Being a drummer in a famous rock band has its perks. For Danny DeSano, getting the girl has never been the problem. Holding onto her was. After a failed marriage and watching his ex-wife move onto someone else, Danny is reevaluating his lifestyle of parties and meaningless flings with super models. In order to be a positive role model for his son, he wanted to change his image and settle down. That was before he met pop star Topaz, whose image is even more tarnished than his.
Patty “Topaz” Del Feliz had one dream in life … to be wanted. She considers her story to be that of the ugly duckling and now that she’s desired by millions of fans, it’s just not enough. Her image was built solely on the motto “sex sells”. Topaz is quickly realizing looks don’t buy respect … or love. Her last romantic relationship flopped due to her public party girl image the paparazzi is always eager to exploit.
When Danny D. – the bad boy of the band Tortured – shows interest, Topaz can’t help but want him, in spite of his reputation. She knew it was purely lust and she accepted that. Using each other is fine if it’s mutual, right? That is until Danny gives her the courage to go after a real music career and not one based on her next outrageous publicity stunt. While developing their business relationship, Danny and Topaz can’t deny their magnetic attraction to one another. Will this be another tabloid romance that fizzles fast or is there something more behind the flashing lights and screaming fans for this dynamic duo?
Fanning the Fame is book 7 of the Dream Catchers series. For the first time in the book series, the story is told through dual points of view and takes a few steps back from book 6, which introduced Danny and Topaz’s interest in one another.
Sandy Lo's personal story is inspiring. She started, StarShine Magazine, an online publication in 2001, at the age of 18. She wrote her first novel in 2009, "Lost In You," followed by the "Dream Catchers" Series. She was the first person ever to professionally interview Taylor Swift and has received personal endorsements for her books from members of boy bands Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees.
In 2012, gained tremendous momentum in book sales on Kindle. She has been included on the "50 Writers You Should Be Reading" list by The Authors Show, and both "Dream Catchers" (2010) and "Breaking The Moon" (2011) reached the Top 100 Best Selling Coming of Age novels in Amazon's Kindle Store. What makes this even more unique, is that Sandy relocated from NY to Nashville in order to write "The Watch Dog," (2012) which is set in a fictional town outside of Music City. She has true dedication to her craft! Sandy again relocated to Florida to pen "Indigo Waters" (2014) before traveling the country while blogging and getting inspiration for future projects.
Currently, Sandy is in the process of adapting "Dream Catchers" into a screenplay. Her latest novella, "Decaf For The Dead" will be releasing September 2019.
I received this book for free from ARC in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Rating Clarification:3.5 Stars!
I'll admit this is a book that I wouldn't have picked up voluntarily. Not because it doesn't sound good, because it does, but because it is the seventh book in the Dream Catchers series. I was a little worried that I would feel a little lost or disconnected from the characters. While I felt like an outsider for the first couple of chapters, it soon disappeared and I was fully invested in the story.
Fanning the Fame follows two musicians with questionable reputations. Danny Desano has turned over a new leaf. He is ready to leave behind the wild parties and groupies and focus on his son. He thought he could settle down with a responsible woman - until Topaz enters the picture. Patty Del Feliz, also known as Topaz, has been taught that sex and scandal sells. After years of doing as she was told for fame, she is done. She wants to be appreciated for her music and not the image she is being forced to upkeep.
"You're not who I expected," she whispers... "Neither are you."
Danny and Topaz have an instant attraction to each other. They both aren't sure if it is something they should act upon, but fighting it doesn't seem like an option. When their attraction leads to something more, Danny offers to help her create the music career she longs for. Can their complicated relationship survive the pressure of working with each other on top of being in the public eye? That was a question I asked myself constantly!
"Maybe two bads make a right," he says... "We're working together. We shouldn't mix business and pleasure."
Being a romance lover, I was surprised that I was more obsessed with Topaz than the her relationship with Danny. She has been through a lot for someone so young. Her father, the only parent she's had, is very judgmental of her. Appearance is everything to him, so he has ridiculed Paz since she was young. It was hard to read about at times. I loved that this wasn't only Paz's love story, but the story of her redemption as well. #girlpower
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the romance. It was a little light on the steam but the chemistry was there. I think I longed to see their meet-cute that happened in a previous book in the series. With this being my introduction to the series, their first encounter felt odd - especially since the flirty banter happened in front of Danny's ex and son. It didn't take me long to be put under Danny's charm, though. Poor Topaz didn't stand a chance! 🤣
If you are a fan of rock star romance and single dads, pick this one up!
