One year. One rule.No Sex.Nobody said anything about falling in love.Music was Jax’s life. He knew what he wanted—fame, fortune—and nothing would stand in his way. Then, he met Skye, and everything changed. Suddenly, she became part of his dreams. Too bad her family had other ideas.Skye’s ambitions reached beyond her small hometown. But teaching was a practical profession, acting wasn’t. When she … ideas.
Skye’s ambitions reached beyond her small hometown. But teaching was a practical profession, acting wasn’t. When she met confident, heart melting Jax, she started to believe dreams might really come true. He offered her a way out. One year on the road with his band. After that? The world would be theirs for the taking.
But Skye was devoted to her family. Her father used guilt as a weapon, one she was powerless to defeat. He agreed to let her go on tour under one condition. A relationship with Jaxon Cross was off limits.
Jax wanted Skye. Not having her body didn’t stop his love from growing stronger every day. But his feelings made him vulnerable. When he believed she betrayed him, their world imploded.
Secrets and lies tore them apart. Can an out of the blue second chance heal two broken hearts? Falling into bed is easy. Falling in love again could change everything.
A standalone rock star romance. Grab your copy today.
Coming Soon
- Almost Blue (Rock & Roll Forever Book Two)
- Almost Everything (Rock & Roll Forever Book Three)
- Almost Home (Rock & Roll Forever Book Four)
- Almost Like Being in Love (A Rock & Roll Forever Christmas)
Available now
The entire Hart of Rock & Roll series
- Flowers on the Wall (Hart of Rock & Roll Book One)
- Flowers and Cages (Hart of Rock & Roll Book Two)
- Flowers are Red (Hart of Rock & Roll Book Three)
- Flowers for Zoe (Hart of Rock & Roll Book Four)
- Flowers in Winter (Hart of Rock & Roll Book Five)
more
Another wonderful series to fall in love with. The characters in Mary Williams’ stories are so genuine and amazing. I was just immersed in this first book of a new series that I’m sure I’ll devour.
Jaxson Cross has lived and breathed music since he could remember. Playing gigs with his buddies in dive bars, trying to make it big, is what he’s been doing when he meets Skye Monroe. He’s intrigued by her and can’t seem to stay away from her. She’s sweet and shy and has dreams of her own but is stuck working to help support her family, a father who is constantly making her feel guilty for wanting more and a younger sister who needs her.
Skye is sucked into the Razor’s Edge whirlwind when she unexpectedly performs with the band in one gig, the gig where she works as a waitress, the one gig where the band is discovered by Joplin Ashford, manager extraordinaire! (and another fabulous character). The opportunity to tour with the band is a chance of a lifetime for Skye. Her father reluctantly agrees with one condition – Jax Cross is off limits. For one year, they tour and refrain from any intimate contact. But the time they spend together makes their feelings grow stronger.
After much work and sacrifice, Razor’s Edge is finally making it to the top but at what price. It seems the higher you go, the harder the fall. Relationships are destroyed, misunderstandings lead to breakups and then nothing is left. When an opportunity at a second chance comes around, will Jax and Skye get it right this time around?
I love these characters. I love that they fall for each other before they become famous. They have a special chemistry. They seem so at ease with each other and they just hit it off almost from the very beginning. I love the angst and the unexpected twists that kept me anxiously turning pages. Skye’s family is a piece of work and I’m always pleased when the author keeps it real when it comes to solving family dilemmas.
We also get to meet the rest of the band members and also Joplin, the band manager who is such a great character. I’m already invested in this story and the people involved. Such a good read. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I can tell this will be an awesome series.
