-
REVIEW: Banded Together by K.C. Burn
Banded Together – K.C. Burn
Punk’s not dead, but it’s time to redefine life.
Devlin Waters thought he’d have music forever. But the tragic death of his best friend ended the twenty-year run of his punk band, Negative Impression. Unable to process the loss, Devlin distances himself from everyone and everything that reminds him of the band. But forty-one is too young to curl up and wait for the end. In a search for a second career, he finds himself at university with a bunch of kids young enough to be… his kids. His sexy archeology professor, however, makes Devlin think about life beyond his grief….
Dr. Jack Johnson does not appreciate Devlin’s lack of respect, his inability to be serious, or his chronic lateness. Worse, he hates that he’s attracted to a student. When he realizes Devlin is the rock star he crushed on in his youth, he drops his guard—against his better judgment.
Before they can move forward together, Jack must admit to Devlin that he’s not only an admirer, but he also sings in a cover band. How will Devlin react to his ultimate fanboy when his own music has died?
I had to grab this, how could I not?
Banded Together by K.C. Burn stars band vocalist Devlin Waters, grieving the death of his best friend and bandmate, Trent. The two are the founding members of the goth punk industrial band Negative Impression. Devlin, also the bassist, is known as Blade; Trent, the lead guitarist, is Reaver (loved the nod to Nine Inch Nails!); their drummer and rhythm guitarist are Dragon and Moth.
With the band on indefinite hiatus, Dev is going back to school for a second career. It so happens that in his Archeology 101, the professor, Dr. Jack Johnson, is cute, uptight, and grumpy, and Dev just had to push his buttons.
Jack is infuriated with the cocky, always late Dev, who got under his skin. Only for Jack to discover, this Devlin Waters is THE Devlin Waters a.k.a. Blade, vocalist of his all-time favorite band and ultimate crush.
It’s very rare to read stories of rock stars embarking on second careers. So rare that this is my first time reading about it. Dev goes back to college and finds that he enjoys his classes, especially Archaeology 101.
It helps that his professor is not only attractive but is passionate about the subject. Only Dr. Jack is intentionally making the class as boring as possible to weed out dabblers who think they are the next Indiana Jones. Apparently, Indiana Jones is a terrible archaeologist. Something I found hilarious since I wanted to be Indiana Jones when I grew up.
Usually, I steer clear of teacher/student romances, as I found real-life examples to be iffy because they frequently involve middle-aged persons preying on impressionable teenagers. The story fortunately avoids the cradle robbing, with Devlin being 41 years old and Jack younger at 34. This is also a rare look at the life of a mature student who had to deal with classmates old enough to be his children.
Devlin’s cool confidence and shameless flirtations hide a broken man who literally couldn’t face the music and his remaining band members, the grief too intense, the memories too painful. It also doesn’t hide the fact that he could be an ass, especially to Jack, who secretly bears the trauma of a one-night stand from years ago that Devlin doesn’t remember.
The romance is a rollercoaster! The highs are hopeful and sweet, with scenes of open conversations, humorous banter, and comfort food. The lows are angsty and incredibly raw, where band-aids are ripped off wounds that barely healed, and Dev walks off to escape his overwhelming feelings, which is frustrating as hell!
The healing took time, and so Jack and Dev slow-burned their way through Archeology 101, drunken sleepovers, painful revelations, and eventually, acceptance and happier memories of Trent. While the book is easy to read, it is also very emotional and heartbreaking. I wasn’t impressed with Devlin’s attitude at first, but he was willing to change. Ultimately, his journey with Jack was very rewarding, and it was a well-deserved, hard-won HEA.
My favorite part is Jack’s other secret, Crimson Corrosion, a tribute band to Negative Impression. I loved how this part brings the story full circle in a tribute that is intensely personal, cathartic, and intimate, even with an audience. If I were in the audience, I would have tears streaming down my face too!
Banded Together is a story about second chances and healing. It is a rare glimpse into the lives of mature rockstars starting over, and a heartfelt exploration of grief, growth, and the redemptive power of love. Overall, a cacophony of emotions that leaves a lasting impression!
Rating:
4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step awaySoundtrack: Gave Up
Artist: Nine Inch Nails
Album: Broken
If you like my content, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi or PayPal. Your donations will help keep this website going. Thank you so much!
-
COVER REVEAL: Devotion Of A Wolf by C.J. Ravenna
-
COVER REVEAL: The Regressor King by A.J. Sherwood
-
NEW RELEASE BLITZ: All I Want for Christmas by Will Okati (Excerpt)
-
NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Holiday Fatigue by Emily Carrington (Excerpt)
-
RECENT RELEASE: Boolgarrin by Jude Rule (Excerpt)
-
REVIEW: All Of Us Murderers by K.J. Charles
All Of Us Murderers – K.J. Charles
The lush Gothic drama of Crimson Peak meets the murderous intrigue of Knives Out with an LGBTQIA+ love story to die for from award-winning author KJ Charles.
WHO WILL SURVIVE LACKADAY HOUSE?
