Book Blog
Blog Tour & Review: Hope is Lost by Emma James
SYNOPSIS
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
-Jimi Hendrix
Keanu Lee, the funny man, finds himself on the sticky end of a night out with his best friend Levi.
Keanu’s life is about to take another unexpected, sharp turn. New friends will be found under the most unique circumstances.
Hope Walker is a lost soul, and Ajax, the street performer, is her unspoken protector. Together, they survive the streets of Ocean Beach.
Life has a way of righting wrongs when you least expect it.
Come join this sexy crew as they show you that, even though life may take from you, it can also give back when you least anticipate it.
The Ocean Beach series continues with the brotherhood, passion, and laughter you have grown to love, and through the eyes of these survivors, you will realize love can truly heal.
The past will never be forgotten, but there is hope if you just allow yourself to have a little faith.
“Do you want to come join us, Keanu? I just realized you were sitting over here by yourself.”
I look over at Slade and then back over at Phoenix. “So, kids, what’s up with you two?” OKAY, so I’m starting to slur a little.
“Sounds like you’ve had enough alcohol for the night,” Phoenix says.
Slade grunts and pretends he’s busy, wiping the bar down, even though he has wiped the same place in front of Phoenix several times. Phoenix turns her back on Slade and aims her boobies in my face, which I think is funny, so I start getting that drunk man-giggle going. Wanting to annoy Slade, she pretends I’m not being a little school boy, but she’s doing it with the wrong person. I am not getting in between those two.
Slade clears his throat. “Is there an order you’d like to put in for you and your friends?” The friends bit is said not so friendly.
“Oh, hey, Slade. I didn’t see you there,” she quips over her shoulder at him.
How could she not see him? He’s huge. I think I’m seeing two of him, which makes me chuckle.
“I’ll be right with you. Keanu and I are talking.”
Ooooh, she did not just use me to make Slade wait. On that note, I decide I shall move on home and slam my hand down a little too hard on the bar.
“Okay, guys, sorry to be a pooper, but I’m heading on home, and I will leave you two to whatever this is you two are doing.” I lean over and give Phoenix a kiss on the cheek and catch the possessive glare being directed at me from Slade. “I think I will call a cab.”
“I’ll do it for you. You go wait out front, and there will be one with you shortly,” Slade growls out to me.
Somebody is a bit grouchy.
“Thanks, bro. Enjoy the rest of your night, and same to you, too, Phoenix.” I shake Slade’s hand and head off to take a piss before I leave.
I’m wearing the doppelganger tonight, so I’m a bit slower with taking a leak. After what happened with Levi today, something inside me just wanted to make me feel a bit more normal tonight, so I chose to wear the doppelganger prosthetic under my loose fitting long sleeved t-shirt. I should have fought the insecurities which had decided to rear their ugly head and just worn the ‘big gun.’ Sometimes, I let them creep up on me and take over then wonder if I’m whole enough for somebody to love me.
I zip my pants up and think, Fuck it! I’m quite a catch. Then I have another chuckle to myself.
I head on out, yelling goodbye to Slade as I leave and waving to Phoenix.
Slade raises one arm in the air to wave at me yet doesn’t take his eyes off Phoenix, whom he seems to be having a heated discussion with. Those two kids need to just give into each other.
Almost as soon as I walk outside, a cab pulls up, and he calls out to me through his open window. “Are you Keanu?”
I move towards the back passenger door. “The one and only.”
Emma James lives in Queensland, Australia with her smexy husband, three children and a big black Labrador. Life is busy and most entertaining in the James household.Writing has been a part of her life for many years. Life was getting on and it was time to put her fears aside and do what she does best. It was time to show readers what she was made of, take that leap off the diving board and see where it takes her.Emma is a creative person at heart. She loves to read as much as write, devouring books into the wee hours of the morning.Who needs sleep, right?Photography is another great passion of hers.A Little Faith is the first book released in the Ocean Beach series and proved to be quite the surprise read of 2014 for contemporary romance lovers with Hope Is Lost following closely on.Emma James is one determined snowflake who is here to make her imprint in the writing world.
LINKS
There is a giveaway for a $10 Amazon gift card and 3 ebooks (direct to Kindle) of Hope Is Lost
Click below image to enter
Teaser Tuesday – March 3rd, 2015
How Fun does Teaser Tuesday sound?! I know they’re done loads over on Facebook, but I thought it’d be fun to start them over here!!!!! So, let’s get started ….I only have one for you so far…
Exotic Racing Crusader by JORDANA mia LEZAMY

If you would like to be featured in the future Teaser Tuesday posts please email me at sydneygenreads@gmail.com Please include images and any excerpts in PLAIN or HTML format.
Sunday Spotlight: Authors On Show – Jessica Florence
About the Author:
I’m pretty talented right?! I absolutely love writing. It’s been a pure dream to write and put my stories out into the world for all the lovely readers to have in their grabby hands. I currently own my own business in Southwest Florida.I love the warm weather, and the humidity.
I love torturing my husband 🙂 playing with my dog Rogue, and making my super cute as hell baby smile.
I’m obsessed with survival stuff. Just put me out in the woods for a weekend and I will Bear Grylls it up!
I’m not a good cook, I can make quesadillas like no bodies business though!
I am a geeky redhead that reads books, and likes to be outside.
Jessica’s Books
Genre: Contemporary Suspense Romance
Beach Eyes: Beautiful gold surrounding the pupils, just like sand at the beach, and then
suddenly BAM! A deep blue like the ocean.
It all started with beach eyes for Scarlet
Barnette. After jumping into bed with men
without getting to know them first, she has learned it always ends in disaster. So she puts
everything she has into running her self defense studio. As Valentine’s Day approaches Scarlet tries to steer clear of men who promise her a good time. Until she meets Darien Valentine and his beach eyes.
Resisting him is going to take every ounce of
control she has. Especially when she finds out he is her sexy new neighbor.
Darien Valentine wants Scarlet.
As soon as he saw her, he knew he had to have her.
She says she wants to be friends before lovers. Well Darien is just going to be the best friend she will ever have. Looks like this Navy Seal has his next mission.
Will they be able to resist giving in?
And when Tragedy strikes, will they survive it at all?
The more I see the less I know for sure- John Lennon.
After living in peace for twenty five years Thalia Alexander’s life is about to change.
A black hair, grey eyed, sexy man shows up in her dreams, and then in reality. He looked like trouble with a capital T, but she couldn’t stay away. Something inside her called out for him.
Tristan Jacks is intense, and has a possessiveness for Thalia that she doesn’t understand. They just met, but it would seem like she has known him a lot longer.
Those strange dreams continue to stalk Thalia as her relationship with Tristan builds to be an epic love for the ages.
What do those dreams mean to her? Is Tristan the sexy, sweet, bad ass man he claims?
And when secrets are revealed will she be able to handle the truth?
Coming Soon:
It was supposed to be an easy stake out.
Until a bunch of bachelorettes mobbed me,changing my life forever.
I couldn’t get Andi Slaton, with her red hair, blue eyes, and cotton candy flavored lip gloss out of my head.
But when she offers herself to aid the FBI to help me take down the biggest criminal family in Tampa, Florida, my very sanity is put to the test watching her spend time with my arch enemy.
She’s everything I want, I will be everything to her.
We will be Evergreen.
1. How would you describe the writing to publishing process? Any fun analogies?
Writing is the fun part. I don’t do outlines or anything of that sort. I picture it like a body. I have all the bones in my head, then as I go I add in everything else, and POOF I have a little book baby. I am the absolute worst at editing. and working on the covers is fun. Once all that’s done it’s easy. You just push some buttons.
2. Are you a plotter or a fly by the seat of your pants type writer?
Haha, Like I said before I am not a plotter. I have the main things I want to happen then just write as I go for the in between parts.
3. Do you listen to music or are you a silence in the library writer?
I listen to music. Sometimes. During the emotional parts for sure. My first book I don’t think I stopped listening to music the whole time. I always have music or a movie going on in the background. Silence just doesn’t work for me.
