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The Demon Universe
Lightning in a Bottle
Companion story to A Demon in Midwinter
Adam Johnson’s the heart, soul, and songwriter behind his band’s greatest hits ... if the term can be applied when they aren’t even famous yet. He’s never been a good front man or stage presence, though; he leaves that to Lee, who sings Adam’s words as if they’re poetry.
The problem is, they are. Every word Adam’s written is a love letter for his lead singer, though he’s never had the courage to say so.
But when a famous -- or infamous -- legendary rock star and scandalous sex demon drop by one of their shows, Adam’s forced to confront the possibility he just might get everything he wants -- the record deal and Lee’s heart -- if he can only find the words to ask.
Adam Johnson’s the heart, soul, and songwriter behind his band’s greatest hits ... if the term can be applied when they aren’t even famous yet. He’s never been a good front man or stage presence, though; he leaves that to Lee, who sings Adam’s words as if they’re poetry.
The problem is, they are. Every word Adam’s written is a love letter for his lead singer, though he’s never had the courage to say so.
But when a famous -- or infamous -- legendary rock star and scandalous sex demon drop by one of their shows, Adam’s forced to confront the possibility he just might get everything he wants -- the record deal and Lee’s heart -- if he can only find the words to ask.
26 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2018
46 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
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December 11, 2019Do you know that saying, "drinking from a fire hose"?
In this story -- 26 pages, according to GR, except that it ends at 64%, so actually more like 17 pages -- we meet 8 characters, learn about their current and past relationships with each other, are plunged into a contemporary AU with its own (fictional) history of music and the music industry, complete with many references to (fictional) bands and rock stars and music industry heavyweights and their interrelationships, plus there are magical creatures existing alongside humans, and everyone seems to have magical powers, and there's a kind of proto-romance squeezed in too, although it gets completely upstaged by all the groping and snogging between two secondary characters whose relationship appears to be the true focus of the story even though neither one of them is the MC.
Are you with me still?
Given the sheer quantity of stuff competing for attention here, the author has probably done as good a job of it as possible. But seriously, just because it can be done, doesn't mean it SHOULD be done.
Note: I don't usually give star ratings to short stories.
In this story -- 26 pages, according to GR, except that it ends at 64%, so actually more like 17 pages -- we meet 8 characters, learn about their current and past relationships with each other, are plunged into a contemporary AU with its own (fictional) history of music and the music industry, complete with many references to (fictional) bands and rock stars and music industry heavyweights and their interrelationships, plus there are magical creatures existing alongside humans, and everyone seems to have magical powers, and there's a kind of proto-romance squeezed in too, although it gets completely upstaged by all the groping and snogging between two secondary characters whose relationship appears to be the true focus of the story even though neither one of them is the MC.
Are you with me still?
Given the sheer quantity of stuff competing for attention here, the author has probably done as good a job of it as possible. But seriously, just because it can be done, doesn't mean it SHOULD be done.
Note: I don't usually give star ratings to short stories.
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June 26, 20196/26/19 Currently FREE via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Bott...
December 12, 2021
3,5*
Free at Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Free at Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
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April 16, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (4/16/2018)!💝
Blurb:
Adam Johnson’s the heart, soul, and songwriter behind his band’s greatest hits ... if the term can be applied when they aren’t even famous yet. He’s never been a good front man or stage presence, though; he leaves that to Lee, who sings Adam’s words as if they’re poetry.
The problem is, they are. Every word Adam’s written is a love letter for his lead singer, though he’s never had the courage to say so.
But when a famous -- or infamous -- legendary rock star and scandalous sex demon drop by one of their shows, Adam’s forced to confront the possibility he just might get everything he wants -- the record deal and Lee’s heart -- if he can only find the words to ask.
Blurb:
Adam Johnson’s the heart, soul, and songwriter behind his band’s greatest hits ... if the term can be applied when they aren’t even famous yet. He’s never been a good front man or stage presence, though; he leaves that to Lee, who sings Adam’s words as if they’re poetry.
The problem is, they are. Every word Adam’s written is a love letter for his lead singer, though he’s never had the courage to say so.
But when a famous -- or infamous -- legendary rock star and scandalous sex demon drop by one of their shows, Adam’s forced to confront the possibility he just might get everything he wants -- the record deal and Lee’s heart -- if he can only find the words to ask.
