Austin is struggling with the death of his fiancé. Kelzi lost her husband to the war in Iraq and is destitute, withdrawn and living in a shelter with her four-year-old son. They are both traveling down the road of self-destruction, until ‘fate' and 'letting go of the past’ collide. Will Austin be able to let go of his past? Will Kelzi learn to trust again?
A riveting exploration of love lost and found. NOT AGAIN is the poignant story of a young man who must confront his past, so that he can believe in the chance for a new beginning.
I’m divorced and I live in a small community just north of Los Angeles where I raised my two sons. I love to garden, try new recipes, take lots of pictures, and occasionally I enjoy a glass of wine with dear friends. I’ve never jumped out of a plane, climbed Mt. Everest, or seen the Northern Lights of Alaska. But, I have danced in the rain, sent a message in a bottle, and I’ve rode my motorcycle down The Pacific Coast Highway on sunny California days!
After my divorce, I waltzed into the world of online dating. I didn’t find my knight-in-shining armor, but instead in 2008, I wrote a very successful book on my entertaining experiences. My first book “Searching4MrRight.com” was published by a small press and you can find it on Amazon.
My first fiction novel “Bishop Street” is coming out July 2013. This story is about four powerful friendships that begin at Bishop Street Orphanage. It continues with lies and deceit after they leave at eighteen. Then, twenty years later, redemption plays out and ultimately the strength that got them through their childhood becomes the catalyst that binds them back together. My passion of writing has lead me on the most amazing journey. Now, my focus is on fiction. I thrive on developing strong storylines that showcase today’s contemporary lifestyles. Rags to riches, Robinhood, and surviving the odds, seems to be my one common denominator that showcases my fascinating and diverse characters.
Moment of Impact is book 1 in this series, be sure to read that first, check out my review.
NOT AGAIN is the follow on book which I have been eagerly anticipating. Rene Schultz came to my attention a few years ago with her fabulous first book named BISHOP STREET followed by the secound book to that series called HOUSE OF STONE which took my breath away, so I have followed her writing ever since
Not to mention DONE DEAL which was one of my favourites.
NOT AGAIN reflects back on Austin and his grief for Harper which we take up from the previous book.
We still find Austin very much grieving for Harper, his fiance who met with a fatal accident. Just ONE MOMENT OF IMPACT that changed many peoples lives including Austin's. Just a fraction away from marrying the love of his life.
His family are worried about Austin as time has moved on but Austin cannot, he is encouraged to go to a Grief Counselling meeting where others are there who have lost someone and he can relate to, not feeling he is alone in his grief.
It was so sad, some had lost entire family members and it broke me when I listened to their stories.
One young girl was there named Kelzi. Kelzi is stiff looking, doesn't seem to give much to the group, we find her reasons for coming are just as sad and moving as the others in the group, she also has to come to the meeting or she will loose her place at the homeless centre which she shares with her young son she is bringing up alone.
Most weeks she rushes out the door.
When Kelzi does put some import we learn a little more about her, and she has taken Austins attention, he wants to help.
I felt so sorry for Kelzi, one parent family, homeless, living hand to mouth and trying to make a living the best way she could to provide for her son.
It was a great experience for me as a reader to see the relationship grow between them in a platonic way. I thought that Austin had a lot of patience when it came to talking with Kelzi, sometimes a fun way and not so serious, I also loved how he put her at ease when he knew she couldn't afford things like food from the drive thru'.
As Kelzi unfolded layer by layer wrapped at tightly around her as petal around a rosebud, as she loosened we could see the inner beauty of her. Her personality came shinning through, especially the love for her son.
The reader will get a yearning to carry on eagerly reading as Kelzi is hiding something, the shock of something that happens within this story left me with my mouth wide open, draw dropping moment.
THE MOMENT OF IMPACT.
This book brought out a lot of emotion within me and left me gasping NOT AGAIN.
NOT AGAIN by Rene D. Schultz is an amazing family-drama suspense novel that will create an everlasting impression, and will resonate in your soul. I wish to thank Rene for providing me with a digital copy of her novel, for an unbiased review. This is the second book I have read of hers, being so touched by her first book in the series, MOMENT OF IMPACT (Book1) but it definitely won’t be the last. I love her writing, and her characters are like your friends and family.
NOT Again (Book 2) is a standalone to Moment of Impact (Book 1). I would recommend that you read Moment of Impact first, to gain a better appreciation of the characters and the struggles they had to endure.
