Nashville Dreams

NashVegas #1

by Rachel Hauck

Last week, I was stocking groceries in Freedom, Alabama. This week, I live in Nashville, Tennessee, about to take the stage at the famous Bluebird Cafe.

Sounds fantastic, doesn't it? Only one problem: I've got stage fright.

But after years of being ruled by fear and hiding from my dream, I confronted my limited reality and left home. Forget the hometown hunk who wants to make me queen of his doublewide trailer. Forget Momma's doubt-inspiring tirade. I can make it in Music City . . . can't I?

So I took a leap of faith, gathered my old guitar, my notebook full of songs, and packed up my '69 Chevy pickup. Look out NashVegas!

With the help of some new friends, especially handsome Lee Rivers, my dream is about to find the light of day. But as I face my first night at the Bluebird Cafe, I realize . . . I might just do what comes naturally: Look for the nearest exit and run!

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Christian, Fiction, Audiobook, Ebooks

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2006

About the author

New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Rachel Hauck writes from sunny central Florida.

A RITA finalist and winner of Romantic Times Inspirational Novel of the Year, and Career Achievement Award, she writes vivid characters dealing with real life issues.

Her book, Once Upon A Prince, was made into an original Hallmark movie.

The Wedding Dress has been optioned for film by Brain Power Studio

She loves to hear from readers. She also loves to encourage new writers and is a retired member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Executive Board.

A graduate of Ohio State University with a BA in Journalism, Rachel is an avid OSU football fan. She hopes to one day stand on the sidelines in the Shoe with Ryan Day.

Visit her web site to find out more and click on the icons to follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

www.rachelhauck.com

Reviews

[Laura Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this book and I’m smiling. Loved it so much! A sweet and fun story about overcoming fears with the help of God.

[Bernye · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like Nashville then this book is a good beach read.

[Joy Lokey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a closet Diva wannabe, so this book was right up my alley, living the dream secretly through her story. Only thing is, I can only live vicariously through others and their stories now. I'm the has been. Hey day came and went before I could even blink. But it is still fun to dream. Thanks for the chance, Rachel!

[Michelle Lunsford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one did start off a bit slow for me, but once it got going I enjoyed the story and some of the plot twists that came along. As someone who is familiar with Nashville, I'd say Hauck was spot on in capturing the locale.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Rachel Hauck’s writing. She definitely keeps the pages turning. I like her characters and storylines. This one definitely had a few surprises.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Lost in NashVegas" tells the story of Robin, the girl with music living inside of her. She's a born songwriter but her terrible stage fright has kept her singing at home rather than on the big stage. Now at age 25 with a boyfriend who is ready to settle down, Robin figures that the time to give Nashville a try is either now or never and jets off to the land of musical opportunity.

Just because she's decided to face her fear it doesn't mean it has gone away. Robin has a struggle each and every chance she has to sing in front of a crowd... and not every struggle results in a success. New friends are found, a temporary job scrubbing toilets becomes available, and time goes by as Robin tries to perfect her art. As her connections with the music industry begin coming together, so do long-held family secrets that are about to change her life forever.

This book really is like a long journey. A little too long for my preference; it just seemed to take quite a while to get anywhere. And no heroine should go through three boyfriends in one novel. It was a fun, quirky story but not much more to me.

[Elaine Key · Rating 3 out of 5]

The life and times of a young songwriter trying to make it big in Nashville.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up at the library this summer. The "Lost in Nash Vegas" title and cover art (reminiscent of the Melissa Etheridge album cover) appealed to me. (Yes, I do judge books by their covers. So what?) Anyway, didn't know until I got home that it was Christian "chick lit". It's published by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson publishers (they publish Bibles) based in, of course, Nashville.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as a great summer read. It was engaging, well-written, the gospel aspect wasn't too overbearing, and it had great contemporary country music references. Best of all, even when I knew what was going to happen next, it was still fun reading it.

Also, Hauck's writing style reminds me a lot of my friend Kristie's writing style. I totally think Kristie needs to market herself in this Christian chick lit genre. They totally need a lesbian writer, I'm sure. ;-)

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book for several reasons: I fell in love with the main character, Robin McAfee; I'm a huge fan of country music and enjoyed this glimpse into how things work behind the scenes; it was not a predictable storyline - the twist you thought was going to happen was not the same as the twist that did happen - Rachel kept catching me off guard (in a good way). This story was well-written, the character was well developed. I read it in less than two days - like the rest of Rachel's books, I couldn't put it down.

I know that I've gone on and on about Rachel, but she is an extremely talented author. I have gotten lost in each of her stories (the only one I've not read yet is Diva NashVegas and I'll be hunting down a copy this weekend) and have fallen in love with her heroines. I highly recommend any of her books.

[Janet Merrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh dear... seriously B.A.D. I managed to muddle my way through but the whole book just felt very juvenile to me. The main character was not believable or endearing; she was silly and annoying. This is one of the author's earlier works and it shows. Very poor character development. I may have to take a break before reading the next one in the series. Plan to stick with the author's later writing from now on.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about a songwriter navigating her way in Nashville. The characters were engaging, and I even laughed out loud a couple of times, which I don't do often when reading. Fun read.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!It was really good.
It was dealing with fear and just trusting God with your life and your fears. I definitely needed to read it!
It was cute and funny, with a sarcastic sassy twist!

[Tatrd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Robin Rae MacAfee & Lee Rivers
She's a songwriter in Freedom AL who moves to Nashville. Finds out she's a music row label owner's daughter. She has stage fright and keeps running away. Love story isn't the central focus of the book.
Christian book
Review

[Hey_jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny. It was better than I expected. The whole Southern angle (complete with expressions and accents) might be a little annoying to some, but the author handled it in a way that was enduringly serious not corny.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a 3.5. I needed something fluffly to break up the more serious reading I was doing, but that also made it more obvious just how fluffy it was. I was a bit bored even though it's a quick read. It is cute though.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick, easy read. Because this is one of Rachel's earlier works, it doesn't have the depth of her most recent books. It is comical and fun to read. It give you a taste of the Country Music scene.

[Tanya Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just a fun read. If you’re looking for something deeply profound or intellectual, pass. If you want something sweet, a little sassy, and just plain fun — this is a great pick. I loved it the first time I read it (years ago) and enjoyed it just as much this time.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

really liked this :o)

[Judie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once I got past the title, I enjoyed the book, which made me laugh in places. It was a good story about good people.

[Glynis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun book!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the series ..

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story with humor about facing our fears. Loved the way she wove God through the book in a realistic way. Highly recommend!

[Dianne Peeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story!! The many twists and turns keeps you wondering!

[Lorraine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Besides the erroneous and insulting depiction of those who might use antidepressants, it was cliched writing. I liked it much better when it was called "Coyote Ugly".

[Mary Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great chick -lit! Great plot, quirky characters , delightful read .

[Jenny Wiesenmayer thines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the main character. Thought the story was interesting and sweet.

[Dorothy Persch · Rating 3 out of 5]

April 2014

[Karen Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I loved this book from the beginning. It's upbeat, clean and I liked that we can relate to her characters.

[Tanaya Larsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to really like this book, but for some reason I just couldn't connect with the main character. It was a fun story about the music biz though!