Made the Grade: Runaway Train Series, Book 1

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 535 KB | Release Date: March 24, 2013 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Music of the Heart" [Runaway Train Series, Book 1] by Katie Ashley

Author's Book Description : For Abby Renard, the plan was supposed to be simple—join her brothers’ band on the last leg of their summer tour and decide if she’s finally ready for the limelight by becoming its fourth member. Of course, she never imagined stumbling onto the wrong tour bus at Rock Nation would accidentally land her in the bed of Jake Slater, the notorious womanizing lead singer of Runaway Train. When he mistakes her for one of his groupie’s, Abby quickly lets him know she sure as hell isn't in his bed on purpose.

Jake Slater never imagined the angel who fell into his bed would resist his charms by promptly kneeing him in the balls. Of course, the fact she seems like a prissy choir girl makes her anything but his type. So he is more than surprised when after betting Abby she wouldn't last a week on their tour bus, she is more than willing to prove him wrong. But as Jake’s personal life begins to implode around him, he finds an unlikely ally in Abby. He’s never met a woman he can talk to, joke with, or most importantly make music with.

As the week starts comes to a close, neither Abby nor Jake is ready to let go. Can a sweetheart Country songstress and a bad boy of Rock N Roll actually have a future together?

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! It's a cute novel about a very good girl meeting a bad boy rocker in unusual circumstances and their lives intertwining. It has a great beginning that leads up to some entertaining and harsh events that set an intriguing tone for this novel.

However, not long after Jake bails on Abby, in the hotel while babysitting, my respect for him plummeted and coincidentally I found that from then on the plot/story line didn't get much better. Especially since Jake seems to be the one step forward and two steps back kind of guy. He also had a knack that if bad things weren't happening to him already then he would make trouble for himself and after a while I couldn't put up with it.

Yet, with all my complaining about Jake I still read the whole novel. I finished it mostly to see what would happen next and because, even though I might have not completely liked Jake, I did like how he and Abby were together when things were good between them. In addition, it helped that the other guys in Jake's band were a riot. =0)

Overall, I think it was an interesting beginning to this series. So, I do recommend it to those who like rock star romances, especially if you don't mind reading about the hero being a big jerk sometimes.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

Author's Novel Extras : Music of the Heart - Overview & Trailers | Pinterest: Music of the Heart | A Compilation of all things Music of the Heart | The Essential Music of the Heart Playlist Part #1 | The Essential Music of the Heart Playlist #2 | Happy One Year Anniversary of Music of the Heart & Giveaway


Author's Series Extras : Beat of the Heart - Overview | Pinterest: Beat of the Heart | Pinterest: Music of the Soul | Pinterest: Strings of the Heart | Smexy Saturday Post and AJ's Muse | Teaser Tuesday: AJ and Mia do the Rumba | Valentine's with Jake and Abby from Music of the Heart and Soul

Author's Book Trailer :

Author's Teaser Video(s) :



Book Teaser(s) :

“Did I say something embarrassing to you before I puked and passed out?”
“Jake—”
His blue eyes blazed with emotion when he finally met my gaze. “I remember some of it. I know I said I wanted to fuck you, but didn’t I say something else? Something more...heartfelt, I hope?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“What was it?” he prompted.
Somehow I remembered everything he had told me verbatim, so I repeated it. Jake’s eyes widened, and he sucked in a sharp breath. “But don’t worry about the wanting someone-like-me-to-love-you part. I mean, I know you were drunk,” I quickly added. I popped out of my seat like a Jack-In-The-Box and grabbed his bowl. After hustling over to the kitchen, I put it in the sink and turned on the water.
I gasped when Jake’s body pressed into my back. “Angel,” he murmured, his breath hot against my neck. I shivered in spite of the heat. “I meant every word of what I said—the good and the bad.”
Spinning around, I stared into his eyes. When I saw the sincerity in them, my heartbeat accelerated. “You did?”
“Yes, I really want to have sex while you’re wearing cowboy boots,” he deadpanned.
I laughed in spite of myself. I knew for someone like Jake, all the feelings stuff was getting too intense for him, and he needed to lighten it. “That’s good to know, but sadly, I don’t see it happening any time soon.”
“Bummer,” he replied. He reached over to sweep a lock of hair out of my face. Once he pinned it behind my ear, he smiled. ~ within Chapter 9 - titled 'Abby'

“I look like a real gentleman, don’t I?”
She grinned. “I think even my dad would approve of you tonight.”
Part of her comment stung, but I covered up my feelings by giving her a cocky smirk. “Yeah, well, what would he have to say about his daughter’s attire tonight?”
She glanced down at her dress. “You like it?”
Considering it had flimsy little straps, showed off her fabulous rack and was almost backless, hell yes, I liked it. “I love it. You look absolutely breathtaking tonight.”
Abby’s cheeks warmed with my compliments. She leaned up to kiss my lips. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
AJ strolled up to us. At Abby’s attire, his eyes widened. “Oh my God, Angel! That is just like the dress Sookie wore in the Season Two finale of True Blood!”
Abby rolled her eyes. “AJ, you’ve got a True Blood fetish.”
He grinned. “Dude, it’s basically vamp porn!”
She laughed. “You’re impossible.” ~ within Chapter 13 - titled 'JAKE'

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Katie, then please check out her website.