How To Reprimand Your Rock Star by Mina Vaughn {Review + Author Q&A}

Adult Contemporary Romance

Published July 21st 2014

Kindle format provided by publisher via NetGalley

In this fun and saucy romance novel, all-star college basketball player Thea dominates on the courts—and off—with a rock star who is determined to win her over. Thea is a star basketball player at UConn on track to be Rookie of the Year. That is, if she can stay focused on the game. Lately that hasn’t been going so well, as her knee has been bothering her. But that’s not the only thing on her mind…Ever since rock star Keaton Lowe surprised her in the girl’s locker room, Thea can’t stop thinking about him. On top of his status and enticing ways, he seems to know everything about her. But some of his actions cross the line, and Keaton needs to be punished. Will Thea keep her head in the game, or get distracted by her other favorite pastime—reprimanding her rock star?

How To Reprimand Your Rock Star came to me  exactly when I needed something fun, upbeat and adorably kinky. This was my first experience with Vaughn's work and what a nice way to get acquainted with her. The story of Thea, a college basketball star with her sights set on winning a championship as the rookie on her team. When rocker Keaton Lowe shows up in the locker room after a game sparks fly between the two instantly intriguing her. Neither Thea or Keaton can stay away fro the other and the attraction soon turns to a smoldering romance with a little bit of kink and a lot of laughs.

Thea was a pretty down to earth chick with a strong will and a good head on her shoulders and very easy to like. To be so young (early twenties) she had a serious air about her in her daily life. She goes to college, works hard to be the best at basketball and maintain the bond between her and her team mates. When Keaton drops into her life with his kinky antics it opens up a side in her she didn't realize she possessed therefore setting the stage for the kinky antics the two get into. Keaton was such a naughty yet lovable boy. Being a rock star he's pretty much seen and done it all but for reasons unknown to myself or to him Thea draws his eye early on and holds his attention throughout. I loved how accepting and understanding he was about Thea's penchant for freaky sex and although he was pretty experienced he allowed her to lead the way. Thea and Keaton were such an adorable couple and it wasn't hard to enjoy their time together especially with the heated action between the sheets. Even though they had amazing chemistry both in and out of the sheets they had some realistic things to deal with when they weren't in bed...tied up. Both Keaton's celebrity and Thea's obligations to her team add some conflict in the workings of their budding romance and the two have to work through everything while nurturing their relationship long distance while he's on tour.

How To Reprimand Your Rock Star was a campy little story with low angst (thank Gawd) and some sexy times. There were a few things about the story that were far fetched and a little over the top but I would recommend not going into this with your thinking cap on. This is a story meant to be an easy, light hearted read not meant to be too heavy. I picked on a little bit of a supernatural vibe at times with Keaton being in certain places so quickly and Thea being a virgin who just happened to be interested in bondage kink was a little unbelievable and had this been any other story it wouldn't have worked for me. Because Vaughn wrote such a great story with characters I actually fell in love with an enjoyed the story Rock Star worked for me. There wasn't really anything that didn't work for me because this book made me laugh and swoon and get a little hot and bothered with all the kinky happenings. Especially when Thea's team mother Scarlett was involved, she added some flair to the hotness and I have to say I was just a little bit sad that Thea and Scarlett didn't get any closer than they did. I picked up on some serious heat between the two ladies and it feels like a missed opportunity. In the end How To Reprimand Your Rock Star was a wonderful way to spend a day reading a story that will make you laugh and swoon and most certainly takes you out of reality and delivers a much needed reprieve from stress to help you unwind. If you need a book with a great story and characters you'll love but won't make you think too much and that you'll invest yourself in fully then Rock Star will do exactly that!

Quotes:

"Goddess," he said, moving toward me. "I'm glad you could make it." I nodded as he slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me into a hug. We were on a hugging basis. Oh dear. Is this a base? eARC 18%

Just then my phone buzzed. A text from Keaton. 

I had great difficulty focusing on the show tonight, it read. 

Play it cool, play it cool. And why is that?

Because songs don't feel as good on my tongue as you do. eARC 21%

Was being into bondage something that required initiation, like a frat? maybe she and I could start a kinky sorority together, Beta Delta Sigma Mu. I'd be curious to watch faces as they walked by a sorority house that read BDSM. eARC 31%

"Let's get Nico some aftercare. Don't want him to turn into a dinosaur." Nico's eyes bugged. "What?" "A mega-sore-ass," Scarlett quipped then snorted, laughing at her own joke as she led us away through the impressive, nautical-themed home. eARC 57%

Author Q&A with Mina Vaughn:

HI MINA! Thank you for joining me on the blog today. I'm gonna ask you some questions so I hope that's Cool?

Cool as a cuke, go for it. Also, does anyone call them cukes outside of that phrase? 

Nope. You're the only weirdo here LOL! :-P #CukesNotNukes

OK, So...I'm new to your world of what do you call it? "Kink with A Wink"? Can you explain what that actually means for Vaughn Virgins such as myself? (p.s. Dontcha love the name Vaughn Virgins? We should make this a thing!)

Ok, so "Kink with a Wink" just means fun, light BDSM. I feel that, in real life, people ease into this sort of thing and it's easiest to incorporate a little kink into your life than to suddenly decide you're going to start flogging your hubs. Which is totally valid if he's missed the trash pickup three weeks in a row, but you know what I mean. I like my books to empower people, to make women go "hmm, I could do that" in the bedroom and beyond. I think playing in bondage and dominance is way easier than jumping into sadism and masochism, so I write fluffy kink if that makes sense. Vaughn Virgins need to know that I'm typically angst-free and fun. And yes, can we make that a thing?

Yep! We are making a thing!

Currently I am at roughly 45% of "How To Reprimand Your Rockstar" (lovin it btw!) and I'm finding a delightful blend of humor and sexiness. How do you find a balance between the two when it comes time to put pen to paper? (Or more accurately, fingers to keys?)

I find erotica hard to write if it's all serious. I'm a very silly person (see: the fact that I wear 7 or 8 wigs per conference I attend). I like to smile and laugh, and sex is FUN goddammit! Now, HTRYR is much less slapstick-funny as HTDYV, but I still feel like it's a romp. A fun, easygoing good time. How I write it is just think of where I'd like these characters to go, what would make both myself and them happy. I also outline like a motherfucker.

I'm noticing that Keaton (How To Reprimand Your Rockstar) is a very cheeky, naughty boy. Between Keaton or William (How To Discipline Your Vampire), who would you say is more cheeky? And which is your favorite?

Keaton is a zillion times cheekier than William! William's a sweetie and Keaton's just a naughty, naughty boy. I still fantasize about my Keaton. If I were playing FMK, I'd fuck Keaton, marry William and...wait, who do I kill? I'm loving writing my arrogant restaurateur who's the hero in my third book, but he's not done yet so I can't assess. I do, however, think Keaton's my fave so far.

What's next for this kinky little series of yours my love?

How to Punish Your Playboy is about a pin up model who teaches an arrogant restaurateur a lesson or two. Expect lots of food porn and porn porn. ;)

Random Question: In the song "I will do anything for love" what do you think it was that Meatloaf wouldn't do? I think it was butt sex but I'm curious about what you think!

OH MY GOD I THOUGHT IT WAS ABOUT ORAL. No lie, I thought to myself "Is he saying he doesn't want to go down on that girl?" But butt sex is totally valid! You and I, we think alike.

Speaking of butt sex (nice segue huh?) have you thought about or do you plan to use some f/f or m/m action in your novels or do you prefer to stay on the hetero side of writing? Because I gotta tell ya, I'm pickin' up some steamy vibes from this chick Thea and Big Red (Rockstar) ;)

I was THIS CLOSE to having Thea and Scarlett play a little together. I got cold feet, but for you, I'd write an outtake. Hehe. ;)

Talent. We know you can write some sexy naughty boys and independent chicks with a hard on for domination but aside from writing do you have any oddball talents. Like juggling fruit on one leg while playing a kazoo? Or picking shit up with your toes?

I can do karate and I own more wigs than Cher. *drops the mic* *picks it back up* *dusts it off* Oh and I speak four languages. 

OK we'll call this the lightning round because below I'm gonna give you five-ish words and you have to type the first thing that comes to mind OK? You ready?

Here we go....

Gilbert Gottfried: constipated duck

Nutella: on my boobs

Blue Collar or Billionaire: Buy me shoes

Penis: The Pen Is Mightier

Cats or dogs: Catdog from that cartoon

Manscaping or Au natural: Prune the hedges

WHOO!! Wasn't that fun? No? eh... let's go get shit faced and blow this pop stand! Thanks for joining me today Mina, it's been a pleasure you kinky bitch! :-D

I would love to get shit faced and blow something with you, Amanda. Next RT.

We totally will! :-D

About The Author:

Mina Vaughn is an international woman of mystery and a shoe whore with a heart of gold. When she's not writing her unique brand of silly smut, she's plundering Sephora for any pin up girl makeup she can find. Mina's debut novel, an erotic comedy entitled HOW TO DISCIPLINE YOUR VAMPIRE is about a punishment-seeking vampire who meets a quirky Domme with a serious role play fetish, available now from Simon and Schuster's Pocket Star.

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