4. You’re going to a deserted island and you’re allowed 3 books to read for the rest of your life… which books and why?
Eek, Um hard decision.
Wallbanger by Alice Clayton -Because this book makes me laugh over and over. I just love it to death. Never tire of it.
In flight ( up in the air first book) by R.K.Lilley – I lovee this book so much. I love James. He is my ultimate Book boyfriend.
Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout- Simple answer.. Daemon.
Huge thanks to Jessica for stepping into the spotlight. I am loving this Sunday post. So much variety in the answers and all different types of authors… the Best!!! Be sure to connect with Jessica at all her places on the buttons below!!!
I started university again this week so I’ve been a little slow with finishing books. I’ve started some, so will tee up some reviews for the week! I’ve been asking for recommendations and excited to see such a broad range of books being presented! If you ever have a rec let me know! In the mean time —- Happy Reading!
Rating Reviews: Star Light – Star Bright – How Many Stars Will We Add?
Before now I haven’t given any of the books I’ve reviewed a star rating. I do so on Goodreads because it makes me, but I’ve always felt that it was saying a very clear message of read this ..or don’t, based on stars. I think writing what you didn’t like and what you did like really mean a lot more than stars. However….. it seems that stars are really important when it comes to all those awesome authors I get to read. So from now on, all reviews will be accompanied by a star rating. Below is a table of what the star ratings mean for this blog:
1 star = Did Not Finish – Not For Me – You might like it so at least check it out
(I’m going to be honest and say I probably won’t share a lot of these – is there really a point in making an author who has put their heart and soul into something feel bad?! Nope!)
2 star = I see the point of the book but I just didn’t like it. It didn’t connect with me. It was really hard to finish but I did. Check it out at your own risk.
(again, not sure how many of these I’ll post, but that’s okay!)
3 star = Was a good book. Interesting and engaging, although it was a book I could easily put down and come back to. I still liked it and would really like if you checked it out.
4 star = I really loved this book. It captured me. It kept me interested and I really enjoyed being able to escape into this books world and characters.
5 star = Whoa. What day is it? I spent all day ignoring the housework, and all night ignoring sleep just so I could finish this book. It was AMAZING and you should DEFINITELY check it out – IMMEDIATELY.
I’ll start this system with the next posted review … for now…
Happy Reading!
Pre-Release Review: Call Sign Karma by Jamie Rae
Genre: Romance. New Adult Romance. Contemporary Romance.
Distraught over the loss of her brother in a fighter jet accident, Tinklee Pinkerton decides to follow in his footsteps and prove the tragedy wasn’t his fault. But when she’s chosen as the first woman to fly the Air Force’s F-35, her plan for a life that revolves around work is thrown off course by a handsome, mysterious stranger…
Thanks to Locke’s seductive British accent, sweet nature, and one too many beers, Tink is soon inspired to throw caution to the wind and herself into his arms. She thinks maybe love can heal after all—until she discovers Locke is her superior officer. Tink has no problem risking her life in the air, but with everything on the line, is she brave enough to risk her heart on the ground?
I absolutely loved this book. It kept me awake all night reading it. I laughed, I gulped, I sobbed, I sighed. An emotional roller coaster of a read. I was a bit sad and slightly annoyed that the main character was so bent on beating herself up, but in the end I really liked how the author managed to play it all out. Tinklee, a female fighter pilot has to be one tough chick, in the middle of a boys world, I found the characters emotions of strengths and weaknesses came through well on the page. The two main male characters, Locke and Ash, were worthy of a starring role, and were believable hotties to drool over. It also helps that one of my all-time favourite movies is Top Gun, and it was just on tele the other night! Something about a uniform, a fighter pilot, and managing to handle all that expensive equipment…. *proceeds to fan self* Recommend this book as a great summer (or winter, autumn, spring) read. This book had it all – tension, laughs, and love. Out on January 5th be sure to grab this pre-order now! It’s worth it!
