Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: The Call of the Drums
AUTHOR: Lynn Michaels
PUBLISHER: eXtasy
LENGTH: 75 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 27, 2019
BLURB:
Christmas magic comes in strange packages when the Battle of the Bands heats up.
Twelve Rock Bands were invited to participate in this year’s Battle of the Bands. It’s being held at Cambria Bay, a resort town that brings in tourism by having over the top events. Daryl Keeley, drummer for the wild metal band, Lythium Madness, is excited not only for the competition but for the opportunity to stay at one of the world’s best vacation spots for the holiday. It’s Christmas, but there won’t be any snow in tropical Cambria Bay, and that’s fine with Daryl, since every other aspect of his life is too cold. No lover. A family that disowned him for being a rock drummer rather than his sexuality. His bandmates are his only real home.
During the competition he meets Micah Bray, a bassist from another band, Jungle Lake Riot. They’re not very good, but Micah pulls them up with his unusual talent. He’s a quiet force to be reckoned with, and when he plays with Daryl…sparks fly.
REVIEW:
Daryl is a musician who is trying for his big break. He and his bandmates have been chosen for a Battle of the Bands over the holidays at a tropical resort. His band is his found family. His blood family let him go after he decided to be a rock drummer. He’s always on the move so he hasn’t had a real relationship with another guy either. But when he sees Micah – boy is he interested.
Micah is a bassist for another band in the competition. His bandmates are jerks, but Micah is very talented. He’s cute and funny and he seems pretty into Daryl as well. During a practice the first day, Micah even plays along with Daryl’s band since his group wasn’t scheduled until the next day. The result is a great session and then Micah and Daryl decide to spend some time together.
Micah’s band – and especially their lead singer Frankie – are not very happy about his budding relationship with Daryl. When Frankie tries to pull Micah away, Daryl doesn’t like it at all. He can tell that Frankie is trying to be possessive of Micah, and not just as a bandmate. Daryl knows he’s falling to hard and fast for Micah, but he really can’t help it.
As Daryl and Micah get closer and spend more time together trying to enjoy the holiday and location, Micah’s band continues to fume about it. Frankie tries confrontation more than once with Daryl and his band. But Micah is only interested in playing and seeing where they can get in the contest. Daryl’s band can tell he’s a bit distracted, but they support him and help him get his head in the game for the contest. In the end, that’s the thing that matters the most and the outcome pretty much works for everyone.
This is only the second book I’ve read by this author. It was a fun holiday story that was short, sweet and hot. I really liked both Daryl and Micah. They are both pretty vivid characters. I liked especially how the author described Daryl’s energy. I do think that some people literally have so much contained energy in their bodies that they are constantly in motion. I’m also kind of a sucker for rocker boys – whether it’s Sinner’s Gin, Conquest, or Outbreak Monkey, I’m all over it 🙂 Micah is adorable and sweet and just the kind of anchor that Daryl needs. It left me smiling and I enjoyed it.
RATING: 
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