Thursday, August 7, 2014

Rockin' out with Nicky Wells...plus a giveaway

We are glad to have Nicky Wells back at CLC to talk about her latest novel, Fallen for Rock. However, instead of a standard interview, we decided that a rock chick author needs to talk about rock music!

Nicky writes romance with rock stars—because there’s no better romantic hero than a golden-voiced bad boy with a secret soft heart and a magical stage presence! Her books offer glitzy, glamorous romance with rock stars—imagine Bridget Jones ROCKS Notting Hill! If you’ve ever had a crush on any kind of celebrity, you’ll connect with Nicky’s heroes and their leading ladies.

Born in Germany, Nicky moved to the United Kingdom in 1993 and currently lives in Lincoln with her husband and their two boys. Aside from listening to rock music, she loves dancing and eating lobsters. When Nicky's not writing, she’s a wife, mother, occasional knitter, and regular contributor at Siren 107.3 FM with her own monthly show. Rock on!

You can find Nicky at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Synopsis of Fallen for Rock:
Glossy and sophisticated professional high-flyer Emily has no time for nonsense such as the rock music her ex-boyfriend Nate adored so much. Yet when she unexpectedly comes into possession of VIP tickets—access all areas—for new rock band phenomenon, MonX, she can’t resist the temptation.

The fateful gig turns into more than one night, and Emily finds herself strangely drawn to this new and unfamiliar glittery world. However, only weeks later, MonX and her own universe fall apart with devastating consequences for all. When MonX lead singer Mike appeals for her help, she reluctantly embraces a new opportunity. But she soon discovers that while she may be a rock chick after all, a groupie she is not… Or is she?

Just exactly where do her loyalties lie? And what direction will her life take now that she’s left behind everything she treasured?

You're at a karaoke bar. What is the first song you request to sing?
Ooh tough one, there's so many. I'm gonna have to throw a coin. Hang on.... here goes. Heads! Right then, that would be Bon Jovi, "Livin' on a Prayer."

If you had your own rock band, would would you name it?
Blue Heart. Obviously 'Heart' has been done (and is one of my faves!) but I like the slightly mellow feeling that the adjective gives it. Blue Heart, indeed.

What is the best concert you've ever attended?
Well, now, I'd have to vote for the very first gig I ever went to, which was Europe way back in 1987. As I said, it was my first ever rock gig, and I was only fourteen. I went with two other girlfriends, and we had no idea what we were letting ourselves in for, we just liked the song. You know, The Song. "The Final Countdown." So we turned up, our parents dropped us off, and we headed for the queue. Of course, 90 percent of the audience was hard core rockers and bikers, but we were too busy to even notice properly. Somehow we squeezed our way to the front and ended up being first in the hall. No idea how that happened, and I couldn't repeat the feat if you paid me! Anyway, we had front row places, squished right against the barrier in the middle of the stage (it was an all-standing gig) and, as it turned out, within reaching distance of one Joey Tempest's hands. *swoon*

When the concert started, the noise and the atmosphere just swept me away. I was totally done for, and I'll never forget. It's not unlike the experience that Emily has in Fallen for Rock, except minus all the backstage antics (well, I was only fourteen, right!). So by sheer fact of being the first gig ever, it still has to rank among the best, ever.

If you could choose a famous rock singer to play the lead singer of MonX, who would it be and why?
Hmmmmmmm.... that's a really tough question. Bon Jovi would have been an obvious choice for all sorts of reasons, but there is a big generational mismatch between the lovely Jon and the gorgeous Mike, so it wouldn't *quite* work. How about Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys? He'd have to grow his hair, obviously, but I think he'd be a good fit!

What decade of rock music do you like best and why?
I'd have to say probably the late 1980s and early 1990s. I know, I know, that's a few decades ago, but rock was big and happy and magnificent then, with bombastic melodies and fabulous tunes. Everything turned a bit depressive through the 90s, and I think we're only just getting back to proper melodic stadium rock. But that's just my humble opinion, of course!



If you could turn a different style song (i.e. country, Broadway, easy listening, jazz, etc.) into a rock ballad, which would you choose?
"Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri. I love that song as it is ~ but oh man, add some powerful guitars instead of the violins and some tender drums for that big crescendo and you'll get a stunning ballad. I get goosebumps just thinking about it!

~Interview by Melissa Amster

Thanks to Nicky for visiting with us! To celebrate the launch of Fallen for Rock and to spread some joy, Nicky is having a HUGE swag giveaway with all the blogs participating in her tour.



Enter HERE:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The Small Print:

Giveaway is open internationally. Entrants must be aged 18 or over. Giveaway closes at midnight on August 14th. Winners will be notified by email.

11 comments:

Janine said...

I love the late 80s, early 90s rock music too. Axl Rose was always my favorite singer.

Krissy said...

gotta love the hair bands of the 80's. Those were my teenage years and loved them all. Motely Crue, White Snake, Bon Jovi

susieqlaw said...

Summer of '69

Bridget T. said...

Adam Lavine.

Nicky Wells said...

*waves* Hello! And big thanks to everyone at Chick Lit Central for rocking out with me today. It's always a pleasure to visit this fabulous blog, and I'm honoured to be here! :-)

Janine--oh yes, can't beat a bit of Axl!

Krissy--you're my kinda girl. Did you have the big hair to match? I know I did!! :-)

Susie--yes, yes, yes! Love that song!

Bridget--ooooh great choice!

Thanks, all, for commenting and good luck with the giveaway. Happy reading if you pick up a copy of Fallen for Rock; it's available on Kindle too, not just in paperback... just case you're wondering.

ROCK ON! XX

Anonymous said...

Fab interview as usual. Love finding out all these tid-bits...rock on everyone :)

Coral McCallum said...

Loved Fallen For Rock! Great read. I'm a huge rock fan. My first gig was Status Quo in......
1986. Loved every second of it! Now I'm enjoying sharing my love of live rock music with my kids. Keeps a girl feeling young!

jodi marinich said...

love all the 80's bands

Nicky Wells said...

Hi Jane! Thanks for stopping by--one day we will meet and swap stories in person, I'm sure! XX

Coral--Status QUO! Wooohooo! And I know what you mean about passing the lurve on to the kids. Doing the same here! Thanks for visiting and commenting!

Jodi--Absolutely. The 80s were a great decade (quite probably the best!!) for rock. I'm sure I mentioned this before somewhere... LOL! Thanks for taking the time to comment and tweet, and good luck with the giveaway! XX

bn100 said...

Bon Jovi

Jessica said...

Right now I'm loving 'I Wanna Get Better' by the Bleachers.

Thanks!
-Jessica M