Reviews for Conquest
5 star review from Carole Lake on Amazon.com - "This is a strong book, with lovely rock stars and hot sex. [...] I really enjoyed this book and I totally bought into the relationship between Jesse and Evan, and the angst involved in a relationship in the spotlight."
"I'm impressed with SJ Frost's flexible writing - she also wrote Kintaro in Bedknobs & Beanstalks Anthology of Gay Erotic Fairy Tales, which was totally different in style from Conquest. Fans of the Jet Mykles Heaven Sent series will like this one. And the best part is there's a sequel coming up"!
5 star review from Kathy Kozakewich on Goodreads - "Conquest is sure to conquer the hearts of anyone who loves a heartwarming romance with plenty of steamy m/m sex and luscious rock'n'roll singers. One of the many things about Conquest that I really enjoyed were the songs to which we were treated throughout the book. The only thing missing were the tunes ~ my imagination fell a little flat here ~ but the lyrics were all heart, life and love: Fabulous!"
"S.J. Frost conquered my heart with Evan and Jesse's story; there was laughter, giggles, empathy, tears, rejoicing and always, always fascination as she detailed the workings of Phoenix records, the bands and artists to which we were treated."
"And, yes, while this is definitely Jesse and Evan's story, the secondary characters are just as vital, just as watchable; I've heard rumours that Julian is to get his own story ~ YaY! But I also want to find out more about Brandon and Kenny and Trish. They too are intriguing personalities and without them, Conquest would not have been anywhere near as rich and fascinating a story."
"So yes, S.J. Frost, you have a fan; one who has added you to her ongoing but much prized, favorite and auto-buy list."
5 Nymphs from Critter Nymph at Literary Nymphs "Jesse wants to make it big in the music world. Unfortunately, the very talented musician has a hard time keeping band members. When a reclusive singer happens to hear Conquest playing at a local dive, he knows Jesse has just what it takes to hit it big."
"Evan can't believe what he's hearing. The last thing he expects to hear in the sleazy bar he's sitting in is the voice of an angel. Evan is soon figuring out just how he can meet the man of his dreams."
"I absolutely loved this story. Set in the music world, Conquest by S.J. Frost tells the story of Jesse and Evan. These two are alike in many ways; both live for their music yet while Jesse is just starting out, Evan is a veteran in the music world. While neither is willing to compromise on their music, both have made choices in their personal lives that leave them wondering if there is that someone special out there that's just for them. When these two meet face to face, the attraction is instantaneous and the author does a wonderful job bringing those feelings across to the reader. The fact that these two are soon living for the other is so clear to all those around them, which soon causes problems and made me want to smack some of the secondary characters upside the head. One of the things I enjoyed about this story was the lyrics the author has added to it. Conquest is one of those stories that you just can't wait to see how it ends, while at the same time, you don't want to leave the characters behind. Thankfully, the author has a sequel planned already. Hopefully, we will not have to wait long to see these two again."
Visit S.J. Frost's web site
Read an excerpt from Conquest
Enter Shannon's Conquest Drawing at TRS
About S.J. Frost 
S.J. Frost resides on a mini-ranch in Ohio with her family, as well as several spoiled pets and some very special horses. She enjoys experimenting with her writing and dabbling in different genres, though it's guaranteed no matter what she writes hot erotic action will appear somewhere in the story. She's a romantic at heart, which is reflected in her writing. The majority of her work is m/m, though she's had the occasional m/f piece published. Her short stories have been featured in several erotic and romance anthologies, and her debut novel, Conquest, is available at MLR Press.
Back list
Ordered from most recent to oldest
"Kintaro" - m/m short story featured in the anthology Bedknobs & Beanstalks edited by E.M. Lynley, published by Ravenous Romance.
"Samurai of the Surf" - m/m short story featured in Surfer Boys edited by Neil Plakcy, published by Cleis Press.
"Quarterbacking" - m/f short story featured in Girls on Top edited by Violet Blue, published by Cleis Press.
"Prince of Roses" - m/f short story featured in Honey Flava edited by Zane, published by Atria Books.
"Invoking the Past" - m/m short story featured in Best Gay Love Stories: Summer Flings edited by Brad Nichols, published by Alyson Books.
"The Sound of Your Voice" - m/m short story featured in Ultimate Gay Erotica 2008 edited by Jesse Grant, published by Alyson Books.
"No More Mirages" - m/m short story featured in Best Gay Romance 2007 edited by Tom Graham, published by Cleis Press.
An Interview with S.J. Frost
By Holly Hewson for The Romance Studio
HH: Shannon, thank you for talking with us at TRS. Please tell us about your featured book, Conquest.SJ: It's my pleasure to be here! Conquest is my debut novel, and it focuses on two things I'm a big fan of, love and music. The story centers around Jesse Alexander, a vocally gifted singer trying to break it big with his rock band, Conquest. He's discovered by rock star, Evan Arden, who turned away from performing at the height of his career. They enter a passionate relationship, but when Jesse's dream begins to come true, his new fame strains their relationship. Ultimately, Jesse must decide between what he wants more, a life of music, or a life with Evan.
