Fall for Me and Take What You Want -- By Ann Lister

Fall for Me

Book Blurb: 

Entertainment journalist, Ryan Pierce, meets the infamous bad-boy rocker, Dagger Drummond, and walks away with a great interview and a scandalous news bit that has the potential to turn the music world on its ear. Exposing the story would boost Ryan's career, but it would also come with the risk of ruining Dagger's privacy – and possibly his Rock God status.

The unlikely friendship that develops between Dagger and Ryan brings Ryan to question more than just his journalistic oath to report the news. It also forces him to take a look at himself and newly discovered feelings – feelings that make Ryan blind to the risk of becoming front page news himself.

Will Ryan find the courage to make a life decision to give himself true happiness with Dagger or take the path that would likely lead to heartbreak and destroy his career forever?

** Fall For Me is currently a Finalist for the 2013 Rainbow Award in the gay erotic romance category

Melinda's Review:

This was the first Ann Lister book I have read.   Take note this is a M/M romance.  I enjoyed reading this love story about Dagger the famous rock star and Ryan the Music Magazine Reporter who could not be more different. 

Dagger is the typical rock star. He is sexy and can have any girl anytime.  However, Dagger leads a secret life that only his close personal friends know about.  That is until Ryan Pierce comes to interview him for an article in Music Spin Magazine.  Ryan walks in on Dagger with a man.  Dagger is furious but as soon as he sees Ryan and forgets about being angry.  However, this attraction is a one way street because Ryan is not into Men…or is he? 

Dagger and Ryan begin their relationship as friends.  Talking with Dagger and spending time with him makes Ryan take a good look at who he is.  Ryan knows he is straight always has been but is confused as to why he is thinking and dreaming of Dagger like he does.  Ryan has an amazing ex-girlfriend, Beth, that he talks to and helps him threw things.  I think it is funny that after Ryan meets Dagger he gets hit on by his co-worker, Sebastian, and Zander Metcalf, another rock star and friend of Daggers, which throws Ryan.

  

This is a wonderful love story that has ups, down, dark times, good times, and secrets.  I love the side friendships between Ryan and Beth and then Dagger and Zander.  I loved how Ryan and Dagger started their relationship as a friendship and how patient Dagger was at letting Ryan figure things out well with a little nudge here and there.  I did have some teary eyed moments when things weren’t the best for the two of them.  However, I liked how well Ryan handled Dagger’s situation at the end.  What to know what it was about and how he handled it?  Well you're going to have to read the book to find out.  

I enjoyed this rocker book and the love story that went with it.  I’m going to jump right into Take What You Want and read about the yummy Zander.  

A few of my favorite quotes from Dagger: 

“If you spend too much time thinking about doing something, you won’t ever have enough time to experience it – or feel it. And feeling is the best part of anything. That’s how we know we’re alive.”

‘Your past wasn’t a lie,” he said. “What you felt then was real – in that moment, but as we age we evolve. We discover new things about ourselves; preferences, and so on. It’s all part of defining who we are – who we were meant to be. I think that’s what’s happening to you.”

Take What You Want

Book Blurb:

Mega rock star, Alex “Zander” Metcalf is burned out after nearly two years touring with his band, as well as emotionally drained after his sexual preferences were exposed by the media. He is ready for a long sabbatical – alone, and retreats to the east coast island of Martha's Vineyard; leasing an oceanside estate. 

Alex seeks the quiet lifestyle of a recluse to write new material for his band, only to meet the handsome estate manager, Chase, and his gorgeous fiancée, Danni, living in the guest house on his property. Alex's hope of solitude is soon forgotten when he discovers Chase has a repressed bi-sexual side that is aching to surface and Alex is more than happy to help him explore it.  

What neither Alex or Chase expects is the emotional power of their chemistry expanding to involve the three of them when Danni becomes entangled in their passion. Alex believes he has finally found his perfect menage relationship with Chase and Danni.
 

Sometimes two isn't enough and it takes three to complete the union of a fulfilled love. But, will their new relationship be strong enough to survive when real life wants to punish them for their unconventional love? And, can they be confident in the strength of their love to take the 'happily ever after' they can only give each other?

  

Melinda's Review:

I really liked this story of three souls colliding together when they had no idea three really could be better than two.  The is the second book in The Rock God series and is about Zander (Alex) who we were introduced to in Fall for Me.  I instantly liked this guy. 

Let me introduce you to Zander (Alex), a rock star, trying to get away from everything after everything that went down with Ryan and Dagger and being “outed” for being bi-sexual when he left for Martha’s Vineyard.  Then there is Danni and Chase who engaged and living a great life, or so Danni thinks.

Danni realizes that Chase may have bisexual feelings when she surprises him by coming home early one day.   When Danni leaves town for classes, Alex rents the main house of the estate that Chase takes care of and where he and Danni lives.  Alex is attracted to Chase and Chase to Alex, but neither will act on this attraction because of Danni.  I love that Chase is so open and honest with Danni and tells her about his curiosity about Alex and that Chase and Alex would not do anything until they had the approval from Danni. 

Things are going great between Alex and Chase and then Danni comes back. Alex and Chase what to try a “tripod” but Danni is apprehensive.  She just doesn’t think she can love both guys and she knows Alex and Chase love each other.  Alex spends time with Danni and falls in love with her too. Chase is conflicted on what to do he loves Alex and Danni but he doesn’t want to lose Danni.  Want to find out if Alex is able to get Danni to admit she loves him and Chase or if Alex walks away from it all?  Scroll down and one click Take What You Want. 

I loved that we get to see Dagger and Ryan again and we get to meet the band members of Ivory Tower.  I cannot wait for the next book. 

Here are a few of my favorites:

“Your kiss is volatile,” Alex said.

Given time, Chase was certain Alex could charm a nun out of her habit.

Alex swallowed hard, suddenly nervous about doing something he found as natural as breathing. He wanted it to be special for Danni, wanted this to mean something to her, and he wanted her to ache for him, the way he did for her.

I’m afraid you’ll never look at me the way you look at Chase and I’m afraid I’m not going to be good enough for you.   ~Alex

“I’m crazy about you,” he whispered into the wisps of Chase’s hair.  “Do you realize that? You crawled inside my heart and I’m a goner now. I hope your happy with yourself.”

About the Author:
 

Ann Lister is a native New Englander currently living on the island of Martha's Vineyard with her husband. She has pulled details from her years living in the New England area and uses many local settings and landmarks in her novels.

After graduating art school and raising two daughters, she established her own video production company. Her nearly two decades working in video production included work within the music industry and won her a coveted Telly Award. It was this 'behind-the-scenes' exposure to the music world that inspired many of her novels.

In 2013 she released Book One of her new rock star series: The Rock Gods. Book One is titled, Fall For Me. This novel is her first full-length gay, erotic romance and it is also a Finalist novel for the 2013 Rainbow Award.

Book Two in the Rock Gods series is titled, Take What You Want. This story is a m/m/f menage and released in early November 2013. Book Three, titled: Make You Mine, is expected to release in Spring of 2014.

When not writing, she enjoys reading, creating stained glass, and traveling.