Excerpt: Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh
What’s this? In case you hadn’t heard, during her “downtime” Nalini Singh wrote a contemporary romance featuring a rock star hero. Dear Author is participating in a mini excerpt tour. Here are the tour dates and locations:
- September 3rd – Natasha is a Bookjunkie
- September 4th – Vilma’s Book Blog
- September 5th – Dear Author
- September 6th – Smexy Books
- September 7th – Heroes & Heartbreakers
- September 8th – The Rock Stars of Romance
The blurb:
A bad boy wrapped in a sexy, muscled, grown-up package might be worth a little risk…
Molly Webster has always followed the rules. After an ugly scandal tore apart her childhood and made her the focus of the media’s harsh spotlight, she vowed to live an ordinary life. No fame. No impropriety. No pain. Then she meets Zachary Fox, a tattooed bad boy rocker with a voice like whiskey and sin, and a touch that could become an addiction.
A one-night stand with the hottest rock star on the planet, that’s all it was meant to be…
Fox promises scorching heat and dangerous pleasure, coaxing Molly to extend their one-night stand into a one-month fling. After that, he’ll be gone forever, his life never again intersecting with her own. Sex and sin and sensual indulgence, all with an expiration date. No ties, no regrets. Too late, Molly realizes it isn’t only her body that’s become addicted to Fox, but her heart…
And the excerpt:
Excerpt from ROCK ADDICTION
by Nalini Singh
“You work every Saturday?” Fox asked the next morning as they walked toward her car.
Molly nodded. “The library opens seven days a week, rain or shine.” Her work-week started Tuesday, ended today.
“When will you finish?”
She felt her stomach dip, shook it off with pure strength of will. The night was over; wild, dangerous Molly with her taste for rock stars and bone-melting pleasure put permanently under dustcovers, leaving sensible Molly in charge. “Around five,” she answered. “Can I drop you off somewhere?”
Her heart stuttered with the effort to keep her voice steady. Even she knew there were certain unwritten rules of behavior after a one-night stand, chief among them a calm, mature morning after. No blushing, no thinking about how Fox had wakened her an hour before her alarm had been set to go off, his fingers between her thighs.
She was sore. It had been worth it.
“The library where you work,” he said now, “where is it?”
“City center.” Realizing she was staring at his lips, her skin flushing and breasts aching, she wrenched her gaze away and unlocked the car.
“I’ll get off there,” he said after sliding into the car with an audible groan at having to fold his body into the compact space. “It’s an easy walk to the apartments we’ve taken on the waterfront.”
Molly’s hands clenched on the steering wheel as she drove out of the garage. “I thought you’d be on one of the private islands?” Safely beyond her reach, where she couldn’t give in to the temptation to ask him for just one more night.
“Nah, that’s not our style, but one of Thea’s minions did also book out a small hotel for us on the island with the wineries.”
“Waiheke.” The vibrant island was a short ferry ride across the water, though she guessed Fox and his bandmates had their own transportation to a no doubt private beach.
“Yeah, that one.” He tugged at a tendril of hair that had escaped the twist at the back of her head. “Fancy.”
Damn her skin and its inability to be mature, but at least her voice only sounded a fraction husky when she said, “Professional.” It was getting harder and harder to breathe with him so close.
He looked her up and down. “Boots, skirt, slinky top. Nice.”
Having stopped at a traffic light, she resisted the urge to tug at the soft coral-colored wool of her thin V-necked sweater. “It’s not slinky. It’s warm. The air-conditioning’s high at work.” As for the skirt, it was tailored but not tight; she needed to be able to move freely.
“I bet you give all the teenage boys hot flushes.”
“I don’t give anyone a hot flush.”
“Yeah?” A single word full of sensual challenge. “I seem to recall having several heat waves hit me. Four times, wasn’t it?”
Molly had never been teased this way. “Do you always keep score?”
“Hell yeah.” He leaned back in his seat, hands behind his head, biceps taut. “You sore?”
Molly was fairly sure he wasn’t supposed to care after a one-night stand, but since he did, she fought her embarrassment to say, “Nothing major.” Except that she’d feel him inside her with every step she took today.
“Good.” He tugged on the curl again. “Anyway, four times in the span of less than eight hours is excessive, even for me. Especially since right now, I’m fighting the urge to push up your skirt to see if you’re wearing pantyhose.”
Mind scrambled, she stared straight ahead. “No.”
“So if I slid my hand up, I’d touch—”
“Unloading zone.” She came to a hard stop on the street kitty-corner from the commercial parking lot where she usually left her car. “Out before I get a ticket.” Or before she turned the car around and spent the day letting him make her even more deliciously sore.
