Saturday, November 28, 2015

[Review] Hope is Lost by Emma James

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.

*Reader Note*

This novel contains strong sexual content for the mature 18+ reader.

Click here or the image for the review of A Little Faith, Book One in Men of the Ocean Beach Series

A Little Faith (Book One): AMAZON
Hope Is Lost (Book Two): AMAZON

My Thoughts

Just like my review of the first book in the Men of Ocean Beach Series this too will be a little vague because I can't share everything. You have to experience it for yourself. Note that these books have multiple POV and this is what makes them so special and great. The first book consisted with a lot of explaining and detail and Retro. Now this one focuses on Keanu. Oh Keanu you make my heart beat! He is one of my favorites but I love them all. Keanu has a personality that is absolutely amazing! The puns he says and the T-Shirts that him and Levi make are fun. I love that nothing can bring him down. He has so much love and forgiveness in him.

Let me name all the possible guys you could love. Here is a list:
Retro- Says it like it is and has a lot of love in him. He knows how to treat a girl right!
Keanu- Amazing and makes you laugh. He is something special.
Levi- Have not heard much from him but his book is coming up next! Oh the excitement!
Harley- Overprotective hunk. Enough said.
Jase- Oh Jase! You are one silent, sweet, brooding, manly guy! I absolutely love him!
Faith- Yeah, yeah, I know she is not a guy but she is a big part of this book so she gets her own little description. She is great and I am glad she finally rejoined the crew and I like the part she will have in the following books. I am most excited about her love story. Well, small lie, I am excited for them all.

So now that you know all the guys in this book you can choose for yourself who you love more! Which is near impossible. Anyway, back to Keanu. In this book a lot of things happened that were unexpected. Keanu has a little inconvenience but all is well in the end. He also does something unexpected that made me fall even more in love with him. His words and that sweetness about him swoon worthy.

The book introduces more about people we just barely got a glimpse of in the first book and some brand new characters. I really don't have much else to say except that book has really made me count down the days for Joy is Found, the next book that will be release soon.

[Release Day] The Blood Scion by Nazarea Andrews

Today we are celebrating the release of THE BLOOD SCION by Nazarea Andrews. It is the beginning of a brand new paranormal series from Nazarea, The Scion Legacy. Don't miss picking up The Scionless House, a novella in the series, because it is FREE!

Click here to add THE BLOOD SCION to Goodreads

THE BLOOD SCION Blurb:

I was just a reporter, trying to stay ahead of my student loans. I knew the rules, and I followed them. I thought I knew how the world worked—humans lived their petty little lives in the safety of the sun. We loved and fought and—when the sun sank—we scurried behind our walls and lived in fear. That is when the monsters came out to play. And even in the safety of the sun, we knew who ruled us. The Houses. And their Scions. Everyone knows the great Houses and their Scions—they are feared and loved and hated and envied. They are the gods who walk the shadows and rule all of our lives. They are salvation and death. And somehow, I am one of them.

PURCHASE THE BLOOD SCION

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

THE PREQUEL NOVELLA

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000446_00073]

Click here to add THE SCIONLESS HOUSE to Goodreads
THE SCIONLESS HOUSE Blurb:

Twelve Houses. Twelve vampire lines. We ruled from the shadows, and manipulated the world, and when humans came too close to destruction, we intervened. Every House has a Scion. A fragile, easily broken human that stood shoulder to shoulder with the house Princes and Princesses. Except for ours. The Ravens, House Cantelie. We've been without a Scion for almost fifteen years. But that will change...and her life will be mine to protect.
Get THE SCIONLESS HOUSE for FREE!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nazarea Andrews (N to almost everyone) is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. Which means she writes everything from zombies and dystopia to contemporary love stories. When not writing, she can most often be found driving her kids to practice and burning dinner while she reads, or binging watching TV shows on Netflix. N loves chocolate, wine, and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, spoiled cat and overgrown dog. She is the author of World Without End series, Neverland Found, Edge of the Falls, and The University of Branton Series. Stop by her twitter (@NazareaAndrews) and tell her what fantastic book she should read next.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Street Team

Blogging, Social Media, and More

My Thoughts

I am just sitting here thinking about blogging and I decided to write my thoughts down. Blogging has become an awesome part of my life. I have made connections with some bloggers and I have become friends with some. I love sharing thoughts and books with other bloggers because I love the excitement that they show. When I talk about books to someone in real life, sometimes they just disregard me. They just don't get it! I get consumed by books that are good. I need to share my thoughts and my feelings. I need to share my tears and my joy. I need to share my love/hate relationship with the author. And you know who the best people to share those thoughts with are? They usually are bloggers or other readers. They understand me just like I understand them. The one blogger I love talking to is Jae @abookishbluebird. I love following her blog and I love talking to her. She gets me when we talk about books! I love meeting new bloggers or readers so shoot me a message on Facebook, Twitter, or send me an email. I think it is so fun to communicate with people all around the world that share the same love for reading. Also, leave a comment because I love discovering new blogs to follow.

