I read this in one day! Main characters were well developed and likable. Really enjoyed the relationship building. The author took her time developing the relationship which made it much more believable.

I thought I would love this book, but personally I just love fantasy genre books more… still a good read.

I thought that this was an excellent story and I loved this book!

The characters were strong and really well developed with some great interaction between them – I really enjoyed getting to know them as the book progressed and I flew through the pages, it was a really active story and such a page turner!!

It was very well written and it had a great flow to it – it was a book that I did not want to put down, I was completely drawn in by the story.

It was romantic and sexy read – the characters were made for each other

It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!

Love Rockstar Romance and this one was no exception. Great storyline and world-building. I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.

Book two in the Balefire series. You meet Blu Connolly and Ashleigh Baker this time round. He’s a harden rockstar with an equally wild past. She’s a substitute teacher, who’s also a music reviewer who has a passion for gardening. She lived in the house she rented next door to his mother’s house. They met when he rolls up to his mother’s house revving up his Harley, late one night announcing his arrival. Mind you, that was not a good impression for a first meeting, but then again, he had no idea, she was even there. Eventually they got around to getting to know one another. It had fun, spice, some suspense and some dicey characters, who may or may not, get a lesson or end up in a coffin. It was an enjoyable read and you’ll enjoy it so when you get a chance pick up a copy and enjoy.

This second book in the series was just as engaging as the first .Ashleigh , a music reviewer, becomes acquainted with the rock singer Blu who is on hiatus and is an incomparable womanizer. Ashleigh struggles to uphold her values and ideals under the constant , relentless assault launched by Blu to be with her. Though the odds were against Blu, his goal-setting and persistence proves that odds can be beaten. Their attraction to each other is more powerful than their individual strengths. Even so, while it was difficult to comprehend the sincerity and immediacy of Blu's feeling, the flow of events and descriptive emotions helps to convince you where his head and heart are at. Once again the battle between true love and opposing factions comes to a conclusive end. This was well written, entertaining and a page turner. Thanks Netgalley for allowing me this ARC.

Ashleigh Baker, waiting for her big journalism break, takes a job substitute teaching and rents a small house with a nice size lot to garden, one of her favorite past times. Soon she discovers that she has moved in next to the mother of her rockstar crush, Blu Conolly, leads singer of Balefire. The chemistry between the two of them is raging hot when they finally meet, but Ashleigh isn't into being a groupie or summer fling for Blu, so she turns him down. Blu, determined that Ashleigh is the one, commits to convincing her they are meant to be.

I loved Sing for Me even more than the first installment in this Balefire series, Play for Me, which is saying something, because I devoured that one. Blu is such a good guy behind all that sex, drugs & rock & roll persona. Ashleigh is a strong female lead who knows what she wants and stands up for it. Their chemistry together is perfect. Romance is a major genre of this novel, along with some great suspense and adventure, so be prepared to enjoy the ride!

Sing for Me

3.5/5 stars

I had to sit on this one for a little bit before sitting down to write a review and choose a rating.

I enjoyed this book; it went by super quickly and was fast paced.

This book is told from the dual perspectives of the two main characters – a normal everyday girl who is a music reviewer along with Blu, who is the lead singer of the band Balefire. Ashleigh just happens to be Blu’s mom’s next-door neighbour who has a bit of a dislike of Blu’s reputation when he comes to visit between tours.

It’s a cute frenemies to lovers romance, that could have fulfilled all of my teenage falling-in-love-with-my-favourite-bands-lead-singer fantasies, but I was left slightly disappointed overall with it.

When everyone says it’s fast paced, they mean that it is *fast* paced. It starts, and then it’s just something after something after something. There’s never a real break in the story, and honestly, some of it was a little confusing because of the way the author chose to write it. There were key moments that were totally skipped over (Blu and Ashleigh’s first kiss? The major event towards the end?) and mentioned only in passing or looking back.

It almost seems like the author didn’t want to write the major things that happen, and just wanted to focus on the everything is happy in the end without including the real drama that clearly happened but was never explained. Not to mention the ending seemed to happen way to quickly, I wish it had been dragged out more to get more of the drama, tension, and heartbreak that would have made it all so much better in the end.

Overall, it was a good read, it was fun and cute – not as steamy as I thought it was going to be, but it was still super enjoyable.