In Moment of Impact, the lives of seven families, from all walks of life, all ages, take the commuter train into down-town Los Angeles that morning…The Day of the Big Train Crash.
Each chapter is devoted to each of the seven families, and allows us to meet the family and gain further insight into all the characters. This author has the uncanny ability to allow the reader to feel like they are right there as an observant, not to judge but feel all their pain and suffering.
“That moment of impact was like a big tidal wave-and this moment was going to change the lives of everyone it touched. Not one single person was going to walk away unscathed and without a memory that would be embedded in their lives.”
Now 2 ½ years later in NOT AGAIN, Austin in Moment is struggling with the death of his fiancé. His family and friends had pushed him into therapy, after the accident, in order to deal with his grief. It was here that he meets Kelzi, a young woman who had lost her husband to the war in Iraq, withdrawn and living in a shelter with her four-year-old son. They are both dealing with their own baggage, and pain traveling down the road of self-destruction. Will Austin be able to let go of his past? Will Kelzi learn to trust again?
This is a moving story of love lost and found. NOT AGAIN is the emotional story of a young man who must confront his past, in order to allow him a chance for a new beginning.
Once I got into the book it was very hard to put down. The characters are real and flawed and come alive as you read each small detail unfolding. The dialogue is so natural and well written, you can imagine the voices.
It is strange how life can change on a dime. For those injured that lived, life will never be the same, and if nothing else this novel recognizes the importance of having balance in your life, and knowing what is important in your life. With the Christmas season nearly upon us, let us give thanks for all our blessings and be grateful for what we have. Life is precious so spread your life with love and kindness.
Once again, I wish to thank Rene in allowing me to share her journey. She is a very talented author, and one to keep on the radar.
I’ve been with this author from the start of her journey and I’ve gotta say each book has me craving more.
Austin’s fiancé was killed in a train crash three years ago. Each day is a struggle as he can’t deal with his grief. His mum talks him into attending a group for people dealing with grief. He realises he’s not alone and meets others going through what he’s going through.
Kelzi also goes to the group. She’s struggling with grief but unlike Austin she’s alone except for her four year old son.
Austin and Kelzi are two strong characters but they both need help to move on. They both know what raw pain feels like. Can fate intervene and show these two that they can find happiness if they fight for it. The secondary characters added so much to the story too.
Not Again is the story of grieving and moving on. I’ve got faith in Rene so I jumped into this without reading the blurb. I’m so glad that I did. Like previous books by this author I didn’t want it to end and would have loved more. I recommend reading Moment of Impact but this can definitely be read as a standalone. I’m really looking forward to reading more from this author.
* I received an ebook from the author, but that in no way affects my review or opinion. *
I have read EVERY book by author Rene D. Schultz and each one gets better and better! She is an amazing author that is able to bring the reader to tears. She captures the very heart and soul of each reader and tears it open before she repairs in only a way that she can. Her writing style is smooth, seamless, and full of emotion. The reader can feel her emotions pouring through the pages of the book. It isn't just a book that you read, it is a book that you feel.
Be prepared to laugh, cry, ugly cry, yell, curse and ugly snot cry as you read this story. Have a box if tissues nearby so that you can try to control the flow of tears running down and causing the words to become blurry. You will root for Kelzi, Cory and Austin. You will despise the way in which the world works. You will want to hide under the covers of your bed and pretend that it is a fort to protect you from all of the sadness in the world, but in the end you will fall in love...you will fall in love with the characters, the author, the story and most of all you will fall in love with the world in which you live and can somehow change, even a little by reading this story.
Kelzi and Austin have been through a lot, but they discover that in the end if you are strong, determined and have support you can withstand even the most difficult of tragedies and there is always a yellow brick road to lead you to happiness. Author Rene D. Schultz is an author that if you haven't read yet, you MUST! You need to see the world through her words and you will find out that it isn't always what we see that matters, it's what we feel.
Grab this book and all of her others because they are amazing reads that leave the reader with a book hangover that will take months to recover from. This may just be her very best story yet...
