Review: Doesn't pull any punches
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 22, 2013
SHAKEN DIRTY is the first storyline in Tracy Wolff's new contemporary, rock star romance series of the same name.  This is Jamison and Ryder's story-Jamison is the sister of Ryder's best friend and fellow bandmate Jared and Ryder is the tattooed, pierced and lead singer for Shaken Dirty.  Everyone in the band knows that Jamison is Jared's little sister and there is a hands-off policy enforced.  But when Ryder learns that Jamison is the band's new chef for the tour, he doesn't know if a hands-off policy is possible because he has wanted Jamison for a very long time.The reader is taken on a back-stage tour of the down and dirty life of a rock band: we watch as groupies throw themselves at the band; drinking is an art form; and for one, drugs, will be the ultimate high.  And all the while, each member feels the need to protect Jamison from the others as well as herself.  But Jamison is twenty three years old and has had a crush on Ryder since she was thirteen and no one was going to prevent her from letting Ryder know exactly how she feels.The storyline also focuses on the ongoing problems with each of the band members.  For one, there is a history of substance abuse and for another the past is filled with a history of guilt and loss.  Still one more must face the truth about the reality of his personal life when everything begins to crash down around him. And still another buries years of abuse, behind the music.The relationship between Ryder and Jamison begins as friends to lovers but in the end, Ryder will push Jamison away believing he is not worthy of love.  Their love making is sensual and erotic but there is still the proverbial elephant in the room-something in Ryder's past will not allow him to forgive and move forward. And Ryder's guilt knows no boundaries when a scene from present day replays over and over in his head-what if he wasn't there to save Jamison?The world building brings together the cast and crew of a number one selling rock band and the fans who will stop at nothing for a piece of the band.  The characters are colorful as are their histories and current lifestyle and love lives.  And in the end, the band will say goodbye to one of their own and welcome a new addition.Crash Into Me is a fast paced storyline that doesn't pull any punches; it looks at the uglier side of life on the road and the inability of some people to stay on the straight and narrow.If you are a fan of the rock genre storyline CRASH INTO ME is another welcome addition.  But the epilogue fast forwards the storyline about one year, so I am hoping that Tracy goes back and writes a story for each of the members or at the very least offers a reflection, memory and flashbacks in her upcoming stories.Copy supplied by the publisher.