It is then, you realize that nothing ever goes away.
In order to put years of heartache and abuse behind her, Ren learned to bury the past deep down inside herself and focus on one thing; raising her daughter Sophia. As the years passed, she found peace in the daily routine of her job and becomes content with being a mom.
On the night of her daughter's wedding, Ren takes a risk and strays from the predictable world she has set up for herself when her longtime friend Jackson rekindles a loving promise he made to her long ago.
Ren cannot keep her past buried, and the two struggle when old problems start to creep back into their lives. She cannot get her world back in order and her instinct is to shut everyone out.
In the midst of it all Ren is coerced into helping Charlotte, an adopted teenager of her close friends the Roberts'. Reluctantly agreeing, Ren finds Charlotte is in dire need of self control and direction. Upon discovering they share a similar upbringing Ren feels she can advise Charlotte and keep her from repeating her own mistakes. Taking steps to ensure Charlotte's recovery, her new found purpose causes a rift in the family she has come to know and love as her own.Battling issues, both new and old, will Ren & Jacks be able to endure everything life has thrown at them or will Ren give up everything and isolate herself from the inevitable pain that will follow when all her secrets are revealed?
Careful not to tip the lounge we were sitting on over, Jackson stood up. Standing in front of me, in only his dress slacks, he flashed a wide smile before getting down on one knee. Suddenly my heart was beating erratically in my chest. Shifting to face him, we were at eye level as he took my hand and placed it over the wren and Celtic heart tattoo on the left side of his chest.
"When I first met you, I thought you were cute. The first time I talked to you, I knew you were a smart ass. On our first date, when I kissed you and said not to be nervous, I was talking to myself. Even though I almost ruined our date, I knew you liked me when you said you would see me again. We claimed each other at seventeen but I'm not sure when I started to love you. I know it broke my heart when I had to leave you at your parent's house after knowing what your father did to you, when you said you wanted us to just be friends, when you came back and I found out you were pregnant and I honestly thought it was going to kill me when you got married. More than once you tried to get me to let you go but I never could. No matter how hard it was on both of us, you are the best thing that ever happened to me. I am a better man with you. You didn't steal my heart, I gave it to you. Marry me and I swear the only thing I will ever want from you is your heart in return."
Feeling his heart under my hand as he spoke and the way it would beat faster when he mentioned moments from our relationship, I replied, "Yes."
A wide smile preceded a softer one as he slowly kissed me before offering, "I'll take you inside now."
Shaking my head, I pulled him back onto the chaise lounge with me.
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Born in Baton Rouge Louisiana, I now live in Brazoria Texas with My Husband, Three Kids, Three Dogs and Two Cats. I wrote my first short story when I was in high school and instantly fell in love with writing. However, life sometimes gets in the way of aspirations and it wasn't until years later, when my life calmed down, I was able to start writing again. For me, each new book I write or character I create feels like the first time and I find myself falling in love with writing all over again.
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This is the first book I've read of Ms. Sembera's. I could tell that there was a long backstory or that I'd missed previous books. However, that in no way diminished the experience, for the history between Ren and Jacks was covered in a way that answered all my questions. And it was because of those questions that I enjoyed the book so much.
This story about overcoming one's past is told in a fresh and unique manner! Ren obviously had a horrible past. Her routines allow her to feel that she is in control of her life, but she hasn't truly overcome anything. She's learned to compartmentalize and refuses to discuss what's happened to her. During the course of this book she learns that controlling her life doesn't necessarily mean LIVING her life.
It is not often that I read a book and go backwards to read everything written. I cannot wait to read the Renilla series! I know it's shutting the barn door after the horse escapes, but I also know that I will have a rich, engaging, and emotionally consuming reading experience!
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Thank you so much for posting today and for the lovely review <3 M.
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