Veena’s review of Rock Steady (Rock Band, Book 2) by Dawn Ryder
Contemporary Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 7 Jun 16
The bad boys in Toxsin have a lot of angst which they camouflage under the high-profile life of a rocker with money to burn, millions of screaming fans and groupies galore. Synon, the lead singer of the band, has changed his ways and is actually composing love ballads now that he’s met Kate. We caught a glimpse under Ramsey’s skin in Rock Me Two Times, so it comes as no surprise that a jilted groupie would avenge herself by inking him with an inappropriate tattoo that he’d have to explain to his fans the next time he’s up on stage.
Clearly this has to be fixed before he becomes a laughing stock to his fans. Bingo! He finds Jewel, a struggling artist, who, despite her dire circumstances, is extremely talented and does a superb job of covering up and creating an exclusive signature tattoo. Ramsey persuades her to go on tour with the band as his personal tattooist. It doesn’t hurt his cause that she’s fired and evicted from her apartment, leaving her with few alternatives to pursue her art and independence.
Jewel is a great character. I really enjoyed her feisty personality and how she holds her own with all the members of the band, including Ramsey. It is inevitable that Ramsey starts to wear her down, especially once she sees him in concert. The two tumble into bed and so begins a series of really hot and lusty encounters, once they’ve settled the virginity quarrel, i.e., she didn’t tell him before he found the blood on the sheets.
I have very mixed feelings about Ramsey, who’s in denial of his feelings and has no qualms of pursuing other women while trying to start an exclusive relationship with Jewel. However, he makes no bones about expressing his jealousy when Jewel pursues her career with a competitor over a dinner meeting. While I am not sure that I’m a fan of all of Ramsey’s actions or Jewel’s acceptance of them, there are some interesting moments when he takes her to visit his parents, who don’t approve of his lifestyle choices or when Ramsey shows up to apologize and goes down on bended knee to Jewel at her parent’s home.
I have enjoyed the series so far and definitely want to find out how the rest of the band will go about finding their own HEA and how the dynamics of their relationship will change.
Grade: B
Summary:
He kept it casual
Superstar guitarist Ramsey’s reputation as a bad-boy rocker is exceeded only by his dedication to his music. He’s worked hard for the success of his hit metal band Toxsin, and he intends to enjoy it-completely. When a jilted groupie gets back at him for a one-night stand with an intimate-and completely inappropriate-tattoo, he needs it fixed, and fast. Sparks fly between Ramsey and his new tattoo artist, and Ramsey finds himself hoping for more than new ink.Until she made him want more
When a high-profile tattoo job lands Jewel an invite on Toxsin’s latest tour, she can’t say no. It’ll be great exposure, after all. What she’s really worried about is ruining the gig by hooking up with the first guy to completely rock her world. She knows she should resist-Ramsey’s not the kind to stick around for a morning after. But the way he makes her feel-as an artist and a woman-could be worth any risk.
Other books in this series:
