Harper Bliss's Blog, page 9
October 24, 2022
ON SALE: Seasons of Love
My very first age-gap romance Seasons of Love is on sale!
You can get it for 99c instead of $6.99 until the end of this week >>
★★★★★ “Harper Bliss is the queen of age gap romances. Be sure to pick this one up right away.” – The Lesbian Review
A successful solicitor, her business partner’s daughter, and their unexpected chance at love.
Alice McAllister is successful, quiet and disciplined. When her law partner Miranda forces her to take a vacation at her holiday home in Portugal, the unexpected presence of Miranda’s daughter Joy turns Alice’s world up-side down.
Despite their differences–the age gap between them only being one of many–Alice and Joy embark on a passionate holiday romance… until they have to return home.
Can their steamy summer fling turn into a love that lasts? Or will the real world impose too many obstacles to Alice and Joy’s young and fragile love?
Find out in this sultry lesbian age-gap novel by chart-topping lesbian romance author Harper Bliss!
Get your discounted copy here:
→ Direct from author
→ Amazon US
→ Amazon UK
→ Amazon CA
→ Amazon AUS
→ Amazon DE
→ Apple
→ Kobo
→ Google Play
→ Barnes & Noble
It’s funny because when I wrote Seasons of Love in 2015, I had no knowledge of the now very popular ‘forced proximity’ trope in romance.
I also didn’t know age-gap would become my favourite trope to write in the next few years (although it has been pointed out to me that I have an unmistakable thing for lesbian romance of the toaster oven variety as well!) 
Please note that the price will go back up to $6.99 next week!
Enjoy! [image error] [image error] [image error] [image error] [image error] [image error]
The post ON SALE: Seasons of Love appeared first on Harper Bliss.
September 21, 2022
À propos de ce baiser
About That Kiss is now available in French! As if Ida and Faye’s story could get any sexier… 
This feel-good read about two A-list Hollywood actresses was a smash hit in the summer of 2021. More translations are in the works so more readers can get in on all the sapphic sexiness. 
Et si le plus beau rôle de sa vie, c’était d’être elle-même?
Ida Burton était la chérie d’Hollywood, jusqu’à ce que les meilleurs rôles commencent à se tarir à l’approche de la quarantaine.
Quand on lui propose l’un des rôles principaux dans une comédie romantique lesbienne à gros budget, ce n’est pas seulement une chance de donner un nouveau souffle à sa carrière. Ce film est peut-être l’occasion idéale d’enfin émerger du placard dans lequel elle s’est enfermée toute sa vie.
Faye Fleming est au sommet de sa carrière et remporte tous les prix depuis quelques années. Quand elle est choisie pour jouer aux côtés de la légendaire Ida Burton dans un blockbuster, elle est aux anges.
Ida et Faye sympathisent très rapidement et leur alchimie sur le plateau est incontournable…jusqu’au moment où leurs personnages s’embrassent pour la première fois.
The post À propos de ce baiser appeared first on Harper Bliss.
September 1, 2022
Fantasy Casting ‘A Family Affair’
Here’s my fantasy casting for Stella and Kate in A Family Affair.
These gorgeous ladies made for excellent writing inspiration! [image error]
P.S. Abby Craden has finished recording the audio, which means it’s coming soon!
Kaley Cuoco as Stella Flack
Kate Walsh as Kate Flack
P.P.S. Thank you so much for making A Family Affair such a smash hit. I’m thrilled that so many of you are enjoying my scandalously delicious romance! 
The post Fantasy Casting ‘A Family Affair’ appeared first on Harper Bliss.
August 17, 2022
NEW RELEASE: A Family Affair
A Family Affair is now available from Amazon (you can also read it in Kindle Unlimited):
➞ Amazon US
➞ Amazon UK
➞ Amazon CA
➞ Amazon AU
➞ Amazon DE
➞ Other Amazon Stores
Available as paperback from
➞ Amazon US
➞ Amazon UK
★★★★★ “Another Blissful masterpiece!”
★★★★★ “I have already read it twice and still didn’t want to put it down. I loved it.”
Here’s the blurb:
Best-selling lesbian romance author Harper Bliss brings you a deliciously impossible love story about falling for the one person you can’t have.
Kate has been married to Kevin for ten years, but their failed journey to parenthood has left their relationship on the brink.
As Kevin tries to heal by remodeling their home, Kate finds herself living in her mother-in-law’s pool house. And having to spend a lot of time with Kevin’s spoiled sister.
Stella is preparing for a career-defining audition, but is happy to welcome her brother and his wife to the house—even though she thinks Kate doesn’t like her all that much.
With Kevin away, Kate and Stella bond over secret crushes, hot movie stars, and glitzy celebrity parties.
Until one night, after too many shots of tequila, their bonding goes a step too far…
Get your copy now and join Kate and Stella on their thrillingly unexpected journey to love!
Don’t miss A Family Affair if you like any or all of these things:
– Steamy forbidden romance
– A touch of scandal 
– All The Angst (& corresponding feels) 
– Meddling celebrities 
This book definitely has a touch of scandal to it, but it’s still very much a romance.
Admittedly, while writing, I didn’t always know how I would get there, BUT there is a (very!) happy ending (please, never doubt that I will ALWAYS give you a happy ending!)
After more than ten years of Harper Bliss-ing, I know what I love most when I write: take an impossible premise and make it possible.
That’s what I’ve done with this book. Most of the time, it was amazing. Other times, it was dramatically hard. (A bit like life, really.) But I’m so happy with A Family Affair. I hope you are, too!
★★★★★ “Have you ever read a book that’s so good, you simply can’t put it down? A Family Affair is the epitome of such a book.”
★★★★★ “I love a good taboo romance, and Harper Bliss knows how to write them.”
★★★★★ “Only Harper Bliss could turn falling in love with your sister-in-law into a sapphic romance that doesn’t feel distasteful at all.”
★★★★★ “I adored this book and fell in love with the characters.”
Enjoy! [image error][image error][image error][image error][image error][image error]
P.S. Abby Craden is recording the audio as we speak. I’ll keep you posted on the audiobook release date.
The post NEW RELEASE: A Family Affair appeared first on Harper Bliss.
August 11, 2022
PREVIEW: A Family Affair
A Family Affair will be available in ebook and paperback on 17 August 2022. The audio, narrated by Abby Craden, will follow a few months later.
Pre-order:
– Direct from me
– Amazon
Here’s a preview. Enjoy!
A Family Affair© Harper Bliss
CHAPTER ONE
KATE
Even though I designed every gorgeous detail of this place, I don’t want to live here. I’m almost forty and I’m moving into my mother-in-law’s pool house. This was not how things were meant to go.
“Do you need a hand?” Stella shouts from her lounge chair by the pool.
When I glance back at her, she hasn’t even looked up from the script she’s studying—lest anyone in this family forget she’s auditioning for a big part alongside Nora Levine in a few days.
“Here you go, babe.” Kevin hands me a bottle of water. “It’s only for a few weeks.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Our house will be ready and beautiful in no time. Trust me.”
I want to trust my husband so very badly. I want to trust him with the same passion I felt when I said ‘I do’ at our wedding. But so much has happened—and hasn’t happened—since that day.
“I’m not asking again,” Stella shouts.
“We’ve barely moved in,” I hiss at Kevin, “and already your sister’s getting on my nerves with her entitled ways.”
“Cut her some slack,” Kevin says, predictably. “She’s preparing for—”
“No need to say it.” I take a deep breath. “And I’m sorry.” None of this is Stella’s fault, although she’s still a spoiled brat, convinced, as she has been since the first day I met her, that her big break is just around the corner.
“I’m going by the house one last time to pick up the rest of our stuff.” Kevin pecks me on the cheek. “Try to get settled in.” He flashes me a grin. “Or hang out with my lovely little sister by the pool.”
I roll my eyes and sigh, but none of that makes any difference to my current situation. I glance at Stella, who is talking to herself, running lines, as though she’s all alone in her mother’s backyard.
“I hope I’m not bothering you too much,” I say, just to vent my frustration.
“You could never bother me, Kate.” Stella puts down the script and pushes herself up. Her smile looks genuine enough. She knows why we’re here. Perhaps she’s not so self-absorbed that she can’t muster a smidgen of compassion for her brother and his barren wife. “It’s great that you and Kev are staying here. The more, the merrier, now that Mom has moved Keanu in.”
I walk over and sink into the chair next to hers. “As long as you don’t expect me to make you dinner.”
Stella shakes her head. She fixes her gaze on me but remains silent. Her shirt has fallen open and all she’s wearing underneath is a skimpy bikini.
