About LISTEN TO ME

In New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby’s brand new series, five best friends open a hot new restaurant, but one of them gets much more than she bargained for when a sexy former rock star walks through the doors—and into her heart.

Seduction is quickly becoming the hottest new restaurant in Portland, and Addison Wade is proud to claim 1/5 of the credit. She’s determined to make it a success and can’t think of a better way to bring in new customers than live music. But when former rock star Jake Keller swaggers through the doors to apply for the weekend gig, she knows she’s in trouble. Addie instantly recognizes him—his posters were plastered all over her bedroom walls in high school—he’s all bad boy...exactly her type and exactly what she doesn’t need.

Jake Keller walked away from the limelight five years ago and yearns to return to what’s always driven him: the music. If he gets to work for a smart-mouthed, funny-as-hell bombshell, all the better. But talking Addie into giving him the job is far easier than persuading her that he wants more than a romp in her bed. Just when she begins to drop her walls, Jake’s past finally catches up with him.

Will Addie be torn apart once again or will Jake be able to convince her to drown out her doubts and listen to her heart?

Excerpt

“It is a shame,” Chris says.
   “Don’t start, C.” I toss the bacon on my plate and push it away.
   “All I’m saying is –“
   “The same thing you’ve been saying for years. I don’t want to live a public life anymore. It just fucks thinks up.”
   “You don’t have to live a public life to play music.” She shakes her head, cutting me off when I would speak. “Just listen. Kevin took me to a new restaurant the other night. It’s awesome.” She leans in, her brown eyes shining with excitement. “It’s sexy.”
   “The restaurant is sexy?”
   “Yes, and it’s amazing. So, these women have opened this place in downtown Portland called Seduction. There are aphrodisiacs on the menu, sexy music and atmosphere, amazing wine cellar. Did you know that asparagus is an aphrodisiac?”
   “I had no idea.”
   “Me either! Until we went there. It’s so great for couples, and it looks like it’s making quite a name for itself.”
   “What the fuck does it have to do with me?” I ask mildly and sip more coffee.
   “There was a sign in the window advertising for a weekend musician.”
   I stare at her, blinking.
   “So?”
   “So you should go apply!”
   She slaps her hand on the table and leans back with a satisfied smile, proud of herself.
   “Fuck no.”
   “Why not?”
   “Jake Knox doesn’t perform anymore.”
   “Jake Keller could.”
   I tilt my head, suddenly intrigued.
   “You don’t have to go in there and be a rock star, you know. You could just go in with your guitar and play music. You don’t have to do the old Hard Knox stuff, unless you want to try some acoustic arrangements. You could just do covers, if that’s what you wanted. Or new stuff you’re writing.”
   Suddenly the yearning in my gut is so intense I can barely breathe. I love producing and writing music. Hell, I spent a month up in Seattle last fall cowriting and producing with Leo Nash, an old friend of mine, for his band’s new album. It’s fulfilling.
   But fuck me, how I miss performing. And it’s really not about the screaming women, the lights, the louder-than-fuck music.
   It’s just the music itself. Performing and watching the crowd sing along.
   There’s just nothing like it. And the other night, when I sat on that stage and sang, it was like visiting an old friend.
   But I gave it up on a rainy night five years ago when Christina was almost killed and lost her leg, all because of me.
   I shake my head and clench my jaw. “No.”

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About Kristen Proby

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves.

Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.