Excerpt · Release Day · Reviews

ARC Review of Midnight Heat (Black Phoenix #2) by Sarah Grimm

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Isn’t the cover yummy? Lickable.

Blurb:

 

She was the only woman ever to rock his world.
But this time he’ll have to prove he’s offering more than just Midnight Heat.

The unconscious man wheeled into Dr. Rebecca Dahlman’s ER is sexy—devilishly sexy—and injured.  This isn’t just any patient in need of medical help. He is the only man she’s ever loved—the one who still haunts her dreams.

Black Phoenix bassist Dominic Price made a mistake three years ago when he walked out on Rebecca.  A mistake he plans to rectify.  But first he has to convince her to open her heart to him again.

One touch of his calloused hands reignites their passion.  Can they rekindle their trust as easily, or will her fears cause her to lose him again…this time to a man bent on revenge?

Excerpt:

 

Dominic’s level of pain could be gauged by the way he held himself, and his careful indrawn breaths. The doctor in her wanted to reach out and comfort. The woman in her wanted to reach out for a completely different reason. She’d never had such an irresistible urge to touch anyone the way she wanted to touch him. It had been there right from the beginning, their first meeting, and was still just as strong now.

She fisted her hands to keep from acting on the impulse.

“Can I come in?”

Definitely not. Even injured and surly, he still emanated so damn much testosterone he made her teeth sweat. Her heart did a little flutter whether she wanted it to or not. “That’s not a good idea.”

“Have dinner with me.” There was the arrogance that had been missing a few moments before. His tone wasn’t commanding, but left no doubt in her mind that for him there was only one answer.

Too bad she couldn’t give it. “I already ate.”

“Tomorrow?”

“No.”

His brow furrowed. “Why the bleedin’ hell not? Are you involved with someone?”

“I’m not seeing anyone, no.”

At her admission, he stepped closer, invading her space. Heat emanated off him, and although he did not touch her, she felt surrounded by him. “Take a drive with me?”

The low, soft timbre of his voice thrilled her, washed over her skin like a caress, and she fought a tremor. The heat of his body warmed her through her clothes. Wanting to step closer, to press against him and inhale his all too familiar scent, Rebecca stepped away. Physically distancing herself from him. She only wished emotional distance was as easily achieved. “Drive where?”

“Does it matter?”

Not really, since there was no way on earth she was getting in a car with him tonight. Not when just the sight of him had her hormones standing at attention, one whiff of him, her body thrumming. Not after spending the entire day thinking about him.

Remembering.

Aching.

Did he still hurt over the loss of what could have been? Did he still dream of her, of them? Had he ever?

Dominic blew out a breath and shook his head, his frustration clear. “It’s just a damn drive, Becca.”

It was so much more. Acceptance would be the first crack in the barrier she’d built around her heart after he’d walked out. With only the smallest encouragement, he would stop by on a regular basis, invite her to spend time with him. Which would, even if she kept her wits about her and turned him down, lead to more heartache. Just seeing him again made her yearn. Spending time with him was not an option.

She didn’t know why he was back in California. The why didn’t matter. What mattered was that he would be gone again soon. Dominic Price wasn’t the type to hang around. And she wasn’t stupid enough to believe she could change him.

review

As most know, I spent my 20’s living in rock clubs around Dallas.  I had friends that spanned throughout 3 different bands.  I buried one when he was too damn young.  Watched another one get shot on stage for no reason at all and then watched my own heart stomped on.  It took some time for me to get over the hurt, the pain of losing a friend and finally learning to live again.

So forgive my reluctance when it comes to rock star books.  I don’t read them.  I don’t find them sexy, entertaining, or readable.  For the most part, the books are pure fantasy and I get that but when you lived the lifestyle and some how survived through it all.  I don’t need the band aid ripped off.  Thanks.  The t-shirt is a rag now and I’m finally in a happy place.

So I bet you wondering why I read this book at all.  For starters, I love Ms. Grimm.  When I read the first book in the series with Isabeau and Noah, there was this character named Dominic that I just couldn’t get out of my head.  First of all, he’s British, brash and sexier than hell.  Plus, these books aren’t about the band being on stage, getting that contract or the groupies.  These books are about the people beyond their stage personas.  They are real people with real problems.  Oh yes, they have issues just like everyone else.

Dom was an orphaned and never had a family except for his band.  Playing a bass made sense to him, gave him a purpose and ultimately led him to the love of his life, Rebecca.  One thing though…she said those three little words to him and it scared the crap out of him.  He ran…stupid man and then some how three years later found her again.

Rebecca never stopped loving Dom but the hurt is still there and fresh.  Seeing him after all that time isn’t what she wants but it is what she needs.  Stuck in a life that she finally figures out that she doesn’t want, is she willing to trust him again.

What really got me in the book was the power of forgiveness and realizing that some families you find, not totally by blood.  OMG, Rebecca’s mom was breath of fresh air.  Loved her and I wished that I knew what her thoughts were at the end of the book.  😉  I think she would have been pleased.  I would have to say that Ms. Grimm really put Dom through the wringer physically.  Damn…

I will also say that having Noah and Isa back was great too.  They add so much to Dom’s story and in some ways, Rebecca finally sees Dom through someone else’s eyes and it opens her own.  Plus, we get to find out what is happening with them.

This book is on my “forever” shelf on the Kindle.  Ms. Grimm made me wait a couple of years for Dom’s story but it was so totally worth it.  While reading it, I felt like I was revisiting friends that I hadn’t seen in awhile and the wait was worth it.

*forgive the rant above.  Most people don’t understand me when I say I don’t read books about rock stars and review them.  Its been over 20 years but sometimes it can be a trigger for me.  I’ll stick with the good memories of meeting Ozzy, Zak Wylde, Ace Frehley, Lillian Axe, Extreme and Pantera. 😉 *

Oh and buy the book…you won’t be sorry.  Trust me…its not your typical rock star book.  Its MUCH BETTER!

5harlies

recommend-harlies- new

 

Author Bio:

 

Sarah Grimm is a wife and mother of two—five if you count her much-loved dogs. She resides in beautiful West Michigan, near the white sandy beaches of Lake Michigan.

The youngest of four, Sarah can’t remember a time when she wasn’t writing. In fact, her siblings believe she began writing in utero to pass the time. As a child, Sarah wrote constantly, littering the house with bulging spiral notebooks and ignoring the ribbing of her mother and sister who routinely said romances? in a somewhat scornful tone. Little did they know, Sarah would go on to win a 2011 Readers Favorite Award for her romantic suspense, Not Without Risk, and her interracial contemporary romance, After Midnight would both final in the 2012 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, as well as win the 2012 Romance Through the Ages Award.

Vivacious and imaginative, Sarah spends much of her day managing the family marine repair business while listening in on the lives of her characters. In the evening, she writes it all down, weaving the story as she goes. She says this method works well for her, except on the days when her hero and heroine insist on a steamy love scene while she’s answering the telephone or doing the taxes!

 

Author Links:

 

Website:  http://www.sarahgrimm.com
Blog:  http://www.sarahgrimm.com/blog
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SarahGrimm.Author
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/SarahGrimmAuthr
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sarahgrimm
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/SarahGrimm
Sarah’s Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SarahGrimmStreetTeam/

Black Phoenix Series Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blackphoenixseries/

 

One thought on “ARC Review of Midnight Heat (Black Phoenix #2) by Sarah Grimm

  1. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing Midnight Heat! I so thrilled you enjoyed Dom and Becca’s story!

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