Veena’s review of Wicked Beat (The Sinners on Tour, Book 5) by Olivia Cunning
Contemporary Erotic Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 06 Aug 13
I’ve read such rave reviews of this author’s work that I absolutely had to read Hot Ticket when I got that chance. It was probably not the first book by her to have read and, consequently, it didn’t do much for me. Wanting to give the author another chance for a spot on my bookshelf, I picked up a her latest, and I now definitely have a deeper understanding of why her work is so popular.
Music gave Eric an outlet that eventually helped him escape from his miserable life as a foster child. Joining up with the Sinners gave him a family that he had never had before. He is so grateful for his chance with the Sinners that he never truly allows himself to realize his own worth, until Rebekah Blake joins the group on tour as the soundboard operator.
Rebekah has her own issues and a lot to prove. She has recently recovered from a devastating illness and abandonment from her fiancée making her feel less like a woman. She has a serious case of hero worship for Trey, the lead guitarist of the group, and would drop her pants in a hurry for the womanizing “Sinner,” but Eric strikes a chord with her too.
We see what appears to be a new look for Trey who actually takes a back seat on his own sexual needs and pushes Rebekah and Eric together in a way that gives Rebekah a unique insight into who Eric really is. Recognizing a kindred spirit, she sets out to help Eric. He is a voyeur and has had a ringside seat as the other Sinners go their merry way with the groupies who fling themselves on the group. Unfortunately for him, he suffers from premature ejaculation and that has always held him back from developing his own relationships until Rebekah takes him in hand and helps him develop staying power.
Along the way they manage to help each other work through the other’s demons, even as they navigate Bible-quoting mothers, vindictive ex-boyfriends, groupies and jealous teammates. All the characters are wonderfully fleshed out, particularly Rebekah, Eric, Trey, and some of the other secondary characters. There are some really strong story elements as we explore both Eric and Rebekah’s pasts and what brought them to this place together. It seems like Trey may actually also be able to move past Brian and get on with his life, as the author crafts a great hook for her next story, which I presume will be Trey’s.
However, the one thing that exhausted me is the sheer variety and frequency of sex scenes. It just seems like we get a few lines of story, a lot of sex and an education in sex toys and role playing. But, interestingly, the jarring note I find is that with such explicit sexual encounters on every other page in the book is that the author consistently referred to Eric’s erection as excitement.
Anyhow, If you like erotica with a touch of romance thrown in, then you’ll really enjoy this book.
Grade: B-
Summary:
From the moment he lays eyes on Sinners’ new front of house soundboard operator, drummer Eric Sticks knows he has to make Rebekah his. Unfortunately, she’s too busy trying to seduce guitarist Trey Mills to pay him much attention. Rebekah never planned to fall for the tall, goofy drummer with the weird sense of humor and a heart the size of the galaxy, but Eric makes her laugh and his constant attention makes her feel sexy and irresistible–exactly what she needs after the things her last lover said to her. A woman who gives as much as she takes, Rebekah makes Eric feel like a total stud–exactly what he needs after surviving a decade of watching the incredibly talented members of Sinners from the wings.
No excerpt available.
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