“Just a heads-up,” Stella says after a few seconds. “Keanu’s cooking us a big family dinner tonight.” Keanu is not Mary’s boyfriend’s real name, but Stella has taken to calling him that because of his resemblance to Keanu Reeves in his Point Break days, laid-back surfer vibes included. “That should be fun.” To say that Stella doesn’t approve of her mother’s choice of partner is an understatement—probably because she has to share her mom’s attention. But I say, good for Mary. And Keanu—whose real name is Nathan—is very easy on the eye.
“That sounds like fun, actually,” I say.
“Kevin’s not too crazy about him either, you know.”
“I know.” But Kevin’s mature enough to not let it show every time he gets the chance. Kevin respects his mother enough to just let her be happy with whomever she wants to be with. But that’s too much to ask from the likes of Stella, who still lives at home at twenty-eight because she claims she can’t afford her own place until she gets that ‘big break’. While LA rent is steep, Stella could move out if she really wanted to, but she’s too spoiled at Mary’s. Case in point, she’s rehearsing pool-side for her upcoming audition.
“How’s that going?” I nod at the script because I don’t feel like talking about Nathan behind his back any longer. If that means indulging Stella, then that’s what I’ll do. At least that way, I also don’t have to talk about myself, and the reason Kev and I ended up here.
“I’ve never been so nervous in my life.” Stella sounds pretty confident to me. “Not even when I had to kiss Faye Fleming.”
I try not to roll my eyes and, despite myself, giggle like a teenage girl at the mention of Faye’s name. The urge to giggle wins out because I’ve always had a soft spot for Faye Fleming and my irritating sister-in-law got to play her lesbian lover on screen—a fact she likes to remind me of every chance she gets.
If it was anyone else, I’d offer to run lines with her, but this is Stella, Kevin’s exasperating little sister, and today of all days, I can’t bring myself to do it.
“I’m sure you’ll smash it,” I say on a sigh.
“Hey, Kate.” Stella’s voice goes all mellow. “Are you okay? Today’s pretty rough, I bet.”
I run a hand through my hair and take a deep breath. “Kev just really wants to do this. To create some sort of impossible clean slate. To give us a different house to return to after…” It’s still hard to say, but Stella knows.
“That’s Kev. He needs to be busy. He needs to build something. It’s how he processes.”
I nod.
“How are you… processing?” Stella asks.
I’m not, so I just shrug.
The touch of Stella’s hand on my shoulder startles me. “Faye and Ida are hosting a cast party the day after the movie premieres next week. Would you like to be my plus-one?”
“Faye Fleming and Ida Burton?”
“Yes.” Stella flashes me a big smile. Maybe she’s not as bad as I thought. Maybe I’ve been too caught up in my own struggles to give my sister-in-law the benefit of the doubt.
“You want to take me to their party?” Incredulously, I bring a hand to my chest.
“I sure do.” She looks at me in a way that allows me to see, maybe for the first time since I met her, that Stella Flack could be a movie star in her own right. She has the kind of commercial smile that dazzles Hollywood executives, and the girl-next-door-with-a-little-extra air about her that moviegoers can’t resist.
“Hell, yes!” I shout. “Thank you so much.”
“That’s what family’s for,” Stella says. “To make each other feel better.”
CHAPTER TWO
STELLA
I’ve yet to meet anyone more intelligent than my mother. She has built the most outrageous architectural marvels all over the world, yet she can’t pick a suitable man to save her life. I get what she sees in Keanu, though. He’s eye candy. A gorgeous man on her arm when she goes to a cocktail party. Like a trophy wife in reverse—and thank goodness they aren’t married. Sure, Keanu’s hot, but he would be. He’s barely older than me. One year and seven days to be exact. He could be a guy I hang out with at one of those achingly hip East Hollywood hotspots. All he’s missing, really, is a man bun. Instead, his hair is suavely draped along his cheeks, nineties style, so he can tuck it behind his ears with one of those cute gestures Mom goes crazy for—I know because she has told him so in front of her own children, one of whom is older than him.
The whole situation is infuriating, but as my brother put it not so long ago when I was off on a long rant against Keanu again: I don’t have to live here. I could get a place of my own, which might allow me to deal with my mother’s toy boy better. I wouldn’t have to see him in the morning wearing only his boxers, pecs all taut and biceps perfectly sculpted. But this is my house, too. I grew up here. I’ve lived here all my life, and as far as I’m concerned, Keanu is the intruder, so he should be the one to leave.
