Noel Monk was Van Halen’s manager until 1984, and this book tells all, from his perspective, that happened in the band, during that time frame that he managed them.

I found it very intriguing to learn about what happens behind the scenes, not only with the band, but with the inner workings of management, marketing, politics; all of it is very enlightening. From reading Noel’s story, one can learn to appreciate all that is or isn’t within the band’s control.

Reading about the outrageous pranks and hanky-panky that went on was at times funny, disturbing and sad. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be on the road that often and for the stretches of time that they were away from their families and friends, and so young, too.

Noel gives a personal glimpse of what it was like to encounter the band and their ups and downs, and I paid special attention to the dynamics between him and Eddie. Noel’s experience with the Van Halen brothers was very special, and at times intense. He oftentimes played referee with the boys, and his role didn’t always focus on the brothers, either.

Watching them rise and fall must have been difficult, and the reader picks up on the anger and tension that is still evident from Noel’s abrupt departure from the band. Learning that, like many fish in the sea, Noel was just another number, must have been a bitter pill to swallow. You can feel it in some of his words. He cuts to the quick, as I’m sure the brothers did to him, too.

It was a fun read, definitely, but with an eye-opening edge. If you think that band members have superhuman powers, read this book. They are just as human as the next guy. They went into stardom blindly, and almost overnight, and when you throw in manipulation, money, substance abuse, adultery, politics, and family, you get a mess of both highs and lows…you get Van Halen.

Overall, a great read. I would read it again and recommend it to anyone who has a love for biographies, with a small caveat: if you love Eddie, like I do, you might want to keep in mind that he’s gone now, so appreciate Noel’s story for what it is and for what it was. And remember that we never will get Eddie’s point of view on many of the matters discussed in this book. So, take it with a grain of salt.
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Click here to view the book on Amazon.

Numerous books and articles have been read, which I’ll get into later, Facebook groups joined, Instagram photos saved, the list goes on and on. 

There is an ocean of photographs saved in my phone of him, and my favorite two adorn my wallpaper and lockscreen. 

I just…can’t get enough. 

I feel like I lost so many years of him, and that I, along with millions of other fans, miss him dearly. 

Van Halen is all I’ve listened to since October, and almost every non-necessity purchase I’ve made since then has been of memorabilia; books, t-shirts, a mug, a licence plate cover, a necklace, and I’ll buy more.

Never one to watch YouTube videos, I’ve been planted in front of it, watching countless hours of footage and listening to days and days of radio recordings dating as far back as 1978, when I was just 3 years old.  

This is my favorite video of him...so...Eddie :)

Hell, I’ve even started writing a rock star romance series, but that somehow doesn’t seem like enough. 

I want to do more. 

Are any of you fans out there?  Did you ever meet him or want to meet him?  Did you see Van Halen in concert?

If so, I invite you to share your story with me.  I have an idea in mind that I’ll share with you all later, but for now, I’d like to field some thoughts from readers.

If you don't feel comfortable leaving a comment, please feel free to email me at rsappleyard@hotmail.com.

Thanks in advance for sharing.

"Awesome read!!  A book that is fast-paced and well-written filled with a great storyline and caring, wonderful characters.
I loved the chemistry and bond between Christopher and Ashley. Would love to read more about the Lynch family."
-5 Star Review from Angelica Larsson, Booksprout

​Guardian angels really do come in many forms...

Kayla marries Nick when she isn’t old enough to know better. With an ever-ailing mother and co-ownership of Nick’s company, Kayla is too busy to see what everyone else does until it is too late. With no children, an unfinished education, and both the intelligence and drive to move mountains, nothing can stand in Kayla’s way…until the first day of school.

Daniel is hard-nosed, has a chip on his shoulder, and he has neither the time nor the desire for anything other than work. Pre-med and former military, Daniel is the chosen sibling to watch his father post-stroke, adding fuel to his ire, as his already busy life has been put on hold. He’s a loner, hard-working, he’s rich…and he is about as sexy as they come.

Kayla and Daniel have a very awkward meeting….at least on the second attempt. Daniel can’t stand the once-too-forward girl he met when forced to go out with his friends, and Kayla begrudges her friends for forcing her to slip off her wedding ring and party before the ink dried on her divorce papers. Kayla never expected things to end up the way that they did, and if she could take it back, she would. But life’s like that.

Everything is all perfunctory between Daniel and Kayla until Daniel learns something about her that compels him to help her in a way that nobody else can. While she refuses to take the hand that he’s offering her, she soon realizes that when it comes down to it, he is all that she’s got, and he soon realizes that she’s all that he’s ever wanted…he just never knew it. A once-hardened man softens and learns to open his heart, because his heart will take nothing less than hers.

A heartbreaking yet heartwarming love story about what happens in real life when two people are forced together under difficult circumstances. Daniel and Kayla will warm your heart and renew your belief that true love is really out there, even when you’re not necessarily looking for it. This is the first book in a new steamy romance series. All the books in this series can be read in any order. Pick up your copy today!

​***ALL THE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES CAN BE READ IN ANY ORDER***

Is Colton Ford just another wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing, or is he the real thing?

Colton all but wears a sign that says ‘No Women Allowed’ after his failed marriage to Pam. Pam promised him the world but never delivered. It’s no wonder when he meets the beautiful and intelligent Julia, he doesn’t let his heart pave the way. Colton’s love of his horse ranch, his students, his brothers and his money keep him happy. He doesn’t need or want anything else. When Julia walks into his life, Colton decides it’s best to proceed with caution, and the feeling is mutual.

John is sexy, successful and perfect fiancé material…when he’s not controlling, delusional and downright creepy. But how do you dump a guy your loyal and loving father fixes you up with, without breaking two hearts? When Julia goes MIA to her estranged sister’s place out of state, John goes ballistic. Especially when her sister works with dreamy-eyed Colton, and Julia finds herself spending a lot of time with them. But it’s difficult to keep someone safe when you don’t know they’re in danger.

Gun-shy, self-protective, and hiding from the truth, Julia is in no position to open her heart to anyone. Particularly when she has to look over her shoulder for her stalker fiancé every step of the way. Fearful and scarred, Julia doesn’t know what to do when her hormones wake up just at the sight of Colton. It seems no matter what door she opens, both the wolf and the sheep are there. When Julia’s past finally catches up to her, John demands her to do the one thing she can’t do…or die.

...

Her loyalty and all-consuming love were the reasons why I chose her…until she made me a promise she didn’t keep.

She was the one who waited for me while I was overseas. She was the one who loved me the way nobody else did. She’s also the one who broke my heart by not keeping her promise.

I thought I was done with women for good…until Julia came along.

Afghanistan changes a man in a way nothing else can, and the women flock to me like magnets because of it…but I don’t want any of them. The way they look at me, I’d like to tear their eyes out.

Julia doesn’t look at me like I’m a piece of meat. She also doesn’t see dollar signs when she finds out I’m a Ford boy.

Problem is, Julia doesn’t want anyone any more than I do. She’s running from something, but she won’t tell me what or whom….and then I find out the hard way.

….

Sure, running away is the cowardly thing to do. But if you were in my shoes, you might have done the same.

Colton is the type of guy to steer clear of, at least that's what my sister Liz says. He’s got this smouldering look that makes me lock eyes with him. But then we both look away. And it’s all good, because another man is the last thing I need…especially another man with major issues.

When Colton finds out what I’m running from, he teaches me a thing or two about men, and not in a way I would expect.

He’s full of surprises…especially that one kiss that leaves me breathless. It’s the last thing either of us wants…and the first thing we both need. He promised it would never happen again, but evidently his body and his heart are at a crossroads. I’m suffering from the same affliction.

A sizzling, suspenseful, yet heart-warming erotic romance, the first in the standalone Ford Brothers Series. All the books can be enjoyed alone or in order. Fasten your seat belts, the Ford brothers are here! Pick up your copy today!

​The above is the book cover for a memoir I wrote and published in 2012, and it's an actual x-ray of my back, taken in 2007.   It's called Bilateral Scoliosis.
​
To help allay symptoms, I exercise regularly (every day) and go to physiotherapy weekly.  I enjoy strength training with weights, Pilates, Yoga, and lower body work.  Nightly walks are great for cardio, too :)

​Yoga, Pilates and strength training have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, but my latest craze is...

​For anyone who has back problems, I highly recommend the Yoga Swing or Yoga Trapeze.  Such a great stretching and strengthening tool!

Is that all she does? Exercise? God, she must be BORING!!