Friday, September 27, 2013

Book Review & Giveaway: Rock Radio

By Jami Deise

**Giveaway is now closed**

Like Elton John, I too remember when rock was young. While I never had fun with anyone named Susie, I did enjoy listening to local radio. My friends and I all had the same favorite station and DJ; we would call in every weeknight to vote for the “Top Five at Ten.” The only syndicated program I knew was Casey Kasem’s Weekly Top Forty.

Lisa Wainland’s Rock Radio helps bring back the days before radio was forever changed by two factors: Clear Channel Communications, and Ryan Seacrest. Set in the 1990s, the book features multiple characters and plot lines, but one absolutely could not happen today: The story of a local band that makes it big through the help of the local radio station. Thanks to Clear Channel and the rampant syndication of L.A. based disc jockeys, local radio is becoming a relic of the past.

The story takes place in Miami, centered around rock station WORR. WORR’s two most popular DJ’s are Jonny Rock, who’s married to Jill but having an affair with intern Heather, and Dana Drew, who’s in a dying relationship with a lawyer named Sam and the object of the creepy attentions of stalker-in-training Larry. When Jonny and Dana hear a song by local band the Cody Blue Experience, they are impressed by the band’s talent – and Dana is especially impressed by lead singer Cody Blue. As the station gets ready for a major promotion in the Bahamas, all these plot threads come together.

Wainland’s writing is strongly reminiscent of Danielle Steele’s. She employs the point-of-view of multiple characters; her chapters are short and sweet; the writing simple and direct. Like Steele, Wainland spends a lot of time describing characters, settings and small details. In some scenes, I found the details to be too much – I didn’t need a description of the food on people’s plates. Wainland also goes into the point-of-view of nearly every character who appears in the book, including hotel desk clerks, and switches among points-of-view in single scenes. This error is the mark of a beginning writer; experienced writers who use multiple points-of-view keep them limited to major characters and switch between them after chapter breaks.

Overall, though, Rock Radio offers a strong story that builds nicely toward its climax. With its Miami setting, short chapters and clear writing, it’s a great book to take along to the beach (or read in cooler seasons to experience the summer heat again).

Thanks to Lisa Wainland for the book in exchange for an honest review. She has FIVE e-books for some lucky readers anywhere in the world!

How to win:
Tell us your favorite song from the 1990s.

One entry per person.

Please include your e-mail address or another way to reach you if you win. Entries without contact info will  NOT be counted.

Open worldwide. Giveaway ends October 2nd at midnight EST.

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15 comments:

Nova said...

One that i always remember is Ricky Martin, “Livin’ La Vida Loca”. I used to listen to it with my daughter when she was younger and she LOVED her some Ricky Martin! :)
sparkle40175 AT hotmail DOT com!

Mary Jo Burke said...

I liked En Vogue

jodi marinich said...

i loved As Long As You Love Me - Backstreet Boys

susieqlaw said...

Freedom by George Michael

Sendsusanmail at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Losing My Religion by R.E.M.
kumquat8@hotmail.com

a pile of good things said...

Dreaming of You - Selena

Thanks for the giveaway! :)

a.pile.of.good.things@gmail.com

Mary Preston said...

r.e.m. MAN ON THE MOON

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Janice said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Janice said...

Tearin' up my Heart of I want you back by Nsync. I was a very big Nsync fan.

janiecers@gmail.com

Ali Williams said...

Oh, definitely 'Goodbye' by the Spice Girls (1998)! It was our leavers' song at school!

exploitsofachicklitaficionado@googlemail.com

Janine K said...

Something happened on the way to heaven by Phil Collins, from the But Seriously album!!! Loved Phil and was lucky enough to see him live back in the day here in Melbourne!!

Janine K said...

Sorry, my email address is jaykkay@hotmail.com!!

bn100 said...

Baby baby by Amy Grant

bn100candg at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Anything by the Spice Girls! :)

bjoneill@hotmail.com

Melissa said...

Thanks for participating and telling us your favorite 90's songs.

Thanks to Lisa Wainland for sharing her book with our winners.

Random.org chose FIVE winners from all entries with contact info (one entry per person).

Congrats to:
1-Nova
3-jodi marinich
5-Kim Pinch
7-Mary Preston
11-bn100