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The Road to Rocktoberfest 2024
High Strung: The Road to Rocktoberfest 2024
Life hasn't always been easy for Luka, but music has gotten him through the hard times. Now his heavy metal cello-rock band, the F-Holes, have scored the gig of a lifetime, launching their first major tour and taking the stage at Rocktoberfest with some of the biggest names in music. But after one of his bandmates has an accident that leaves the future of their tour in doubt, Luka is asked to accept the unacceptable.
Bassist Kit Davies is riding high. His band, Sultana, has just finished a record-setting European tour, and now he has six months off before they are due back in the studio again. Rich and successful, he doesn't have many regrets in his life, but those he does have center around Luka Petrov and the disastrous circumstances under which Luka left Sultana, the band he'd co-founded. Every apology Kit has made to Luka has been met with rejection, but Kit's determined to earn Luka’s forgiveness someday.
When Kit learns the F-Holes' bassist has suffered an injury at the first show of their tour, he pulls strings to be given the position as the fill-in. Unfortunately, Luka seems to view this as a power play rather than a means of atonement. With the F-Holes now poised to make it as big as Sultana, can Kit convince Luka to let go of the past, or will Luka once again walk away from fame rather than forgive Kit for breaking his heart?
High Strung is a book in the multi-author Road to Rocktoberfest 2024 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see what antics our bands get into next? Hot rockstars and the men who love them, what more could you ask for. Kick back, load up your eReader and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!
Bassist Kit Davies is riding high. His band, Sultana, has just finished a record-setting European tour, and now he has six months off before they are due back in the studio again. Rich and successful, he doesn't have many regrets in his life, but those he does have center around Luka Petrov and the disastrous circumstances under which Luka left Sultana, the band he'd co-founded. Every apology Kit has made to Luka has been met with rejection, but Kit's determined to earn Luka’s forgiveness someday.
When Kit learns the F-Holes' bassist has suffered an injury at the first show of their tour, he pulls strings to be given the position as the fill-in. Unfortunately, Luka seems to view this as a power play rather than a means of atonement. With the F-Holes now poised to make it as big as Sultana, can Kit convince Luka to let go of the past, or will Luka once again walk away from fame rather than forgive Kit for breaking his heart?
High Strung is a book in the multi-author Road to Rocktoberfest 2024 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see what antics our bands get into next? Hot rockstars and the men who love them, what more could you ask for. Kick back, load up your eReader and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!
- GenresM M Romance
174 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2024
5 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Ari McKay
72 books181 followersAri McKay is the professional pseudonym for Arionrhod and McKay, who collaborate on original m/m fiction. They began writing together in 2004 and finished their first original full length novel in 2011. Recently, they’ve begun collaborating on designing and creating costumes to wear and compete in at Sci Fi conventions, and they share a love of yarn and cake.
Arionrhod is an avid costumer, knitter, and all-around craft fiend, as well as a professional systems engineer. Mother of two human children and two dachshunds who think they are human, she is a voracious reader with wildly eclectic tastes, devouring romance novels, military science fiction, horror stories and Shakespeare with equal glee. She is currently preparing for the zombie apocalypse.
McKay is an English teacher who has been writing for one reason or another most of her life. She also enjoys knitting, reading, cooking, and playing video games. She has been known to knit in public. Given she has the survival skills of a gnat, she’s relying on Arionrhod to help her survive the zombie apocalypse.
Arionrhod is an avid costumer, knitter, and all-around craft fiend, as well as a professional systems engineer. Mother of two human children and two dachshunds who think they are human, she is a voracious reader with wildly eclectic tastes, devouring romance novels, military science fiction, horror stories and Shakespeare with equal glee. She is currently preparing for the zombie apocalypse.
McKay is an English teacher who has been writing for one reason or another most of her life. She also enjoys knitting, reading, cooking, and playing video games. She has been known to knit in public. Given she has the survival skills of a gnat, she’s relying on Arionrhod to help her survive the zombie apocalypse.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 11, 2024
I loved this year's contribution from Ari McKay to the Rocktoberfest series compared to the previous year. The intensity of second-chance story gets me bad! I loved that Luka didn't immediately warm up to Kit and that Kit had to take time to get back to Luka's side... ALTHOUGH, what broke them in the first place wasn't totally Kit's fault.
I also loved the idea of rock band with cellos!! The band members were awesome!
Now, what I wasn't quite satisfied yet was the situation after Luka and Kit made their amends. So
I also loved the idea of rock band with cellos!! The band members were awesome!
Now, what I wasn't quite satisfied yet was the situation after Luka and Kit made their amends. So
October 27, 2024
Great introduction to a new band
I used to play stand up bass in middle school and high school so I really enjoyed this book a lot because of the classical talk. And the envisioning of what the band looked like. Not to mention that I love this type of music in general and now I'm going to listen to some of it for old times sake. This book was fun, fast paced and it had depth to the characters. I hope there's more to read from this band because I really enjoyed them. Plus we learned Sultana was mostly Queer too. So hopefully that means more books!
I used to play stand up bass in middle school and high school so I really enjoyed this book a lot because of the classical talk. And the envisioning of what the band looked like. Not to mention that I love this type of music in general and now I'm going to listen to some of it for old times sake. This book was fun, fast paced and it had depth to the characters. I hope there's more to read from this band because I really enjoyed them. Plus we learned Sultana was mostly Queer too. So hopefully that means more books!
October 28, 2024
The F-Holes have finally made their first headliner gig. Luka Petrov is a genius with writing lyrics and especially playing the electric cello. Kris is the unique, lead singer, Dmitri also plays electric cello, Jett plays bass, and Andre drums. Jo is Kris’s girlfriend and she travels with the band. She the official photographer for the group and catches their candid shots back stage. She has plans to write a book in the next year about F-Holes and it would add to the popularity of the group if it became a best seller.
Luka and his family are estranged. He was considered not to be serious enough about music and was cursed by his mother. On top of that being gay, didn’t agree with his parents. Luka went on to make his own life and he accomplished more than any young man of his age. He’s gone so far as to keep his secret from the F-Holes. His hopes for them was to make it big.
After a performance, Jett being silly with the shower competition, trips over cables back stage. For a bassist a badly sprained wrist and a nasty bump on the head puts him out of commission. The band left Jett behind in Virginia to recuperate. Just when Luka thought F-Holes had made it, he’s disappointed to say the least.
Manager, Greg Allen calls the group into a meeting. He’s kept them moving and on the road to the next gig in Philadelphia. Greg set up a meeting with Carter Morton, the head Artist and Repertoire representative from Headcrash. He had gotten F-Holes their contract with Headcrash. Even though they are all concerned about Jett, Carter has good news. The very popular group Sultana had just finished their European tour and were breaking for six months before they are back in the studio. Kit Davies had stepped up and offered to fill in for Jett. Kit doesn’t want anything out of it, he’s really sincere and want’s to help. All the band members are more than excited to have Kit Davies from the supergroup Sultana.
Luka is by no means happy. Greg and Carter were the only two, besides Kit Davies that knew of his connection with Sultana. Every lyric on Sultana’s first album were Luka’s and yes, he received royalties. He doesn’t want F-Holes to know he used those royalties to get them where they are now. But there’s more to it than that. Luka thought he had buried all the painful and heart breaking memories that came with his time with Sultana and Kit Davies.
What will Luka do? He want’s nothing to do with Kit Davies and it shows. What about Kit? Why is he really willing to give his time to the F-Holes? Is this going to tear the dream of the F-Holes apart and destroy their chance at making it to Rocktoberfest?
Ari McKay brings high anxiety on the “Road to Rocktoberfest 2024” with “High Strung”. It’s a story that’s high on emotions and trying to amend for some misunderstandings that never got resolved. Trying to get back lost time. It’s also about letting go of painful memories and looking to a bright future.
I loved the two main characters Kit and Luka. Luka needed someone like Kit to help him release all the bad memories that he kept bottled-up inside. Kit really worked to make amends. He also did well in not pushing Luka to forgive him. Luka really needed someone like Kit to lean on. They both brought lot’s of different emotions to the story.
There are some very interesting characters in F-Holes: Kris who was special in their own way and band member protected them; and Jo, Kris’s girlfriend, who is disabled.
I highly recommend “High Strung” the story is not only well written but Ari McKay writes some very good lyrics. I shied away from saying to much about this story as there are so many Rocktoberfest books to read. But I really enjoyed “High Strung” and was thoroughly entertained!
Luka and his family are estranged. He was considered not to be serious enough about music and was cursed by his mother. On top of that being gay, didn’t agree with his parents. Luka went on to make his own life and he accomplished more than any young man of his age. He’s gone so far as to keep his secret from the F-Holes. His hopes for them was to make it big.
After a performance, Jett being silly with the shower competition, trips over cables back stage. For a bassist a badly sprained wrist and a nasty bump on the head puts him out of commission. The band left Jett behind in Virginia to recuperate. Just when Luka thought F-Holes had made it, he’s disappointed to say the least.
Manager, Greg Allen calls the group into a meeting. He’s kept them moving and on the road to the next gig in Philadelphia. Greg set up a meeting with Carter Morton, the head Artist and Repertoire representative from Headcrash. He had gotten F-Holes their contract with Headcrash. Even though they are all concerned about Jett, Carter has good news. The very popular group Sultana had just finished their European tour and were breaking for six months before they are back in the studio. Kit Davies had stepped up and offered to fill in for Jett. Kit doesn’t want anything out of it, he’s really sincere and want’s to help. All the band members are more than excited to have Kit Davies from the supergroup Sultana.
Luka is by no means happy. Greg and Carter were the only two, besides Kit Davies that knew of his connection with Sultana. Every lyric on Sultana’s first album were Luka’s and yes, he received royalties. He doesn’t want F-Holes to know he used those royalties to get them where they are now. But there’s more to it than that. Luka thought he had buried all the painful and heart breaking memories that came with his time with Sultana and Kit Davies.
What will Luka do? He want’s nothing to do with Kit Davies and it shows. What about Kit? Why is he really willing to give his time to the F-Holes? Is this going to tear the dream of the F-Holes apart and destroy their chance at making it to Rocktoberfest?
Ari McKay brings high anxiety on the “Road to Rocktoberfest 2024” with “High Strung”. It’s a story that’s high on emotions and trying to amend for some misunderstandings that never got resolved. Trying to get back lost time. It’s also about letting go of painful memories and looking to a bright future.
I loved the two main characters Kit and Luka. Luka needed someone like Kit to help him release all the bad memories that he kept bottled-up inside. Kit really worked to make amends. He also did well in not pushing Luka to forgive him. Luka really needed someone like Kit to lean on. They both brought lot’s of different emotions to the story.
There are some very interesting characters in F-Holes: Kris who was special in their own way and band member protected them; and Jo, Kris’s girlfriend, who is disabled.
I highly recommend “High Strung” the story is not only well written but Ari McKay writes some very good lyrics. I shied away from saying to much about this story as there are so many Rocktoberfest books to read. But I really enjoyed “High Strung” and was thoroughly entertained!
January 7, 2026
Second chance/reunion rock stars friends to enemies to lovers romance.
This one wasn’t for me unfortunately. Strong angst/tension, I loved the setup for MCs Kit and Luka being estranged and hurting still over it 4 years later, but, when I learned the (believable, sadly! IRL this would happen) reason for the feelings of betrayal and separation, I just Could Not. Young people would totally go through this, but, it squicked me out, and was such an ultimately depressing waste of time, to be set apart over That?! (but seriously, believable!), and I maintain I’m not made for most second chance or friends to lovers, especially when they sleep w other people bc they’re too scared to admit feelings. What a waste. It just does not feel good to me. These two chuckleheads needed Taylor’s “Ruin the Friendship” badly.
But, if you love true angst, forced proximity, and celebrity/two rock stars (dif bands, but great setup for one having helped start the other’s massively successful band and then feeling betrayed and splitting off!), check this one out, I think people who like those tropes will enjoy it a lot!
Not much steam, too much info on past OM action/drama for me (no on page scenes, but descriptions of one knowing the other was having wild raunchy sex with someone else) that likely won’t bother most readers so if you like strong romantic conflict and this sounds up your alley, go for it! Note—no steam till the last chapter, but, the angst and pining is high.
Good song lyrics in it too, I don’t know how authentic the band/touring/backdrop is, but, it felt believable.
HEA, childhood friends to major enemies to lovers/second chance/reunion romance, rock stars. Part of a multi-author series. Safe for me in the present; no present OM drama or action. Good tension and conflict. Recommended for other people.
This one wasn’t for me unfortunately. Strong angst/tension, I loved the setup for MCs Kit and Luka being estranged and hurting still over it 4 years later, but, when I learned the (believable, sadly! IRL this would happen) reason for the feelings of betrayal and separation, I just Could Not. Young people would totally go through this, but, it squicked me out, and was such an ultimately depressing waste of time, to be set apart over That?! (but seriously, believable!), and I maintain I’m not made for most second chance or friends to lovers, especially when they sleep w other people bc they’re too scared to admit feelings. What a waste. It just does not feel good to me. These two chuckleheads needed Taylor’s “Ruin the Friendship” badly.
But, if you love true angst, forced proximity, and celebrity/two rock stars (dif bands, but great setup for one having helped start the other’s massively successful band and then feeling betrayed and splitting off!), check this one out, I think people who like those tropes will enjoy it a lot!
Not much steam, too much info on past OM action/drama for me (no on page scenes, but descriptions of one knowing the other was having wild raunchy sex with someone else) that likely won’t bother most readers so if you like strong romantic conflict and this sounds up your alley, go for it! Note—no steam till the last chapter, but, the angst and pining is high.
Good song lyrics in it too, I don’t know how authentic the band/touring/backdrop is, but, it felt believable.
HEA, childhood friends to major enemies to lovers/second chance/reunion romance, rock stars. Part of a multi-author series. Safe for me in the present; no present OM drama or action. Good tension and conflict. Recommended for other people.
October 25, 2024
This is an emotional ride in a short, sweet package. Luka and Kit are two halves of a whole that have lost their way and a small accident brings them back together. They were once best friends who secretly pined for each other but lack of communication and misunderstandings got in the way (along with a scumbag). They're both hurting and you feel it in the writing. You feel for them to figure things out. You'll see that Luka has a way of dealing with the world that's different and Kit has always understood and been there for him. Kit isn't about to let Luka push him away again and it turns out for the best for both of them. I liked the parts with the band and music. It was like I could hear and feel the music myself. The emotions they all put into their craft is palpable. The makeup and sexy times are low heat and sweet but definitely gets you excited. I think Luka's closure for his mother was done well for him. No high drama to upset him and prolong the healing. I would've liked some comeuppance for the scumbag but I'm just blood thirsty that way. ;) This book, this series and definitely this author (Ari and Rachel together) are recommended.
October 26, 2024
This was a nice, engaging read.
I think the highlight was the heavy metal cello-rock band - I can't resist something a bit different (or the mix of classical and metal - love it). The characters were super likeable and the editing was great. Thank you!
However, there wasn't much in the way of plot or drama. The major issue was easily resolved at around 30%, leaving only the romance, and I didn't really feel like the romance was really explored. There was no sexual tension whatsoever, which resulted in the sex scene being really, really... bland?
I think the highlight was the heavy metal cello-rock band - I can't resist something a bit different (or the mix of classical and metal - love it). The characters were super likeable and the editing was great. Thank you!
However, there wasn't much in the way of plot or drama. The major issue was easily resolved at around 30%, leaving only the romance, and I didn't really feel like the romance was really explored. There was no sexual tension whatsoever, which resulted in the sex scene being really, really... bland?
January 16, 2025
I loved the story of Luka and Kit, long live!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews