SYNOPSIS
I know what you're thinking. “You were such a jerk, Nick!” Believe me, I know I screwed up the best thing I had going in my life, but that was kind of my thing. I’d learned how to run cons before I could even form complete sentences, and I'd always been selfish. But I changed. Lila forgave me, my brother and I were getting along, and I was trying to make a name for myself in the music world.
At least that was what I was trying to do when I negotiated my way into the recording studio with pop superstar Sadie Sinclair. I thought it would be a piece of cake—charm my way into her heart and into her record label's good graces.
Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I got mixed up in a web of lies, manipulation, and deception. A web that had me questioning my motives and desires altogether.
Was the fame and fortune really worth the price?
I know what you're thinking. “You were such a jerk, Nick!” Believe me, I know I screwed up the best thing I had going in my life, but that was kind of my thing. I’d learned how to run cons before I could even form complete sentences, and I'd always been selfish. But I changed. Lila forgave me, my brother and I were getting along, and I was trying to make a name for myself in the music world.
At least that was what I was trying to do when I negotiated my way into the recording studio with pop superstar Sadie Sinclair. I thought it would be a piece of cake—charm my way into her heart and into her record label's good graces.
Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I got mixed up in a web of lies, manipulation, and deception. A web that had me questioning my motives and desires altogether.
Was the fame and fortune really worth the price?
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EXCERPT
It felt like Christmas morning when I walked into the studio Westwood Records had reserved for me and Sadie.
I'd been in one before, but never a top-of-the line studio. Shiny new control panels and mixing boards. A station for digital hook-up with a giant monitor. I was pretty pumped about that considering I did most of my freelance work on my laptop.
As cool as the digital option of mixing music was, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the board. There was nothing like feeling the slides move under your fingers as the bass increased, or a vocal echoed, or a snare kicked in. I looked through the acrylic window into the recording studio and imagined how many great artists had stood on the other side of the mic hanging from the ceiling. And how many I would get to see there.
This place was my dream and I had the opportunity to seize it. I reached down and hit the power button, lighting up all the controls and gauges in front of me. The hum of the speakers was quiet, but I could hear it and I felt my heart speed as I let out a sigh. This was it. My future.
“You want to be alone?” a voice called out. I quickly turned on my heels and saw the person holding the keys to the studio. Sadie. Her long auburn hair hung straight down past her shoulders with an embellished headband across the top of head. Her usually bare legs were covered by a pair of tight jeans that were tucked into black riding boots. I could see that the lacy black tank that she was wearing under a practically see-through green top, hugged her tits perfectly. My cock noticed too.
“Maybe with you.” I gave her a devilish grin. She was fucking hot. Like needed to-be-fucking-me hot.
“Wouldn't that be fun,” she replied, never missing a beat as she took a step toward me.
“Could be,” I flirted back. “Very fun.”
“How about you prove to me that you’re not a complete tool on the mixing board first?”
“Oh, you mean you didn't come by just to see me?” I placed my hand over my heart, acting as if she'd broken it.
I was supposed to get one day alone in the studio to set up the track list for recording. I should have known better than to think I'd actually get to be alone. I knew why she was there. She thought I was an amateur. I was about to prove her wrong in more ways than one.
It felt like Christmas morning when I walked into the studio Westwood Records had reserved for me and Sadie.
I'd been in one before, but never a top-of-the line studio. Shiny new control panels and mixing boards. A station for digital hook-up with a giant monitor. I was pretty pumped about that considering I did most of my freelance work on my laptop.
As cool as the digital option of mixing music was, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the board. There was nothing like feeling the slides move under your fingers as the bass increased, or a vocal echoed, or a snare kicked in. I looked through the acrylic window into the recording studio and imagined how many great artists had stood on the other side of the mic hanging from the ceiling. And how many I would get to see there.
This place was my dream and I had the opportunity to seize it. I reached down and hit the power button, lighting up all the controls and gauges in front of me. The hum of the speakers was quiet, but I could hear it and I felt my heart speed as I let out a sigh. This was it. My future.
“You want to be alone?” a voice called out. I quickly turned on my heels and saw the person holding the keys to the studio. Sadie. Her long auburn hair hung straight down past her shoulders with an embellished headband across the top of head. Her usually bare legs were covered by a pair of tight jeans that were tucked into black riding boots. I could see that the lacy black tank that she was wearing under a practically see-through green top, hugged her tits perfectly. My cock noticed too.
“Maybe with you.” I gave her a devilish grin. She was fucking hot. Like needed to-be-fucking-me hot.
“Wouldn't that be fun,” she replied, never missing a beat as she took a step toward me.
“Could be,” I flirted back. “Very fun.”
“How about you prove to me that you’re not a complete tool on the mixing board first?”
“Oh, you mean you didn't come by just to see me?” I placed my hand over my heart, acting as if she'd broken it.
I was supposed to get one day alone in the studio to set up the track list for recording. I should have known better than to think I'd actually get to be alone. I knew why she was there. She thought I was an amateur. I was about to prove her wrong in more ways than one.
REVIEW
Taking Something is the second book in the series by Elizabeth Lee. In this story, it's from Nick's perspective and he runs the ultimate con for him- weaseling his way into the music industry and acting as a music producer for Sadie Sinclair. He is actually really good at what he does so it helps him produce music well with Sadie, who has been difficult to the label and trying to make her own songs. He starts out running the con fine, including securing Sadie as his girlfriend fairly quickly, and producing great tracks with her for the label.
Then the problem comes in- Gia, former child star who was in the same group as Sadie but chooses to stay as Sadie's assistant rather than take up the offer with the label. She piques Nick's interest and he becomes more attracted to her while trying to keep his A game up with Sadie, who gets jealous and clingy. She sees right through Nick's bs and keeps him on his toes and plagues his thoughts. She has a whole unique story all her own and it shows how crazy the music industry gets, especially working with Sadie.
Then you throw in another ingredient to a total cluster-Landry, the son of Nick's boss and major star in the music world. Because of him, Nick starts learning more about what happened to this group of childhood stars and the friendships between them.
Starting out reading this book, Nick still is a total prick and not someone you want to know. As you read the story, you get inside his head more and understand his life and story more. You hate to fight for him knowing what a total tool he can be and how he operates as a con man. But then you see him really get a run for his money and fight to keep his ruse going in order to break into the music world. Gia starts to make his plan crumble but shows that Nick can care about someone else and face love versus dream job choices.
I definitely recommend reading this series! It has con games, cut throat music industry stories and, of course, a good love story.
- Jamie
Taking Something is the second book in the series by Elizabeth Lee. In this story, it's from Nick's perspective and he runs the ultimate con for him- weaseling his way into the music industry and acting as a music producer for Sadie Sinclair. He is actually really good at what he does so it helps him produce music well with Sadie, who has been difficult to the label and trying to make her own songs. He starts out running the con fine, including securing Sadie as his girlfriend fairly quickly, and producing great tracks with her for the label.
Then the problem comes in- Gia, former child star who was in the same group as Sadie but chooses to stay as Sadie's assistant rather than take up the offer with the label. She piques Nick's interest and he becomes more attracted to her while trying to keep his A game up with Sadie, who gets jealous and clingy. She sees right through Nick's bs and keeps him on his toes and plagues his thoughts. She has a whole unique story all her own and it shows how crazy the music industry gets, especially working with Sadie.
Then you throw in another ingredient to a total cluster-Landry, the son of Nick's boss and major star in the music world. Because of him, Nick starts learning more about what happened to this group of childhood stars and the friendships between them.
Starting out reading this book, Nick still is a total prick and not someone you want to know. As you read the story, you get inside his head more and understand his life and story more. You hate to fight for him knowing what a total tool he can be and how he operates as a con man. But then you see him really get a run for his money and fight to keep his ruse going in order to break into the music world. Gia starts to make his plan crumble but shows that Nick can care about someone else and face love versus dream job choices.
I definitely recommend reading this series! It has con games, cut throat music industry stories and, of course, a good love story.
- Jamie
ABOUT ELIZABETH LEE:
When I'm not writing or playing the part of wife and mother, you can find me dancing back-up for Beyonce, singing back-up for Miranda, or sunning myself on the beach with a drink in hand. Here's the thing about being born and raised in a small town—you have a very vivid imagination! Now, I channel it all to create stories where the girl always ends up with the right guy, first kisses are magical, and a happy ending is just that!
When I'm not writing or playing the part of wife and mother, you can find me dancing back-up for Beyonce, singing back-up for Miranda, or sunning myself on the beach with a drink in hand. Here's the thing about being born and raised in a small town—you have a very vivid imagination! Now, I channel it all to create stories where the girl always ends up with the right guy, first kisses are magical, and a happy ending is just that!