Reviewed by Jen
TITLE: Between the Stix: Warrior Black Book 2
SERIES: The Road to Rocktoberfest 2024
AUTHOR: C.J. Barlow
PUBLISHER: Self published
LENGTH: 222 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 12, 2024
BLURB:
Shocking news comes to Connor Wild, the drummer for Warrior Black, while they are in the middle of recording their next album. But the loss of his father brings forth terrible memories Connor had along ago buried and leads him straight to the nightmare he wants to forget. Only saving grace is the bodyguard, who can make his body thrum, and helps him to forget the past.
Bodyguard, John Brand has been with Warrior Black since their rise to fame, after their appearance at last year’s Rocktoberfest in Black Rock, Nevada. His choice to stay as protection is solely for the drummer, who he can’t get out of his head. John wants more, but Connor refuses to see them no less than a hookup.
Can John beat away the dark demons from Connor’s past? Will Connor risk it all and expose the dark truth to John? Can Connor move on and give John a chance for love?
Connor would have to go Beyond the Stix to see how true love can heal old wounds.
REVIEW: This story is a part of The Road to Rocktoberfest anthology but is also book 2 in the author’s Warrior Black series. The Road to Rocktoberfest is a music festival and Warrior Black is one of the participating bands. This installment is about the drummer, Connor, and his bodyguard, John. I have not read the previous book, and while it probably gives a bit more context, such as why these guys have such a need for so many bodyguards/security, I don’t think it’s necessary to enjoy or understand this story.
There is a good bit of grief and anxiety to deal with here as Connor deals with the loss of his father and other issues concerning his past that resurfaces with the death of his father. Much of this story is spent dealing with his stalker, who he knows but really doesn’t do anything about until it’s almost too late. Meanwhile, not dealing with it and keeping it from his friends, family and bodyguard causes almost irreparable damage. This lack of communication carried through to Conor and John’s relationship. These guys were in a big of denial about their relationship and couple that with the stalker issues did leave much time to really get to see their chemistry. Their lack of communication and pushing the talks off to a later date got a little frustrating.
I did enjoy the band aspect and getting to know some of the other musicians. I would have liked to have seen more interaction with them as a unit without the stalker issue hanging overhead like a dark cloud, but hopefully that’s something to look forward to in future stories. I am definitely intrigued enough to read about some of the other bandmates so I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for more Warrior Black installments.
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