NetGalley
Sing for me - Tam DeRudder Jackson (@TamsTales32)
Balefire Series (2)

Thank you to @NetGalley and Tam DeRudder Jackson for the ARC of this eBook to read & Review!
Oh wow! This was a great read. The sexual tension between our two main characters is hot, lust filled and passionate.
Blu is a bit of a player but endearingly he finds himself drawn to Ashleigh.
Ashleigh is a big fan of Balefire but knows all about the fuckboy rockers’ notorious reputation with the opposite sex and is, understandably, reluctant to let Blu into her heart.
I love these characters and the way that the perspective shifts from one to the other leaves the reader knowing what each is thinking.
Great ending and I do love a book with a play list :D
Now I need to go read \"Play for me\" and patiently await \"Wild for me\" to be released!
4 stars

3.5 stars

It’s very easy to read book and follows on well from the first book. The connections between the four band members was really good, the scenes where they rehearse felt very insightful. And felt so accurate.

However I didn’t get enough insight into Blu and Ashleigh’s feelings and why they acted as they did. It was a bit frustrating. There was a major upset with a secondary character I didn’t think this was well handled by Blu.

This was a really fun romance. Blue made me actually laugh out loud and the fact that Ashleigh was a normal everyday girl made the story so much better. The only negative was the ending felt rushed.

Note: I haven't read 1st book so I was little lost on the beggining.
I chosen this book because of the book challenge- rockstar romance- and it was great!

The plot was quite familiar and well known story about rockstar romances- hero is bad boy, lover and has bunch of groupies- and when he returns home he meets (again) his quit neighbour Ashleigh. He falls in love (again) but she isn't sure if this is a real thing- what will happen when another tour starts?

I liked the plot. It was predictable and known- and I like that. :) Story was quick read, without surprises and twists- just like I like it.

This is a great book. The two main characters are Ashleigh and Blu. Blu is a rockstar and Ashleigh is a music reviewer. Blu’s mom is Ashleigh’s neighbor, this how they meet. Ashleigh has read too many stories about Blu’s wild life. Blu is determined to make Ashleigh his girlfriend. They have some problems but work through them and find true love.

The second book in the Balefire series, I did not read the first, but I plan to correct that. I was not lost; it was a quick read, and I was quickly engaged.

I love rockstar romances, from the cheesy stereotype to the behind-the-scenes. This story was more towards the latter, we hear of Blu’s reputation, but the author gives us another side to him. I love that Ashleigh makes him work for a friendship, and even their first meeting is a bust. The harder Blu tries, the more mistakes he makes.

Ashleigh is the girl next door, literally, to his mother! I love her moxie, and her efforts not to be affected by Blu. The chemistry is there. Can she fight it? Will her heart give in?

Thank you to NetGalley and Warrior Romance Press for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

Sing for Me by Tam DeRudder Jackson was the first book I read by this author and will not be the last.

The story is about Ashleigh and Blu, a huge rockstar and a substitute teacher/music reviewer. Their exchange right from the beginning was believable, and both characters were easy to fall in love with. I thought the flow of the book was perfect and extremely well written.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance, but also loves a good storyline!

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Time for a good rockstar romance? Then check out this book, which centers around the unlikely relationship between a small town substitute school teacher/part-time music reviewer named Ashleigh and the lead singer of a world-famous rock band named Blu Connolly.

As fate would have it, Blu has just finished a world tour and heads home to spend some time with his mother, Diane. He's intrigued to see that his mother's next door neighbor is no longer the old man he used to play pranks on. Instead, there's a beautiful girl working in the old man's yard, building a flower garden. Ashleigh is shocked when she realizes that her friend and next door neighbor Diane is the mother of Blu Connolly, the lead singer of her all-time favorite band Balefire. Ashleigh tries to forget her years-long crush on the handsome singer. After all, she isn't his typical type of girlfriend -- long, leggy fashion models or actresses. Neither is she interested in a one-night stand, which seems to be the length of most of his relationships.

Blu is intrigued with Ashleigh especially since she isn't captivated by his charm and good looks. She isn't throwing herself at him, and that doesn't happen in his world. He naturally wants to find out more about his beautiful neighbor and seeks out ways to get to know her. When she is fired as a music reviewer for a local music blog, and Blu is partially at fault, he suggests that she go along with the band on their upcoming tour and write a series of articles about the band. He can arrange for them to be published in a world-famous music magazine, since the publisher is a friend. Ashleigh is reluctant at first, then excitement at the experience of traveling with her favorite band overrides her reluctance.

