by Layne, Sandi
Her mom had a tendency to panic if they didn’t talk at least once a week. Rissa loved her mother, but she didn’t love the guilt trip. Girls get murdered in Nashville, Clarissa. Are you starving? Aren’t you ready to come home? Rissa could recite the speech verbatim by now.
“Everything’s fine, Mom. Just getting ready to hop in the shower. I’m singing at a wedding reception this afternoon.”
“Oh, that’s nice. Anything that keeps you out of those bars.”
Rissa rolled her eyes as she rifled through the closet. She’d never admit it to her mom, but a rowdy bar was Rissa’s favorite place to play. Redneck joints and basement dives were full of country music fans who were more than willing to offer instant and honest feedback. Sometimes, that feedback was in the form of a flying beer bottle, but still . . . you had to be impressed with the honesty.
“There you are,” she said, finally finding her one and only cocktail dress. Conservative but cute, the black satin couldn’t look more out of place in her closet full of cotton and denim.
“Okay, Mom. Tell Dad I said hi. I’ve really got to get dressed.”
“Promise you’ll be safe, Clarissa.”
“Always. Talk to you later.”
After a quick shower, Rissa curled her long brown hair and put on as much makeup as she could stand before slipping into her dress. She longingly eyed her comfy boots while she slid on the black heels that she saved for special occasions—like funerals or weddings.
“You can do this,” she told herself. Of course she could. She’d performed at plenty of receptions over the years. She just always had to give herself a little pep talk, since being a wedding singer wasn’t exactly the dream. Still, it helped pay the bills.
With a quiet sigh, Rissa checked her reflection once more before grabbing her guitar and heading out.
* * *
The wedding guests applauded as Rissa finished the last verse of Ed Sheeran’s Perfect. The bride’s playlist was pretty standard, full of sweet and sappy songs, and the DJ had played the typical party tunes until it was time for the couple’s first dance. Melanie, the beautiful bride, had insisted on the Ed Sheeran song, and since it was one of Rissa’s favorites, she’d been more than happy to oblige.
Plus, singing the ballad gave her the chance to sit, which was a relief because the stupid heels were killing her feet.
Rissa sang a few more slow songs, giving all the couples a chance to dance, before taking a break and heading to the bar. She wasn’t a drinker, but that didn’t stop her from finding a seat and waving at the bartender.
“Please tell me you have water back there. Even if it’s from the tap.”
“I wouldn’t dare. How’s this?”
The bartender handed her a plastic water bottle. Melanie & Steven was printed in a pink, scripty font on the label.
Rissa twisted the lid. “Seriously?”
“Yep. The mints have their names on them, too.”
She laughed and took a long drink from the bottle. After an hour of singing, her voice was dry as dust.
“You sound good,” the bartender said, leaning against the counter. “I’m Jake, by the way.”
“Rissa. And thanks.”
“So, are you just a wedding singer?”
“Are you just a bartender?”
“Actually, I’m a business owner and a bartender.”
She nodded. “Well, I’m a lot of things, I guess. Songwriter. Musician. Waitress. Wedding singer. Whatever pays the bills.”
“I hear ya. So, what are you doing next Friday?”
Rissa arched an eyebrow. Sure, Jake was cute, with his short dark hair, blue eyes, and scruffy beard. She just couldn’t believe he was hitting on her already.
“Wow,” she said with a smirk. “Less than thirty seconds. That has to be some kind of record.”
Jake laughed and handed her a business card.
“That wasn’t a pick-up line. I own a bar called The Turquoise Horse. We’re always looking for musicians.”
Rissa eyed the address. She thought she knew every redneck bar in the Nashville area, but she’d never heard of The Turquoise Horse.
“Hmm. Is there a real turquoise horse?”
“Come see for yourself.” Jake grinned. “I have to warn you, though. You can’t play sweet love songs in our bar.”
“Let me guess. Waylon. Willie. Hank.”
“We’re equal opportunity music lovers. You can also play Tammy, Loretta, and Patsy. We like original music, too, if you have any.”
“Is there a house band?”
“Nope. There’s a microphone and a bar stool.”
“Sounds great. What time?”
Jake blinked. “Really?”
“Sure. I never turn down a paying gig. I mean, it does pay, right?”
“It pays a little. I have to warn you, though. It can get rough in there if you suck.”
“Then I won’t suck.”
“Fair enough. How’s ten o’clock?”
“I’ll be there.”
Rissa thanked him for the water and returned to the stage. Tossing the business card into her case, she grabbed her guitar and headed back to the microphone.
* * *
After singing sappy love songs for a couple hours—and getting paid a ridiculous amount of money to do it—Rissa was in desperate need of some hardcore country music. She went home, changed out of her cocktail dress into her denim and boots, and headed out.
Splurging on a cab instead of the bus, Rissa climbed into the backseat with her guitar and gave the driver the address for Layla’s, a honky tonk on Broadway. Then, she sent a text to Taylor Jones, her best friend and one of her regular co-writing partners.
Meet me at Layla’s. My treat. Don’t argue.
While she waited to hear back from her friend, Rissa gazed at the neon lights of Broadway. She’d never been to New York City, but she couldn’t imagine that their Broadway was more beautiful than hers. The bars on the strip had been good to her, giving her the chance to share her music with the city. They also taught her how to work the stage, connect with the audience, and yes, even dodge a beer bottle or two.
Her phone buzzed with Taylor’s reply.
Can’t. Have the flu.
Rissa had noticed that Taylor was pretty lifeless when they wrote together last weekend, but she just assumed that her friend was nursing another broken heart. Taylor had a tendency to pick the wrong men, and with every breakup, there was another breakup song.
Hard on her heart, but great for her music catalog.
Feel better!
Rissa made a mental note to check on her friend tomorrow just as the cab stopped at the entrance to Layla’s. She paid the driver, gripped her guitar case, and headed inside.
She’d always loved Layla’s, mostly because of all the license plates hanging from the rafters. But really, it was just a great place for live music. Rissa had played their stage many times throughout the years—sometimes with other musicians, but mostly by herself. Up-and-coming acts, as well as seasoned performers, were all welcome at Layla’s.
The place wasn’t too crowded yet, so she found a table and ordered a burger. The band on stage was decent, playing a mix of bluegrass and classic country. Rissa was disappointed when she heard the lead singer thank the crowd, right before the band unplugged and exited the stage.
Just then, the waitress showed up with her burger.
“Thanks. Who’s up next?”
The waitress frowned. “Open slot.”
“Really? On a Saturday night?”
“The band got caught in a snow storm in Lexington.”
Not good. No live music typically meant no crowd, which meant no revenue for the bar. And no tips for the waitress.
“Hey, I recognize you,” the waitress said. “You’ve played here before.”
“I have.”
Then, she noticed the guitar by Rissa’s side.
She grinned. “Let me see what I can do.”
Excited at the ch
ance to play an impromptu set, Rissa dug into her burger. She’d managed to finish half of it before the woman returned with a beaming smile.
“Can you do two hours?”
Never one to turn down a live gig—especially in one of her favorite bars—Rissa reached in her pocket for a twenty and offered it to the waitress.
“Absolutely. And this is for you. Thanks for the gig.”
“Thanks. Your burger’s on the house. You’re on in fifteen.”
With her guitar in her hand, Rissa headed for the stage. She sat down on the stool and adjusted the mic. For the next two hours, Rissa played for the crowd at Layla’s—one cover song after another. Then she performed some originals. The crowd played their part—clapping along with the up-tempo songs and swaying gently to the ballads.
As she gazed at the crowd, Rissa couldn’t help but feel blessed. She knew she didn’t have the best voice, but she was confident in her guitar playing, and she was even more confident in her songwriting.
She had to believe that was enough, and that her dreams would finally come true.
Someday.
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Six musicians come together to form an all-girl country band. But when love comes calling, will the ladies be able to balance their musical worlds with their romantic lives?
* * *
Rissa’s Rebel Heart by Sydney Logan
Rissa Walker dreams of making it big in country music, but after seven years in Music City—and with very little success to show for it—she’s beginning to lose hope. When she’s offered the chance to join an all-girl country band, Rissa finds herself surrounded by five of the most talented musicians in Nashville, a tough-talking manager with a heart of gold, and her manager's son. A son who happens to be a handsome single father whose kiss leaves her weak in the knees.
Jake McCann grew up in the business, so he knows a thing or two about country music. When he hears Rissa perform at a wedding reception, he thinks she’d be the perfect addition to the all-girl country band his mom hopes to bring to Nashville. What he doesn’t know is just how hard he’ll fall for the beautiful songwriter. And he really doesn’t know how he’s going to live without her when she and the band go on tour.
With a hectic tour schedule, and hundreds of miles of highway between them, can Rissa and Jake’s relationship stay in tune? Or, will Rissa have to choose between her music and her heart?
* * *
Taylor’s Legendary Heart by Victoria Pinder
Taylor Jones has a gift. She's never been a big talker, but once she started getting her emotions out on the keys of a piano, she found her peace. Between tough breakups and a move from NYC to Nashville, the piano has been the one constant in her life. And now it's her ticket to success when she's asked to join an all girl country band and their first album hits number one.
