Siren's Wave - A Rock and Roll Love Story

by J.A. Hazel

True or false? Plain Janes never get the hot guys, and first impressions are always right.

A messed-up boy, a girl afraid of heartbreak, a traumatic past glimpsed in nightmares ... Everything they want is on the other side of fear - and a few bad decisions.

With enough pain in his past to fuel a thousand songs American rocker Bran isn’t looking for a muse. His style is to ditch - girls, sobriety, sanity. Even the name on his birth certificate.

When he meets irritating, uptight Ava, new thoughts start to spin. And, unfortunately, they’re all of her.

To survive at the Australian record label where she works Ava has learned to shun boorish, egotistical musicians. No matter how gorgeous they are.

What a pity for her the latest hotshot singer swaggering around the studio happens to have a lost-boy frown to die for.

When the wave of unwanted love hits will they run, break, or surrender?

Siren's Wave is for those who like to collect clues and insights as the tale builds and unfolds into an emotionally intense, opposites-attract love story about indie music, creative inspiration, and facing fears.

Can be read as a STANDALONE with a HEA, but there is an extra-raunchy, 69,000+ word sequel available just for those who want more ... um ... details?

Note:

Contains strong language, drug use, slang, and Australian English spelling. This reflects the author's experience of working in the Australian music industry.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Music, Contemporary

403 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

When J.A. Hazel worked in the Australian music industry, her eyes goggled constantly. To recover from the shock, she dreams up fairy tales for misfits, listens to angst-filled music, and sings along loudly. She sends heart-felt apologies to anyone who has heard her.

Reviews

[Polina Traore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Siren’s Wave hits you exactly like a wave does, and carries you into the hypocenter of life-changing events. It drags everyone involved into the whirlpool, where there is no way out, no chance to get your head up and catch a breath. The energy of this book is so strong, you can’t fight it, and for a few days you let it push your own life aside.
Like a wave, it jumps high to scratch the surface of the ecstasy, only to dive into the darkest depth, and reveal the echoes of the past, that never really go away.
Love itself isn’t destructive, but overthinking it, letting your pride and fears get involved - that’s what can ruin things. This is what both Ava and Bran get to learn.
Brilliantly written, educational, and well developed “Siren’s Wave” gets personal with you, taking you for a wild ride of emotions, jokes, stories, and the love that does not kill, but heals.
For me this was a dive into the world that I love, the world of music and creative process, where the characters feel the sound itself on a different level. “Siren’s Wave” left me in this poetic euphoria.
And all that’s missing is the album - the reason adn the result of it all.
There is so much more I’d like to say, but the best way to feel how I feel now is to just read the story. “Siren’s Wave” turned out to be the book I’ve been waiting for - the true well-written smart romance.

[Michelle Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab...


Sirens Wave was a great 5 star read.

What do you get when you put bad boy rocker Bran in the same room as the feisty australian female, Ava? A very interesting and great read. I really like rocker reads and this was another great one, J.A. Hazel has done a great job with her writing and pulls you right in.


Ava works with several big egos at the record company, and would rather be at home reading . She was very pleased that her good friend Dix was going to be producing the indie band from New York, Siren’s Wave.. Ava has to assist Dix and work with the band for two months and is not sure what to expect.

Please don’t let this lot be monsters.

There’s something about Bran that is hot and dangerous. Ava is finding herself very attracted to him She needs to keep things professional so things don’t get complicated. How would i ever build an immunity to him?
Eventually Ava gives into Bran and it was great.

There is so much more to this great story. The past comes back to haunt Bran in several ways.
Ava, isn’t quite sure about what’s going on. She was a very strong character Can these two get through all of the issues and have a relationship?

I really enjoyed reading their journey and I look forward to reading more from J.A. Hazel. You will experience several emotions while reading along with LOL moments. I would love to see more from the other band members. The Australian slang was great, along with the ending. 1-click and get started on this great read today.