In regards to blogging, I have recently been thinking about something that might not seem important to many people but it is important to me. I love sharing my reviews and posts on social media. Since we are a small blog we don't get to many retweets, favorites, shares, comments, likes or things like that. But when someone does do that I get so excited and happy. It makes my day! When a follower shares one of my posts on Facebook it gets me so happy. It just gets me so excited that people are reading or looking at things I write. So for me it is a huge deal. That is why whenever I can, I go and like, share, comment or do something like that for a blogger or author. In my head I am just thinking that I hope I made that person feel important. Because every blogger/author out there, no matter how big or small you are, YOU matter.

Now when an author likes, comments, or shares one of my posts? #Boom I collapse. That is a huge deal to me. It gets me so happy. Recently I just discovered a new to me author. She is Emma James. Commenting on her post allowed me to receive her book, A Little Faith. One comment did that. It created this connection that led me to read one of the most amazing book ever. That comment started everything. So we started talking for a little bit and I realized how important it is to authors as well. Authors love it when someone reads and shares their book to the world. It is important to them. What amazed me and made me so happy is that she read my review. She said that my review made her eyes tinkle! I was honored by that. People like her are the reason that I love blogging. It has become incredibly important to me. So yeah, one comment can change you. That is why it has become incredibly important to me.

Now, the Facebook groups that I join have recently become really important to me. I was just on Twitter but then I decided to expand to Facebook. It was one of the best things I have ever done. The blogging community there is huge. I used to just read everyones posts but I wouldn't comment too often in the group. That has changed now. I participate and it is one of the best things ever because these ladies are awesome. This particular Facebook group is for all things Jay McLean. She is one of my favorite authors and if you haven't read her books I highly recommend them. The people in this group are so incredible and beyond funny. I always find myself laughing. It is great! I am happy and honored to be a part of such an amazing group of reader family. #birdsofafeathercoasttogether

Booking Out Besties is a group on Facebook that was just created. Like literally just today. It is already great. I am meeting some new people and it's exciting. This is where all of you can share book, blogger, and author love. It is amazing. So is you need someone to talk books about this is the group to join. Click here to join.

I think that is all for now. I just want to say thank you to anyone who has ever read my posts, commented, shared, and all the likes. It means the world to me. Now spread the love, because sometimes your likes can mean so much more than you think.

Releases on December 3, 2015

Cover Design by Phatpuppy Art

Add it on Goodreads

Underneath our greatest flaws lie our greatest strengths. Jared barely has time to process the revelation that his mother is a witch before his life is once again turned upside down. He wakes up in a time and place he thought he had left behind with no clue how to get out. When Vera shows up the stakes are even higher. Racing to find a way back to reality and to fix mistakes, both must face new truths about their identities, and what they are made of.

FREE on: Amazon | iBooks | Kobo

In the city that never sleeps the Chronicles continue…

Serving coffee is temporary, just like Casey's year off from school. She’s going to come up with a plan to stay in New York City and go back to college, and that plan does not involve dating a paranormal creature—let alone two. Running the supernatural society of New York is not as fun as it sounds, especially when you still have to answer to your ex-girlfriend’s fiancé. Toby doesn’t mean to bring Casey into the chaos of his life, but he can't resist the girl who makes him smile when he thought no one else ever could. Jared's in New York checking out a security risk for his best friend, the king. He plans to return to New Orleans quickly, but not if it means losing his chance with the brunette who pretends she wants nothing to do with him. In over her head with a bunch of winged creatures who most definitely are not angels, Casey has to figure out who to trust with her life and maybe her heart.

