Shameless Book Tour: excerpt, review & giveaway
Shameless (Nashville Nights #1) by Cheryl Douglas
Contemporary romance*Self-published
Trey Turner may be topping the country music charts but his life has been going downhill since his wife left him five years ago. He’s desperate to make amends for the mistakes he’s made and convince Sierra their love deserves a second chance.
Sierra Brooks is happy for the first time since her divorce. She has a career she loves and a fiancĂ© who loves her. Unfortunately, her fiancĂ© isn’t the only man professing his love. He may be able to offer her safety and security, but will she decide to risk everything for another chance with the man who broke her heart?
Excerpt:
Chapter One
Trey Turner tipped the plastic bottle and watched the little
white pills scatter across the desktop. One would take the edge off; twenty
would end it all. He considered his options. He wasn’t ready to give up; he
couldn’t do that to his family.
He put one of the pills on his tongue and swallowed it with
a mouthful of scotch as the phone rang. He knew it was the morning radio show
calling to interview him. His manager, Luc Spencer, had arranged it and,
despite his protests, Luc insisted it was necessary. The public was demanding
answers; it was time to end the speculation.
He checked the call display and pushed the button to
activate the call. “Hello.”
“Trey, Johnny Madson, KX790 in Nashville. How the hell are
ya this mornin’, buddy?”
Trey rubbed his eyes, willing the pill to take effect. “I’m
good.”
“We’re going live in three minutes. Stand by.”
Trey endured the longest three minutes of his life as he
waited for the radio host to return. He glanced at the list of questions and
answers his publicist, Avery, had provided. He’d been doing this long enough to
know they always surprised you with questions they knew were off-limits. He
hoped he was sharp enough to dodge the bullets this morning.
“Trey, we’re live. Our listeners are anxious to hear about
what’s been happening with the king of country music. Where’ve you been, man?”
“I’ve been in the studio working on the next album.”
“That’s what we like to hear. Tell me, when do you plan to
release it?”
“By early next year, I hope.”
“Can we assume you’re planning a world tour to promote the
new album?”
In his current state of mind, just the thought of a tour was
overwhelming, but he owed it to his fans and his label. “That’s the plan,
Johnny.”
“Good stuff. I know your fans are looking forward to that.
We get calls and emails about you every day. People want to know what you’ve
been up to. They’re dying to know when the new album’s coming out.” He laughed.
“The pressure’s on, man.”
“Yeah, I know. I plan to deliver the goods.” If only he
could figure out how to break through the mother of all creative blocks and
write a song he wouldn’t be embarrassed to attach his name to.
“So why did you decide to sign with a new record label,
Trey?”
Because my old label was putting pressure on me to get off
my ass and produce a record, he thought, considering the fall-out if he came
clean. He was tempted to tell the truth and accept the ramifications. He was so
tired of living a lie, pretending to be the man, the musician, everyone
expected him to be. “There was just a difference of opinion with the old label.
No hard feelings.”
“Are you expecting this album to go platinum like all the
others?”
Platinum, hell he would be satisfied if it didn’t end his
career. “We’ll see what happens, Johnny. It’s up to the public to decide.”
“So, you’ve been spotted around town with some of the most
beautiful women in Nashville. Is there anyone special in your life right now?”
He clenched his jaw in frustration. He had come to expect
this question, but he still resented it. “No, not really.” Megan would take
offense, but he didn’t care.
“You are one of the most eligible bachelors in the world.
Think you’ll ever marry again?”
“No.” The only woman he wanted to call his wife was
determined to forget he was alive. He’d had his one chance at forever and he
blew it. He sure as hell didn’t deserve another one.
“Can you tell us about the car wreck you were involved in
last year, Trey? We understand a woman and young child were killed. Your Hummer
and their mini-van were hit by the driver of a tractor trailer who fell asleep
at the wheel, right? Rumour has it you were lucky to escape with your life.
That would have been a hell of a loss for country music, man.”
Trey wanted to tell him the loss of life that occurred was
much more valuable than his, but he kept his mouth shut. He could imagine the
headlines: Country Superstar Trey Turner Wishes He Had Been the One to Die in
Fatal Crash.
“I’d rather not discuss that, Johnny.”
“Sure, I understand. We’ve all heard you’ve fallen off the
wagon after three years of sobriety. Is that true, Trey?”
He glanced at the highball of scotch to his right. “I’d
rather not get into it.” Which he knew was akin to admitting guilt. His manager
and publicist would go ballistic, not to mention his record label. He had to
end this call or risk digging himself a deeper hole. “Look, man, it’s been good
talking to you, but I gotta roll.”
“Yeah, sure. Thanks for talking to us, Trey. We’re all
looking forward to the new album, so don’t keep your fans waiting too long.”
“I’ll try not to. Thanks, Johnny.” He pressed the button to
end the call.
His hand shook as he reached for the crystal glass. He took
a long swallow of the amber liquid, savouring the familiar burn on the way
down. He knew it was toxic, eating him alive from the inside out. He hated that
he needed it, hated the fact that alcohol was the only thing that seemed to
take the edge off and calm the fear and anxiety so he could get through another
day.
He looked up at the ceiling. “What the hell am I gonna do?”
he whispered. He needed help, was desperate for guidance, but had no idea where
to turn. His faith had been tested to the limits, and he couldn’t face the idea
of admitting the truth to his friends and family. He had never felt so alone.
He knew that every day he lived without creative inspiration
was another day closer to sealing his fate. He couldn’t stall his manager and
record label forever. They expected answers and he knew he had to tell them the
truth; his career was over. But every time he tried to tell his best friend and
manager, he panicked. He was terrified that, without music, he was looking into
the abyss of a dark, empty, meaningless future. His music was the only thing he
had left.
He pulled the newspaper clipping out of his desk and stared
at the black and white photo of the little girl who had died in the fiery
crash. Six years old, the same age his daughter would have been. Trey couldn’t
comprehend why he had been spared when a little girl with her whole life ahead
of her had been taken. If he could, he would have traded places with her in a
heartbeat, given her a chance at the life his daughter deserved. A knock on the door of his studio interrupted
his reverie and he silently wished he could escape. Escape the questions and
expectations of a world where he no longer felt he belonged.
“Come in.”
His sister poked her head in the door. “Hey, just heard you
on the radio, big shot.”
He smiled. His sister was one of the few people who could
still make him smile. Perhaps because she didn’t see him as Trey Turner, money
machine. She simply saw him as her over-protective big brother.
He and his sister had always been close, especially before
and during his marriage. Marisa and his ex-wife had become fast friends,
bonding like sisters soon after they met. She tried not to take sides, but he
knew she blamed him for the marriage falling apart. Marisa made the effort to
maintain contact with him, but their relationship hadn’t been the same since
his divorce. Nothing in his life had been the same since his divorce.
He sighed, scrubbing his hands over his face. He rubbed his
eyes and stroked the two-day growth of beard. He knew he must look like hell,
but he couldn’t summon the energy to care. “What’s up, Marisa?”
“I could ask you the same. You look like you’ve been on one
hell of a bender.” She eyed the highball of scotch on the desk. “Have you?”
“No, just not sleeping much.” Truth be told, he felt like he
hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in years.
She glanced at the glass again, sighing. “Isn’t it a little
early for that, Trey?”
He chuckled, the sound unfamiliar to his own ears. It had
been a long time since he’d had any reason to laugh. “Honey, it’s gotta be five o’clock
somewhere.”
She folded her arms across her chest and glared at him, but
he could see the fear and disappointment lurking beneath the anger.
“Damn it. It’s not funny, Trey.”
Her expression softened and he saw the pity. God, he hated
to be pitied almost as much as he hated feeling useless, inept, and washed up.
“I’m worried about you. So are Mama and Daddy. You haven’t
been the same since the accident.”
He slid the newspaper clipping under a stack of documents.
He didn’t want her to know he’d been obsessing about the past again. Why
couldn’t he just let it go, look to the future? Maybe he could stand the
thought of a life without music if he wasn’t facing it alone. He sighed. No
sense wishing for the impossible.
“Nothing to worry about, sis. I’m fine.”
“Prove it.” She claimed the chair across from him. “Come to
Jimmy’s tonight. You and I haven’t spent any time together in months.”
He shook his head. He hadn’t been back to his old haunt
since the night of the accident. He had been on the wagon that night, not a
drop to drink, not that it mattered. Two innocent people still lost their lives
and he lost what little remained of the life he’d known. If he hadn’t gone to
the bar that night, he wouldn’t have been on the road at two a.m., wouldn’t
have rushed to the aid of the minivans’ passengers. He wouldn’t have been
holding the hand of that little girl as he watched her slip away.
“Sorry, not interested.”
