Sunday, November 20, 2016

This Is Our Song -- Review and Interview with Samantha Chase




New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Samantha Chase crafts a tender, hopeful family-centered romance

She knows him by reputation
Riley Shaughnessy knew that to stand out in his large family, he'd have to go big. Making a name for himself as a musician wasn’t easy, but he followed his dreams to rock-star success. But the relentless expectations of fans is not helping the slump he's in now. So of course the person who attracts him is the woman who is not impressed by fame.

Which gives Riley Shaughnessy a lot to prove
Entertainment reporter Savannah Daly is completely unfazed by pretty-boy rock stars. She’s just here to get her interview and write her story. But spending an entire month with the Shaughnessys is going to show Savannah a side of Riley she never could have guessed.


Read an excerpt here! 


I thought This is Our Song was going to be the typical journalist-falls-for-rock star story. I was certain that Samantha Chase would portray Riley Shaughnessy as a temperamental, self-centered, misunderstood musician. I was way off base! The first three chapters of the novel drew me into Riley’s story as they set the stage for the conflict and provided insight into the characters of Riley and Savannah.

Musician Riley Shaughnessy is in a slump. His self-confidence has taken a huge hit because he was unexpectedly excluded from a rock and roll documentary. While his band members are enjoying success in pursuing their solo careers, Riley has writer’s block. His management team is pressuring him to complete his first solo album and the music and the words aren’t flowing for him. To complicate matters, Riley’s manager has arranged to have him interviewed by a prestigious music magazine. Journalist Savannah Daly is not amused, she has been bumped off a fabulous cover story and assigned to interview musician Riley Shaughnessy. She’s not looking forward to dealing with another temperamental, self -centered rock star.

This Is Our Song is a poignant friends-to lovers- story. The author continues to explore how the death of Lillian Shaughnessy has affected each member of her family. The scenes when Riley remembers singing with his Mom are superbly written and made me cry. Ms. Chase does a great job exploring first impressions; Savannah’s first impression of Riley and Riley’s initial thoughts about sharing his story with a writer. Riley feels uncomfortable about the interview process and suggests that they travel to North Carolina and spend time with his family. He is hoping that Savannah will see beyond his rock star persona.

Loved the scenes with the Shaughnessy family! The author does an outstanding job as each member of the family is included in the story. Ms. Chase is known for her fabulous dialogue and the banter between the Shaughnessy brothers accentuates the feeling of family comradery! Enjoyed the heartwarming scenes between Riley and his father—especially when Riley recognizes that Ian has a social life! Riley is able to focus on his music and his relationship with Savannah during the trip to North Carolina.

The couple returns to Los Angeles and become immersed in their careers. Riley learns something about Savannah and the couple separates. The last few chapters of the novel were superbly written. The author incorporates Riley’s love for his music, his mother and his family as he prepares for a solo concert at the Hollywood bowl. The conclusion is perfectly written for this couple and has several surprises that fans of Ms. Chase’s Shaughnessy novels will adore! 

 Reviewed by Susan Gorman 
ARC provided by Sourcebooks


 ðŸŽ¼.  Lady Celeste Interviews Samantha Chase!  ðŸŽ¼                                                        

Lady Celeste: Welcome back to the blog Samantha! This Is Our Song Is fabulous! Why did you decide to feature a musician in the series?

Samantha Chase: I have ALWAYS wanted to write about a musician but never had the right story. When I created the Shaughnessys, I knew I had to make one of them musical.  Riley was the perfect fit.  My husband is a drummer and we are just a musical family – he’s the only one that actually plays an instrument, but the rest of us just love listening to all kinds of music.  So I guess you could say it’s something that’s a big part of our lives and I felt like I could give a musician a little of that passion.


Lady Celeste: Why rock-- not country, pop, rap?

Samantha Chase:  I’m a huge rock fan.  I mean, I enjoy pop, but primarily I am an 80’s rock girl.   I just think there’s something very cool about a rock star – a confidence, a sexiness – that I’m personally drawn to.  I don’t listen to country or rap and didn’t feel like that would make for a character I could relate to.  Rock stars?  I can totally relate to!  


Lady Celeste: Samantha, what does music mean to Riley? Is it s form of expression or just a way to become rich and famous?? 

Samantha Chase: It's definitely a form of expression for him.  He really isn’t interested in the fame and fortune as much as he is in creating the music.  He wants to be taken seriously for his talent and the money and the notoriety are really just an afterthought to him.  His parents raised him well!!



New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan's Return, in November 2011. Teaching creative writing to students from elementary through high school motivated Samantha to take that step as well. Since then, she has become a NYT and USA  Today bestselling author. She lives with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.



Sourcebooks is giving away a copy of Always My Girl to one person who leaves a comment. (US and Canada only and ends 11/27/16). To enter, add your email address and answer the following question! Do you have a favorite type of music?




1 comment:

  1. Thank you for the wonderful review!! So glad you liked the book!

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