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Chasing Destiny
Rusty McCenery is the powerful witch of Avalon, living in a world much like ours, just more magical. She’s beautiful and talented, and the master of her destiny… until two men shake her very foundation with their protestations of love. Ian McAllister is as handsome and almost as powerful as Rusty, but can’t be trusted. She leaves him behind but their whirlwind romance changes her life forever. Alex Cameron, a one-time lover who finds her again many years later, offers Rusty a very different type of love, one that helps to heal her heart. But their world is magical and with Rusty’s great power comes even greater threats to those she loves. As an ancient curse bears down on Rusty and her family, she must come to trust in herself and also in her heart.
430 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 2011
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142 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 6, 2011
This was a very touching story and beautifully written.
Set in the 1930s, it centres around three main characters: Nick, who puts his new night-club over and above everything else. He's a self-deprecating, toughened by life, once streetwise boy who falls in love with his lead act, Katherine, a beautiful – in mind and body – diminutive, golden-voiced singer. Completing the main trio is Ashton, a French aristocrat with name, money, title, class and good-breeding who competes for the love and affection of Katherine. Rugged Nick believes he cannot give Katherine what he believes she deserves – the life she could lead with the sophisticated French count, when all Katherine really wants is the love she knows he has for her, but refuses to admit to. It is Nick's denial and refusal to succumb to his feelings that is the catalyst of the chain of events that leads to unexpected endings for all.
I liked the subtle way in which Linda alludes to the era. There weren't blatant references, yet there was no doubt about the 30s backdrop. Linda also skilfully endears you to Nick and Kat – for all of Nick's bravado and despite his harsh childhood, he is tender-hearted and Kat grows from a slightly unworldly young girl to a defiant and assertive woman. There is nothing more that you want for these two than for them to be together. Linda's conception of the pompous Ashton is equally skilful – he is someone you want to hate, but ultimately, you find yourself liking him just a little bit, even harbouring the smallest amount of sympathy for him.
There are some harsh, adult scenes in this story, but they serve to embolden and develop the characters with the result that a novel which could verge on mushy or over-sentimental is neither: Linda has very ably conceived a tale that is touching, compelling and poignant with an ending, though not the HEA you might be hoping for, brings just a tiny glimmer of a smile to your lips.
Set in the 1930s, it centres around three main characters: Nick, who puts his new night-club over and above everything else. He's a self-deprecating, toughened by life, once streetwise boy who falls in love with his lead act, Katherine, a beautiful – in mind and body – diminutive, golden-voiced singer. Completing the main trio is Ashton, a French aristocrat with name, money, title, class and good-breeding who competes for the love and affection of Katherine. Rugged Nick believes he cannot give Katherine what he believes she deserves – the life she could lead with the sophisticated French count, when all Katherine really wants is the love she knows he has for her, but refuses to admit to. It is Nick's denial and refusal to succumb to his feelings that is the catalyst of the chain of events that leads to unexpected endings for all.
I liked the subtle way in which Linda alludes to the era. There weren't blatant references, yet there was no doubt about the 30s backdrop. Linda also skilfully endears you to Nick and Kat – for all of Nick's bravado and despite his harsh childhood, he is tender-hearted and Kat grows from a slightly unworldly young girl to a defiant and assertive woman. There is nothing more that you want for these two than for them to be together. Linda's conception of the pompous Ashton is equally skilful – he is someone you want to hate, but ultimately, you find yourself liking him just a little bit, even harbouring the smallest amount of sympathy for him.
There are some harsh, adult scenes in this story, but they serve to embolden and develop the characters with the result that a novel which could verge on mushy or over-sentimental is neither: Linda has very ably conceived a tale that is touching, compelling and poignant with an ending, though not the HEA you might be hoping for, brings just a tiny glimmer of a smile to your lips.
August 14, 2011
This was a wonderful story. Magic, witches, shape-shifters, curses and at its heart a love story.
The story was well told. I found myself drinking in the images of Avalon and once or twice lost myself in the sheer wonder and beauty of it. There were a couple of tear jerking moments but they were tempered with happiness on the other hand. There was some action in the middle and towards the end and I was willing the good guys to defeat the enemy!
I so enjoyed this and I hope anyone who loves witches and magic gets the enjoyment as I did.
The story was well told. I found myself drinking in the images of Avalon and once or twice lost myself in the sheer wonder and beauty of it. There were a couple of tear jerking moments but they were tempered with happiness on the other hand. There was some action in the middle and towards the end and I was willing the good guys to defeat the enemy!
I so enjoyed this and I hope anyone who loves witches and magic gets the enjoyment as I did.
January 23, 2012
I thought Chasing Destiny was a big mess! The story jumps around so much that your head will be spinning. Half the time I couldn't figure out what was going on. I think the author wanted to go between the past and present with her characters but her approach didn't work. I made it through 34% of the kindle version before I quit reading. However, I did like the characters. I just think the story was confusing, and there was no "world building" in the beginning. The author just threw us into the middle of another world and assumed we could figure it out.
June 25, 2011
Sparks fly and magic swirls around this charming story. Loved the characters and the great tension between them. Highly recommend.
October 1, 2011
Loved the time period and the style and language. The chemistry between the main characters sparked. A bit suspenseful and dark. An interesting story with a smoky backdrop.
August 23, 2019
Good read!!
August 22, 2011
Ebel-Swain’s storytelling is graceful and elegant, and perhaps just the way Rusty would tell her own tale. A third person narrative gives the reader insights into the major players, but the author navigates them skillfully, giving us only what we need to know when we need to know it. And, my favorite part, the romance that takes center-stage is a powerful one that seems to jump right off the page, somehow becoming even more magical than all those spells!
Read the full review at Love on the Bookshelf: http://loveonthebookshelf.wordpress.c...
Read the full review at Love on the Bookshelf: http://loveonthebookshelf.wordpress.c...
March 1, 2012
Although Chasing Destiny has a bit of a confusing style it appealed to my science fiction loving side. I appreciated the develpement of Rusty..the main character. In the book Rustys fickle loves don't seem to really fit..they almost feel like the romance was an after thought.
Over all I enjoyed the adventure part of the book...but it wasn't good enough for me to be overly excited about it.
Over all I enjoyed the adventure part of the book...but it wasn't good enough for me to be overly excited about it.
March 22, 2012
Quite well done. some twists and turns.
September 23, 2012
This book definitely had promise but fell short. The threats against Eve/Rusty seemed like an after thought and weren't really developed. Information pertaining to the why was also missing.
January 25, 2013
Get out the kleenex!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews