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Black Phoenix #1
After Midnight
Thirteen years — that's how long Isabeau Montgomery has been living a lie. After an automobile accident took her mother's life, Izzy hid herself away, surviving the only way she knew how. Now she is happy in her carefully reconstructed life. That is until he walks through the door of her bar...
Black Phoenix singer/front man Noah Clark came to Long Island City with a goal — one that doesn't include an instant, electric attraction to the dark-haired beauty behind the bar. Coaxing her into his bed won't be easy, but he can't get her pale, haunted eyes nor her skill on the piano out of his head.
Can Noah help Isabeau overcome the past? Or will her need to protect her secret force her back into hiding and destroy their chance at happiness?
Black Phoenix singer/front man Noah Clark came to Long Island City with a goal — one that doesn't include an instant, electric attraction to the dark-haired beauty behind the bar. Coaxing her into his bed won't be easy, but he can't get her pale, haunted eyes nor her skill on the piano out of his head.
Can Noah help Isabeau overcome the past? Or will her need to protect her secret force her back into hiding and destroy their chance at happiness?
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2011
176 people are currently reading
1889 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Grimm
20 books510 followersSarah Grimm is an award-winning, best-selling contemporary romance author addicted to fast cars, reading and laughter. She lives in West Michigan with her husband, two sons, and three dogs and has a penchant for dropping F-bombs like the rock stars she loves to write about.
She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists, Inc.
Visit Sarah at http://www.sarahgrimm.com
Be sure to follow Sarah on BookBub for the latest on sales https://bit.ly/3KLWKnw
She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists, Inc.
Visit Sarah at http://www.sarahgrimm.com
Be sure to follow Sarah on BookBub for the latest on sales https://bit.ly/3KLWKnw
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
October 27, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I loved Izzy and Noah. The way the writer brought them together through their mutual love and need to play music was beautiful. I definitely plan to read more of the talented Ms. Grimm's work.
September 14, 2011
This was the second book I read by Sarah Grimm. I also gave Not Without Risk 5 stars, but I liked After Midnight even more. I loved the setting of Izzy's bar and found Izzy herself an interesting, compelling, sympathetic heroine. Noah was so damn hot, but really sweet, too. And I loved their chemistry together. I'm a fan of authors weaving music into their writing, and I don't think it's an easy thing to do--using words to convey music. But Sarah nailed it, and it really added another layer to the book for me. On the suspense side, I was thrown off on identifying the villain until almost the very last pages before the reveal, so she definitely kept me guessing. After Midnight was a hot, sweet, suspenseful read I really enjoyed and can definitely recommend.
February 11, 2012
An outstanding read!
February 2, 2013
Noah
Isabeau
Isabeau is about as damaged a heroine as I've ever seen. (In many ways, she reminded me of an adult version of Emilia from Sea of tranquility ). Her life, as she knew it, ended the day of the car accident that took her mother's life. A former child prodigy, she hasn't played the piano since, and as far as many people believe, she lost the ability when her hand was injured. But that isn't the case. She has given up music for other, far more terrible reasons.
"My entire life, people have referred to my music as a gift. But it's not a gift, Noah, it's a curse."
Noah, a rockstar trying to make his way back into the music business after taking a break, shakes up Isabeau's carefully constructed world. Suddenly, the music that is always in her head is turned up to a volume that can no longer be denied. Noah catches her "purging" that music, and when he learns she has closed off that part of herself, decides to help her realize that people like them, cannot live without their music.
"The girl you're looking for no longer exists."
"What girl am I looking for?"
"The one that lived to create music. She died thirteen years ago. The women who's left, she's just a bartender."
"I don't believe that."
...
"You can't ignore it, you know." . . . "Music is everywhere. It's inside you, you can't ignore that."
The rest of the book was a careful dance. Noah taking a step forward, and Isabeau taking two steps back. Both circling around each other, discovering things they never expected. Rediscovering lost parts of themselves, and seeing life clearly for the first time.
Isabeau's whole, story, broke my heart, piece by piece as it was revealed. And if her past wasn't enough to overcome, there was someone in her present that was determined to not let her move on.
I adored Noah. He wasn't perfect. He made mistakes along the way, but he loved Isabeau steadfastly, and never, never gave up on her.
This was a beautiful love story. A story of redemption and hope. Wonderfully written. The secondary characters were great. I cannot wait to read Dom's story. I have to admit, as much as I loved Noah, I have a serious crush on Dom too.
"It wasn't just need and desire, it was a sense of coming home. A sense of completion that had been there since that fateful night he'd wandered into her bar. The night he'd looked up into the palest eyes he'd ever seen and fallen. She'd become everything to him. "
Highly recommended.
October 24, 2011
I loved everything about this book. How can I adequately describe a poignant romance story of healing and hope and HEA? I don't know that I can. Ms. Grim's rockin' romance is deeply crafted. The characters are the way we like them: real, deeply drawn from their past experiences, likable and sensual. The plot is finely woven so that the unraveling plays out like a beautiful, haunting long sonata. Oh, and let's not forget the sexual tension--I heard the lonely strings of violins, I sighed to sexy saxophone riffs and my heart pounded to tympanic drums. Isabeau's story also played out on a deeply personal emotional level for me. If you've ever been abused by anyone, read this book. If you've ever wasted part of your life on booze or pills, read this book. If you've ever denied yourself something your soul deeply desired, read this book. If you've ever allowed fear of failure to paralize you, read this book. Simply put, read this book.
January 1, 2012
Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
A LASR BEST BOOK!
Some call it a gift, but Isabeau calls it a curse. What does she consider a curse? Her amazing ear for music, playing and composing. Though she no longer plays, years after an accident and following years of troubling times, Isabeau keeps to herself, making her untouchable and unreachable. Until Noah walks into her life.
Isabeau may be young, but she's had her share of tragedies. The walls she built to keep others out are high and heavily guarded. She doesn't embrace life. While other women her age are making the best of their youth and life, Isabeau lets it pass her by. The changes within our heroine during this story are intense, and it takes a lot to get her through, but with a man like Noah by her side, she has the chance to let go of her past and find love.