Mom walks to the dining table. “Darling,” she says while grabbing me gently by the shoulders before planting a kiss on my cheeks. “Just so we’re clear. I’m bringing Nathan to your big premiere next week.”
I’m of half a mind to wiggle myself out of her impromptu embrace, but the mention of the movie I have a small but not insignificant part in softens me. My mother knows how to play me. She raised me. She knows better than anyone which buttons to push.
“Guess who scored an invite to the after party at Faye Fleming and Ida Burton’s?” Kate all but screams. She points both of her thumbs at her well-shaped chest. “Moi!” Totally out of character, she blows me a kiss. I’m well aware my sister-in-law isn’t my biggest fan, but she and my brother have been through a lot. Life hasn’t been going their way and they’re family.
“Wow.” Mom gives my shoulder a squeeze. “You’re not taking Hayley? She’ll be upset.”
“Hayley’s not my girlfriend. I don’t have to take her everywhere I go.”
“Fair enough,” Mom says, before a short silence falls.
“My mom still plays old Lady Kings records all the time,” Keanu says, clearly not caring how that refocuses the attention on his scandalously young age.
How does Keanu’s mother feel about her son dating a woman almost twice his age? I scan Mom’s face for distress at Keanu mentioning his mother but find none. All the qualms that she doesn’t have about their affair, I have a thousandfold.
“I hope Kevin can make it.” Mom checks her watch ostentatiously. She can deal with just about anything, except for people being late, especially to a dinner her boyfriend cooked. She follows up with a sigh.
We all know Kev’s going to be late because he got sucked into the remodel of his and Kate’s house—which is already perfect because he and my mother designed it—and lost track of time. Because, right now, it’s the only thing that makes him forget he’s not going to be a dad—at least not any time soon, or maybe never. For that same reason, Mom has already forgiven him for being late.
I eye Kate. She seems resigned to the fact Kevin’s not here. That he said he was going by the house to pick up some stuff three hours ago and still hasn’t returned. That he’s leaving her to deal with her feelings about all of this on her own. That’s my brother for you. But he’d better make it to my premiere, although if he didn’t, I’d have to forgive him for that instantly as well.
“I can’t believe I’m going to meet Faye Fleming.” Kate has her own way of dealing with her emotions, so it seems. Although she has always been very vocal about being ‘gay for Faye’. “I think it’s only now sinking in that you played her lover.” She fixes her gaze on me.
I smile at her, then run a fingertip over my lips. “These lips were on Faye’s.” I love nothing more than putting on a show, than being the center of attention, and this family needs all the distraction it can get right now. Maybe that’s why my mom has always supported my dream of becoming an actor. We already had enough left-brained, ultra-serious people in our family.
Kate plays along and clasps her hands to her mouth. “Stop right there, Stella. Don’t tease me like that.”
“Can’t wait to see your movie, darling.” Mom sits there grinning. She has always been such a good sport about everything. I should really try to return the favor when it comes to Keanu—to Nathan—but it’s hard. I’m probably not mature enough yet. Besides, my bedroom’s on the same floor as hers, and I’m not deaf. I hear things a daughter’s ears should never be subjected to. I should have moved into the pool house as soon as she brought Keanu home, but that’s no longer an option now.
“It’s hardly my movie, Mom.” My voice drips with false modesty. My part as queer rock legend Lana Lynch’s much younger lover may be small—Cleo Palmer hasn’t been with Lana long enough to get a lot of screen time in a movie about her life—but it’s big in its own way. Cleo is nothing less than Lana’s redemption. And I got to kiss Faye Fleming. If that’s the only thing my sister-in-law can respect me for, I’ll take it.
“Still, I can’t wait to see you play an older woman’s much younger girlfriend,” Mom says, while draping an arm around Nathan.
“Touché,” Kate adds.
I can hardly say the movie’s fiction. It’s a biopic based on Lana Lynch’s life, and there’s nothing fictionalized about it. “Fine. I’m a hypocrite.” I throw up my hands in supplication. But it’s not the same when it’s your mother. Lana Lynch doesn’t have children. All things I can’t say out loud, but are all nothing but the truth.
“Do you all know I’m auditioning for this super-hyped Nora Levine project next week?” I’d rather they mock me for my self-absorbed ways than for my inability to accept Nathan into our family.