This was a great story; perfect for those of us who like to daydream about being a rock star or a pop princess. It's a perfect reminder that things aren't always what they seem on the surface. I enjoyed escaping into the world of Danny and Topaz and I loved that their problems are relatable even though they're famous.
Don't be intimidated by this being the 7th book in a series. I haven't read any of the previous books, and I was able to jump right in and had no problem understanding what was going on. The primary characters in this book are so well developed that I want to know more about the secondary characters, so I'll definitely be picking up the other 6 books to find out their stories too!
*I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
This was a quick, funny, sweet read that was full of emotional moments between two rockstars, Danny Desano and Patty "Topaz" Del Feliz. It is Book #7, and a complete standalone, in the Dream Catchers Series. I have not read the other books in the series but it did not affect my reading experience.
Danny is a rockstar who is a drummer in a band. He has a reputation as a manwhore and likes to party but he's getting older now and the partying life is beginning to lose its appeal. Most of his bandmates have found their significant others and are settled down. As he looks around, he is starting to realize that he is lonely and would like to have someone to come home to.
Topaz is a pop singer who rose to fame by wearing outrageous, skimpy outfits, acting sexy, and having scandalous relationships; anything to keep her in the spotlight. Her father constantly preached, "sex sells." He wasn't as supportive and sensitive to her as a person. Therefore, she had low self-esteem. She is tired of being objectified and having no control over her life.
When Danny and Topaz meet, they have an instant attraction but they aren't sure this is something that they should pursue due to their lifestyles, but they seem powerless to fight the pull. What starts out as mutual sexual attraction soon becomes more. Could these two broken rockstars come together to heal one another?
This was a good read. I enjoyed the plot and loved the characters. The band has a family feel and support each other. I liked seeing the other sides of Danny and Topaz and how their relationship evolved. They had great chemistry and steamy passion. Danny was unexpectedly sweet and funny. There was more to Topaz than most realized. I loved how Danny looked beneath the surface and supported her. My heart broke for Topaz but she was stronger than she realized and I was happy to see her get her HEA. If you like a rockstar and single dad romances, I suggest reading this.
Fanning the Fame was my first dive into The Dream Catchers series (it’s book 7), but I plowed through it so quickly and it was great as a stand alone also!
The story of Danny D the tortured (band name and description of his character) single Dad drummer & Topaz, the misunderstood pop- star stole my heart from the first page. ❤️
I loved that it reminded me of A Star Is Born (without the crazy ending) and the characters were well written and had depth! It is a fun, cute, clean (with just enough dirty), well written romance that made me miss the romance novels I devoured when I was younger!
I’ll be back to visit the Dream Catcher characters as this book made me want to know everyone’s story! I highly recommend this series and you can start right here with this book if you haven’t already!
Super heartwarming story with two headstrong positive leads! ❤️❤️
Fanning the Fame is a love story between two rock stars: Topaz and Danny. They meet through mutual friends and their attraction to one another is instant. Topaz and Danny each have reputations for living a hard and fast lifestyle and they don't have intentions of their interactions being anything more than sex. Topaz and Danny end up becoming important support systems for each other and they end up falling for one another.
This story line had some potential. I always think stories about rock stars or celebrities can be really interesting. I think at 285 pages, the story was a little rushed and I would like to have seen more depth to the story. I really liked the HEA ending to this book though!
I was provided a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As a long time fan of Sandy Lo’s novels, and the Dream Catchers series, I am very pleased to tell you that Fanning The Fame truly delivers. This sweet story sucks you in on page 1 and takes you for an exhilarating ride that makes you lose sense of time & place. The characters of Danny and Topaz are easily likable and relatable, leaving you feeling as if you’ve known them forever. This book is not only a wonderful addition to the Dream Catchers series, it stands alone as a sexy, romantic, and fun look into the whirlwind of these characters' lives and reminds us not to judge a book by it’s cover. Fanning The Fame will not disappoint, don’t hesitate on this book. (I was provided with a review copy of Fanning The Fame in exchange for this honest review).