**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng **
http://fallenoverbookreviews.blogspot... I read the previous book Moment of Impact and I remember how my heart was just broken for those that were affected by the train crash. If you haven't read book one then you should, even though this book is stand alone you might get to understand Austin's struggle even more by understanding how he got here. Austin is still dealing with the loss of his fiance Harper. They were both perfect for each other and Austin is taking it hard though it has been years. When his mother suggests he goes to a support group he doesn't want to attend I mean they can't possibly understand where he is coming from right? Well he is more than wrong while attending and slowly opening up he realizes that he does have to move on with life but he can hold his memories of her. He also gets drawn to a young woman named Kelzi who has lost her husband and has a four year old child to raise. Things are not good for Kelzi but she is making due and trying her best. What keeps her going is her son Cory. She doesn't open up easy and is very angry. As we watch over time Austin gets Kelzi to open up and come out of her shell, and we see that a romance could blossom between the two if they can get over the past and move forward. Once I got into the book it was very hard to put down. The characters were amazing and my heart broke for Austin because he just didn't seem like he could let go of his past. Though at times he did seem to be a bit pushy with Kelzi. In this story we see a whole of growing from a lot of different characters and it was nice for Austin to see a different point of view than his on more than one occasion.
I've been reading this author's books for many years and they still get me in the heart. A great read and sopping tissues during the book.
This I think is best to be read after reading Moment of Impact (to give you an insight to Austin's past about Harper and how he has digested the horror in him losing her).
Kelzi has lost her husband, her home and most of all her life as she knew it. She has a gorgeous little boy who is the light of her life. Without him, her life isn't worth living. One Thursday Kelzi and Austin meet at a group therapy and where their lives entwine from that moment anything can happen.
I loved this book as it showed what human compassion and honesty does for group therapy and if 2 strangers can help heal each other.
I have read EVERY book by author Rene D. Schultz and each one gets better and better! She is an amazing author that is able to bring the reader to tears. She captures the very heart and soul of each reader and tears it open before she repairs in only a way that she can. Her writing style is smooth, seamless, and full of emotion. The reader can feel her emotions pouring through the pages of the book. It isn't just a book that you read, it is a book that you feel.
Be prepared to laugh, cry, ugly cry, yell, curse and ugly snot cry as you read this story. Have a box if tissues nearby so that you can try to control the flow of tears running down and causing the words to become blurry. You will root for Kelzi, Cory and Austin. You will despise the way in which the world works. You will want to hide under the covers of your bed and pretend that it is a fort to protect you from all of the sadness in the world, but in the end you will fall in love...you will fall in love with the characters, the author, the story and most of all you will fall in love with the world in which you live and can somehow change, even a little by reading this story.
Kelzi and Austin have been through a lot, but they discover that in the end if you are strong, determined and have support you can withstand even the most difficult of tragedies and there is always a yellow brick road to lead you to happiness. Author Rene D. Schultz is an author that if you haven't read yet, you MUST! You need to see the world through her words and you will find out that it isn't always what we see that matters, it's what we feel.
Grab this book and all of her others because they are amazing reads that leave the reader with a book hangover that will take months to recover from. This may just be her very best story yet...
**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng **
This stand alone sequel, Not Again, was another well thought out & executed story by Rene Schultz. I have read all of Rene’s books and loved them all. It isn’t necessary to read Moment of Impact first, but it helps the reader to understand Austin’s fears & emotions. There are several stages of grief & everyone experiences them & handles them differently. This is portrayed in the story by the various peopleAustin met in the grief support group his mother encouraged him to attend. I got personally involved in all of the participant’s stories because Rene made me feel like I was a member of the group. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but there were several incidents that affected the lives of Austin, Kelzi, & their friends & families. I recommend this book to anyone who loves stories about relationships between family, friends, strangers & how they can impact each other’s lives. It had romance, excitement & tragedy thrown in for extra measure. You’ll fall in love with the story & the characters. I’ll be patiently waiting for Rene’s next book.
This stand alone sequel, Not Again, was another well thought out & executed story by Rene Schultz. It isn’t necessary to read Moment of Impact first but it helps to understand Austin’s fears & emotions. There are several stages of grief & everyone experiences & handles them differently. This is portrayed in the story by the various people Austin met in the grief support group his mother encouraged him to attend. I got involved in all of the participant’s stories because Rene made me feel like I was a member of the group myself. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but there are several incidents that affected the lives of Austin , Kelzi, & their friends. I recommend this book to anyone who loves stories about relationships between family, friends, & strangers & how they can impact each other’s lives. It had a little romance, excitement, & tragedy thrown in for extra measure. I’ll be patiently waiting for her next book.