British pop star Eddie Williams has seven number one hits, three hit albums and one major regret. He never told Taylor he loved her. But every song, every melody has been about the piano player who got away. Now that her face seems to be everywhere he turns, he's determined to rectify that mistake.
But with their booming careers working to drive them further apart than ever before, can Eddie break through Taylor's country strong armor and get to the heart he'd lost out on all those years and records ago?
* * *
Cecilia’s Soulful Heart by Tami Franklin
C.C. DeVera plays to the beat of her own drum. As the percussionist for the Lipstick Outlaws, she prefers to stay out of the spotlight, safe in the shadows of her band mates. C.C.’s not one to make waves, but when her family wants to set her up on yet another disastrous blind date—for her sister’s wedding, no less—she finally puts her foot down.
And tells a little white lie. That she already has a date.
Dalton Gregory's job on the crew is a challenge, but he loves life on the road with the Outlaws. His little crush on the band's beautiful drummer makes the long hours even more worth it. There’s something about C.C. that makes his palms sweat, and his heart pound out its own rhythm.
Then, C.C.’s family shows up at one of their gigs, wanting to meet her new mystery man. After she pulls Dalton into the act, things quickly get out of hand. It’s a mad scramble to keep up the charade, but what happens when their fake relationship starts to edge its way into reality?
Can they both set aside their fears and admit they’re not pretending anymore?
* * *
Katie Lyn’s Guarded Heart by Marie Savage
Lead singer, Katie Lyn Bishop, is ready for her first holiday in her new home in Nashville and she can’t wait to spend it with her three-year-old daughter, Madison. Unfortunately, her ex-husband, Trevor shows up after a four-year absence, suing for custody of their daughter, not to mention a hefty chunk of Katie Lyn’s profits.
The band’s attorney, Alec O’Donnell, assures her that’s not going to happen. But Alec’s interest is more than professional. He and Katie Lyn have a past—and there are skeletons in his closet that are best left in the dark. As he goes to battle against her ex, he worries his personal feelings will interfere with protecting her in court—and that if she finds out the truth, it could ruin everything.
Swirling rumors have the media targeting Katie Lyn wanting answers. Can Alec protect her? Will the secrets destroy not only her relationship with Alec, but the entire safety nest she's built for her and Madison? Or is Alec exactly what she needs to truly make her new house a home?
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Cinnamon’s Courageous Heart by Ryan Jo Summers
Cinnamon Chadwick's dream of musical stardom have come true. She's part of the all-female country rock band, the Lipstick Outlaws, and their first year is going fantastic! The only downside to her life is her brother tried to do a HGTV remodel on her charming old farmhouse and demolished it instead. Now she has to hire a contractor to fix it, but the band is about to leave on another big tour. To the world, she's cin-vincable, but not so deep down, she's still aching from the last time she tried to love someone. Now she hides the hurt behind the music.
Silas Black is tired of the cookie cutter houses he's been working on. He longs for a genuine piece of architecture to fix up. So when he gets the contract to fix up Cinnamon's farmhouse, he's in heaven. And spending so much time with the beautiful star is the cherry on top.
But as Cinnamon bops in for short stays and leaves for extended periods, Silas soon sees the old farmhouse isn't the only one needing time for rebuilding. So does Cinnamon's heart, if only she would trust him and find the courage within herself to love again.
* * *
Mac’s Daring Heart by Sandi Layne
Mira Cunningham—Mac to everyone but her parents—has everything she's ever wanted. She's the bassist for the up-and-coming Lipstick Outlaws, she has a new loft in Na
shville where she lives with her twin brother, and a career that allows her to contribute her joy in music to the world around her. Since joining the band, she’s watched her friends and bandmates pair off, one by one, with a smile. She never really thought about it for herself. Life was just so busy!
Derek Blakemore, a Nashville businessman, saw the Lipstick Outlaws perform when they’d been in Denver on tour, and the pretty bass guitarist with the thigh-high boots had definitely caught his attention. When he runs into Mac during a trip to pick up one of the groomsmen for his best friend’s wedding, Mac Cunningham throws him for a loop, and he realizes that he likes riding that loop and wants more.
Life is crazy for a touring band in the springtime, but Mac knows what she wants, and she decides to make a play for the handsome redhead who shocked her right out of her boots upon their first meeting. Can they maintain a relationship with midnight text messages and press-beset picnics?
Mac’s daring to bet they can!
About the Author
Sandi Layne has been writing for more than twenty years, publishing works of contemporary Christian romance, historical fiction, and posting columns on writing and publishing for various sites at one time or another. Her stories are noted for their attention to detail and striking heroines, and she enjoys bringing her readers through stories that surprise, entertain, and edify.