About Alyssa Rose Ivy

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Alyssa Rose Ivy is the bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels with over half a million books sold worldwide. She loves to weave stories with romance and humor, and she is best known for writing about college boys with wings and skinny dipping. After surviving law school and earning her masters in library science, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

[Review & Giveaway] A Little Faith by Emma James

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 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.
Faith will come to realize the secrets they have all been shielding her from in humorous and emotional ways.
She isn’t going back to Dallas in a hurry, not until she can help those that need her the most.
This is the first installment in The Men Of Ocean Beach series. A story of new beginnings, a strong brotherhood of sexy guys and a love that has been lost along the way. There are 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 back the layers 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.
One by one each man will find their HEA because sometimes... you just have to have A Little Faith.

Reader Note: This is a mature aged new adult/adult contemporary romance which contains strong sexual content for the mature 18+ reader. Always a HEA but done a little differently. Some things are worth waiting for.

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
I have a GIVEAWAY going on for this ebook! Click here to go enter!

Review

Note: I received this book from the author.
*This is my honest review*

Sometimes I have no words when I read books. Sometimes I have too many words. For this book I was caught in between speechless and wanting to shout out my thoughts to anyone who would listen. I don't know how this review is going to turn out because I literally just finished the book but I couldn't wait to share my thoughts. It is not going to be great though because I can't share most of this book without spoiling it so it is not going to involve a lot of detail or description but just know that it blew me away.

A Little Faith exploded my heart. Emma James you have ruined me. James puts everything into her book. It holds so much pain, grief, and silence, but it also has a sense of faith and hope. Faith and hope for the future. Right off the bat the book makes you question the characters. They are introduced in a way that has you falling in love, especially with the first character introduced.

The first chapter is what the whole book is about. The first chapter has me glued to the book. This chapter makes me feel every emotion possible. Something that I didn't think possible so early on in a book but James pulls out every emotion in me. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I didn't know what to feel. I had to stop reading and just think and feel for a while. I couldn't process or believe what was going on. When I had the guts to continue I was hit again with overwhelming emotions.

The whole book is full of emotions. I get to meet characters that are amazing. The most incredible thing about this book is that there are so many points of view in this book. I didn't think I would like it but James made me love it. Her style works for this book. I love that I get to get inside all their heads. The characters emotions and thoughts are overwhelming. I am blown away at times with their thoughts. I have never experienced a book like this before. It does everything right. James does everything right.

I am sorry that this review is a bunch of brief thoughts but I cannot and will not share anything about this book because if I did there would be too many spoilers that would ruin the book for the reader. Just know that this book is screaming to be read. Once I finish writing this review and preparing this blog post I am running back to my kindle and starting the next book in this series. It is that great.

Emma James you have just become one of my new favorite authors! I can't express just how happy I am that I commented on your post to receive this book to review. I am so mad that I didn't know about this book sooner. How has no one recommended this to me?! It is beyond good. I have never read anything like this. For sure I am recommending this book to everyone I know.

Review and Character Interview: Ignite by Kelly Elliott

IGNITE – Release Day - Nov 17, 2015

There were two things Emmit Lewis loved.

Racing cars and Adaline Morgan.

Time was stolen from the two young lovers and Emmit vowed never again would he allow anything to come between the two of them.

Blurred lines both on and off the track have Emmit being tested beyond his limits. Will he reach the checkered flag and ignite Adaline’s heart, or will he be black-flagged and lose everything he has ever dreamed of?

Goodreads

iBooks

REVIEW

Kelly Elliott always surprises me with her books. She has a way of making characters feel special but with this book they felt so real. They had real problems and it wasn't a smooth ride. Ignite had me captured. The races, the love, and the craziness had me wanting more. The book was incredible and I couldn't put it down. Everytime someone or something would interupt me I would get angry because I didn't want to stop reading. When I was close to the end I didn't want to reach the finish line. I wanted more and I am so glad a second book will be coming. It will have two new characters and I am so excited for it. Kelly Elliott always has me anticipating her next book even before I have completely finished the book. She is just that good.

Ignite is not like her Wanted series. It is not about cowboys and farms. It is about racecars. I was surprised at this but it quickly became a great gift. I love her cowboys and farm life but I like this little change. It got me excited at reading something new and it was just as good.

Emmit was just so swoon worthy. Since the start of the book I loved him and I felt his heartbreak at losing Addie. It broke my heart that she left him. He was torn because of this. He started a fast-paced life. I didn't like that so much but it was understandable. Kind of. I am glad that Addie decided to pursue her dreams but I think she did it the wrong way. But the past is the past. They are such a good couple and the things Emmit does *swoon*. There was this scene that completely blew me away. By that point I was far past in love with Emmit. He held my heart. That scene was the sweetest thing ever! Hint: It involves Pinterest.