Marisa reached across the desk and put her hand on his arm.
“Trey, please do this for me.”
“That’s the last place I want to go tonight.” He glanced at
the date on his phone, a neon reminder of that fateful day exactly one year
ago. Not that he needed to be reminded. The visions were burned in his memory
like a bad horror flick on perpetual rewind.
“I think you need help.”
He knew he needed help, had for years, but the only person
who could help him wanted to forget he was alive. “Spare me your dime-store
psychology, Marisa. Stick to what you know best, clothes and shoes.” He knew
that would hit a nerve, piss her off enough to drive her away.
“Do you think we’re going to sit by and let you
self-destruct again, Trey?”
Again. Like he had
five years ago when Sierra left him and he lost his will to live.
“You were sober for almost three years. Why the hell are you
doing this? You’re punishing yourself
for an accident that wasn’t even your fault.”
He saw the tears in her eyes and hated that he was causing
the people he loved so much pain. He knew they would be better off without him.
Maybe he should just disappear. Hole up somewhere far away and drink away the
past six years of his life.
“This may not have been my fault, but what about the other
accident?” The accident that took my baby girl and the woman I loved, he
thought.
“You have to stop punishing yourself for that. It wasn’t
your fault.”
He wondered, was it an accident or divine intervention?
Maybe God was punishing him for every thoughtless, selfish thing he’d ever
done. Maybe He disapproved of his tactics, trampling anyone and everyone on his
mission to dominate the country music industry. It was never enough. No matter
how many awards he’d won, records he’d sold, or millions he’d made, it had
never been enough. He had worked longer and harder every day in his quest for
supremacy until he finally wound up alone.
He propped his elbows on the desk, dropping his head in his
hands. “Maybe it was an accident. I don’t know. What I do know is that my
stupidity, my recklessness, caused Sierra to go into labour ten weeks early. If
I hadn’t been arguing with her, I wouldn’t have been distracted. I would have
been able to stop in time.” He swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the grief
blocking his airway.
“We lost our daughter because of me, Marisa.”
She reached out to him, but he pushed her away. He didn’t
want her sympathy, didn’t deserve it.
“Sierra has forgiven you, Trey. I think it’s time for you to
forgive yourself.”
“Never,” he whispered.
To forgive himself would dishonor Callie’s memory. He had
come to terms with who he was: a self-indulgent, power-hungry, control freak,
and because of his failings, his angel had died before she had a chance at
life. He wasn’t worthy of forgiveness.
She leaned back in her chair, staring at him like she was
looking at a stranger. “Is that why you haven’t been able to get past this
accident? Because it reminded you of what happened back then?”
He got up and crossed the room, feeling trapped, like a
caged animal desperate to escape the confines of a life behind bars. Only he
was trapped by gaping wounds that time and booze couldn’t heal and mistakes
that he couldn’t make up for, no matter how much he wished he could.
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore, Marisa. Please,
just go.”
She hesitated and he knew she wanted to object.
“Fine,” she said softly. “I’ll leave, but only if you promise
to come to Jimmy’s tonight.”
He just wanted to be alone, alone with his misery and
memories. “I’ll be there. Just go now, please.”
“Sierra, please tell me you’ll talk to him.”
Sierra Brooks turned her back on her former sister-in-law.
She couldn’t allow herself to get drawn in to her ex-husband’s world again, not
when she had spent the past five years fighting to rebuild the life he had
worked so hard to destroy. She loved Marisa, loved her parents, but her love
for Trey had cost her everything. She couldn’t go back, not when she’d worked
so hard to move forward.
“I can’t. Please try to understand.”
About the author:
Cheryl began
her professional career as a nutritionist, but her love of books started at an
early age. She studied writing for many years before she decided to pursue her
passion as a full-time career. After receiving constructive criticism from
several well-known authors, Cheryl finally had the confidence to write her
first romance novel.
The first
book in the Nashville Nights series, Shameless, was a book that had been
dwelling in Cheryl’s subconscious for years. For her, the surprise came when
the manuscript began taking on a life of it’s own. Characters came to life,
secondary characters became more prominent, outlines were forgotten, and a
single title evolved into an eight book series, and another eight book spin-off
series entitled Nashville Nights, Next Generation.
One word
would aptly describe Cheryl: workaholic. She lives and breathes her writing, when
she’s sleeping, watching TV, driving, reading… it’s always in the periphery of
her mind. Her imagination rarely takes a holiday, even when she escapes to a
sandy beach with her husband and son, she’s planning, plotting, outlining, and
daydreaming.
Cheryl feels
blessed to be able to get up every day and do something she loves. The
thousands of fans who have embraced the Nashville Nights have made that
possible. She writes for the readers who ask for more, she writes to satisfy
the muse residing inside of her, but most of all, she writes because she
couldn’t imagine doing anything else with her life. It took her thirty-seven
years to decide what she wanted to be when she grew up, but now that she knows,
she’s convinced she’s found her purpose.
Shameless has all of the right ingredients for a good old-fashioned juicy night-time drama. Heartbreak, tragedy, love, lack of communication and lots of music pepper this tale about Trey Turner, country star. After the loss of his young daughter, Trey doesn't remain home with his wife, Sierra, to mourn. He takes the cowardly way out and goes out on the road on tour. The life of a famous musician is filled with loneliness, drinking, and women and Sierra doesn't think she fits into that life.
When we first meet Trey, he is a broken down man. Can't write a song, is depressed, and alcohol is his outlet. His running away and abusive behavior cost him the woman he truly loves. When Sierra steps back into his life, not crazy about the possibility of getting hurt all over again, she only wants to help the man she never stopped loving. Play a great country song right now to set the mood.
When two people have chemistry, nothing can keep them apart so when Trey and Sierra see each other again, the flames resurface. Watching this couple make their way back to each other is a heartfelt ride of ups-and-downs. Things happen to keep them apart in true soap opera style, but one can't fool around with destiny and expect to keep two fated lovers apart. Trey and Sierra are a nice couple, good people, and very likable. There's steamy romance and true passion between these two and lots of forgiving and making up.
Romance and music are certainly a good way to spend some hours getting lost in a love story. Shameless is an addictive read and I enjoyed it.
Rating: 3.5
Book source: I received a promotional e-book from the author in return for my honest review during a book tour.
Giveaway:
Cheryl will be awarding: two(2) - $20 Amazon Gift Cards to randomly drawn commenters during the tour, and one(1) - $20 Gift Card to a randomly drawn host. Also, Cheryl will be awarding ten (10) trading card/cover flat packs to randomly drawn commenters during the tour (US/Canada), ten (10)digital books from the Nashville Nights series (winner's choice) to randomly drawn commenters during the tour and two(2) Swarovski crystal necklaces to randomly drawn commenters during the tour (US/Canada).
Follow the tour and comment to increase your chances of winning.
The tour dates can be found here.
Thank you for the generous read here. I am hooked. Very well done.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thank you for hosting today
ReplyDeleteLove the excerpt! Going to add this to my TBR list! Thanks for introducing me this great new read!
ReplyDeletetess_halim(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks so much for having me today.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the excerpt, ladies. Please stop by my FB page or website to let me know what you thought of Shameless once you have a chance to read it. I love hearing feedback from my readers!
thanks for the excerpt i am happy i got a little more insight into this book it sounds GREAT!
ReplyDeletemel91284 at yahoo dot com
Loved the excerpt, Just downloaded this to my kindle and can't wait to start reading it!
ReplyDeleteuilani25(at)hotmail(dot)com
thanks for the excerpt i am happy i got a little more insight into this book it sounds GREAT!
ReplyDeleteparisfan_ca@yahoo.com
What a sad person in that excerpt. And everyone always thinks that stars really live a happy life.
ReplyDeleteI really tried to capture the essence of someone who had hit rock bottom with Trey's character. It's a story of redemption after heart-breaking loss. Hopefully, it will make you laugh, cry, and in the end, want to root for the guy who really is trying to pick up the pieces and forge a new path.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review, I have already added Shameless to my read list.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Wonderful review, I'm looking forward to readin Shameless.
ReplyDeletelennasclous(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh my gosh I want this book...and amazing giveaway prizes!!!
ReplyDeletejosiehink122026(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you so much for the great feedback everyone! I really hope you enjoy the book.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the excerpt.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)Hotmail(dot)com
The book sounds really good. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteStephanie
steph0828 at hotmail.com
Trey does sound like a mess. It sounds like a story that could be right our of today's celebrity music headlines!
ReplyDeletecatherinelee100 at gmail dot com
Thanks for your review and the excerpt.
ReplyDeletekareninnc at gmail dot com
I love the excerpt! Can't wait to read the book!
ReplyDeletealyssaxchen14 (at) gmail (dot) com