“In another life, she was my forever.” An unexpected tragedy leaves Professor Nathaniel Hunt a widower alone with a newborn baby. He hires a nanny. She’s young, but well-qualified, with a simple life, a crazy name obsession, and a boyfriend she met at the grocery store. Over time, he discovers she knows things about him—things that happened before she was born—like a hidden scar on his head, his … hidden scar on his head, his favorite pizza, and how he cheated on a high school Spanish test.
She speaks familiar words and shares haunting memories that take him back to over two decades earlier when he lost his best friend in a tragic accident.
“I’m afraid of what’s going to happen when you realize I’m not her.”
Transcend is a sexy, mind-bending journey that uncovers possibilities, challenges beliefs, and begets the age-old question: is there life after death?
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OMG one of my absolute favourite reads of this year!! I can’t recommend this book enough. Jewel’s writing is absolute perfection. If you love characters that are unique and quirky and real, grab this book!
Holy Shit..everyone said this book was AMAZING.
Everyone said this book will be with you forever!!
Everyone said this is their Top read!
Everyone said this is the best book!
Y’all this BOOK is everything said above and so much more!!!
OMG I LOVED it….I’m starting EPOCH right now cuz I have to know what happens next!!!
Jewel Ann you definitely have a new stalker..goodness your writing is phenomenal..only one book down and you are now a one click author for me!!!
A M A Z I N G!!!
I just finished the Transcend Duet Book 1 & 2. I listened to it (I had an audible version) far into the night. The love affair between Griffin and Swayze is genuine and real. The tension is palpable as she tries to figure out the past. If you like a differnet kind of romance, like I do, this is the book for you.
Transcend
Jewel E Ann
Reviews on good reads. Amazon. The
Book addicts
HOLY CRAP !!!
That was another absolutely fabulous book by Jewel E Ann !! She is a fabulous writer. She writes in away that draws you in and holds you there. It’s phenomenal!!
That ending though !!!
Gasp !!!
Come on book 2. My heart is racing!!
The author weaves a tale so touching and thought provoking, I couldn’t put it down. And I couldn’t stop thinking about it long after I finished. Some people dislike reading about love triangles, but the way Jewel wrote these stories, the emphasis was on self-discovery and relationships. I was rooting for all the characters in the books. If you want a book that grabs you and holds you until the last page, grab this book.
5″ Grocery Store Guy” Stars
The story is so TRANSCEDENTAL <---see what I did there ! A story unlike any other, very individually distinctive, leaving all the norms behind. It stimulates your senses and invokes all kinds of hidden feelings. Made me question my own past at times. My native culture quite compelling and congruent with the central theme of this book, gave me an added edge to better understand the story and sail past any doubts that other readers migh have. Maybe that's why I felt a special affinity to the book, or maybe it's that I've come to love Jewel's brain, I'm certain it's the latter. “I was her now. She was my always. And I thought that would add up to forever.” The words just lift off of the pages like feathers, wispy, beautiful, light and blow with the narrative winds, taking you high above, from where you can see everything. Swayze's past, present and a probable future. The birds eye view helps understand the frustration her mind is going through. I was like Nathaniel Hunt, wanting to spell it out for her. It's Right THERE in front of our eyes!!!! Or is it? Jewel still will have a few aces up her sleeve in Epoch, I'm sure ! Swayze Samuels is a beautiful,normal,albeit a very frustrated girl. She has these recollections, of vivid memories,from random strangers. she feels she's audienced these events, and that's messing up her brain. It’s déjà vu in overdrive. Vivid thoughts and memories reside in my head , clear and detailed. Dreams leave gaps and push past the realm of reality. But she's an excellent nanny/babysitter, with "Magical Breasts", the one that little baby Morgan takes instant liking to and she's now firmly entrenched in Hunt household. Here she butts head with her past ties and the tugs become stronger and harder. In all this confusion, her oasis of clarity is her "Harley Man" Thank God for big,taut chest of Griffin Calloway, where she can hide her troubled thoughts. Thank God for his Tattoed powerful, enveloping arms, which embrace her in a safety net. Thank God for his big Dong...... Heart! i meant Heart !!! , which makes her feel loved and cherished. He's a divinely endowed..... I meant divine!!! alright**sigh** ( what is wrong with my autocorrect!!) Griffin Calloway, a Harley Davidson technician and mechanic with tattoos and muscles of a gym rat I don't wanna tell you ANYTHING about Morgan, Daisy, Griffin, Swayze, because giving you one tiny thread will unravel the whole story and I selfishly want to keep all the details to myself...just kidding!!. I want y'all to experience the divine story yourself Jewel tantalisizes you with her words, tickles your fanny...omg fancy..FANCY! The story is so intriguingly unique and original, it's like she dismantles all the cookie cutters and injects fresh flavours, fresh feelings, simply aromatic freshness in the story. I've annointed myself as a devout SuperFan, blood-oath and all, except maybe a drop, ( when I cut my finger accidentally) , whatever!! I want to mention something here. The first line of the book is this- Naveah, it's Heaven spelt backwards. Heaven in the opposite direction … wouldn’t that be Hell? Very significant line, just dwell on it. Nate, Griff and Swayze are all in idyllic heaven of the present, ok maybe not Nate. But their lives are spelt backwards, ever since Swayze has a chance encounter with Nate in Dr.Greysons office, they're walking backwards, Griffin is being pulled by association, simply because he's an old, poetic soul who's so in love with Swayze “You make me feel like I belong.” “You belong with me.” There's an ocean churning, vigororusly....right in the midst is a calm island named Griffin. Providing strength, stability and sense You weren’t supposed to come into my life until I had it together. You’re the guy who is supposed to appear after a string of bad decisions. But here you are, watching me stumble around the craziest self-discovery. If I don’t lose you, it will be a miracle.” And second thing I wanna mention is the fateful recollections she has. Swayze is in denial, IMO, because her memories pertain to only one person, and one person only "Morgan Daisy Gallagher Beloved daughter, dreamer, beautiful angel." Now about the characters. Nathaniel Hunt is the tragically romantic hero . His life in shambles, he's unmoored and adrift without his wife. There's something so sexy about a single daddy, holding a baby, makes your ovaries explode and I'm definite lots of y'all ladies will walk around with warped uteruses, cause your ovaries will be gone Then there's Griffin, y'all know my thoughts about this LickityLicious biker **sigh** And what can i say more about Swayze, the Lost Soul. Compassionate, gracious, Loyal. Jewel is partial to her heroines, making them perfect Eves. Witty, smart, intelligent and damn strong. They are survivors & warriors and Swayz is no different. I fell in love with the book. Head-over-Heels, somersaulting, upending Love, with the story.you will too! So enough with my goo-goo, ga-ga ramblings. Buy the book and read it and stay away from MY Griffin!!
Transcend by Jewel E. Ann (Transcend Duet, Book 1)
5 Stars
Jewel is a special kind of author, let me tell your why. She has been sharing chapters of Transcend for over a year to her readers via her newsletter. Although I am a subscriber to her newsletter, I knew eventually, she would make Transcend into a full length and share it with everyone. I waited until this book was out in the wild. I was a trooper and I didn’t read the Chapter’s Jewel shared in her newsletter. I have been a fan of Jewel’s since the Holding Series. Most of you who follow my reviews here, will know that I am truly a fan of her writing.
If you are a fan of Jewel’s other books, well let me just say Transcend (and what I am sure Epoch will be) is a totally different read. You still get the sarcasm, sense of humor, strong female lead, But what you will also get is bit of mystery a bit suspense. See … different.. Swayze Samuels is your female lead, and how can you not love someone with the name of Swayze, even though she hates it. The story has Swayze, Griffin (her hot, sexy AF boyfriend) and Nate her employer. Swayze is hired to take care of his newborn baby girl, Morgan.
I am going to be pretty vague with this review. What I will say is this: it isn’t a love triangle, and for those of you who read the blurb and think it’s one genre for example, PNR. I am not a PNR reader, but for me this is NOT PNR and I will leave it at that. You have to read with an open mind.
I read this book in a day and a half. I started diving into Epoch as soon as I was done with Transcend. All I know is that I may not be prepared for the meltdown that I am most certain I will have.
WTF just happened????
My heart just cant contain anymore of excitement… This is a book where you should put a red ( not Blue according to Swayze ) bowties and delivered to everyone…
I will be honest, this is my first finished book I had from Jewel E Ann.. Can I put a word to it? Yes, after minutes went by and my brain had kept replying every meaningful sentences been spoken.. I am speechless .. in the best way… this book worked my thought to the T… it was so different from every books that I had ever read so far.. the thoughts and flashback was so vivid.. the words were spoken like it had been scripted… I loved the love.. between the characters.. the unspoken thought??? I had my wonder since a few chapter..
