A once-big name takes notice of a new band and its music
As soon as the last song ended and the band began to make their way backstage…the blind singer helped by her bandmates…Parlek hurried to meet them. He had to weave through the crowd, but he got to the stage a couple of seconds after the spenruk, the last through the curtain, disappeared.
The three Nobeks serving as crew eyed him suspiciously, pausing their breakdown of the set when he joined them on the stage. “That was amazing. I used to manage bands, and I’d like to talk to them,” he babbled, hoping they wouldn’t toss him out on his ass.
One nodded and waved for him to go on. He rushed to catch the band before they left.
They were standing around, grinning and babbling in Earther when he burst in. The spenruk, a Nobek, immediately stepped in front of the woman to glower at Parlek. Parlek put his hands up in a peace gesture.
“Dramok Parlek. I used to manage Bodies in Chains, Bloodletter, Venomous—”
“And Unrestrained Carnage.” The howler, obviously a Dramok, stepped forward. His demeanor offered no friendliness.
“Yes. Them too.” Parlek forced himself maintain a level gaze. “My greatest success and failure, as everyone knows.”
“I still can’t believe you didn’t go to prison camp.” The trasbu player rolled his eyes at the rest.
Parlek was tempted to turn and leave. Even bands hungry for notoriety and a deal weren’t hungry enough for him.
His mouth had different ideas. “I’ve never heard this rimnastin music you played.”
“Because we invented it. This is the first time it’s been played in public.” Despite his obvious disdain for Parlek, the howler’s pride brought a smile to his face. He couldn’t restrain himself. “Did you see their reaction? They really liked it!”
“They did.” Parlek was awed. “How could they not? It’s new, and it’s amazing. So much power and yet there’s melody and the singing…wow, the singing. It didn’t matter I couldn’t understand the words. She’s incredible.”
“She is.” The howler grinned at the woman, who peered over the Nobek’s shoulder despite her seeming lack of sight. He jabbered in her language, and she smiled.
“You don’t manage now,” the trasbu said. His hostility had lessened to cautious curiosity. “You were run out of the business, weren’t you?”
“More on the order of frozen out,” Parlek admitted. “I lost all my clients. No one would talk to me. So yeah, I’ve been done for a while.” He had a sudden inspiration. “Which means I have nothing to lose by representing you.”
The three men stared at him. The howler said, “Having you as a manager would be a death stroke to our careers.”
Releasing Friday. Now available for pre-order at Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple, Smashwords, and in print. (Print is already on sale)
She searched for freedom and found a Kalquorian clan.
Irene Jonson is a rising star in opera, thanks to Earth forcing her to leave her parents as a teen to join a prestigious opera company. Years later, she loves music, but she wants the freedom to forge her own path as a performer and be reunited with her family.
Sherv, Rusp, and Jemi are a clan and band playing hard, driving music. Success means more than fame and fortune; it would show their disapproving families they’ve chosen the lives they were meant to live. Encountering Irene, creating a new and exciting sound, gives them that opportunity…and a chance at love.
Two worlds on the brink of war threaten everything Irene and Clan Sherv have built and everything they dream of. Two worlds are bent on snatching Irene from the men and music she loves. What chance do four misfit musicians possibly have against Earth and the Kalquorian Empire?
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