“It’s hard to forget, darling,” Mom says.
Kate just sighs one of her more spectacularly disdainful sighs.
The only one who shoots me an encouraging smile is my would-be stepdad, Nathan.
<>
A Family Affair will be available on Wednesday 17 August 2022 from AMAZON ONLY.
If you don’t want to buy the book from Amazon, you should get it directly from me BEFORE 17 AUGUST here >>
The post PREVIEW: A Family Affair appeared first on Harper Bliss.
August 4, 2022
Cover & Blurb Reveal: A Family Affair
Here are the cover and blurb for A Family Affair:
Best-selling lesbian romance author Harper Bliss brings you a deliciously impossible love story about falling for the one person you can’t have.
Kate has been married to Kevin for ten years, but their failed journey to parenthood has left their relationship on the brink.
As Kevin tries to heal by remodeling their home, Kate finds herself living in her mother-in-law’s pool house. And having to spend a lot of time with Kevin’s spoiled sister.
Stella is preparing for a career-defining audition, but is happy to welcome her brother and his wife to the house—even though she thinks Kate doesn’t like her all that much.
With Kevin away, Kate and Stella bond over secret crushes, hot movie stars, and glitzy celebrity parties.
Until one night, after too many shots of tequila, their bonding goes a step too far…
Available in ebook and paperback on 17 August 2022. The audio, narrated by Abby Craden, will follow a few months later.
Pre-order:
– Direct from me
– Amazon
The post Cover & Blurb Reveal: A Family Affair appeared first on Harper Bliss.
July 14, 2022
FREE: French Kissing: Season One
You can now try 500 pages of the French Kissing series for zero dollars.
Here’s what it’s all about:
Paris… City of lights, City of love, City of drama!
French Kissing follows a group of Parisian women as they navigate the stormy waters of love and life.
Claire and Juliette have been best friends for twenty years. Together they own a successful PR agency, but their journey to success has come at a price. Juliette and her partner Nadia have drifted apart after ten years together while Claire hasn’t been on a real date for as long as she can remember. Meanwhile, their happily single employee Steph is getting a bit too close to a new, high-profile client.
Warning: This title contains sensual language, ladies making love and possibly more feelings than you can process.
Start this steamy and addictive series for FREE now.
You can get your free copy anywhere you find ebooks:
➞ My web shop
➞ Amazon US
➞ Amazon UK
➞ Amazon CA
➞ Amazon AUS
➞ Amazon DE
➞ Other Amazon Stores
➞ Apple
➞ Kobo
➞ Google Play
➞ Barnes & Noble
Enjoy! 
A few notes:
– If you’ve only read my more recent books, beware that French Kissing is of a much more advanced heat level! Just sayin’. 
– I’ve been re-reading these books myself and even though I wrote them, I sometimes can’t believe what these ladies get up to! And the amount of wine they drink! And the sheer scope of the lez drama, of course… Enjoy! 
The post FREE: French Kissing: Season One appeared first on Harper Bliss.
May 19, 2022
Fantasy Casting ‘The Duet’
Here’s my fantasy casting for Lana and Cleo in The Duet.
Can you see it in your head the way that I did in mine? 
P.S. Abby Craden has finished recording the audio, which means it’s coming soon!
Chrissie Hynde as Lana Lynch
Angela Scanlon as Cleo Palmer
The post Fantasy Casting ‘The Duet’ appeared first on Harper Bliss.
May 4, 2022
NEW RELEASE: The Duet
The Duet is now available on all retailers:
➞ Direct from me
➞ Amazon US
➞ Amazon UK
➞ Amazon CA
➞ Amazon AU
➞ Amazon DE
➞ Other Amazon Stores
➞ Apple Books
➞ Kobo
➞ Barnes & Noble
★★★★★ “The Duet is another smash hit for Harper Bliss, and one you don’t want to miss.”
Here’s the blurb:
She should have kissed her…
The Lady Kings and their singer, Lana Lynch, have been out of the limelight since Lana’s partner’s sudden death ten years ago. They’re ready for an epic comeback tour, but have to take a young and hip support band with them.
Cleo Palmer and The Other Women are over the moon when they get booked to support their lifelong idols and share the stage with the iconic Lady Kings—especially queer legend Lana Lynch.
