As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Divided Road

by Anne Barwell

The chance of a lifetime or their final performance?

Owen Stanton has been a member of the Kiwi band Flightless since high school. So far, he’s managed to walk the fine line between playing fiddle for the band and pursuing his classical violin career.

An opportunity arises to audition for a prestigious string quartet, and Owen takes his family’s advice to go for it. After all, it’s not like he’s going to make the cut, right? And if he does, the decision won’t have to be made until after the band’s highly anticipated performance at a popular New Zealand music festival.

Jared Murphy joins Flightless when their keyboard player faces a family crisis and needs to take a break. Soon he and Owen are writing music together and creating something beautiful between them. It’s a shame it won’t last. After all, Jared’s only standing in.

When the once in a lifetime invitation comes for the band to play at Rocktoberfest, decisions need to be made, even if taking the right path may end up in divided roads.

Divided Road is a book in the multi-author Road to Rocktoberfest 2024 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see what trouble our bands get into next? Hot rockstars and the men who love them, what more could you ask for? Kick back, load up your kindle and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!

Published:
Publisher: LaceDragon Publishing
Editors:
Penny Tsallos Editing & Proofreading

Cover Artists:
Covers by Jo

Genres:
Contemporary

Tags:
author - new zealander, format - kindle, format - kindle unlimited, format - novel 40-100K, format - self published, format - shared universe, what - concept - family conflict, what - topic - family, what - topic - music, where - country - new zealand, where - country - usa, where - general - small town, where - state - nevada, who - nationality - new zealander, who - occupation - barista, who - occupation - musician

Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 3
Romantic Content: 1
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Bisexual, Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 26-35
Protagonist 2 Age: 26-35
Word Count: 59000
Setting: New Zealand
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Same Universe / Various Characters
Excerpt:

Caught up in the music, Jared hummed along with the harmony he added underneath, his voice merging with Owen’s, then breaking away. After a few moments, he stopped, realising that everyone else had stopped playing.

He flushed, heat spreading through him. “Shit, sorry. I didn’t intend to do that and barge into your solo. I won’t do it again.”

“Lincoln didn’t say you could sing,” Owen said slowly.

“I don’t, usually.” Jared had a passable voice and could hold a melody, but mainly only sang in the shower. However, something about being with the band had shaken off his inhibitions, and he’d joined in like he and Owen had sung together forever.

Owen and Clay exchanged a look before Clay spoke. “Your voice is great and added to the song. If you want to sing again, you should. We’ll tell you if it’s not working, but I think it will.”

READ MORE

“Patterns in the Sand is a love song.” Owen hesitated. “I wrote it, thinking of two guys. Clay’s our lead singer, but not the timbre I heard in my head. Yours is.”

“I don’t want….” Bad enough that Jared was taking Lincoln’s spot. He didn’t want to get too comfortable and encroach on anyone else’s role.

“We’ve all sung on different songs,” Clay reassured him. “I’m happy to step back and support you and Owen in this one. If you want to, of course. Singing in public is way different to doing it here.”

“I’d like to, if that’s okay,” Jared said shyly. He’d never been asked to do anything like this before. “I’ll give it a go at least.”

“Right, that’s sorted then.” Rachel sounded delighted. “I think you’re going to be a great fit, Jared. Welcome to Flightless.”

“Thanks. I won’t let you down.”

 

COLLAPSE

About the Author

Anne Barwell lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She shares her home with kitty siblings Byron and Marigold who are convinced her office chair is theirs.

In 2008, Anne completed her conjoint BA in English Literature and Music/Bachelor of Teaching. She has worked as a music teacher, a primary school teacher, and now works in a library. She is a member of the Upper Hutt Science Fiction Club and plays violin for Hutt Valley Orchestra.

She is an avid reader across a wide range of genres and a watcher of far too many TV series and movies, although it can be argued that there is no such thing as “too many.” These, of course, are best enjoyed with a decent cup of tea and further the continuing argument that the concept of “spare time” is really just a myth. She also hosts and reviews for other authors, and writes monthly blog posts for Love Bytes.  She is the co-founder of the New Zealand Rainbow Romance writers, and a member of RWNZ.

Anne’s books have received honourable mentions five times, reached the finals four times—one of which was for best gay book—and been a runner up in the Rainbow Awards.  She has also been nominated three times in the Goodreads M/M Romance Reader’s Choice Awards—twice for Best Fantasy, once for Best Historical, and once for All-Time Favourite M/M Author.