Have you ever mailed a fan letter to a rock star? Brenda Dunkirk did, but she didn’t think 80s metal star Keith Kutter would actually read it. She also never imagined Keith would end up living in her house and destroying her marriage.
Brenda thinks she’s the luckiest woman in the world when Keith’s band, Hydra, declares her home their base camp while recording their comeback album. She fantasizes about late night lyric writing sessions at her kitchen table and being the first one to hear all the new songs. With her help she knows the band will get back on top where they belong. Swept up in the glamour of being the rock and roll muse, Brenda risks her already faltering marriage. Tim, her husband, walks out on her and Hydra’s chaos, and to make matters worse her boss is threatening to fire her if she doesn’t get her act together at work. The band will not leave until the album is done--it could be another month or it could be another year.
Ultimately Brenda must choose. Is it possible to be one man’s wife and another man’s muse?
Quarter Finalist
Plot/Idea: 10 out of 10
Originality: 10 out of 10
Prose: 10 out of 10
Character/Execution: 10 out of 10
Overall: 10.00 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot: This novel is skillfully plotted and well paced. It's a book that readers won't want to put down.
Prose: The prose is smooth and conversational, featuring subtle humor, great turns of phrase, and a contemporary voice.
Originality: There are plenty of books about crumbling marriages, but this one is unique thanks to the original characters and winning premise, which the author somehow makes believable.
Character Development: All of the characters are distinct and feature realistic flaws and qualities. Brenda and Tim's interactions are authentic, with all the tics and quirks of a marriage. The rock band characters are also exceptionally well portrayed.
Blurb: Knapp turns the potential tragedy of a troubled marriage into smart satire. Rock groupies ranging from tame to obsessed will have a great time indulging in this fantasy of an idol sleeping in the guest bed.
Date Submitted: April 05, 2018