I always love a rock star book and this story had characters who were amazingly well-crafted with depth of character and multi-leveled personalities to make them realistic and believable. Razor’s Edge, a fledgling rock band, discovered singing in a small bar, is given the chance to open for The Ryder Hart band by manager Joplin Ashford. Jaxson, Kane, Morgan and Beck have been together since they were really young and their friendship has gotten them through many ups and downs together. They lost their female singer, but Jax knows that the bartender, Skye, has a beautiful singing voice and he pulls her up on stage to sing a duet with him. Her voice is dazzling and Kane asks her if she would like to tour with them for one year. Her father is a miserable, angry man who hates musicians since his wife left him to be a singer. He resents Skye for wanting to follow in her mother’s footsteps and he constantly puts pressure and conditions on everything she does. He finally relents and lets her go on tour as long as there’s no sex and no falling in love. She and Jax have developed a particularly close friendship and they both want to take it farther, but Skye’s father has an iron grip on her guilt and she blindly follows his orders. I really liked this cute couple until Jax grew weary of waiting. I can’t believe that he would be so heartless and cold that he would taunt Skye about being with other women. I stopped thinking he was one of the really good guys and he never fully redeemed himself. Granted, he had seen Skye “kissing” Morgan, but he accused her of cheating without waiting for any sort of explanation. The sad thing is, she did nothing wrong but his eyes saw something that wasn’t there and they split apart, wasting 6 years that they could have been together. Present day, the band is broken up, but Jax has gone out on the road as a solo artist and is at the top of the charts. It’s hard for Skye to watch him without wishing things had worked out differently and that she would have had the backbone to stand up to him and tell him what really happened. She needed to tell him just what was in her heart. I didn’t expect her to be so weak, especially after the strength she showed within the group when dealing with each of her bandmates. Skye and Jax reunite, in a fashion, at a party where Jax is singing and writing the score for the movie that Skye always wanted to try out for the lead. Her audition went really well and now she just has to wait for a call. They find each other at the party and the chemistry and sizzle are still there, but Jax disappoints me again and in a worse way. As much as he desires Skye, he resents her, too. Their night of sweetness and passion turns cold when Jax simply sends her away. I lost the connection between the two and barely found it again before the end of the story. The ending comes a little too quickly and I really need to know how they are doing even a month into the future. I want to see a much smoother resolution. Now I need the stories of the other members of Razor’s Edge.
Fabulous Story & Listen Captivating & Heartfelt!
Almost Paradise: Rockstar Romance
Rock & Roll Forever, Book 1
By: Mary J. Williams
Narrated by: Daniela Acitelli
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Mary J. Williams is a gift author, the story she created grabbed my attention and my heart, it captivated me from start to end. The characters are complex and well developed, they are realistic and easy to relate to. The books starts off with Jaxon ‘Jax’ Cross and his friends, fellow bandmates of Razor’s Edge, Kane, Beck and Morgan playing bar scene. There is a great camaraderie amongst themJ both on and off stage. Jax is attracted and intrigued by a waitress in one of the bars, Skye Monroe, he has had his eye on her and when their female singer fails to show up to sing with the band they ask her to join them on stage to sing. Skye is a nice girl but she has issues, the main one being a controlling father who she lives to please. Joplin Ashford scouting the bar scene for talent approaches Razor’s Edge with an offer to go on tour as an opener, the offer included Skye. She gets permission from her father with a stipulation she can not get romantically involved while touring. The band goes on tour and start to make a name for themselves. The chemistry between Skye and Jax is electric but Skye holds back because of her father. The fame, the success and the stress of touring is starts to get to them, they are still great together while on stage, but once off stage their relationships are taking a hit. When Jax misinterprets something he see he loses it and walks away from the band. The story fast forwards five years, Jax a successful solo artist is coming off a world tour, he more bitter now and his success has not brought him happiness. Joplin had approached him asking to fulfill her Uncle’s dying wish, a “Razor’s Edge” reunion. She approaches Skye as well and both give a flat out no. Skye is working in her hometown, doing community theatre with hopes of getting the lead role in a movie, a role she always wanted to play. Going to audition reunites her people from her past including Jax. They departed in a bad way and have spoken to each other since the band’s breakup. They both held a lot of animosity towards each other but their reunion did not turn out as plan. I loved how everything plays out, it is well plotted with plenty of drama, angst, heartfelt moments, heartbreaking ones and a slow burn romance and a second chance to love and live. Thank you Mary J. Williams for this wonderful story and the emotional rollercoaster ride.
I listened to the Audible edition, Daniela Acitelli is a fabulous narrator and voice artist. She brings the characters to life, giving each their own voice and personality. You could hear how much heart she puts into her work as she projects the emotions of the characters as well as drama of the story into her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this wonderful listen
Almost Paradise is the first book in Mary J. Williams new Rock and Roll forever series, and is a wonderful book to start with. I loved reading and following Jax and Skye’s second chance story, and am looking forward to book two.
This is dramatic, heartbreaking and sweet. Jax met Skye right before his band made it big. After overhearing Skye singing Jax asked her to sing a duet with him one night, and everyone loved it, so Jax asked her to join them on their upcoming tour, but she said she could only go with her father’s blessing. When her father agreed it was on the condition that she not sleep with Jax. They do a lot of talking, including her wish to star in a movie version of her favorite book. They make it al through the tour, then things fall apart. 5 years later Skye finds out that the book is being turned into a movie, and she has an audition. Then she finds out that Jax is writing the music for it. When Skye comes across Jax at a party thrown by the director, she realizes that she still wants Jax, and now she has a second chance to be with him. And they both have a chance to be part of a reunion of the original band. They both have to make some tough decisions in order to have a life together.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
You’re a musician. You want to be a star. You play night after night in ‘no where’ venues traveling constantly. You’re hoping for your big break. Finally it’s within reach. You’re discovered, but you have to give up something that’s right at your fingertips. Jaxon Cross, you have some thinking to do.
You want to leave home. You work night after night at a dead end job. You hope your sacrifice will help your family. Finally, you get an offer to make all your dreams come true, but, you have to give up something that you desperately want. Skye Monroe, you have some decisions to make.
Almost Paradise, Mary J. Williams first book in her new series, Forever Rock and Roll, really makes you think. Where does your allegiance lie? Can you be in love with someone but leave them? Will you get the second chance you crave, or will fate take it all away? So many difficult topics are discussed in Almost Paradise. Ultimately, will Jax and Skye be able to make their own paradise or will they let others determine which directions their lives will take. The resolution is worth it.
I was surprised by the reason that Jax and Skye were not together. Everything about relationships really does boil down to communication and trust but then again when passion/rage is added to the mix, sometimes communication and trust are not enough. I’m glad they finally got it right the second time. I’m anxiously waiting for the next book.
She does it again!! Everything she writes is great! I couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait for the next one in the series! A must read!!
This was a good start to introduce us readers to a new series by Mary J. Williams. Razor’s Edge became one of the “it” new bands before they imploded. Jaxon Cross was one of the founders and the front-man singer of the band. Skye Monroe had dreams and waiting tables paid the bills but it was not what she wanted to do forever. Upon sight, Jax was drawn to Skye but boundaries were laid when she joined Razor’s Edge on their way to fame. Although the band broke apart, Jax continued along with a solo career and regrets. When given a second chance with Skye, can they clear the air and heal the empty holes in their hearts?
I am excited to read about the other band member’s stories.
“Through the misunderstandings, and the years apart, the hate and the bitterness, you held my heart. Now, then, always.” ~ Jax
A waitress and a singer in the band meet and are attracted to each other. She has a beautiful voice but isn’t interested in a singing career. He insists that she join his band on stage. They make fantastic music together. When opportunity comes knocking, her father tries to stand in the way. Eventually the band breaks up and everyone goes their own way. Years pass…
I really enjoyed the story. I listened to it on audio and I thought the narrator was very good, although on my phone, I had to speed up the audio to 1.25X. This book has sex and some language so it’s not for everyone, but I thought it was well written and kept my interest from page 1 through the end.
The story was good and it had a nice flow. The characters were interesting but I could not connect with them or their plight. I did listen to this on audio. Daniela Acitelli did a good job.
Another fab romance from this author! A well written rock star romance filled with emotion, secrets and lies, fab characters and a great storyline and I can’t wait to read more!
I loved Mary J. Williams new book “Almost Paradise.” She has really captured the essence of her characters from young adult rock band members playing in any bar they can find into making it into the big time and becoming successful with all that that entails. Jax and his buddies have always wanted to make it as a rock band. He hears Skye singing to herself in a bar one night and she ends up singing with the band. Her father gives permission as long as she has no romance with the band members. Therefore, Jax loves her from afar even after the band breaks up and he makes it as a solo rocker. This is their story. I couldn’t put it down. This is a well paced and emotionally charged story that I loved and think everyone will also.
I absolutely loved Almost Paradise. Jax and Skye had such a turbulent relationship but I was so happy that they got their second chance for happiness. This is going to be the next awesome series by Mary J Williams! Can’t wait for the next book.
Another outstanding book from Ms Williams! Such an enthralling storyline that I kept excitedly turning the pages to see what was going to happen next.
This new series has introduced us into the electrifying world of rock-and-roll and the band and those each member will meet and fall in love with. I am so excited to get to know each member of the band and go along on their journey through life and love!
Jax and Skye’s story is very emotional. From the beginning there is a strong attraction between both characters. But circumstances speak against them and it takes them six years to take their second chance. Even then, it’s an emotional roller coaster ride that makes a happy ending seem unreachable …
I loved the protagonists with their complex personalities. Ms. Williams makes like no other author the discrepancies in a person’s character comprehensible.
I loved this first part of this new series and I can not wait to read more about the members of Razor’s Edge.
Jaxon and Skye’s story is great! Jaxon is the lead singer and guitarist in the band Razor’s Edge. He meets Skye at a bar along the way. Sparks fly! When Razor’s Edge gets a chance at the big times, they take it. They have room for a female lead singer and convince Skye to come along. Her controlling father disapproves and makes her promise to not sleep with Jax on the one year tour. Within a year, everything falls apart and everyone parts ways.
Five years later, Skye and Jaxon meet up again. There are unresolved issues and mistrust. Can they get past it all and start over? Must read!
I received an arc and the opinions and views are my own. This is a story of love and misunderstandings. Jax and Skye fall in love at the wrong time, too many things try to keep them apart. I’m glad they had a second chance at love. Would love to see the band get back together again. Would recommend this book to all who love a contemporary romance.