But when Lana invites her to sing a sensual duet together every night, Cleo gets way more than she bargained for.
Lana and Cleo’s on-stage chemistry is off the charts, but the differences in their age and life experience, not to mention some dramatic band politics, prove difficult to overcome.
Can Lana and Cleo find their way to each other once the spotlights are switched off?
Best-selling lesbian fiction author Harper Bliss brings you an age-gap rock star romance about what happens when the passion of a performance turns into something real…
Get your copy now and join Lana and Cleo on their hot cross-country tour!
Don’t miss The Duet if you like any or all of these things:
Hot lady rock stars
Scorching on-stage chemistry 
Lesbian age-gap romance 
Meddling celebrities 
A life-long crush being reciprocated 
I wrote this book during that tumultuous time pre-moving house and it was such a joy to escape in Lana and Cleo’s (and their nosy bandmates!) world for a few hours every day. To find words for all the things music can do, all the emotions it can evoke and that special energy it can stir inside us. And to write another age-gap romance, of course! 
★★★★★ “No matter what’s happening in the world at large, I can always count on Harper’s books to be a happier place to live and love.”
★★★★★ “The chemistry between the two leads was off the charts, but the masterful rendition of setting and band dynamics is what really sold it.”
★★★★★ “Harper really nailed the rock band vibe in this one, and I loved it!”
★★★★★ “The Duet is intense and keeps every audience in suspense.”
The Duet is available from all retailers:
➞ Direct from me
➞ Amazon US
➞ Amazon UK
➞ Amazon CA
➞ Amazon AU
➞ Amazon DE
➞ Other Amazon Stores
➞ Apple Books
➞ Kobo
➞ Barnes & Noble
Enjoy! 
P.S. Abby Craden is recording the audio as we speak. I’ll keep you posted on the audiobook release date.
The post NEW RELEASE: The Duet appeared first on Harper Bliss.
April 28, 2022
PREVIEW: The Duet
The Duet will be out on 4 May 2022.
You can pre-order the ebook here >>
Here’s a preview. Enjoy!
The Duet© Harper Bliss
CHAPTER ONE
LANA
To do any of this without Joan by my side is like doing it with a limb cut off, or worse, a torn vocal cord. I only feel like half a person. Like the better part of me is still missing. Our new single is called “The Better Part of Me” for a reason.
“I’m so stoked,” Billie says. “Let’s do this.”
The Lady Kings recruited Billie as Joan’s replacement almost a year ago. I should be used to her by now. I am in some ways, but in many others, she will never be Joan. The best guitarist to ever walk this earth, in my ultra-biased opinion, with the nimblest of fingers—and I should know.
What distance remains between Billie and me will soon be obliterated by the tour we’re about to embark on. A two-month cross-country journey will do that to you. All boundaries are about to be shattered. But first, we’re checking out our support band, The Other Women, and the show they’ll be opening with every night. They’d better bring it. I haven’t come to watch a rehearsal. The Lady Kings are here to experience a proper performance.
Our tour manager, Andy, greets us at the entrance of the Hollywood Bowl. The first concert of The Lady Kings reunion tour—if you want to call it that—will be a home game. I can’t even remember how many times we’ve played this venue. For The Other Women, I think it might be the first. I try to remember my first time on this particular stage, but it’s too long ago. Too many years have passed and too many things have happened since. Like our guitarist dying.
Most of the crew are here. Some have been with us for decades; some I will get better acquainted with soon enough.
We’ve only settled into our seats when there is movement on the stage. They don’t want to keep us waiting. Good. My expectations are high and low at the same time. I wouldn’t have picked The Other Women as our opening act myself, but according to everyone at our record company, it makes perfect sense. Truth be told, I don’t even know why we need an opening act at all. We’re The Lady Kings, for crying out loud. When I come on, the crowd goes from cold to hot in a split second. I’ve always known how to light up an audience. It’s what I do. It’s what I’m good at. But times change and The Lady Kings haven’t toured for over ten years.
So, here we are. Poised for The Other Women. We’re not coming into this cold. We’ve watched their clips on YouTube. We’ve had their songs on repeat on Spotify. We’ve pored over their pictures and bios.
Roy, our manager since we started out in the early nineties, said, “Fact is, you may need them more than they need you.”
“We’ll see about that,” Deb, our drummer, replied.
