CAN\’T STOP THE MUSIC by C.D. Hersh

CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC
b C.D. Hersh

Jammed highways, food shortages, and rainstorms can’t stop the music when hippies Rose and Dakota hear the melody of love at the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival. Or can it? When a jealous wannabe girlfriend and misunderstandings drive them apart, the couple loses track of one another in the massive crowd. Will they find each other again, or live lives of missed opportunities?

EXCERPT
When they reached the makeshift bridge over the road, someone yelled, “Hey beautiful! You with the red hair.”

She looked around to see if there was anyone else with red hair. Then she glanced up and spotted two guys, one blond and the other dark-haired, leaning over the side of the bridge.

“Yeah, you,” the blond called out as he caught her gaze.

Willow halted beside her. “He’s cute. How about him?”

Rose looked away, her gaze landing on the other guy.

He jabbed his companion in the ribs. “Quit trying to pick up every girl you see.” Then he leaned farther over the rail. “Don’t pay any attention to him. He’s high.”

“So she’s not beautiful?” Willow yelled to the hippie.

She poked her friend. “Stop it, Willow, you’re making a scene.” In spite of her protest, her gaze remained on the dark-haired guy.

He rested his elbows on the rail and stared back at her. The intensity of his expression shot heat into her belly.

“I didn’t say that, just that she shouldn’t pay attention to him.” He flapped a hand at his blond buddy, then tapped his own chest with his thumb several times as if to say, ‘Choose me!’

Does he want me to pay attention to him? Her heart thumped in rhythm to his jabbing thumb.

“Take that one,” Willow whispered. “He’s the real cutie.”

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REVIEW
Having spent my fair share of time in the performing arts hall during high school, stories centered around music of any kind hold a special place in my heart. I’m not old enough to remember Woodstock, but I’ve heard stories, and CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC brought me into the heart of the amazing tales I’ve heard. The entire era of free love and just playing music for the soulful release of it came across so strongly in this book. I could very much relate to the joy of performance felt by the characters. There’s nothing like being on stage doing something you love, and those feelings were captured.

The romance was emotionally satisfying. Lovers reunited is one of the tropes I really enjoy when done well. Rose and Dakota’s relationship feels natural both at Woodstock and later. Their conflicts with the people in their lives (Dakota’s girlfriend during Woodstock and Rose’s boyfriend later on) seem to mirror, which was interesting to watch. I especially enjoyed when Dakota’s secrets are revealed later in the book. I didn’t see that coming.

The backdrop of a fight for musical freedom at the school where Rose and Dakota end up working together brought a nice level of external tension to this heartfelt love story. I kind of expected a lot more darkness to come of that after what happens in the beginning with River. I was pleasantly surprised when things stayed lighter. I didn’t quite understand the thing with River after finishing the book and finding a refreshing amount of happiness through the rest of the story.

It was nice to see the Soul Mate tree play a role in this book. The touch with the ever-fresh leaves was cool. I was a little concerned the tree’s influence would make the whole romance feel contrived, but it didn’t. There was just enough involvement to give an otherworldly quality of mysticism without being blunt. All in all, this was a truly beautiful romance story. Recommend.

ABOUT C.D.

Two hearts creating everlasting love stories.

Putting words and stories on paper is second nature to co-authors C.D. Hersh. They’ve written separately since they were teenagers and discovered their unique, collaborative abilities in the mid-90s. As high school sweethearts and husband and wife, Catherine and Donald believe in true love and happily ever after.

The books of their paranormal romance series entitled The Turning Stone Chronicles are available on Amazon. They also have a short Christmas story, Kissing Santa, in a Christmas anthology titled Sizzle in the Snow: Soul Mate Christmas Collection, with seven other authors.

They are looking forward to many years of co-authoring and book sales, and a lifetime of happily-ever-after endings on the page and in real life.

Find them online:

–website
–Soul Mate author blogsite
–Facebook
–Amazon Authoro Page
–Twitter
–Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

C.D. Hersh will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.