Book Review: Wrenched by Emma James

WRENCHED
(Hell’s Bastard, #1)
by Emma James
Release Date: September 1
EDGE
My name is Dallas ‘Edge’ Masson and I’m the Soulless Bastards MC’s enforcer.
I was raised by an evil bastard.
The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
I have personal business.
Whisper is my business.
I will be her judge and jury.
My father may have been Hell’s Bastard, but he was still my father.
They say blood is thicker than water.
I’m about to find out.
 
WHISPER
Life has been a bitch to me.
I don’t even know my full name.
I was a secret.
Miss Catherine changed my life.
I have friends.
I trust in people.
But then it all had to be wrenched away from me.
 
 SGMyReview

In her newest book, Emma James delves into the cold hard world of outlaw motorcycle clubs. Wrenched, a new title in the Hell’s Bastard Series, is not for the faint hearted, and by the end of the first chapter you will know if it’s for you or not. James starts off with a literal bang, and keeps the momentum going throughout the story, taking the reader on a dark and dirty journey.

This book is heavily focused on the female lead character, so if you’re looking for a male dominated, heavy motorcycle club read, you won’t get it here. This is a dark and twisted suspense novel, with a motorcycle club influence. It certainly doesn’t detract at all, in fact Whispers story line is intriguing and will have you glued to the pages. Whisper has been secluded from the outside world her entire life, and once she escapes from the horrible world she has been bought up in, her real life and growth begins.

Edge is the enforcer for the Soulless Bastards Motorcycle Club. He’s a presumably heartless bastard who will do anything for his club. His demeanor is wild, but calculated. His mission in life is thrown into a loop when he stumbles across a stranger in a bar. One ride with her (literally) and he can’t stop thinking of her. Who is she? Why is she such a mystery? The answers are unraveled right towards the end of the book! Edge will certainly have you hanging for the next installment.

Having read books in her other series (think complete opposite to this story) I commend Emma James on the growth in her writing. She shows the maturity that writing in multiple genres can produce and it comes through on the pages.

I look forward to following this series and finding out more on the characters, and their motivation for being who they are. There is a lot of mystery and intrigue in these stories, so make sure you read this if you like dark and dirty storylines. I have a feeling the best is yet to come, including the romance.

One bullet to maim and cause pain…
Oooph! Is all I can grunt out as I’m slammed sideways into the ground from the place I had been stalking my prey.One second I was aiming at the old whore so I could give her a taste of pain before we got down to business, and the next I’m bulldozed sideways as I pull the trigger, my head bouncing off the ground like a crash dummy.
WTF?
A body has landed on me and the next thing I feel is a jaw crunching blow to my face which feels like a sledge hammer has tried to take my head off. I’m left dazed and disorientated.
I was pissed before, but now I’m fucking furious, rage has me twisting about on the ground trying to see what the fuck just happened.

Jesus, her nipples are so hard I whistle at the sight of them. “Nice tits, little lady”. She pushes them up closer toward my face. I duck my head swiping my tongue over one as she starts to ride me. I suck it inside my mouth and bite down on it, enough to have her arch up a little in pain. Then she’s offering me the other one. She’s a greedy little thing.
pull her hair out of her pony tail and she shakes her hair out which is one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen. I have her amazing body naked on my bike while she straddles my dick and her hair is flowing wild behind her as the mild breeze catches it.
I need more.
I slide my hands under her thighs and tug her legs up and pull her inside me a little closer. She lays back against the petrol tank, moving so my balls are gonna spank her rim. Then I take over.
Emma James lives in Queensland, Australia with her supportive 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?

She loves hearing from readers, so please feel free to drop her a PM on Facebook.

Blog Tour: A Little Faith by Emma James

 

Cover Design : Jemina Venter
Book Nerd Fan Girl Designs

Genre: Contemporary Romance. New Adult Romance.
“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the
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.

Six years later she is older and stronger and has decided to confront this sexy brotherhood of hot men she ignored for her own survival.

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.

Faith isn’t going back to Dallas in a hurry, not until she can help those that need her the most.

This is a story of new beginnings, a strong brotherhood of sexy guys and a love that has been lost along the way. It is a story with twists and surprises that will tug at your heart as well as make you laugh.

Humor is a weapon that can only last so long until life peels the layers back and what is underneath and hurting shows through.

Faith wasn’t there for them when they needed her, but she damn well will make sure she is now.

Welcome to Ocean Beach.

Sometimes you just have to have A Little Faith.

REVIEW:

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.

EXCERPT
FAITH POV
I’m swiveling back  and forth, searching the crowd for Harley.

“Hey, short  stuff.” A deep voice slices into my thoughts from over my right shoulder.

I slowly turn around, meeting Harley’s smiling face. I may have been short once, but now I am five-foot-eight, not exactly below-average height.

I take in Harley. He’s tall—six-four, at least—and gorgeous with light brown, short hair; tanned skin; and does he have some ink work on his arms? I’m normally very curious about tattoos, but now isn’t the time to look. 

I know I’m looking him up and down, but it’s  been so long, and he has changed. The softer boy features have been replaced by a big, muscular, chiseled man.

I swallow.

“Wow, is that really you, Harley Madden?” I’m drinking him in. I don’t remember Harley being so big and buff. His charcoal t-shirt molds tightly to his chest like a second skin. He wasn’t this muscular the last time I saw him. His belted, black jeans and boots complete his handsome look that has quite a few people in the crowd appraising him. He looks a little dangerous in his dark clothing. He would make Will purr like the cat who got the cream. I must admit, even I’m a little taken back.
He leans in and grabs me in a bear hug, lifting me off the ground, leaving me a little breathless. My face is nestled in his
neck, catching his scent of cologne and soap.


Wow.

“Okay, big guy, you can stop squeezing the life out of me now,” I try to breathe out. He loosens his hold and slowly let’s go
while I take a step back.


“You look amazing, Harley.” I find myself smiling. It feels good. I was worried about feeling awkward meeting Harley again after so long, but something just clicks. He was my brother’s best friend, and I’ve known him all my life. “It’s been a long time.”

“I could say the same about you. I might have to start calling you Faith.” He flashes me an amused grin, showing me perfect, white teeth and a dimple.

The baggage carousel starts up and everybody squeezes in tighter, trying to jockey for a position to get their luggage when it appears.

“Whoa!” I’m already beginning to feel less nervous having Harley here with me when I’m suddenly knocked off balance.
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.


I step away from him when I notice my case coming towards me.

Harley stops me with a gentle, firm hand on my arm. “I’ll get it for you, which one?”

With one, bright blue suitcase and camera bag in his hands, Harley walks me out the sliding doors of the airport and we cross to the parking garage.

The sun is shining, and my grey hoodie jacket is making me too hot. I unzip it, taking it off as I’m walking, revealing a tight white tank top. Much cooler.

Harley is staring at my chest and nearly trips over. I roll my eyes. You can never take the boy out of the man.

“Harley, are you finished staring?” I laugh a little at the look on his face. “So I grew up.”

“You certainly did,” he mutters and looks away. I could have sworn I heard him swear and mumble something about guard duty.

As we approach his vehicle, I’m stunned. wow! Harley has a black Hummer. I do my best to hide how surprised I am.

Harley stows my luggage in back, and then we climb in and set off.

The Hummer suits Harley; he is such a big, masculine guy.

“Beautiful car. Where to James?”

Harley slides on a pair of vintage aviator Ray Bans, giving me a superstar smile that is a heart stopper. “La Jolla. I have a
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.


The radio is playing Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruisewith Nelly. I put my sunglasses on, roll my window down, prop my right arm up on the open window, and hold onto the outside of the car. I can’t help tapping my fingers and nodding my head to the
beat, quietly singing along as the breeze blows my hair free.


I can see Harley out of the corner of my eye, stealing glances and smiling.

We don’t talk, although it’s not uncomfortable. I think we both have a lot swimming about in our heads. I’m simply taking it
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.


Holy shit is all I can think the closer we get to Harley’s place. The view of the beach is incredible. As we drive higher, I’m itching to get my camera out and ask Harley to pull over so I can take some photos. We are driving past some beautiful homes, overlooking the coast. It’s not long until we make a turn, and then he drives up a long driveway towards an unbelievable looking place.

“You sure you got the right address?” I know my mouth is gaping open.

Harley looks over at me then reaches out, gently pushing my chin up so my mouth closes.

“What did you do? Rob a bank!”

Harley lets out a full blown belly laugh, which makes me turn and stare at him. “No.”

Wow! The Hummer and now the house, or what I would call a freakin’ big, two-story, contemporary mansion. It’s beautiful.

And the view!

This is when I realize I don’t really know anything about Harley and where these guys have all ended up.

He sobers up, and I see him looking at the black and chrome Jeep Cherokee parked farther up the drive. His hands grip the steering wheel while his jaw tenses.

What now?

Something tells me I’m going to be meeting the guys sooner rather than later.

“So, is this the girlfriend, the ex-girlfriend, or the guys?” I joke because that’s all I know how to do when I feel cornered.
*I saw this pic as I was reading it and I am pretty sure I wiped some drool off my chin!

PURCHASE LINKS:

About the Author:
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, the first book released in the Ocean Beach series is proving to be quite the surprise read of 2014 for contemporary romance lovers. She hopes you will join her and her sexy brotherhood of characters.

Because…sometimes you just have to have a little faith.
Giveaway ButtonClick on the image below to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway
*Open Internationally – Giveaway is hosted by Author
 
REVIEWS ONLY GIVEAWAY As a thank you to everybody who reads and reviews A Little Faith there is a rafflecopter giveaway set up for a chance to win one of two $15.00 Amazon
Gift Cards. Open internationally and only to those who read/review honestly on
Goodreads and Amazon.
 
 
 






HOPE IS LOST –  RELEASING JANUARY 2015