Kicking evil’s ass is just another thing on Kate Connor’s to-do list, but she’ll manage it with wit and wisdom, and then drive home in her minivan.” —Christopher Golden, New York Times bestselling author of ARARAT and RED HANDS
Kate Conner is an expert at multi-tasking. Wife, mom, demon-hunter. She can stuff hundreds of Easter eggs for the neighborhood fair and still have enough energy to pummel a demon back into the ether.
But Kate’s life has gotten more complicated…
Her first husband has returned from the dead in the body of her daughter’s chemistry teacher. Different body, same hot desire for Kate. Her daughter now obsesses about becoming a demon-hunter the way she used to obsess about boys.
And her current husband is suddenly very suspicious of his wife’s extra-domestic activities. What is she doing and who is she doing it with?
And the threat has gotten bigger…
A powerful high demon has returned to San Diablo, seeking not only the key to invincibility, but revenge upon Kate—and Kate’s family. And just in case that wasn’t trouble enough, there’s a new kind of evil in suburbia. The walking dead kind.
J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and International bestselling author of over seventy novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.
Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, Victorian-era thrillers (coming soon), and paranormal mommy lit.
Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner, has been consistently in development in Hollywood since prior to publication. Most recently, it has been optioned by Warner Brothers Television for development as series on the CW Network with Alloy Entertainment producing.
JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swopn for him.” A three time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy).
Her books have sold well over a million copies and are published in over over twenty countries.
In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.
You know, if it wasn't for my bff Heather, I would never have read any of the books in this series. The books are cute and they have their moments of funny parts but all in all, they are all the same.
This one was no different from the others. From a foiled business dinner party, ruined date night at a restaurant to dead zombies everywhere. There did not seem to be any new information in this book until the very end where we are totally left hanging. I was happy that Stuart finally learned the truth and was glad to see that his initial reaction was to take his kid and run. Made him seem all the more normal. In the end tho, it was truly cheesy, of epic proportions.
I'm not sure if there is going to be a fifth book in this series but the author is going to have to come up with some new stuff to keep my interest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was great! My previous complaints about Kate's character were wiped away as she finally confronted a lot of issues in this installment.
Given that this is an election year in the U.S. I was really thinking about how it used to be; when reporters would sneak around and try to catch politicians or their family in incriminating positions. When you consider Kate is sneaking out nights to patrol San Diablo with David a whole host of opportunities were there to destroy Stuart's political ambitions as well as their marriage. Oddly there do not seem to be reporters (newspaper or otherwise) in San Diablo.
My only complaint with this story is that it takes too long for Kate and her team to put the clues together. It was hard to believe that a Catholic preparing for Easter would not be able to put two and two together about the timing of "the prophecy." Yes, zombies appearing out of nowhere could stall the thought process a bit, but still.
On the other hand, I like that her team is growing. Now that Kate can be open with her family maybe she can be more diligent in the research and training end of her demon hunting job. We need to get Mindy on board, then all will be well. Or as well as can be when you are fighting demons daily.
This was a great read filled with twists and turns and action and drama and a bit of comedy. The story flows well and the characters are believable, if you like reading fantasy. If you never read fantasy and pick up this series, you may not agree. Quite enjoyable and, really, I didn't want to put the book down for the last few chapters.
Finally! Everything is out of the bag and Kate isn't hiding anything from Stuart! I know her demon hunting life is suppose to be a secret but how can it be when you're a married woman. Especially when your first husband has come back to life in another man's body. With all that out in the open, I'm not surprised what I found out about David/Eric at the end.
"Deja Demon" by Julie Kenner is a unique and entertaining novel that explores the realm of the supernatural. The story follows the main character, Kate Connor, who is a demon-hunting demon herself. With a clever and witty writing style, Kenner has created a highly imaginative world full of unexpected twists and turns.
Throughout the book, the author expertly blends elements of humor, romance, and action, creating a fast-paced and engaging read. Kate is a complex and relatable character, and the relationships she forms with the other characters are well-developed and believable. The world-building in this novel is top-notch, with rich and intricate details that bring the supernatural elements to life.
One of the standout features of this book is the balance between humor and danger. While the stakes are high and the action is intense, there are also plenty of moments that will have readers laughing out loud. The humor is clever and well-timed, never taking away from the overall tension of the story.
Another highlight of "Deja Demon" is its strong and well-crafted plot. The author does an excellent job of keeping the reader engaged and on their toes, with surprising twists and turns that keep the story fresh and exciting. The pacing is spot-on, never dragging or feeling rushed.
Overall, "Deja Demon" by Julie Kenner is a must-read for fans of the supernatural genre. With its unique world-building, witty humor, and thrilling plot, this novel is sure to keep readers entertained from start to finish.
Do you miss Buffy TVS? Kate Conner is the next best thing.
Soccer mom by day; Demon Hunter at night...day...weekends...holidays...whatever. You get the point. Demons do not run on Mom schedule. There are a lot of levels to Kate's life: husbands, children, soccer momming, and assorted other perils coming her way.
I had read the first three books when they first came out. By the time the 4th arrived, my head was elsewhere and I missed the last three. Thought about it now and then, but did nothing until five days ago when I ordered them from my library.
So, Deja Demon down; two more to read.
Like Buffy, suspense and humor are intermingled. I'm glad I remembered the series enough to search for it.
Kate's dead husband is alive . . . AGAIN. Her teen daughter now dreams of being a demon hunter, just like dear old mom. Her current and very much alive husband, Stuart, knows Kate is keeping secrets; he just doesn't know what those secrets are.
Yep. Life as a demon-hunting soccer mom continues to be strange.
This time, demons keep telling Kate that their big demon boss doesn't want her to wield a special sword that will destroy him. She and her ragtag team of demon fighters struggle to stop the big bad while organizing an Easter egg hunt.
Did I mention that Kate's life is strange?
This is the fourth book in the series. If you've tagged along this far, you know what you're in for when you crack open one of these books.
That's right, Kate finally is forced to tell Stuart everything. And he leaves her taking Timmy with him. Don't worry Stuart is a good guy. Personally I like her better with David but that's my opinion. Two people Kate & Allie care about die in this book. That's to be expected though demon hunting is deadly business! David finally gets to spend time with his daughter but he screws up and Kate is pissed! Eddie becomes a hostage for 24 hours. Goramesh & Abadon do a ritual together & become invisible. Then they raise a cemetery of the dead & demons enter them & become real people. Let's just say they had help from a surprise person Eddie brought with him. Now that Stuart knows about David he thinks he has to win Kate over again.
Loved the story. The way the author brings things about piece by piece is awesome. Giving us enough to maybe figure things out if we can, but doubtful! Kate, David and Allie are at it again! Even Eddie, who still insists he’s not in the game anymore hahaha! This time its deja vu. Haven’t we done this before? Bring back memories for both Kate and David of being young and what they did demon hunting. Many pieces connecting and parts to put together before the end comes. Can they do it?
Loved this book! This is the 4th in a series that I haven’t read the first 3 of but I still was able to follow along with very little trouble. If you are a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer , this is her as a married mom of 2! What a fun read and very well written . I can’t wait to read the first 3!
I'm so glad I rediscovered this series. Kate had some growth in this book, and I'm glad the cat's out of the bag for more people in her life. I also have enjoyed the 2008 pop culture references like Dora the Explorer as my kids were little during that time.
I found the book to be a bit of a grind through most of it, but the end was great. I thought the series was getting rather episodic, but finally at the end of the book the author seriously moved some story arcs forward so the next book can start from a very different place.
Glad Kate finally told her husband everything. Less angst in future books. Although I did think it was going to be Allie who had to wield the sword. I was disappointed there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Ever since I began reading the very first book in the Adventures of a Demon Hunting Soccer Mom I've had a difficult time getting a good feel for Kate's husband, Stuart. Yes, on one hand he truly seems to love her but then again he always seems to take her for granted by imposing his political social events/ aspirations on her at the last minute and without her permission. However, the ending of book four, "Deja Demon" finally gives me insight into what kind of man he truly is.
Once again Kate is attacked at home by not only a demon but a zombie as well. This time they are demanding the sword of Caedeum. Truthfully, I must say that the plot is beginning to be formulaic all beginning in the same way. This time Allie steps in to assist her mother with the problem but they both are almost busted when Stuart is awakened and wants to know what is going on.
David has been gone for a while and Allie wants to see her Dad. Kate struggles with this as well as her daughter's growing desire to be out in the field demon hunting. Once again a new demon is threatening to take over the world but a prophecy seems to suggest Kate will be the one to take him down with the sword. What they don't realize is a former enemy will also raise his ugly head.
As Kate, Allie and David spend more time together it is clear Kate needs to tell Stuart the truth. Will she? You will have to read the book to find out. Once again there is plenty of action, suspense and personal drama. However that can be good and bad. Good because it makes for an interesting read but bad because there is no variation in the plot. Additionally, I don't sense a build up to an epic battle or confrontation nor do I sense an ending to the series anywhere to come. I hope I am wrong and that the author plans to end this series while it is still on top. Maybe book five will hold the answer.
With that being said, I definitely recommend this book and this series but you would be best served by starting with book one. You definitely need the world building supplied in the first books to appreciate what is happening in this one.
This series is just fun. Kate was an orphan, raised in Rome by a Vatican priest and trained to serve in the Forza, a super-secret group formed to kill demons that try to gain a foothold in our world. There, she met her husband, Eric, and they served the Forza faithfully until they decided to start a family. Then they retired to San Diablo, California. Eric was killed in a mugging in LA, and Kate later remarried and had a son, while raising the daughter she had with Eric.
When the series began, Kate is forced out of retirement when demon activity begins in San Diablo. The "demon-killing" plot lines are good, gritty, and Kate's kick-butt training and skills are fantastic. The funny part comes as she tries to hide her late-night excursions from her husband and family, while keeping the town (and their home) demon-free.
In this, book #4, a demon she had a run-in with years ago is back and gunning for her, believing she has a mythical sword capable of sending him back to hell permanently. By now, her 14-year-old daughter has found her out, and now that she knows the truth of her mother's past is training with her to learn the art of demon-killing. The only ones who know (outside the organization) are the daughter, and mom's best friend Laura, who now helps her with research.
The other thing Kate is juggling is the fact that Eric's soul is back, living in a high school teacher named David. Her daughter found this out in the last book, and trying to allow her time with her dad without getting Stuart (the current husband) figuring it out or thinking David/Eric is a pedophile or after his wife, is also part of the humor. Stuart is embroiled in an election for county attorney, so he's gone a lot and pretty distracted.
On top of all this, Kate is trying to put together a huge Easter party for their entire neighborhood, while dodging demons bent on her destruction in her back yard. Oh, and some zombies. Don't forget the zombies!
The paranormal aspect is complex and well-done, and the humor balances it all out nicely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Who knew living in the suburbs could be so interesting? Julie Kenner’s soccer mom and demon hunter Kate Connor has got a problem…well, several problems actually. Between demons and zombies trying to kill her, her husband Stuart’s political campaign, the neighborhood Easter egg hunt, and her deceased husband returning from the dead, Kate has her hands full. With the help of her teenage daughter Allie, friend Laura, David/Eric, and Eddie, she just might pull it all together. But can she do so without driving away Stuart away because of the secrets she’s been keeping?
Deja Demon: The Days and Nights of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom is the fourth book in Kenner’s Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom series. Again, Kenner delivers a book that will keep you reading. As secrets go, they usually catch up with you and Kate’s secret demon hunting life catches up with her as she has to decide how and when to tell Stuart what is really going on. Of course, having David/Eric in the mix complicates things and makes this book that much more engaging.
This is a cumulative 5 star rating for one of the most satisfying paranormal series I've read. As a huge fan of Joss Whedon's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," this series is the closest thing I've come across to matching the excitement of that series. While it doesn't have the humor of BTVS, it comes up with a credible "what-if" scenario--what if Buffy reached middle-age complete with a husband, two kids, and a home in the suburbs? What would happen if the demons she fought in her youth came back and she was the only line of defense?
I can't really go over the plot of this book as it depends too much on spoiling previous books. Suffice it to say that Kate's life has gotten ridiculously complicated as she becomes preoccupied with the fallout of the events from the last book. Big drama, big evil, and a very big turn of events makes this book a fascinating entry in the series and I can hardly wait (a year!) for the next entry!
These books just keep getting better and better! I really like how the character of Kate has evolved and become this incredible woman who manages (barely) to balance everything in her life. Granted, she is found out by her husband in the end, but he needed to know any way. I love the chemistry and dynamic between Kate and David/Eric and how it confuses her about her love for her current husband Stuart. Also, Stuart now knowing about her demon hunting ways is going to put a good wrench in everything for the next books I believe. Her relationship with her daughter is becoming more mature as well as she trains to become a hunter and learns more about her mother's troubled past. Since the big baddie did not get killed in the end of this book (Father Ben, you will be missed) I can only assume he will make an appearance in future books to wreck havoc again. And Kate with her posse will be prepared.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I started reading this series nearly a decade ago, and I loved it. Then I took a long (long, looooong) break between books 3 and 4, and when I came back to the series, I found it had lost its appeal. It was still fun and engaging, the heroine as feisty as I remembered… But this time around it all seemed too fluffy and farfetched, and I found myself craving a little bit more reality. The irony is that back when I loved this series, I was a newlywed in college. Now, I’m a work-at-home mom - much closer to Kate Conner than I was a decade ago. Maybe that’s the problem. I found myself rolling my eyes much too often, and I wanted to hear more about Timmy’s eating and sleeping habits than Kate’s latest encounter with the undead in her back yard. The fault doesn’t lie with the book at all - it’s totally me. I’m in a completely different place now, and this series just doesn’t connect with me anymore.
Rereading this in order to move to books 5 and 6. Listened to it on audio this time and that was very enjoyable. It was fast and entertaining and I could keep it on in the background because I remembered a lot of the story. Looking forward to finally moving on in this series.
This was the most enjoyable of the series, especially now that the air is clearing. I had to knock it down a little, however, due to the once again rushed action(s)& explanation(s) at the end as the foe is defeated. My one wish for the whole series is that Kenner would put as much effort into the solutions as she does the problems. That being said, it was good book, overall. I can not say how happy I am that Stuart finally knows the truth. Kate's indecision as to telling her husband everything was really getting on my nerves! I'm just sad that he found out the way he did. On another note, I absolutely love her ever growing support team and I am very hopeful that Stuart will become a part of it. Plus, although I know I'm asking for the impossible, I also hope that David and Stuart can be civil to each other, for the sake of Kate and the kids.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Another fantastic installment of the Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom! I am loving this series. Kate Connor is the type of character that amazes me on all levels. Managing home, hearth and family is a tough job on its own for some people, but throw in some serious demon ass kicking and you would need a miracle.
Julie Kenner's imagination to bring this story to life is proof of her immense talent. Each story in this series is better than the last and makes me want more. I'm on the edge of my seat with wondering what will happen next? How will Kate's husband reacts when he finds out the truth? Is Kate's daughter destined to be a demon hunter? Will Eddie get a date? Will the demon hiding in Kate's pantry cause her to burn dinner?
This is a series not to miss. Lots of humor and action keep the stories moving at a rapid pace with characters that you can care about and root for.
This is book 4 in the series, The Days and Nights of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom. Once again a demon is alive and well in the small city of San Diablo and Kate is pressed into resuming her former (Vatican trained and sanctioned) career as a professional demon hunter. This time the demon seems to be after Kate herself. Once again Kate saves the day with the help of the local high school chemistry teacher (very good at getting rid of the bodies of zombies) and with the advice of her local priest, her Vatican mentor, and her best friend. Somehow I enjoy the sheer craziness of someone living the live of a everyday surburban housewife and mother while hiding a secret life as a demon hunter. This book is more bloody than the previous book, however, and while demon hunting may demand gore, there was perhaps more of it that I expected to find.
It seems like a lot of authors have trouble as they move past that first trilogy of books in a series. That's not to say that this particular work is horrible, in fact the additional character development and the movement of some of the characters into more difficult and darker emotional waters bodes well for the continued development of the series. The lies of a second life blow up for Kate, at least temporarily, and I think that may be the problem I have, is that it is very temporary. Leaving that part of it as a cliffhanger to develop in the next book may have been a better strategic move. In other words, I guess I am tired of all the negative stuff happening to others.
A poorer rating that the previous books, still worth a read to maintain continuity with the series, but I just was not as interested. Still a quick read, and fun, but not AS fun and entertaining.