Published by Bayou Moon Press on 16 February 2014
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 300
Format: eARC
Source: Xpresso Booktours
When destiny fails…
Singer-songwriter Lucy Moore thought her life was perfect. At just twenty-one, she’s already met her soul mate and together they’ve landed a recording contract. But when her father dies and the love of her life betrays her in more ways than one, she returns home to pick up the pieces. On the shores of Mendocino, California, Lucy has some decisions to make. Should she start a solo career? Or should she leave it all behind for some semblance of normalcy in the quiet town she grew up in? And what about Seth, the tortured artist who always seems to be there when she needs him?
Seth Keenan has demons of his own. Eighteen months ago, he was involved in a horrific accident that he never talks about. His career as an accomplished oil-paint artist has been abandoned, replaced by the buzz of his tattoo gun. And women—well, he never sticks around for longer than a few hours of pleasure… until he meets Lucy. After one evening of listening to her seductive voice, he’s pulled under. But what about the vow he made to never get close to anyone again?
In a world where everyone has one true soul mate, can these two find love in the arms of each other?
*I received a free ARC of Defining Destiny from Xpresso Booktours in exchange of an honest review*
Defining Destiny is a beautiful story, in which actual soul-mates have an almost magical connection. However, being soul-mates does not mean they treat each other right, showing love and respect when they should, and some use that connection as a selfish excuse to get what they want for themselves.
Lucy met her soul-mate Cadan when she was 19, and their magical connection is singing together. Defining Destiny shows their singing as a way to make both them and their audience feel something much stronger than they would on their own. When Cadan and Lucy sing together, their voices merge and make a kind of sensory magic. However, Cadan uses that connection to further his own selfish interests, and he is not only unfaithful to Lucy, he also tries to cheat her out of many things she wants and needs in order to move forward with her own life after the death of her father.
I truly enjoyed that Defining Destiny is all about the fact that magical soul-mates, can also be anything but healthy and magical. Lucy took a long time to realize Cadan was no good for her, and it was really hard for her to stand up for herself. And once she was able to leave Cadan, her problems were far from over. There is a very strong bond between soul-mates, and trying to live alone or with someone else is simply not done.
At the beginning of Defining Destiny, Lucy meets Seth, whose soul-mate died in an accident over a year ago. He is still completely shattered from the loss, and he cannot continue to paint as he used to. The fact that painting was both of their talents only contributed to the difficulties he had to get back to work. Their paintings were also kind of magical, through their connection, they would make a picture that truly meant something really important to someone else, something that had nothing to do with them.
As both Lucy and Seth try to get over the loss of their soul-mates, Defining Destiny show a great deal of character development on both their parts. Lucy has to fight her fights alone, and Seth needs to get back to the world of the living. They are both haunted by their soul-mates, Seth in dreams, and Lucy in real life, as Cadan continues to pursue her.
A different kind of magic, set in a small town where Lucy grew up, Defining Destiny is a strong story about how even when things seem destined to be, we always have free choice. Sometimes our choices are difficult, both to make and to live with, and other times it is easier. However, hiding behind destiny in order to not live life fully is not a good option at all.
I’m lost in the beautiful destruction and it hits me. That’s exactly what I’d had with Cadan. Beautiful destruction. Everyone else saw the beauty of our harmony, while I was stuck with the shit he created with his selfishness.
He raises an eyebrow and nods to his hand as if he’s issuing a challenge. Suck it up, Moore. He doesn’t bite. Well, maybe he does a little, but in the best possible way. I glance away, praying he can’t read the thoughts on my face.
The lights shine bright from her gray seaside home. I pull to a sotp in her gravel driveway and take a moment to collect myself. Suddenly, I’m filled with nervous energy. What am I doing here?
Thanks for stopping by on my stop on this tour. Don’t forget to check out the other stops as well 🙂
And here’s another author that I desperately need to check out. I have at least two of her books on my Kindle, so I just need to find the time to read one. Great review, Lexxie! It sounds wonderful 🙂
I have read other books by her and really enjoyed them too, Jessica. I hope you’ll find the time to discover her books soon 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
I love the soul mate concept esp with the magical seeming connection.
Soul mates are always awesome in my opinion, but to have something make people feel like they just have to be together might still not be the best thing for them… This whole story is really good, though, Brandi! Thanks for stopping by.
This sounds like a fun read I really like the soul-mates angle with a touch of paranormal. I also love book set in small towns – since I’m from a small town too I love the atmosphere and ability to relate. Great review, Lexxie!
It is a fun, romantic and also sometimes sad read, Giselle. I really enjoyed it a lot!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
oh wow.. that’s different. A book about soul-mates. I like how it sounds especially since not every soul-mate is good for you, unhealthy as it’s put there. Great review. Going to have to look this one up.
I hope you’ll enjoy it too, Lily! I enjoyed how the soul-mates knew they were meant to be together, but how some of them still managed to not be supportive and loving as they should be.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hey Lexx 🙂 I like your new blog design! Who designed it? Designing Destiny sounds like a great book! I love stories with a magical element to it, and the whole idea of soul mates has always intrigued me. I like how Lucy decides to create her own destiny, and Seth sounds like an interesting character. Caden sounds like a character that I’d love to hate! Excellent Review Friend 🙂
Hey Lindy 🙂 Thank you! Silvia from Darkest Sins made my new header and follow button for me and I’m so happy with the result!
You summarized the characters perfectly, Lindy. And I think you’d really enjoy this story.
Thanks for stopping by.
Wowee, Lexxie. This sounds like it was a powerful read. I do believe it fate/soul mates, so I like the idea of combining the magic of soul mates and free will. And I’m now dying to know how it all works out! 🙂 Hmm…tbr or one-click?!? You’ve written a fabulous review, my friend. I can tell how much you enjoyed this one. 🙂
I hope your Tuesday was made of awesome. I have ~1 inch of snow…that’s it for now. We have more snow on the way though. I hope you melted that ice off your bike seat! *ha* I hope your second week of classes is going smoothly. *BIG HUGS*
Definitely one-click, Brandee 😀
My Tuesday was great, my classes were interesting, and I spent the afternoon with the husband 🙂
*BIG HUGS*
Okay, you twisted my arm…I one-clicked it! It was a steal at only 99 cents. 🙂
I’m glad you had such a lovely day, Lexxie! *big hugs*
Oh wow!! This sounds like a deep read! It has me intrigued! Lucy and Seth have had so much to deal with. Fantastic review Lexxie!!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
They do have a lot to deal with, and the story unfolds very nicely!
Thanks for stopping by, Naomi 🙂