“Mean, Molly. That was mean.” Undoing his seat belt, he reached over to clasp his hand over her nape, kiss her on the lips. A full kiss. A kiss that made her want to play with that ring, suck on his lip, lave her tongue against his, her hands in his hair instead of locked to bone-white tightness on the steering wheel. “I’ll be seeing you, Molly Webster,” he murmured with a final nibbling taste of her lips.
“Yes, see you.” But as she watched him walk away, a rock god burnished by the morning sunlight, she knew that was the last she’d ever see of Zachary Fox outside of music videos or Schoolboy Choir concerts. His life and her own, they might as well have been on different planets.
Swallowing the thickness of emotion in her throat, she pulled away from the curb.
The fantasy was over.
AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER
Amazon: http://amzn.to/YZhCjx
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1ng9zE9
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1kdgjGW
RELEASE DATE: September 9th, 2014
My favourite rock band is still Queen – after all of these years :-).
Good God ! I’ve just had to open the French doors…. Hot flush indeed ! That’s my book budget bumped upwards this month :)
I tend to thinking of Nalini as a UF/Paranormal writer, but she did get her start with Contemporaries. Glad to see she’s writing more. I can’t wait!
I have a thing for Eddie Vedder. That voice! That hair! I’ve never seen him in concert, though. Some day…
Opps sorry, missed the details. I tend to make mistakes when entering drawings…. But Sia’s lastest album (1000 forms of Fear) is my current favorite.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this–and it’s excellent.
Remember that campaign that Dear Author and Smart Bitches had, to bring back the contemporaries? This book is a perfect example of why straight contemporary romances are AWESOME.
Argh – aging is hard on the brain, mine at least. Apparently I’ve already pre-ordered this. So best of luck to all who enter. I’m already set with this title.
Hole! I’ve come back to them over and over for some unruly woman realness over the years.
Based purely on preteen nostalgia I’d have to say Duran Duran.
@Sarina Bowen: I saw Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam perform with Neil Young about twenty years ago (oh gawd) and I am still smitten.
Anything by Bruce Springsteen is always a favorite.
Fleetwood Mac
If I had to pick a favorite band… Safetysuit, though that’s liable to change day by day
I’ve been listening to twenty one pilots a lot lately, but since the question specified “rock” music, I’m going to say Foo Fighters or P!nk.
As a ten of the 90s, I have to go with Pearl Jam followed closely by Red Hot Chili Peppers. I love reading rocker heroes!
@Erin K.: ugh! TEEN not ten
AC/DC Back in Black
Oh wow, I must read this book. I didn’t want the excerpt to end! A rock star and a librarian? *dreamy sigh* Nalini knows us romance readers so well, playing us like a fiddle! Aren’t we lucky? :)
I’d have to go with Matchbox 20’s first album, Yourself or Someone Like You. I drove my whole family crazy playing and replaying “Push” a thousand times a day. :)
Now I’m looking forward to this book even more!
I’m not sure I can pick my absolute favorite rock song/band, but my top 3 would probably be “Paint it Black” Rolling Stones, “Berlin” Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and “The Good Life” or “Animal” from Three Days Grace.
I don’t know about favorite, but every time I hear Linkin Park I turn it up and sing along. :)
Favorite – that is impossible to answer – I am a child of the 80s so I guess I would say U2
Gotta go with Queen.
Kid Rock’s Blue Jeans and a Rosary are the best.
I’m going old school, for me. I’m going with The Police and “Regatta De Blanc” and Sting.
I enjoy classic rock, I love Bob Serger. But I also really like pop and love Pink.
Talking Heads, if they count as rock. Or U2.
I didn’t think I’d be interested in this one, since I prefer her psy/changling series, and you know, I’ve read rock star / librarian romances before – but omg, that excerpt’s really good.
Thanks for the giveaway. As for my favorite band? None of them exist anymore. Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane (now there’s a take-no-prisoners gives-no-fucks kind of person) isn’t in the physical shape to tour anymore, and two out of four of the members of The Doors are dead. The Rolling Stones still exist, but they haven’t produced anything worth writing home about since the early 80s.
Favorite band at the moment…I am torn between Bastille and American Authors, both new albums are great!
Goodness, I’m old. I’d have to say Styx, which dates me in a big way. :-D
Red Hot Chilli Peppers
I’m not at all musical, but when I do listen to music, it’s usually Linkin Park or Imagine Dragons.
Red Hot Chili Peppers. One of their CDs is in my car right now
Definitely Foo Fighters. I just love Dave Grohl!
Jon Bon Jovi
Probably Queen.
