Second Song
Sugarhouse Blues Series
Edie Danford
M/M Contemporary Romance
Release Date: 10.07.19
Cover Designer: Natasha Snow
Amazon
Blurb
A wounded singer’s second act. A bodyguard’s redemption. Two grieving souls find healing in love’s sweetest song.
Sage
Four years ago, a brutal attack shot down my soaring music career. My bodyguard, a man I loved like a brother, was killed, and serious injuries left my voice permanently damaged.
Songs silenced, I retreated to my Vermont home, unsure I’d ever perform again.
Now I’m ready to go public with my new act. But, yeah, I’m a little nervous. So to handle security for a trial-run tour, I’m hiring a guy I trust absolutely—Antonio Callan, my former bodyguard’s brother.
But when Antonio shows up, all super-chill fierceness and warm, understanding eyes, I’m up against an unexpected risk—losing my heart.
Antonio
Touring backwoods bars with a reclusive singer is the wrong gig at the wrong time. But how can I refuse the wounded kid my brother thought of as family?
After a week in Vermont, I’m feeling more helpless than heroic.
Sage has grown up, and I’m crazy-attracted to him. His broken-but-beautiful voice knocks me out, and his quiet courage sings to my soul. The more time we spend in close quarters, the harder it becomes to resist our attraction.
Soon, Sage’s second act is rocketing to the top of the charts, and being his hero takes on a whole new meaning. It’s up to me to take his cue and find the courage to reach for a star.
Second Song is the first in the two-book Sugarhouse Blues series and can be read as a stand-alone. Contains angsty-hot pining (and Vermont pines), first-time lovin’, sappy songs (and Vermont maples), and the healing power of loooooove.
Excerpt
“This Chicago weather might send you back to Cali real quick.” I gesture toward the windows and the sleet-rain coming down.
Sage smiles slowly as he glances from the window to me. That addictive guitar lick plays in my head again. “This amount of snow and ice does not impress. But you—all hot-bodyguard official in a suit…” He gives me a greedy-hungry look, like maybe I’m one of those maple creamees he loves to slurp. “I’m very impressed.”
“Likewise.” I smile back, my gaze traveling over his features. He’s the sunny beach come to visit. Skin tanned gold, eyes ocean blue, and damn, that smile heats me all the way through.
He looks down at his tea, then he takes a breath and meets my eyes. “So I came to Chicago to take you on a date. That is, if you say yes when I ask you.”
I gently ease against the chair’s back. And then I loosen my tie because breathing has become a genuine hardship. “Sage. Damn.”
“Just…let that sit for a while. I’m too chicken to actually ask you at the moment.”
I make a sound that’s half-laugh, half-curse, and I wonder what I’ll say when I can speak.
I am beyond flattered he’s come all this way to ask me out. I’d be the biggest dick in the world if I refused. I don’t want to refuse. Excluding life-and-death and world-peace scenarios, I want Sage more than I’ve ever wanted anything, ever. But what would happen if I said yes?
Lots of shit has happened in the last couple months, but I don’t think our personal circumstances or our feelings have changed. I’d still be incapable of a casual hookup with Sage Hazen, still incapable of following him where Second Song takes him.
And as for him…
Well, he is not looking casual. Two sunset-colored spots mark the center of his cheeks. His hands are shaking. He stands, walks to the fireplace, and picks up the guitar. His left hand fumbles the tuning pegs. His right hand makes sweaty-squeaky sounds on the shiny wood.
He goes to one of the windows, turning his back to me as he tries to tune and strum. He’s skinnier than he was two months ago; his stupidly sexy skinny jeans don’t cling as tightly as they’re supposed to. Closing my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose and try to take steady breaths.
“Working on something new,” he says.
“Yeah?” I look up at him.
He turns to face me. “It’s sexy,” he says, waggling his eyebrows, making an effort and succeeding.
I laugh. “Everything you do is sexy.”
“Uh, no. It’s not.”
“It is. And you have about forty million fans who’d agree with me.”
“Forty million fans don’t know me, Antonio.” His expression turns serious.
“No,” I agree. “They don’t.”
I’m lucky enough to know him, though. And that’s really the point of this meeting, isn’t it?
4 of 5 Stars
Going in, I expected this to be fairly angsty. Thankfully, while emotional, there was very little angst as both men are recovering from personal grave loss and in Sage’s case, physical damage as well. I did find myself tearing up a couple of times but overall the story is sweet. The writing is very poetic; the author waxing lyrically about life’s similarities to song.
Sage and Antonio are both entering the ‘second phase’ of their lives, trying to make life altering decisions about their futures, when they meet. They have instant attraction and a common emotional bond which helps them grow close quickly. Once they open the sexual door, they have sex often (some of those scenes I skimmed past). There aren’t too many surprises between these two but theirs is a sweet love story worth reading. My biggest complaint is the story is a bit long and drags at times; I skimmed several times.
I’m not sure if I’ll read Shiloh’s story…I’m interested but will have to be in the right mood for that emotional mess.
About the Author
Edie lives in Vermont with her husband, two sons, and random creatures that might or might not be pets. She loves libraries (where she’s found play, work, and love since she was a kid), long walks (unless ice is involved), lewd language (in the right context), luscious romance (of any variety), and alliteration.
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