Title: Keep the Beat
A Band-Com for Romance Geeks
Author: Kata Ĉuić
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: April 21, 2020
Blurb
Sophia Reston has never been bothered by the
term band geek. The definition of geek is an
enthusiast or expert in a particular field or activity. She loves marching band
with all her heart, so the term is appropriate. Of course, one of the lesser
known definitions of a geek is a carnival performer who is
often billed as a wild man and whose act typically includes biting the head off
a live chicken or snake. This definition also seems accurate since there is one
snake Sophia fantasizes about maiming in the most deliciously torturous
ways—her archnemesis, James Fossoway.
term band geek. The definition of geek is an
enthusiast or expert in a particular field or activity. She loves marching band
with all her heart, so the term is appropriate. Of course, one of the lesser
known definitions of a geek is a carnival performer who is
often billed as a wild man and whose act typically includes biting the head off
a live chicken or snake. This definition also seems accurate since there is one
snake Sophia fantasizes about maiming in the most deliciously torturous
ways—her archnemesis, James Fossoway.
He has a stupid nickname, stupidly attractive muscles, a
reputation for sleeping around, and he is a fellow band geek. Unfortunately for
Sophia, he’s also an enthusiast of pushing all her buttons—and not in a good
way.
reputation for sleeping around, and he is a fellow band geek. Unfortunately for
Sophia, he’s also an enthusiast of pushing all her buttons—and not in a good
way.
When their rivalry leads to one final showdown during the
competition for head drum major, the entire band is invested in the outcome.
And James has some new tricks up his sleeve to win the last battle they’ll ever
wage against each other.
competition for head drum major, the entire band is invested in the outcome.
And James has some new tricks up his sleeve to win the last battle they’ll ever
wage against each other.
Because, after years of pranks, James isn’t out for revenge.
He wants Sophia’s heart.
He wants Sophia’s heart.
Or maybe it’s just another dumb challenge.
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Excerpt
“Why is it so hard to imagine that I could put the needs of
the band before my own? You might hate my guts, but you can’t deny you know me.
I love band, James. I’ll do anything to make our senior year successful.”
the band before my own? You might hate my guts, but you can’t deny you know me.
I love band, James. I’ll do anything to make our senior year successful.”
Silent laughter dances in his eyes. This is not the reaction
I was hoping to get from calling him James again. “You mean, you’ll do anything
to make your senior year successful.”
I was hoping to get from calling him James again. “You mean, you’ll do anything
to make your senior year successful.”
He never denies hating my guts. That’s noteworthy. Or not.
“It’s no secret or surprise every one of us wants the head
drum major spot for ourselves. You, me, and the other guys are all going to be
trying to get the votes. Don’t make it out to be some sort of covert operation
that only I’m participating in.”
drum major spot for ourselves. You, me, and the other guys are all going to be
trying to get the votes. Don’t make it out to be some sort of covert operation
that only I’m participating in.”
Only I am. And so are they.
Screw being an attorney. I should be a spy. I actually think
I just said all that with a completely straight face.
I just said all that with a completely straight face.
“Is that right?” James nods, his gaze sweeping over my face
like he’s trying to play hide-and-seek with all the lies piling up between us
in this room.
like he’s trying to play hide-and-seek with all the lies piling up between us
in this room.
“Yes, that’s right.” I struggle not to nod and raise my
voice to the liar, liar, pants on fire octave.
voice to the liar, liar, pants on fire octave.
“Okay.” James crosses his arms over his chest without
stepping back, nearly knocking me off-balance. “Prove it.”
stepping back, nearly knocking me off-balance. “Prove it.”
“Prove what?” That physical move was meant to reinforce this
mental one. “That I love band?”
mental one. “That I love band?”
“Prove that we’re friends now.” He swings his finger in the
miniscule distance between us.
miniscule distance between us.
Distance that feels stifling all of a sudden. Did the AC
break down? Maybe I am dehydrated after all. I’m sweating while chills skitter
down my spine.
break down? Maybe I am dehydrated after all. I’m sweating while chills skitter
down my spine.
“How?”
He rolls his eyes up and sticks his tongue in his cheek,
making a big show of pretending to think about it when it’s obvious he already
has a suggestion waiting to pounce out of his throat like a bloodthirsty tiger.
When he focuses his intense blue eyes on me, a sneery sort of smile creeps
along his lips until he looks like a lopsided Joker. It’s turning into a
freaking circus in this tiny, tiny room.
making a big show of pretending to think about it when it’s obvious he already
has a suggestion waiting to pounce out of his throat like a bloodthirsty tiger.
When he focuses his intense blue eyes on me, a sneery sort of smile creeps
along his lips until he looks like a lopsided Joker. It’s turning into a
freaking circus in this tiny, tiny room.
“Kiss me.”
Author Bio
Kata Čuić lives in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
with her husband and three teens. She’s an actual marching band geek, and she
attends alumni events for both high school and college whenever her schedule
allows. Her children wouldn’t exist today if she hadn’t fallen clarinet over
tuba in love with her spouse during their shared time in marching band.
Coincidentally—or not—the kids are following in Mom and Dad’s footsteps. Band
family isn’t fictional at all.
with her husband and three teens. She’s an actual marching band geek, and she
attends alumni events for both high school and college whenever her schedule
allows. Her children wouldn’t exist today if she hadn’t fallen clarinet over
tuba in love with her spouse during their shared time in marching band.
Coincidentally—or not—the kids are following in Mom and Dad’s footsteps. Band
family isn’t fictional at all.
Author Links
Review
Sophia is strong, determined and once she sets her mind to a goal she will allow nothing or anyone to stand in her way and that goes double for her rival James. There is so much more to James than the easy going, carefree persona that he shows as underneath the humor there is a man who will do anything for those he cares about.
When they find out they are competing for the same position within the band all bets are off, and the battle begins. Their attempts to ensure that they will emerge the winner will have you laughing out loud and it becomes much more than a battle of the band it is about to become a battle of the hearts.
What a fun and different story this turned out to be. Their antics are humorous, the interactions between them are humorous, the sparks between them fly off the pages and the characters are unlike any you have seen.
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