Blood and Bone by Paula Dombrowiak

 Publisher: Paula Dombrowiak (10/30/20)

Contemporary Romance

Have you ever wanted something so bad you would burn down the whole world just to get it? 
 
Jack O’Donnell needed to make it big in the music industry, but when it happened, hearts were broken, friendships were tested, and lives were changed forever. When everything seems lost, Jack finds an unlikely ally in a journalist. The two embark on a journey through Jack’s past where he recounts the rise and fall of his band Mogo and the two great loves of his life.

Amber was the high school girlfriend he left behind. A chance encounter brings her back into his life for only one night, or so he thought.

Mia was his collaborator and bandmate. Writing with her was like catching lightening in a bottle every time. A bond so deep that everyone in their wake was just collateral damage. 

Erin was the journalist who would tell his story. She discovers sometimes there is more to a story than just the headlines. The question is, will she be able to make it through to the end?

Three women.
 
Two days.
 
An interview of a lifetime.

*Dear Reader, this book contains some sensitive subjects that deal with suicide, addiction and abuse. Please take care while reading.

 BUY LINKS

Apple Books https://bit.ly/BloodAndBoneApple

Kobo https://bit.ly/BloodAndBoneKobo

Amazon https://bit.ly/BloodAndBoneAmz

B&N https://bit.ly/BloodAndBoneBN

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1034315

 Music brought them together, Addiction tore them apart, loyalty saved them.

It was always Jack and Mia, everyone else was just collateral damage.

 

REVIEW

“The impact on bone, the pool of blood, in the end, it was all just blood and bone.”

 Jack is the typical rock star – partied too much, got arrested, bar fights, rehab, overdose, etc.  He has struggled, had incredible highs and devastating losses during his life. He’s arrogant. You wanted to hate him, but he drew you in and you just had to love him. I hated him, but also felt sad for him and wanted him to get his life together and not be a jerk.  He’s massively flawed, gives in to his desires, he hurt people and didn’t care as long as he got what he wanted. Mia was the one person who got him. Together they had the magic. It was an imperfect relationship. They truly loved each other; just weren’t meant to be together. Everyone that got near them, got hurt, including themselves. The story alternates between past and present as Jack opens up to Erin, a journalist sent to interview him. This is a very well done, emotional ride from a debut author. Keep Rockin’ Paula – I can’t wait to read your next book!

Reviewed by Comfy Chair Book/Lisa Reigel (March 1, 2021)

Copy provided by author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paula Dombrowiak grew up in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, right on beautiful Lake Michigan. She used to think it was an ocean, because you can’t see the other side, until she got older and became aware of geography. The Chicago lakeshore is her favorite place in the whole world.

Paula moved to Arizona in 1997 because the Chicago winters wore her down and she needed a little sunshine in her life. She came to appreciate the diversity of Arizona, the desert, the mountains, and the lakes. Yes, there are lakes in Arizona and it even snows up in the high country.

Paula really is a music junkie to the core and loves discovering new bands, just as much as she loves writing. So why not combine the two? That was how Blood and Bone was born. Her favorite music is Classic Rock, Grunge, and Alternative. She also loves to read and mostly enjoys YA (all subgenres), Romance, and Non-Fiction.

Paula’s wardrobe really does consist of band T-shirts and leggings that are perpetually covered in pet hair. Animals are her homies and she don’t eat her homies.

Email: pauladombrowiak@gmail.com

Website: https://www.pauladombrowiak.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PDombrowiak

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paula_dombrowiak/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDombrowiak

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Dombrowiak

Q&A

Can you tell me a bit about your book, Blood and Bone and what inspired it? 

Blood and Bone is about deep bonds between flawed people whose only outlet was their music. It explores a group of high school friends who make it big in the music business but when it happens, their friendships are tested, hearts are broken and their lives are changed forever. Jack O’Donnell, the main protagonist meets a journalist, Erin Langford, under unique circumstances and as he tells his story, the reader is transported back to the early ’90s when grunge music was just gaining popularity. By Jack telling his story, he just might be able to heal past relationships and spark new ones.

I was first inspired to write this story while watching a popular TV show about a country star who had a deep bond with one of her band mates that produced the most beautiful songs but the relationship was codependent and complicated. I was really interested in a relationship that was based off of such a deep bond that it transcended everything else. I started writing about Jack O’Donnell and his collaborator Mia Stone and that was how Blood and Bone started. As I started exploring that relationship, everything just blossomed from there.

What is your writing process? 

I find inspiration for a story usually by listening to music. It conjures up a certain feeling and then the story develops in my head. I don’t use outlines or story boards because I like to just start writing and see where it takes me. I call it layering because I start off with a very rough first draft and then I go back over it with more detail or adding in scenes and I keep doing that until I have it to where it’s almost final. I might have an idea of what I want a character to be like but usually it never ends how I started. The characters sort of speak for themselves and develop as I write the story. It’s what’s so great about the process for me.

Do you feel character or plot is more important? 

My stories are very character driven. The idea for a story generally starts with a character(s) and flows from there. The plot is centered around that main character, it drives the mood of the story. For me, character is the most important but you can’t have a good book without a good plot. The story has to flow and everything make sense in order to take the reader on an interesting journey.

What’s your typical writing day like? 

I am a mood writer so I typically do not write everyday. I don’t prescribe to the process of writing so many words everyday. I really have to be in the right frame of mind with no distraction in order to get into the story. I see it like a movie in my mind and try my hardest to capture that in the story. I find my best inspiration in the evening when everything is quiet and calm.

Which songs would feature on a playlist for Blood and Bone? 

The Lumineers, Salt and the Sea – I like the dramatic rhythm of the song and it makes me feel like there is something pending in the air like lightening about to strike. That’s how I see Blood and Bone.

One Republic, Wherever I Go – This really is Jack’s anthem because of how his relationship with Mia is. She’s on his mind and under his skin the entire time. The line “no easy love could ever make me feel this way” is perfect for how their relationship is.

Candlebox, Simple Lessons – I like the hard hitting feel of this song and the building storm. It captures the theme of the book.

Hozier, Shrike – This song reminds me of Jack and Erin because it’s easy and simple and is really beautiful.

Pearl Jam, Even Flow – Can’t have a book about the ‘90s without Pearl Jam. One of my favorite songs and it reminds me of Jack and how he would perform on stage, letting the music take him away.

Billie Marten, Bird – This is such a lovely song and I like the feel of how heartbreaking it is and it really makes me feel all of the tough things Jack goes through.

Ray LaMontagne, Such as Simple Thing – I love this song because it captures the tender moments between Jack and Mia.

Grandon, Oh No! – This is such a commanding song that it makes me feel all of the anger Jack is going through.

How do you approach the process from first draft to final edit? 

I like to call my technique ‘layering’ because I start with a very basic first draft and each time I run through it, I add more layers to the story and to the characters.