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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