Book 1 in the NA rock star series, Lost in Oblivion
Love definitely wasn’t on the setlist.
Opening for their idols on their first tour, Oblivion is living the dream. Mostly. Frustrated at being shoved out of his mediator role by their new manager, Deacon McCoy loses himself in brutal workouts. He only comes up for air long enough to refuel—and to tease the deliciously cute chef who makes him crave a lot more than what she’s offering on her serving plate.
As the child of roadie parents, Harper Pruitt has heard every pickup line twice. To her, musicians are one step above the scraps on her cutting board. All she wants is to get enough experience to run her own catering company, but Deacon and his bottomless stomach are too tempting to resist. He’s far from the typical rock star and before long, she finds herself experimenting with him, inside and out of the kitchen.
Apron – and panties – optional.
When Harper sees that Deacon’s dream band with his best friends may be turning into a nightmare, she can’t walk away. Deacon’s so much more than just a peacemaker and the man behind the bass. But she has her own dreams to chase…even if she’s starting to think what she’s building with him might be the biggest one of all.
You met Deacon McCoy in SEDUCED, now you can watch just how far a big man can fall.
The air was heavy with the scent of lemongrass and magnolia blossoms. There was a stillness to the moment. Deacon closed his eyes and let it all in. He blocked out the conversations and the sheer size of the venue. Instead he focused on their music resonating through the amphitheater and Simon’s powerhouse vocals shredding the air.
He opened his eyes just in time to see Simon jump into the pit and past the startled security. He ran up the aisle with a whoop of delight. The gasp of surprise from the crowd turned to a murmur of response that spread through the pavilion. People on the lawn stood to see what the commotion was about.
“You like cover songs?” Simon shouted. “Okay, so you may not know our stuff, but everyone knows David Coverdale. At least you should know Whitesnake. And if you don’t? Shame on you.” Deacon shadowed his eyes against the spotlights. Christ, was all the way at the back of the house? He squinted—yep, he was climbing the railing. Son of a bitch. ”Guys…how about a little Tawny Kitaen anthem?”
“Oh, shit.” Jazz hopped off her drum riser and zipped over to the keyboard. “Here I Go Again” was their cover song for the night, but it was later in the set. The drawn out keyboard solo filled the bowl of the venue. The soundboard tech scrambled to catch up, punched the keyboard’s sound up and equalized Simon’s microphone to match it.
Nick and Gray flanked the stage, and the spot in the center where Simon belonged felt too empty. Deacon moved forward and did backup vocals like they’d rehearsed.
The guitars showcased the strengths of Gray’s classical abilities and Nick’s raw edge. Not to mention the song had a built-in guitar duel thanks to David Coverdale’s penchant for two guitarists with egos the size of their hair.
Deacon watched the people warm to Simon. Evidently the jump-in-the-crowd deal worked in the large venues just as thoroughly as Frenzy a few months ago. By the end of the song, there was an uptick in people who were standing and singing along. When the band moved into their current single, the crowd showed a little more interest.
Thank you, radio hit.
Simon crawled onto the stage and owned the next three songs. By the time their thirty minutes were up, they got the all good signal to play the full forty. With “The Becoming”, they held the crowd by the balls.
As his bass resonated through the end of the song, Deacon looked out into the crowd. People were on their feet. They were actually cheering, for fuck’s sake. He felt a small hand grip his and couldn’t stop a smile when Jazz dragged him out to the front of the stage to make their bows.
Himself, Jazz, Simon, Nick and Gray. This was what they’d gone through hell to find. His heart tried to beat its way out of his chest as he sucked in a breath. Exhaustion and adrenaline battled it out through his bloodstream.
They bowed as a unit, waved, and ran to the side stage. Deacon looked over his shoulder one last time at the crowd still cheering for them and laughed.
Thanks so much for inviting Taryn & I to visit to talk about Rocked! We’d love to share a bit about our boys – and girl – from Oblivion. We kicked off the Lost in Oblivion series last summer with the full length intro, SEDUCED, and Deacon’s book, ROCKED, released in April! In honor of the festivities, lead guitarist Nick decided to interview Deacon, bassist, peacemaker and all around good guy with a streak of dirty. ;) Hope you enjoy!
1) Nick: So tell the loyal readers of this blog something, Deak how the fuck did you get so BIG? Is it all the protein shakes, the obsessive working out or just genes that made you look like you gnaw on your bass for a bedtime snack?
Deacon: It takes double reps to deal with you idiots on the bus. Oh, and that's daily. So...you do the math, genius. *Deacon tosses medicine ball at Nick*
*Nick catches the 20lb exercise ball in the gut with a grunt* Okay, fine, this is about music, so we'll keep it about music. *winces slightly and tosses back* How'd you get so damn lucky to end up with such fine musicians, boy?
D: Is that what this is? luck? Well, I guess if I didn't have shit luck, I wouldn't have any at all. *smirks at Nick's raised brow* No, seriously. We were in the same neighborhood and I caught you and Simon on the pier playing for cigarette money. How many people our age know Bad Company and Sweet Child O' Mine? It was fate.
2) Nick: The bass is pretty cool and all but guitar players do it faster, you know. Did you ever want to swap out instruments and come at it from a different direction? (huh, that sounded dirty...something I'm always *up* for)
D: Perv. You're hanging with Simon too much.
Nick: He doesn't shut the hell up. Yaps all damn night through the bunk on the damn bus.
D: 3 words. Noise cancelling earbuds. *smothers a laugh* You're learning that withering glare thing from Jazz. Impressive. *Sits back on couch and stretches out legs* I'm good with the guitar, and I can play the piano, but the bass feels right. And when it comes to music it's all about what feels right.
3) Nick: My first concert experience was Pearl Jam back when I thought wearing flannel made me look deep. What was yours? If you tell me something with Bret Michaels, I'll fear for your mortal soul, just FYI.
D: First show I paid for my own ticket? or first show I snuck into?
Nick: Both.
D: I had a growth spurt at 12.
Nick: Color me shocked.
D: Hey, being six feet tall gets you into gigs. And drinks.
Nick: And girls.
D: Maybe. But the first show was The White Stripes. First paid one was at sixteen. That one I drank way too much trying to impress a girl.
Nick: How'd that work out?
D: Puke and Black Eyed Peas. What do you think?
Nick: Your puke?
D: The girl.
* Nick claps loudly as he laughs*
4) Nick: Why the hell do you care so much about keeping the peace? Don't you ever want to let loose with me and Pretty Boy when we whale on each other? *looks offcamera* Okay, fine, this is supposed to be a semiserious interview so I'll change that question to: What kind of satisfaction do you find from melding the tempestuous personalities of the great musical geniuses you have in your midst? *smirks*
D: If I don't keep the peace then the chaos takes over. I'm not letting this band fall into chaos. Period. It means too much. Besides, if I let loose you'd need more than a BandAid like when you fight with Pretty Boy.
5) Nick: So how do you feel about groupies? Also what's your preferred way to FEEL UP groupies? I mean, now that we actually have some. You aren't really looking to get settled down right when we've finally hit the jackoff jackpot, are you? (I heard a rumor. No, of course I don't pay attention to gossip mags. Unless they have dirt on Simon then it's ALL true.)
D: Settled down isn't a bad thing. A new woman in my bed or my bunk...or if you're Simon, whatever closet is available...isn't my bag. I like knowing just where to touch my girl and learning all the things that make her tick or make her sigh. I like seeing that same smile spread just for me. The same woman isn't a bad thing, bro. Not at all. The groupie deal is way overrated.
…See what I mean? Deacon’s a good guy who isn’t afraid to do whatever it takes to win over the heart of his woman. Which brings me to my question for the readers of this blog: do you like bad boys or good guys? Tell us why! All commenters who leave their email address will be entered to win a signed copy of SEDUCED plus some fun swag. So comment away! And happy one year anniversary to Tempting Reads—hope you all have a great ROCKTOBER!
Want to keep up with the band? Visit www.lostinoblivion.com
Visit Cari Quinn at www.cariquinn.com and Taryn Elliott at www.tarynelliott.com 
TARYN ELLIOTT comes from the great state of New York—upstate, thank you very much. She’s usually busy making up stories with her best friend until the wee hours of the morning, or fangirling over her favorite TV show. She falls in love with each and every one of her leading men as she writes their book, and there’s always a soundtrack to match.
She loves talking to readers, so if you’d like to reach her, please visit her website: tarynelliott.com and sign up for her newsletter, or drop her a line at: taryn@tarynelliott.com.
USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR CARI QUINN saves the world one Photoshop file at a time in her job as a graphic designer. At night, she writes sexy romance, drinks a lot of coffee and plays her music way too loud. When she’s not scribbling furiously, she’s watching men’s college basketball, reading excellent books and causing trouble. Sometimes simultaneously.
Visit Cari at www.cariquinn.com to sign up for her brand new newsletter, or drop her a line at:cariquinnauthor@gmail.com.
