BOOK REVIEW - SONGBIRD by LISA EDWARD - NEW ADULT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - SELF PUBLISHED

By: Lisa Edward
Published By : Lisa Edward
Released : Available Now
Details: Kindle for honest review, 243 Pages

RATING: 4.5 COLE & RILEY STARS WITH A SIDE ORDER OF COOPER

Blurb: Goodreads

Every relationship changes you, some for the better, others can shatter your confidence and almost destroy you.

For the musically talented, twenty-four year old Tara O’Connell, her relationship with Stephen almost broke her, until Tara found the strength to leave.

Now she is on the road to discovering that it is never too late to pursue your dreams and follow your heart.

As Tara’s self-belief grows, she meets two men she is instantly drawn to who will change her life forever.

Corporal Riley Hammond is a soldier in the Australian Military Special Forces. With his smiling sapphire blue eyes, Tara falls for him instantly. He is thoughtful and caring, and gives her the support and love she needs.

While Cole Michaels is the overconfident singer in a popular local band. His charisma, emerald green eyes, tattoos and piercing, have girls falling at his feet. But while Cole pushes Tara’s buttons, he also pushes her to reach for the stars.

Both men couldn’t be more polar opposites, but both offer Tara different qualities that she needs to fulfil her destiny.

As Tara continues her journey, she will discover fate can offer you more than one path. Her fate is in her own hands, and the choices she makes, will shape her life forever.

This is one of my fave book trailers

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

Songbird is Lisa Edward’s debut new adult contemporary romance and I really loved it. 

Tara has had a rough time with a previous relationship and it is time to throw that dirt bag to the ground and move on to a healthier existence.

An independent existence.

Kelli is the best friend every girl needs who won't judge you on your past , she will scoop you up and help you realize your inner beauty without controlling and berating you.

Enter not one but two delicious specimens of males into Tara's life. 

Riley the military man and hot bod aka Cole the musician.

I have a thing for Cole. I didn’t at first. Sure I saw ‘Hot-bod’ for the beautiful male he was, but then the lad showed me what was underneath his beauty. 

He has layers.

We discover more about him and he has some pretty cool tattoos that speak deeply about him. He reminded me a bit of Kellan Kyle from Thoughtless... sometimes. There is this bad boy image, but there is also a lot of hurt being covered up. You can see these guys change for the right girl, they can stop man-whoring when they find the right one. I loved how Lisa wrote him. He is talented and thoughtful when he chooses to be. I really connected with him. You can’t help watching Cole, the things he says sometimes about himself and the why he does what he does with women. You can’t help reading between the lines with him. I liked the way Jay could almost tell Cole what was off limits.

Jay is a good guy. I like him.

Yes, there is something special about Cole. He is like a caterpillar changing into a butterfly. When he spreads those wings he is quite mesmerising.

Captivating.

Riley, I do love him because he helped to bring back that confidence in Tara. He was healthy for her. He breathed life back into her. She blossomed around him.

He has a job that should pay well, he is highest ranked in his unit and he lives in a military apartment, yet he appears to have nothing to his name after years of service. He has a great heart and is very dedicated to his job. I forgot sometimes how qualified a person he is. 

I do feel bad for his childhood and his brother. I know he is trying to do the right thing.  

I think I loved him more than Cole in the beginning but then the scales started to tip. My feelings started to get muddled and slide towards Cole. Don’t get me wrong, Riley is gorgeous, but I am all up in the air who I want as my team guy.

I am feeling more with Cole at the moment, but I think I will be devastated if Riley and Tara don't work out. I am having a male conundrum. Cole can show me so much more of himself, but then Riley needs Tara. He made mistakes which he is sorry for. Cole is honest about his behavior to all the women he boinks. He uses them as much as they use him.

* sigh * I am in a man sandwich pickle. 

Cooper is gorgeous. He is funny and quite the sidekick character. He and Kelli are a great couple. She is an awesome friend, has a good heart and knows how to be independent and strong. She misses Cooper but she has built her own life. She has taught herself to get on with her own life, and Cooper slides on back in when he can. He is that puzzle piece missing from her life, while he is away and then when he arrives on her doorstep, he just completes Kelli.

Then he must leave again, then there is that missing puzzle piece again until he steps back into her life. She never complains. She is alive when he is gone, but she is vibrant when he is in her arms. 

They can do long distant.

They have something rock solid and special.

Perfect.

Lisa really showed me the dedication it takes for couples and families who have a loved one in the military. They are away for long periods of time and it is lonely for both people in the relationship. It is tough being separated from your loved one. The military is a dangerous occupation , and such a selfless one. These men and women spend their days working very hard for us.

Lisa really made me think about every service person and their loved ones and the separation they go through. They do it to keep our country safe. They do it to keep you and me safe.

Jason plays the gay friend to the ‘T’. Every girl deserves a Jason in their life. He will drop everything for you and he has his own heart he needs filled with someone special. He is also a great hairdresser. 

He has a big heart.

Marcus is another great character. Can’t blame a guy for trying. I did think Tara was a wee bit naive with Marcus. I don’t think anything pointed in the direction she was going with Marcus. There was one bad ass assumption going on there. I did laugh out loud when she chose to change her T-shirt in front of him. HA!

Stephen was a waste of space. He was a great character to loathe.

Feel the loathe.

I loved the moment I found out what the title meant. I did love watching Cole and Tara do their musical thing together.

But, is that all there is to Tara and the lost career she could have had? Is her talent relegated to the piano bar, only? Or is there more.

Will she be able to shine?

Once finishing this book you can’t help thinking about the directions the next book could be taking. But time will tell. All I know is it feels like shiz is going down in more ways than one.

I highly recommend Lisa’s debut contemporary romance. Me thinks things are gonna get a whole lot more complicated.

I am very excited to read Songbird - Caged # 2. 

Michelle

LISA EDWARD - GIVEAWAY - INTERVIEW - EXCERPTS - BOOK TRAILER - SONGBIRD - NEW ADULT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - SELF PUBLISHED - AUSSIE AUTHOR ROAD TRIP - DAY 29

Day 29 has arrived and it is time for Lisa Edward to show off her debut New Adult Contemporary Romance, SONGBIRD. I am reading it now.

Check out her BEAUTIFUL book trailer. It kinda makes me a bit teary. 

I had a chat with Lisa, so check out the Q & A and find out who she would cast in the roles of Riley, Cole and Tara.

Welcome Lisa.

AUTHOR BIO

While Lisa Edward has called Melbourne Australia home for her entire life, she has lived and worked in England, and travelled through most parts of Europe and the United States. She loves nothing more than spending time with her husband and beautiful daughter, or curling up into the early hours of the morning with a great novel. Her deep appreciation for literature was nurtured from a young age, being taught to respect books and get lost in their stories. She enjoys reading honest and realistic novels that are relatable, thought provoking and leave a lasting impression. She can’t write without music playing, using the emotions from different songs to invoke that of her characters. Lisa takes inspiration from her own life experiences, the people around her and those she has met in her travels. 

Title of Book : Songbird
Author: Lisa Edward
State: Victoria

Series Title: Songbird Trilogy
Published By : Self Published
Date Released : 25 November, 2013
Genre : New Adult / Contemporary Romance

Book Cover Designer : Lindee Robinson Photography 


Every relationship changes you, some for the better, others can shatter your confidence and almost destroy you. 

For the musically talented, twenty-four year old Tara O’Connell, her relationship with Stephen almost broke her, until Tara found the strength to leave.

Now she is on the road to discovering that it is never too late to pursue your dreams and follow your heart.

As Tara’s self-belief grows, she meets two men she is instantly drawn to who will change her life forever.

Corporal Riley Hammond is a soldier in the Australian Military Special Forces. With his smiling sapphire blue eyes, Tara falls for him instantly. He is thoughtful and caring, and gives her the support and love she needs.

While Cole Michaels is the overconfident singer in a popular local band. His charisma, emerald green eyes, tattoos and piercing, have girls falling at his feet. But while Cole pushes Tara’s buttons, he also pushes her to reach for the stars.

Both men couldn’t be more polar opposites, but both offer Tara different qualities that she needs to fulfil her destiny.

As Tara continues her journey, she will discover fate can offer you more than one path. Her fate is in her own hands, and the choices she makes, will shape her life forever.

EXCERPT

 Tara and Riley at Boot Camp 

We were heading back to the meeting point with only two hundred and fifty metres left to go, before having completed the full five kilometre circuit of the lake. Riley and I had been running together most of the way, I knew he had been taking it easy to stay with me and I appreciated the gesture.

“Come on I’ll race you, loser pays for dinner,” I called, taking off at a sprint.

Riley was like a freaking Olympian he was so fast, but I had longer legs so could take longer strides. I pushed as hard as I could to at least try to stay level with him, and I’m sure in the end he backed off to let me win.

I threw myself down on the grass under a shady tree and laid stretched out, hands over head trying to calm my breathing.

“Hot, sweaty and breathless really suits you,” Riley said with a cheeky grin as he lay down next to me, mimicking my position.

“Well I have you to thank for that, you were riding me pretty hard toward the end.” I blushed suddenly realising what I had just blurted out, but Riley just chuckled.

“Next time you can ride me, as hard as you like.”

I blushed an even deeper scarlet and shook my head to clear the tantalising image, I could always replay it later.

“Okay, pair up for stretches,” Mal instructed to the group.

Now stretches I could do, fifteen years of ballet had kept me very flexible. Riley knelt up over one of my legs while he held the ankle of the other.

“Let me know if it hurts,” he said, the corner of his mouth twitching.

“I can take it,” I said, biting my bottom lip.

He pushed my leg gently at first, then realising it was still going, pushed it all the way so my foot was beside my head and he was leaning right over me.

“Ah...that’s handy,” he said with raised eyebrows, a cheeky smile shining through his eyes again.

I diverted my eyes and looked down at his side. From the position he was in, I could now read the tattoo clearly, it said;

Give me Strength when I’m standing and Faith when I fall 

I lightly ran my fingers down the tattoo as I read it, and he shivered but held still, watching my face intently.

“Was it just something you liked or does it have special significance for you?” I asked curiously.

“It has significance in various ways,” he said, sitting down next to me. “In the military we need strength when we’re standing toe to toe with the enemy, and faith that we can get back up in the face of defeat. But I think we need faith that we are doing the right thing and making the right decisions in life, even when the right thing is sometimes the hardest.”

He smiled down at me. “Do you have any tattoos hidden away?”

His eyes scanned my body. There wasn’t that much that was covered up under my little shorts and crop top.

I shook my head. “I’ve thought about it, but I’ve never found a verse or picture that I would want to wear for the rest of my life.” I shrugged. “Maybe one day.” 

Excerpt – Cole’s Tattoos 

I helped bus the tables as I was pretty useless at pulling beers. I had lost track of time when I felt my phone buzz in my skirt pocket. I raced into the back room and just managed to answer the call in time. It was Riley and my heart melted at the sound of his voice.

“Where are you?” he asked, obviously able to hear the band playing in the background.

I told him excitedly about catching up with Jay and lining up the band to meet Marcus, and how I was now bussing tables at the bar. For some reason I felt the need to avoid mentioning Cole. But Riley could hear him singing in the background and commented on his voice.

“Ah, yep he does have a great voice,” I said, feeling guilty when I hadn’t done anything to feel guilty about.

I quickly changed the subject and asked Riley what he had been up to. We had only been speaking for about fifteen minutes when the band stopped for a break, and then the door opened and Cole was standing there.

He could see I was on the phone but didn’t seem to care, as he came in and pulled off his sweat soaked t-shirt, before rummaging in a bag and pulling out a clean one.

I looked at his shirtless body in awe. Not only did he have the full sleeve of tattoos up his left arm, but he had angel wings, or was that eagle wings across his shoulder blades.

He turned around to face me and saw me looking at him, so stood still and cockily held his arms out to the sides so I could get a good look, watching my expression.

I couldn’t help it; I exhaled loudly at the sight of his ripped body.

Finally, I managed to tear my eyes away from his amazing body and turn my back to him. I heard him chuckle softly. Then realising that the bar would be busy with people buying drinks now that the band was on a break, I reluctantly told Riley I would have to go.

“I’ll see you in a week,” Riley said as he was getting ready to hang up. “I miss you babe, I think about you all the time.”

“I miss you too,” I said quietly into the phone. “I love you. See you next week.”

“I love you too.” Then he was gone.

“Hmm, I take it that wasn’t your mum,” Cole said. “Boyfriend not around at the moment?” he asked with a smirk.

“He’s in the army, based in Sydney,” I replied as I headed for the door.

“Must get lonely,” he said with a glint in his eye as he pulled his clean shirt on over his head.

Q & A SESH with LISA

Michelle:  What five words describe Lisa Edward the AUTHOR?

Lisa: Driven, creative, imaginative, dreamer, passionate 

Michelle:  What five words describe the person behind the author?

Lisa: Organised, artistic, tired, dedicated, stubborn

Michelle: If you were given the task of walking up to somebody random in the street and you were to explain your book to them in a short speech what would you tell them? Not your book blurbs, but something more...deeper.

Lisa: I would say it’s about finding the best ‘you’ possible, and not letting other people dictate who you should be or how you should live your life. It’s also about making your own happiness and not relying on other people to make you happy. For Tara, music was her bliss, her passion and she let someone influence her and take that away. Other people can help you along your way, but ultimately your destiny is a choice that you have to make.

Michelle:  What ten words would Tara use to describe Corporal Riley Hammond and also Cole Michaels?

Lisa: For Riley it’s easy. He’s caring, considerate, loyal, devoted, brave, sensitive, witty, passionate, thoughtful and supportive.

For Cole it would depend on what stage they are at in their relationship. From the beginning of the book to the end, her perception of him changes significantly. From arrogant, provocative, charismatic, man-whore (is that one word or two?), challenging. To, talented, supportive, honest, dependable, comforting. 

Michelle:  Why do you think women love to read about a tattooed guy?

Lisa: We all love a bad boy don’t we, that whole idea of someone who could be a bit dangerous or exciting to take us away from our everyday life. Actually both Riley and Cole have tattoos. Riley’s is a saying that is significant to his personal life as well as his life in the military, while Cole’s are more for show, although the one on his back is also very personal to him in a secretive way.

Michelle:  If you could put a piece of artwork on your body from Songbird, what would it be? Be it a quote or an image and why?

Lisa: I love Cole’s wings although it would have to be scaled down as it covers half his back. The idea of wings and taking flight appeals to me, also the words interwoven in the feathers have a special meaning to Cole but most people don’t notice them. I like that there is a part of the tattoo that is only for him and you can add whatever words have meaning to you.

Michelle:  What quote do you think is the most powerful from Songbird?

Lisa: There are a lot of quotes that I like, but the one that stands out is something that Kelli says to Tara, when she is talking about how she maintains a long distance relationship. 

“I would rather spend one day with him and nine days apart, then ten days with someone else.” 

This is really at the heart of the story, making the time you have together count. 

Michelle:  Is there a song you listened to the most while writing Songbird and why?

Lisa: There wasn’t just one song. I listened to different songs depending on the mood of what I was writing. Basically there were songs for Cole, Riley and of course Tara. With Tara being a pianist, I listened to quite a bit of Adele, Alicia Keys, Ingrid Michaelson and piano based songs, to find music that she might play at Songbirds.

Michelle:  What song best describes each Cole and Riley and why?

Lisa: Tara plays A Thousand Years by Christina Perri in the bar and refers to it as Riley’s song, so that would have to be the song that describes Riley. It’s about finding ‘the one’ and always knowing that they were out there. If you believe that our paths cross with the same people in every lifetime, then that’s the essence of this song.

For Cole it’s less deep, probably Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon. It’s raw, it’s rough and I can picture Cole singing it every time I hear it. Having said that, I’m quite partial to Never Say Never by The Fray as well for Cole.

Michelle:  Casting call. Who do you see in your mind when writing Tara, Cole and Riley and do you have any images?

Lisa: Riley would be played by Ian Somerhalder no doubt whatsoever. I picture him in my mind and have done from the very beginning. 

For Cole I have an image in my head but have never seen anyone who absolutely meets that picture. Closest I’ve found is Rodrigo Guirao Diaz. 

Tara could be played by Shelley Hennig, although Megan George, the model on the cover of the book certainly fits the bill.

Michelle:  What message do you want readers to take from your debut book Songbird?

Lisa: Follow your dreams. Find that ‘something’ in your life that makes you want to get up in the morning and don’t let anyone stand in your way. If something makes you happy, regardless of how big, small or insignificant other people may think it is, you should follow that pursuit.

Michelle:  What has been the one thing that stands out to you in your journey as a writer? 

Lisa: It doesn’t matter how much you map out the storyline, the story will inevitably tell you where it wants to go, at least it did for me. At the beginning of the process it was all about Tara and Riley and their struggles with managing a long distance relationship. Half way through the book a ‘distraction’ named Cole emerged and the rest as they say, is history.

Michelle:  Where were you and what were you doing when you came up with the initial idea for Songbird?

Lisa: The initial idea has been knocking on my brain trying to get out for about 15 years. I was in Tara’s position a long time ago and I had a friend like Kelli at the time, who had a boyfriend in the military. It was always in the back of my mind and has been quite therapeutic to write.

Michelle:  What has been the most memorable book signing or book event you have been to and why? 

Lisa: I haven’t done any book signings or been to any. The only book I’ve had signed is by my good friend Monica James. I took the book to work and she signed it for me! It was memorable because it’s more than just a signed book, it’s a friend’s achievement and dream come to life.

Michelle:  If your life at this point in time could be described in a chocolate flavour or an icecream flavour, what flavour would it be and why?

Lisa: Wow that’s a good question! Right at this moment I’d say Rocky Road. There are definitely rocky parts of self-publishing, but there are also the soft, feel-good moments, where people offer to help you and promote your work just because they are genuinely nice people. Overall it’s been pretty sweet, too good to stop at just one.

Michelle: Thank you Lisa for taking the time to answer my Q’s and all the best with your writing. 

Lisa: Thank you Michelle, it’s been fun!

Goodreads Link: www.goodreads.com/LisaEdward

Social Media Links:

 www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaEdward


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