JN Welsh stopped by to talk about untraditional rock stars. The mic is yours JN!

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From Jimmy Hendrix and Tina Turner, to bands like Twisted Sister and Extreme, as well as the musicians gracing the stages of this year’s Afropunk Festival, I love a good rock star. I’ve travelled far and wide, domestically and globally, to get my fill of them. They make fans wild with desire and behavior that under normal circumstances would seem stalker-ish and just a little creepy. No judgment, we’ve all been there cheering and rooting for our musicians and artists taking center stage. However, there is nothing like the untraditional rock star making space for their art and for love. 

In my novels, I write woman of color thriving in unexpected places finding love, which is why I’m so excited for my new release, featuring untraditional DJ rock stars. IN RHYTHM-Book II in my BACK ON TOP SERIES is set in the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) scene. DJ Asha Kendall aka “Velvet” is chasing her career goals with blind ambition. So much so that she never sees Dutch DJ Isaak “Zazzle” VanSandt coming. Their career paths are about to converge, and when they do, things get very interesting. The setting gives the characters a delightful, international, and dynamic playground. The story tackles some challenging topics like addiction and recovery. However, the themes include second chances on many levels, friendship, and hope. 

Untraditional rock stars across books, television, and movies are like little unicorns when you find them. There are a lot of different takes on the traditional rock star/band including one of my favorite leads, long-haired and sexy as sin, David Ferris in LICK (STAGE DIVE #1) by Kylie Scott, as well as ROCK REDEMPTION, Nalini Singh’s coming of age story featuring bad boy rocker Zach Fox. However, one of my all time untraditional rock stars is classical idol Gavin from Lily Kay’s COMPOSE. Rumor in school has it that he’s composing the instrumental soundtrack for a movie. Although handsome, Gavin’s modest about his looks and his accomplishments, yet still manages to give fever to…well…everyone. Not only is he talented, he’s kind, good, and sexy. Gavin has his flaws and imperfections but he’s still the perfect hero for Korean adoptee and music student, Louise Tanner. Gavin has a permanent place in my heart.

Onward to TV, where the a capella students at McKinley high school on GLEE still reign. The show was a ca-amazing and had so much a ca-awesomenes. it helped groups like Pentatonix, who won the reality contest show, THE SING OFF, become untraditional rock stars. GLEE inspired successful movies like PITCH PERFECT that had us doing our own You Tube version of the “Cups” song (I tried it). Though there was a main love saga in GLEE between Rachel and Finn (RIP – Corey Monteith), the real biscuits and gravy could be found in the diverse supporting cast. Kurt and Blaine’s crush blossomed in duets, and the talented ladies ruled, especially Mercedes, who looked like me and had such an iconic voice. Queue “Ladies First” by Queen Latifah here. Though Mercedes’ love interests were light, I plot-bunny-ed the hell out of her character and envisioned her taking the leading role in her own rock star romance. 

Last but not least, I’m taking you to the silver screen… of Netflix. Our next untraditional rock star can be found in the 2018 movie IBIZA: LOVE DRUNK directed by Alex Richanbach. The movie stars Gillian Jacobs as Harper, a marketing professional and Richard Madden (pardon me while I drool on myself over his overall deliciousness) as Electronic Dance Music DJ, Leo West. Leo is scrumptious, emotional, passionate, and as tender as he is talented. He takes risks even if only for a moment of love and happiness with Harper. The film embodies the dance music PLUR lifestyle of Peace Love Unity and Respect. It’s beautiful. There are lots of laughs and hijinks along the way as well as a host of entertaining friends, including those met along the way.

I encourage you to check out my picks and if you’re looking for more untraditional rock stars that will weave their way into your hearts, then pick up a copy of IN RHYTHM today. 

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About the Book: In Rhythm, Back on Top, #2, by JN Welsh, releases 12/9/19

Asha “Velvet” Kendall is this close to achieving her dream of headlining the legendary Temptation Festival as half of the DJ duo Bedazzled Beats. The EDM scene could use a powerful female presence, and Velvet and her bestie Candy are ready for their moment in the spotlight. A chance encounter with sexy-as-sin industry icon Isaak “Zazzle” Van Sandt is the cherry on top.

With a shared passion for music and an intense mutual attraction, the pair should be totally in sync. Instead, Zazzle’s reputation for hard partying has Velvet hitting Pause.

Zazzle knows both the high of superstardom and the darker side of the life. But six months after rock bottom, he’s got his feet firmly planted on a new, less destructive path. Next stop: wooing the curvaceous and tenacious “one that got away.”

But Velvet’s been there, done that, and she’s wary of risking her heart—not to mention her career—on someone in recovery. Earning her trust won’t be easy. If Zazzle can manage it, off-the-charts chemistry might just turn into once-in-a-lifetime love…

Buy In Rhythm

Author Bio

JN Welsh is a native New Yorker and natural storyteller. As a child in school, she was a voracious reader who stole her older sister’s romance novels. She graduated to writing entertaining love stories for her friends and the writer was born.

Her love for romance continued to grow and she published her first novel in 2005. Her stories are entertaining and provocative, leaving her readers breathless and coming back for more.

For recent releases, updates and to connect with her on social media visit: www.JNWelshAuthor.com.

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