One of my favorite rock bands is Papa Roach, they put on a great show every time! Pretty Reckless is also pretty fantastic.
I’m also a child of the rock 80s, and I adore just about every band mentioned so far. But the two bands that’ll always make me sit up and take notice are Nickelback and Evanescence. Love Josh Kroeger and Amy Lee!
No favorites, and hard to pick *rock* since I don’t listen to much of that anymore. But, if I hear Steely Dan, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Tom Petty, Rush … I’m taken back in time and enjoy the trip.
I forgot to add – I’ve heard so much about Nalini Singh’s awesomeness, but have not read her since I thought she did PNR and that’s not my thing. But contemp? And this excerpt? I will buy it if I don’t win it.
Nickleback, you guys, don’t forget Nickleback!!!
@Michele Mills: Oops DawnMarie already said Nickelback, and she spelled it right. Lol
Iron Maiden – Run to the Hills (
I’d have to go with something 80s and a power ballad. One of Those Nights by Bucks Fizz or The Lebanon by Human League. Or if those are more pop than rock, something by REO Speedwagon, Journey, Styx, U2, The Police… Thankfully the beauty of music, like books, is that we don’t have to have just one favorite.
It’s Irishmen for me: U2 for long drives and Van Morrison for nights home w my man.
Bob Seger!
Nine Inch Nails…Trent Reznor is a god! We finally got to see him live this summer, and it was everything I wanted and more! (I’d have loved a quickie with him behind the stage, but it would have been difficult since I was with my husband and 2 of our sons!)
The Rolling Stones are my favorite.
Fave rock song is What I’ve Done by Linkin Park
I will go with Duran Duran too based on my childhood. Had a poster of Simon LeBon on my bedroom door – on his knees, lots of leather, no shirt…
Based on the ads, I think Nalini’s rocker would be much nicer to look at!
The Stranglers … or Ian Drury & the Blockheads
Fav band and song is by Linkin Park :) I *heart* Chester!!!! Thanks for sharing!
Queen’s We Are the Champions
Can’t resist any AC/DC!
Right now it would have to be Panic! At The Disco and Brendon Urie because I just saw them live and I love them! I can’t wait to read Rock Addiction.
Paul Weller from his Style Council days. I guess that would be considered more new wave than rock …
Thanks so much for the giveaway!!
Bon Jovi in general – It’s My Life and Living’ on a Prayer for songs
Suicide Blonde by INXS. The perfect sing along album to play in my convertible when taking a road trip.
Speaking of preteen nostalgia, Wham!, especially George Michael.
Elvis Costello
Oh come on: Whole lotta love? Every inch of their love? Gotta be Led Zep…
Queen and The Beatles. Loved the excerpt!
Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi.
Duran Duran, Rio…..and Ladies, if you haven’t read Nalini’s Guild Hunter or Psy/Changelings series, at least one time… SHAME,SHAME,SHAME on YOU! It doesn’t matter about the genre, these books are all terrific! Trust me :)
Okay, I’m dating myself so much, but I love Boz Skaggs’ voice.
I was wondering how this would turn out and so far looks good.
Ugh, Hit post too quick. Trying to think. Probably Bon Jovi or depeche mode
All time favorite is a classic rock song: Walk on the Wild Side by Lou Reed. The bass always gets me:)
This is a tough one, as it’s one of my favorite genres, so here’s my list: Bob Seger, Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Styx, KISS, CCR, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel… My dad is a stereophile and my mom has great taste, so I grew up listening to some awesome music, which I’m passing on to my own children (both of whom can belt out Bohemian Rhapsody like mini preschool rock stars). In any case, I can’t WAIT for this book. Thanks for the chance to win!
I have to read this book!!!
Favorite rock band? That’s a toughie. Got a go with Lacuna Coil and Nightwish with Within Temptation a very close second. I know they’re not completely rock and closer to Metal, but they’re still my favorites – at least for this genre. :)
Bohemian Rhapsody – not sure if it’s my favorite, but it’s the most fun to listen to!
Bon Jovi
Chop Suey by System of a Down never fails to pump me up. I also really love Disturbed. David Draiman has the deepest, sexiest voice.
@Christina: I love Nightwish and Lacuna Coil! Do you listen to Within Temptation? Some of their stuff is kind of genre bending but when I imagine angels singing I hear Sharon den Adel’s voice.
As a classical music liver, who has never been to a rock concert, and only listened by chance through my daughter – a book like this is as much a view of a fantasy, unreal world as any werewolf novel.
Springsteen all the way!! Too hard to pick a favourite song.
Awaken to Pleasure was the very first Nalini Singh book I ever read and I have been a fan ever since! While I love her PR’s I’m really happy to see her doing something contemporary again! Favorite band? Hmm… I have to say Imagine Dragons or Kings Of Leon right now.
Spent a lot of the 80s listening to Queen as several friends were fans, still have great memories of many of those tunes
I have a thing for 80s hair bands and am especially partial to Poison’s Talk Dirty to Me
I loved Brand new eyes album by Paramore, however my favourite song of the band always gonna be my Heart
Can’t wait for this book to come out. My favorite band is The Black Keys!
Can’t wait for this one…
PInk Floyd, yo!
Muse. Definitely Muse. And it doesn’t hurt that Matthew Bellamy is gorgeous.
Lawson- Juliet. XD
For me Queen and Bon Jovi. And later Nickelback.
My first favorite has always been Aerosmith-but I also love Queen, Nickleback, Metallica…
Pretty partial to Who’s Next by the Who.
I’ve always loved Aerosmith–one of my first CD’s was “Get a Grip,” which I listened to about a thousand times. :)
Thetis, Miracle of SOund, Feuerschwanz, Saltio Mortis
Can’t wait!
Favorite group: Lyube,
Favorite song by Lyube: Davai, Davai (Come on, Come on).
but Kassav’s Zouk-la se seul medicament nou ni is a favorite, too
and Haik Borzov’s Radovatssa is so romantic.
Rock star bod? Probably Springsteen. Lyube’s lead singer, Rastorguyev is just not a hunk.
Whooa, tough question, and I don’t really have only one favorite, but I really like the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Linkin Park, Bon Jovi, and Fall Out Boy for example, even if not all of their music is the tipical rock music.
(Btw, I love Nalini’s stories and can’t wait to read this first contemporary of hers.)
Aerosmith! This book sounds great so thanks for the information and the contest.
It’s a tie between Steely Dan & Duran Duran and man am I old…
I’m looking forward to reading it!
Oh as far as bands go, The Decemberists are probably my favorite but I also listen to a lot of classic rock.
I lost track of new music while still very young. Beatles and Classic rock for me
Wowza, thanks for the excerpt!
@Katie F: favourite? I’m cheating and saying Radiohead, even though they’re totally not rock
One Republic is my current favorite.
One Republic is my current fave.
Red Hot Chili Peppers and Queen!
I have to say that I’m not really a rock fan at all but I don’t mind Queen :)
Imagine Dragons!
I like Billy Joel’s It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me.
The excerpt sounds enticing! Thanks for sharing it.
I am so ridiculously excited for this.
David Bowie’s always gonna be my fave. Just went to see the exhibit at the art gallery a few months ago, totally blew me away, they had two entire floors devoted to him and he did the narration for a lot of things on the audio tour and it was just amazing watching him figure out who he was and then go on to inspire others decades before any of this was in any way okay.
For me, Favorite band is Queen. It’s a close tie to Rush.
Favourite band is without a doubt Avenged Sevenfold and I don’t have a favourite song per se but if i had to choose it may just be Tension or Acid Rain.
I cannot wait to read this!
I like the Beatles a lot.
I’m so excited to read the whole thing can’t wait :)
Favorite rock band is U2 and favorite rock star is Chris Cornell of Soundgarden & Audioslave.
I’d say Red Hot Chili Peppers
This books sounds so flipping intriguing!
@Nada M: but I forgot to answer but one of my favs are one republic!
Linkin Park!
Fallout Boy!
Not exactly a Rock fan, the closer I get is P!nk :)
I lean toward alternative rock; my current favorite is Imagine Dragons.
Not a huge rock fan – I’m enjoying One Direction right now though.
I know they’re more pop rock but I love Paramore!
I don’t listen to too much music but Linkin Park.
I don’t really listen to music, but Linkin Park.
You got a very tasty excerpt there ^^. I’ll be buying this myself.
I just found Nalini Singh by accident and have been binge reading her books ever since. I can’t wait to read this one as well!
Forgot to add my favorite rock band – Arctic Monkeys :)
shinedown
Does it date me if I say Queen? Love Nalini Singh and the excerpt sure wet my appetite. I hope I win…
Billy Idol is one of my fav rock stars of the 80s but I’m really partial to 90s/00s alternative rock groups like Linkin Park and Three Days Grace.
is the Heroines name really Molly WEBSTER or is hero teasing her?
Shoot to trill AC/DC
Promising excerpt
I was in doubt but after I read it probably will try it
I love Nalini’s books.
I don’t have a favorite but Guns N Roses is a classic.
I’ve got really random taste in music (which makes my husband nuts), but let’s go with Def Leopard for today.