SYNOPSIS:
His heart is tied to his past…
When Sole Regret’s rhythm guitarist, Kellen Jamison, vowed to be faithful to his fiancée and love her forever, he meant it. He never expected to lose her to cancer so early in life. He’s certain he’ll never love again, but destiny has another plan for him.
Her heart is tied to her work…
Grammy-winning classical composer and piano virtuoso, Dawn O’Reilly, is overwhelmed with music-writing deadlines, a fickle muse, and high-expectations. She doesn’t have time to find love, but chance seeks to interfere with her carefully devised plans.
They’re bound to become entangled...
From the instant Kellen hears Dawn’s latest musical composition, his spirits rise. The stirring melody and the remarkable woman responsible for its creation are impossible to resist. His attraction is undeniable; her passion unquenchable. Kellen teaches Dawn there’s freedom in bondage, while her sensuality drives him to unleash his tightly controlled self-restraint. Will the ropes Kellen uses to secure Dawn’s body be the force that binds them together or ultimately sever all ties between them?
Shade is the lead singer for the rock band Sole Regret. He’s stopped by to answer some questions. You can find out more about him in the book Take Me—the 3rd volume in the One Night with Sole Regret series.
How long have you been a singer?
Shade: I started singing rock music in high school. Before that I sang mostly at church and in the shower. The choir director at school used to follow me around the halls, trying to get me to join the school choir. I decided it would ruin my reputation with the hotties, so I refused. Repeatedly. Looking back I probably should have joined up and gotten some professional instruction, I just never thought I’d be doing this for a living.
How did you become a member of Sole Regret?
Shade: Our lead guitarist, Adam, and his drummer friend, Quint, started up a band in high school called Desperation Normal. Adam somehow convinced me that I could sing for them. I was pretty surprised to find that people actually liked my voice almost as much as Adam’s guitar solos. We decided we needed to find a bassist and Owen Mitchell joined the band. He came as a package deal with Kellen, another guitarist. I’m still not sure how that went down exactly. We weren’t looking for another guitarist, but I’m glad that’s how it ended up. Kellen adds a hell of a lot to our sound. After a couple of years, we were out of school, and Quint knocked up his girl, so he left the band and I recruited Gabe to be our new drummer. We switched our name to Sole Regret, got serious about making great music and here we are, seven years later, all famous and sh*t. What a wild ride. Bet Quint is kicking himself right about now.
How long did you know Adam before you joined the band?
Shade: Adam and I have been friends for as long as I can remember. He had a rough home life, so he used to chill at my house a lot. We’d drift apart, back together, apart again. Now we’re stuck with each other almost every day. It’s easier for me to keep an eye on him that way. He’s not good at making decisions.
Did you know any of the other guys before the band formed?
Shade: Yeah, I knew Gabe. Not well. More of an acquaintance than a friend. I knew that he had been a drummer at my high school. I didn't meet Owen or Kellen until Owen answered that “desperately seeking bassist” ad though.
How did you get the nickname “Shade”?
Shade: I think it might be the sunglasses.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music?
Shade: Performing in a non-musical capacity. I’ll leave it at that.
Have you been able to move on since your divorce? As I recall, it was pretty messy.
Shade: Yeah, well, sometimes things don’t work out. I just wish my little girl didn't have to be caught up in the mess between myself and her mother.
How about answering a few questions from the fans?
Shade: I guess so.
Melanie asks, if you had to choose a different career in order to be closer to your daughter what would it be?
Shade: I’m not good at anything but singing, so I guess I’d just have to give up touring. Or work at a McDonald’s or something. I don’t think I could get through college even if I had to.
Melanie asks, Why do you and Adam fight so much?
Shade: Because he’s an ass. I love him like a brother. Brothers fight. Especially when one of them is an ass.
Megaen asks, are you going to tell your ex that you're banging her sister?
Shade: No idea what you’re talking about.
Melissa asks, will you ever try to get full custody of your daughter?
Shade: Jules loves her mom and has a happy life. I try to see my daughter as much as I can, but being on the road with a rock band is no place for a four-year-old, so I don’t know what I’d do with her if I had full custody. I do wish I was home more often. I miss my angel, but considering the life I lead on the road, I think she’s better off with her mom.
Shannon asks, What kind of music do you listen to? Who are your musical influences?
Shade: I listen to rock and heavy metal. I’m most influenced by Freddie Mercury. That man had a set of pipes.
Victoria asks, Did you have any indication that Tina was going to be as much of a shrew as she is currently while you were involved with her or was it something she kept hidden from you? If so, why did you continue a relationship with her when it could have just as easily been an enjoyable (and blissfully short!) interlude for the two of you?