This was such a great book. Fanning the Fame has a little bit of everything, which makes it a book everyone can enjoy. I love the transformation you see in both Danny and Topaz and how they help each other find themselves. While I have read some of the authors work before, this is my first book in the dream catchers series. If you have never read this series before this book can be read as a stand alone, but I will most definitely be reading the rest of the books in the series as well!
This was a fun, sexy romance between a seasoned rock star, Danny, and a young pop star, Topaz. Danny is still enjoying his wild ways but might be ready to settle down now that his ex-wife is getting remarried. Topaz is struggling with her image as a sexy pop star (rather than a serious artist). Topaz's record company refuses to help her make an album that she wants so she asks Danny for help ...and the sparks fly.
Qotd: Have you ever felt like suddenly you are a misfit? Like you always wanted to be there, but when you reach there ...you feel lost, like you dont know yourself?
Aotd: That's exactly how Topaz feels!!!
Well known for her "Dream Catchers" series, Sandy Lo brings her latest book in the series...
"All eyes are on me as I walk to my seat at Yankee Stadium. I usually don’t mind the attention. Hell, isn’t that the reason I do anything in my life? I dye my hair blue and wear flashy, sexy outfits for the attention. It’s also why I got into the entertainment industry. I didn’t want to be Fatty Patty anymore. That was my identity from second grade until I graduated high school. Patty is my past and Topaz, the outlandish sex kitten, is who I really am. Or at least that’s what my brand is. To be honest, I don’t know if I’m Topaz anymore either. Lately, I relate more to my past than the pop superstar everyone knows me as. All I had cared about was looking good and being wanted, and now I have that but it doesn’t seem like enough. I want to be talented, and not just the “she can hold a tune” kind of talent. I want to be known as a singer … a songwriter … a creative genius. I’m not much of any of those things, though. All I am is a paparazzi queen."
"I can’t see who I am Anymore I am lost in a camera lens So unsure Bright lights shine on me For all the wrong reasons But in the mirror all I am Goddamn…
So transparent An ugly girl wanting to be pretty So transparent Searching for any possibility To be seen Why don’t they see the real me?
It was easy to pretend Dancing to society’s beat To stay on trend
No one bothered to look Behind that filtered lens Even I don’t know who I am… Goddamn… There you were You saw my pretty Making my reflection blur
And I’m so transparent A lonely girl you gave a voice So transparent Full of possibility Finally seen
No more smoke and mirrors No more lies and tears You showed me who I am
And I’m so transparent When I look at you So transparent How much I love you"
Why should you read this book?🤔
Because it has those perfect 4💫 , a tan Pomeranian named Miriam🐶 and a cat named Phil🐱 in honor of her Philly roots. 1. The book has an awesome plot, seamlessly blended and funny characters and a perfect storyline you can get lost into!🤩 2. It has friendship, romance and fame - a popstar and a drummer, could it be any better???😋 3. Because Danny is super hot and Topaz, super sexy!😍 4. Because you are a Romance-addict and this is your next fix!🤭
Sandy Lo's Fanning the Fame, book 7 of the Dreamcatcher series is the romantic story of Topaz, a pop singer and Danny, the drummer of the very popular Tortured band.
Topaz is a girl who had always dreamt of becoming famous; also one who loathed fame once she had achieved it. Topaz believes she is recognized as a pop singer only because of her father's money and her appealing appearance, and that her talent has nothing to do with her fame. That is when Danny comes to her life, and she is instantly drawn to him. Though she is aware of her love for Danny, she refuses to confess it considering his relationship history, and for Danny, the condition is no different.
The book narrates their journey towards finding true love, and how Danny becomes a reason for Topaz's rebirth. It is an easy read, not much long and not at all complicated. Though it is the seventh book in the series, it could also be read as a standalone ( as always, I haven't read the others) and nothing felt ambiguous to me. I loved the narrative which shifted between the points of view of Topaz and Danny; it was very helpful in understanding the inner self of both the characters.