This book was very vocal.. every person hold each other with care.. it may not be as happy cheesy love but the genuine sincere…
Its not your regular romance but it was full with love in every stages… I craved for whats next? What if? You need to read this book to find all the clues.. Im not going to talk about it.. i found joy when i finished Transcend.. my thirst is growing along with my curiosity.. am I late to enjoy it? I hope not.. I want to ride the train of thought all the way to Epoch …
OMG! This story is why I try to save my 5-star ratings for epic stories There are authors that have the best intentions, tell stories about topics that’s are important and emotional in their own right, but just don’t get the execution quite right. THIS story transcends time and is more; more than I could have imagined, more than I anticipated, more than my words can describe or give it the justice it deserves. Reincarnation, do you believe in it? Whether you do or don’t, this story definitely brings questions to your mind.
I want to say things about this story but I think its important to go into it not knowing too much. This is what makes it so real. Even though this was a serial email story, I didn’t read the monthly updates. I knew this needed to be read and absorbed at one time for me and I’m so glad I waited.
Swayze has fought to be normal and average her whole life, even though her parents made her endure test after test to prove otherwise. She has grown up, found the absolute love of her life, Griffin, her Grocery Store Guy, but a chance encounter with a grieving widower and his new born has turned her life upside down. Griffin is her everything, but Nate feels like her past. How can she reconcile her tug towards her past and the safety in the future to be with Griffin.
I felt so much for Swayze. Her need to be with Griffin and her need to know about all the things she’s knows about Nate that she shouldn’t, her pull toward his daughter. She is in a tug of war for her life and its causing so many issues. I want to be upset with Griffin for not understanding but then understanding and the same for Nate trying to pull her in a different direction. There were so many emotions to feel while reading this story and trying to understand all of the characters actions. They all have a right, even though you don’t want them to.
The ending was one of the biggest cliffies I’ve ever read. Epoch will be an absolute necessity in my life. There is no way I can not find out the answers that have to be revealed within this story. Accolade’s to Jewel again with this absolutely stunning and different story that grabbed my attention from the first chapter, kept me reading until the wee hours of the AM and had me finishing in record time…. within 24 hrs. A book NOT to be missed. 6 star read, for me.
6 Incredible Stars!
I’m at a loss for words to describe Transcend, the first book in a Duet, an amazing and beautifully written story. This moving and poignant tale was filled with touching and jaw dropping moments that made me cry a few times. I felt an almost desperate yearning I couldn’t explain; I had to pat my chest more than once, as if I could somehow crazily comfort myself, as one would comfort a child. It’s going to be one of my TopReads of 2018; if not the #1 book on the list.
Do you believe in soulmates? I’ve always wondered about people who were sure their partner was their soulmate; that somehow they recognized a pull to someone, so powerful, no one else but they could feel. Transcend makes me believe in the possibility that soulmates exist. And hope that if at some point they were lost, for whatever reason, they could find each other in this life or the next.
“The people in our lives give color to our existence. When we love, we choose to let part of our heart—part of our soul—live inside of another person. Their happiness is our happiness. Their grief is our grief and when they die…part of us dies too.”
Swayze Samuels, twenty-one and an only child, has always known she’s a little different. Ever since she was a young girl she’d seen strangers and known things about them, personal and unexplained things. She’s kept that from her new boyfriend, Griffin, who she met in the checkout line at the grocery store. After he paid for her chocolates and personal items, when she discovered she’d forgotten her wallet, and he wrote his number on the receipt when she insisted on paying him back; he also wrote on it Grocery Store Guy, so she’d know who he was, and the name stuck.
Griff Calloway’s twenty-three, works out, has tattoos and rides a Harley. He’s also responsible, close to his family, both figuratively and literally, and Swayze feels she hit the boyfriend lottery.
“This messy girl is going to mess up—a lot—because I’m young and stupid. You weren’t supposed to come into my life until I had it together. You’re the guy who is supposed to appear after a string of bad decisions. But here you are, watching me stumble around the craziest self-discovery. If I don’t lose you, it will be a miracle.”
“Swayz…”
“Griff, I need a miracle.”
Swayze’s dad died recently and her mother wants her to see a psychiatrist, insisting she might have unresolved issues, something she’s not thrilled about.
“If my father’s death taught me anything, it’s that last goodbyes don’t RSVP. Take lots of mental pictures of favorite moments. And being present with the ones that matter most is the wisest investment of time.”