“I’m feeling my age.” Sam, our bass player, is looking at the stage as The Other Women take their places. “How old are these kids again?”
“Twenty-something,” Billie says. “With an enormous fan base.”
“Evening,” the lead singer says into the mic, only to be met with an ear-piercing wave of reverb. She steps back and waits until she gets a thumbs-up from one of the sound techs. “Let’s try that again.” If she’s intimidated by having all current members of The Lady Kings and their entourage staring at her from the front row of an otherwise empty Hollywood Bowl, she hides it well. “It’s an honor to play for such rock royalty tonight. Thank you for taking us on tour with you. We promise not to let you down.”
“Polite as well,” Sam mumbles in my ear. “I didn’t know they still made young people like that.”
“Certainly politer than we were at their age,” Deb says.
I let them talk and keep my gaze trained on Cleo Palmer, lead singer of The Other Women. We look nothing alike, yet she reminds me of myself many moons ago, when The Lady Kings took the music world by storm. When audiences couldn’t get enough of us. When security guards had to form a human shield around us after every show so we could get from the stage door onto the tour bus without being grabbed by delirious fans. Long bygone days.
Our fans have aged with us and, so I’ve been told, these days, meet and greets with the band are official add-ons when you buy a ticket for the show. I’ll be curious to see how that goes once the tour starts.
“You may know this first song,” Cleo says. “It’s called ‘Like No One Else.’”
“No fucking way,” Sam says.
“The nerve of these kids,” Deb adds.
“They reel you in with their seemingly polite ways,” Billie says.
I have to laugh at their brazenness. “Like No One Else” is only The Lady Kings’ most iconic song. Our biggest hit. And our support act are starting their set with a cover version. I’m not sure whether to be flattered or offended.
“This better be good,” someone from the crew shouts.
The Other Women respond by playing the first chords of our song.
“Are they even all women?” I hear someone say behind me. “That bass player doesn’t look like a woman to me. Come to think of it, that drummer…”
A female voice shushes them—even when you’re in an all-female band, the men around you still need to be told to shut up sometimes.
I barely notice the bassist or the drummer, or The Other Women’s guitarist, who lays down a mean riff Joan would have approved of. My eyes are glued exactly where they’re supposed to be. I’m getting confirmation of what I’ve known since I was introduced to The Other Women. Cleo Palmer was born for the stage. I couldn’t look away if I wanted to. Her presence, the way she uses her voice, how her body writhes against the microphone stand, the dramatically held high note at the end of the chorus. It’s all there and it commands all my attention.
There’s no denying it. Cleo Palmer is a star. Maybe Roy was right. Maybe we’re the lucky ones getting to tour with them and not the other way around.
By the time the song ends, they’ve already won over every person in tonight’s small audience.
“Fuck. They’re good,” Billie says.
“They are,” I confirm, as an idea sprouts in my head. If we’re going to be touring with The Other Women, with someone like Cleo Palmer, we might as well make good use of them.
CHAPTER TWO
CLEO
Opening our show with The Lady Kings’ biggest hit was a bold move. But I didn’t get into this business to be a good girl and only do what is expected of me. On the contrary. And boy, was it a thrill to look into Lana Lynch’s face as I sang the hell out of that song. I’ve had years of practice. When we formed our band, it was the first song we taught ourselves to play—although this is the first time we’ve played it in front of an audience. I hope Lana was impressed.
I cast her one last glance as I let the final note of our set die in my throat. We’re no longer used to playing for such a tiny audience, but they make up for it by giving us a massive applause. Lana holds her hands above her head as she claps for us. Did she just give me a nod of approval? I’m about to find out.
“Thank you. It was such a pleasure. Can’t wait to play here again in a few days.” I tap two fingers to my forehead in a salute and head off the stage.
Backstage, I’m joined by my bandmates.
“That was so tight,” Daphne says. “You smashed it.” I exchange a high-five with our guitarist. Tim and Jess follow hot on her heels.
“Do you think we impressed them?” Judging by the smirk on Tim’s face, it’s not a question.
“Fuck, yeah.”
“Cleo?” I turn around. “Lana would like a word,” Roy, The Lady Kings’ manager, says. “Whenever you have a minute.”
“The King wants to see you,” Daphne says. “Best not keep her waiting.”
“Argh,” Jess groans. She’s had a crush on Lana Lynch forever.
“Come with me,” I offer.
Jess huffs out some air. “We’re going on tour with them. I’m sure I’ll get my moment with Lana.”
“Go,” Tim says. “You must have dazzled the fuck out of her.”
I follow Roy to the front stage where Lana is surrounded by the other members of her band. This won’t be a solo audience then.
“Way to go,” The Lady Kings’ new guitarist, Billie, says, and gives me a thumbs-up.
“Can I steal you for a minute?” Even when she speaks, Lana’s voice is low and gravelly.
“Of course.”
“How daring.” We walk up a few steps. “To kick off with ‘Like No One Else.’”
“It’s a tribute, of course.” When I’m talking to Lana Lynch, I don’t care if I sound like the ultimate fangirl—all of us in the band would cite The Lady Kings as one of our defining influences.
“You did it justice, and it gave me an idea.” Lana leans against a bench.
“Thanks.” It’s still surreal that we’ll be touring with our idols. We were gearing up for a headline tour with our own support act, but we happily gave up on that for a chance to tour with the Kings. All four of us, unanimously, in a heartbeat.
“You might have heard of this duet I’ve done with Isabel Adler,” Lana says.
“Your long-awaited comeback single.” I’m trying to keep my cool. I’ve only had ‘I Should Have Kissed You’ on repeat since it was released—not something I would ever have expected of a song featuring Isabel Adler. “I love it.”
“Yeah, so… on the tour, how about you and I sing it together?” Lana fixes her dark gaze on me.
“For real?”
“Yeah.” She bats her lashes once.
“Sure, I mean, if you think that I’m up to that.” There’s not a lot left of my earlier bravado.
“Good.” She plunges her hands into her pockets. “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t think you were up to it.”
“Okay. Thanks. Yes, let’s do it.”
“We should get some serious rehearsal time in. The tour kicks off in three days. I need to talk to the band, but I was thinking we could add it as the last encore. Send people home with some good vibes.”
Some good lesbian vibes, I almost say, but catch myself. Although I don’t know why. Surely, I could say something like that to Lana. But I don’t know her all that well—yet.
“Sure,” I say, instead of all the things I’m thinking. I can hardly blame myself for this starstruck moment. Lana Lynch and The Lady Kings are rock legends and my band are not only going to be opening the show for them; I’m actually going to be on stage with Lana.
“Can you come to my house tomorrow?” If Lana’s excited by this at all, she’s not letting on. Then again, she’s known for being cool as a cucumber under the hottest circumstances. “We’ll do a few run-throughs without the band first. See how our voices match.” Sounds as though Lana’s got this all figured out without talking to the other members of The Lady Kings.
“Of course. Just let me know when and I’ll be there.” Never mind that I have a million little things to take care of before we leave town for two months. I’ll just do them in less time. Even if I didn’t want to get off on the best possible foot with Lana, I’d still cancel everything for a chance to spend a few hours singing with her.
“Roy will give you all the details. Thanks, kid.”
Kid. Jesus. So much for me beginning to think of us as equals.
“You’ve got the right stuff. Any fool can see that.”
Oh, fuck. There’s the blush. Damn you, pale Irish skin. The last thing I wanted was to blush in front of Lana Lynch. Luckily, it’s completely dark, and where we’re standing is not well lit.
“Thanks,” I mumble.
Lana just nods, then walks off.
Even though I take a few deep breaths, I’m still beside myself when I join my bandmates. I tell them what Lana asked.
“No freaking way,” Jess says. “Why can’t I sing like you, darn it.” Jess has always refused to swear with us.
“Fuck. You’re going to be on stage with them.” Tim is practically jumping up and down.
“It’s not a done deal yet,” I say. “Going over to Lana’s tomorrow is more like an audition than anything else.”
“Give yourself a break, Cleo,” Daphne says. “Lana knows what you can do with your voice. You must have impressed her tonight. That’s why she asked you. Besides, they’d be crazy not to put that song on their set list. It’s been at the top of the charts for months. It’s probably the reason they’re touring again.”
“We’ll see.” Heat glows within me. I can’t wait for tomorrow. “Drinks are on me tonight. Come on.”
We head to our favorite Silver Lake hangout spot, where I try to calm my nerves with way too many shots.
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The Duet will be available on Wednesday 4 May 2022 from all retailers.
The audio, narrated by Abby Craden, will follow later this year.
The post PREVIEW: The Duet appeared first on Harper Bliss.