Shade: Tina couldn't deal with me being surrounded by women all the time. Couldn't handle me being on the road. She was incredibly jealous and I didn't deal with that properly. So we didn't work out, but it wasn't because I didn't love her. And without Tina, they’d be no Julie. So I don’t regret marrying her at all.
Michelle asks, if you were to describe yourself with one word, what would it be?
Shade: lucky
Cilicia asks, what are you going to do if Tina finds out about your relationship with her sister?
Shade: Move to Tibet. I mean, we’re just friends.
Jill asks, What’s the hardest part about being on the road? And has it changed over the years?
Shade: Being away from Julie. Yeah, I used to prefer being on the road over being home. Now I’m torn. I love both.
Angie K asks, How many pairs of sunglasses do you own? Have you considered being a sunglasses model?
Shade: Never counted them. Several. I would make a good model, wouldn't I?
Michelle asks, If you weren't in Sole Regret, and could put together your dream band, who would you choose, and why? What type of music would you play?
Shade: I don’t think I’d have become a singer if I wasn't in Sole Regret, so I’d probably just be singing at church on Sunday. And maybe give private performances in the shower. I’m not sure if I’m a singer or just Sole Regret’s singer.
Mel asks, What is your favorite “guilty pleasure” song—the one they love but would never tell the other guys about?
Shade: I have an unusual fondness for the song “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves. I’d forgotten all about it until recently. It’s a new favorite.
Carla asks, Do you ever ask Gabe if he has any ideas for your “Bedroom”?
Shade: Have you been to my bedroom, Carla? I’m sure I would remember you if you had. Gabe doesn't know what’s in my bedroom. That’s all for the ladies and it’s going to stay that way.
Tina asks, If the opportunity ever came up, would you like to co headline with Sinners? And if so would you ever preform any songs together?
Shade: You mean, would Sinners open for us? Yeah, they’re a great band. If only they could stay out of the hospital long enough to make it to the stage. Not sure I want to be associated with their Karma. And I’d like to hear what Master Sinclair would do to Adam’s solos. Wouldn't hurt to see Adam knocked down a peg or two.
Margo asks, How will Julie feel about seeing you and Amanda together?
Shade: Julie adores her Aunt Mander. She’ll be happy to see that Amanda and I are friends.
Thank you so much for stopping by Alphas Authors Books Oh My Shade! We can't wait to read more of your story!!
AUTHOR BIO/LINKS:
Combining her love for romantic fiction and rock 'n roll, USA Today Best-Selling Author Olivia Cunning writes erotic romance centered around rock musicians.
Raised on hard rock music from the cradle, she attended her first Styx concert at age six and fell instantly in love with live music. She's been known to travel over a thousand miles just to see a favorite band in concert. As a teen, she discovered her second love, romantic fiction -- first, voraciously reading steamy romance novels and then penning her own.
Olivia's first book in her Sinner's Tour Series, Backstage Pass, was published in 2010 by Sourcebooks. Book two in the series, Rock Hard, was published in 2011 and the third book, Double Time just released November 2012. The last two books in the series are expected to be out in 2013. Aside from the Sinners Tour that launched her career, Olivia has been hard at work on a few other series and stand alones . . . of course with the music turned up.
AWARDS RECEIVED
~ In November 2012, Double Time made the USA Today Best-Seller List
~ Backstage Pass won the Reader's Crown in 2011 for both Best First Book and Best Long Erotic Romance
~ Backstage Pass won More than Magic in 2011 for Best Erotic Romance
QUICK FACTS ON OLIVIA
~ Despite the encouragement of her English teachers to pursue writing, she majored in biology in college.
~ Olivia earned a master's degree in Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine. After her beloved grandfather died of a heart attack, she aspired to find the cure for atherosclerosis, but found biomedical research tedious and frustrating, so switched to teaching.
~Olivia loves to attend metal concerts. She regularly embarrasses her college-aged son by headbanging in public and gets accused of not "looking like" a metal head.
~Olivia finished writing her first contemporary series romance novel at age 19. It remains unpublished.
~Olivia has always had a vivid imagination. At age three, she had seven imaginary friends and still remembers the stories she made up about them. One, named Splinter, was a giant talking skunk.
~Olivia is an army brat. She has lived all over the United States and in Germany. She tends to move every three to five years. Her most recent move to Galveston, Texas will hopefully be her last.
Awesome Interview!! Thanks!
ReplyDelete