Hey friends,
Today I wanted to share something personal and truly special with you—one of those real life behind-the-scenes moments that filled my heart in the best possible way.
Earlier this month, I had the absolute honor of attending Dreaming in Analog, a tribute concert celebrating the life and legacy of my dear friend Charles R. Cross (Charley). If you’ve ever followed Seattle’s music scene or devoured Heavier Than Heaven, Room Full of Mirrors, or his other best-selling books about Seattle music royalty, you know exactly who Charley was.
Music journalist. Connector. Storyteller. Relentless truth-seeker. An icon.
What many don’t know is how instrumental Charley was in shaping the Seattle music scene. As a young promoter, I first met Charley who was the founder and editor of The Rocket (THE music bible of Seattle in the ‘80s and ‘90s). He seemed like the coolest and most influential guy in town. I remember thinking, “This man knows everyone, has seen everything, and still somehow makes time for the underdogs.”
Over the years, as my life evolved from band manager and music promoter to media attorney to romance author, our sweet friendship grew right along with it. We always managed to reconnect over long lunches to talk about our mutual love of music and, later, the behind-the-scenes contributions of women in the Seattle scene—something he passionately cared about.
Right before he passed, Charley and I had lunch because he had been commissioned to write his own memoir and wanted to interview me about that very topic. That was Charley—always shining the light on others, always championing people’s stories. He even cheered me on (with a slightly bemused shake of his head) when I first told him about my rockstar romances.
Nicole Jon Sievers, another dear friend, created a night he would have loved (and pretended to hate). The lineup was insane: Nancy Wilson (Heart), Sir Mix-A-Lot, Chris Ballew (Presidents of the United States of America), Molly Sides (ThunderPussy), Eva Walker, Pete Droge, Mary Lambert (Macklemore), and so many more.
The Moore Theatre was packed with old friends, former colleagues, and music lovers. The energy was magic—raw, emotional, and pure Seattle. It was also Phalen’s first concert. You heard that right—I brought my sweet puppy who was the most popular guy in the room (Krist Novocelic and his wife wouldn’t stop petting him).
Proceeds from the night are going to the Charles R. Cross Music Writer’s Grant, to provide generations of writers with scholarships so they can keep telling the stories Charley dedicated his life to.
I still can’t believe he’s gone. I’m grateful to have known him, and I just wanted to share a small window into that moment with all of you.
Hug your people tight. Blast your favorite song loud. Remember that music—and stories—heal us.
P.S. A special book treat!
LIMITLESS/LIMITLESS ENCORE ON SALE!
If you’ve been waiting to start (or re-read!) Jace and Alex’s unforgettable story, now’s your moment. Limitless and Limitless Encore, the steamy, emotional duet following LTZ drummer Jace Deveraux and his muse Alex LeRoux through their decade-long friends-to-lovers journey, are both on sale for just 99¢ each from May 18 – May 31.
Not only does this duet give you all the angst, love, and second chances you could want, but it’s also where Seamus McGloughlin first steps onto the page as an adult—and trust me, you’ll want to know him before Wistful Whispers arrives.
Grab them while they’re hot!
Get Limitless here – https://mybook.to/LimitlessBookTwo
Get Limitless: Encore here – https://mybook.to/LimitlessEncoreBookSix
KU READERS, GET READY!
Starting June 1, ALL of my eBooks are coming back to Kindle Unlimited! You can binge the entire Kaylene Universe—from the wild, rockstar-fueled chaos of Less Than Zero, to the steamy standalone Hate to Love You romances, to the swoony, Irish charm of The Charming Irish series. Clear your TBR… it’s binge time!
With love and gratitude,
Kaylene