Noah is an older man, and a musician He's drawn to this young reclusive beauty, and is determined to break through those barriers and help her unleash the muse that is buried deep inside. Noah is one of those unforgettable heroes that readers can fall in love with instantly. Yes, he can be pushy, but he has Isabeau's best interests at heart. Does he make mistakes? Absolutely, but he apologizes for them and admits when he's wrong. The love he begins to feel for Isabeau shines through, and he watches as she slowly opens her heart to him.
After Midnight is one of those compelling stories that draws the reader in instantly. With plenty of conflict and tension, the pacing of this book keeps growing and growing. Ms. Grimm creates characters that grab hold of your heart and never let go. This is an emotional ride that you won't want to miss. What drew me to this story was the subject of music, which is a passion.
The author creates such a diverse pair in Isabeau and Noah. Their backgrounds and lifestyles are different. This novel shows that love can be found no matter how dark your past is, and despite the age difference. Through a common bond, a happily ever after has been found. I devoured this deeply touching story. While I wanted to know how it ended, I wasn't ready to leave the pages either.
If you love a contemporary romance that has the potential to tug on your heartstrings, then don't wait! Hurry over and get yourself a copy of this book!
A LASR BEST BOOK!
Some call it a gift, but Isabeau calls it a curse. What does she consider a curse? Her amazing ear for music, playing and composing. Though she no longer plays, years after an accident and following years of troubling times, Isabeau keeps to herself, making her untouchable and unreachable. Until Noah walks into her life.
Isabeau may be young, but she's had her share of tragedies. The walls she built to keep others out are high and heavily guarded. She doesn't embrace life. While other women her age are making the best of their youth and life, Isabeau lets it pass her by. The changes within our heroine during this story are intense, and it takes a lot to get her through, but with a man like Noah by her side, she has the chance to let go of her past and find love.
Noah is an older man, and a musician He's drawn to this young reclusive beauty, and is determined to break through those barriers and help her unleash the muse that is buried deep inside. Noah is one of those unforgettable heroes that readers can fall in love with instantly. Yes, he can be pushy, but he has Isabeau's best interests at heart. Does he make mistakes? Absolutely, but he apologizes for them and admits when he's wrong. The love he begins to feel for Isabeau shines through, and he watches as she slowly opens her heart to him.
After Midnight is one of those compelling stories that draws the reader in instantly. With plenty of conflict and tension, the pacing of this book keeps growing and growing. Ms. Grimm creates characters that grab hold of your heart and never let go. This is an emotional ride that you won't want to miss. What drew me to this story was the subject of music, which is a passion.
The author creates such a diverse pair in Isabeau and Noah. Their backgrounds and lifestyles are different. This novel shows that love can be found no matter how dark your past is, and despite the age difference. Through a common bond, a happily ever after has been found. I devoured this deeply touching story. While I wanted to know how it ended, I wasn't ready to leave the pages either.
If you love a contemporary romance that has the potential to tug on your heartstrings, then don't wait! Hurry over and get yourself a copy of this book!
December 30, 2012
I am in love. This book was amazing. I would even go as far as to say that it was one of the best books that I read this year.
Isabeau was a musical prodigy. At the age of 5, her abilities as a concert pianist came in to play, and her mother made sure that she was given every opportunity in the world to advance her talents. They would travel for the next five years, with Isabeau playing the piano to sold out concert halls, wowing audiences and making a name for herself. When a car accident takes the life of her mother and leaves Isabeau critically injured and fighting for her life, however, Isabeau’s love for the piano dies as well.
At 25, Isabeau is living in New York City, running a small, yet popular bar. She has established a daily routine to her life and keeping herself from getting close to anyone. She is very guarded and determined to keep her life simple. When Noah, the incredibly sexy lead singer of the famous Black Phoenix band walks into her bar, however, Isabeau finds her life turned upside down and her simple life of monotonous day to day living is shaken up beyond anything she could have ever imagined. Noah fights to win Isabeau’s affection, and tries to prove to her that the music she left behind is the key to finally finding peace and happiness.
Oh my gosh, this romance is wonderful. From the moment Isabeau and Noah meet, the sexual tension is thick enough to cut with a knife. Every single emotion that the characters feel is intense and felt deeply. It’s powerful, beautiful, and raw. The characters themselves are so exquisitely flawed. The plot is played out wonderfully, and when the last page is read, you’ll want to start again, just so you don’t have to say goodbye. I am not the type of person who rereads books often, but this is one I could and will probably read again and again.
Isabeau was a musical prodigy. At the age of 5, her abilities as a concert pianist came in to play, and her mother made sure that she was given every opportunity in the world to advance her talents. They would travel for the next five years, with Isabeau playing the piano to sold out concert halls, wowing audiences and making a name for herself. When a car accident takes the life of her mother and leaves Isabeau critically injured and fighting for her life, however, Isabeau’s love for the piano dies as well.
At 25, Isabeau is living in New York City, running a small, yet popular bar. She has established a daily routine to her life and keeping herself from getting close to anyone. She is very guarded and determined to keep her life simple. When Noah, the incredibly sexy lead singer of the famous Black Phoenix band walks into her bar, however, Isabeau finds her life turned upside down and her simple life of monotonous day to day living is shaken up beyond anything she could have ever imagined. Noah fights to win Isabeau’s affection, and tries to prove to her that the music she left behind is the key to finally finding peace and happiness.
Oh my gosh, this romance is wonderful. From the moment Isabeau and Noah meet, the sexual tension is thick enough to cut with a knife. Every single emotion that the characters feel is intense and felt deeply. It’s powerful, beautiful, and raw. The characters themselves are so exquisitely flawed. The plot is played out wonderfully, and when the last page is read, you’ll want to start again, just so you don’t have to say goodbye. I am not the type of person who rereads books often, but this is one I could and will probably read again and again.
November 22, 2011
This book surprised me and I got hooked right away. The story line was unique, there were twist and turns, a HOT musician (by that I mean ROCKSTAR), and a steamy romance! The only thing that really bothered me was the age difference between Isabeau & Noah, I thought Izzy could have been a little older...but it wasnt too unrealistic. Overall, I loved it!!
February 18, 2015
I have read several books with singers and piano players, even one with a karkoake bar. But I have never read a book where I could *hear* the music. Sarah Grimm does just that. She allows the reader to experience the music through the pages of her newest release, After Midnight. That itself is a great feat, but the sound she weaves through her words is only an accompaniment to the characters she has created. Noah Clark...mature rock star and caring soul, seeking a second chance at the one thing he loves--music. He's going about his career differently in this "comeback" tour, and he's not up for any unexpected bumps. And then he meets her, Isabeau Montgomery. Izzy is a now-grown child prodigy who abandoned music as a too painful part in her past. But once she meets Noah, the music she's drowned out of her head for so many years demands to be heard once again.
There is a sensuality between Noah and Izzy that defies description. More mature than sexy, more beautiful than mere chemistry, it is a source of envy to all those around them. Noah understands Izzy on a base level. All the qualities she hates about herself, he admires. At Noah's hands, she learns to see herself through his eyes, find her beauty though she never thought it existed. Who wouldn't want a hero like Noah--rich, handsome, and able to see you (and love you) as you really are instead of how you think you should be? The perfect hero deserves the perfect soul mate, and Sarah provides. Izzy is smart, resourceful, and beautiful in her own way. She's survived more than the average person, walked down paths most of us will never glimpse. And yet we feel her pain, we understand her hiding, and we admire her strength. Add them to the beautiful prose of music, a touch of suspense, and extremely lovable secondary characters, and you have one fabulous read. You have After Midnight.
There is a sensuality between Noah and Izzy that defies description. More mature than sexy, more beautiful than mere chemistry, it is a source of envy to all those around them. Noah understands Izzy on a base level. All the qualities she hates about herself, he admires. At Noah's hands, she learns to see herself through his eyes, find her beauty though she never thought it existed. Who wouldn't want a hero like Noah--rich, handsome, and able to see you (and love you) as you really are instead of how you think you should be? The perfect hero deserves the perfect soul mate, and Sarah provides. Izzy is smart, resourceful, and beautiful in her own way. She's survived more than the average person, walked down paths most of us will never glimpse. And yet we feel her pain, we understand her hiding, and we admire her strength. Add them to the beautiful prose of music, a touch of suspense, and extremely lovable secondary characters, and you have one fabulous read. You have After Midnight.
October 18, 2011
SIGH......
That was a big, fat happy sigh - from beginning to end.
I had a lot going on in my life at the time of reading this book, so I couldn't read it in one sitting - but boy, did I want too! When I wasn't reading After Midnight, I was thinking about the characters. They truly haunted me, so it was with great excitement and relief I was able to sit down and enjoy the last bit of Isa and Noah's story.
Poor, poor Isa. Ms. Grimm was quite mean to her, giving her a huge amount of baggage, but Noah was equal to the task of finally making her happy and lightening the load. Since I can't wait to read Dominic's story, I'm going to go and buy Not Without Risk (Sarah Grimm's first novel) to immerse myself in more of this great up-and-coming writer's words.
Thank you Sarah for a wonderful, hearty happy-ever-after romance.
That was a big, fat happy sigh - from beginning to end.
I had a lot going on in my life at the time of reading this book, so I couldn't read it in one sitting - but boy, did I want too! When I wasn't reading After Midnight, I was thinking about the characters. They truly haunted me, so it was with great excitement and relief I was able to sit down and enjoy the last bit of Isa and Noah's story.
Poor, poor Isa. Ms. Grimm was quite mean to her, giving her a huge amount of baggage, but Noah was equal to the task of finally making her happy and lightening the load. Since I can't wait to read Dominic's story, I'm going to go and buy Not Without Risk (Sarah Grimm's first novel) to immerse myself in more of this great up-and-coming writer's words.
Thank you Sarah for a wonderful, hearty happy-ever-after romance.
December 8, 2014
I enjoyed this book. The characters were believable. I loved that their was a dark side to it. I loved how the story unfolded and how Isabeau had to break threw all of her past to become the woman at the end of the book. The downfall on the book for me is that it used a bunch of words I didn't know the meaning of. Good thing for dictionaries on kindles :)
October 25, 2011
5 Stars, Fire Pages Reviews
"After Midnight is one hell of a love story! I was hooked at the end of the first chapter. I had to read more. I had to know more. And Sarah Grimm definitely delivered more."
"After Midnight is one hell of a love story! I was hooked at the end of the first chapter. I had to read more. I had to know more. And Sarah Grimm definitely delivered more."
October 21, 2012
Did someone say ROCKSTAR?! Oh, yes. I will be reading this;)
July 18, 2014
Great story!
Noah Clark, 40 something, has been ROCK star got his band back together for a come back album. From London, currently living in California, he makes a trip to a small studio in New York while his studio is being constructed at his home. While in New York he crosses paths with Isabeau Montgomery. Only in her mind twenties he remembers the great child pianist she used to be. As they get to know one another Isabeau tries to make Noah see that she is no longer that person who plays music. What will happen when Noah needs her help to make his comeback dreams come true? What will become of the relationship they've built? Will Isabeau be able to keep her secrets hidden and are those secrets putting her in danger? Get your copy and find out...TODAY!
Sarah Grimm, I can't wait to see how things end for Dominic and Becca in the next Black Phoenix installment!!
Noah Clark, 40 something, has been ROCK star got his band back together for a come back album. From London, currently living in California, he makes a trip to a small studio in New York while his studio is being constructed at his home. While in New York he crosses paths with Isabeau Montgomery. Only in her mind twenties he remembers the great child pianist she used to be. As they get to know one another Isabeau tries to make Noah see that she is no longer that person who plays music. What will happen when Noah needs her help to make his comeback dreams come true? What will become of the relationship they've built? Will Isabeau be able to keep her secrets hidden and are those secrets putting her in danger? Get your copy and find out...TODAY!
Sarah Grimm, I can't wait to see how things end for Dominic and Becca in the next Black Phoenix installment!!
December 12, 2011
This Book was Awesome read!!!! It had it all and I do mean all.. Isabeau was the best piano player and was only 12 when the accident happen that made her stop playing. it took the life of her mother and left her injured and scared for life. Noah was in a band and when his best friend died he coudlnt handle the music scene anymore and left . Noah decides a few years later he misses and gets the band back together and wants to record again. fate puts him the bar and finds Isabeau and knows he is in love with her.All the pain these two go through to be together is unreal and shows just how much fate n love can conquer all. very well written and truely loved it. once you start reading you wont put it down.
October 26, 2011
Grimm fashions a story that will pull on your heartstrings. Isabeau Montgomery is a child prodigy. By the age of twelve, she's an accomplished pianist, but when she looses her mother in a car accident, her world shatters into a thousand pieces. Can Noah tear down the battlements that surround her heart?
"After Midnight" is set in Long Island. Noah Clark is the front man for Black Phoenix, a rock and roll band recording a demo for a come back record. Noah ventures into the nearby bar and finds Isabeau. Izzy intrigues him like no other woman he's meet, but she's cold and aloof and friendlier with his friend, Dominic. If it's one thing Noah has though, it's patience and persistence. Noah continues to visit the bar and wears Izzy down. Slowly, she lets down a wall or two and allows herself to get to know Noah.
Noah discovers Izzy has a down on his luck step-brother who drowns his sorrows in booze. Izzy can play piano, but chooses not to. Izzy also has to deal with a jealous pianist, Gregory Howard. She also hates to be touched. All these clues set Noah on fire to unlock the chains surrounding her heart.
Izzy reluctantly admits to herself that Noah has gotten under her skin. When he loses his grandfather, she travels to England to support him. There's no denying the sparks of attraction between then anymore. Izzy and Noah make love, but when a series of accidents begin to look more than accidental, Noah realizes he's fallen for Isabeau, but can he convince her what he feels for her is real?
Grimm pulls the reader into the story with a gripping look at Isabeau's world. Noah storms into her heart just as he storms into the bar, setting the stage for a powerful tug of emotions between each of them.
Grimm's writing style is easy to read, but clipped at times, almost reflective of Izzy's clipped heart. The dialogue captures the rich authenticity of the city which Grimm paints with skilled ease. Suspense blends effortlessly against a contemporary backdrop leaving the reader feeling the same restlessness that Izzy does.
The characterization is the most enjoyable part of the novel. Izzy is haunted by demons that continue to fester inside her. Loss and disappointment have forced her not to play the piano, but Noah challenges her. His presence eases her pain.
Noah has his own issues. He's fought off a drinking problem, but he's never been in love before.
The novel's love scenes are sensual as well as tasteful, embodying the fierce intensity of Izzy and Noah's emotions. "After Midnight" will take the reader on an achingly romantic story and will resonate long after the last page.
"After Midnight" is set in Long Island. Noah Clark is the front man for Black Phoenix, a rock and roll band recording a demo for a come back record. Noah ventures into the nearby bar and finds Isabeau. Izzy intrigues him like no other woman he's meet, but she's cold and aloof and friendlier with his friend, Dominic. If it's one thing Noah has though, it's patience and persistence. Noah continues to visit the bar and wears Izzy down. Slowly, she lets down a wall or two and allows herself to get to know Noah.
Noah discovers Izzy has a down on his luck step-brother who drowns his sorrows in booze. Izzy can play piano, but chooses not to. Izzy also has to deal with a jealous pianist, Gregory Howard. She also hates to be touched. All these clues set Noah on fire to unlock the chains surrounding her heart.
Izzy reluctantly admits to herself that Noah has gotten under her skin. When he loses his grandfather, she travels to England to support him. There's no denying the sparks of attraction between then anymore. Izzy and Noah make love, but when a series of accidents begin to look more than accidental, Noah realizes he's fallen for Isabeau, but can he convince her what he feels for her is real?
Grimm pulls the reader into the story with a gripping look at Isabeau's world. Noah storms into her heart just as he storms into the bar, setting the stage for a powerful tug of emotions between each of them.
Grimm's writing style is easy to read, but clipped at times, almost reflective of Izzy's clipped heart. The dialogue captures the rich authenticity of the city which Grimm paints with skilled ease. Suspense blends effortlessly against a contemporary backdrop leaving the reader feeling the same restlessness that Izzy does.
The characterization is the most enjoyable part of the novel. Izzy is haunted by demons that continue to fester inside her. Loss and disappointment have forced her not to play the piano, but Noah challenges her. His presence eases her pain.
Noah has his own issues. He's fought off a drinking problem, but he's never been in love before.
The novel's love scenes are sensual as well as tasteful, embodying the fierce intensity of Izzy and Noah's emotions. "After Midnight" will take the reader on an achingly romantic story and will resonate long after the last page.
February 24, 2012
When I walk through a book store, I of course randomly grab titles, look at the cover and read the synopsis on the back. I am the first to admit I won't take an angst filled, heart tugging, or tissue grabbing book to the register. So when I decided to review After Midnight, I was not expecting what I read at all. Because if I had to give one word to describe this novel I could use emotional, angsty, haunting, romantic, and a few other equally awesome verbs that I am lacking at the moment. I felt as if I were on an emotional roller coaster, a roller coaster that moved as if it were the ebb and flow of any piece of music. I adored Noah from the moment he hit the page and walked into Isabeau's bar. And who wouldn't love and respect a strong character such as Isabeau? Sarah Grimm created such wonderful, amazing and vivid characters who tugged at your heart strings, had you grabbing a tissue, and had you sighing at the end.
--Brandi, The One Hundred Romances Project
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2015
Holy OMG! Izzy broke my freaking heart with everything she had gone through all her life. I cried because although her story was not my own, I felt as if it could be. Anyone could be that girl to hide away from life due to a tragedy. Although she tried to stay out of the focus of everyone and everything, Noah pulled her out of her shell to show her that love without pain exists. Real love without hatred, and abuse exists, and Noah took the time to show her exactly that. She fights as much as she can with her words and thoughts, but her heart knows the truth, and she finally accepts it. I loved Noah, even though he pushes Izzy a bit too far. I loved Izzy, even though she pushes Noah a bit too far away. They finally see how much their love means, and gets on track to creating their own happiness. Fantastic read.
February 13, 2012
This book intrigued me from the start. When Ms. Grimm started promoting it, I was reluctant to buy it and read it for a couple of reasons. The lie that Isabeau had constructed for herself after the death of her mother hit too close to home for me. I, too, played piano has a child and got burned out by the constant playing, practising and rehearsing for recitals. Plus, it didn't help that my last piano teacher when I was a teenager was mean and would hit my hands every time I messed up. I begged my parents to quit and I did to never play again until a couple of years ago when my parents finally gave away my piano. I sat and played for hours letting the notes and emotions that I had come out through my fingers. When I finished playing, my parents were awestruck and clapping for me. It was a huge part of my life growing up and I don't think I will ever stop playing in my head. Also, I was kinda shaking my head at having a rock star and a piano player prodigy has my hero and heroine. I asked myself when I finished...what took me so long to read this exceptional story?
So much of Isabeau's life as a child was playing the piano. She lived it, breathed it and she blames her mother's death on herself for wanting to stop playing the piano. What started off as a young woman battling her demons and her complete attraction to Noah ended up being an emotional journey for Isabeau and Noah. The both learned what was important to them and not other people. To learn to trust, love and not be afraid anymore.
Isabeau at times could be a little too hardheaded and I wanted to shake her shoulders. She seemed too caught up in herself and the walls that she had put up that I didn't see how Noah was ever going to break them down. She didn't think that she was worthy of love from Noah and didn't like the feelings that he evoked from her. Once those walls starting crumbling, she began to see that love can heal her and make her stronger than she ever thought possible.
Noah is the ever persistent, sexy for his own good but all around good guy. He realizes the mistakes that he made when he was younger and doesn't want to repeat them. When he walks into Isabeau's bar, he realizes that his life has changed forever. What he didn't realize is how hard it would be for him to fully gain her trust and love. Can Noah ever forgive himself for pushing Isabeau too hard for himself and his career?
I am so in love with Sara Grimm and her writing. She paces the story extremely well not dwelling on the emotional thoughts of Isabeau and Noah for too long. She makes you feel the story, not just the emotions of her characters. I felt like I was watching their love story from a booth at the bar. I didn't want to ever interrupt and just let the characters do the showing and telling from their perspective. The secondary characters never intrude and are as endearing as Noah and Isabeau. In fact, I can't wait for Dom's story. *wink* While this story is listed as "hot" on the publisher website, I felt like their bedroom scenes were more sensual and more emotional than any other that I have read in awhile. Good job, Ms. Grimm.
I hope that you go pick up After Midnight and see if you agree with me. I have never cried at the beginning of a book and then cried at the end. After Midnight was an emotional read that made me think about my own life and how it might have been different.
So much of Isabeau's life as a child was playing the piano. She lived it, breathed it and she blames her mother's death on herself for wanting to stop playing the piano. What started off as a young woman battling her demons and her complete attraction to Noah ended up being an emotional journey for Isabeau and Noah. The both learned what was important to them and not other people. To learn to trust, love and not be afraid anymore.
Isabeau at times could be a little too hardheaded and I wanted to shake her shoulders. She seemed too caught up in herself and the walls that she had put up that I didn't see how Noah was ever going to break them down. She didn't think that she was worthy of love from Noah and didn't like the feelings that he evoked from her. Once those walls starting crumbling, she began to see that love can heal her and make her stronger than she ever thought possible.
Noah is the ever persistent, sexy for his own good but all around good guy. He realizes the mistakes that he made when he was younger and doesn't want to repeat them. When he walks into Isabeau's bar, he realizes that his life has changed forever. What he didn't realize is how hard it would be for him to fully gain her trust and love. Can Noah ever forgive himself for pushing Isabeau too hard for himself and his career?
I am so in love with Sara Grimm and her writing. She paces the story extremely well not dwelling on the emotional thoughts of Isabeau and Noah for too long. She makes you feel the story, not just the emotions of her characters. I felt like I was watching their love story from a booth at the bar. I didn't want to ever interrupt and just let the characters do the showing and telling from their perspective. The secondary characters never intrude and are as endearing as Noah and Isabeau. In fact, I can't wait for Dom's story. *wink* While this story is listed as "hot" on the publisher website, I felt like their bedroom scenes were more sensual and more emotional than any other that I have read in awhile. Good job, Ms. Grimm.
I hope that you go pick up After Midnight and see if you agree with me. I have never cried at the beginning of a book and then cried at the end. After Midnight was an emotional read that made me think about my own life and how it might have been different.
October 25, 2011
5 Stars, The One Hundred Romances Project
"Sarah Grimm created such wonderful, amazing and vivid characters who tugged at your heart strings, had you grabbing a tissue, and had you sighing at the end."
"Sarah Grimm created such wonderful, amazing and vivid characters who tugged at your heart strings, had you grabbing a tissue, and had you sighing at the end."
January 26, 2013
Child prodigy and musical talent unlike no other Isabeau Montgomery stopped playing the day her mother died. Isabeau's life changed from that moment and the music inside died. When Black Phoenix lead singer Noah Clark sees her in the bar she owns, he is intrigued by her unique beauty as well as the haunted look in her eyes.
Everything about Noah has Isabeau tense,something about him has the music hidden inside her wanting to break out. Noah wants to find out what is behind the hardened layers she so desperately tries to erect, but for every step forward there is a step back, especially when someone is intent on hurting her.
I decided to reread this one because I did not have much of a review. This is a beautiful story, it weaves it's way through Noah and Isabeau's life like intricate melody. Can't wait to read more in this series.
Everything about Noah has Isabeau tense,something about him has the music hidden inside her wanting to break out. Noah wants to find out what is behind the hardened layers she so desperately tries to erect, but for every step forward there is a step back, especially when someone is intent on hurting her.
I decided to reread this one because I did not have much of a review. This is a beautiful story, it weaves it's way through Noah and Isabeau's life like intricate melody. Can't wait to read more in this series.
May 8, 2014
This was a very enjoyable read that once I started, I could not put it down and ended up finishing it in one sitting.
It moved along at a great pace, has amazing characters and a great story.
This is a must read.
It moved along at a great pace, has amazing characters and a great story.
This is a must read.
July 18, 2013
Review to come
October 7, 2011
Originally posted at Romance Around the Corner
This is one of those books that at first glance looked very appealing and I just had to read it. It had a damaged heroine, a hot rock star hero, and one of the settings was a bar. So the promise of someone maybe wearing leather pants and hot sex was enough for me to take the plunge (that and the fact that it came with a great recommendation, of course). I can tell you now that sadly no one wears leather pants but the sex was quite hot and the story delivered everything it promised and more.
Isabeau Montgomery’s life has been very difficult. A musical genius capable of playing the piano ever since she was a little girl, she started touring the world with her mother. But when a fatal accident killed her mother and left her severely injured, her world really turned upside-down. She went to live with her abusive father and stop playing music altogether. Now she owns a bar and every day battles the need to play again.
Noah Clark is in town to resurrect his band’s former glory, when he enters Isabeau’s bar the last thing he expected was to feel such an intense attraction to her. He decides to pursue her because he can’t stop thinking about her, but she has a lot of issues to overcome in order to allow herself to be happy and to love, and so a love story full of obstacles begins.
This book is, plain and simple, a love story. The plot is character driven, and even though there are some external elements that add some drama -albeit unnecessarily, in my opinion- the book is all about Isabeau and Noah falling in love and the development of their relationship. It’s a sweet and engaging story carried by two characters that are charming and likeable. It’s the type of novel that will appeal to every romance fan, and that will keep you engaged until the very end waiting to see if the leads will make it, even though you know that the happily ever after is a sure thing because that’s the implicit rule in romance.
The main character of the book is obviously Isabeau (this name is a mouthful, every time I write I need to double-check the spelling). Overall I liked her a lot, but because her whole backstory gradually reveals itself throughout the book at first I thought that she was immature and I found that the way she handled herself with Noah was inexperience and childish. Then I got to the part where it says that she’s just 25 years old and it all made sense. Having said that, once you get her whole story and once you get to know her more, you realize that yes she is immature in some aspects of her life, but she is also an old soul that has lived things that give her a complete different and even wiser outtake on life. I had both trouble and no trouble at all believing she was so young. I liked her a lot but I can see that some might find her annoying.
Noah was older and wiser. You could tell that he was on a whole different place than Isabeau, and that his previous experiences shaped the man he was today. He was 41 years old so this is almost a May-December romance and usually this would bother me, not because of the age difference since I find these type of romances quite hot, but mostly because 25 is too young. In this case though, it works perfectly because Noah’s stability balances Isabeau’s issues, and maybe someone younger and less experienced might not have been able to handle it. And also he was sexy, sexy, sexy, even without the leather pants, but I forgive him since there’s a lot of low-riding jeans action to compensate the lack of leather. And he’s also British, yep, he’s got an accent.
There are several secondary characters but my favorite by far was Noah’s band-mate, Dominic. It’s obvious that he will be the sequel’s lead and I’m doing a happy dance about it because this guy stole every single scene he was at.
I did have a couple issues with the book. First there’s a suspense sub-plot that’s completely unnecessary, this book did not need the drama. You will know who the bad guy is at first sight. This was the weakest part of the book and it felt more like a filler than anything else. Then there’s the big misunderstanding. I don’t want to give anything away but I had trouble with Isabeau’s insecurities regarding Noah. I get why she was insecure about herself (and you will too once you get to her backstory) but by the time the misunderstanding happens she had enough proofs of his love. I would have loved to see more communication between them. Gladly the big misunderstanding wasn’t really that big and things get straightened out quite fast and they both realize that there’s indeed a lack of communication between them.
This was a fantastic story, full of love and with the right amount of drama to make it interesting but not angsty. Ms. Grimm has a great voice and I can’t wait to read her next book, which hopefully will be Dominic’s. I recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance and dreamy rock stars.
This is one of those books that at first glance looked very appealing and I just had to read it. It had a damaged heroine, a hot rock star hero, and one of the settings was a bar. So the promise of someone maybe wearing leather pants and hot sex was enough for me to take the plunge (that and the fact that it came with a great recommendation, of course). I can tell you now that sadly no one wears leather pants but the sex was quite hot and the story delivered everything it promised and more.
Isabeau Montgomery’s life has been very difficult. A musical genius capable of playing the piano ever since she was a little girl, she started touring the world with her mother. But when a fatal accident killed her mother and left her severely injured, her world really turned upside-down. She went to live with her abusive father and stop playing music altogether. Now she owns a bar and every day battles the need to play again.
Noah Clark is in town to resurrect his band’s former glory, when he enters Isabeau’s bar the last thing he expected was to feel such an intense attraction to her. He decides to pursue her because he can’t stop thinking about her, but she has a lot of issues to overcome in order to allow herself to be happy and to love, and so a love story full of obstacles begins.
This book is, plain and simple, a love story. The plot is character driven, and even though there are some external elements that add some drama -albeit unnecessarily, in my opinion- the book is all about Isabeau and Noah falling in love and the development of their relationship. It’s a sweet and engaging story carried by two characters that are charming and likeable. It’s the type of novel that will appeal to every romance fan, and that will keep you engaged until the very end waiting to see if the leads will make it, even though you know that the happily ever after is a sure thing because that’s the implicit rule in romance.
The main character of the book is obviously Isabeau (this name is a mouthful, every time I write I need to double-check the spelling). Overall I liked her a lot, but because her whole backstory gradually reveals itself throughout the book at first I thought that she was immature and I found that the way she handled herself with Noah was inexperience and childish. Then I got to the part where it says that she’s just 25 years old and it all made sense. Having said that, once you get her whole story and once you get to know her more, you realize that yes she is immature in some aspects of her life, but she is also an old soul that has lived things that give her a complete different and even wiser outtake on life. I had both trouble and no trouble at all believing she was so young. I liked her a lot but I can see that some might find her annoying.
Noah was older and wiser. You could tell that he was on a whole different place than Isabeau, and that his previous experiences shaped the man he was today. He was 41 years old so this is almost a May-December romance and usually this would bother me, not because of the age difference since I find these type of romances quite hot, but mostly because 25 is too young. In this case though, it works perfectly because Noah’s stability balances Isabeau’s issues, and maybe someone younger and less experienced might not have been able to handle it. And also he was sexy, sexy, sexy, even without the leather pants, but I forgive him since there’s a lot of low-riding jeans action to compensate the lack of leather. And he’s also British, yep, he’s got an accent.
There are several secondary characters but my favorite by far was Noah’s band-mate, Dominic. It’s obvious that he will be the sequel’s lead and I’m doing a happy dance about it because this guy stole every single scene he was at.
I did have a couple issues with the book. First there’s a suspense sub-plot that’s completely unnecessary, this book did not need the drama. You will know who the bad guy is at first sight. This was the weakest part of the book and it felt more like a filler than anything else. Then there’s the big misunderstanding. I don’t want to give anything away but I had trouble with Isabeau’s insecurities regarding Noah. I get why she was insecure about herself (and you will too once you get to her backstory) but by the time the misunderstanding happens she had enough proofs of his love. I would have loved to see more communication between them. Gladly the big misunderstanding wasn’t really that big and things get straightened out quite fast and they both realize that there’s indeed a lack of communication between them.
This was a fantastic story, full of love and with the right amount of drama to make it interesting but not angsty. Ms. Grimm has a great voice and I can’t wait to read her next book, which hopefully will be Dominic’s. I recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance and dreamy rock stars.
January 18, 2015
Sarah Grimm write about love, passion and what life can throw your way.
In book this book you’ll find the main character Isabeau who is a Bar owner and Noah who is a Rock Singer. Noah’s life is on the rebound and trying to get back into the rock life that he had known. As for Isabeau she’s trying to keep her life in order so that her past won’t resurface. Something happen in Isabeau’s Bar and it will bring them together to face new challenges in their lives.
They will face their own demons and build a life that they never expected could be possible incuding their close friends.
When I start reading the book I thought that I could read only a chapter at the time and set it aside, but the only thing that I wanted to do was keep on reading it to find out what will happen next.
In book this book you’ll find the main character Isabeau who is a Bar owner and Noah who is a Rock Singer. Noah’s life is on the rebound and trying to get back into the rock life that he had known. As for Isabeau she’s trying to keep her life in order so that her past won’t resurface. Something happen in Isabeau’s Bar and it will bring them together to face new challenges in their lives.
They will face their own demons and build a life that they never expected could be possible incuding their close friends.
When I start reading the book I thought that I could read only a chapter at the time and set it aside, but the only thing that I wanted to do was keep on reading it to find out what will happen next.
October 4, 2011
Isabeau was a child protégé. An exquisite pianist from a very young age, everyone expected her to become one of the greats. That is, until a car accident killed her mother and left her with both emotional and physical scars. Now Isabeau owns a bar, happy to serve her customers for the rest of her career. She successfully managed to mute the music that runs through her head. That is, until Noah walks in.
Noah is a musician. Currently recording a new album with his recently reformed band, he doesn’t expect to find anything to occupy him with until he walks into Izzy’s and spots the owner. Now he finds himself transporting his entire band to this small town under the guise of recording material in a smaller studio. Of course, what he really wants is to keep a close eye on the woman who seemingly can’t stand the sight of him. He doesn’t realise that her reaction is more of a defence mechanism that a blatant rebuttal because he terrifies her more than anything. He has brought the music back to Isabeau's life in full stereo, and she doesn’t want to go down that road again. Can he convince her that the attraction between them can lead to something amazing?
I’ll be honest, this book nearly got put down after three chapters. The amount of dialogue between the two characters in the first section, failed to hook me and I struggled with the slow pace that it created. I loved the character of Noah, but the character of Isabeau confused me. I’ve never been a fan of melodramatic characters and every little situation was the end of the world to her. That being said, I’m glad I persevered because it became a very compelling love story.
Both of these characters carry a tonne of emotional baggage. Noah is a recovering alcoholic who fell apart after the death of his friend and band mate, when they were younger. He was a strong character and never did he once shy away from his attraction to Isabeau. He tried to coax her with his presence and smooth ways, but not till he was completely sure she was attracted to him did he try for anything more. I loved that he cared enough to gentle her; it was seriously sexy! His rock star persona contrasted with his gentle ways towards Isabeau, which made him a compelling character and an all-round drool fest. I wanted a HEA for him, I just wasn’t sure I wanted the broken Izzy for him.
Isabeau is an incredibly broken and complex character. She never dealt with her mother’s death and the crack that it left on her psyche has bled into other aspects of her life. She blames her obsession with music for her mother’s death so refuses to play, even though at some points it nearly breaks her! Her relationship with her step-father is strained due to the damage her scumbag of a biological father did when he fought for custody of her (the guys an ass) and she has been stuck in this place of denial ever since. When Noah arrives on the scene he threatens this self-imposed stasis as he literally inspires music in hers! When he starts to care enough about her to try to break down some of her walls, she has to make a decision about her future. To be honest I don’t think she actually starts to make this decision until it comes to a point where he needs her; even when she sleeps with him or feels threatened by her strange stalker, she doesn’t open herself up to him. She lives in this state of anxiety that made me wary of her character and it wasn’t until she started to let him in that I considered her a candidate for the lovely Noah. Still, I didn’t want him to be with a woman that would require kid gloves forever. It wasn’t until I saw how much he needed to be needed that I knew they would be a good match.
This book is intense. The slow pace and central emotional storyline do not make for light reading but once it hooks you in, it’s hard to put it down. I didn’t find it a book I could just pick up and go; if I stopped, it took me a few pages to get back into it. The characters are compelling, the formation of the new relationship is a joy to read and the tension really grips you by the throat. The brief stalker plot-line was a welcome brief reprieve from the emotional roller coaster that Isabeau is put upon by her burgeoning feelings for Noah.
This book is about two people who fall in love and struggle to reconcile past baggage with new emotions. It’s sexy and intense; I enjoyed it and Noah. Now bring on Dom!
Noah is a musician. Currently recording a new album with his recently reformed band, he doesn’t expect to find anything to occupy him with until he walks into Izzy’s and spots the owner. Now he finds himself transporting his entire band to this small town under the guise of recording material in a smaller studio. Of course, what he really wants is to keep a close eye on the woman who seemingly can’t stand the sight of him. He doesn’t realise that her reaction is more of a defence mechanism that a blatant rebuttal because he terrifies her more than anything. He has brought the music back to Isabeau's life in full stereo, and she doesn’t want to go down that road again. Can he convince her that the attraction between them can lead to something amazing?
I’ll be honest, this book nearly got put down after three chapters. The amount of dialogue between the two characters in the first section, failed to hook me and I struggled with the slow pace that it created. I loved the character of Noah, but the character of Isabeau confused me. I’ve never been a fan of melodramatic characters and every little situation was the end of the world to her. That being said, I’m glad I persevered because it became a very compelling love story.
Both of these characters carry a tonne of emotional baggage. Noah is a recovering alcoholic who fell apart after the death of his friend and band mate, when they were younger. He was a strong character and never did he once shy away from his attraction to Isabeau. He tried to coax her with his presence and smooth ways, but not till he was completely sure she was attracted to him did he try for anything more. I loved that he cared enough to gentle her; it was seriously sexy! His rock star persona contrasted with his gentle ways towards Isabeau, which made him a compelling character and an all-round drool fest. I wanted a HEA for him, I just wasn’t sure I wanted the broken Izzy for him.
Isabeau is an incredibly broken and complex character. She never dealt with her mother’s death and the crack that it left on her psyche has bled into other aspects of her life. She blames her obsession with music for her mother’s death so refuses to play, even though at some points it nearly breaks her! Her relationship with her step-father is strained due to the damage her scumbag of a biological father did when he fought for custody of her (the guys an ass) and she has been stuck in this place of denial ever since. When Noah arrives on the scene he threatens this self-imposed stasis as he literally inspires music in hers! When he starts to care enough about her to try to break down some of her walls, she has to make a decision about her future. To be honest I don’t think she actually starts to make this decision until it comes to a point where he needs her; even when she sleeps with him or feels threatened by her strange stalker, she doesn’t open herself up to him. She lives in this state of anxiety that made me wary of her character and it wasn’t until she started to let him in that I considered her a candidate for the lovely Noah. Still, I didn’t want him to be with a woman that would require kid gloves forever. It wasn’t until I saw how much he needed to be needed that I knew they would be a good match.
This book is intense. The slow pace and central emotional storyline do not make for light reading but once it hooks you in, it’s hard to put it down. I didn’t find it a book I could just pick up and go; if I stopped, it took me a few pages to get back into it. The characters are compelling, the formation of the new relationship is a joy to read and the tension really grips you by the throat. The brief stalker plot-line was a welcome brief reprieve from the emotional roller coaster that Isabeau is put upon by her burgeoning feelings for Noah.
This book is about two people who fall in love and struggle to reconcile past baggage with new emotions. It’s sexy and intense; I enjoyed it and Noah. Now bring on Dom!
November 4, 2014
Good story. Not the typical fluffy "rocker romance" I usually read. There are no groupies, and no wild parties. Just good characters who happen to be musicians. I thought the characters themselves were very well defined--especially the h. Very nice build up to the romance, perfect amount of spice, and very emotional at times. I was pleasantly surprised with the suspense/mystery aspect. Flow was interesting--different. It reminded me a little of the way Cynthia Eden writes. I see a second story is going to be coming out about one of the bandmates--I am looking forward to its release.
December 9, 2011
After Midnight, by Sarah Grimm.
I think this book has it all. Humor, pain, emotional upheaval that comes with acceptance and release. Finally peace and happiness. Through multiple challenges and heart-breaking losses, these two characters come through the other side with the ability to stand tall and take that HEA they so richly deserve. I'll be watching for more books from Sarah in the future. These characters became so real to me I cried with their happy ending!
I think this book has it all. Humor, pain, emotional upheaval that comes with acceptance and release. Finally peace and happiness. Through multiple challenges and heart-breaking losses, these two characters come through the other side with the ability to stand tall and take that HEA they so richly deserve. I'll be watching for more books from Sarah in the future. These characters became so real to me I cried with their happy ending!
March 6, 2013
Really enjoyed reading this book. The characters had a lot of depth to them. I can't help but be greedy and want more during the sex scenes, for them to last a bit longer and to be more descriptive :P
December 27, 2014
Love this book!!!!
I couldn't put this fast action packed read down!!!
This author is awesome, the story flowed seamlessly and the characters jumped right off the pages.
Would definitely recommend this book!
I couldn't put this fast action packed read down!!!
This author is awesome, the story flowed seamlessly and the characters jumped right off the pages.
Would definitely recommend this book!
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