Of course, spending time with the band, crew and Blu gives Ashleigh a chance to see Blu's world, and gives them an opportunity to know each other better. Their attraction grows as they each discover the person underneath their public personas. (Especially true for Blu.)

I enjoyed the way the author developed the relationship between the two leading characters, turning it from just initial physical reaction into something deeper and more meaningful. I loved seeing some of the sweet things that Blu did for Ashleigh. And the surprise near the end -- wow! I wasn't expecting that. (You'll have to read the book to find out about it; I don't want to spoil it for you.)

A disclaimer/warning: there is some swearing in this book, and some talk about threesomes and a few other sexual acts that might make some people uncomfortable. I guess it's just part of making Balefire seem realistic, especially since they were known for their wild antics and hard partying.

I gave this book 4 stars because the story was compelling enough to keep me turning the pages, even if it meant I pull an all-nighter to finish it! .

Ashleigh has a very normal life. She works as a teachers and music bands reviewer and lives in a small house in Denver. What she doesn't know is that Blu Connolly, the lead singer of Balefire, is her neighbor's son.
Blue is gorgeous, charismatic and seems to be a nice guy but Ashleigh doesn't want to get involve with him. She doesn't want to be just a night in Blu's life. So she is determined to resist him. And Blu is determined to have her.
I really enjoyed this book. Blu made me laugh a lot of times. And I loved that Ashleigh is a normal girl. The end was a little bit rushed but I liked it anyway.

Sing For Me, second book in the Balefire series, but able to be read as a stand alone book, Blu is the lead singer of his band and had everything that comes along with it - sex, booze, and rock-n-roll. While on a hiatus, Blu moves into cbildhood home and meets the girl next door, Ashleigh. She moved a lot as a kid, being the daughter of an Air Force Colonel. She just wants someplace to call home and finds a long-term lease on her place.

When Blu moves in next door, Ashleigh knows who he is right away, but does everything to ignore him. Blu sees her as a challenge and feels chemistry the second he lays eyes on her. This book follows them as Blu continues to tell Ashleigh they are dating and she tries to ignore her feelings. The chemistry is there from the moment they meet and Blu is nothing, if not honest and true to Ashleigh. The chemistry between the band mates shows true friendship as well, and shows that your friends can be your family. I rate this book as 4.5 🌟!

I'd like to say a huge thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Classic story of wild rockstar boy meets literal girl-next-door. I really liked this book as I felt the emotional connection between the characters, and not just the physical one. A great beach read!

Sing for Me is the second book in the Balefire series by Tam DeRudder and I didn't know it before requesting it. On the upside it didn't make a shred of difference to reading the book. I love that.

Ashleigh lives a quiet and fulfilling existence as a teacher and part-time music reviewer/blogger. She loves gardening and is Little Miss Independent. Her next door neighbour happens to be related to Blu Connolly, lead singer of her favourite band Balefire. When Blu takes a break from touring he returns home and makes Ashleigh's acquaintance. While the first meeting doesn't go well, some attraction and interest is there, but Ashleigh intend to have a one and done with Blu so he can leave her broken hearted. Eventually, they find themselves enjoying each other's company, much to Blu's Mum's delight. Alot of the chasing is done by Blu and it's apparent he's not the type of guy who hears no very often.

Ashleigh was a tricky one for me, and I'm not sure what it was. I found her stand-offish nature with Blue refreshing, even though I knew it was the reason for the book. She wasn't playing hard to get for the sake of it, she was in such a quandry about giving her heart over to a rockstar. I wasn't totally sold on Blu's multiple girls one night and then his being totally smitten with Ashleigh the next. I want to know how this transpired for Blu and how he reconciled it. I also found it a little unbelievable that in the 2021 context Blu would pop over the Mama's house for a sleepover then go out for some food, sing a few tunes and not have any paparazzi swarming all over him and his mother's place. Particularly given what eventuates with the rest of the book with Asheligh becoming more involved with the band, it just didn't convince me.

In saying that, I loved the steam factor with some sweatness, and Blu's romantic side. I loved the completeness of the band and the focus on the other bandmates as well as Blu, giving you the sense the band will be around for the long-term and there will be more books in the series with these characters. I felt the drama was a bit unecessary, and the ending could have been managed a tad differently for impact but enjoyed this book nontheless.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a complimentary kindle version of this book to read and review.