On her way out of the doctor’s office, she sees someone she knows. Nate, as she calls him, looks at her as if she’s a total stranger. He looks a little older than the last time she saw him, but she’s surprised he acts like he doesn’t know her, when she knows exactly how he got his scar when he was fourteen years old.
When Nathaniel “Nate” Hunt informs Swayze he’s 36 years old, and she wasn’t even born when he was fourteen, she realizes this is one of those unexplained things that keep happening to her. What’s even stranger is when Swayze arrives at her job interview, it’s Nate who’s hiring. His wife Jenna died a month ago giving birth to their daughter Morgan, and he needs a nanny to take care of her.
Swayze slowly lets on to Nate, without spooking him, that she unexplainably knew him when he was younger. As strange as it seems to Nate, he feels a connection with her and slowly begins to reveal things about himself. Nate tells her about the girl he fell in love with when he was seven, and died when she was fourteen, and for whom Morgan’s named after. Nate begins to see Swayze in a new light and begins to wonder if there’s a plausible explanation.
“I’ve spent my entire adult life trying to convince myself I was too young to really love her. Some people think kids are resilient. They heal faster because their cells divide faster. It’s true on a physical level. But…emotionally, I think what happens to us when we’re young changes us forever. A broken bone is nothing compared to a broken heart. One is a scratch. The other leaves a scar on your soul.”
I decided to go in blind and not know what this book is about; I just knew it was by my (as of recently) favorite author. Unfortunately, I didn’t think this through, it turns out this book ends with a cliffhanger (duet, duh!) and I’ll have to wait (miserably) for the conclusion.
Originally released as the author’s newsletter exclusive serial TRANSCEND is the first instalment in Jewel E Ann’s contemporary adult THE TRANSCEND DUET slightly paranormal, romance storyline focusing on thirty-six year old widower and single father Professor Nathaniel Hunt, twenty-one year old nanny Swayze Samuels, and twenty-three year old mechanic Griffin Calloway.
Told from first person point of view (Swayze Samuels) TRANSCEND follows our heroine, Swayze Samuels as she traverses through the minefield that has become her life. Somewhat of a ‘savant’ Swayze has the ability to recall events that happened before she was born, in and around Madison Wisconsin, as though she has experienced these events first hand. Meeting Professor Nathaniel Hunt, a widower and single father, who has lost two people in his life, has our heroine focusing on someone else’s life-a life that ended all too soon. As the professor’s new nanny Swayze begins to recall a life between Nathaniel and the young girl he once loved, a girl who died tragically before her time. What ensues is the building relationship between Nathaniel and Swayze-a relationship based upon memories of the past.
Jewel E Ann pulls the reader into a story of past memories; love and loss; betrayal and heartbreak. As Griffin looks towards the future with the woman he loves, Swayze continues to focus on the memories of someone else. TRANSCEND follows a path that treads dangerously close love triangle territory-a territory that invokes all sorts of volatile emotions for this prolific reader. Swayze is a young woman who has fallen in love with mechanic Griffin Calloway but her attraction to Nate, whether emotional, physical or transcendental, is propagated upon their mutual love for Nate’s infant daughter; their shared memories of a time before Swayze was born, and one man’s need to reclaim the past.
TRANSCEND is a wonderful, thought-provoking, awe-inspiring story line that I fear may lead to a broken heart. The premise is inventive and original; the characters are colorful, imaginative and engaging. Jewel E Ann pulls the reader into a story line that straddles the line between reality and fantasy; a heartbreaking tale of one man’s struggle to move forward, and one woman’s emotional connection to someone else’s past. TRANSCEND ends on a cliff-hanger-you have been warned.
REVIEW: WHAT DID I JUST READ….?
“The mind functions with memory, but flourishes from discovery.”
I feel like some throw around the word angsty because they know that draws in the readers. They know that’s a turn-on for some and use it every chance they get – right or wrong, and I understand that desire to captivate and bring in those readers. I crave well written angst. I love when it strings me along and it makes me anxious. I love when it makes me pace because I can’t figure it out. It says something to me when it’s so torturously slow that I’m unable to focus on anything else but the book, but I can’t sit still long enough to sit down and read it. Jewel knows how to write a story that does exactly that; that grips you and holds you against your will, making you see another side to the potentiality of this story. This one will dominate my thoughts for quite some time. I’m in so much trouble….
“Nate holds me captive without touching me.”
I was so afraid as to how this book would play out and end, but by the time I got there, the gasp was completely audible. It was late at night, so of course I had to curtail my freak out, but I am SO excited to get to Epoch because of the discussion that I get to have AFTERWARDS. I know that sounds crazy, but there is only so much I can put in this review. Jewel had me thinking not only outside of my comfort zone, but she had my mind spinning with what-ifs and why-nots. I want to cry for Nate and hug Griffin. I want to cradle Swayze’s heart and rock with her while she goes through all this turmoil. My heart is just not in a safe spot right now. Any decisions made have ramifications. Any actions taken have consequences. There is so much at stake on either side of the storyline that it truly makes me pace! Such a gripping conundrum.
“A single touch can say things twenty-six letters can’t even begin to say.”
I truthfully loved each of these characters equally, and that is rather rare for me. While I am usually very decided on sides while reading this type of story, I can honestly say that this one scares me so much. Each character has their own dynamic playing into this. Each one brings something different; another aspect to grasp onto and run with. I am so conflicted because I love how this book is making me feel!! I love how these characters are making me question and think, worry and sympathize. I find that I’m putting myself in their shoes, questioning the what if….
“Griffin grounds me. I find the best version of myself rooted in his love.”
REALITY CHECK: The heartbreak is inevitable on every level. I mean, this is a triangle, but it’s very different than any I have ever read. With this twist she added to her storyline, there is an element of supernatural wonder to it. For those of you that don’t read that genre, or won’t read outside of romance in general, I implore you to read this. I loved her vision because it was so easy for me to follow and to read it. I read it with such curiosity surrounding me on every page. So interesting and so different!
I wrote this on my Facebook post: Jewel E Ann is testing my mind’s ability to bend the truth. To accept the unexplainable. I’m in love with this story and the possibilities. Crazy enough, I trust Jewel with this journey because this wouldn’t be my normal read. It’s so different. I’m really getting caught up in this story.
This one, it was the kind of story that grabbed me, sucked me in, and then I was completely and utterly fixated on the minute details that she sprinkled in between the pages. I had goosebumps. I had chills. I had so many questions. But most of all, I had love and adoration for the characters of this story. My heart broke and it smiled, it cried and it sighed. I am SO in love with these characters that I cannot possibly wait patiently for Epoch. I am ready.
OMGosh….my heart!!! Helllp meeee!!! I am just going to wallow over here, rocking in a corner awaiting Epoch.
“We don’t love with our brains, we love with our hearts. We love on instinct.”
~BEE
Ohhhhhh! I devoured this book. Or rather, the book devoured me. It chewed me up and spat me out. It’s beautiful, angsty, the characters are amazing, and it’s so well written that I didn’t ever want to come out from within the pages.
I’m equally excited and scared for book two! Griffin is everything, but I love Nate, and I have no idea how this author can possibly end the duet without destroying me.
And that’s why it’s so great. I’ve been struggling recently and had a lot of DNFs. I needed this – a book that elicits a real emotional response, that makes me ache, that makes me think. Thank you Jewel E Ann!
“I was her now. She was my always. And I thought that would add up to forever.”
Wow! I don’t know what to say other than… I NEED Epoch, like right now!!!!
Omg! This duet killed me. I loved everything about it! Even the angst that had me holding my breath! It was an amazing story that held me still for 2 days! The idea of fate and reincarnation made this tale something everyone wants. Even if you don’t believe in that. I loved it!
This is one of two books (Epoch was the second one) that kept me wondering until the end of the second book. I knew how I wanted it to go (most of the time) but wasn’t sure until the last chapter or two of the second book. It was an extremely good read. I don’t usually like a series where you have to read more than one book for the ending but these two books were well worth the read and the wait! Loved them.
The 1st book Transcend draws you in! Epoch really tears you apart. It goes in a different direction than expected but I like happy endings and Thankfully it had one.
Ok, so it’s been an absentee parenting kind of weekend–but suuuuch a great one for books! Transcend is so fabulous, you should stop what you are doing immediately just so you can read it. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this touched by a book. Jewel E. Ann, you’ve got me–I’m hooked!
Absolutely loved this book! Couldn’t put it down! I’m so pleased I can jump into the next book straight away too…. I need to know what happens next! This book is just so different to what I have previously read. It is beautifully written and I have so many emotions running through me. A fantastic read that I would recommend to all!
This book keeps you on your toes as it pulls at your heart strings. You love her with Griffin but you see the connection with Nate. I can’t decide what I want more for her. All the things going in tears me in two directions! Beautifully written story. Excited to read the next one and get some answers!