I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club

[Dee Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is an intense drama. Bran is the singer/song writer/guitarist for the upcoming band, Silva. They travel to Melbourne, Australia to record their first album which will jumpstart their music career. There Bran meets Ava, an assistant to the producer. She will have a heavy impact on his head, his heart and his very soul. There is an attraction between them but each deny their feelings and bury their emotions. She doesn't trust pretty boys like him. She knows how rockers are with alcohol, drugs, parties and groupies. And Bran has a very tough exterior to get through. With an unbelievably dark and painful childhood, he easily falls victim to obsessions that are self destructive when the pain becomes overwhelming. Sounds like a story true to life. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Four stars.

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siren's Wave, A Rock and Roll Love Story,  J.A. Hazel

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Romance, 

Well, by now regular readers of my reviews will know I have a weakness for rock star/film star romances, so when I was asked to read this I was a happy bunny.
Did my usual checks first though because there are hundreds of thousands ( or so it feels) of novels in this genre and I know from experience that 90% of them just don't do it for me. They work for others, dominate best sellers but I need something a little more, a story with an edge.

I want a novel that's true to the music industry, that brings in all that band life, celebrity/media excess if they've found fame, the struggle to climb up if they haven't, one that shows the underbelly, the grittiness and stuff we don't often get.
Things like how common drug/alchohol use becomes, first to give a little extra and soon its needed more and more just to cope with the onslaught of demands made by those who hold the purse strings, and who want more and more from the people creating the music.
I need characters that feel real, have genuine emotions and problems, that I feel I could know, talk to, and I have to like the leads, to want them to be together. We get all that and more here....

Bran, what a great lead. The band he's on is on the cusp of fame, but right now each of them are also working at other jobs as well as gigging and trying to get spotted. Finally that magic call comes and they're off to Anoxia, an Australian record company to record their music.
I love Bran, and when we meet him its feels like he's the laid back one, the band peacekeeper, though they're a close knit bunch, when they argue it doesn't bring actual friction.
He's got a damaged past though, and his band mate Nate and Nate's mum are responsible for getting Bran through his childhood, without going off the rails. He still has nightmares though, is still inwardly really troubled though hides it well. He's gorgeous, but seems totally unaware of it, and its wonderful to see how gentle he was with fans, how open and honest.
Then he meets Ava. 

Ava works for Anoxia, has done for some years now and is well respected. She's small, a fifties starlet type lady in appearance, and always conscious of being a little over the ideal size. Still likes her food though :-) me too....and she comes over as pretty confident in herself, she hides her insecurities well.
She's close with the Anoxia staff, they're good friends as well as work colleagues, and feel like a family unit almost.
I love Ava too, she's so open and honest, fresh, but she has one weakness and its for guys that look like Bran....

Their first meeting doesn't go so well, Bran is - well, simply obnoxious to Ava, and that continues over the next few days.
His band-mates are astonished, this just isn't like him. It really is like that schoolboy pick on someone you like feeling. He's attracted to Ava but won't admit it to himself, maybe its because he knows she's not a one and done lady and that's all he's ever had, or wanted.
Ava just ignores him as much as she can and mentally labels him a dick...prick dick I think was the term she used ;-) Its such a contrast to the Bran we and his band mates know.

Things change though and soon they're having steaming sensual encounters, though still have a strange relationship. They don't date, just feels like Bran keeps sneaking into her bed, needing to be with her, needing the feeling of peace she brings. They're only there a few weeks though so what happens then?

I love this story, its got the Love part I need so much, and its tangled, hard, full of drama and doesn't follow a neat pathway. I just couldn't see what the future would hold for them, and they both seemed to be avoiding even thinking of it. They weren't in a relationship exactly, and yet both had such a strong need for the other.
When it went wrong, I could feel pain on both of them. I understood Ava's stance though, she had to protect herself. I also understood Bran though, looking from the outside its easy to see why he has issues.

There's sex here, not just Bran and Ava, but the usual one off encounters that seem to follow band life.
It amazes me how girls ( and guys) want to have sex with someone just because of fame, and if the first choice isn't around they'll move down the line quite happily....
There's alchohol and drug use here too, and even though its something I don't like I know that its common in that industry, that people seek chemical help to deal with the pressures they are under and it fits the story.
The execs hand out drugs as an easy solution  here and I'm sure that's how it works in reality. Who cares if they're unhealthy, lead to addiction, lifelong issues, and death sometimes so long as the stars can keep on churning out the performances that bring in the cash.
That's the not so nice side of the music industry, and one not often seen in romances. I like that its included here, not in an OTT drama infused way, but as just another part of band life, and every day way of  dealing. Paracetamol for a headache for most of us, in this life though its a headache caused by stress and pressure, and its heroin and coke that gets handed out. 

Its a great read, not a light and fluffy story, skimming the fame and music side, but one showing how hard it is for up and coming bands, what kind of pressures they face, the realities of touring and recording. Bran and Ava's love story is just perfect set against that.
A romance that isn't smooth, that struggles, that has lots of drama and theatrics, supported by a great cast of characters and a very real feeling backstory.

Stars: Five. A fabulous novel, one with drama and details, edge and emotion, love and lust but with a story that unfolds so very different from so many Rock band romances. 

ARC supplied for review purposes by author

[Marisa Valle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was way more intense than I thought it was going to be but I really enjoyed it. Bran was a bit of a tool at first but my antipathy was tempered by the fact that it was apparent there was something really messed up about his life. Ava, on the other hand, acted like she had some traumatic past that prevented her from trusting anyone but I never heard anything that was worse than what the average woman goes through in her romantic relationships. Most women have suffered some kind of disappointment or failed relationship or betrayal. I just don't understand how she could continuously turn her back on Bran when it was evident that he really needed her. She made these small attempts to help him only to turn her back at the slightest offensive remark. Don't get me wrong, I hate it when women are doormats and let guys dump all over them but I don't think this was the case. Bran was clearly asking for help in the only way he knew how and Ava was too afraid of being hurt to provide it. She broke up with him just because he told her he considered their relationship to be "no strings attached" and because she was afraid she would get hurt. It's hard to get over your fear but in this case it was clear that he was crazy about her so I don't really understand why she was sooooo scared. Well, at least she did the right thing in the end. I'm not sure if I can read the next one. I felt like I went on a roller coaster and I kind of like the place it ended.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this is one of those stories which sweep you into its depth, and does not let go even when finished! This story is about a series of life-changing events, which mould the characters into better people. This is an emotional and gritty rollercoaster journey, and I was hooked and intrigued from the very beginning. This storyline is well written and flows seamlessly. Brilliant work in my opinion!!

[Carol***BeautyandtheBeastlyBooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

***ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***

2.5 stars

From the blurb of this book, I was hoping for a very angsty and good read. But instead, it was too confusing, specially the first half of it.
A lot of characters are introduced, but they weren't given much background.
The hero and heroine frustrated me a lot, to the point of being annoying and immature. Unfortunately I was notbleft satisfied with this one.

[Mona williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a first book of yours i read. it was hard to follow at first. its about a rock star who doesnt do love. he meets a woman who might just change his mind. he has demons from his past to deal with. can she handle these demons? read to find out thanks for giving me a chance to read this book!

[Rebeccat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Well worth the read.

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siren's Wave by J.A. Hazel is an entertaining read. Emotional and complex, this books many twists and turns will keep you guessing and on edge. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

[Rachel Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sexy and clever indie rock romance set in Melbourne. The unselfconsciously sexy hunk of spunk male lead is just so adorable as well as being mixed up and confused, while the curvaceous original and sassy female lead is gorgeously in denial as well as being independent, also mixed up and sexy. I loved the slow burn build up as their story unfolds. The writing is both lyrical and witty, and I cannot recommend it highly enough, I loved it!

[Le cercatrici di libri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recensione:
Siren's Wave non è un libro facile da recensire. La trama sulla carta sembra molto coinvolgente, ma, nella realtà, per me è stato difficile concluderne la lettura. Il libro è fatto di momenti lenti e poco interessanti, con alcuni picchi coinvolgenti. Probabilmente ciò che ha rallentato la lettura rendendola difficoltosa è stato uno stile sin troppo laborioso e verboso. Sin dall'inizio mi è sembrato di essere sommersa dalle parole a dai personaggi. Infatti, essi entrano in scena in massa con nomi talvolta simili tra loro ed è, per questo, difficile tenere in mente i collegamenti e le relazioni esistenti tra di essi. Il libro racconta di una band che si trasferisce da New York a Melbourne per registrare un disco. Al contrario della maggior parte dei libri in cui vi sono band, i componenti di quest'ultima, che sono Bran, protagonista principale e cantante, Nate, chitarrista e migliore amico di Bran, Ben, bassista, e Zavier, percussionista, non sembrano avere quel rapporto fraterno che è solito trovare, anzi, a mio avviso, sembra quasi che conducano vite separate.
Bran è un protagonista eclettico. Sicuramente dalla sua parte ha la bellezza e la passione di un cantante rock, ma dall'altro sembra essere immerso in un mondo tutto suo e quasi distaccato ed è difficile persino per noi lettori comprenderlo.
Ava, invece, colei che diventerà la sirena di Bran, fa parte dei personaggi australiani, che sono più delineati e coinvolgenti rispetto a quelli americani. Devo dire però, che come personaggio principale, di un romanzo in cui dovrebbe esserci una storia d'amore coinvolgente lei non mi ha per nulla emozionata. Anche lei sembra poco definita e talvolta un pò troppo indecisa. Capisco che è irreale, in alcuni casi, buttarsi ciecamente nell'amore, ma a me sembra che lei scappi via dal sentimento senza alcuna ragione. C'è da dire che Ava è precisa e organizzata, una donna che si porta avanti in un settore in cui le tentazioni e i pregiudizi sono molti.
Il rapporto tra Bran e Ava è fatto di alti e bassi, anzi a mio avviso più bassi che alti. Bran rappresenta per Ava il suo sogno proibito, mentre Ava è per Bran una musa. Ciò che posso dire è che nessuno dei due reagisce bene all'inaspettato e che entrambi faranno degli sbagli, talvolta molto gravi.
Il nostro cantante rock nasconde un passato difficile e sarà questo segreto che terrà il lettore incollato alle pagine. L'autrice è stata brava, da questo punto di vista, a non far comprendere nulla lasciando soltanto, nel corso della storia, pochi indizi. Proprio per questo motivo non voglio anticiparvi nulla.
L'Australia è una cornice perfetta per questo romanzo, in cui è possibile trovate sia paesaggi cittadini e metropolitani di una Melbourne divisa tra moderno e antico, che paesaggi naturali fatti di deserti e montagne.
Ciò che ho molto apprezzato sono sicuramente i personaggi secondari, forse più di quelli primari. Ho adorato Beth, moglie del produttore Dix. Lei è riflessiva e audace e legge negli occhi delle persone, compresi quelli di Bran, i loro segreti. Le sue domande e le sue interazioni con gli altri personaggi sono sempre interessanti e danno al lettore nuovi spunti di riflessione.

In conclusione, consiglio questo romanzo a tutte coloro che amano le grandi descrizioni e le grandi attese.

Claudia
LCDL

[Coral · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I should have liked this book. I saw the ad for it on SBTB and it had all my catnip: broody rock star, enemies to lovers, spunky heroine, third person POV, Australian setting, and an Australian author who worked in the music industry. Sadly my reading experience went from confusion, to boredom, to outright anger.

The first third had so many freaking characters being introduced, with very little background being built. And of course the secondary characters all had nicknames we had to learn too. I really wish this book had X-Ray because I couldn't remember who the fuck Gary was by the end.
The hero and the heroine fight because she thinks he's cocky because he's so good looking and, obviously, a rock star; and he gets his fee fees hurt because she assumes he didn't go to university. It's pretty immature. The book doesn't establish how old the characters are, so I'm not sure if it's because they're young, or just immature. I really think this actually should have been dual first person POV, because maybe we could have gotten some character building for the hero and the heroine.

The second third when the hero and heroine get together is so repetitive - they have late-night booty calls. But here's the thing - the sex is barely described. It's not fade to black sex scenes, but it's pretty close. The heroine talks about how sweet the hero is during these encounters, but it's always second hand. Show us, don't tell us, for the love of Pete.

Last third goes down hill fast. After the heroine dumps the hero because she doesn't want to get hurt (and he says it's no strings, even though he's developing confusing feelings)...

he goes off the deep end. He starts doing hard core drugs, and even has sex with another woman (his bandmate made him - he swears he didn't enjoy it), and treats the heroine like dirt or a psycho stalker depending on the moment.
The hero and the band go back to the USA, where he continues to do heroin. His bandmate calls the heroine and tells her to come save him or he could die. NO FUCKING PRESSURE!!! She goes to see him and he info dumps his whole sad rape baby story to her. He begs her to give him a second chance, after he's had like five good chances already. She gives him another bloody chance, of course. Then swears he won't do heroin again while he's with her, but goes through absolutely no withdrawls (must be the magic vagina).

Arrrrrggggg. I was hate reading by the end of it. And then there's apparently a sequel. I can't handle another book of these two.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava works at a record company Anoxia and has to work with several big egos. Ava is close to the Anoxia and is close to the Anoxia staff almost like family. Ava would rather be home reading. Then her good friend Dex was going to be producing the band from N Y Siren’s Wave. Ava was to assist Dex and and work with the band for two months. Ava was to keep the artists in line and on schedule. The band ia a close knit group. Bran seems to be the laid back member and the peacemaker but he had a bad past. His bandmate Nate and Nate’s mom got Bran through his childhood. Bran still has nightmares and inside is still troubled but he hides it. Bran is also gentle, open, and honest with his fans. Bran is the lead singer and songwriter.Ava is very attracted to Bran who is the bad boy rocker. Ava knows she has to keep things professional or it could get very complicated. Oddly Bran and Ava first meets he is obnoxious to her and continues to be for a couple of days which really isn;t like Bran. The band even warns Bran afraid they will be dropped because of the way Bran is acting toward Ava. Bran is attracted to Ava but won’t admit it to himself. All Bran had ever had was one night stands and Bran knows Ava isn’t that type of woman. Bran likes that Ava doesn’t fall all over him. Bran and Ava are at a party and after it end up giving into their hot chemistry but they don’t date just sleep together. But Brian needs to be with Ava and the peace she brings him.
I really enjoyed this book. It had a good plot as well as pace. There was a lot of drama. Sometimes it made me chuckle and other times I choked up. You experience a lot of emotions while reading this book or at least I did. I didn’t want to put this down so no problem with keeping my attention. I loved Ava and Bran together I didn’t like how the executives handed out drugs for a quick fix for things. I am pretty sure that is realistic. But I did like it showed the shadier side of the industry. I felt this was a great read. It was a little confusing at times. I would have liked a lot more backstory. But I also loved how it showed what an up and coming band goes through. I loved the characters and the ins and out of this story and I recommend.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 Stars ... this is a very emotional read!

Bran is the tortured lead singer and songwriter for his band Silva, who are at the beginning of their career. The band travels to Australia to record their first record with the brilliant producer Dix. Ava is Dix's assistant and is the person responsible to keep the artists in line and on schedule. The minute Ava sees Bran she is mesmerized and can hardly speak around him, but Bran doesn't have that problem ... all he can do is snarl mean things at her. His bandmates tell him to smarten up and be nicer to her or the record label might kick them to the curb. He begins to see Ava in a new light ... she is not like other girls. After a party, they give in to the electrical current running between them and sleep together. Ava knows that this will never go anywhere, as Bran is a one-night stand kinda guy like most musicians, but Bran likes the fact that she doesn't fall all over him and stands up to him.

This book deals with painful childhood scars, heavy drug use, addictions, obsession and more. You will laugh at times in this book, but mostly your heart will break ... it's a very emotional read and one that shouldn't be missed! I can't wait for book 2.

I graciously received a copy from the author through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

[Tracy Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for my copy that I won in a competition.

This genre isn't one I normally read, but I am so glad I did read Siren's Wave. It is a love story and it's edgy, racy and moves along at a good pace. It's well written and there never seems to be a boring moment. There are enough characters to keep it interesting and there is a "cheat sheet" at the back of the book if readers get confused. I loved the slow burn between Ava and Bran and I loved that it wasn't a sickly sweet swooning romance .
Highly recommend and can't wait to read the sequel.

[Jennifer MacMullin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars; I expected to like this more than I did. I liked Bran and I thought the depiction of drug abuse and the music industry was real and raw. But besides the two main characters, the rest are pretty flat and I kept confusing Dan and Dave 😅 I liked the writing style though and the cover is beautiful

[Cheryl Lopatka · Rating 2 out of 5]

World record

This is a nearly plot-free book. And it must hold a world record for the most f-words per square inch I've ever read. The only reason that I gave it two stars was because the characters are very likeable. I can't recommend this one.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very confusing to me in the begining...there were parts that I had no clue what was going on...im glad I didn't give up...i really liked these characters and their story

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Started of confusing for me then it took off. The book was great . I can't wait for the next book.

[Leisa Prater · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something about Bran that I couldn’t help but love!!! Great story❤️

[♥︎♥︎Sofia♥︎♥︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s surprising where your next good read will come from. This was a closer 2.7* rather than a 3* but I like to scale UP rather than down.

[Reading with 2 book lovers Sarah P - · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a First read for me by this author and sge didnt disappoint, i love a good rockstar book and this delivered.
bran and ava were amazing together.
i highly recommend the read to everyone.
look forward to more writing by this author.
i voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book

[☆Eiko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm surprised I finished this book honestly. It was just all over the place with no clear character development to distinguish between the main characters or supporting characters. No clear background, no description of scenery or office, grammar errors (which normally I'm not picky because my grammar isn't the best ) that were noticeable to a non native English speaker, and speaking of languages, the accent was very wrong (it took place in Australia but some of the characters that were supposed to be from there used British slang....knackered, really?) despite all these short comings I did enjoy myself half way through the book, and was happy I got to read from both main characters minds and thoughts. Slightly predictable, I really liked that Bran was addled about his reaction to Ava (Ave??) and that once he got his initial misgivings about her 'attitude' he went full on board with trying to get her to like him back. I just wished the insta-love element weren't present and that they showed the gradual love for each other. The author TOLD us that the Ava was funny and smart and cute but she never showed us in actions these things. Anyways this book got me out of my horrible reading stump so I suppose this is something different to look forward to.

[Reva Coomer · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5 stars**
I was super excited by the blurb for this book. It had my mind spinning, wondering what happened in the past and what was going to happen. It took me a while to get into it. I admit I skimmed over some of it. At times, it was a little confusing (not the slang or the grammar) but the characters and overall story. Some of the things happening didn't make sense, to me, to the story line. With that being said....Brans past and the way he deals with things, also the rock and roll environment, are a real life problem. It's raw and real and gritty. I really like Brans character, in the later half of the book. When it came time to tell Ava what was in his past, the reason he was the way he was, the story came full circle. The deams, the addiction, the anger and his reaction to the phone calls all made you want to squeeze him a little. I love the name of this book. The meaning behind it. Perfect! The preview into book 2 kind of knocked me off my feet. It almost came off as a different person writing the story. I will read book 2. Just to see where this story goes. There is great potential there.

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books}]

***ARc kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***

[Josie]

Not at all engaged by the writing style. I found it impossible to connect with the characters, and the use of all the weird names made me feel like I was reading some whack-a-doo dystopian fiction. This was a DNF for me.