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Demon Rock #2
Slam Dance with the Devil
Book two of Demon Rock
All those wild rock stars you hear about? Some of them really are demons, sustained by the energy pouring off the audience…
Wild, destructive and immortal, rocker Kent Gaol has given up the search for his Muse—a demon's one true source of inspiration, his forever partner. After losing the one woman he thought might be his, he's convinced she doesn't exist.
Hard-as-nails private investigator Nona Harris has been hired by a mysterious client to track Kent. She knows nothing of his truths, until one night when Kent tricks her on stage during one of his concerts. Amazingly, she not only senses the energy around the demons, she feeds from it…and it turns her on.
Kent never expected Nona's response to be so intense, nor that she could enter his world and so thoroughly rock it. This is beyond a tumultuous love affair—this is a sexual and emotional bond that will change them both forever. A bond strong enough that now Nona's shady client wants them both dead…
All those wild rock stars you hear about? Some of them really are demons, sustained by the energy pouring off the audience…
Wild, destructive and immortal, rocker Kent Gaol has given up the search for his Muse—a demon's one true source of inspiration, his forever partner. After losing the one woman he thought might be his, he's convinced she doesn't exist.
Hard-as-nails private investigator Nona Harris has been hired by a mysterious client to track Kent. She knows nothing of his truths, until one night when Kent tricks her on stage during one of his concerts. Amazingly, she not only senses the energy around the demons, she feeds from it…and it turns her on.
Kent never expected Nona's response to be so intense, nor that she could enter his world and so thoroughly rock it. This is beyond a tumultuous love affair—this is a sexual and emotional bond that will change them both forever. A bond strong enough that now Nona's shady client wants them both dead…
203 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Nico Rosso
45 books59 followersNico Rosso was a writer in search of a genre until his wife, Zoë Archer, brought romance into his life in more ways than one. He’s created sci-fi and post-apocalyptic romance worlds, as well as working with his wife on the steampunk Ether Chronicles series. His paranormal Demon Rock series brought you satyr rock stars and the Muses who fed them. With the romantic suspense Black Ops: Automatik series, he takes you into the deep dark world of secret operations designed to protect the innocent.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 15, 2014
Originally published at Reading Reality
How many demons does it take to make a rock and roll band? In Slam Dance with the Devil, the hit band Arc Map has three, Kent on bass, Isis on guitar and Unger playing the drums. They go from concert to concert, playing gig after gig so they can soak up the energy from the audience.
Literally. They are demons who feed on that energy, and they’ve been feeding on their audiences since humankind made music by beating on rocks.
It’s a nomadic life, and has been for millennia. They’ve played every kind of music that has ever been. The demons that don’t manage to reinvent themselves and change with the audiences, die of hunger.
Every demon is supposed to have one Muse that changes everything. Once they find their Muse, they can only feed from that one person. They live together, or they die apart.
In Heavy Metal Heart, Trevor Sands finds his Muse. His music gets better, but the revelation that Muses are real and not just myth strikes ripples through all of the other demons, and their enemies, the Philosophers.
That’s where private investigator Nona Harris comes in. She’s been sent by a client she’s never met to follow Arc Map and particularly Kent Gaol. She’s been told that a family wants to make sure he is paid back for the heartbreak he dealt to their child Lorena. Nona figures that if she follows the band, eventually Kent will trip up and do something illegal, and she’ll be there to nab him.
She’s had cases like that before, where someone thinks they are too rich and famous to be held accountable. Nona usually proves otherwise.
But when she catches up with Kent, she discovers that he’s not like her other cases, and not just because she finds him intensely sexy. Even as he challenges her, something about the darkness she sees in him makes her think that her case isn’t what she thought it was.
She sees grief and not guilt, and finds herself filled with doubt as well as distraction.
Then she is lured onstage during one of Arc Map’s concerts, and she sees the energy of the audience raining down on the band; and on herself. Her world is not what she thought it was.
And she discovers that she’s been searching for Kent all her life. She just never knew what he was--until now.
Escape Rating B: Like Heavy Metal Heart, Slam Dance with the Devil is a very erotic love story. If you’ve read any of Olivia Cunning’s Sinners on Tour series, it’s that hot, without the threesomes. This is totally Kent and Nona’s story.
Both of them resist the almost gravimetric pull they have towards each other. Nona because she starts out believing that Kent is scum, and Kent because he believes that the woman who should have been his Muse is already dead--murdered by the Philosophers.
The war between the Philosophers and the demons is all about order vs chaos. While that may sound like good vs evil, it’s actually not. Order can be so rigid as to suppress life, and chaos, in the right dose, is more about change and growth.
Because Nona’s life is all about delivering justice, she starts out being all about order and rules. The Philosophers use that to get to her, and it almost works. They lose in the end because Nona is all about truth, and they lied to her to get her to do what they wanted.
Kent’s always told her the truth, even when it was one that she couldn’t believe. Even when it was one she didn’t want to believe. The truth that they belonged together saved them both.
This world of demon rockers and their muses puts a whole new spin on rock and roll. As an alternate version of history, let’s just say it gives a whole different beat, and a compelling one, to alt-rock.
How many demons does it take to make a rock and roll band? In Slam Dance with the Devil, the hit band Arc Map has three, Kent on bass, Isis on guitar and Unger playing the drums. They go from concert to concert, playing gig after gig so they can soak up the energy from the audience.
Literally. They are demons who feed on that energy, and they’ve been feeding on their audiences since humankind made music by beating on rocks.
It’s a nomadic life, and has been for millennia. They’ve played every kind of music that has ever been. The demons that don’t manage to reinvent themselves and change with the audiences, die of hunger.
Every demon is supposed to have one Muse that changes everything. Once they find their Muse, they can only feed from that one person. They live together, or they die apart.
In Heavy Metal Heart, Trevor Sands finds his Muse. His music gets better, but the revelation that Muses are real and not just myth strikes ripples through all of the other demons, and their enemies, the Philosophers.
That’s where private investigator Nona Harris comes in. She’s been sent by a client she’s never met to follow Arc Map and particularly Kent Gaol. She’s been told that a family wants to make sure he is paid back for the heartbreak he dealt to their child Lorena. Nona figures that if she follows the band, eventually Kent will trip up and do something illegal, and she’ll be there to nab him.
She’s had cases like that before, where someone thinks they are too rich and famous to be held accountable. Nona usually proves otherwise.
But when she catches up with Kent, she discovers that he’s not like her other cases, and not just because she finds him intensely sexy. Even as he challenges her, something about the darkness she sees in him makes her think that her case isn’t what she thought it was.
She sees grief and not guilt, and finds herself filled with doubt as well as distraction.
Then she is lured onstage during one of Arc Map’s concerts, and she sees the energy of the audience raining down on the band; and on herself. Her world is not what she thought it was.
And she discovers that she’s been searching for Kent all her life. She just never knew what he was--until now.
Escape Rating B: Like Heavy Metal Heart, Slam Dance with the Devil is a very erotic love story. If you’ve read any of Olivia Cunning’s Sinners on Tour series, it’s that hot, without the threesomes. This is totally Kent and Nona’s story.
Both of them resist the almost gravimetric pull they have towards each other. Nona because she starts out believing that Kent is scum, and Kent because he believes that the woman who should have been his Muse is already dead--murdered by the Philosophers.
The war between the Philosophers and the demons is all about order vs chaos. While that may sound like good vs evil, it’s actually not. Order can be so rigid as to suppress life, and chaos, in the right dose, is more about change and growth.
Because Nona’s life is all about delivering justice, she starts out being all about order and rules. The Philosophers use that to get to her, and it almost works. They lose in the end because Nona is all about truth, and they lied to her to get her to do what they wanted.
Kent’s always told her the truth, even when it was one that she couldn’t believe. Even when it was one she didn’t want to believe. The truth that they belonged together saved them both.
This world of demon rockers and their muses puts a whole new spin on rock and roll. As an alternate version of history, let’s just say it gives a whole different beat, and a compelling one, to alt-rock.
March 13, 2014
Well this is something different! A series of books about Demons descended from Satyrs and bound to music . It's such an unusual idea that I just couldn't resist reading this even though it's the second in the series and a new author to me. Is it a paranormal romance? Well yes essentially it's a story shout two individuals finding each other and it's set in what feels a contemporary world so maybe not urban fantasy but it just felt slightly to this reader as perhaps well lacking in the romance aspect but then again I am pretty much a die hard romantic !
Nona Harris used to be in the police force and she was good at her job but seeing the corruption and injustice that happened she lost her faith and now works as a private investigator. Her latest job is a wild one as she's been sent by her client to track down rock legend Kent Gaol, the bass guitarist and all round bad guy! Nona knows a bad guy when she sees one and her instincts are screaming at her about Kent. He's corrupted her clients daughter and Nona is determined to catch him out and save anyone else from suffering but she's about to realise that not everything is as straightforward as it seems.
Kent has been around a long time and sometimes it sure feels as though he's been around since the dawn of time. He's coming to a point in his life that feels as if his future is all behind him. Kent is a demon who needs to feel the power of an audience to feed and without that energy he will die but ancient prophecies speak of one true connection who could be his Muse and feed him solely. Kent has never really thought it possible but now there's Nona investigating him and just something about her calls out to him. Is it possible that Nona is his Muse and meant for him? Fate wouldn't be that fickle , would it? One thing is certain the chemistry between them is off the charts but being close to Kent puts Nona in more danger than she's ever faced before.
This is almost a book of two halves. The first half setting the scene and allowing the reader to share in the never ending pain and emptiness that haunts Kent and the second half turning into an erotic novel. Unfortunately in spite of the long drawn out sexual encounters it just didn't feel sexy and at no point did I feel the need to go grab my man! These two central characters are clearly entwined intimately around each other and yet it felt almost mechanical. I guess I need a little bit more romance and I missed the dance that some authors offer.
So I didn't really like the sexual encounters and if honest thought that Kent rambled a bit but then again he is a musical demon or maybe I should say musical genius ? They were not particularly likeable characters which was a shame as I really wanted to feel a connection but it is an interesting storyline and the plot moves along quite well as Nona discovers more about the reality that colours Kents world . If you want a paranormal story that centres on a rock star then this is for you. If you enjoy sexual encounters that dominate a story then this might well entertain you. If you are looking for a totally different series then this most certainly fits that bill
Arc supplied by Netgalley
Id rate this a four
Nona Harris used to be in the police force and she was good at her job but seeing the corruption and injustice that happened she lost her faith and now works as a private investigator. Her latest job is a wild one as she's been sent by her client to track down rock legend Kent Gaol, the bass guitarist and all round bad guy! Nona knows a bad guy when she sees one and her instincts are screaming at her about Kent. He's corrupted her clients daughter and Nona is determined to catch him out and save anyone else from suffering but she's about to realise that not everything is as straightforward as it seems.
Kent has been around a long time and sometimes it sure feels as though he's been around since the dawn of time. He's coming to a point in his life that feels as if his future is all behind him. Kent is a demon who needs to feel the power of an audience to feed and without that energy he will die but ancient prophecies speak of one true connection who could be his Muse and feed him solely. Kent has never really thought it possible but now there's Nona investigating him and just something about her calls out to him. Is it possible that Nona is his Muse and meant for him? Fate wouldn't be that fickle , would it? One thing is certain the chemistry between them is off the charts but being close to Kent puts Nona in more danger than she's ever faced before.
This is almost a book of two halves. The first half setting the scene and allowing the reader to share in the never ending pain and emptiness that haunts Kent and the second half turning into an erotic novel. Unfortunately in spite of the long drawn out sexual encounters it just didn't feel sexy and at no point did I feel the need to go grab my man! These two central characters are clearly entwined intimately around each other and yet it felt almost mechanical. I guess I need a little bit more romance and I missed the dance that some authors offer.
So I didn't really like the sexual encounters and if honest thought that Kent rambled a bit but then again he is a musical demon or maybe I should say musical genius ? They were not particularly likeable characters which was a shame as I really wanted to feel a connection but it is an interesting storyline and the plot moves along quite well as Nona discovers more about the reality that colours Kents world . If you want a paranormal story that centres on a rock star then this is for you. If you enjoy sexual encounters that dominate a story then this might well entertain you. If you are looking for a totally different series then this most certainly fits that bill
Arc supplied by Netgalley
Id rate this a four
March 26, 2014
A paranormal with a mythological twist, Slam Dance with the Devil is one heck of a book. Don’t look for a rock star hooking up with a group story. This is story about a wild immortal who’d given up on finding his one true source of inspiration, his Muse, and finding her in the least likely place. Hired by a mysterious client to right a wrong, Nona is the investigator dogging his tracks determine to catch and arrest him. But things are not as they seem and in one night everything changes for both of them. As truths are revealed, sexual and emotional bond are built that will change them both forever…if they can only survive what her client has in-store for them.
Talk about a complete 180. Nona starts as a pretty tough, no nonsense investigator. By the end of the book, she’s fairly freewheeling and wanton. In some aspects that’s a bit hard to swallow but she still stays pretty tough. The changes in Kent are more subtle. He’s still very much devil-may-care, all balls out insane, but there’s now a softer side that I find sweet. Of the two, Kent was my favorite. It’s probably all the smart-mouth comments laced with sexuality. The sexual heat between them was most definitely sizzling. Not to come off as all sexist but, for a man, author Nico Rosso can write good sex scenes that a woman can relate to. That isn’t always the case with a male writer.
There are of course secondary characters that Kent and Nona interact with and while I I’m not cheering on the Philosophers, I got to say, I did enjoy them more than I did Isis and Unger. Unlike the Philosophers, who I had no problem determining the depth to their evil, Isis and Unger felt somewhat flat to me.
Having read both books in the Demon Rock series, I refuse to say this is the better of the two. The characters in each book are uniquely different and each has their own story. Instead, I will say, as the story of Demons and their nemesis is revealed, I begin to understand more and am developing a better appreciation for Mr. Rosso work. Both titles in this series work very well as stand-alones, however, to get the important of Muses, I suggest reading the series in order. As for Slam Dance with the Devil, consider this my stamp of approval for a recommendation.
I received this book from JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Stars– 3.5, Flames – 3
Talk about a complete 180. Nona starts as a pretty tough, no nonsense investigator. By the end of the book, she’s fairly freewheeling and wanton. In some aspects that’s a bit hard to swallow but she still stays pretty tough. The changes in Kent are more subtle. He’s still very much devil-may-care, all balls out insane, but there’s now a softer side that I find sweet. Of the two, Kent was my favorite. It’s probably all the smart-mouth comments laced with sexuality. The sexual heat between them was most definitely sizzling. Not to come off as all sexist but, for a man, author Nico Rosso can write good sex scenes that a woman can relate to. That isn’t always the case with a male writer.
There are of course secondary characters that Kent and Nona interact with and while I I’m not cheering on the Philosophers, I got to say, I did enjoy them more than I did Isis and Unger. Unlike the Philosophers, who I had no problem determining the depth to their evil, Isis and Unger felt somewhat flat to me.
Having read both books in the Demon Rock series, I refuse to say this is the better of the two. The characters in each book are uniquely different and each has their own story. Instead, I will say, as the story of Demons and their nemesis is revealed, I begin to understand more and am developing a better appreciation for Mr. Rosso work. Both titles in this series work very well as stand-alones, however, to get the important of Muses, I suggest reading the series in order. As for Slam Dance with the Devil, consider this my stamp of approval for a recommendation.
I received this book from JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Stars– 3.5, Flames – 3
March 12, 2014
***3.5 Stars***
*I received this book free from NetGalley on behalf of Carina Press in exchange for an honest review*
Kent Gaol is as reckless offstage as he is on it. Room parties with endless liquor and typical rock star behavior, like running around the hotel’s public pool butt ass naked, or setting things on fire, or crashing cars. You name it, he’s done it. Then again he’s had several lifetimes to achieve all of his rock stardom’s cockiness.
Nona Harris isn’t a push over. She’s determined. Determined to always get the bad guy. Ex-cop, now private investigator, she’s used to a life on the road and doing whatever it takes to catch the criminal she’s after. But Kent isn’t a normal target, and the further he tries to push her away the closer they get.
When a powerful, all-encompassing bond is forged there’s nowhere you can run from it. And not even witnessing ones true form will stop the magnetic pull. Two people will ultimately be changed forever. Their connection born to last eternity. That is, if they can survive what their passions ignite.
“Together, they can live forever. Alone, he dies.”
I realize Kent is almost as old as dirt itself, but sometimes he rambles about nothingness and it’s not always easily understood. Nona is very wonton in her feelings, but I’m blaming it on her transformation. Though between those two things, there’s just something that doesn’t always flow right.
This is a story of humans, demons, Philosophers, their connections, their love, and their hatred. The storyline is unique and the sex is sizzling. If you want your rock stars not only hot, but bad, then demon rock stars are the way to go.
My Favorite Moment: Nothing like minor explosions. When sex is so hot it can actually ignite, there’s something smoldering about the idea.
*I received this book free from NetGalley on behalf of Carina Press in exchange for an honest review*
Kent Gaol is as reckless offstage as he is on it. Room parties with endless liquor and typical rock star behavior, like running around the hotel’s public pool butt ass naked, or setting things on fire, or crashing cars. You name it, he’s done it. Then again he’s had several lifetimes to achieve all of his rock stardom’s cockiness.
Nona Harris isn’t a push over. She’s determined. Determined to always get the bad guy. Ex-cop, now private investigator, she’s used to a life on the road and doing whatever it takes to catch the criminal she’s after. But Kent isn’t a normal target, and the further he tries to push her away the closer they get.
When a powerful, all-encompassing bond is forged there’s nowhere you can run from it. And not even witnessing ones true form will stop the magnetic pull. Two people will ultimately be changed forever. Their connection born to last eternity. That is, if they can survive what their passions ignite.
“Together, they can live forever. Alone, he dies.”
I realize Kent is almost as old as dirt itself, but sometimes he rambles about nothingness and it’s not always easily understood. Nona is very wonton in her feelings, but I’m blaming it on her transformation. Though between those two things, there’s just something that doesn’t always flow right.
This is a story of humans, demons, Philosophers, their connections, their love, and their hatred. The storyline is unique and the sex is sizzling. If you want your rock stars not only hot, but bad, then demon rock stars are the way to go.
My Favorite Moment: Nothing like minor explosions. When sex is so hot it can actually ignite, there’s something smoldering about the idea.
March 17, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second installment in the Demon Rock series. They’re demons who have to feed off the audience to live, unless they encounter their Muse. Once the Muse enters their life, they can only feed off of them and vice-versa.
Nona is a PI assigned to bring Kent down from his rock star pedestal. Kent is a demon who has had his heart broken before and isn’t interested in finding the one woman who can rule his life. Obviously, this turns out to be the most unconventional choice for his rock star lifestyle – Nona. They both move along, kicking and screaming and fighting their urges, but when they finally come together it’s fireworks and explosions all the way.
I should really comment on the writing style of this author. Rather than your typical smutty paranormal romance read, the author definitely injects some poetry into the books of the series. There are lots of flowery descriptions and song lyrics interspersed with the regular flow of the story. You may love it or hate it, but it’s a change from the “norm.” These books are definitely not your typical paranormal romance reads.
This is the second installment in the Demon Rock series. They’re demons who have to feed off the audience to live, unless they encounter their Muse. Once the Muse enters their life, they can only feed off of them and vice-versa.
Nona is a PI assigned to bring Kent down from his rock star pedestal. Kent is a demon who has had his heart broken before and isn’t interested in finding the one woman who can rule his life. Obviously, this turns out to be the most unconventional choice for his rock star lifestyle – Nona. They both move along, kicking and screaming and fighting their urges, but when they finally come together it’s fireworks and explosions all the way.
I should really comment on the writing style of this author. Rather than your typical smutty paranormal romance read, the author definitely injects some poetry into the books of the series. There are lots of flowery descriptions and song lyrics interspersed with the regular flow of the story. You may love it or hate it, but it’s a change from the “norm.” These books are definitely not your typical paranormal romance reads.
March 22, 2014
I liked this one better then the first in the story and I think the reason was that the romance was more drawn out and the sexual tension between the two was incredible. I look forward to reading more about these demon rock stars and their muses.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
February 19, 2014
Book provided by the publisher.
3.5 stars
This was another interesting story. The characters and plot were well developed and more believable than the first in the series. I'm looking forward to reading the next
3.5 stars
This was another interesting story. The characters and plot were well developed and more believable than the first in the series. I'm looking forward to reading the next
September 10, 2016
I enjoyed this as much as the 1st in the series. Just as sexy, fun and fast paced as the other one! Can't wait for more from him!
March 27, 2017
If I had to rate this series in order of my enjoyment, Slam Dance would come in third. For some reasons, I don't find Kent as engaging. Given that however, I still love it!
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