First Cut

Rock Star Romance #5

by Sandra Alex

Their first hit single. His first betrayal. And two women that make Randy question everything he’s ever wanted.

Randy Jackson loves his life. He’s got a beautiful, hard-working celebrity wife, and a rising musical career as the lead guitarist in a band that just signed their first record deal. He has a great dog, and the best relationships with his band members, namely his stepbrother, who is the lead vocalist. Little clues pass by him that things aren’t quite as hunky-dorey as they may seem, but Randy’s rose-colored glasses currently blind him.

Darrell Tanner loves her job as a video editor for the music industry. She’s met all types of musicians that adorn the face of MTV, but none ever appreciate her hard work until the boys from Brave Face appear. Darrell is suddenly treated like royalty, and she basks in the accoutrements in a dream-like state, forgetting about her second-class boss who spends more time on vacation than he does in the office. But one day she realizes that she’s taken things too far, and it’s too late to do anything about it. Can she walk away and leave the best thing that’s ever happened to her?

Randy’s wake-up call comes like a bat out of hell, and when he least expects it. The only thing that has kept his focus in such a tumultuous industry is the one thing that he’s about to lose for good, and the worst part is, he has to be the one to walk away from it. Until someone he least expects breaks his fall, and everyone else sees it coming, including Randy…but is he too jaded to do anything about it?

A beautiful love story about survival in a tough industry that labels and points fingers in all directions at undeserving people, and the lies that they tell to get ahead under the spotlight. This is a rock star romance that underscores the betrayal that exists in Hollywood, and how stars either sink or swim through it, just like the rest of the world does. First Cut contains course language and graphic sex, so please be forewarned. This book, like all others in this series, is a standalone, and can be enjoyed in any sequence.

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 7, 2021

About the author

Meet your next book boyfriend.

Love stories that could actually happen.

New to Sandra Alex? Download your FREE BOOK and see what you've been missing https://dl.bookfunnel.com/9ak1h8gll1

About the Author

Sandra has been writing poems and short stories since middle school, and writing full length, self-published novels since 2010, using several pen names.

Writing full-length steamy romance series has quickly become a love for this author. Her stories have elements of humor, family issues, suspense and personal growth. Her books take the reader right into the bedroom with the characters to feel the same intensity as the lovers do in the story. Sandra's goal is to have the reader rooting for the main couple...and she doesn't disappoint.

You'll find this author working out weekday mornings at ungodly hours. She's gluten and dairy free, and is probably the only person on earth who doesn't do coffee or chocolate.

Her favorite movie is Bohemian Rhapsody, her favorite tv shows are Friends and The Connors. She's also a die-hard Rocky fan and has read the Fifty Shades trilogy and watched the movies more times than she cares to admit.

Sandra is married with two daughters and is a lover of all things four-legged, including her own two furbabies.

The Ford Brothers series focuses on five swoon-worthy brothers who each served in the military, and lost their billionaire father suddenly, which left them to run his airline after his death. Each book features one brother, but they make appearances in all five novels. In case you haven't guessed, the titles in the Ford Brothers series have been inspired by hazard warning signs, an idea the author came up with after completing a health and safety course prior to starting the series.

The Miles for Love series is about unexpected love, and it features the Lynch family; four brothers and one sister, who are each passionate, imperfect, and are just like you and I...but way sexier and with much more interesting lives. They are very individual and each have a unique story to tell.

The Rock Star Romance series is inspired by the death of Eddie Van Halen on October 6, 2020. It is a standalone series unlike any other this author has written. Look for this series! It's available now!

Ford Brothers Series order:

Proceed with Caution (Colton and Julia) second chance romance

Enter at Your Own Risk (Wade and Kendra) rock star/hate to love romance

Handle with Care (Garrett and Nora) second time around/betrayal romance

Slippery When Wet (Dalton and Amelia) widower romance/younger man & older woman

May Explode if Heated (Jack and Kristina) bad boy romance

Trespassers will be Prosecuted (Bryn and Liz) billionaire romance

Miles for Love Series order:

Crossing Boundaries (Daniel and Kayla) best friends to lovers romance

Crossing Oceans (Aleks and Mallorie) long-distance romance

Crossing Roads (Christopher and Ashley) hate-to-love romance

Crossing Hearts (Tyler and Ripley's story) second chance romance

Crossing Borders (Grant and Frankie's story) second chance romance

Rock Star Romance Series order:

Dress Rehearsal (Billy and Michelle's story)

Opening Night (Jimmy and Cindy's story)

Platinum (Tommy and Debbie's story)

World Tour (Danny and Diana's story)

Big Bands, Big Hearts Series order:

Dreams
Jump
Secrets
Unchained
Runaround

To learn more about Sandra, you can check her out here:

Website: https://www.sandraalexbooks.com
BookBub: www.bookbub.com/authors/sandra-alex
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SandraAlexBooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandraAlexBooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandra_alex...

Join her Facebook reading group Sizzling Reads by Sandra Alex:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/32052...

For a FREE Prequel for 'Proceed with Caution', 'Crossing Boundaries', and an

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book five in A Rock Star Romance series and it is Randy and Darrell's story and it is a must read. Randy had a great life and marriage and the band that he is in called Brave Face had just signed there first record deal so things were really looking up for him then everything fell apart when he finds his celebrity wife in a compromising position completely shattering and devastating him and the life that he thought they had and now everything was falling apart. Darrell has a job in a rough neighbourhood with awful pay but she loves everything that she does and makes the most of the negative comments from her boss but when Randy and his band arrives things start to look up and get better. When Randy and Darrell meet she can see how much he is suffering and decides to help him get through the upheaval in his life. Randy and Darrell are so perfect for each other but is Randy ready for a relationship after everything that his wife has put him through only time will tell what the outcome will be for them. I found myself cheering Randy and Darrell along hoping that they get a chance to be together and get the happy ending that they both deserve. I couldn't put this book down as it was a real page turner and so addictive and I definitely recommend you read this book as it was so well written and definitely worth reading.

I received a copy of this book and i am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Randy was feeling like he had it all. Until he didn't. He was married to a successful wife, his bad was on the way up with their first record deal signed and he has a dog. Then he catches his wife betraying him and he is devastated. Darrell is doing a touch job for not enough pay in not the best neighborhood. When she meets Randy and the band they connect right away and she id there for him as things fall apart. Although they meet at a difficult time in Randy's life, it is good to see that he could find someone good and genuine to help him move forward with his life.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Sandra Alex for providing me with an ebook copy of First Cut for me to review. What an interesting, fast paced story. I loved the plot and unique characters. There were a small number of grammatical and wording errors that I noticed while reading including the wrong name used at one point, however they weren't frequent enough to detract from the story. The one thing I disliked was the use of man or dude when speaking to the female main character. It happened constantly and it rubbed me the wrong way every single time. Still, the quick pace of the story and the romance that you want to root for kept me wanting to find out what would happen next.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Cut is another 5-star book from this author, and it's a terrific addition to the series. Randy has a perfect marriage, until he finds out that it's not as perfect as he thought. He crosses paths with Darrell when the band hires her to edit videos. They have amazing chemistry together, and a chance to have the great life that they both deserve - I was rooting for them all along. And honestly, I just could not warm up to Emily, even prior to her indiscretions. The book has it all... action and suspense, friendship and love, and a healthy dose of heat. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !!! love this series !!! love Randy and Darrell... this is their story... a fast paced heart breaking drama... Randy had it all... he loved his life... a beautiful celebrity wife... his band has a number one hit... his dog... until, he finds his wife cheating...he is heart broken when he meets Darrell, the video editor... they strike up a friendship... Darrell is there for him...can this be his second chance ?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bella Gwynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chance at love
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2021
In the music industry, as in the movie industry, fidelity often doesn’t last.
Randy is the lead guitarist in the ban Brave Face. When he meets Darrell, a video editor for music groups, he is still totally dedicated to his Hollywood wife. However Darrel and Randy become platonic friends.
Everything changed on Randy’ wedding anniversary when he went Hollywood to surprise his wife.
What I live about this story is how two people with integrity end up with a HEA.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my absolute favourite genre rockstars, bands etc etc and this is the first rockstar romance where the guy is actually a good guy and he’s faithful to his wife. Darrell edits rockstar videos she edits Randy’s band video they are impressed with her work, Darrell and Randy are attracted to each other but they won’t do anything because Randy is married. There is so much more going on in this fantastic story I loved it and I highly recommend this book it’s well worth the read.

[J. Ockenhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life isn't as it always appears. Randy is about to learn that very lesson the hard way. But for all that hurt him and broke his rose colored glasses gave him the ability to see Darrell.

They are relatable and had me pulling for them. The story is of lessons, seeing your own worth and finding that love sometimes takes you on the rough route.

I received an ARC for an honest and voluntarily review.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great throw back story! Just enough humour to lighten some dark times.

Sandra really knows how to get you to connect with her characters. Who hasn't been betrayed or felt loss like Randy has. I absolutely loved that even though there was some definite heart ache and drama in the story it wasn't overly angsty.

Well done.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is about to come to earth with a big bump. He thought everything was going really well until he learns it is not as he seems. How is he going to cope with it all? Will it all end well? Will it all end in disaster? See just where you will be taken as you watch the journey

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet romance held my attention from beginning to end. Darrell and Randy are very likable characters with great chemistry who you just know are meant to be together even though Randy's circumstances make that difficult. Their story captured my heart. I enjoyed it very much.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed every bit of this "Rock Star Romance". It is an emotional read but heartwarming as well. I love Randy and Darrell. Their story is nicely developed and the chemistry between them is off the charts. She is a much better fit than Emily. He should have taken her for a ride she was a piece of work. Poor Carter! I like this story a lot. The first cut if always the deepest.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good story in the Rock Star Romance Series, this time it is Randy Jackson lead guitarist and video editor Darrell Tanner's story. I enjoyed reading. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING! A fantastic, beautifully written read. An intense storyline that holds your attention as you get caught up in the fierce twists and hot chemistry. Plenty of excitement and emotionally heartfelt. A thrilling must read.

[Noreen Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read that took me a bit of getting into but I did enjoy it in my own way.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!! I received an arc of this book.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Randy & Darrel had an intriguing read. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.