Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: More Than Scars
SERIES: Imminent Danger #1
The Road to Rocktoberfest 2025 Multi-Author series
AUTHOR: TL Travis & Layla Dorine
PUBLISHER: Sapphire Publishing
LENGTH: 206 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 27, 2025
BLURB:
Music was Bowie’s everything. From the moment his father placed a guitar in his hands until a motorcycle wreck nearly stole his ability to play,
When his backstabbing bandmates cast him out rather than wait for him to heal, they left him drifting with bitterness and scars. Now, he plays in the shadows, a lost star who never had the chance to shine.
Freshly hired to the Masterson Management family to manage their latest band endeavor, Imminent Danger. Though he feared what this may do to his employment he couldn’t walk away. Everything about Bowie called to him on levels he couldn’t fathom. The haunting look in Bowie’s eyes awoke a calling deep inside Pressley Darren. The urge to nurture and protect, to keep him safe from the harsh, cruel world.
Will the broken guitarist open up to Pressley and thus thrust himself into the limelight where he belongs? Or will he succumb to the darkness inside and continue to hide away from the rest of the world.
The boys are back in the multi-author Road to Rocktoberfest 2025 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see if some of your past favorites poke their heads in. Err…voices. Hot rockstars, stolen kisses, drywall repairs and the men who drive them over the edge. What more could you ask for? Kick back, load up your ereaders and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!
REVIEW:
A brand new Hard Metal/Rock Group series with lots of support from the Masterson family just in time for my trip back to Rocktoberfest!
Bowie is sure that his chance at being a star lead guitarist disappeared the day of his wreck. He has the talent. They all know that. But hiding away is his current MO since his long recovery. But his best friend Tony also knows exactly how talented Bowie is. He also knows that his best friend hides away because of the severe scars that lace his face and upper body. So surprising him with an early morning trip to Seattle, that winds them up in front of members of the famous rock group Social Sinners auditioning for parts in a new band the Masterson Management is building, was a huge surprise. But then winning the lead guitar position was a total shock! And then Tony, during his little outburst, gaining the lead singer part was the icing on the cake. But how can Bowie manage to keep hiding his secret and still play?
One moment you are riding down the street on your motorcycle. And the next waking up covered in bandages from head to hip is always bound to be a shocker. Your whole life is changed in a moment and there is no going backward. But Tony knew he had to keep trying to move his best friend (that I think Tony secretly was in love with Bowie) forward. He can’t keep hiding behind hair and only talking to his prickly little cactus Percilla. It’s simply not healthy. Thank goodness that Tony never gave up.
I was surprised at how fast Bowie and Pressley realized that they were not only attracted to the other man but actually acted on it. They were both so new to all of this but feelings don’t follow a timeline obviously. And they were both perfect for each other. I loved how Pressley watched over Bowie and then actually talked to him. But he knew just the right level of listen verses talk/action.
I loved that Bowie got the chance to speak with several key players from his past and work through all that. I also truly appreciated that Pressley got him in touch with Easton and then Easton lead him to a therapist. Easton knows demons all too well and he was the perfect choice to be reached out to. I appreciate that the authors take PTSD so seriously and do not shy away from the rough parts of living with it. They tackle hard issues head on. Showing the before and after of good mental heath care and support.
I am really hoping that we get Tony’s story soon. It was obvious that he loved Bowie (maybe a little bit too much) but he saw that Pressley was the perfect fit for his damaged friend.
It kept bugging me that Claude sounded familiar. I knew there aren’t a lot of Claude’s in mm rockstar romance books. Then, at Rocktoberfest, Damaged Saints and Blissfully Immune show up and it’s a total DUH moment! I loved both of those bands stories that Author Layla Dorine shared with us. Hopefully Imminent Danger’s audition finally got through his thick brain and cocky attitude. I think it will help that Bowie recognized some of his former self and will be a good support for the drummer. Because these guys are gelling and the future is super bright. But how can it not be when you have Masterson Management and Social Sinners paying close attention and are totally hands on for their success! That’s a one-in-a lifetime gift that an aspiring rocker needs to treasure for sure!!!
I loved this collaboration between two of my favorite authors and look forward to more in this series. I loved that they are blending their previous rock groups into this series and it is a hit for sure. Great starting book to what promises to be a wonderful new series. A must-read for me!!!
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