Genre: Contemporary, Rock ‘n’ Roll
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Shocking news comes to Connor Wild, the drummer for Warrior Black, while they are in the middle of recording their next album. But the loss of his father brings forth terrible memories Connor had along ago buried and leads him straight to the nightmare he wants to forget. Only saving grace is the bodyguard, who can make his body thrum, and helps him to forget the past.
Bodyguard, John Brand has been with Warrior Black since their rise to fame, after their appearance at last year’s Rocktoberfest in Black Rock, Nevada. His choice to stay as protection is solely for the drummer, who he can’t get out of his head. John wants more, but Connor refuses to see them no less than a hookup.
Can John beat away the dark demons from Connor’s past? Will Connor risk it all and expose the dark truth to John? Can Connor move on and give John a chance for love?
Connor would have to go Beyond the Stix to see how true love can heal old wounds.
Beyond the Stix is part of the multi-author Road to Rocktoberfest 2024 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see what antics our bands get into next? Hot rockstars and the men who love them, what more could you ask for. Kick back, load up your kindle and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!
Trigger Warnings: This book contains sensitive material that may affect readers PLEASE be advised that it has past childhood abuse, past domestic abuse, on-page death of a parent, and on-page reference to cancer. It also has swearing, smart—assery, and steamy scenes.
The Review
The road to Rocktoberfest is supposed to be fun, but for the Warriors Black, there’s chaos amongst the band once again.
All the band mates are back: Danny aka Raven, the lead singer; Callum on guitar; Bobby on keyboard; Rafe on the Strat; and Connor Wild aka Wildman on drums. They once again travel with security guards, and Tobias, of course, is traveling with his boyfriend Danny. They met a year earlier, when Danny was having troubles with a stalker and abuser.
After their gig at the Independent, they received word from their manager Ron Darling that they had been invited back to Rocktoberfest 2024.
Bodyguard John Brand came on board the previous year, and worked with Tobias for Dean Harper at Harper Security. Tobias had split from Harper Security to stay with Danny. John had made the decision to stay with Warrior Black, and he was getting on Connor’s last nerve. John is strictly professional and keeps his cool, but he is struggling to stay away from Connor. Which is hard to do when he is Connor’s security man.
Seven months earlier, Connor and John had made a mistake, and both had decided to keep their distance from one another.
Connor’s father is coming to the Denver show, and instead of bringing his mother, his dad wants to bring his brother, Uncle Jessup, instead. Connor doesn’t want anything to do with him. He’s been keeping a very big secret.
Connor gets a call from his mother to come home. His father is in the hospital, and it doesn’t look good. John stays by Connor’s side and tries to give him support. When Uncle Jessup, bad memories have Connor on edge.
John has a pretty good idea what’s going on with Connor, but he won’t confide in John either. So John does his own investigation, Connor flies off the handle, and everything blows up. Will Connor finally seek help from his friends, before his life and the lives of others are put in danger?
Barlowe brings the Warrior Blacks back on the “Road to Rocktoberfest” with Beyond the Stix. This time, Connor Wild takes center stage in this tale that’s full of drama and suspense. Connor is very high strung and jumps to conclusions that hurt him and others. I liked John Brand, who tries to keep himself in control and take care of Connor.
There’s lots of drama, chaos, humor, sadness and some very steamy moments sure to keep readers entertained.
“Killer Notes” was last years Rocktoberfest story which introduced the Warrior Blacks, Danny and Tobias.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