HH: Two musically talented men. One wants to be a big star. One once was before he disappeared from the stage. Where did you get the idea for this sizzling tale? SJ: I think a lot of it came from my own love of music. To be able to explore the music world and learn even more about it as I wrote this book was so much fun for me. I actually started it several years ago during my last year in college, and it came out of an assignment in one of my creative writing classes. I had to write a scene with two characters talking, but it couldn't be from any work or characters already submitted in the class. As I was mentally griping about it, suddenly there was Jesse, standing front and center in my mind. He started telling me about his struggles, his dreams, the man he loved, and I knew the story would be bigger than just a few page homework assignment. When I submitted my paper, it was of what would eventually become part of Conquest's first chapter where Jesse and his brother, Brandon, are discussing Jesse's music in a diner. The story unfolded from there. Oh, and I got an A on it!
HH: What do you like best about Jesse and how do you relate to him? SJ: There are so many things, it's hard to narrow down. But all of them are connected to one thing, his kind heart. On the surface, he comes across arrogant, and he certainly is, but he also cares very much for the people in his life, his brother, his guitarist, Kenny, and of course, Evan. When it comes to the people who are important to him, there's nothing he won't do for them. I can relate to him very much in that way. The needs of my family, friends, and even my pets, are so much more important to me than my own. After all, what would life be without them? Jesse very much follows that same thought.
HH: What do you like about Evan and what does he have to offer Jesse? SJ: Evan's devotion to Jesse is the trait I admire most in him. He's not a person who trusts easily, caused by scars from his past, but when he does make the move to open his heart to someone, he does it completely and wholly. So much so, that he would sacrifice his happiness for Jesse's. I think what he offers Jesse more than anything else is balance. They're alike in many ways, but in others, very opposite. Jesse can be hyper, quick to act and speak, which gets him in trouble. Evan is more subdued and cautious. He thinks his actions and words out thoroughly, and being that way, he's able to see things Jesse might miss and also protect him.
HH: What did you enjoy most about writing this story? SJ: I really had a great time with the music aspect of it, but I'd say even more than that, it was the characters. Bringing them to life, getting to know them, building their relationship, was a wonderful experience. I discovered just how much I enjoyed writing romance. Before Conquest, I wrote primarily fantasy, for pleasure, not published. I still like the genre and think someday I'll get back into it, but my works were always more adventure pieces. I'm a romantic at heart, so I don't know why I never thought to write romance before, I even had a professor tell me I should consider it, though I was young and of course knew better than her. But when I got into Conquest, to let two characters grow in their relationship, I realized creating a story like that was more fulfilling to me than anything I'd ever written before.
HH: So, how did you get your start as a writer? SJ: I've been writing ever since I was very young, so I've had it in my life for ages. But I never really thought about trying to get anything published until I wrote Conquest. The problem was, after I wrote it, I didn't what to do with it. From many articles I read, it seemed getting a novel picked up with no other writing credentials could be challenging. I thought the best way to do it would be to build a portfolio of published works to show publishers I was marketable, so I started writing short stories. For me, it was a wonderful way to go. I got to be a part of several awesome anthologies and learned more about writing along the way, which helped me make Conquest a better story. It all paid off when that acceptance from MLR Press came. It's still up in the top five happiest days of my life.
HH: How have things changed for you since then? SJ: The biggest change is all the incredible and kind people I've met because it. The friendships I've gained are invaluable, and it's shown me the true value of writing is the way it can touch people's lives, both for the author and the reader.
HH: What else do you have in store for lucky readers? SJ: Readers will soon get to see Jesse and Evan returning for their encore in Conquest's sequel, No Fear. I'm really excited to bring them back. It'll be published through MLR Press like the first was. After that, there's a third in the works with the Conquest guys, but puts one of the secondary characters in the lead.
HH: What would we find in your to-be-read stack? SJ: Stack? It's a mountain! I'm really behind on reading and it hurts me. But, you'd find a ton of m/m romance titles ranging in everything from paranormal to contemporary works. Mixed in with those, there'd be some historical fiction. I've greatly enjoyed the Sano Ichiro series by Laura Joh Rowland, even though I'm only about halfway through it right now. You'd also find lots of fantasy titles lying around in there.
HH: What would you most like to accomplish this year? SJ: That's a tough one, I have so many. On the author's side, I'd like to have at least two novels released this year. That would be a huge feat for me since I'm not usually a very fast writer. On a personal side, I'd like to get my house whipped into shape with some remodeling. All in all, they both mean I'm going to be one busy woman this year!
HH: Thank you!
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