March 30, 2020
Post concert
A brisk short story, the band decompressing post concert. An agent and a megastar enter. Life could expand.
Being a short story, no character development. Hints of potential. The"green room" is the set. The story intrigues to find out what happens.
As I am a gatherer of books, I collect books and ebooks from a variety of sources: Goodreads wins, Bookhub, BookFunnel, emails from authors and publishers, and others. I do lose track of their sources. But, as a reader, I feel I should give an honest, unencumbered review for all I read.
A brisk short story, the band decompressing post concert. An agent and a megastar enter. Life could expand.
Being a short story, no character development. Hints of potential. The"green room" is the set. The story intrigues to find out what happens.
As I am a gatherer of books, I collect books and ebooks from a variety of sources: Goodreads wins, Bookhub, BookFunnel, emails from authors and publishers, and others. I do lose track of their sources. But, as a reader, I feel I should give an honest, unencumbered review for all I read.
May 2, 2018
Rock Star Style Cute
Music, magic, sex demons, and pining. Very cute characters and personalities. Love the new look into the world created in A Demon for Midwinter, especially the band interacting with Kris Starr and Justin. Very well written and flowed very well. Simply an adorable story with sweaty rock stars. The end bit for Lee's sexuality is just fantastic (and not out of left field). Also, Adam is just wonderful.
Music, magic, sex demons, and pining. Very cute characters and personalities. Love the new look into the world created in A Demon for Midwinter, especially the band interacting with Kris Starr and Justin. Very well written and flowed very well. Simply an adorable story with sweaty rock stars. The end bit for Lee's sexuality is just fantastic (and not out of left field). Also, Adam is just wonderful.
May 6, 2018
This was the first story by this writer for me, and I was pleasantly surprised. The story is just the description of the meeting between the band members of the New Regency with their idols, Kris and Justin, the MC’s of the book “A Demon for Midwinter”, after a concert, but I found the writing captivating, sweet, delicate. I will keep an eye on this author.
May 18, 2018
Short but sweet
If you like a quick snippet of romance this was wonderful. Immersive even though it was short. Characters were fun and made me want to read more on this urban fantasy world.
If you like a quick snippet of romance this was wonderful. Immersive even though it was short. Characters were fun and made me want to read more on this urban fantasy world.
January 16, 2023
A charming short story in the Demon story universe. I really enjoyed the setup of the band post-gig, Adam's long-hidden yearnings from bandmate Lee and a visit from a certain demon and his rockstar partner who might galvanise not only the band's success but Adam's romantic hopes. Lovely!
May 20, 2018
Same sex orientation
Didn't read, language alert. Not my romance preference. Others may like just fine. Don't care for writing style of author although others may.
Didn't read, language alert. Not my romance preference. Others may like just fine. Don't care for writing style of author although others may.
May 21, 2019
Demisexual character (Lee; in Author's note/Word of God) in m/m romantic relationship
July 22, 2019
This story makes me smile
This short makes me smile every time I read it. To the point where I'll re-read on a crappy day. Thanks for that.
This short makes me smile every time I read it. To the point where I'll re-read on a crappy day. Thanks for that.
May 25, 2020
Adorable!
Just a great fun fast read! Amazing how much No one was able to pack into a short story like this. And now off to find Kriss and Justin’s story.
Just a great fun fast read! Amazing how much No one was able to pack into a short story like this. And now off to find Kriss and Justin’s story.
July 31, 2023
tiny little freebie to introduce the world. cute! enjoyable! now i want to read more so i would call it successful!
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November 8, 2023Undated as its too short
Unimpressive ..
Unimpressive ..
January 19, 2024
This is a lovely little interlude that has all the gorgeous prose and heart-tug feels of Noone’s other work.
August 6, 2024
Sweet short story about a band on their way to fame.
February 28, 2025
Sweet but doesn’t totally stand on its own. I think I got it for free, and it DID make me want to read the connected book, so that’s good.
June 16, 2020
I have a hard time seeing this working as a standalone, because there's such a huge piece taken up by Justin and Kris - and even though I love them, I wish it had been balanced a bit better. However, I fell for Adam and Lee completely, and the not-Epilogue is an amazing epilogue. Very glad I read this!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews