Now is Gone: Michelle D. Argyle

Thursday, December 12, 2013

@LadyGlamis @LadyReaderStuff #Review #Giveaway OUT OF TUNE by Michelle D. Argyle

Out of Tune review
Author: Michelle D. Argyle
4 out of 5 stars

Book Info: Genre: Literary Fiction
Reading Level: New Adult
Recommended for: fans of New Adult, coming-of-age fiction, country music
Trigger Warnings: infidelity, miscarriage

My Thoughts: While this is not the sort of book I normally read, I have read and enjoyed this author's work in the past (Monarch, review linked here; The Breakaway, review linked here), so decided to give it a go.

“All the good things were easy to overlook when she was standing in a pile of wreckage, wondering what had started the first explosion.” That quote sort of encapsulates the story and the experiences that Maggie goes through during the course of this book. She's been sheltered her whole life, home-schooled, following her country-music-star parents on their tours, and now, at 20, she wants to strike out on her own.

The one thing I really did not like was the resolution of the love triangle. Even though what happened is, unfortunately, realistic, it seems very unfair to the guy she doesn't pick. It also felt sort of tacked on. Unfortunately I can't be more specific, so as to avoid spoilers, but I think most folks will see what I mean when they read this.

However, fans of New Adult novels, coming-of-age books, and country music should all enjoy this book. It is well-written (not that I'd expect anything less of this author) and the characters can all be related to easily. Check it out if this sounds like your sort of thing.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author's publicist in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Twenty-year-old Maggie Roads’ parents are legendary in the country music world. She wants nothing more than to follow in their footsteps, but the limelight isn’t reserved for singers who can’t carry a tune, let alone keep a rhythm.

When her parents tell her they’re getting divorced, Maggie decides it’s time to leave home and take her future into her own hands. Moving in with Cole, her best friend and sometimes boyfriend, might not be the best of ideas, but she’s got to start somewhere. Their off-and-on romance gets even more complicated when Maggie crushes on her new voice teacher, Nathan, who unlocks her stunning potential. A sensational music career of her own is finally within reach, but Maggie might need more than perfect pitch to find what she’s really looking for.

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Author Bio:

Michelle lives and writes in Utah, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. She adores cheese, chocolate, sushi, and lots of ethnic food, and loves to read and write books in the time she grabs between her sword-wielding husband and energetic daughter.

She believes a simple life is the best life.

Michelle writes contemporary Young Adult and New Adult fiction (and other genres when she feels like it).

Social Media Links:

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December 2^nd– Kelly at Kelly P's Blog – Spotlight/Excerpt

December 2^nd– Laura at The Revolving Bookcase – Review, Top 10, Playlist

December 3^{rd –}Mandy at I read Indie – Playlist

December 3^rd– abookandalatee at ABookAndALatee – Review

December 4^th– Reading Renee – Review

December 4^th– Mission To Read – Review

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December 5^th– Katelyn at Kate's Tales of Books and Bands – Review & Playlist

December 5^th – Unconventional Librarian – Character Interview

December 5^th – A Diary of a Book Addict – Review, Spotlight

December 6^th– A Little Hope Amidst The Chaos – Guest Post

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December 9^th– Literary Lunes – Interview, Guest Post

December 10^th– Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews – Spotlight

December 10^th– Jess at Jess Resides Here – Playlist, Top Ten

December 10^th– Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – Review

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December 12^th– Now is Gone – Review

December 12^th– Laurel's Leaves – Guest Post

December 13^th– Culture Shock – Review

December 13^th– Creative Barbwire – Guest Post

Thursday, November 21, 2013

@LadyGlamis & @LadyReaderStuff #Giveaway #Excerpt #Book_Blast OUT OF TUNE by Michelle D. Argyle

Twenty-year-old Maggie Roads’ parents are legendary in the country music world. She wants nothing more than to follow their example, but the limelight is not reserved for singers who cannot carry a tune, let alone keep a rhythm.

When her parents tell her they are getting divorced, Maggie decides it’s time to leave home and take her future into her own hands. Moving in with Cole, her best friend and sometimes boyfriend might not be the best of ideas, but she has to start somewhere.

Their off-and-on romance gets even more complicated when Maggie crushes on her new voice teacher, Nathan, who unlocks her stunning potential.

A sensational music career of her own is finally within reach, but Maggie might need more than perfect pitch to find what she is really looking for.

Cole’s steady beat on the drum relaxed her. She could feel his eyes on her as she played, but she did not turn around. He would never know what this meant to her. She had wanted and dreaded this moment forever. She could only imagine what tomorrow would be like, with an audience full of strangers.

She closed her eyes as the music flowed into her. Iza came in on her fiddle, her notes weaving in and out like bright threads in a tapestry. Justin started singing the first lines and she tapped her foot, counting like Nathan had taught her. “Every beat is a physical thing,” he had said. “See the music, feel it, just like you’ve done your whole life. Pearls on a string—let each one slide through your fingers. Measured.”

Mandolin line. Then the bass started. Maggie’s turn.

When she came in, her voice was louder and stronger than it had ever been. Justin’s voice filled her up like honey. She swam through it, adding her own to his. Maybe he was a womanizer and constantly looking at her like, he wanted to get her in bed, but he was an amazing singer. They smiled at each other as they melted into the song.

She had never been inside music like this before. The stage lights sparkled in her eyes and she understood for the first time in her life why musicians put up with all that travelling and recording, and the stressful nights like when her mom was puking her guts out with the flu—the real
flu—but had to go on stage in five minutes. Maggie remembered her smiling as she wiped her mouth and shrugged. “It’s part of the singin’ life, hon. We don’t always get breaks when we need them.” She had patted Maggie on her twelve-year-old head and squared her shoulders as her makeup artist dusted some powder over her pale cheeks. Then she had left for the stage in a flutter of sequins and curls.

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Michelle lives and writes in Utah, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. She adores cheese, chocolate, sushi, and lots of ethnic food, and loves to read and write books in the time she grabs between her sword-wielding husband and energetic daughter.

She believes a simple life is the best life.