Jordan's Return Spotlight

For the first time in print, New York Times and USA Today bestseller Samantha Chase’s debut novel is a heartwarming story of second chances

WILL ONE SUMMER TOGETHER
 All Jordan Manning wants is a quiet summer on the Virginia coast with her sons to recover from a near-fatal accident and an abusive relationship. Her plans to find a new direction for her future are turned upside down when she runs into the first man who ever broke her heart…and he’s determined to win it back.  

BE ENOUGH TO HEAL OLD WOUNDS?
Rob Tyler thought he’d moved on, but when fate drops a second chance with his first love right in his path, his feelings rush back stronger than ever. Rob is determined to give Jordan the future they should have had years ago, but making up for past mistakes isn’t easy…  

About Samantha Chase: Samantha Chase, a creative writing teacher, released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Since then, she has published seventeen more titles and has become a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She lives with her husband of twenty-four years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.  

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     Before Jordan could form an answer to his oh-so-nonchalant question, Jake asked, “Do you know him, Mommy?”
     “Yes, sweetheart,” she replied as she turned to give her sons a reassuring look before turning back to the man in the window. “This is Mr. Tyler. We went to school together.” She nervously looked up and met his smiling eyes.
     “Hi, boys,” he said, relieved that they stopped looking at him as if he were an ax murderer.       “You can call me Rob.” The boys, in turn, introduced themselves and said hello.
     Rob Tyler. Of all the people Jordan could have run into today, who would have thought it would be her first love. She hadn’t seen him in years; hadn’t even thought about him, but now, watching him stand there before her, the years just melted away.

Read more at Samantha Chase's website.

Samantha Chase is my go -to author when I am in the mood for a well -written contemporary novel with wonderful characters and great storyline. She effortlessly blends modern social issues, snappy dialogue and romance in each of her books.

The prologue of Jordan’s Return contained just enough background information on Jordan Manning and her abusive ex-husband Eric to interest me. The storyline in this novel is different than Ms. Chase’s other series; it’s poignant and more serious in tone. The novel deals with physical and emotional abuse and its’ aftereffects. Jordan’s path toward healing and forgiveness is a captivating story that stayed with me long after I finished reading the novel.

Jordan has traveled to the shore with her two sons to recuperate from a car accident and make plans for the future. She runs into her first love Rob Tyler while looking for the grocery store. I loved how Jordan’s sons, Jake and Joe, supplied Rob with the information on Jordan’s divorce and the reason for their vacation. Jordan invites Rob to dinner and she is amazed at how well Rob gets along with her boys. Can Jordan get past Rob’s high school transgression and move forward? The pacing of the couples second chance romance and the dialogue between the characters is superb! Ms. Chase writes an excellent second chance romance and this couple’s journey isn’t easy. They have to forgive each other, get reacquainted and understand each other after many years apart before they can plan for the future. Ms. Chase doesn’t shy away from the emotional and physical abuse that Jordan endured in her first marriage. The author presents an honest portrayal of Jordan’s state of mind as she comes to terms with her feelings. I liked that the author gave hope to Jordan and to her sons when Rob returned into her life. Second chances can happen! Loved the dialogue between the main characters and between Rob and Jordan’s sons.

I would love to see the author write another woman’s fiction novel! And, I recommend this book to anyone who loves a second chance at romance novel filled with lots of humor and love!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Love and Friendship - Movie review

Love & Friendship

Movie Review

Released 3 June 2016

Running time is 92 minutes.

This is the kind of movie that is so very

rare. Funny. Romantic. Silly. Historical

times. Hollywood completely fails at this.
They could make them often and people

will go see them. The theater was packed.

They had the line ropes outside. Because of the crowds.
And there was every age group. Couples. Seniors.

Teenagers!Seriously, teenagers! Why dont they have

more of these movies??

The lead female character is Lady Susan Vernon

played by Kate Beckinsale. She stirs up trouble

wherever she goes and yet, she has plenty of

friends. Men are attracted to her. Lady Susan

has no money, but that does not even slow

her down.

The only thing is I would have liked it to be

a little longer. There was plenty of story to

tell. Even saying that, it has a terrific ending.

I surely did not see it coming.
I recommend it to everyone. Couples will love it.

Its full of romance but only in the funniest way.

It is not sappy stuff. So even the men enjoy

the humor. I hope you will like it as much

as we did.

Review by Lisa Hutson





Kiss Me That Way by Laura Trentham - Review

Kiss Me That Way is an engaging story set in the small, southern town of Cottonbloom. Author Laura Trentham has created an unusual setting which appealed to me. The town of Cottonbloom is set in two different states and is divided by a river. One side of town is wealthy Cottonbloom, Mississippi and the blue collar side of town is located in Louisiana. The author does a fabulous job of comparing and contrasting the residents from both sides of town. I loved the quirky townspeople in this slice -of l-life novel, especially Uncle Delmar and the Quilting Bees.

The first chapter of the book introduces Cade Fournette and Monroe Kirby and provides their back story. The reader learns that on the Louisiana side of Cottonbloom, Cade grew up quickly after his parents were killed by a drunk driver. He was determined to keep his family together and worked several jobs to provide for food and shelter for himself, as well as for his younger brother and sister. Cade regularly crosses the river into Mississippi to poach rabbits and fish. One evening while hunting, Cade finds thirteen-year old Monroe Kirby sitting in his boat which he has hidden by the river on the Mississippi side of town. Monroe has run away from her home because her mother’s drunk boyfriend tried to rape her. Cade walks Monroe home that evening and their five year secret friendship begins. The pair meet monthly until Cade suddenly disappears without a word leaving Monroe heartbroken.

The present day story begins in the second chapter as Monroe is shocked to find an injured Cade in her physical therapy office. Even though she hasn’t seen him in ten years, Monroe has kept up with him through her best friend, Cade’s sister Tally. Monroe agrees to treat Cade, who has injured himself while climbing a cliff. The author does a fabulous job establishing the realistic development of Monroe and Cade’s romance. Even though Monroe and Cade share a past—he was her knight in shining armor—they are very different now. Both characters have unresolved self-esteem and trust issues from their childhood. In addition to her job as a physical therapist, Monroe teaches a self-defense class and works with teenage girls. Cade is a savvy, wealthy businessman who is based on the west coast. The chemistry between the couple sizzles and the author’s descriptive writing style allows the reader to see Cade and Monroe deal with social and emotional challenges as their romance progresses.

Kudos to Laura Trentham for tackling the subjects of abuse and alcoholism in the novel. These themes are woven subtly throughout the novel. Kiss Me That Way has all of the elements of a contemporary novel that appeal to me. It presents an original, passionate love story with well-crafted main and secondary characters, lots of humor and a unique setting. The author blended the right amount of humor, passion and angst in the novel. The novel’s conclusion was superb, not what I expected but perfect for the couple and their story.

This is the first book written by Laura Trentham that I have read. I enjoyed it very much and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Edited by Brian McGee