A Little Bit of Deja Vu

A Little Bit of Deja Vu (Book One of The Return to Redemption Series)
By Laurie Kellogg



FREE on April 8 and 9, 2013


My Review

I grabbed this book during the first of its two day free promo and read it non-stop...then turned around and recommended it to everyone I knew!  Yes, that's how much I liked it.  :)

This particular story gave me my own sense of Deja Vu since I was 17 when I conceived my oldest child AND got married because of it. 

I loved the characters and the two generations coming together the way that they did.   They dealt with a myriad of emotions and situations that kept me engaged the entire time.  I also liked that old wounds had the chance to be healed and that everyone was able to move forward in their lives, despite the series of events that took place.

Wonderfully written...I found myself laughing out loud at some parts, tearing at others and overall going to bed with happy feelings once I had finished.  I read it straight through in one (long) sitting.  :)

If you are hesitant about teenage sex, abortions and the like, this may not be a perfect fit for you. However, I found that it was a very real storyline and liked the way it all came together.

Highly recommended!

Synopsis

Margie Bradford is picking up the pieces of her shattered life following her husband's death. When her cousin encourages her to make a fresh start with her teenage daughter, unsuspecting Margie takes a reading specialist job in the small town of Redemption, PA. The last person she expects to encounter is Rocket Manion, the ex-NFL quarterback and Dr. Phil wannabe who broke her heart nineteen years ago. Strangling her meddling cousin is now at the top of Margie's to-do list.

Divorced teacher and head football coach Jake Manion experiences an eerie sense of déjà vu when his son announces he's gotten his girlfriend pregnant. The feeling simply grows stronger when Jake learns the girl's mother is Maggie, the same woman on whom he's wasted nearly two decades of bitterness.

While planning their kids' wedding and helping them grow up too soon, Jake attempts to pick up right where he left off--in Margie's bed. But no matter how irresistible his kisses are, she isn't stupid enough to let him hurt her again. Or is she?


Snippets
“You know, Dad, it’s easy for you to lecture me and your classes about abstinence when the only breasts you’ve touched in years were from KFC. I’m not a monk like you. I can’t kiss Emma and not get turned on.”

"She moaned softly into his mouth, her tongue timidly following his in a sensual dance that gave his stomach the same peculiar weightless feeling as the parachute ride at Six Flags. The difference being, at the amusement park, his gut inevitably hit bottom, whereas Maggie’stentative kiss made him feel as if he’d drunk liquid helium instead of beer.

When he reluctantly drew back from sampling her sweetness, her eyes glistened like cut glass. “Ohhh, Jake,” she breathed out his name like a prayer. “Thank you.” “You’re very welcome.” He smiled, amused by her reverent gratitude. He should be thanking her for showing him how much was missing in his relationship with Roxanne. A man should feel this kind of out-of-control passion for the woman he planned to marry, shouldn’t he?"

Bound Book Series by Tracey Jane Jackson

Bound Book Series, Volume 1 and 2...my Reviews.

Bound By Blood

Right from the beginning, I simple adored Samantha. She is such a down-to-earth, strong, intelligent female that was perfect for this story. Add to that her wonderful friends, such as Pepper, Payton and Fiona and I am hooked! I felt like I was one of the girls as I read through to the end.

Now, for the guys... SWOON... I have always been one to LOVE stories where there are 'mates', as in people meant to be with one another; people that have NO insecurities about the one they are with. There is no doubt, no cheating, no lack of desire and of course, there is TONS of heat, because the two are intended for one another. So, since I adore Sam, of course, I fell for Kade. And his brothers sound like an amazing, handsome, powerful bunch!

Wonderful characters that I really felt like I knew as I went through the book. Now, add to it some mystery and magic. And, I was pleasantly surprised that these mates, or bonded couples, weren't werewolves or vampires (though I've found myself falling for a few of those in the past). I won't tell you how they are different, but the Gunnach family is definitely interesting.

I love the bond between Sam and Kade...there's so much more than just mating. Oh and what small-town girl wouldn't mind becoming a queen one day? Anyway, I really enjoyed how everything played out (so far) and can not wait to get my hands on the next book. Truly wonderful!



Bound By Fire

This is the second book in the series and I truly hope there will be more because I have already come to know and adore many of the characters.  Sam and Kade are now married and the focus of this book is on Sam's best friend, Pepper.

Right from the very beginning, my heart goes out to Pepper.  Her life has been rough and in most recent weeks, as you'll see in the beginning, things haven't gotten quite a bit worse.  She is being stalked by an unknown individual and if that isn't tough enough, she has to keep it all hidden from her best friend, Samantha.  Not only does she suffer through this guy's threats, which he carries out, but the police can't find out who he is and her only help comes from Dalton, Sam's brother and not exactly Pepper's closest friend.

When Collan Gunnach first lays eyes on Pepper, the realization is there.  Pepper is his mate.  However, there are many obstacles.  Not only the stalker,  Dalton's attentions and the fact that going from broke to Princess is a huge leap for someone like Pepper.  Pepper loses a lot along the way and Collan seems too perfect for her.

I love how the story follows up from book one, yet, it can stand alone too.  Ms. Jackson does a great job of sharing the details of the Gunnach clan and Cauld Ane history plus the relationship between each character, so that a new reader isn't lost because they didn't read book one. Just as in book one, I found myself laughing, swooning and all together loving the story.  Towards the end, things do get dangerous, and my heart was racing, but what needs to be resolved is taken care of and I cannot wait to read more!

If you'd like to see MORE from Tracey Jane Jackson, you can visit her blog HERE or her Facebook page HERE.

Happy Reading!!!

~J~

Connected by Kim Karr Book Review

If you don't know me by now, one thing is that I LOVE to read, especially romance novels.  Another thing is that I seriously ENJOY posting reviews.  I love to share how stories move me, heart & soul.  And, one last thing, more specifically about my reviews, is that I don't re-tell the story.  I feel that the author, publishers, etc have already spent their time giving readers a synopsis, and some reviewers really dig deep and tell you a lot of detail.  So, I tell you how the book made me feel, what I thought and by the end, what I was left with. 

One other note I wanted to add is that if you want AMAZING book reviews, I highly recommend Aestas Book Blog, just click on the pink box over on the right hand side of this page to visit it.  Great reviews!

Okay...so back to "Connected" by Kim Karr...

This story is beautiful in so many ways. In the beginning we find a loving story between Dahlia and Ben.  Childhood friends that grew to be lovers and in love.  Their story was sweet and fairly 'normal'. The tradegy and following pain that Dahlia went through is sadly realistic and broke my heart. Adding in a little intensity with a band lead singer named River causes Dahlia a great conflict not just of the heart, but of the soul.  And, she makes the wise decision to walk away.  

The reconnection, between Dahlia and River is what got my heart racing and had me "hot under the collar" for most of the book.  Their story is not only hot & steamy, but aside from that, there is a soul-connection between the two.  A connection that few will probably ever really know, and most only dream of.  Of course, this confuses and terrifies them both; I could feel that throug the words Ms. Karr wrote in their scenes and their dialogue.

I am going along the journey with them on their intense and whirlwind romance.  But, as is life, some curveballs are thrown in, and even though I knew it wasn't all a coincidence (I just watch too much tv and read too many mysteries), they go along under that assumption.  By the end, every reader will know a bit more about these curveballs I am referring to.  *wink*

Of course I adore Dahlia, fell in love with River, am unsure about Caleb and laugh at Aerie's boldness.  And, sad to say, by the end, I'm no longer liking Ben very much.  He wasn't my "type" in the beginning...I've never been one for the over-confident type, but it worked for Dahlia and of course, she'd known him since childhood.  But, something always loomed over his character and after the Epilogue, I think I wanted to go back to the beginning and strangle him. 

There are many unanswered questions in my mind as I finished. I know the author will wrap it up in "Torn", the next book. If you don't like cliffhangers, and many of us don't; if you are the type to wait to watch all of your fav shows on DVR in one shot so you're never left screaming, "I have to WAIT!?!?" then, yes, wait until "Torn" is out and then read them back to back.

By the end, after the Epilogue, I was anxious to get my questions answered. Ms. Karr promised all of us Facebook fans that all will be revealed soon...and much like life...sometimes you just have to wait it out.

Meet her on Facebook HERE or her Blog HERE

Highly recommend for those who love soul-mates, steamy intimate scenarios, and true love stories. ;) 

Review: "Message In a Bottle" by Nicholas Sparks

I may be a bit behind others when it comes to Nicholas Sparks' books, but that's okay.  My step-daughter has been bring me tons of hard cover books lately, since someone she works for closed his eBay book store.  I've been more of a Kindle reader as of late, but there's something about sitting and reading a book, snuggled up in a blanket that I still cherish.

With my reviews, I tend not to re-hash the story too much.  Honestly, there is always a synopsis or snippet available AND typically there are other reviewers out there that spend a great deal of time giving a over-view of the story.  Heck, that's where I usually look to see if it's a book that I will like, with characters I could love.  My review is more of what the book did for me, what the story said to me.

I didn't know who Nicholas Sparks really was.  I just knew he was behind the story of one of my favorite movies, "A Walk to Remember" which still makes me cry every time I watch it.  Recently, "Safe Haven" was released in the theaters, but I still didn't know who this guy was.  But, the hardcover book was sitting there, right where the corner of my eye could see it.  So, I decided to pick it up and check it out.

Right from the beginning, I was intrigued.  I had no idea there was so much interest in messages in bottles.  That, scientists used them for figuring out currents and such.  Being a native of the Jersey Shore, I've picked up my fair share of treasures along the shore.  But, never anything that made a huge impact in my life.

As I read the beginning chapter, I wondered, "what if"? What would I do if I had found a bottle on the beach?  Yep, I too would look for a place to throw it out and probably blame tourists or teens for littering the shore.  And, from there, feeling like I was Theresa...the story sucked me in.

I picked up the book right before bed, grabbing a slip of paper to use as a bookmark.  I figured it was late, 3 AM and I'd just read enough to tire my eyes.  By 5 AM my eyes barely blinked.  I had read over one hundred pages already.  I felt the pain of her divorce (been there), the anxiety of being a single boy (was there too for awhile), the craziness of living a fast-paced life and the loneliness that exists. The more she learned, the more I was hooked.  My heart burned for the man, Garrett.

I wanted her to find him...of course, it's 2013 as I read it, and I had forgotten that many resources were different in the 90's. Internet was there, but not like today.  People still used phone books and maps.  People relied on land-line phones and answering machines.  But, she and Deanna were reporters at heart, and I know that no matter what decade, reporters knew how to do their research.  I felt myself sitting in the newsroom or office, with them, wanting to give ideas and suggestions as to how to find him.

Once Theresa found him...she did what I (mentally) told her.  I told her to watch him, observe his life.  Don't reveal anything just yet.  That's what she did.  And from there, it was a beautiful romance.  Long-distance was their biggest issue.  He was wonderful with her son, which IS a huge challenge for single parents.  They had a wonderful time together and even though I live in a different place, I could imagine the story taking place here at the Jersey Shore.  It was going so well.

By 7 AM (yes, I stayed up all night), my heart was breaking.  His love for his dead wife kept surfacing.  Garrett compared her and Theresa.  And, Theresa sometimes compared Garrett to her ex-husband.  They both knew they were falling and it was a tough journey for them both.  But, with each other, they seemed to make it work.  They seemed to both be healing, albeit slowly.

Then came the ultimatum.  The heart-breaking moment when one had to walk away from the other.  I still held out for a happily ever after.  I so badly wanted them to be together.  He went after her, just wanting one more chance, willing to sacrifice on her behalf.  But, Theresa kept going.

I won't give away the ending, for those who haven't read it yet.  But, it is bittersweet, much like the ending to "A Walk to Remember" and probably other books by Mr. Sparks.  All that I know is that by 8 AM as I read the last few pages, tears flooded my face, my nose running like mad.  I could barely make out the words I knew were coming.  And, her message to Garrett really undid me completely.

A beautiful romance that will wrench at your heart.  A message in a bottle brought them together.  A message in this book will hopefully give some people hope, too.  It's okay to love AND  it's okay to let go.