Blog Tour: My Rock Star Neighbor by Kathy Strobos

When a wary rock star and a cynical reporter fake date to bury a scandalous rumor, will true love be exposed as the real story?

Nick: I do my best songwriting while playing my guitar on the fire escape. Unfortunately, my in-bed-at-ten next-door neighbor, Maddie, is not a fan of my music. She clambers out on the fire escape to yell at me about making "noise.”  In bunny slippers, no less. But then she trips and falls into my arms.

That photo of Maddie plastered all over me hits the papers, just as my dream recording company wants to sign my band. Which is a problem, because an obsessed fan is claiming that I’m her boyfriend and now the media is blowing up that I’m two-timing them both. Good-bye recording contract, unless…

Maddie: I’m supposed to cover the story. Not be the story! But when Nick begs me to fake date, I can’t resist the chance to be Nick’s girlfriend—even if fake—the opposite of my life as a city desk reporter. But my ex said I’m a terrible kisser, and there’s no way I want Mr. Hot Rock Star saying the same thing. Hence, clause 11 in our contract: There will be absolutely no physical contact.

Nick: When Maddie receives a threatening photo of the two of us with an X over her face, my desire to protect her suddenly feels all too real. It’s either a troll or her undercover investigation has been compromised. With both our careers at stake, is breaking up the only way to keep Maddie safe?

Review

I stayed up far too late reading this because I just couldn't put it down!

It starts innocently enough - a classic, implausible scenario leading to a fake relationship. And yet, it quickly reveals itself as so much more. Firstly and unusually for fake relationships, Maddie and Nick are already friends - if you can call ongoing friction over late night practice sessions 'friends'. They already know each other, giving their romance - both fake and real - additional layers, even as they grew closer. Second, Maddie's a reporter on the trail of a story about city corruption - and this addition had me hooked. It was a delight to see Nick and Maddie develop feelings as they interviewed public servants and hid behind dumpsters, rather than the usual public galas. It was woven together so well and helped their relationship grow in a wonderfully natural way, helped of course by a veritable legion of matchmaking friends.

Not only was I impressed by how the author made a compelling story about municipal corruption and handyman kickbacks, but she creates an incredible sense of place. I have no doubt that were I to go to New York City, I could walk in Nick and Maddie's footsteps

Fiction is meant to be fun, and let me tell you, this book delivered! For a delightful romance driven by a genuinely intriguing mystery, check out My Rock Star Neighbour.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own. 

Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHZ2LNFR/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FHZ2LNFR/ 
https://books.apple.com/us/book/my-rock-star-neighbor/id6748830148

Author Bio

Kathy Strobos is an award-winning author living in New York City with her husband and two children, amid a growing collection of books, toys, and dollhouses. She took a break from working as a lawyer to write romantic comedies full-time and get in shape. She is still working on getting in shape.

Born and raised in Manhattan, she loves writing about New York City and her smart heroines who live and fall in love there, amidst its vibrant energy and the aroma of homemade chocolate chip cookies. She is the award-winning author of: A Scavenger Hunt for Hearts, Partner Pursuit, Is This for Real?, Caper Crush, My Book Boyfriend, Love Is an Art and My Secret Snowflake. 

Social Media Links 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathystroboswriter/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathystrobosrewrites
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kathy-strobos
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kathystrobos9451
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21826543.Kathy_Strobos
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kathy-Strobos/author/B09GGB2G1B
Audible: https://www.audible.com/author/Kathy-Strobos/B09GGB2G1B

Publication Day Push: Be Our Ghost by Carla Luna

The only thing scarier than ghosts is falling in love. 

Knox McIntyre has mastered the art of avoiding drama, especially the romantic kind. Ever since his screenwriting career went up in flames, the grumpy bartender has kept his past buried and his heart off-limits. But when a paranormal reality show sets its sights on the boutique hotel where he works, he gets roped into the production—and partnered with the one woman who just might unravel him.

Charlotte “Charlie” Fraser is the Duchess Hotel’s sunny front office manager, a hopeless romantic with a weakness for happy endings and broody bartenders. After months of pining for Knox, she’s finally ready to act—even if it means battling her inner scaredy-cat by helping him bring a ghost-hunting show to the hotel this Halloween.

As Knox and Charlie dig into the hotel’s chilling past, they find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. Every lingering look, near kiss, and shared secret brings them closer to something real. But unless they can summon the courage to face their feelings head-on, their love doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance.

Review

A haunted hotel, a bartender with a secret past, and the living embodiment of sunshine at the front desk: a delicious combination from the pen of Carla Luna! I absolutely devoured this steamy slow burn from start to finish. Yes, I'm a little biased because I spent a year living in Victoria, but the heart of this romance is the characters - specifically, Knox and Charlie.

I loved Knox and Charlie. Yes, they've spent the last few years secretly pining for each other, too chicken to take a chance, but they get better. Lots better. I especially liked how they actually communicated with each other through the ups and downs, and even when they made mistakes and faced conflict, they hashed it out like adults. There was just the perfect balance of external plot conflict (the hotel), external relational conflict (Knox’s past, Charlie’s parents), and internal relational conflict (just kiss already!). The ending was so incredibly satisfying on all fronts. Also, despite not being a focus I couldn't help but notice that all the food was lovingly described throughout the story. 

This is second in the series about the Damsels of the Duchess Hotel and I can't wait to read more about them!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own. 

Purchase Links
UBL (Books2Read): https://books2read.com/u/3GZYVL
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF5BTJWS
B & N Nook Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/be-our-ghost-carla-luna/1147708320
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/be-our-ghost/id6747683346

Author Bio
Carla Luna writes contemporary romance with a dollop of humor and a pinch of spice. A former archaeologist, she still dreams of traveling to far-off places and channels that wanderlust into the settings of her stories. Her books have been called “escape reads,” ideal for perusing during a beachside vacation, a long flight, or a relaxing weekend at the lake.  When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading, baking, and taking long walks while listening to pop culture podcasts. Though she has roots in Los Angeles and Vancouver Island, she currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her feisty Siberian cat.

Social Media Links
Website: https://www.carlalunabooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarlaLunaAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlalunacullen/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@carlalunacullen
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3temHlw
BookBub Page: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/carla-luna