RISING WEST (Save Me Series #1) by ALYSON SANTOS/ALY STILES

‘Did I see him first? The way he breathed music and bled poetry from a stage the never saw him coming.’

Alyson Santos mirrors our souls when it comes to capturing the way we feel about music in Rising West, the first book in her new Turner Artist Rocker series. Based around the rock star signings of Turner Artist Management company, we meet their latest find in the reclusive and very sensitive, Mason West. Not only does Alyson Santos capture the heart of the music, but she also captures the emotion, the turmoil, the excitement and the technical side of the music industry and we were transfixed by Masons grasp at fame from the very first page!

“What do you want, Mason?” I look up into his face and trace his jaw when I see it clench. “Does anyone ever ask you that?” Just when I thought there was nothing more painful than sharing that silence, his stripped, broken voice shatters it:
“I want the sun to rise in the west.”

This author delivers her music knowledge in a somewhat poetic, almost hypnotic prose. It’s beautiful and renders the heart at one with the sad and lonely Mason. This man truly does have that sensitive artist vibe and his story tore at the very fabric of our hearts.

‘Tomorrow I will be lost again, but tonight I’m home.’

Mason West has seen more heartbreak in his young years than many see in a lifetime. He’s crippled with insecurity and questions every aspect of his worth – his musical ability, his ability as a father and his worth as a human. He’s plagued by guilt and is his own worst enemy as he fails to see the beautiful and talented human others clearly see if only his inner voice would give him a break.

‘What’s left inside the shell of a could have been rocker whose soul aged faster than his years?’

After a once-promising career, a series of heartbreaking and painful events see Mason struggling to make ends meet by working in construction and a single Dad to an adorable little girl, 4-year-old Brooklyn. His thirst for performing is quenched by playing to a few bar patrons at The Fat Eagle pub, on every now and then. This man is extremely talented and soon catches the eye of the agent, Sam Turner.

Sam is looking for a replacement front man for Burn Card, a successful band consisting of the brilliant Liberty Blake, her twin brother Aaron and their friends Mitch and Tivo, and until recently, their lead singer Chris Lundstedt, who has left the band to pursue a solo career. Mason is asked to audition, and from the outset, it’s clear he has what it takes to bring Burn Card to the next level. But can the band agree on him as a replacement? Will Liberty be the stumbling block to Mason’s second chance at success? What lies behind Liberty’s reluctance to take on Mason as their new lead singer? After all, he oozes talent, charm and incredible good looks!

‘This isn’t the kid who believed he owned that stage four years ago. This is a man who doesn’t know where the hell he belongs anymore….’

Oh the romance of this story! Both Liberty and Mason had so many issues to deal with and despite their personality differences, we believed in them every step of the way. Alyson Santos sure did give us those rock star vibes we crave. The unique way in which we glimpsed into Mason’s past was beautifully done, giving us the opportunity to see Mason through another set of eyes.

‘Mason can’t dream because he has no idea who he really is. So I guess the question is…Can I believe enough for both of us?’

We loved Rising West, the story and the characters…little Brooklyn completely stole our hearts! We can’t wait to meet Sam Turner’s next signing when Falling North, the second standalone releases in April!