Buy Links:
Amazon : Barnes & Noble : Book Depository : Kobo : iBooks : Google
About The Author:
In her other life, Jamie Rae enjoys creating smiles that will last a lifetime as an orthodontist and keeps her heart overflowing with love as a mother of three. She has perfected the art of nomadic living as a military spouse and Air Force veteran. Jamie has a passion for critters of all shapes and sizes and you can often find her sneaking them into her own home or volunteering for rescues.
Dream~Write~Inspire
Author Web Site : Good Reads : Facebook : Twitter
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Blog Tour: A Little Faith by Emma James
Book Nerd Fan Girl Designs
Genre: Contemporary Romance. New Adult Romance.
only choice you have.”
~ Bob Marley
Faith was nearly fifteen when her life was torn apart, she sheltered herself from knowing anything about that fateful day.
Harley, Keanu, Text, Levi and Retro will reveal to Faith all is not what it seems and she will discover the level of strength these friends possess.She will come to realize the secrets they have all been shielding her from in humorous and emotional ways.
This book was a little different for me. Each chapter is written in a different point of view and often I feel quite put off when that happens. Luckily for me, Emma James was able to create a rhythm and tone that allowed the reader to slip into each character as their chapter came up. From the first page of this book I was immersed into the world of the boys of Ocean Beach and after the first chapter, there was no way I could pass this book up. I was not expecting the events and characters of the first chapter to be the way they were, but it is a well set-up chapter to begin the story.
I enjoyed the way the author portrayed every character and their interaction, it was really what made the storyline weave together, knitting the struggles, the dreams that haunt them, and the underlying guilt that’s binding them all as one. I really feel Faith comes into the story as a bit of a heroine, and saviour to all of the boys. Give it a read if you’re after a storyline that will most likely make you gasp, laugh, cry, and feel like you can’t wait until the next book in the series comes out.
I commend James on her bravery with her writing style, and wish her wonderful things for the future.
I’m swiveling back and forth, searching the crowd for Harley.
neck, catching his scent of cologne and soap.
while I take a step back.
Harley’s left arm snags me around the waist, bringing me up against his hard side. He shoots the person beside me a dirty look. Some people really do need to chill out when they travel.
place up on Vista De La Playa.” Harley then assures me we will be at his place in less than half an hour with the lunch time traffic.
beat, quietly singing along as the breeze blows my hair free.
all in, while he knows why I’m here. He knows this isn’t easy for me. I pull my phone out of my bag, take a quick snap of the coastline, and text Mom and Dad, attaching the pic. I let them know Harley has me, and we are heading to his place now. I then send Will a text and tell her I’ll chat in a couple days when I have something to tell her. I don’t hear back straight away.
PURCHASE LINKS:
Emma James lives in Queensland, Australia with her smexy husband, three children and a big black Labrador. Life is busy and most entertaining in the James household.

as write, devouring books into the wee hours of the morning. Who needs sleep, right? Photography is another great passion of hers.


*Open Internationally – Giveaway is hosted by Author
Gift Cards. Open internationally and only to those who read/review honestly on
Goodreads and Amazon.
Pre-Release Blitz – Winter Wolf by Rachel M Raithby
Genre: Young Adult. Paranormal.
Katalina Winter has been living for eighteen years, with a secret hidden inside of her, a secret not even she knew.
With this secret comes consequences, expectations, one’s she’s not willing to fulfill; she’ll give her heart to whom she wishes, even if he is, a Dark Shadow wolf…
Join Katalina as she navigates her way through this world at war, where the alpha is law, and only the strong survive. You will see the power of true love, and the length’s people will go to destroy it.
**Please note this is a YA Stand alone novel, no cliffhangers**
I’m looking forward to reading this book, which will be released soon! If you’d like to get a sneak peek and read the first THREE chapters – click on the teaser below!!!
I’ve being reading books for as long as I can remember but I never thought about writing until I read Nalini Singh – Slave to sensation which is the first book in her psy-changling series. At first I just wrote fan fiction until one morning I woke up with a story of my own. Lincoln
Pre Order Links Below: