Friday, August 10, 2018

As Dust Dances by Samantha Young - Review and Excerpt

 

The New York Times Bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series and PLAY ON returns to the world of the arts in this intense and emotional standalone romance about love, sacrifice, and surviving both. 

AS DUST DANCES is now available on all retailers! 

Grab your copy today!

 

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Author: Samantha Young
Publication Date:  7 August, 2018
Publisher: Self-Published
Series:  Stand-Alone
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Age Recommendation: 16 and Up
Rating: 5 Stars
~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

Once upon a time Skylar Finch was the lead singer of a hugely successful American pop-rock band. But fame made her miserable. When years of living a lie suddenly ended in tragedy, Skylar fell off the map.

Eighteen months later she’s sleeping in a tent in a cemetery in Glasgow, making just enough money to eat by busking on the streets. She manages to avoid recognition, but not the attention of one of Glasgow’s ambitious A&R executives.

Killian O’Dea works at Skyscraper Records, Scotland’s most successful record label. Raised by his uncle and owner of the label, Killian’s upbringing would have been devoid of affection entirely if it wasn’t for his loving sister. Killian is unflinchingly determined to bring the label more success than ever, and the young homeless woman who busks on Buchanan Street is going to help him do that. Her music speaks to him in a way he refuses to over-analyze. All he knows is that if it can touch his dark soul, it’ll set everyone else’s alight.

Skylar makes it clear that she doesn’t want to sign with him. But when she experiences the dangerous reality of a woman sleeping rough, Skylar has no one else but Killian to turn to. An undeniable connection forms between them. But Skylar doesn’t want the career Killian is trying to forge for her, and when her past comes back to haunt her Killian will be faced with a decision that could ruin him. He must either free Skylar from his selfish machinations and destroy everything he’s ever worked for, or lose a woman who has come to mean more to him than he ever thought possible…


   

My Review:

Don't hate me when I admit this but....I haven't read a Samantha Young book in a long time, for no other reason than my TBR is huge.  In fact I am almost certain the last Samantha Young book I read was her Paranormal Series, gasp! All that to say that while I loved that series, I will admit to being a little hesitant about this book because I had been away from this author for so long and I had not read Play On, the book released prior to As Dust Dances that is part of the same world.   I have also recently had a little disillusionment with the Contemporary Romance world because it has all started to blend together, but As Dust Dances is a gem in the middle of this mine field of romance.

As Dust Dances is a emotional story of love and loss.  It is heartbreaking more often than not, but is such a beautiful story of forgiveness and love you can sort of accept all the pain that it comes with.  I truly felt for ALL the characters in this book and while Killian and Skylar are the main characters there are several others that have such a pivotal role to the story it is hard to see them as secondary characters. I loved that aspect.  I loved that this book was focused on more than just the main couple, that  lost love,  lost parents, and lost childhood has such a huge impact on the story.  There is such depth to this story that the romance itself plays as the main secondary character and that's truly a beautiful thing.

I loved Killian and Skylar together, I loved the fact that while they both fell pretty fast they didn't let that take over their story.  I loved that their story is about friendship, growth, strength, health, happiness, and then love.  That's not to say that they don't eventually have those steamy scenes we all love in a good romance, oh they are there, but they fit seamlessly into the story.  No awkward, wait, they're gonna do that right now, they hate each other (etc) *whaaa* scenes, lol.

I will say that I kind of want the stories of ALL the band now, particularly Skylar's best friend.  He is a complete ass (though she wasn't a shining star in that relationship either) but there is so much pain in his soul that I think his would make an amazing story.

I really just loved this story from beginning to end, even in the middle with all the hard parts.  I adored the lyrics and even managed to read them all the way through with out skipping like you might think I would, those lyrics are just as much a part of the make up of this story as the communication between the characters.  I would love to hear the songs played though since it is often hard for me to pick up on the rhythm of a song just though it's written words.  I am really looking forward and going back to the beginning of this series and also into the next book.  I like that it is stepping out of Scotland while I am sure keeping the same feel and hopefully we will see Killian and Skylar again in that book! This is a great read, but does take a bit of an emotional toll on your heart so just be ready with a comfy reading spot, a tissue or two, and a good cuppa tea.


~ HAPPY READING ~ 


 


Excerpt:

“I’m going to get a drink.” I grabbed my purse and was moving to slide out of the booth when Killian got up first.

“I’ll get it. What would you like?”

“Uh …” I looked past him to the bar, hoping to see a list of beers. “What do they have? What are you drinking?” 

“King Tut’s Lager. It’s brewed in Glasgow.”

Ooh. “Well, I have to have that, then. Half a pint though.” I made a gesture with my finger and thumb. “I’m only little.”

Killian’s eyes flickered down what he could see of my body and I thought I saw a flush high on his cheeks. But the lighting was low so I couldn’t be certain. He cleared his throat and turned away with a muttered, “Right.”

My cheeks felt hot and I put a hand to one as I watched him walk over to the bar. The place wasn’t too packed, but it was possible everyone was already in the venue waiting for the band. I could hear the soft thrum of music and guessed it must’ve been the opening act. Although eager to get up there, I really needed a drink before I had to stand next to Killian in a darkened room.

God, he had an ass on him. 

He wasn’t wearing his usual uniform of black suit trousers and shirt that fit him like a glove and showcased his lean, strong physique. He was wearing dark jeans that cupped his muscular ass and a red plaid shirt over a Kaleo T-shirt. He looked good in red. He usually wore darker colors but the red made his hair look blacker, his skin more golden. Dressed like that—indie, relaxed—he looked younger. 

I felt more than a tingle of heat between my legs as I studied him standing at the bar. His rugged, sharp profile was somehow more familiar to me than any other person’s profile on the planet. I imagined walking up beside him, sliding my hands down his fine ass and reaching up on my tiptoes to press a kiss to his neck. Breathe in the scent of soap, spicy aftershave, and Killian. Run my tongue along the rim of his ear. Feel his heavy, warm heat lean back into me, the rumble of his groan vibrating through me—

Oh, fuck.

I shook off the thought, knowing my cheeks were probably rosy red. My whole body was left needy and wanting. I crossed my legs under the table and looked anywhere but at Killian, hoping my peaked nipples weren’t visible through my bra and way-too clingy dress.

My gaze landed on a booth a few down from ours because there was a group of young women laughing and shooting hungry looks at the bar.

At Killian.

A roar of possessiveness I didn’t know I was capable of shot through me as I watched them. In fact, I think they were eyeing him and the bartender.

To be fair, they were both very juicy eye candy.

But Killian was my eye candy!

Shit.

I slumped back in my seat.

No, he wasn’t.

And I shouldn’t want him to be.

What a clusterfuck.



 
GiveAway:
(Signed Copy of As Dust Dances for 3 winners)





About Samantha Young:

Samantha Young is the New York Times,  USA Today  and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows.  Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us will be published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook& hardback June 2017 Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for HeroOn Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015. Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

Samantha Young’s AS DUST DANCES – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:
August 8th
A Literary Perusal – Review & Excerpt
Catty Jane Book Lovers – Review & Excerpt
iScream Books Blog – Review & Excerpt
Livelyreads – Review & Excerpt
Shelf_Life – Review
Smut Book Junkie Reviews – Review & Excerpt
The Book Hammock – Review & Excerpt
August 9th
Avid Reads – Review
BJ's Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Book Lady's Reviews – Review
Daffodilsbooks – Review & Excerpt
K&M Sultry Reads – Review & Excerpt
Little Red Reading Hood – Review & Excerpt
Naturally Nerdy Books – Review & Excerpt
Simply Crystal – Review & Excerpt
Three chicks and their books – Review & Excerpt
White Hot Reads – Review & Excerpt
August 10th
Aaly and The Books – Review & Excerpt
Book Angel Booktopia – Review & Excerpt
Garden of REden – Review
KsiążkowaPasja – Review
Lisa Loves Literature – Excerpt
Novel Addiction – Review
Reads All the Books – Review & Excerpt
The Review Loft – Review
August 11th
A Fortress of Books – Review & Excerpt
Book Bitches Blog – Excerpt
Greyland Reviews – Review & Excerpt
My Book Filled Life – Review & Excerpt
Nose Stuck in a Book – Review & Excerpt
SJ's Book Blog – Excerpt
The Bookish Sisters – Review & Excerpt
The Escapist Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
We stole your book boyfriend – Review & Excerpt
August 12th
Bookishly Yours – Review & Excerpt
Crazii Bitches Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Ginreads – Review
KDRBCK – Review & Excerpt
Mustreadbooksordie – Review
Roxy's Reviews – Review
The Reading Cafe – Review & Excerpt
Words are Life – Excerpt
August 13th
4TLOReading – Review
Buttercup's Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Kindle Friends Forever – Review & Excerpt
Literati Literature Lovers – Review & Excerpt
Somewhere Lost in Books – Review & Excerpt
Two Books in a Shelf – Review & Excerpt
August 14th
BibliotekaMoniko – Review & Excerpt
Jax's Book Magic –Review & Excerpt
Marta Likes to Read – Review & Excerpt
Onceupon_a_bookdream – Review & Excerpt
The Curvy Savante – Review
TSK TSK What to Read – Review & Excerpt
August 15th
Ali’s Reviews and More – Review & Excerpt
Between The Lines – Review & Excerpt
Book Flame – Excerpt
Margie's Must Reads – Review & Excerpt
Novel Grounds – Review
Relentless Romance – Review & Excerpt
Total Book Geek – Review & Excerpt
August 16th
Always Falling for Book Guys – Review & Excerpt
Badass Bloggettes – Review & Excerpt
Bookaholic Confessions – Review & Excerpt
Dirty Girl Romance – Review & Excerpt
Read. Eat. Love. – Review & Excerpt
Romance Schmomance – Review & Excerpt
Stuck In Books – Excerpt
August 17th
Angie and Jessica's Dreamy Reads – Review & Excerpt
Books 4 Girls – Review & Excerpt
GataLeitora – Review & Excerpt
Librarian Laura Great Reads – Review & Excerpt
Read Love Blog – Review & Excerpt
Reading and funny – Review
Smokin' Hot Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
True Story Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Wrapped Up In Reading – Review & Excerpt

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