reece. While Juliet's wealthy, blue-blood parents dealt with infidelity, Juliet fought for normalcy. Now she's the bassist in Warning Sign, a band on the rise, and she finally feels like she's making space for herself in the world. It's her time to shine, and she's ready to have fun and focus on her career.

Until Randy "Sparks" Pruitt nearly blows up her life. Literally.

She can't stand the guy. She definitely hasn't fantasized about gripping a handful of his hair and—no. Not happening.

Then there's Tristan Eves, Sparks' new friend. He's the exact opposite of Sparks. Playful. Naughty. Arousing. Suddenly, she's on the verge of something wilder than she's ever experienced before. Two seductive men, hers for the taking—if she can handle the heat.

If double trouble is dangerous, watch out for the power of three...

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What I thought about Triple Trouble

I was very excited to get more of this new series from Cari Quinn and Taryn Elliot. In this second installment, bassist Juliet Reece is faced with a dilemma.  She's got two men that are interested in her and they are willing to share -- is she willing to go for it?  Of course, the answer is a big, resounding yes.

Tristan Eves and his best friend and roommate Randy Pruitt both have eyes for Juliet and who can blame them, she's the hot bass player in the band and she's got a bit of a wildness to her. Randy is really in trouble, because he really likes Juliet and wants a real relationship, but Tristan is a bit more casual about it all, that is until he finds  himself falling for the adventurous Juliet.  

I'm always interesting in reading how other emotions like jealousy and differing levels of commitment.  There's some conflict here, but it is very mild and easily talked through. I would have liked a little more story to go along with their playtime.  

This book is filled with their sexual play and it is hot, hot, hot.  If you like polyamorous sex and relationships, this book is definitely for you because these three heat up lots of interesting places! 

If you are looking for an erotic rock star threesome, Juliet, Sparks and Tristan are definitely a trio you should check out! 

ARC provided for review. 

About the Authors
 

USA Today bestselling author Cari Quinn likes music and men, so she figured why not write about both? When she's not writing, she's screaming at men's college basketball games on TV, playing her music too loud or causing trouble. Sometimes simultaneously.

USA Today bestselling author Taryn Elliott is obsessed with rock stars, men, and her unending playlists--maximizing these things seemed like a very good idea. When she's not writing, she's losing hours to hot men on TV, and/or a graphic design project. Multitasking is her middle name.

They decided to combine forces and found that hey...this writing deal is even more awesome when you collaborate with your best friend.

And so Lost in Oblivion was born.

Website | Facebook | Taryn’s Twitter 

Cari’s Twitter | Taryn GR | Cari GR