They do have a lot of problems and issues that they need to resolve and I liked this. They weren't the perfect couple. They had to work for it. This was a sweet and short romance that ignited my heart. I am so happy Kelly Elliot decided to take add this new track in her book collection. She really did an amazing job.

Character Interview

Hey everyone! I am Tanya from T & G Book Boutique and I am beyond excited to have this chance to interview Emmit and Addie.

Tanya: Hey Emmit and Addie I am so happy to have you both here. After the journey you guys have gone through, wow I am so happy for both of you.

Emmit reaches for Addie’s hand. “Thank you, Tanya!”

Tanya: Emmit and Adaline, what is one thing that you love about one another? What is one thing you dislike about each other? I mean their must be at least one thing right?

“I love Emmit’s energy. It’s infectious! However, I really wish he would learn to hang up a wet towel.” Emmit chuckles as he shakes his head.

“I love Addie’s heart. There isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for anyone. She could work on her OCD of wet towels though.”

Tanya: Emmit, I think we are all wondering the same thing. What triggered your love for racing?

“I’ve loved racing for as long as I can remember. I’m sure it had something to do with my need to be the fastest at everything I did. Once I figured out I could beat my brother at racing out bikes, I kept moving up!”

Tanya: What emotions do you feel when you are in your racecar? What thoughts are in your head?

Emmit’s face turns serious. “There’s something magical about racing. It’s not just about the rush, it’s everything combined. The strategizing with your team, the feel of racing as close to the wall as you can get, the moment you cross the finish line … man … there’s nothing like it. It’s the only place I know where I need to fully concentrate, yet let myself go if that makes sense.”

Tanya: Addie what made you want to pursue nursing when you had a man like Emmit in your life?

Addie looks lovingly at Emmit. “It was the hardest decision of my life, but like Emmit, I wanted to follow my own dreams and that was important to me. It was a risk, but one I needed to take.”

Tanya: This question goes to both of you. Do you regret that time apart?

“Yes and no. If we hadn’t been apart and Addie had stayed with me, she would have ended up regretting things. I wish I could go back in time and change things but we were both young. During that time apart, I think we both grew up a lot.”

Addie nods her head. “I agree. Looking back on it the time apart sucked, but it brought us to where we are today.”

Tanya: Emmit I absolutely love you! *blushes* Sorry, no offense Adaline! I promise I am not a crazy stalker. So anyways, Emmit, what made you decide to create that absolute beautiful dream house just like Addie wanted? I mean you guys weren’t even a couple. But seriously that is the sweetest thing I have ever heard of!

With a smile, Emmit glances at Adaline before turning back to Tanya. “A part of me never gave up on us. Deep down I dreamed Addie would come back and when she did, I wanted to make sure I gave her everything she ever wanted. I didn’t even think twice when it came to designing the house. In my eyes, she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”

Tanya: Emmit, tell us how you really feel about Malcolm?

Emmit and Adaline both laugh. “He’s a great driver and talented as hell, but an arrogant bastard. But he’s a good guy and I think he just needs to find the right girl to settle him down. Now on the racetrack, he’s a bastard and I need to take him down.”

Tanya: Okay one last question before I let you go. Tell us something fun about your relationship that we may have missed in Ignite.

Adaline looks at Emmit as her eyes lit up. “At least once a week, no matter where we are, Emmit plans a picnic just for the two of us. I can be in our backyard or on the bus, it doesn’t matter where, but it’s the one day I look forward to every week.”

Emmit smiles big. “And it’s always a surprise. Or course I quickly learned I needed to find out what her schedule was like for that day!”

Tanya: I am glad you were able to join us today. Thank you both for being here. It’s really great to have met you!

“It was our pleasure!” Adaline says warmly.

“Thank you for having us, Tanya.”

ABOUT KELLY ELLIOTT

Kelly Elliott is married to a wonderful Texas cowboy who has a knack for making her laugh almost daily and supports her crazy ideas and dreams for some unknown reason...he claims it's because he loves her!

She’s also a mom to an amazing daughter who is constantly asking for something to eat while her fingers move like mad on her cell phone sending out what is sure to be another very important text message.

In her spare time she loves to sit in her small corner overlooking the Texas hill country and write.

One of her favorite things to do is go for hikes around her property with Gus....her chocolate lab and the other man in her life, and Rose, her golden retriever. When Kelly is not outside helping the hubby haul brush, move rocks or whatever fun chore he has in store for her that day, you’ll find her inside reading, writing or watching HGTV.

LINKS: