Calon and Becki are setting off on the adventure of a musical lifetime. Calon’s band is just starting to take off and in turn so is Becki’s career as their manager. Adding to that adventure is the beginning of Calon and Becki’s relationship…which starts out at an innocent pace but soon turns hot and heavy. From the very beginning though Calon and Becki seem to have what it takes to withstand crazy schedules, hot groupies and the stresses of being on the road. The bigger problem lies in the painful past Calon has had and having to watch his first love become sick and ultimately succumb to her illness. Those memories are hard to recover from but both Becki and Calon hope that what they’ve found will bring love back into his life. Unfortunately you know the saying “just when you think it can’t get any worse”, right? Life isn’t done throwing curveballs at Calon….only know he has Becki at his side to handle what life can throw at them.
We’ve known Becki from the very beginning of the series and have loved her since then. She’s tenacious and the best friend a person could ask for. She’s fun and loyal and is a gal I would love to hang out with. Calon is a freaking dream guy. It doesn’t matter that he’s an up and coming über talented rock star, he’s a gentleman first. Now, I’m not saying that their relationship is all flowers and sparkles, because it isn’t, but it’s a relationship that is strong and contains so much love.
As for the ups and downs Calon and Becki have to endure…oh my. I don’t want to spoil anything for you but I will say that these are very real and very relatable issues that anyone could have to shoulder in life and I think that is just one of the many reasons I enjoy Michelle’s writing so very much. Her books don’t have the billionaire with professional hit men coming after a character and car chases in cars that cost a year of college tuition. Her characters are real. Their problems are real. It’s all very relatable and it becomes a breath of fresh air. That being said, the breath of fresh air may be coming from your stuffed up nose because you’ve been crying your eyes out for the past few chapters but hey, you know I love that!
Now, if you know Michelle and follow her social media, you know music plays a huge part in her life…as well as in this book. Never before have I seen an author’s love for music transfer so beautifully into a story as it did in Above the Noise. It’s a gift Michelle has and it’s one that I truly appreciate.
Michelle, thank you for once again writing one hell of a book. I will continue to look forward to your work time and time again!
Four-and-a-Half Loves
LINKS:
Go! I don’t want you near this!” I turned back toward Max. I’d allowed my eyes
off him for way too long.
What is this about, Calon?” Max was a
dumbass for challenging me with semantics.
hands all over Becki. That’s what this is
about, Max!” I motioned between us with my hand.
then the beat of “Tsunami” by Dvvbs and Borgeous bounced the floor. The music
was so loud it’s all I could hear. Max’s mouth flapped, but I had no idea what
he said. I didn’t need to hear anything to read his cocky swagger as he walked
toward me or the two middle fingers he shot up when he got within reach. That’s
when it all went down.
threw the first punch, seemingly in response to what he knew was coming his
way. He caught me in the jaw, and I heard Becki shriek my name, but my head
sprung back instantly, and my eyes locked on his. My fist connected with the
side of his head right at his temple, and I felt something in my hand crack,
but I felt no pain.
James! Knock it the fuck off!” Becki’s voice was garbled, like it was coming at
me through liquid.
wanted to just leave with her and keep her safe, but the cocky motherfucker in
front of me needed to feel the line I
was drawing in the sand. He came at me again, this time he ducked and ran
straight into my chest with his head. I curled my arms under his and brought
them up violently and made contact with his chest with a deep thunk. I could
feel the hit reverberate through my forearms.
He staggered back, but his feet caught up with his body and he kept his
footing.
think you’re such a fuckin’ hot shot, don’t you?” He was calling me the hot shot?
shook out the hand that hit him, and then ran it through my hair. I shoved the
other hand in the pocket of my jeans. “Are we done, Max?” I had to yell over
the music, and he was less than three feet from me. I drew my line. He needed
to understand his boundaries if we were going on tour together, but I didn’t
need to kill him. We could be done as soon as he got the point.
we’re done when I walk out the front door with Becki.” His lip curled when he
said her name, which sent a shock through my body I’d never felt before. I
could only imagine what went through his mind as her name rolled off his
tongue. We weren’t done.
with my fist. No doubt, I felt that one. I took another shot and made abrupt
contact with his jaw then another. Becki was yelling, but I couldn’t make sense
of anything she said, the music was too loud. Someone grabbed me from behind
and pulled me back. “Dude, he’s not worth it, let’s bounce. C’mon, Cal, don’t
do this.” Spider, always the voice of reason.
nodded and wrestled my arms back from him. I took a deep breath and calmly
walked back over to where Max was crouched, trying to get up.
you were out of line.” I crouched down in front of him and watched him wipe the
blood coming from his nose with the back of his hand. I didn’t want to
apologize. I wanted to continue smashing his head with my fist, but that wasn’t
how I wanted people to see me. “Stay away from her. She’s not yours to take.”
I’m not yours to take either!”
Becki’s voice was loud and clear as the song ended. I stood and turned to her.
She didn’t say another word, but her eyes said it all. I’d disappointed her.
That revelation stung way worse than if she’d just punched me in the gut.
Michelle has been an artist for as long as she can remember, always choosing pencils and crayons over toys and puzzles. As a freelance illustrator, her simple characters play the starring roles in numerous emergent reader books published by Reading Reading Books.