When Zeb Wyckham is summoned to a wealthy relative’s remote Gothic manor, he is horrified to find all the people he least wants to see in the world: his estranged brother, his sneering cousin, and his bitter ex-lover Gideon Grey. Things couldn’t possibly get worse.
Then the master of the house announces the true purpose of the gathering: he intends to leave the vast family fortune to whoever marries his young ward, setting off a violent scramble for her hand. Zeb wants no part of his greedy family―but when he tries to leave, the way is barred. The walls of Lackaday House are high, and the gates firmly locked. As the Dartmoor mists roll in, there’s no way out. And something unnatural may be watching them from the house’s shadowy depths…
Fear and paranoia ramping ever-higher, Zeb has nowhere to turn but to the man who once held his heart. As the gaslight flickers and terror takes hold, can two warring lovers reunite, uncover the murderous mysteries of Lackaday House―and live to tell the tale?
All of Us Murderers is K.J. Charles‘s take on books with covers of women with fabulous hair fleeing ominous gothic mansions. The story is set in Dartmoor during the Edwardian era.
The author established the forbidding atmosphere right at the opening scene. Zebedee Wyckham arrives at a tall iron gate of a creepy, isolated mansion, and immediately all his instincts tell him to run far away from there. The thing is, Zeb is not a believer in ghosts, so he’s more annoyed to learn that he’s summoned to Lackaday House along with his estranged brother, Bram, his wife, Elise, and a couple of other cousins he barely knew, Hawley and Colonel Dash.
Bram is 10 years Zeb’s senior, an art critic whose tastes run more classical and traditional. He’s arrogant, sanctimonious, and belittles Zeb every chance he gets. Elise is an aloof, icy beauty known to cuckold her husband with none other than their cousin, Hawley.
Hawley is an avant-garde artist and a callous womanizer. He frequently butt heads with Bram not only because of their different views on art but also because of Elise. Dash is a middle-aged soldier, a man of action who isn’t easily affected by the supernatural.
Wynn is the master of the Lackaday House, also a cousin, and is friends with Dash. He’s portrayed as a jovial host, but, like the rest of the Wyckhams, he has questionable relationships, suspicious activities, and dubious intentions. His ward is Jessamyn, the 18-year-old granddaughter of Wynn’s great, tragic love.
He proposed that whichever of the cousins wins her hand will inherit everything. This proposal not so much as stir the pot as set the whole kitchen on fire when tempers frayed, ghosts started appearing, and people lost their minds
Zeb is also shocked to discover that Wynn’s secretary is Gideon Grey. They had a spectacularly bad breakup, a.k.a. Zeb’s the reason why Gideon lost his job, and now desperately doesn’t want to lose his current post, so Gideon is sternly warning him not to mess it up for him again.
Lackaday House, with its sprawling grounds, dangerous moors, and replicas of famous landmarks, is the backdrop and a major character of this twisty-turny, and hella spine-tingling gothic tale. It’s curses, bad blood, and unspeakable acts up the wazoo, the sense of impending doom thick in the air! The creep-tastic vibes gave me goosebumps, the dark imagery was so potent, and the characters were so effectively loathsome that I dreaded their scenes
It was both exceptional writing and off-putting, making the middle part a slog because I really hated most of them. But I also can’t look away. I was that morbidly fascinated spectator, covering their eyes while peeking between fingers. I wanted to remove a star in my rating, and also commend the author.
The pace in the 3rd arc went considerably faster when pieces were starting to fall into place for Zeb. It was one tragedy after another, one horrid reveal after another, building up to an edge-of-your-seat run-for-your-life climax.
The ray of sunshine in this murk is the sweet rekindling of sparks between Gideon and Zeb. Zeb described Gideon as one of those serious people who could be intimidating. Gideon’s a bit older. He was Zeb’s supervisor in their previous job. He’s organized, controlled, and very capable, while Zeb is chaotic, exuberant, and a bit absent-minded. Zeb has undiagnosed ADHD since it’s the 1900s.
Gideon was really serious most of the time. After the initial antagonistic interactions, they cleared the air, reunited, and suddenly Gideon smiled, laughed, and came alive. Holy hell, he was a revelation! The chemistry was just magical! They’re one of my favorite couples from the author
Overall, All of Us Murderers is a convoluted revenge scheme, a messy family drama, and an endearing second-chance romance. The suspenseful storytelling combined with emotional depth, vivid characters, and a gothic atmosphere so immersive that it made all of us captivated readers.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Secret of Life
Artist: Lord Huron
Album: Vide Noir
If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links below to buy your copy of All Of Us Murderers. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.
ALL OF US MURDERERS Kindle | Audiobook
If you like my content, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi or PayPal. Your donations will help keep this website going. Thank you so much!
-
RELEASE BLITZ: Never Friends by Dani Grimes
-
NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Husky and Heartfelt by Jole Cannon (Excerpt)
-
RELEASE BLITZ: Worth The Fight by C.F. White (Excerpt & Giveaway)
