These are selected quotes from my new two book series The Rise and Fall of Skye Wright, the story of a wild rock and roller trying to hang on as her roller coaster life takes her on tragic twists and turns that could end up destroying her.
These quotes are all from the first book.
Think of them as mini excerpts!
“Doesn’t it seem strange that he’s with her. I mean she’s so…”
Skye shrugged. “That’s the kind of women people like Toby usually hook up with. Club gals who hiss a lot.”
“Who’s running that place?” asked Skye.
“It was either a thirty year old lesbian or a sixteen year old boy. I can’t be sure.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
“Give it a minute.”
“That’s all we need is a brawl in the studio.”
Skye held up her hands. “I don’t punch first!”
Tandasil slowly gave Skye a look. “Try not to get people too worked up in the studio,”
“Scather and Screecher,” said Molly as she poured herself a cup of coffee. “Can the world handle such combined hotness?”
“I am not hot,” protested Lee.
“Yes you are,” said Molly.
“Listen to the dyke, hot stuff,” smiled Skye.
“I am not hot,” repeated Lee as she emphasized her crossed arms. “I’m a fucking skeleton.”
“That’s not hot?” said Molly as she sat down at the kitchen table. “Every grungy boy and goth girl on the planet wants a punk skeleton!”
“I haven’t seen her since, jeez, last year sometime. She was gettin’ wasted at the Astroglide House.
“What?” asked Harp. “Junk?”
“She was smoking opium.”
“Opium?” winced Colleen. “What the hell? Is she inside a forties detective novel or some shit?”
“Sometimes talking about our past is complicated.”
“Psh!” dismissed John. “I don’t know if it’s that complicated. It’s just fuckin’ embarrassing.”
“What’s wrong with him?”
Tall and lanky walked behind his drum set. “Well, his girlfriend kinda stabbed him.”
“Kind of stabbed him? How did he get kind of stabbed?”
“You can handle it, right?” asked Tandasil, still leaning on her desk.
“Oh yeah. I mean, as long as we aren’t held up at gunpoint or the mixing board explodes.”
Tandasil scrunched her face. “Why would the mixing board explode?”
“I never take anything for granted. I’ve seen too much weird shit in my time. I mean, if we got attacked by homicidal lesbian terrorists or the sound engineer died in a baby goat stampede I’d doubt if I’d even blink.”
Molly shook her head. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do with the two of you.”
“You’ll hate us now but love us later.”
“I already love you, you fucking bitch!”
“That’s it, keep it classy,” smiled Skye.
“Help. I’m being held hostage by kittens.”
“I don’t know why he always wants me to come over.”
Molly looked Skye up and down. “He wants a sexy bad girl is what he wants.”
Skye had been so struck by the tall, tattooed woman that she had not noticed Preston by her side.
“What the fuck is Preston doing with that Amazon?” asked Skye.
“That’s his girlfriend,” said Molly as she started to walk across the street.
“Jesus Christ, that ball buster?” asked Skye as she followed Molly.
“Right? I hope he’s using a net!”
“Really? You started a fight at one of our shows?”
“It didn’t last long. We got pulled apart pretty quick.”
“Still, that’s quite a compliment.”
“Say something in German.”
“Something in German.”
“No, I mean, something in German, in German.”
“Etwas auf Deutsch.”
“What does that mean?”
“She just said ‘Something in German’,” explained Clark.
“You’re too down for this game. You already know me too well.”
“All those Gilman nights. You were always fucking up in the pit.”
Judy shook her head. “I don’t know why you girls do that to yourselves. Life’s hard enough without slamming into each other.”
“Gotta get our ya yas out,” said Trilly. “We’re too dangerous if we don’t.”
She wondered if she had truly felt a moment of actual serenity, a fleeting moment where she was simply present, where her mind was clear and calm, drinking in a few serene seconds where she was not consumed or seething with the slow burn of modern urban life.
Actual serenity.
She was not sure if she liked it or not.
“You’re not planning on killing me and hiding my body, are you?”
“Not here. I keep my boyfriends’ bodies in my basement,”
“Every power dyke in the scene has a massive crush on her too. And she’s a switch hitter.”
“She gets hit on all the time, right?”
Molly took a step back. “Fuck no. Everyone’s frightened of her.”
“Okay.”
Molly rolled her eyes at Skye. “I know you’re not impressed, but some of us can’t fight like a barroom brawler.”
Click on the image to buy this two book series,
available in paperback and on Kindle!
Stella Maris is the sequel to my previous novel. Even though it can be read by itself, check out what Skye was up to before her adventures in Stella Maris!
https://www.amazon.com/What-Hell-Ever-Happened-Rozhenko-ebook/dp/B08WC4DK6G/
Trieste Rock, Redemption, and the Chaos of Punk Lives.
Hi Jeffrey Vernon Matucha,
Thank you for writing Trieste. What makes this novel so compelling is the way it captures the raw energy of punk rock alongside the quieter, more reflective moments of personal growth. Miranda and Preston’s story balances the thrill of music, the camaraderie of bandmates, and the intensity of a past that refuses to stay buried. Your depiction of their chaotic yet deeply human lives creates a world that is as vibrant and unpredictable as the music they play.
What resonates most is how the novel explores the tension between stability and the pull of past recklessness. The sudden appearance of the pixie punk upends their carefully constructed lives, forcing both Miranda and Preston and their friends to confront choices, loyalties, and dreams in ways that are both exhilarating and unsettling. The rock-and-roll backdrop amplifies the emotional stakes, making the characters’ growth feel earned and authentic.
As I reflected on the novel, two questions came to mind:
* How did you approach balancing the adrenaline of the punk-rock lifestyle with the quieter moments of reflection and growth for Miranda and Preston?
* Did the chaotic reappearance of the pixie punk serve as a catalyst to explore deeper themes of identity, loyalty, and the tension between past and present?
From a reader’s perspective, this book could reach even more audiences by highlighting its unique blend of music-driven narrative, punk subculture, and character-driven drama. It belongs in the tradition of novels that combine the intensity of creative lives with the emotional resonance of redemption and self-discovery.
On Goodreads, Trieste could be positioned in lists such as Rock & Roll Fiction, Punk Subculture Stories, Character-Driven Contemporary Fiction, and Tales of Redemption & Second Chances. Its mix of heart, humor, and high-energy chaos makes it especially appealing to readers who enjoy stories about people who can’t and wouldn’t live boring lives.
This story is especially powerful for readers who want:
* Music-centric stories with authentic subcultural flavor
* Character-driven journeys of redemption, love, and friendship
* Narratives where past choices collide with present hopes
* Stories that blend humor, chaos, and emotional depth
I share these reflections not as a pitch, but because I see how vividly this book can connect with readers who long for stories that pulse with energy and heart. I work quietly to help books and creative works find the readers who will feel their emotional and thematic core and share them organically. If you’re interested, I’d be glad to tailor an Audience Development Strategy around Trieste.
Warmly,
Kristin.